Foreign tourists on Bali Island in Indonesia. Photo by AFP
Though Indonesia’s Bali was continuously voted Asia’s most beautiful island, Reddit users have listed it one of most overrated destinations due to pollution and overcrowding.
In a post on the American social media platform, users have shared their experiences about the most underwhelming places around the world.
The tourist island has millions of Instagram posts featuring beaches, temples and tropical nature but many visitors say the reality is less than spectacular.
“We went expecting white sandy beaches, palm trees, temples and an almost zen-like calm. We discovered very quickly that the whole of Kuta Beach is covered in trash,” a user called BigBadAl wrote.
“Too much pollution in Bali. Drunks on the beach. Black sand. Effluent running into the ocean. Two hours in traffic to see an underwhelming attraction,” another user, 38396972, added.
Authorities in Bali recently introduced new guidelines for foreign tourists to curb misbehaviors and improve its tourism image amid travel boom.
Tourists are also prohibited from littering or polluting Bali’s environment and throwing waste in lakes and rivers.
Bali was named Asia’s most beautiful island at this year’s annual Reader’s Choice Awards by DestinAsian magazine.
In October last year, the island was honored with the same recognition by readers of Condé Nast Traveler in its Readers’ Choice Awards.
Bali welcomed 6.3 million international visitors in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. This year it aims to attract 6.5 million tourists.
Some other “overrated” places shared by Reddit users were Abu Dhabi and Dubai in UAE, Santorini in Greece, Blue Lagoon in Iceland, Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Phi Phi Islands in Thailand.
