Travelling to a new destination can be tricky when you aren’t familiar with the rules, currency or culture. Fear not, we have it covered! Check out our Bali travel tips so that you can be fully prepared for your trip to paradise!
Need some Bali travel tips for your upcoming holiday to the Island of the Gods? We hear you! Bali is one of the most visited islands in Indonesia and SE Asia – it’s not hard to see why with its pristine beaches, glorious green tropical landscape, and internationally renowned food culture… the list goes on. There’s no stopping our praise for the Island of the Gods! It can be daunting traveling to a new country though, so we have put together all the do’s and don’ts to ensure you are fully prepared for your holiday to Bali!
Travel Tip 1: Visas
The rules are constantly changing for Bali, so we suggest checking before you book or depart, as custom regulations tend to change like the wind in Bali!
Travel Tip 2: Airport Transfer
You made it, welcome to Bali! First thing is first, you need to get from the airport to your accommodation [we’re assuming you are organised and have this sorted beforehand!]. Your hotel might have organised a private transfer for you but if not, do not worry as there are always lots of airport taxis ready to whisk you away. The official taxi counter is located outside the arrivals hall (exit arrivals and turn right). The fares can vary [an average cost to go to Seminyak should be about IDR 250,000], but try to go according to this list, you might need to get you haggle hat on!
Travel Tip 3: Money Matters
Bali has a lot of banks where you can withdraw cash and most will accept all types of debit cards but some ATMs have been known to be affected by skimming machines, and the last thing you want is to be scammed of all your hard-earnt holiday money, so we recommend changing your money before you fly. If you need to get cash out whilst you are here, try to go to the banks with security protected ATM buildings.
Travel Tip 4: Wifi
We live in a world now where the first question on most people’s lips is ‘what’s your wifi password’? We are all guilty of it [especially as everywhere you go in Bali is an opportunity for an epic Insta pic!]. Thankfully most hotels, cafes and restaurants all tend to have internet access, but there will be times however where you won’t have access to wifi, like when you are tanning on the beach or trekking up an active volcano. If you really can’t live without it you can buy an Indonesian Sim Card [look out for the ‘sim card’ signs, everywhere!] which will give you 3G data [for about IDR 50,000].
Travel Tip 5: To haggle or not to haggle
Bali is a tourism haven and with that comes a tendency for locals to try to charge more for certain items than they should, in some places only. Not all places are for bargaining – eg, shops are all standard prices especially in Seminyak, Petitenget and the Canggu areas. A few helpful pointers: always ask for the meter on when in taxis, and try to use the Bluebird Taxi Group, this is the most reliable and honest taxi company in Bali who operate standard fares. Be wary of the touts on the beaches selling sarongs, jewellery and massages [we recommend at least halving their first price]. And know the average cost of local things, like the street food [approx. IDR 40,000 for a Nasi Campur], Balinese massages [no more than IDR 150,000], and the all-important Bintang beer [approx IDR 25,000].
Travel Tip 6: Getting around
Bali doesn’t have much of a public transport system in place, which means you will either get a driver or taxi everywhere, or you can get yourself a scooter. Be smart with your choices though as Bali’s traffic and road aren’t for the faint hearted.
a) Scooters
The cost of hiring a scooter for two weeks shouldn’t cost you more than IDR 400,000 [and a full tank of petrol will set you back a measly IDR 25,000!]. This is the cheapest way to get around, not to mention the most fun! Be careful on the roads, always wear a helmet, and be wary of the Bali Kiss! [the exhaust pipe burn]. Check your travel insurance as you’re normally only covered if you hold a bike licence in Bali as well as in your own country. And stating the obvious, but don’t drink and scoot – so many travellers cause or are victims of bad bike accidents due to alcohol-induced riding around. Not cool.
b) Taxis
If you feel uneasy about driving a scooter yourself, you can also get a bike taxi. You can find these around the main tourist spots, or download the Go Jek or Grab Taxi app to your phone. Normal taxis are pretty much everywhere, but we suggest using the Bluebird Taxi Group as above [you will probably be honked by one as you walk down the street anyway!] Bali also uses Uber, so if you haven’t downloaded the app to your phone yet do it, the prices are very reasonable.
c) Drivers
You can also hire a driver for a journey or a day [or even the whole holiday!]. Prices will depend on where you want to travel to, but for examples, Ubud to Seminyak should be no more than IDR 300,000. Your hotel should be able to give you a number!
Travel Tip 7: Bali Belly
Over the years the hygiene on the island has improved remarkably so it is likely that you won’t suffer from the upset stomach everyone refers to as Bali Belly. But we suggest staying clear of the island tap water [even brushing your teeth in bottled water is best], try to limit your intake of notorious local liquor, and be wary of new and exotic foods, just in case! If you do get an unfortunate bout of Bali Belly, head to Bali Buddha or the nearest pharmacy and pick up some activated charcoal tablets to flush out your stomach.
Travel Tip 8: Know a little of the language
When you are in a new country it is a good idea to learn some key phrases, not only to help you get by but more importantly to show some respect on this beautiful island! Here are some words we find helpful to know: Good morning: ‘Selamad pagi’, Hello: ‘Om Suastiastu’, Thank you: ‘Terima kasih’, Excuse me: ‘Permissi’, and our fave… Coffee: ‘Kopi’!
Travel Tip 9: R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
There is no question that Bali is a magical place, and the people and their religious ways play a huge part in this, so respect them and their traditions. Dress appropriately, especially when visiting temples and holy sites, respect the ceremonies, and, we know there are a lot of canang sari’s [an offering full of flowers which is a symbol of thankfulness to the Hindu god] but try not to intentionally step on these offerings in the street. Also, be wary of where you are taking photos – no bikini shots in the temples!
Travel Tip 10: It’s a scorcher!
Bali is hot hot hot! As an island close to the equator, the sun shine can be pretty intense so always apply high-SPF sunscreen at all times and re-apply whenever you get out of the water. And drink tonnes of water to keep you hydrated!
And our biggest tip? ENJOY YOURSELF! Bali really is one-of-a-kind destination, with so much to do and see. So make the most of your time, explore, have adventures and come back soon!