Bali Travel Essentials: Must-Know Before You Go 🌴

Bali’s a dream destination—think coconut groves, cliffside sunsets, rice terraces, and volcanoes! But traveling abroad means extra prep. This all-in-one guide covers everything from visas to dining, so you can focus on the magic. Save it now 📝!

✈️ Pre-Trip Prep

1️⃣ Visas & Documents
- E-Visa: Apply online via Indonesia’s official site or platforms like Trip.com.
- Visa on Arrival: Available at designated Indonesian airports/ports.
- Passport: Valid for 6+ months.
⚠️ Tips: Print e-visa, flight itinerary, and hotel bookings for possible checks. If customs officials demand unofficial payments, play dumb and don’t pay.

2️⃣ Payments
Cash (Indonesian Rupiah) is king; bring UnionPay, Mastercard, or Visa cards as backup.
⚠️ Tips: Use reputable exchange shops and count change in-store to avoid shortchanging.

3️⃣ Phone & Internet
Buy a local SIM with data in advance for instant connectivity. Enable international roaming as a fallback.

4️⃣ Packing Essentials
- 🔌 German-style plug adapter (Bali’s outlets differ from China’s); bring a power strip if needed.
- 💊 Meds (e.g., stomach, cold, motion sickness), mosquito repellent, and itch cream—Bali’s mosquitoes are fierce!
- 🌞 Sunscreen, hat, umbrella, sun-protective clothing, waterproof phone bag, flip-flops, swimsuit for water fun.

🏨 Accommodation Tips
- Bring toothbrush/toothpaste—many hotels don’t provide them.
- Request higher floors in beachfront hotels to avoid dampness.
- No durians/mangosteens in rooms—check rules to avoid fines.
- Sensitive skin? Pack a filtered showerhead for Bali’s hard water.

🍔 Dining Tips
- Choose clean restaurants; avoid raw/undercooked street food to prevent food poisoning.
- Drink only bottled water from trusted brands—tap water isn’t safe.
- Double-check prices before ordering and count change carefully (rupiah denominations are high).
- Tipping isn’t mandatory. Leave small cash (no coins) for great service, but skip if a service fee is added.

🚗 Getting Around
- Ride-Hailing: Use Grab to avoid shady taxis.
- Driving: Rent cars with an international or Indonesian license; drive on the left, cautiously, as roads are narrow.
- Motorbikes: Avoid unless experienced—rent from reputable companies and wear helmets to dodge fines.
- Chartered Cars: Ideal for groups, offering safe, flexible travel.

🏖️ Exploring Bali
- Boating: Check weather before sea trips—skip stormy or windy days. Book with reputable operators, not random beach vendors, and use a waterproof phone bag.
- Water Activities: Swim/surf at lifeguard-patrolled beaches and follow safety signs, as waves can be strong.
- Attractions: Watch your belongings at Monkey Forest Sanctuary (monkeys snatch); if scratched, seek staff help immediately. Lovina’s dolphin watching is dreamy but skip drift diving—too risky. Nusa Penida and Lembongan are stunning, but Penida’s rough waves aren’t beginner-friendly for snorkeling.

🙏 Cultural Dos & Don’ts
1️⃣ Respect Religion: Bali is Hindu-majority. Don’t touch temple offerings, disturb worshippers, step on street offerings, or use your left hand to give/receive items.
2️⃣ Dress Code: Wear knee-length pants/skirts and a sarong (rentable at entrances) for temples.
3️⃣ Etiquette: Eat, pay, and shake hands with your right hand—left hands are considered “unclean.”
4️⃣ Card Safety: Set overseas card locks or spending limits via banking apps to prevent fraud.
5️⃣ Tourism Tax: Pay 150,000 IDR (~USD 10) per person online. Unpaid taxes may lead to fines or deportation if checked.

Got more Bali tips? Share in the comments!
Search 🔍 Bali Local Guide for more insider advice.
#balitravel #traveltips #baliculture

Post by LocalGuides_HK | Apr 22, 2025