For those who’re Bali-bound, you most likely know that there’s a LOT to see and do on this province of Indonesia. Supporting a lot of the province’s revenue is its enchantment to vacationers because it’s a super spot for vacationers in search of nature, tradition, and journey.

It’s tough to not get over-excited with the pure sights you’ll discover throughout its map. A lot in order that generally we are likely to overlook the opposite points of a visit that might lead us to creating dangerous selections.

This text provides you a rundown of errors you need to keep away from when touring to Bali.

1. Don’t assume Bali is a small island.

I made my first mistake even earlier than I arrived within the island. For some purpose, I assumed that Bali is simply as small as Phuket or Santorini or Singapore. My mates, Bali is a hell of loads larger than that. It’s enormous! It’s eight occasions larger than Singapore, 10 occasions larger than Phuket, 64 occasions larger than Santorini, 500+ occasions bigger than Boracay! (Nevertheless it’s extra akin to the complete Cebu or Leyte Island.)

Maintain that in thoughts when constructing your itinerary. Don’t schedule your actions instantly after one other in the event that they’re in numerous components of the island. For instance, getting from Kuta to Ubud doesn’t take only a few minutes. It takes a few hours. And people faraway temples like Lempuyang or Ulun Danu, for much longer. Relying in your itinerary and what you’re in Bali for to start with, you might want to decide essentially the most supreme space to remain so that you gained’t waste an excessive amount of time on the street. Talking of the perfect space to remain…

2. Don’t decide the mistaken space to remain.

The Kuta-Seminyak space appears to be the busiest and the epicenter of many of the motion within the island. It most likely has the very best focus of lodging and eating institutions. However is it the perfect space? Properly, not likely. One of the best place to remain depends upon why you’re in Bali within the first place.

For those who’re after a soothing time, you’re not gonna discover it in Kuta. It’s not even essentially the most central location. That distinction belongs to Ubud, which is on the geographic heart of the island. From Ubud, it’s simpler to see the temples, terraces, and waterfalls of the north and the east. And whereas town heart will get busy too, it’s nonetheless a lot much less chaotic than Kuta and Seminyak. Most of the scenic leases you see on Instagram are located round Ubud. However be aware that there’s no seaside right here.

For that, possibly Uluwatu and Nusa Dua are price contemplating. Most properties listed here are fairly upscale, however they provide a quieter, extra romantic seaside expertise.

If you’re staying in Bali long run, try the rental properties in Canggu (Changgu). This can be a favourite amongst digital nomads as a result of it’s extra reasonably priced right here.

For those who’re a foodie, nonetheless, Denpasar appears to be an ideal base since you might have an ideal choice of not solely Balinese fare, but in addition different Indonesian and different Southeast Asian cuisines.

Whereas now we have a separate article going deep into the finest technique for selecting your Bali lodging, we’ve additionally rounded up a number of the finest locations to remain under to your quick access.

Prime Accommodations in Ubud

Prime Accommodations in Kuta

Prime Accommodations in Seminyak

Seek for extra Bali Accommodations Right here!

Once more, the perfect place to remain in Bali largely depends upon your purpose for visiting. For those who determine to remain within the Kuta/Seminyak space, there’s one other factor you shouldn’t underestimate: the site visitors.

3. Don’t underestimate the site visitors.

Bali welcomes hundreds of thousands and hundreds of thousands of tourists per yr. In reality, in 2024, it has recorded nearly 6.4 million international vacationer arrivals, the very best recorded previously decade. And an ideal fraction of them selected to remain in and round Kuta and Seminyak, and most of them don’t use public transportation, which isn’t as dependable as one might hope.

Most vacationers desire a personal tour by automotive or reserving Seize or Gojek to get from one place to a different. It’s no marvel site visitors buildup is a continuing incidence right here. So when you have a tour, a present, or a flight to catch, it’s all the time finest to have loads of lead time.

Visitors just isn’t as dangerous in different areas, although. However I additionally seen site visitors jams in Ubud’s metropolis heart, too!

4. Don’t fall for taxi and motorcycle scams.

Overpricing taxis are rampant in Bali. In reality, now we have been instructed by the locals we met to not hail a cab, however use Seize or GoJek as a substitute. And if we should, solely journey BlueBird, the one respected taxi firm on the island. If coming from the airport, you might also pre-arrange a pickup service on-line.

