Bali’s Hidden Green Gems Beyond the Resorts

Let’s get this out of the way: Bali is not a secret.

It’s been on every “top 10 tropical places to find yourself” list since forever. And yeah — there are resorts, beach clubs, infinity pools, and more smoothie bowls than you knew existed. But here’s the twist:

Bali also has a quiet, green side — one that’s hiding just past the traffic and Instagram queues. And once you find it… you might never want to go back.

First, Step Away from the Main Strip
If you land in Denpasar and head straight to Kuta or Seminyak, it’s gonna feel like spring break with incense. But take a turn north, inland, or even just pause before hitting “resort mode” — and you’ll start to notice something else: Bali’s heartbeat. The slow one. The green one.

Head toward places like Sidemen, Munduk, or Pemuteran — spots where the rice fields stretch forever, and chickens still outnumber scooters. You’ll find homestays instead of hotels, waterfalls without a ticket booth, and people who aren’t selling yoga pants.

Eco Isn’t a Trend Here — It’s Ancient
Long before the word “sustainable” hit travel brochures, Balinese communities were already living it. Farming in harmony with the moon, sharing water through ancient “subak” systems, making offerings every single day not to a god above nature, but to the spirit inside it.

A lot of the newer eco-resorts are just catching up with what locals have done for centuries.

Places like Sarinbuana Eco Lodge, or the permaculture village in Kastara, don’t just run on solar — they run on purpose. You wake up to birds. You eat what’s grown around you. And suddenly your idea of “luxury” changes completely.

Ubud Isn’t Dead — You Just Need to Look Deeper
Yeah, Ubud gets crowded. But if you move just 10–15 minutes outside the center (and resist the urge to stop at every acai bar), you’ll find places doing serious work for sustainability.

Want to see regenerative farming in action? Visit New Earth Haven or Kul Kul Farm — they’re doing everything from bamboo architecture to natural building workshops. There are even eco-villages where people live full-time off-grid and grow everything they eat. And no, it’s not just for “digital nomads” doing ayahuasca. (Though… that’s here too.)

Plastic Is a Problem — But the Fight Is Real
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Bali struggles with plastic. Especially during rainy season, rivers and beaches can get choked with waste.

But what’s amazing is how many locals are stepping up. Groups like Bye Bye Plastic Bags, founded by Balinese teenagers, are pushing real change. There are cleanups every weekend. Cafes with zero plastic policies. Refill stations for water bottles. Even temples now host eco-education workshops.

Travelers just have to not be the problem — bring your own bottle, say no to bags and straws, and support places that actually walk the talk.

Adventure, the Slow Kind
Want a green adventure? Try:

Trekking through the Jatiluwih rice terraces (UNESCO-listed, and way less touristy than Tegalalang)
Snorkeling in Menjangan Island, where coral rehab is actually working
Biking through Bangli villages, where the only traffic is ducks
Or just sitting in the middle of nowhere and realizing: you’re breathing cleaner than you have in weeks
Last Thought
Bali can be loud and messy and overhyped — but it can also be magic. Especially when you go off-script.

So take a detour. Stay small. Meet the people actually taking care of the island. You’ll leave with fewer selfies, maybe, but a way bigger heart.