Bali: All You Need To Know
My Visit
I visited Bali in September for a week+ and spent a few days in Canggu, Uluwatu, and Ubud. They all have a different vibe but I have to say Ubud was my favourite! September was a lovely time to visit as it was warm without being crazy humid. It also wasn't overwhelmingly touristy.
Detailed Map
Our Driver
We were suggested this guide by a friend and he was the best!
We mainly needed him for short trips (Airport -> Canggu; Canggu -> Uluwatu; Uluwatu -> Ubud) and he always made himself available. We also booked 1-day trip around the area outside Ubud and he was very adaptable to our interests. Very chatty and down to earth, can give you lots of suggestions if you ask.
You can message him on WhatsApp ( +62 881-0377-01575) and mention Hannah (I was visiting Bali in September 2023).
Places
Small guide for each coming soon: Canggu, Uluwatu, Nusa Penida
Favourite Blogs
Useful Information
SIM Card
There are lots of sim card stalls at the airport and along the roads (our driver suggested a few). We ended up doing okay without one as we used the wifi at the resorts and downloaded the maps for the areas we were planning to be in.
Currency
€1 = 17k IDR / $1 = 14k IDR
We asked our driver to stop us at a currency conversion office and changed €200 to cash. It helped cover the cost of the driver during our stay and a few places to eat at.
Visa & Declaration Form
Visa
Declaration Form
There is a declaration form you need to sign before entry. You can either fill it out online or there's free wifi you can connect to to fill it out at the airport. You need to show the QR code upon entry.
Useful to have:
- Proof of return ticket
- Passport (needs at least one empty page)
- International Driving License
Weather
In September
- I visited during September and the average temperature for daytime 32'C/89'F & nighttime is 22'C/73'F. I felt very comfortable wearing summer clothes. The days were sunny with a little breeze, and no rain. Although the chance of rainfall increases towards the end of September.
- September is the last month of Bali’s dry season. The island makes a transition into wet season in October.
The temperature right now:
Electrical Outlets
Traffic
- I had read that there was a lot of traffic but I was still surprised when I arrived! We spent more than double the time travelling distances between two main destinations (Airport -> Canggu; Canggu -> Uluwatu; Uluwatu -> Ubud). Most of the time it felt like around half a day, so we would rest at the back of the car. If you're comfortable riding a scooter, they usually zoom through traffic more easily.
- Once we arrived to the touristy areas it was quite easy to get around whether on foot or by cab.
Food & Food Poisoning
(Also know as) Bali Belly is very easy to get as a traveller in Bali. My main suggestion is to not eat anything pre-prepared (like a buffet) as you're more likely to get sick. Another wise tip is to rinse your tooth brush with bottled water.
We were completely fine with ice in our drinks (it seems like the regulations are stricter on establishments nowadays) and eating fresh fruits. Trust your gut and keep it simple, you'll have nothing to worry about. 🤞🏻.
A lot of touristic/western establishments felt completely hygienic & safe to eat at. A lot of the food was also surprisingly really delicious! (Although we did not experiment with authentic local food outside of the touristic areas).
Packing List
Coming soon
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