Community-Based Tourism: Traveling with Purpose in Bali

Community-Based Tourism Bali: A Practical Guide to Traveling with Purpose in Bali

Tourism is the top industry of the island, according to researchers who study the island. It is a source of livelihood for many Balinese people, both directly and indirectly. This is why your choice of travel is important: where you stay, who takes you there and where your money goes.

The following guide is a simple explanation of community based tourism Bali. We examine the results of a recent study of a village in Bali and how the tourist levy operates in the island. We also discuss how to select experiences that will benefit the local people, and how our ashram does this in Ubud.

So, what is Community Based Tourism Bali really?

Community based tourism (CBT) is tourism that involves participation from local people in the operation of the tourism experience and in the benefits it brings. A typical form in Indonesia is Desa Wisata, or tourism village, which is managed by local villagers. The following is a description of village tourism as expressed in a qualitative study conducted in a provincial journal in Bali.

The number of tourism villages differs from source to source and year to year. According to a 2018 paper, there are 44 officially registered integrated tourism villages in Bali. In a later study, penned during Covid-19, the figure is 116.

What a Bali Village Study Found

The Journal of Applied Science in Tourism Destination (2025) presents a qualitative study of Sudaji Tourism Village in Buleleng, Indonesia, which provides a valuable glimpse into the reality of community-based tourism in Bali. The researchers found three kinds of benefit:

• Economic: income and jobs from homestays, food stalls, tour guiding and small businesses.
• Socio-cultural: capacity building training and the preservation of local traditions, such as the Ngusaba Bukakak ceremony, gamelan music and rindik music.
• Environmental: regular communal clean-ups, tree planting along access roads and local waste management.

The authors emphasize active involvement of the community. They also recognize some difficulties with implementing CBT, so it’s not a magic bullet. The results of this study cannot be generalized to all of Bali because it is only conducted in one village and only involves the people who participate in the tourism management in this village.

How Bali is formalizing responsible travel.

Foreign visitors to Bali are charged IDR 150,000 per person, which is collected cashless via the official Love Bali portal, from 14 February 2024. The provincial government’s release said that 2025 funds were allocated for cultural and environmental protection programmes for desa adat (traditional villages) and subak (irrigated fields). They were also allocated to waste management. The levy is not added to your visa fees.

It’s one indication that responsible tourism in Bali is becoming an official policy and not just a traveller’s choice. Payment should be made via the official site and a confirmation will be required at arrival.

The following are some tips for selecting community-based experiences.

Implementing community-based tourism Bali is quite easy to do, just a few checks.

Check Who Owns and Runs It

Find community-based tourism offerings by the local people themselves, including homestays, local guides, family-run warungs and village-managed trails. Inquire about basic questions, such as who operates this, who works there, and where do the fees go? If the answers are clear and specific, it’s a good sign.

Show Respect for Ceremonies and Customs

Ethical Tourism Bali also involves respecting living traditions. The ceremonies are not performances, but part of life. Our guide to the Balinese Hindu calendar and ceremonies will explain how the temple anniversaries and major festivals make up the year. Respect local advice on temples, dress modestly as requested, and request permission before taking photographs of individuals or offerings.

Travel Lightly

The journey to sustainable travel Bali begins with small decisions. Bring your own water bottle and bag and only bring what you will use. Select operators and accommodation that visibly control waste. This is similar to the local waste management activities reported in the Sudaji study.

Visit Ubud Yoga Ashram and bring your Purpose with you.

Yoga classes are integrated with seva (selfless service) at Ubud Yoga Ashram. We dedicate 10% of our revenues to local charities every year, primarily the education and basic needs of children in village communities in Bali.

Purposeful travel Bali can start before you arrive: opt for local, ask questions and come with a sense of curiosity. If you’re looking for a community-based tourism Bali experience, then start by getting to know the local village communities around Ubud. Contact our staff to discuss training and retreat dates that work for you. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is community-based tourism in Bali?
Community-based tourism Bali is a form of tourism that prioritizes local communities as its main target. It is tourism in which local residents take part in running experiences and share in the benefits. It is commonly found in tourism villages (desa wisata) in Bali, where the villagers operate homestays, guiding, food and cultural activities.

2. Is CBT automatically sustainable?

 Not automatically. The 2025 Sudaji study outlines contributions to the economy, culture and the environment, but also highlights challenges to implementation. It is a one-village study. Evaluate each experience based on the people who operate it, who it benefits and how it impacts the environment and local customs.

3. What is the tourist tax in Bali and who pays it to?
The new rate is IDR 150,000 per foreign visitor and will take effect on 14 February 2024 and be paid via the official Love Bali website. The provincial government’s 2025 allocation included cultural and environmental programs in the traditional villages and subak irrigation system, as well as waste management.

4. How do I know if an experience is truly community-led?
Inquire about its owner, its employees, and where the fees are being spent. Local guides and family businesses are good signs, as are village-run homestays. If the answer is vague or there is no local involvement, then look elsewhere.

5. Is Bali a place where I can volunteer?
Always read the rules. In May 2026, Business Standard reported that Bali’s immigration office had issued a caution against unpaid volunteering being considered a violation of a tourist visa. Check with the organisation and official immigration authorities what type of visa is required.