I’m so excited that you are planning to travel to Bali! Bali is easily one of my favorite travel destinations. From the gorgeous beaches, lush jungles, rolling green rice fields, hidden waterfalls, intricately designed temples, delicious food, insta-worthy cafes, and the incredibly kind Balinese, it’s no wonder it’s on the top of everyone’s travel bucket list. If you haven’t been there before, I suggest you get to booking your plane ticket ASAP because I don’t think you’ll be disappointed! 

Bali was the destination for my first solo trip and my first true backpacking trip. I spent an entire month there exploring and believe me when I say, it wasn’t enough time! There are so many amazing places to check out and luckily the island is not that large. Allowing you to get from place to place without wasting too much of your precious time traveling.

Here I have put together this complete guide to everything you need to know before you travel to Bali, to help you prepare for your magical trip! Like always, exercise caution, make sure you have travel insurance and don’t forget any important steps when it comes to planning an international trip. If you are unsure what those steps are, I have also put together a guide to help you plan your first solo trip (or any trip for that matter!) and the ultimate traveler’s packing list!

So let’s get started, shall we?

Pro Tip: Never Travel Without Travel Insurance!

You never know when the unexpected will happen. Make sure you are covered when traveling in case of a medical emergency or travel delays. I have been traveling with Safetey Wing for three years and trust them to take care of me. They are a travel medical insurance created specifically for travelers, by travelers. At a low cost of $40/month, it's my go-to!

How much do you need to budget for?

You can get away with spending about 30$ per day in Bali if you’re on a budget. Of course, you can easily spend more, but since everything is pretty cheap you can definitely live larger than life compared to traveling within the states! Hellooo fancy villas, resorts & spas! However, if you are used to traveling within southeast Asia, you will come to find that Bali is more expensive compared to its neighbors.

Seasons

Wet or Dry

The best time of year to visit is April to May, during the dry season. Temperatures range around the mid-80s to the low 90s. Expect high humidity.

Cost of flight

This is obviously going to depend on where you are flying from and if you are getting any special rates. For example, my friend got her tickets from California, roundtrip for about $400 because she got a black Friday sale. Or you can fly there for free like I did. I think my flight was around $1200 roundtrip (Florida to Bali) but I got it completely free utilizing my favorite travel hack.

ATMS

The ATMs always seem to be running low or out of money. If you are in a bigger city, don’t worry because there are ATMs everywhere. But if you are going to be heading to one of the islands in Nusa or Gili, or even to a more remote location in Bali, make sure to hit up the ATMs before you go! Usually, these other places only have one ATM, and with everyone having to share it, they can run out of money fast.

Don’t be in the position of traveling somewhere and running out of funds! Also, beware of the ATMs that you use. I heard a lot of people’s cards being scammed, so it’s always safest to use an ATM that is attached to a bank (if possible).

Expectations

While I personally loved Bali, I know there are many people who do not. I’ll cover more at the bottom in the not-so-glamourous-parts of this guide to Bali. Basically, do not expect the whole island to look the way it does on social media. While a lot of the locations are beautiful, what you are missing is the whole picture. Especially if you go during high season. 

The place is filled with tourists trying to get the perfect shot and the locals know this and try to make a profit off of it. This results in many “insta-famous” spots having long lines to take photos and/or being charged to take a photo to do so. Some people don’t mind this for creativity and content creation, where other people find this completely off-putting. Just make sure your expectations are not set to a certain standard so that you aren’t disappointed. You can definitely still have a good time and find plenty of places to capture if you aren’t into the whole “perfect picture”.

Call To Prayer

The main religion in Bali is Hindu. So you will hear many times throughout the day, a call to prayer around the island. It will usually be played loudly on a speaker nearby. Don’t be alarmed by it when you hear it like I was. I had no idea about the call to prayer and on my first early morning, I heard it and was quite startled. This occurs roughly around 5:00 am, 6:00 am, 12:30 pm, 3:30 pm, 6:30, and 7:30 pm.

