In an island where travel brochures and blogs scream “tropical paradise” and the attractions so varied that it provides something for everyone, you’re bound to run into a few different types of tourists.
It’s only natural that when you get a bunch of people travelling to one island from all over the world, all with different purposes, you’ll start to notice the ones that are similar from one another. As it seems, they do too. Then you start to notice that they begin to do similar things, go to similar places and even form their own similar language. This may or may not intensify when they start hanging out with each other.
Before you know it, they might even give themselves a name. Or you might. And that name becomes their Bali-tourist identifier.
Now, we know that stereotypes don’t always hold true. People after all are individual and unique creatures. But research and some people watching have led us to conclude that some groups do share similar characteristics, which makes us identify them as….
1. Partying backpackers
Likely to be hanging around Kuta, Bali backpackers can generally be found donning harem pants, cut-offs or board shorts paired with singlets and flip-flops. During the day you will probably find them sitting around the beach sunbathing and drinking Bintangs, or ticking off the “main” tourist attractions (i.e. Tanah Lot and monkey forest) while pouring over their Lonely Planet guide. At night, they might class up their attire a little bit and hang out at Sky Garden for some booze-laden times. Many of them will venture to Gili Trawangan to continue this routine.
Due to the cheap tickets and proximity from Bali, a great number of them hail from down-under, though you will also find a great number of backpackers from other parts of the western world who has decided to include Bali as a stop in their mission to tick off the banana pancake trail.
2. Earth-loving hippies
Generally can be spotted in abundant numbers around Ubud or one of Bali’s numerous yoga retreats. Not the too luxurious ones though (but the wannabe hippies who don’t want to give up their comforts could possibly be found here). Usually hails from the US of A or somewhere in Scandinavia.
Harem pants, flowing patterned skirts, dreadlocks and green juice are all characteristics of the Bali earth-loving hippies. In and around Ubud, you will find many of them at vegan cafes and at the Yoga Barn, getting their spiritual moves on at the ecstatic dance sessions.
3. Digital nomads
These guys and gals generally hang around cafes where there is a decent internet connection, usually in the corner and permanently huddled to their laptops. If you do hear them converse with one another, you’ll probably hear them swap reviews on web hosting companies, drop-shipping strategies and which latest training video to watch/business podcast to listen to.
On the beach, you can probably find them engrossed in books such as the 4-Hour Workweek, The Lean Startup or Vagabonding. These guys are the epitome of wanting to be their own boss and are hell bent on making their millions while gallivanting around the globe — one wireless cafe at a time.
4. Young(ish) families
Indonesia isn’t the easiest place to travel with kids, but Bali’s abundant natural (and actual) playground makes it an attractive place for young families to get a little RnR and bonding (and affordability compared to other tropical destinations).
You will find many of them at family-friendly villas and resorts, though where there are hotels with kid-friendly pools or any kid facilities, you can bet that young families will be somewhere in the guest list.
Sanur is especially popular with young families, due to its more “sleepier” reputation, though the developed infrastructures of Seminyak and Kuta also make them popular places with young families. Many will include the Waterbom Waterpark and Bali Safari Marine Park in their itineraries.
5. Surfer dudes and chicks
One the most passionate tourists of the lot, this group will literally travel the globe in search for that one magic wave. Bali provides that potential.
Hailing from all over the world (a great number from USA, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil), these water lovers tend to be pretty chilled (and tanned). Though they’re pretty serious once they get in the water. A lot also love to drink although their commitment to rising ridiculously early means that they tend to be a little bit more sensible with their Bintang intake than the backpackers. Congregates around Uluwatu and Padang Padang.
6. Wellness and enlightenment seeking individuals
Can be found where the earth-loving hippies hang out, though are generally of a different breed. Overworked, disillusioned professionals or individuals who have experienced some major event in their life and are seeking spiritual guidance. Or just some time to “figure it out”.
Many of them will travel solo and will either tell you all about why they came to Bali or do their best to change the subject when someone ask them their plans. The retreats are a good place to find the overworked ones who are looking for a temporary reprieve, where some of them might be inspired to make drastic life changes which may or may not involve relocating to a tropical island.
7. Lovebirds and honeymooners
We’ll just say, it’s Bali. There’s sooo many romantic lookouts. And luxuries specifically created for lovebirds. And lots of places where you can get couple massages. Not to mention get married with million dollar views.
Can be found lovingly gazing into each other’s eyes at all of the sexy sunset spots, before taking a lovey-dovey selfie to make their not-in-Bali couple friends jealous.
8. Retirees
You’ll see these guys mountain biking down the Ubud hills with a sense of newfound freedom. Or motorbiking around the island like they have no care in the world or nowhere to be.
The long-term retired visitor will probably adopt the island’s laidback way of life and be chatting and laughing with locals. Or you will see staff acknowledge them in cafes and restaurants as they saunter to their regular hangouts. Some of them might even start businesses in Bali, and many will have very very interesting life stories that are worth listening to and learning from.
9. Anti-tourist tourists
Ah, haven’t we ALL been one of those before? This is the tourist that insists they want to go nowhere near Kuta or Seminyak and they really want to discover the “real” Bali. “We’re really not interested in doing any of the touristy stuff”, they smugly say.
At some point, they will usually succumb to doing at least one touristy thing or end up eating at a touristy place because Bali belly has hit them. When they do visit a tourist attraction they will probably complain that there are too many tourists, but they will still take touristy photos and post them on Facebook anyway.
All images are original Coconuts Media illustrations
