
Bali prioritizes sustainability in its tourism sector, offering a range of eco-stays, bamboo buildings, and regenerative tourism initiatives. These accommodations provide a deeper connection to Balinese culture and landscape, often at affordable prices. Hideout in Karangasem Regency is known for its bamboo architecture and activities like private yoga, Balinese healer visits, guided treks, and silversmithing workshops. Sarinbuana Eco Lodge in the Tabanan Hills features a permaculture garden, natural pools, sauna, and access to waterfalls, with options for birdwatching and jungle exploration. Firefly Eco-Lodge Bali near Ubud, featured on Netflix, offers bamboo treehouses surrounded by rice paddies. For a truly sustainable adventure, Astungkara Way in Tabanan Regency provides overnight stays on a regenerative farm and multi-day treks, including communal sleeping platforms, home-cooked meals, harvesting, farm visits, trekking, and cultural immersions like learning gamelan. The platforms for Astungkara Way were donated by Desa Potato Head in Seminyak.
This summary was generated from a story originally published by Bali news.
Must readTwo Dutch expatriates have been banned from Indonesia by Bali's Immigration department for allegedly organizing a run club event, "Entourage Bali," that discriminated against local residents. The event, a "Silent Disco running event," was condemned by Bali's Director General of Immigration, Hendarsam Marantoko, who stated that foreign nationals are not permitted to manage events in Indonesia. The two men, identified as JAS, 35, and HQV, 37, left Bali for Singapore on Wednesday night and have been placed on a travel ban list. Complaints arose online, including from an Indonesian woman who stated her application to join was to be reviewed, while her husband's application with a "western name and number" was immediately accepted. Balinese-based Indonesian Senator Niluh Djelantik also criticized the event, stating that utilizing public spaces while rejecting local residents is unacceptable. Entourage Bali issued a statement apologizing for any offense, attributing the issue to errors in an automated approval process for their WhatsApp groups, which incorrectly rejected some Indonesian phone numbers. They claimed Indonesians represented nearly 25% of ticket sales for the silent disco run and have paused all events. This incident occurs as Bali immigration increases its crackdown on foreign nationals working on tourist visas, with the Australian Smartraveller website advising Australians to understand their visa conditions.
Must readEntourage Bali, a popular running club known for its 'silent disco' events, has suspended all operations following allegations that it systematically rejected local Indonesian residents from joining. Leaked messages reportedly showed organizers asking applicants for their nationality and then rejecting those identified as local, stating the platform was for digital nomads. This policy has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with locals and expatriates criticizing the group for creating exclusive foreign-only communities on public Balinese roads. While the club previously claimed a mix of foreigners and locals, an Australian runner who recently attended an event estimated that 95% of participants were foreign. Entourage Bali operates across Canggu, Uluwatu, and Ubud, also managing WhatsApp networks for foreigners. The organizers have not commented publicly but confirmed in internal messages that events are paused due to the "commotion."

A mother and her 9-year-old autistic son experienced a 30-hour travel ordeal to Bali after their direct Air New Zealand flight was cancelled and rebooked. Kama Kanic had reserved a Skycouch for her son's comfort, but the rebooked itinerary involved three countries, multiple aircraft, no Skycouch, unsuitable seating, and no special meals, despite special requests on their booking. Kanic reported a lack of communication and support from the airline, leading to her son's distress. Upon arrival in Bali, they lost two days of their holiday recovering. Initially, Air New Zealand deemed her request to extend their return flights by two days as "not reasonable." However, after Kanic posted about her experience on social media, Air New Zealand apologized, offered the transcript as a training opportunity for staff, and changed their return flights at no additional cost, reinstating a Skycouch.