Mention the Banana Pancake Trail, and most people immediately think of Thailand’s Khao San Road, Laos’ Luang Prabang, or Viet Nam’s lantern-lit Hoi An. These iconic spots have long drawn backpackers with their low prices, rich culture, and familiar comforts.
But what about Bali? With its lush rice fields, yoga studios, and banana pancakes served in nearly every café from Ubud to Canggu, the island seems like a natural fit. So, does Bali truly belong on the Banana Pancake Trail—or is it just a picturesque outlier?
What Exactly Is the Banana Pancake Trail?
The Banana Pancake Trail isn't an official route you’ll find on Google Maps. Instead, it's a nickname given to the informal network of destinations across Southeast Asia that became popular among Western backpackers starting in the 1980s. The term itself comes from the unlikely ubiquity of banana pancakes—a Western breakfast item—on the menus of local guesthouses that began catering to budget travelers.
While the trail spans parts of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Viet Nam, and even Myanmar, it’s more about the spirit of the journey than strict geography. What defines it is the blend of affordability, community vibes, familiar foods, and the ease of hopping from one destination to another with stories and tips passed between travelers.
Why Bali Feels Like It Belongs
If the trail is about connection, comfort, and culture, then Bali fits right in. Especially in areas like Ubud and Canggu, Bali checks nearly every box of the Banana Pancake Trail experience:
- Affordable accommodation, from homestays to boutique hostels
- Strong community of travelers, creatives, and spiritual seekers
- A vibrant mix of local tradition and global influence
- Banana pancakes, smoothie bowls, and fast Wi-Fi available on nearly every corner
Even before the “Eat, Pray, Love” era brought global attention to Ubud, it was already a well-trodden stop for travelers looking for healing, creativity, and calm. Add Gili Trawangan and Lombok into the itinerary, and you get a tropical spin-off from the mainland trail—complete with beaches, diving, and sunset parties.
What Sets Bali Apart from the Core Trail
Despite its alignment in spirit, there is one geographical factor that makes Bali a bit of an outlier: it’s separated by water. Most of the Banana Pancake Trail involves overland travel—buses, vans, and trains connecting city to city with ease. Getting to Bali requires hopping on a flight or ferry, making it less spontaneous for overland travelers.
However, this doesn’t diminish its role. In fact, many travelers—especially those from Australia or Singapore—start their Southeast Asian adventure in Bali. For others, it becomes a natural wind-down destination after looping through mainland Southeast Asia. Bali, in that sense, acts as both a gateway and a finale to the broader backpacker circuit.
Bali and the Backpacking Boom of the 2020s
In recent years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, Bali has transformed further. What were once budget guesthouses have evolved into co-living hubs and remote work sanctuaries. Yet the essentials remain: banana pancakes are still a breakfast staple, and the backpacker community continues to thrive—albeit now sharing space with influencers and digital nomads.
Ubud, Canggu, and even more remote spots like Sidemen or Amed still offer that quintessential Banana Pancake Trail vibe: a mix of global traveler culture, spiritual exploration, and late-night conversations over cheap eats.
Is Bali On the Trail? Here’s the Verdict
So, is Bali part of the Banana Pancake Trail? Technically, it may lie outside the core overland path that defines the trail's origin. But spiritually, culturally, and experientially—it’s absolutely part of it. The heart of the Banana Pancake Trail isn’t found on a map, but in the traveler’s mindset: curiosity, openness, and shared discovery.
Bali may not be a stop between Vientiane and Hanoi, but it lives and breathes the same backpacker DNA. It offers the comfort food, community connection, and cultural immersion that define the trail’s legacy. In short, Bali belongs—just in its own unique way.
