I've been to festivals everywhere, this is better than Burning Man

Bali-based travel blogger and photographer David Anderson has been to more than 100 festivals around the world. Now he's sharing the standouts.

“I’ve been travelling to festivals since I was 19,” says David Anderson, who estimates he’s attended at least 100 in his lifetime.

The US-born, Bali-based travel blogger at jonesaroundtheworld.com started going to festivals for the music, but soon discovered it was about the people.

“When I started travelling to festivals, I realised how incredible it felt to be on a dancefloor with like-minded people. I’ve met so many of my best friends at music festivals as the atmosphere is typically welcoming and people are so much more open to meeting new people,” he says.

“My next big festival is this insane New Year’s Eve party in Brazil called Universo Paralello.”

Bali-based travel blogger and photographer David Anderson at W Punta de Mita resort.

Here he shares his most memorable experiences around the world: 

AfrikaBurn, Cape Town

I’ve been to Burning Man, but AfrikaBurn about six hours’ drive from Cape Town is my newest obsession. There’s something incredibly special about it. While it can be a bit challenging and intimidating, it’s all worth it. I went with three friends but we managed to join an amazing theme camp of 50-plus travellers from all over the world. It was my favourite event last year and I can’t wait to return for many years to come.

AfrikaBurn is held in the South African desert, six hours' drive from Cape Town. Picture: versionz/Flickr

Tomorrowland, Belgium

Tomorrowland in Belgium is easily one of the biggest music festivals in the world, and absolutely lives up to the hype. Everything is so well thought-out and organised. It feels like an amusement park for adults. The stage designs, performers, artwork and expansive festival venue make it unforgettable. My highlight was watching Avicii play on the main stage in 2012. It was an electronic dance music dream come true.

The Tomorrowland Electronic Music Festival is one of the world's biggest. Picture: AFP

EDC Thailand

I recently had the pleasure of attending the first EDC Thailand. It was a spectacular destination festival with unbelievably massive and impressive stage designs, a stacked and diverse line-up spanning nearly every genre of electronic music, and a welcoming atmosphere with ravers from all over the world. My favourite set was Eli Brown, who rocked it with non-stop heavy techno. It brought back a lot of nostalgia of raving in my early 20s.

The main stage at EDC Thailand. Picture: David Anderson

Envision Festival, Costa Rica

Envision Festival that I flew all the way from India to attend was one of the most unique festival experiences in my life. Located in the jungle on the shores of Costa Rica, it’s a transformational event offering so many workshops, activities and unique musical performances. My highlight was being introduced to electronic duo Bob Moses and French musician Clozee. Both of their sets blew my mind.

Costa Rica's Envision Festival is held in Uvita, known for its beautiful beaches and jungle.

David Anderson’s travel highs and lows

Food fail

I was wrecked for a week from food poisoning while in Lombok, Indonesia. I had barely any money and had to rent a disgusting guesthouse to recover. I was sweating profusely, getting eaten by mosquitoes in a room with no AC, and frogs were under my bed.

Party in paradise

On a three-week trip to French Polynesia, we spent a day sailing on a catamaran in Bora Bora with a group called BucketLust. We anchored eight catamarans in a circle, partied to amazing music, and then swam underneath the stars. It was truly magical.

Originally published as I've been to festivals everywhere, this is better than Burning Man