Bali Village Experience Gives Tourists A Glimpse At Local Life

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Tourists in Bali looking for a cultural immersion should look no further than a visit to Bakas Village.

This cultural adventure is just far enough from the beaten path to be crowd-free but close enough to top tourism resorts that it makes for an accessible day trip on the Island of the Gods. 

Visiting a tourist village in Bali is one of the best ways to really experience the island’s unique way of life firsthand.

Of course, Bali’s most well-known and busiest tourist village is Penglipuran Village in Bangli Regency, and the community welcomes thousands of visitors every day of the week.

Penglipuran Village has won top international awards and has been consistently praised as one of the top tourism villages in Indonesia. 

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For those seeking the cultural authenticity, without the crowds, then Bakas Tourism Village in Klungkung Regency is the perfect place.

The ancient village is emerging as one of Bali’s most up and coming tourism attractions.

While retaining its community-based tourism feel and authenticity, Bakas Village is giving tourists the chance to really learn what life is like in a traditional Balinese community.

Speaking to reporters, the Head of Bakas Village, I Wayan Murdana, said that Bakas Village is considered a deeply spiritual place as it is flanked by two rivers, namely Tukad Melangit to the west and Tukad Bubuh to the east of the village.

Surrounded by natural forest, the sound of birdsong, and the occasional troop of monkeys hanging out in the borders of the village and jungle, Bakas Village is charming and incredibly welcoming. 

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Murdana said, “Supported by Subak, which is still strong, we have been trying to develop Bakas into a tourist village since 2017; Astungkara has developed until now thanks to support from village tourism figures and actors, as well as the Klungkung district government and the Bali provincial government.”

Murdana confirmed to reporters that Bakas Tourism Village is currently developing the “One Day to Become a Balinese” program in order to preserve Balinese culinary delights and develop the village.

This innovative program offers tourists the chance to take part in a range of daily activities of traditional Balinese Hindu society and allows guests the chance to stay in a traditional homestay too.

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The One Day to Become a Balinese program starts with making offerings, making typical Balinese spiced dishes, practicing dancing, shopping at traditional markets, and enjoying the beauty of nature.

Murdana said, “Support from Adat and Subak is very strong; yesterday, this innovation assessment entered the final round, and hopefully, it will be recognized nationally.”

The tourism program is exactly the kind of tourism offering that leaders in Bali want to see more of across the island. Leaders in Bali want to see the development of more cultural and sustainable tourism as standard in the province.

According to Murdana, the concept of the “One Day to Become a Balinese” program is to invite tourists into Balinese culture and all of its customs.

Tourists are invited to live in Bakas Village for a full 24 hours (or more if they wish) by shadowing Balinese people who are subsequently benefiting from the community-based tourism model. 

One of the program facilitiators in Bakas Village, I Wayan Arsa, said that the program will have an impact on the economy of the village residents.

On the one hand, it helps the village continue to develop, and on the other hand, tourists have more experience while on holiday in Bali.

Arsa said, “I have developed this, repeatedly received extraordinary responses, and many future packages are even ready to be executed.”

The program was even showcased as part of the Bali & Beyond Travel Fair earlier this month and got the seal of approval from Indonesia’s top tourism officials.