Temple Etiquette

The Balinese take their sacred temples very seriously. As should you, as a visitor. When you go to visit these “tourist” sites, remember that they are still being used by the Balinese for their religious purposes and therefore you should follow their etiquette.

You should have your legs and shoulders covered. I get it though, Bali is hot and humid, and you don’t want to be walking around in long layers. Purchase a cheap sarong and wear that around your waist or shoulders when you arrive at a temple. The more popular temples offer a sarong rental service if you do not want to buy one yourself.

Do not spit on the ground, step on offerings, or shout/yell/use curse words. Be respectful.

They usually are not wearing shoes, but it seems tourists still wear theirs, but if you notice people are taking them off then you should as well.

Ladies, if you are on your period, they ask that you not enter. Of course, they will have no way of knowing if you are or aren’t, and at the end of the day, it’s up to you to be truthful.

Protect The Reefs

I’m sure you’ve heard that the traditional sunscreen we all have grown up with is very harmful to the reefs. A study has found that a common chemical in our products,  Oxybenzone, has been found to be harmful to corals and other marine life.   Bali is surrounded by reefs and it’s very important that we do our part to protect it by wearing reef-safe sunscreen!

If you want to find a reef-safe sunscreen, I have recommended one in my traveler’s packing list. 

If you are on a luxury vacation, these taxi prices will mean nothing to you. But if you are a budget backpacker, I totally get that you are trying to save money where you can! And for me – transportation is a BIG part of the budget, so I always try to cut costs here when I can!

Do not try and walk out of the airport, to a nearby location, to book a gojek or grab. I already tried that for you. And believe me, it’s a VERY LONG walk out of that airport, in all sorts of crazy airport traffic, and if you have luggage, it is not fun to carry or drag it out of that place as there were no sidewalks for protection. Plus you will have all kinds of cars honking at you like you’re nuts. Which I realized halfway through, I kind of was. Just to save some $ haha.

 tips, tips, tips

Gojek also allows you to book a scooter ride, which is perfect if you are traveling solo and just want to zip around town somewhere. Those rides are literally, cents worth. And if you want to be really cheap, it is possible to ride two people on a scooter. Usually being two girls is okay. 

Like I mentioned, this taxi mafia doesn’t like Grab or GoJek and does not allow them to go to certain places. These are usually popular places. So you may have to walk down the street to get picked up or dropped off if you are coming from or heading to a well-known spot. I didn’t have any issues doing this. 

You can also bargain with the taxi drivers if you end up taking one, just make sure you agree to a clear price. I have heard stories of people agreeing to a price, for example 15, but when they got out, the driver said he agreed on 50. So just make sure you are agreeing to the same price, sometimes accents and difficulties speaking the language can cause a miscommunication.

A reminder: ALWAYS. ALWAYS. ALWAYS. Wear a helmet. You will see that the traffic is insane there. 

Travel To Bali: Renting A Scooter 

When it comes to renting, make sure you are confident and comfortable driving a scooter. And even if you are, still exercise extreme caution. The traffic here is absolutely insane, and you will have cars, trucks, scooters, bikes, and people on foot all cramming into the streets wherever they can fit. Intersections are literally just vehicles all jamming their way through, without any organization or lanes. 

Nusa Islands 

These sets of islands are located off the southeastern coast of Bali. They are way less touristy and developed than Bali is, and is a nice little escape when it comes to enjoying the natural landscapes.

There are 3 of them: Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, and Nusa Ceningan.

You have the option of doing a day tour from Bali where you can be taken to all the famous spots, or you can take a ferry over and spend a couple of days. I recommend the latter if you have time.

Gili Islands 

This set of islands are located off the northwestern coast of Lombok and are easily accessible from Bali. There are three as well: Gili Air, Gili Meno, and Gili Trawangan.

