16 tips for planning a trip to Bali

From navigating the crowds to staying monkey-savvy, there are a handful of tricks to obtaining the greatest out of a excursion to Bali. We’ve rounded up 16 leading tips to lender for your up coming visit to the Island of the Gods.

Editor’s take note: during COVID-19 there are restrictions on travel. Examine the latest guidance prior to departure, and often comply with community wellness assistance.

1. Hope crowds

In non-pandemic times Bali, as one of the most touristed islands on earth, is rarely an untouched paradise. It can be tough to escape the throngs in southern Bali and Ubud, but determined solitude seekers will be happy to discover loads of secluded corners past these principal tourist centers. Head to the central mountains, or Bali’s extra chilled-out north and west coasts.

2. Pick out your base carefully

It pays to put some assumed into your Bali base, as chaotic visitors and scorching temperature are probably to make you adhere shut to your lodge or guesthouse alternatively than wander significantly on foot or sit in stuffy taxis. If you are on the lookout for genuine R&R, Kuta almost certainly is not your issue. If you want to shop up a storm and try to eat much more than your system pounds in fine food items, a 7 days on Nusa Lembongan just isn’t possible to leave you entirely satiated. Locate your excellent location with the enable of Lonely Planet’s ‘first time Bali’ manual.

3. Don’t fret about “Bali tummy”

Strict nutritional practices are no for a longer period needed to prevent paying out your Bali break in just two techniques of a toilet. As soon as upon a time, salads, minimize fruit, ice cubes and most meats have been on the risk checklist, but hygiene requirements have enhanced markedly across the island, and several kitchens offer very good quality natural and organic create. Even though dodgy prawns will generally be out there, by remaining hydrated, averting infamous nearby liquor arak, and consuming street food with a degree of warning, the dreaded Bali belly really should be saved at bay.

4. Dress for the celebration

Beachwear does not normally lower it in Bali – a lot of higher-conclude bars, places to eat and clubs enforce a costume code. If you’re not sure, contact in advance to preserve the opportunity shame of becoming turned absent.

5. Respect spiritual customs

Religion procedures the roost in Bali. Do not get your knickers in a knot when a road is blocked off for a ceremony or your driver pulls over mid-journey to make a blessing – this is all part of the magic of the island. Approach accordingly if your travel dates tumble on Nyepi when every thing in Bali (even the airport) shuts down for the working day, and always costume modestly (masking the shoulders and knees) and perform your self appropriately when browsing temples and holy websites.

6. Put together for a mixed bag of price tag tags

It is nonetheless attainable to go to Bali on a shoestring by keeping in guesthouses, dining at warungs and browsing at nearby markets, but you can just as simply blow your lifetime cost savings. Drinks, foods, spa treatment plans and space prices at large-stop establishments are priced similarly to that in Australia, the United kingdom and the US. Appear out for on line savings and content hour deals to continue to keep your lender equilibrium delighted.

7. Be cautious of wild and stray animals

Give wild and stray animals a vast berth. They may possibly look cute, but rabies and other conditions are significant challenges in Bali and monkeys are notorious for their thieving strategies. Bali’s stray canines are a lot of, and normally in really lousy shape. If you’re eager to make a variation, think about building a “doggy donation” to Bali Pet dog Refuge which helps to rescue and rehabilitate the island’s stray pups.

8. Keep away from plastic water bottles

Bali’s warmth and humidity call for frequent hydration, but contemplate the surroundings ahead of purchasing an additional bottled consume. Heaps of plastic squander washes up on Bali’s beaches, and area authorities report that they take out up to 60 tons for each day in the monsoon period. Help minimize this figure by investing in a stainless steel bottle that you can refill most fantastic cafes and dining establishments have a drinking water filter offered that you can use for free or for a tiny rate. 

9. Discover some area lingo

A number of standard text of Bahasa Indonesia will just take you a extensive way in Bali. Attempt selamat pagi (fantastic morning), tolong (make sure you) and terima kasih (thank you), for starters.

10. Don’t forget that lower season frequently implies wet period

Be conscious of Bali’s rainy time (January to April and October to November) when arranging your trip. Reductions can be excellent, but if you end up paying out your holiday getaway cooped up indoors, you may well be left pondering if making the excursion was well worth it. Thankfully, the rains are generally confined to temporary afternoon downpours, so your holiday isn’t possible to be a full produce-off.

11. Get your head all-around the present-day visa predicament

The visa method for entry into Indonesia is less than evaluate, with the introduction of an electronic technique. Be guaranteed to check with your nearest Indonesian embassy or consulate to figure out the latest necessities for your nationality ahead of departure. 

12. Be conscious of Mom Nature

Bali’s volcanoes are remarkably lively and can have slight to pretty critical impacts on flights, lodge stays or movement during the nation. Preserve a shut eye on travel advisories.

13. Participate in by the rules

The Indonesian legal procedure may perhaps appear to be puzzling and contradictory, but it is really very best not to argue with law enforcement if you are accused of an infringement that could feel unjust, and spend “fines” with excellent grace. Do not anticipate any special treatment for currently being a foreigner, and it goes without having indicating that possessing something to do with prescription drugs is a incredibly lousy idea.

14. Deal respectfully

You can deal for lots of products and expert services in Bali, but do so respectfully and with a smile on your facial area. You are going to know when the vendor has achieved their limit, and at that point really don’t force it. When in question, wander absent – if the vendor does not come just after you, you can be positive they aren’t ready to fall their price tag any lessen.

15. Respect the ocean

Even if you are an avid seaside-goer and surf worshipper, Bali’s potent waves, powerful currents and uncovered rocks can be treacherous, so choose care, and never swim on your own except you are totally self-confident in performing so. Exhibit equal regard for the beach by not leaving any garbage (which includes cigarette butts) powering – when the tide comes in, it’ll be sucked into the ocean at terrific expense to the marine ecosystem.

16. Never anxiety, but be aware

There have been terrorist assaults and normal disasters in Bali, and with all-around six million vacationers hitting its shores each individual year, it is practical that some tourists could run into complications. Get together risk-free, often dress in a helmet when driving a bike or scooter, be respectful, and really don’t do anything you wouldn’t do in your property region – that way, you happen to be on observe for the trip of a life span.

You may possibly also like:

1st time Bali: the place to try to eat, remain and play  
Top rated 9 free of charge factors to do in Bali  
A guidebook to Bali’s most effective spas and chill-out spots  

This report was initially posted in July 2009, and last current in January 2021.