Bali Essentials : Insider Tips for a smooth trip [Free]
To do before the trip
Formalities and paperwork
⚠️ Make sure your passeport has a six month validity EXTRA on your trip dates. Or you will be refused entry. Also make sure your passport is in pristine condition : they are known to be picky.
Visa
📣 All travellers that are not from an ASEAN country need a visa. Since Covid they have updated their system and you can do it online. The e-visa is 500,000 IDR so around 30$. It's almost instant but better not wait the last moment. You can also do it on arrival but then it's not renewable.
👉 This visa is valid for 30 days and if done online, can be renewed once for 30 more days.
🛬 You can also do it on arrival, but having it already is hassle free and allows you to go faster through immigration with their new automatic system.
Bali tourism tax
💰 Since 2023, Bali specifically has a tourism tax to support cultural and environmental efforts. It's not always checked by officials on arrival but can be asked by the airline. It's about 10$.
Customs
🍾 Maximum 48h before you fly, fill in this documents to declare any imported good. It's totally free and will save you some time on arrival as well.
🎒Keep all those QR & documents easily accessible for a hassle-free check-in and arrival.
Health
Bugs
🦟 Mosquitoes are plentiful in Bali, but well equipped you won't be bothered. You can take repellent but I find the one here more effective & cheaper. Bali is totally malaria free but there is dengue. Symptoms can go from a mild flue to some needing a hospital trip so stay protected.
Medicin
💉 No vaccins are necessary to enter Indonesia at the moment. But for peace of mind Hep A is always a good idea, especially if you have never travelled in Asia or countries with more bacterias in the food. The rabies vaccin is only necessary if you plan to be deep in the country side working with animals. Otherwise you will be fine, just don't try to pet monkeys.
💊 Afraid of Bali belly? Lots of people experience it, but also many don't! My absolute best recommendation is to start gut probiotics 2 weeks before the trip & during the trip. Everyone I know who did that was absolutely fine the whole time.
⚠️ While in Bali, do not take aspirin. It is a blood thinner and in case of dengue it can be life threatening. Paracetamol can be found in every supermarket & little drugstore.
Essentials to pack
⛱️Beach time
🤿 A rashguard if you plan to surf or snorkel : the sun is strong!
🧴 A reef safe sunscreen for every time you're in the ocean
🛵Road trippin'
👖 Closed shoes, pants & long-sleeves. Yes it's hot, but road burns are worse.
☔️ A rain jacket, or better a long poncho, it's will protect your legs too
🥻A sarong or long dress with shoulders covered for temples
Which area to stay in?
Bali pretty has it all, really. Different weather, temperatures, landscapes, activities... And it looks small but it's easy to spend half the day in the car, so it's better you in advance what you're looking so you can pick the best place to stay!
Bandung
Bandung is the area with the most touristy spots but it's also quite big & with heavy traffic everywhere.
Canggu
The digital nomad, influencer hot spot. The place to see & to be seen in Bali, perfect for the younger crow. Perfect if you like to :
💃 Party & hit the clubs
👗 Go on a shopping spree
💻 Hang at co-workings
Not great for :
🤫 Silence & quiet
🛵 Driving around due to heavy traffic
🌾 Seeing the traditional Bali
Budget : 💰💰💰
All is possible, from homestays to luxury hotels but the amount of places makes it easy to reach for your wallet!
Where I stay :
Uluwatu
It used to be an off the grid surfing village, it's now becoming the new trendy place, health oriented community. Great for :
🏄♀️ Surfing, some of the nicest beaches & waves
⛱️ Relaxing in beautiful settings
🌅 Dramatic views & sunsets from the cliffs
Not great for :
💰 Backpackers, Uluwatu is one the priciest area
🦽 Accessibility, most beaches are down narrow and steep stairs
🏊 Swimming, since the area is better for surf
Budget : 💰💰💰
Uluwatu is the up and coming area, most accommodation will be middle to high range. It's aesthetic and still with nature around, but better on a higher budget.
Where I stay :
Denpasar - Sanur
Sanur was one of the first area in the island to be developed and became a retiree heaven. Beautiful beach, lots of food & accommodations, slower pace of life. Now the crowd has more variety and it's actually my favorite area to stay in when I go down south as it's more walkable and has a lot of charming old hotels. Stay there if you like to :
⛱️ Enjoy the beach, dinner with your feet in the sand
🛍️ Walk in the city & discover shops & restaurants
🏥 To be in an area with quick medical access & more accessibility
Not your pick if :
💃 You want to hit the clubs & hang out with a -30 years old crowd.
🏄 You're a hardcore surfer
🌱 You're looking for nature
Budget : 💰💰
Much easier to find cheaper accomodation but luxury options are possible as well.
