Dating in Bali isn’t so different from anywhere else—apps rule the game here, too. Although, the sample of dates you get in Bali is quite specific. We have the blessing and the curse of diversity in cultures, nationalities, thought systems, and dating traditions that are probably wider than in many other parts of the globe. 

Are you a woman looking for a committed relationship like me? In that case, you can grab a cup of kopi and read my experience navigating the apps without losing my sense of humor (or sanity). 

The App Jungle

Dating apps are a jungle more untamed than any forest in Bali, and the complaints of online daters are louder than the relentless roar of bulldozers cutting away from nature.“There are no good men on Tinder!” “Bali is just a Petri dish of weirdness. I’m not dating again until I’m back in [insert home country].” I hear statements like these all the time, and I disagree. Apps are tools (just like some of their users), and yes, there are good men on them too!

Tinder: Where F*ckboys Meet Their Match

Tinder is an app where fuckboys go to complain that the girls on the app are hookers. On the plus side, maybe someone’s teaching men behind the scenes, as bathroom selfies with urinals in the background seem less common than before. Or perhaps they’re still on Tinder, which I ditched after a few years as utterly exhausting.

The amount of hay you’d need to swipe left to find a needle in the stack is, uhm, somewhere near infinite. Are there needles on the app? I’m sure hopeful that we have at least one success story on the island. And by success, I mean more than a fast exchange of… phone numbers, of course.

The complaints of online daters are louder than the relentless roar of bulldozers cutting away from nature.“There are no good men on Tinder!” “Bali is just a Petri dish of weirdness.”

Bumble: Swipe Humble (Sort Of)

For fewer Canggu gym bros, head to Bumble. The crowd here is slightly more humble — some even sport ironed dress shirts! But don’t be fooled; you’ll still encounter bragging masters. You can spot them easy just by looking at their photos.

Still, Bumble is a better choice for filtering out gym selfies and, sometimes, for meaningful connections. My right-swipe ratio improved here—remarkably so after I upgraded to Premium—though the quality remains a gamble.

Badoo: Heavy Liking but What Then

Badoo has many more local men and a respectable number of zero-bio users that perhaps even trumps Tinder. If you’re into constant notifications, this app is your jackpot. Expect a steady cascade of likes, flooding your profile with attention and a fleeting sense of validation. But finding a genuine connection? You never know. Miracles happen. On Badoo, I had five great dates, all with expats; but – in Thailand. One even sparked a warm romantic interest. It may not be your go-to for long-term relationships, but if you’re open to surprises, give it a shot.

“Maybe someone’s teaching men behind the scenes, as bathroom selfies with urinals in the background seem less common than before.”

Coffee Meets Bagel: Brewed Alone

Save yourself the time downloading Coffee Meets Bagel in Bali because you’ll just end up sipping your coffee and eating your bagel alone. The app is as barren as a decaf menu at a coffee shop. There’s nearly no one on the app in Indonesia, let alone Bali. In the two weeks of testing, I got one to three suggested matches per day—with no or minimal bio, mind you, and this is a dating app for serious relationship seekers. The majority of those days, I got nothing. One latte, please—but a single shot here!

OKCupid: All Talk, No Walk, and eHarmony: Where Gold is Closer to the Surface

OKCupid was a clear quit after a month of daily engagement. Despite its reputation, I found most men eager to chat but hesitant to meet. Cupid’s arrows seemed to miss their mark.

eHarmony, on the other hand, offered a different story—if you’re willing to invest a few rupiahs. Profiles are thoughtful, and great bios actually exist! It feels like finding gold without needing a miner’s pickaxe. The downside? Almost everyone lives abroad. Over six months, I came across only two potential matches in Java. And Bali? Zero.

That said, the standout moment came when one eHarmony match flew to Bali to meet me after weeks of texting, voice messages, and calls. The attitude of ‘I know what I want and I’m giving it an honest try’ is exactly what I want in a man! While we didn’t match romantically, I’ll always hold him in high regard.

Off-Script Dates Make for Great Memories!

While apps can feel like a chaotic mix, they’re just the starting point. Stepping off the app to meet the person behind the profile always gave me either a great conversation or a gem of a story to tell for life.

Take Edward, for instance. A doctor with a thoughtful bio, he seemed like a solid prospect for a long-term relationship. But Edward was playing a different game. When he proposed a date, he thoughtfully picked a place near my home. So far, so good. But just before the date, he texted: “We’re already here.” Confused, I arrived to find Edward seated…not with his friend, as I thought. With his parents!

“When he proposed a first date, he thoughtfully picked a place near my home. So far, so good. But just before the date, he texted: “We’re already here.” Confused, I arrived to find Edward seated…not with his friend, as I thought. With his parents!”

That night, as I rode home laughing out loud in the quiet moist darkness of Jalan Suweta, my helmet was filled with highly amused thoughts! His mom’s comment: “Edward and his girls” made me wonder, was this a date or a family entertainment? It didn’t matter—I liked his parents far more than him!

And then there was the Indonesian man who seemed ready to fast-track me into his life. Within an hour of meeting, he had not only evaluated my personality but also commented on my physique with the precision of someone checking off a checklist. The date ended with an invitation to join his mom and employees—who, as he later told me, were seated at a nearby table in the café—at a beach club, followed by a business opening the following week. While I politely declined, I later learned from a local friend that simply showing up to that date might have been seen as a sign of commitment in his eyes.

These are just two of the memorable stories, alongside the time a guy brought a chaperone to our date!

Dating apps in Bali, like the island itself, are full of surprises. To avoid some of the less pleasant ones, invest in a subscription—my top picks are eHarmony and Bumble. Swipe wisely, and you’ll find love, laughter, or at least a great story.

From the author: 
'A curious being with pen in hand. I'm a biochemical engineer trained in biomedical yoga, ayurveda, and tantra, in love with 1:1 conversations and community. You can connect with me on Instagram (@amalayarossi).  I’m also newly on Substack, so feel free to connect there (The Inner Edge).