How to Experience Bali Like a Local

Bali is the kind of place that hits differently when you experience it like a local. The island might be famous for its surf beaches, Instagrammable cafes, and high-end resorts, but that’s just scratching the surface. Beyond the tourist bubble, there’s a Bali that most visitors never see, one where morning markets hum with the sound of barter, temple ceremonies bring traffic to a standstill, and tiny warungs serve dishes that have been perfected over generations.

Locals don’t queue for overpriced smoothie bowls. They don’t take taxis from the airport. They definitely don’t spend $20 on a cocktail when an ice-cold Bintang is waiting at a roadside stall for a fraction of the price.

So, how do you experience the real Bali? It starts with knowing where to eat, where to stay, and how to move around the island without falling into the usual tourist traps. It’s about understanding Balinese culture, respecting local customs, and knowing that the best experiences often don’t come with a price tag.

This guide is your ticket to the authentic Bali experience. Actual actionable tips to help you see the island through the eyes of the people who call it home. Let’s get started.

Key Takeaways

• Experience Bali beyond its tourist spots by dining at local warungs, visiting morning markets, and participating in temple ceremonies.

• Best local foods: Babi Guling (roast pig), Nasi Campur (mixed rice), Bebek Betutu (slow-cooked duck), Lawar (spicy minced meat), and traditional sweets.

• Explore less touristy areas, such as Sidemen, Munduk, and Pemuteran, for an authentic cultural and natural experience.

• Travel like locals: rent motorbikes, use GoJek/Grab apps, or hire local drivers.

• Stay in family-run homestays to connect with Balinese life.

• Learn simple Balinese phrases like “Om Swastiastu” (hello) and “Suksma” (thank you) to engage with locals.

• The real Bali is felt through culture, food, and community, not just sights. Live it like a local for a memorable experience.

Where Locals Eat in Bali

Forget overpriced beachside cafes and tourist-packed restaurants. The best food in Bali is found in local warungs, family-run eateries where the flavors are bold, the portions are generous, and the prices are ridiculously cheap.

Best Local Eats

• Warung Nasi Bali Men Weti (Sanur) – The ultimate Balinese breakfast spot. Spicy chicken, coconut-infused rice, and crispy fried skin that locals line up for.

• Babi Guling Ibu Oka (Ubud) – The most famous suckling pig in Bali. Go early before they sell out.

• Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Bu Mangku (Ubud, Seminyak, Jimbaran) – A must-try for Balinese-style chicken rice.

• Lawar & Nasi Campur Men Tingen (Denpasar) – Lawar is Bali’s go-to spicy minced meat dish, and this place does it best.

• Soto Ayam Depot 21 (Kuta) – The best Indonesian chicken soup you’ll ever have.

What to Order

• Nasi Campur – A mixed rice dish with meats, vegetables, peanuts, eggs, and sambal.

• Babi Guling – Balinese-style roast pork, crispy and full of spice.

• Bebek Betutu – Slow-cooked duck wrapped in banana leaves.

• Lawar – A traditional mix of minced meat, coconut, and spices.

• Jaje Bali – Traditional Balinese sweets made from rice flour, coconut, and palm sugar.

Locals don’t eat at fancy beachfront restaurants. They eat at warungs. If the menu is handwritten on the wall, and there’s a queue of Balinese families waiting, you’re in the right place.

Explore Beyond the Tourist Zones

Want to avoid the crowds and overpriced cocktails? Step outside the usual Seminyak-Canggu-Ubud circuit.

Where Locals Go in Bali

• Sidemen – Bali’s best-kept secret. Think Ubud, but without the crowds. Rice fields, quiet temples, and local homestays.

• Pemuteran & Menjangan Island – The best snorkeling and diving in Bali, without the tour buses.

• Munduk – Waterfalls, coffee plantations, and mountain views that rival Ubud, minus the tourists.

• Kintamani & Mount Batur – Where locals go for sunrise hikes and volcanic hot springs.