Gili T is known as the party island. There are tons of restaurants, hostels, hotels, shops, and bars here, and each night there is a different party set at a location for the whole island to join in on. Gili Meno is more quiet and relaxed, ideal for couples looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the tourist scene. Gili Air is a nice mixture of the two island styles. 

You can easily travel between the three islands on a speedboat. Beware with how much luggage you bring when you go to these islands, as there are no cars because the islands are so small. Your only option is to carry it yourself, or subject the horses to carry it by carriage. 

Lombok 

Lombok is another island in Indonesia that is neighboring to Bali and is slowly becoming more popular. It is definitely less touristy than Bali so if you are looking for a place to enjoy what Indonesia has to offer without the craziness, this island may be for you. If you’re looking for something awesome to do there, there is a volcano with a crater lake to hike to, Mount Rinjani.

Travel To Bali: Getting Around the Island 

Within The Island

on your own 

If you are in a city exploring, I recommend renting a scooter (if you feel comfortable and qualified or have met someone else who is). This is the best way to go everywhere you want, when you want, for just the cost of your own petrol and scooter rental. I prefer this method of travel because it leaves the possibility of the unexpected wide open.

Another option would be to rent a bicycle, which I did in Canggu to explore all around and head to the beach every day. Places like Ubud, Canggu, and Seminyak, if you just want to go eat and shop and explore, going by foot is super easy as well and completely free! You can also use the quick services of grab or Gojek.

Consider hiring out

If you are looking to head to your next destination, I’d recommend booking a grab or Gojek or hiring a driver. I feel though that the apps have the best prices. If you are interested in doing day trips to other areas of the island to see waterfalls and temples, etc., you can book an organized tour through an agency like Get Your Guide or Bali Sun Tours. This may be perfect if you’re traveling solo, don’t want to go alone, and looking to meet other travelers. 

Or you might want to consider hiring your own driver to take you around that way you are still going at your own pace, to the places you want, and not at the mercy of the tour guide/other members of the tour group. This is perfect if you’re traveling with a group or you meet people to join you and share the cost. The Balinese people are so kind and helpful, if you ask a friend or your accommodation for a driver, they always know someone who would love to do it for a great price. 

To The Other Islands 

There are islands right off the coast of Bali that are absolutely gorgeous and worthwhile to venture to if you have the time! You can do day tours to the Nusa Islands and see all the hot spots but I really recommend heading to the islands and staying for a few days. They are smaller and incredibly gorgeous.

If you have time to venture out to the Nusa Islands,  Gili Islands, or Lombok, then you will have to take a water taxi. There are a few companies you can go with that will vary on price depending on how fast the ride is. There are different departure points depending on what location you are staying at in Bali as well.

Your options

You can either book a one way, a roundtrip, or a roundtrip with an open return date. You can book your ticket online and usually it will come with a pick up and drop off from your hotel if you are staying in a certain region. There may also be an option to pay extra for this service if you are staying outside of the free pick up region. It’s also possible to just pay for your ticket at their offices when you want to leave if you are not trying to plan in advance, just be careful because in the busy season the boat may be full.

There are a few different companies to go with. If you’re opting for budget, take a slower boat, but if you are more pressed on time, opt for a more expensive boat that takes as short as 30 minutes. Search on Gili Bookings to compare prices, times, and departure points or book with BlueWater Express. Bluewater Express is the company I went with and had a fast and safe trip, however Scoot Cruises is another very popular company.

The island is pretty small. You can do day trips, granted they will be long and start early and end late) from one end of the island to the other. And you can get from one major city to the next in just a few short hours. This is great because you do not have to spend a lot of your travel time commuting.

Examples:

Denpasar to Canggu: 30 minutes

Canggu to Seminyak: 20 minutes

Seminyak to Uluwatu: 1.5 – 2 hours 

Canggu to Ubud: 3.75 – 4 hours

Uluwatu to Ubud: 2 – 3 hours

Ubud to Lovina: 2.5 – 3 hours

Travel To Bali: Bargaining 

For things like shopping, taxis, and scooter rentals, you can barter. Practice your negotiating skills. Merchants will often hike the price up to double, expecting you as the tourist, to barter with them. Get comfortable negotiating prices, as it can be an awkward thing to do if you haven’t done it before. But also realize that these people are making way less than you, so do not try to insult them by offering way too little.

