Bali Development Update
Bali Development Update – Important Bali Metro & Highway Development Project updates issued to Holidaymakers
Traffic is the last thing tourists want to be thinking about when they head on vacation. In fact, jetting off on holiday is the annual escape from commuter traffic and rush-hour congestion for millions of people.
Still, in Bali, the traffic is an inescapable reality. In 2026, however, local leaders want to see major improvements.
Bali’s traffic congestion has even made international headlines. With the Canggu shortcut traffic gridlock long the butt of jokes, most people on the island approach the issue with a grounded acceptance of the present reality and a spoonful of good humor.
However lightly the issue may be handled on a day-to-day basis, everyone agrees that urgent change is needed.
The traffic issues are affecting life on the island in unacceptable ways. Local residents are often stuck in traffic for over an hour on their daily journeys to and from work.
Many drivers riding motorcycles, there are growing concerns about public health due to pollution.
There is hope that 2026 is the year that serious progress is made on keeping Bali’s traffic network moving. For tourists traveling to the island for the first time, and even for those returning to the province, this year’s vacations will certainly encounter major road works and newly established traffic flow systems.
Things could get worse before they get better as massive infrastructure developments, including the Bali Metro Project, the Jimbaran Underpass, and the Singaraja-Mengwitani Shortcut, all get underway, as well as continued work on the Mengwi-Gilimanuk Highway, and even scope for the North-South Toll Road to start too.
Speaking to reporters, Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster confirmed that work on the Jimbaran Underpass Road will begin in 2026, pending the green light from the Central Government.
Main Article: Bali Development Update
The official groundbreaking ceremony has already taken place, in accordance with Balinese customary practices, and Governor Koster shared:
“We have reported and requested the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing to address traffic congestion in Bali by building the Jimbaran Underpass. He has approved it.”
He revealed that construction of the underpass is projected to cost around IDR 350 billion. The Badung Regency Government is currently working on the Detailed Engineering Design (DED) and Feasibility Study (FS).
This study is being directly monitored by Governor Koster. He noted, “The DED and FS will be completed by the end of February at the latest.”
The Jimbaran Underpass is set to help alleviate the traffic bottleneck that forms around the entry to the Bukit Peninsula. It is affecting the traffic flow around the popular resorts of Kuta, Jimbaran, Uluwatu, and traffic heading towards the eastern side of the Bukit Peninsula from central Denpasar, like Sanur and Nusa Dua.
Tourists’ Spending Power In Bali
Whether we like it or not, money has a huge influence on our travel decisions.
The Indonesian Rupiah has weakened, which is concerning in many ways; however, economists are noting that this could offer unexpected benefits to both international and domestic tourists.
The Indonesian Rupiah has weakened against the US dollar. For Indonesian nationals and those who earn in IDR, this is a concerning market trend.
This makes purchasing power with Indonesian Rupiah weaker, making it more expensive to spend money abroad. Economists and tourism leaders in Bali are looking at the situation through rose-tinted glasses.
As the low season rolls on in Bali, everything from room rates to day trip prices tends to drop. With the Indonesian Rupiah weakened, alongside a seasonal drop in travel costs in Bali, for international tourists, this is one of the best times to travel to Bali in terms of value for money.
Professor of the Faculty of Economics and Business at Undiknas Denpasar, Dr IB Raka Suardana, spoke to reporters about his observations of the market. He shared, “For hotels and accommodations targeting the international market, the weakening rupiah actually increases Bali’s appeal because it makes it a more competitive destination in terms of price.”
It also has a benefit for domestic tourists, since it is now more affordable to travel to the country’s most popular destinations, rather than its international competitors.
There have been plenty of discussions from leaders within the central and Bali provincial governments over the last few years about the cost of travel to Bali.
There have been concerns that the price of domestic flights to Bali from major cities across Indonesia has been higher than travel to similar destinations around Southeast Asia, prompting Indonesian travellers to book vacations abroad rather than across the archipelago.
Prof Suardana continued, “The weakening rupiah certainly impacts domestic tourists in two ways: domestic tourism becomes relatively cheaper, so Indonesian tourists have stronger purchasing power compared to traveling abroad.”
The academic noted that Bali must continue to attract an increasing number of international tourists, but also focus on welcoming more domestic tourists too.
He explained that many tourism businesses in Bali overlook the domestic market since the purchasing power is deemed less powerful.
