Bali Travel Guide 2026: 10 Best Places to visit in Bali to Avoid Crowds & Tourist Traps

Bali has changed. If you're still following the old travel guides, you're going to spend more time in traffic than on the beach. Most people are falling for the same expensive traps, but today I'm showing you the new Bali. In this video, I'm counting down the 10 best locations you must visit this year. So let's start the countdown. Number 10, Sidemen Valley. This is the old Ubud. It offers the absolute best views of Mount Agung without the massive crowds or the traffic. Number 9, Savannah Tianyar. This is Bali's version of the African savannah. Located right at the foot of the volcano, it is completely free to enter and offers a landscape you won't find anywhere else on the island. Number 8, Ahmed Coast. If you want to snorkel with sea turtles right off a black sand beach, this is your spot. It is far more relaxed than the south and home to incredible underwater shipwrecks. Number 7, Mundak Waterfalls. Hidden deep in the northern highlands, these falls are much cooler and more peaceful than the ones near the airport. You can hike through the jungle and often have these massive waterfalls all to yourself. Number 6, Myungmyung Beach. This is the last truly wild stretch of white sand in Uluwatu where the steep cliff trek keeps the crowds away for a peaceful day. Number 5, West Bali National Park. A hidden paradise of protected forests where you can see rare deer walking on the beach and explore pristine coral reefs. Number 4, Jatiluwi Rice Terraces. This UNESCO site is 10 times bigger than Tegalalang, allowing you to hike through endless green fields in total peace. Number 3, Diamond Beach. This is the most iconic cliff view in Indonesia. But you must arrive before 8am to beat the heat and the crowds. Number 2, Bingin Beach. The ultimate spot for a relaxed surfer vibe and the best seafood BBQ you can find anywhere on the island. Number 1, Mount Batur Black Lava Jeep Tour. The jeep takes you through the stunning volcanic black lava fields and gets you to the best viewpoints faster and with much better photo opportunities. That's our top 10 list for 2026. But your trip could be ruined if you fall for these three traps. Trap number 1, Commercial Bali Swings. Don't pay $30 for a two-minute photo in a rented dress. It feels like a factory line. Instead, head north. Smaller guest houses have their own swings for a couple of dollars with a much more authentic jungle view. Trap number 2, Roadside Luwak Coffee Tours. These are high-pressure sales traps. The animals are often kept in poor conditions and the coffee is 10 times the price of local shops. For real Balinese coffee, find a local roaster in Ubud or Canggu instead. Before the final trap, the biggest time waster on the island, if this helps you, please hit subscribe. We're pushing for 1,000 subscribers this month and your support keeps us going. Trap number 3, The Lempuyang Gate Mirror Trick. Don't let Instagram fool you. You'll wait four hours for a two-second photo. And the secret? There's no water. It's just a local holding a mirror under your phone. Save your time and explore Ceyhan or Besaki Temple instead. Bali is incredible if you avoid the noise and pick the right spots. Combine these 10 locations with my planning guide and you'll have a perfect trip. See you in the next one.