Find a good middle ground to where you feel like you are not being ripped off, but that you also are giving the merchant the amount of what it is worth for their time/effort. Usually, if it is a product you are purchasing, that product has been hand made by themselves or their family. This is a great way to support the local community and help a family put food on their table.

Travel To Bali: The Food 

The food in Bali is nothing short of amazing. With everything being basically “farm to table” you can find an abundance of food options varying between delicious vegan eateries to the local warungs dishing out traditional baliense. 

Most meals will be like 2-10$ depending on if you want to eat some really cheap street food, or at a nice sit-down restaurant. I had a 2$ meal from this food cart, and then I also ate lobster and chicken skewers watching the sunset over the ocean for 8$. 

2 of the most popular Balinese dishes: Nasi Goreng and Mi Goreng. Basically fried rice or a noodle dish. It’s simple but delicious. I think I ate one of these two dishes, if not both, every day. 

Bali also has lots of healthy, yummy, fresh foods in their big cities like Canggu and Seminyak. I’m sure you’ve seen on IG all of the beautiful, insta worthy cafes with their gorgeous dishes and backdrops. The best part is, the price for what you’re getting! Canggu was the first place I went and I couldn’t believe all of the amazing places to eat with so many vegan and vegetarian options. I’m not a vegan or vegetarian by any means, but the way they create dishes could turn almost anyone into one!

Travel To Bali: Cities To Visit 

• Denpasar – this is where the airport is. I didn’t find there is much to see/do here, so I suggest heading straight from the airport to another city to start your trip off.

• Canggu – my favorite city in Bali. It’s a super chill vibes beach town, with black sand beaches and rolling green rice fields. It has many cute cafes, co-working spaces, a spa with the BEST massage I’ve ever had, cute outdoor markets, and a few pool-bar restaurants located right on the beach with the best sunsets. 

• Seminyak – this place is where the party is and it’s a bit more upscale. You will find that this is where everyone goes to have a great time. It has some of your upscale hotels and day clubs like Potato Head Beach Club  and Mrs. Sippy. There are tons of nice restaurants, lots of shopping, and your bars/nightclub scene. It also has really nice yellow sand beaches, which is strange considering its only 20 minutes south of Canggu’s black sand beaches!

• Kuta – this place is known for its partying and surfing but that’s about it. It’s not all that nice and is really just a place to get your drink on. I personally think there are better cities to spend your time at. 

• Uluwatu – this place is the ultimate chill, surfers paradise. The city is more spread out, so you will definitely need a motorbike or know someone with one! They do have gojek and grab here, but it’s not as populated so sometimes you will find a hard time finding a ride, especially at odd hours. The city is perched high on top of a cliff at the very south end of the island, so the views are spectacular and the waves are insane. I found just a handful of restaurants here and very little shopping. There are some popular day clubs, really nice resorts, and great restaurants/bars in the cliff overlooking the ocean. Perfect for a meal and a nice cold beer. And on Sundays, there is a giant rager at the top of the cliff at this restaurant, Single Finns, which is totally worth going to! They turn the 3 level restaurant into an outdoor nightclub with a DJ and live music, underneath the night sky overlooking the ocean. It is incredible. 

• Ubud – a jungle paradise. Full of rice terraces, rainforests, a monkey forest, and just overall super relaxing. Not far from here there is a volcano you can go hike to, that I highly recommend! (more about that in my Bali Itinerary) 

• Lovina – a beautiful resort area in the north of Bali. It has black sand beaches and lots of places to snorkel coral reefs, waterfalls to hike to, and hot springs to take a dip in. 

• Jimbaran – a lovely coastal town that is known for its fresh seafood and romantic restaurants on the beach.