Where I stay :
Karangasem
Karangasem is where I live and my absolute favorite place for many reasons : the amazing nature, the quiet, all the Bali traditions that are very alive there...
Amed
Amed was a sleepy fishing village for a long time. Now it's developing but on a much slower pace than the rest of the island and the locals are still very traditional and attached to their culture. You will fall in love with Amed if you like to :
🤿 Explore the underwater world : scuba-diving, freediving, snorkeling...
🌋 Wants to see or hike the highest active volcano in Bali : Mount Agung
🌸 Discover the traditions & culture of the Balinese people
Not great if you need to :
💃 Hit the club, but we have a fun expat community and some beach bars
🦽 Have accessibility : very few sidewalks & proper streets
✈️ Stay shortly in Bali : Amed is 3h away from the airport
Amed is actually so much more than that, and if you want to know where to eat, activities & must-sees, check out the guide I made especially about it :
Budget : 💰
Very small budget friendly, the luxury offers are more limited. But you want to experience a life like a local, you're in for a treat!
Where I stay :
Gianyar
Gianyar can be a very busy area with heavy traffic, it also host the cultural heart of the island & some beautiful rice field & jungle areas. It's central and a great place to see a lot of the island from.
Ubud
Bali's capital of culture, art & history, Ubud went from a quiet jungle area to a hippie refuge to being a tourist hub of the island and a must-stop.
If you're not scared of the traffic you can stay in the center in a traditional compound & homestay, it's also one of the few more walkable area in Bali. You can also stay in the middle of the rice field on the fringe of the city & avoid the hustling. Head to Ubud for :
🧘 Yoga : some of the best studios & teachers in the world are there.
🥗 Food! Ubud has an amazing food scene, particularly vegan or veggie.
🚶 Walk through a Balinese city & discover culture or history
Don't if you like :
☀️ To have sun all the time. Ubud is a very tropical area, rain is never far
👙 To enjoy the beach. Welcome to the jungle! It's always humid & hot.
Budget : 💰💰
Easy to do on a budget with many homestays & local food but again, the amount of activities & shops is always tempting.
Where I stay :
Those are the main areas in Bali & the most common to stay at. More is coming soon with Tabanan, Bangli & Buleleng. Even more detailed guides for each region are in the works as well!
Local customs
💆 Like in many Asia countries, the head is the sacred part of the body and you shouldn't touch someone else head without consent. Especially little kids, the parents could not appreciate.
🦶As the opposite, the feet are considered dirty, and you shouldn't put them where they don't belong. Mostly don't touch people with your feet. But it's mostly common sense : don't be rude! Also if you enter someone's home, always remove your shoes. Shops are usually fine to keep your shoes in.
🤚 Balinese eat with their hands most of the time, but always the right one. The left is the one used to clean yourself after the bathroom. If you are joining a local meal, do the same.
🛕 Temples and sacred areas are fiercely protected and you are expected to follow their rules. Always wear a sarong and cover your shoulders. If a ceremony is happening and the area is closed, don't insist. Try not to step on offerings as well.
📸 Balinese are usually very ok with tourists taking pictures, but if they are doing the offerings or in a ceremony, make sure to ask first. Don't be in their way as well.
🧘♀️ If you join a local meal or party, you will notice everyone sits on the floor, do the same. Sitting higher than them, especially the family patriarch is considered rude.
👩❤️👨 Signs of affection is public are okay if reasonable. But balinese can get uncomfortable, be mindful.
🕣 Be patient : the country side especially runs on Balinese time. Many things are 'nanti' => later. If you need to agree with someone on a specific time, make sure you specify the date, and they still might show up 2 hours before or after!
Common mistakes
🚗 Don't try to hit every point of interest : you can quickly spend hours in the car. Roads in the north are usually not in great shape & with the traffic you will need on average 1h30 to do 50km. Stay 2-3 days minimum per area to enjoy it better.
📍Don't just stay in the south : Bali is a treasure and there is a lot to explore. If you want to see more of its culture & history, aim for the north! The south is mostly a city & tourist hub.
🛵 DO NOT drive a scooter if you never have before, especially not in the south or Ubud. The traffic is intense, Balinese follow their own rules & too many tourists leave with a hospital bill.
Book recommendations
Here's a few reads if you like to know about the history of a place you might visit & some novels considered classics in Indonesia.
My top 5 to do
Here's my absolute favorite activities that I always recommend and do as often as I can!
Scuba diving
Get a view
Quiet your mind
Get lost in the rice fields
Learn to surf
More detailed guides of each region are coming, but with all these informations, you're set to prepare your trip the best way possible & have memories for a lifetime!
Feel free to live a tip if you enjoyed this little guide & want to support me, it's at the bottom of this guide.
Come say hi if you stop by Amed 👋
The home for unique & authentic travel
