Get ready for an awesome Bali trip! We’ve got a few tricks to make it even better. Discover hidden gems, try local food, and navigate Bali like a pro. Let’s make your trip unforgettable!
Expect a lot of tourists
Bali is one of the most touristed islands on earth, it’s not an untouched paradise. There are a lot of scooters literally thousands. They are very cheap to rent. Especially the south of the Island and Ubud are busy. But if you go to the mountains or the north of the island than it is more a chill out experience.
Transportation
The best way to get around in Bali, is by Scooter. A scooter rental will set you back anywhere between 6-7 $. Grab is the Asian version app of Uber. Use Grab to find a motorbike taxi to take you to your destination in Bali. Be aware, in some cities, like Ubud, there are only local taxis allowed. There are signs for this.
Money
Bali is more expensive than other parts of Indonesia and it’s one of the relatively more expensive places to travel to in Southeast Asia. But it’s still cheap if you compare it with Europe or the U.S. Local food in the warung are very cheap.
Dress for the occasion
Always dress modestly covering the shoulders and knees and behave yourself appropriately when visiting temples and holy sites, also if you see a offering or a parade in the street.
Holy sites and Temples
There a lot of Temples and holy places in Bali. They are very important to the local people. So be respectful. Most of them you can visit. Extra tip: Buy a nice sarong, very handy for visiting holy sites.
Temperature
It’s not as hot as other Indonesian islands. There is always a breeze and in the mountains, it can be chilly. April to October is the dry season and you can expect larger crowds and higher prices for hotels, but the weather will be perfect. Prices will be lower in May and with the better weather, it’s a good time to start diving as the water visibility clears up and not to much big crowds.
Be cautious of wild animals
They may look cute, but rabies and other diseases are serious risks in Bali and monkeys are the best thieves. Take caution when taking a picture with them. They see you smile as an act of aggression, so beware of that. The monkeys have very big and sharp teeth.
Try to avoid plastic
Try to avoid plastic. You’re going to see that Bali has enormous plastic problem. Lots of plastic waste washes up on Bali’s beautiful beaches. Help reduce this plastic problem. Bali’s heat and humidity need for constant hydration but consider a refill bottle and try to avoid plastic bags. Use your backpack instead.
Is Bali Safe?
There have been terrorist attacks and natural disasters in Bali. Reported muggings and other crimes are relatively rare. The biggest safety issue most travelers experience in Bali is actually with transportation because the roads are full of transport.
Watch out for “Bali belly”
- Tap water and ice cubes, make sure you order drinks with ice cubes made of bottled water.
- Arak is typically made from fermented coconut juice or brown rice. Unfortunately, homemade varieties of arak can contain methanol, which can cause poisoning, potentially leading to blindness and death.
- Only drink water from a bottle with a sealed cap.
- Fruits that have been pre-hopped or packaged may have been sitting out for a while and could be contaminated. Stick with fruit that your peel yourself.