Nearby Islands: 

• Gili Islands 
• Nusa Islands
• Lombok

There are so many worthy places to see in Bali, and these are just the main ones. If you are someone who likes to visit off the beaten track locations, then I am sure you could definitely explore other areas that I didn’t mention! I heard that the north side of the island is just beautiful, but I never made it that way to explore myself. Something to look forward to doing the next time I go back!

Travel To Bali: Things To Do 

The things you can do in Bali are endless. It is a prime destination for being outdoors and exploring. The dramatic cliffs, deep jungles, and rich culture offer a variety of activities to match anyone’s travel style. Whether that is to relax in luxury, or adventure for thrills, I’m sure you can find something to suit you! 

Here’s a quick list of things you can do:

• Markets
• Spas
• Cultural Dances
• Rice Terraces
• Volcano Hikes
• Surfing
• Snorkeling
• Scuba Dive

Now The Not-So-Glamorous Stuff 

Bali Belly 

I’m sure you’ve heard of Bali belly before, and boy is it a real thing! Basically it is just a traveller’s upset stomach and diarrhea. You’ll have nausea, diarrhea, hot/cold sweats, muscle aches, and just generally feel like complete shit. While it can be impossible to avoid it or to know which places you can get it from (do not be scared of eating at local eateries. It’s just as likely you will get it from a “proper” restaurant), you can at least try to be prepared. 

To try and avoid it – do not drink the water. This means no drinking the water from the tap, having any ice made from the tap, and to not eat fresh vegetables or fruits that have been washed in water by the tap. Most places have ice made from bottled water. But when in doubt – just drink a bintang! 

If you catch bali belly, make sure to drink lots of fluid to rehydrate your body, eat electrolyte tablets to replace lost minerals and salts, and get plenty of rest. I also cannot stress enough – MAKE SURE YOU ALWAYS HAVE IMMODIUM ON YOU. Boy will that help you immensely, trust me!

A good tip to try and avoid this is to get to places really early. This can be difficult to do if you’re not an early riser. This is what a lot of content creators do, besides sunrise has some of the best lighting.

Non-Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries 

There are elephant sanctuaries in Bali, that are unethical. Meaning these sanctuaries profit from tourists riding elephants. While it may seem dreamy to ride an elephant, it is extremely cruel to support these practices. In order for an elephant to be able to carry a tourist, they will have endured cruel punishment from their keepers. These elephants often are not treated well and we as tourists should not contribute to this practice. Any place that claims to be an “ethical sanctuary” but still allows elephants to be ridden, is a marketing ploy.

Mosquitoes 

The mosquitos here are very bad. In fact, most places that I stayed at came equipped with a mosquito net around the bed. Don’t be off-put by this if you have one, it’s completely normal. Consider buying mosquito repellant if you’re someone who is prone to getting bit by mosquitos. I don’t usually have any issue with this as they don’t seem to like my blood for whatever reason. It’s always a possibility you could get dengue fever, so if you start to get any symptoms, go be seen by a doctor immediately. 

The Trash 

While Bali is definitely gorgeous and beautiful, and so are the people, there are some drawbacks that can turn people off if they are not prepared or just can’t handle it. One of them being the trash situation. Bali is not supported to handle the amounts of trash that it produces, mainly from tourism, being that it is a small island. You will notice A LOT, and I mean, A LOT of trash just thrown about. You’ll mainly notice it on the sides of the road, in the gutters, in the streams, woods, just about anywhere. It also winds up in the ocean then washing up on the beach.

The Balinese also burn their trash. You will see little puffs of smoke, or smell something really odd/bad in the air as you go by, and it will be a pile of trash that’s burning. This is why it is so important as a traveler or tourist, to be conscious of our waste when we visit these places as they are not equipped to handle the disposal of the trash properly. How you can help as a traveler is to always make sure you have a reusable water bottle, a reusable shopping bag, don’t use straws or bring a reusable one, and other sustainable practices. We must all do our part when it comes to combating waste.

