Australian tourists complain about prices in Bali

Australian travellers upset about the cost of holidaying in Bali say they will shun the island paradise by “staying home” or choosing other locations.

Australian travellers have complained that the much-loved paradise of Bali is becoming much too expensive.

Scores of tourists have taken to Facebook to vent at what they believe is the skyrocketing cost of food, transport and entertainment at the popular holiday destination.

One Australian traveller took to the Bali Bogan page to ask if anyone else had noticed the rising costs, and received a heated response with almost 500 comments.

“Is Bali becoming expensive?” the tourist pondered. “$60 (Aus) steaks, $4 coffees, $30 taxi ride from airport less than 4 kilometres, water parks costing $300 for family.

“It’s more expensive than anywhere in Asia. Have they become greedy or we (sic) happily pushing up prices?”

It comes as Bali announced that tourists will have to pay a new tourism tax when they arrive in the province from February 14 next year. It will cost IDR 150,000 ($15).

Tourists are complaining that prices are rising in Bali for items such as food and drinks. Picture: iStock

Many agreed with the observation about rising prices, with one tourist commenting: “It’s not as cheap as people say it is. We usually pay around $150 for dinner for a family of four. Two adults, two children. Bali prices have gone up.”

While another wrote: “It’s not only tourist trap areas that have increased but yes the tourist areas are expensive now. The mind boggles at the food prices in the restaurants now vs. the warung prices. Food is food in Bali and the restaurants aren't buying in at Aussie prices.”

A third commented: “I couldn’t of said it any better. Local and Bule pricing is a joke! Local was $2 entry fee and Bule $5 and if that’s not enough they charge four times more at the same place (entry fee, parking fee, then to go up some stairs to look at the view, and again on another side of the place to go look at the view on that side. You would think ‘Entry Fee’ covers the views. What a bl**dy joke!”

Others commented “let’s stay home” and “places like Thailand and Vietnam are half the price of here”.

Some had their theories as to what’s behind the increase and how to make Bali more affordable to visit again.

“It’s because tourists go to Bali cause its cheap and throw money round like it’s back home,” one said. “Then complain when the prices go up. It’s hilarious. The Brits did it to Spain, Turkey, Malta, Cyprus. Aussies doing (sic) the same thing in Bali.

“It seems Bali has become about the food and the Instagram photos. Half the charm of Bali in years gone by was the limited food choices and having to eat according to the country's culture. Such a shame.”

Young woman walking on the beach.

Others insisted there are cheap locations in Bali, you just have to find them.

“It hasn’t gone up that much still a lot cheaper than Australia,” one person said.

“We just ate at a high end Italian restaurant with six people for under $50 including two drinks each? Idk (sic) what you are talking about everywhere we have been has been extremely cheap,” said another.

“You can buy a $8 steak at Pavillion or an $800 steak selection at Si Jin. Or you can eat beef rendang for $1.50. Pick your place.”

Some of the menu prices at a restaurant in Bali. Some tourists point out that it’s all about picking your experience, just like at home – some will be more expensive, some cheaper.