Bali Traffic Is Out of Control—And Tourists Are to Blame!

If you've visited Bali recently, you've probably sat in traffic longer than you'd hoped. But have you ever asked yourself: what’s really causing the chaos?

Spoiler alert: it’s not just bad roads—it’s us. It's the tourists.

Overtourism and Internal Migration Post-COVID

Bali has always been a hotspot for international travelers, but in recent years, it's also become a magnet for domestic migration. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, investments in Bali have surged, and people from across Indonesia have moved to the island in search of opportunity.

While growth is good, the island’s narrow, aging roads haven’t kept up. The result? A gridlocked paradise.

But traffic isn't the main issue.

The Real Problem: Budget Travel and Ride-Hailing Apps in Bali

One major cause of Bali's worsening traffic is the budget travel mentality many tourists now carry. With affordability as the top priority, ride-hailing apps like Gojek, Grab, and InDrive have become the go-to transportation option for many visitors.

Sure, these platforms are convenient and cheap. But the hidden cost? Exploitation of drivers, minimal benefit to the local economy, and massive traffic congestion.

The problem isn’t just economic—it’s cultural.

Why Ride-Hailing Apps Hurt the Balinese Community

These services are largely owned by foreign investors, with many of the drivers coming from outside Bali. This creates multiple issues:
- Drivers accept lower wages, which local Balinese often can’t compete with.
- Profits leave Bali, benefiting corporate offices in Jakarta, Singapore, or beyond.
- Balinese traditions come at a cost—from temple ceremonies to daily offerings—which newcomers don’t share or support.

For an island that thrives on its unique identity, this shift is dangerous.

Is It Racism to Protect Local Livelihoods? Let’s Talk About It.

Let’s be real—does racism exist in Bali? Maybe. It’s a sensitive issue, but not in the way you might think.

Imagine if your hometown—say, Toronto, Melbourne, or Berlin—was overwhelmed by outsiders taking jobs, driving up housing prices, and slowly eroding your cultural identity. That’s not racism. That’s survival.

In Bali, local people are getting pushed aside—economically and socially—by a system that doesn’t protect them.

The same thing has happened in Canada’s housing crisis, and now it’s happening here. The Balinese can’t afford rent, let alone own a home. Meanwhile, outsiders thrive, not because they’re bad people—but because they aren’t asked to carry the same cultural responsibilities.

The Cultural Cost of Cheap Transport

Ride-hailing drivers from outside Bali don’t contribute to the ceremonies or decorations tourists love to photograph. They don’t keep the roadside temples lit or the traditional villages alive.

So when tourists say “Bali has changed,” we ask: How do you expect the island to stay the same if you don’t support the people who maintain its culture?

I’m not Balinese—I’m from Java. But I choose to work with the Balinese, and I put them first. Because I see what happens when no one else does.

The Harsh Truth: $1 Rides, $0 Support

Let’s put it plainly:
- Foreign-owned ride apps send profits elsewhere.
- Comers get hired because they’ll accept lower wages.
- Tourists choose those services because they’re just $1 to $10 cheaper.

Then we all suffer the consequences: worse traffic, a fragile local economy, and the erosion of Bali’s identity.

And yet... tourists still complain. “Bali is too modern.” “It’s not like it used to be.”

Of course it isn’t.

What Can Tourists Do to Help Bali?

Here’s our simple message to you:
✅ Yes, enjoy your vacation.
✅ Yes, stretch your budget.
✅ But please, choose local.

By using Balinese-owned transport, guides, and accommodations, you’re doing more than just spending money. You’re investing in:
Balinese families
Children's education
Cultural preservation
Less traffic congestion

You help keep Bali Bali.