Bali’s Top Attractions Celebrate Surge In Tourist Visits

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The low season has been a long one in Bali this year, and so the island’s top attractions have been celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday and the huge influx of visitors that it brings.

The national public holiday in Indonesia and school vacations have led to millions of people traveling nationwide, and, of course, Bali is one of the most in-demand destinations. 

This weekend, Bali felt busier and more alive than it has for a while. The influx of domestic tourists for the Eid al-Fitr holiday has been a cause of celebration for top attractions and tourism businesses across the island.

Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Enik Ermawati was visiting Bali this weekend and stopped by top attractions like the Bali Botanical Garden in Bedugul.

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She told reporters that data confirms that more than 100 million people would be traveling over the holiday period. This is why Bali feels so busy right now, and traffic on the roads will feel extra congested through to the end of March. This is also why domestic flight costs and availability increased this week. 

Minister Ermawati told reporters, “According to survey data from the Ministry of Transportation, the number of people returning home for Eid is around 100 million. So, we estimate the movement will be similar this year.”

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Although hundreds of thousands of people have been visiting Bali, the province is not the number one destination for domestic tourists. Destinations across the island of Java have been in the highest demand. It is also worth noting that many people travel home to visit and stay with family, and not all those who travel are on a full vacation. 

Nevertheless, Minister Emrawati praised Bali Botanical Garden for its tourism offering to both domestic and international visitors. She noted, “This botanical garden is a favorite tourist destination, especially for families. It’s not just a place to enjoy the scenery, but also a place to learn.” 

The minister also praised the organisation of the tourism experience, from the flow of visitors to parking and litter.

She noted, “They’ve been quite good at setting up the flow from the front. There’s also a shuttle, so cars can enter. The most important thing, of course, is ensuring tourist safety. Warnings must continue to be emphasized.” Concluding, “I see that people are quite disciplined when traveling, throwing away trash in the bins provided.”

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Speaking separately, the Bali Botanical Gardens Branch Manager, I Dewa Putu Pasnadi Putra, was pleased with the influx of tourist numbers. He noted that typically the gardens welcome up to 500 people per day, though over the Eid al-Fitr holidays, the attraction has been seeing between 4000-5000 people. Bedugul is one of the most underrated destinations in Bali. Sitting at the heart of the central highlands, Bedugul is home to both cultural and natural wonders. For nature lovers, a walk around Lake Beratan is seriously dreamy, and there are plenty of wonderful gardens and agrotourism initiatives to explore too.

For tourists seeking a cultural experience, a visit to the picture-postcard Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is an absolute must. For those who don’t know it by name, you’ll certainly know it by sight.

Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is the ‘floating’ temple that is so iconic that it has even been featured on Indonesian banknotes. 

While Bedugul is a destination in its own right, worth spending a few nights on vacation, it can also be explored during a day trip. Most day trippers to Bedugul travel to the central highlands from Ubud or from the Canggu and Tanah Lot area, ticking off the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces along the way.