Why You Should Skip Bali for This Indonesian Paradise

Bali, Indonesia, is all the rage, with more than three million visitors flocking to the gorgeous island each year. But that’s precisely the problem. Thanks to books like Eat, Pray, Love, a growth in fancy yoga retreats and luxe resorts and a new, relaxed visa policy, Bali isn’t the sleepy Indonesian beach-bum town it used to be. Hordes of tourists and expensive hotels and restaurants have since sullied the island’s charm.

So forget Bali, but don't give up your dream of a Indonesian dream vacation. If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure that’s cheaper and more authentic yet still includes amazing diving, snorkeling and deserted sandy beaches, the Gili Islands are where it’s at.

Comprised of three small Indonesian islands located off the northwest coast of Lombok, the Gili Islands are Gili Meno, Gili Air and Gili Trawangan. Gili Meno is the tranquil island, perfect for a restful vacation full of peaceful sunsets and fruit smoothies, or for honeymooners looking for lots of romantic, deserted beaches. Gili Air has the largest local population and is a fun mix of calm shores and happening beach bars — having both more infrastructure and a calm environment makes this island nice for families and couples. Gili Trawangan is great for groups of friends or solo travelers wanting to party it up, with beach clubs pumping music until the wee hours of the morning.

Upon stepping onto the white sandy shores of the Gili Islands, I knew I was in for a special experience. You'll feel the same way, I'm sure. Here’s why you should head there.

Bikes and Horse Carts Are Used Instead of Cars

There's something truly wonderful about the idea of having no cars around — you never really realize how smelly and noisy motor vehicles are until they're gone and you can wander about freely in peace, without having to look both ways before crossing the street, or, in Gili, the sandy pathways.

The no-car rule makes the islands feel quaint and tranquil, allowing travelers to truly escape. As the islands are fairly small, you can move around on foot — bike rentals are widely available, too. (Prepare to jump off your bike and walk when the pathways get too sandy, though.) For those worried about carrying heavy luggage, there are horse carts available, ready to take you from the docks to the various hotels and bungalows around the island.

All Three Islands Are Super-Affordable

Whereas Bali is slowly becoming a leader in luxury travel, the Gili Islands remain inexpensive — an air-conditioned inland bungalow with a private bathroom and Wi-Fi, for instance, can cost you as little as $20 per night. More luxurious hotels are also widely available, but still at a fairly reasonable price, and backpackers can easily find plenty of cheap shared dorm options. Beachfront dining can cost as little as a few dollars per meal if you stick to the local cuisine, like nasi goreng (fried rice, typically served with chicken). Western food, finer dining and fresh seafood are all available and affordable — even a splurge on a feast won't break your budget on these islands. Activities are also pretty cheap, and an afternoon of scuba diving — including all equipment, monitors and boat rides — generally run about $45. Whether you want to travel like a backpacker, a king or anyone in between, the Gilis have got you covered.

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You Can Truly Go off the Grid

Many locals still reside on the Gilis and the interior of the islands are quite rural, so don't be surprised to see roaming chickens and goats, wooden bungalow homestays and makeshift restaurants dotting the sandy roads. You may hear strains of Arabic now and then because Indonesia is an Islamic country where the locals pray several times a day. The people living here are friendly, open to tourists and enjoy sharing their tranquil way of life with visitors. Though Wi-Fi is widely available, you may find yourself letting go of life's modern comforts and just enjoying the simple way of life the Gilis are known for. There are unique surprises around the islands to discover for yourself, like a small inland saltwater lake on Gili Meno, one of the best spots in the world to enjoy a sunset.

They're Home to Stunning Beaches and Great Snorkeling

Even during the high season, the beaches of the Gili Islands are still blissfully empty, featuring pristine, white sands and clear, turquoise waters. Of course, if you prefer beaches with all the amenities, there are plenty of spots with beachfront dining, lounge chairs, beanbags, kayaks and paddle-board rentals, among other activities.

Cruising the island by bike can help you find the perfect beach, as there are many small beach bars with hammocks strung up and reggae on the radio just waiting for you to stop and enjoy a fresh fruit smoothie or cold beer.

Most beach bars will also rent you snorkel gear — the Gili Islands may be one of the few places you can see giant hawksbill turtles so close to the shore. Snorkel day trips are also available from boats that take you to various spots around the islands. (It's the perfect place to get your PADI certification, too.) Check out Blue Marlin Dive, which has locations on all three islands. Hopefully you'll spot a reef shark or a giant sunfish, as both species can be found in the Gili waters.

Newsflash: You Can Still Do Bali

If you are still dying to visit Bali, you can travel by boat to the Gilis from there, allowing you to visit both places. The public ferry boat takes about five hours and is the cheapest option, but you can also fly between Bali and Lombok on Lion Air and Wings Air, then take the ferry.

To get to the Gili Islands via Lombok, hop a flight on AirAsia from Kuala Lumpur, a SilkAir flight from Singapore or a Garuda Indonesia (a SkyTeam alliance member) flight from Jakarta. Once in Lombok, you have several options for public ferries and private speedboats at a variety of prices. The trip takes about 15 minutes from Lombok, so if you prefer a shorter boat ride, this is the ideal option. Plus, Lombok is a lovely island to explore, with plenty of beaches, great surfing and the famous Mount Rinjani volcano. It also tends to have fewer tourists than Bali.

There are also plenty of options to use points and miles to get to an Asian hub like Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Jakarta. Although Garuda Indonesia doesn't yet operate flights to the US, the carrier does fly to Asia from Europe, and is a ThankYou Rewards transfer member, as are Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and EVA Air.

Have you been to the Gili Islands? Tell us about your experience below.