• West Bali National Park – A true off-the-grid nature experience. Hike through the jungle, spot deer and wild boars, or take a boat to Menjangan Island.

Bali isn’t just about beach clubs and yoga retreats. The further you go, the more authentic the experience becomes.

Experience a Local Ceremony

Bali is 90% Hindu, and spirituality is a huge part of everyday life. Chances are, no matter when you visit, there will be a temple ceremony happening somewhere.

How to Experience a Ceremony Respectfully

• Visit During Galungan & Kuningan – These are Bali’s most important religious festivals, happening every six months. The streets are decorated with tall bamboo poles, families dress in their finest temple attire, and processions take over the roads.

• Attend a Temple Ceremony – If you stay in a Balinese village, your hosts might invite you to a temple ceremony. Always dress respectfully, wear a sarong, and a sash.

• Watch a Traditional Dance Performance – While some are touristy, places like Pura Uluwatu and Pura Dalem Ubud host authentic Kecak fire dances.

Temples aren’t just tourist attractions in Bali. They are living places of worship. If you’re lucky enough to witness a real ceremony, observe quietly and be respectful.

Travel Like a Local

Taxis? Overpriced. Renting a motorbike? Risky if you don’t know Bali’s roads. Here’s how locals get around.

Best Ways to Get Around

• Motorbike Rental – The best way to explore Bali like a local, but only if you’re comfortable riding. Always wear a helmet, and don’t ride without an international driving permit.

• Bemo (Local Minibus) – Rarely used by tourists, but great for short trips in rural areas.

• GoJek & Grab – The easiest way to get around without renting a bike. Use the app to avoid price negotiations.

• Hire a Local Driver – If you’re traveling long distances, hiring a driver for the day is the best option. Expect to pay around IDR 500,000-1,000,000 ($30-$65 USD) per day.

Locals don’t take Bluebird taxis or overpriced private transfers from the airport. If you want to travel like a Balinese person, go for a motorbike, a local driver, or an app-based ride.

Stay in a Local Homestay

Skip the five-star resorts and experience Balinese hospitality by staying in a local homestay or guesthouse.

Best Local Stays

• Pondok Wahyu (Sidemen) – Family-run with breathtaking rice field views.

• Pondok Indah (Pemuteran) – Quiet, traditional, and close to the beach.

• Geriya Amertha Sari (Ubud) – A traditional Balinese compound with homestay rooms.

• Ti Amo Bali (Munduk) – Incredible mountain views with a local feel.

Homestays let you connect with Balinese families, experience their daily life, and get local tips you won’t find in guidebooks.

Learn a Few Balinese Words

English is widely spoken in Bali, but locals love it when visitors make an effort to speak their language.

Here are a few key Balinese phrases:

• Om Swastiastu – A Balinese greeting (hello, in a spiritual way).

• Suksma / Matur Suksma – Thank you (informal / formal).

• Punapi Gatra – How are you?

• Sing Ken Ken – No worries, it’s okay.

Want to make friends in Bali? Learn just a few words in Balinese, and you’ll get smiles everywhere you go.

Conclusion

There are two ways to experience Bali. You can stick to the tourist trail, hopping between beach clubs, crowded temples, and overpriced resorts. Or you can go deeper, eat where the locals eat, explore the quiet villages, join a temple ceremony, and trade luxury for authenticity.

One path gives you great photos. The other? It gives you stories.

The real Bali isn’t something you just see. It’s something you feel. It’s in the scent of incense drifting through the air at dawn, in the clink of kopi cups at a roadside stall, in the warm smile of a local who teaches you your first words in Balinese.

So go beyond the curated experiences. Get lost. Try the dish you can’t pronounce. Say yes to the unexpected. Because Bali isn’t just a destination, it’s an experience. And the best way to have it? Live it like a local.

Ready to dive even deeper into authentic Bali? Our Bali Travel E-Guide includes curated local tips, hidden gems, and a custom Google Map to help you explore the island the way Balinese do.