While I whole-heartedly agree that it is sad to see trash everywhere and that it can ruin the country’s “vibe” or “magical-ness”, keep in mind that if you are an avid world traveler, you will find this problem in many poorer countries. Like in India or the Philippines for example. Try not to let it keep you from wanting to visit, or being able to appreciate the parts that are beautiful.

Organizations Tackling The Pollution Problem 

There are a few companies that are working specifically on the trash problem in Bali. You can read all about what they do at Now Bali. 

• Bye Bye Plastic Bags
• Coca Cola Amatil Indonesia
• Avani 
• EcoBali Recycling

Harassment 

If you have never traveled to a non-western country before, prepare yourself for being called on often. This can be for using their taxi service, for buying their products in their shop, being asked for money, etc, etc. If you have never encountered this before, it can be off-putting and sometimes exhausting to deal with. This is just the way of the culture. Always be firm in your statements, and try to remember that this is just how they get business. Be weary of scams!

Theft 

When traveling, you can never be too careful with your belongings. Theft can be rampant in all areas of the world unfortunately. Here are some tips when it comes to theft here.

• Always keep your most valuable belongings with you, or locked up with a strong, sturdy lock that you brought yourself. It has happened to many people that their belongings have been stolen out of airbnb/hotel safes, hostel rooms, and in their accommodation in general.

• When in a crowded area, always wear your backpack on your front side. Also don’t keep anything valuable in your pockets. Thieves like to bump into you and take things out of your pockets, or even your backpack while you aren’t paying attention. 

• When on a scooter, wear your backpack or purse on your front side and grip it with your hand. Always have your phone in front of you with a firm grip as you’re navigating with maps or whatever else, as well. Thieves have been known to pass by on their scooter, slash your bag straps and take off with your bag or grab your phone out of your hand and drive off. 

I personally haven’t had any of this happen to me, but I read and hear stories all the time. Just be cautious. I almost always wear my backpack or purse on my front side when traveling. 

Scamming 

Like theft, there are scams and scammers running rampant around the world. While sometimes it may be impossible to avoid 100% of them, it is helpful to know which ones to look out for so that you may not become a victim of one. I’m not going to lie, I have been scammed many times on my travels, in almost every country, and most of the time I don’t realize it until after the fact. Some scammers are better than others! Clever, clever…

Here are some to look out for:

• “Free” tours – nothing is free. A lot of time you will visit a place and there will be some random guy there that will offer to show you around for free, take your pictures, and give you some history lessons. You will be inclined to say yes, because hello, free why not?, but afterwards they will demand money from you. While yes they are providing you a service that you can always pay them for, it can be deceiving when they approach you with this “free” service that in the end is not actually free. 

• Going to restaurants, shops, or accommodations recommended by your hired driver or taxi driver. They usually have a deal with the place that if they bring tourists, they get a cut. The problem with this is, usually these places are poor quality, overpriced, and are just overall a tourist trap. I’ve been to a few of these “restaurants” and am always disappointed with the food quality when I could have gone to a more local shop that tastes better and costs less. 

• “Guides” that charge you a high fee to enter temples. These people usually just stand there, charging a fee, but they hike it up crazy high because you’re a tourist and they are trying to scam some extra money off of you. Just be sure to be firm with your bargaining skills here. 

• Taxi prices – the taxis here charge a lot more than Gojek or Grab and will often try to add on a surcharge. Make sure you bargain and agree on a price, BEFORE you get in the vehicle. If you aren’t liking the way they are treating you, look for a new taxi. 

• Being given a “free” bracelet or anything else while on the beach. They will insist you take it for free, but after you take it, they will then demand money. Beware of these.

• Being scammed by police – the police will demand all of your money that you have on you, if they find an offense to take up with you. So always make sure you are wearing your helmet and you have your international drivers license on you if you’re riding a scooter to avoid having to pay the police. If you do end up getting into an interaction with them, do not disclose all the money that you have on you. 

xx, christine

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