Prof Suardana shared, “The average expenditure of domestic tourists is still lower than that of International tourists, so their contribution to foreign exchange and tourism revenue is also smaller.”
He concluded, “Domestic tourists can provide a more stable basis for demand, but the international segment remains crucial to maintaining the quality of Bali’s tourism economic growth.”
Main Article: Bali Development Update
International tourists who are looking to snap up last-minute travel deals to Bali are in luck. While it is true that booking travel long in advance helps make savings, so too does booking super last-minute.
This is true for flights and accommodation. It is also true that staying longer also helps reduce the price of accommodation.
Many of Bali’s most in-demand and luxurious hotels and resorts offer stay longer, save more deals on everything from 3-5 night stays, all the way through to two-week getaways.
With the cost of travel to Bali more affordable than usual, now is a fantastic time to see as much of the island as possible, especially considering it is low season. With fewer crowds, more value for money, what is stopping you from booking that trip?!
Now is the best time to create a multi-stop itinerary that ticks off all of Bali’s best destinations and cultural attractions, including Canggu, Seminyak, Ubud, Uluwatu, and Nusa Penida.
Bali Development Update - Bali's famous Kuta Beach
It is all happening down in Kuta right now. As major construction and conservation efforts are underway on Kuta Beach this week, tourists need to know what to expect.
Kuta Beach is one of Bali’s worst-affected areas for coastal abrasion. The beachfront has been eroded away year after year, and intensive efforts have been put in place to help protect the beach for future generations.
Tourists travelling to Kuta Beach right now, and in the coming weeks, will see a lot of construction and conservation work taking place. The Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency (PUPR), the Badung Regency Government, is currently carrying out sand refilling work, which can be noisy and involves heavy machinery.
The Regent of Badung, Wayan Adi Arnawa, told reporters that he is committed to improving and protecting Kuta for both local communities and tourists.
He shared, “When we talk about Kuta, one of the most prominent attractions is surfing. Its beautiful waves, ranked among the top five in the world, have made this area famous among international tourists.
I want to restore Kuta’s glory, maintain its authenticity and tourist comfort, while ensuring the economic benefits benefit the local community.”
Speaking separately, the Acting Head of the Badung Public Works and Public Housing Agency, Anak Agung Rama Putra, explained that alongside sand refilling, there is also work underway to prepare the pavement between Hardrock Kuta and Beachwalk Shopping Center.
He explained, “The abrasion is now moving eastward, in front of Hardrock and Beachwalk. We are addressing the damaged areas, which total approximately 100 meters.”
He added, “We hope this maintenance will provide a sense of security and comfort for visitors, both international and domestic, who want to visit the Samigita Beach area.”
Samigita Beach is the local name for the stretch of coastline that runs from Kuta Beach through to the end of Seminyak Beach.
It is not only the coastal conservation effort and repair work that is taking place at Kuta Beach, but efforts are underway to help better organise businesses and services for tourists visiting the hotspot.
The Kuta Sub-district Secretary, Made Agus Suantara, told reporters that changes will be made to the way in which vendors and ksioks are set up in Kuta Beach.
Suantara shared, “For the management of Kuta Beach, we have collaborated with the Badung Regency Government and the Kuta Traditional Village.
This includes the arrangement of 13 kiosks, which will be managed collaboratively by the Traditional Village and the Kuta Traditional Village community.”
He added, “All vendors will be Kuta residents who have been registered with the traditional village. We have handed over the authority to the traditional village for management.”
He confirmed that all vendors operating in the area must be licensed, to help crack down on hawkers and scammers targeting tourists visiting the beach.
Main Article: Bali Development Update
He added, “Our hope is that in the future, Kuta Beach can become a quality, comfortable, sustainable, and beautiful tourist destination.”
“Kuta Beach is very popular with international tourists, so the quality of the area must be truly maintained.”
Bali’s Kuta Beach is one of the island’s oldest and most popular tourist resorts. Home to some of the best family-friendly hotels on the island, including Hard Rock Hotel, Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel, and Best Western Kuta Villa, the resort welcomes back tourists year after year.
For tourists planning their first vacation in Bali, Kuta is a great starting point. The resort offers a warm welcome to tourists and easy access to fantastic day trips to cultural hotspots like Ubud.
Main Article: Bali Development Update
Main Article: Bali Development Update
All above News Article are provided by “The Bali Sun“
Please contact us for Information about North Bali properties
