HOW TO MEET PEOPLE WHEN TRAVELLING SOLO IN BALI
You don’t need to be an extrovert — or live in a party hostel.
The easiest connections often happen when you simply keep doing things with the same people.
THE FIRST DAY IS USUALLY THE HARDEST
You land in Bali, check into your room and suddenly realise nobody knows you’re there. That feeling can be exciting — and a little strange.
The trick is not to spend the whole trip trying to “meet people.” Put yourself in situations where you naturally see the same people more than once. Friendship becomes much easier after the second breakfast, second surf or second yoga class.
1. LEARN SOMETHING WITH OTHER PEOPLE
Surfing is almost designed for this. You share a session, laugh about wipeouts, celebrate someone’s first wave and immediately have something to talk about afterwards.
Yoga, cooking classes and other group activities work for the same reason: conversation has a starting point.
2. CHOOSE ACCOMMODATION WITH A COMMUNITY
A beautiful private villa can be perfect for privacy — but not necessarily for meeting anyone. If connection matters, look for accommodation where people actually share parts of the day.
A small surf camp creates repeated contact through surf sessions, breakfast, yoga and dinner. You can still have your own room and your own free time; the social opportunities are simply already there.
3. BECOME A REGULAR SOMEWHERE
Instead of visiting a different café every morning, return to one you like. Go to the same yoga studio. Spend time at the same beach. Familiar faces turn into greetings, and greetings turn into conversations.
This works especially well when you stay in one part of Bali long enough to develop a routine rather than moving accommodation every night or two.
4. SAY YES — WITHOUT SAYING YES TO EVERYTHING
If someone asks whether you want to join for sunset, lunch or another surf, saying yes once can change the whole shape of your trip.
But solo travel also means you’re allowed to protect your energy. You don’t need to attend every dinner or night out just because you came alone.
Choose connection, not obligation.
5. YOU DON’T NEED THE PARTY SCENE TO MAKE FRIENDS
Bars and nightlife can be social, but they are only one option. If that isn’t your scene, shared daytime experiences often create deeper connections anyway.
Surfing together at sunrise and sharing breakfast afterwards can be far more natural than trying to introduce yourself across a loud bar.
WHAT IF YOU’RE SHY?
You don’t need to walk into a room and introduce yourself to twenty strangers. Start with one person. Ask how their surf session went, where they’re from or how long they’re in Bali.
Structured activities do much of the social work for you. Once you’ve spent a morning doing something together, conversation usually becomes much easier.
You can arrive quiet and still leave with friends.
MEETING PEOPLE IN BALI: QUICK FAQ
Is Bali good for solo travellers who want to meet people?
Bali has many shared activities and accommodation styles that make social interaction easy to find. Your experience will depend greatly on where you stay and how you spend your days.
Do I need to stay in a hostel?
No. Surf camps, retreats, classes and other group experiences can offer a social environment without hostel-style accommodation.
Can I join a surf camp if I come alone?
Yes. Shared surf sessions, yoga and meals naturally create opportunities to get to know other guests.
What if I also want time alone?
That’s one of the benefits of solo travel. A social base gives you people to join when you want company without requiring you to spend every moment with the group.
COMING TO BALI ALONE?
Discover our Bali surf camp for solo travellers, explore our surf coaching, or see our Surf & Yoga packages.
COME ALONE. YOU WON’T HAVE TO STAY ALONE.
Surf, yoga, shared meals and an easy-going community waiting for you in Uluwatu.