For those who desire touring by motorcycle, watch out for scams, too. I don’t hire bikes overseas so this isn’t one thing I’m involved about. However I had been warned about rental retailers that may cost you for pre-existing damages on the bike. Police scams are mentioned to be prevalent too. They are saying that some officers would simply cease motorcycle drivers for no matter purpose they might consider simply so you may pay them to allow you to go.

However in case you insist on renting a motorcycle, ensure you have the correct driving license and all the time put on a helmet!

5. Don’t dismiss native delicacies.

Partly due to the numerous expats who name this island house, Bali has a vibrant worldwide meals scene! Earlier than coming to Bali, my mates instructed me I ought to attempt a myriad of eating places with the perfect burgers, or the perfect tacos, and even the perfect Greek meals. A number of quick meals chains and cafes too. And that’s nice and all, however don’t go away with out digging into native meals.

Balinese delicacies is spectacular to say the least — from the mouthwatering babi guling (spit-roasted pork, much like lechon) to the ever-present sate and nasi campur to conventional desserts. One of the best half, they’re in every single place, too! You’ll discover them at excessive finish eating places to humble warung (small family-run eateries). Most of them serve homey, hearty meals.

However in order for you the insider scoop, finest to e-book a guided meals tour! By becoming a member of a meals tour, you’ll get to know the native favorites and pattern them whereas studying extra in regards to the Balinese meals tradition and different ideas.

We personally booked an Genuine Meals Tour from Ubud with GetYourGuide and it didn’t disappoint! Our information Jon Okay. was well mannered, pleasant, and educated and will talk in English very well. He introduced us to a babi guling place exterior town heart and to Gianyar Night time Market the place he launched to us extra conventional dishes like betutu and an assortment of desserts! In between meals stops, we dropped by rice terraces and Tirta Empul, one of many holiest temples within the island.

FIND A BALI FOOD TOUR FOR YOU HERE

6. Don’t drink faucet water.

Whereas we’re as regards to meals, I can’t stress this sufficient: don’t drink faucet water! Not even the locals do that and so they extremely discouraged me too. Most lodging present filtered water. If not, head to the grocery and purchase these big containers and simply refill your reusable bottle now and again.

Why? As a result of faucet water in Bali is gonna whoop your insides prefer it did mine. I by no means actually believed within the time period “Bali stomach” till it was occurring to me. I spent a whole evening in the bathroom, with out popping out, as a result of each quarter-hour one thing inside me was beginning a revolution. So no, don’t drink faucet water.

And don’t neglect to carry anti-diarrhea meds!

7. Don’t belief road ATMs simply.

And by road ATMs, I imply these money machines that you simply see within the streets, out within the open and may simply be tampered with. If you might want to withdraw from an ATM, select a machine that’s inside a financial institution or different guarded or enclosed institutions like malls. However the financial institution is your finest wager, and also you’ll discover a whole lot of varied respected banks all through the island.

For those who should withdraw from one on the road ATMs, all the time double test for indicators of tampering. When doubtful, don’t do it and simply discover one other strategy to pay or get money. Talking of money…

8. Don’t overpay by mistake.

In Bali, the official forex is the Indonesian rupiah. And 100 USD is roughly 1.6 million rupiah. (And 100 pesos is roughly 28,000 rupiah.) The very best denomination is 100,000 rupiah. Sure, that’s 1 adopted by 5 zeroes.

For individuals who are accustomed to the forex, the notes might be simply differentiated by the measurement and the colour. 100,000 is large and purple; 50,000 is blue; 20,000 is inexperienced, and so forth. However for us who aren’t used to seeing that many zeroes, it may be a bit complicated particularly as a result of these zeroes don’t have a hundreds separator. No interval, no comma, no house. So it’s straightforward to suppose that 10,000 is 100,000. It was really easy to make that mistake. And similar to every other vacation spot, it’s possible you’ll run into somebody who’s keen to take benefit when the chance presents itself.

It was already my fourth day after I lastly acquired the dangle of it. However possibly I’m simply gradual generally. LOL.

However fortunately, I by no means actually needed to pay money that a lot. Most of my excursions had been pre-booked, and I often paid by card when obtainable. Fortuitously, the grocery store in entrance of our lodge accepted bank cards.

9. Don’t maintain your telephone up within the streets.

Bali is mostly secure and has a comparatively low crime price, contemplating how busy and touristy it’s. However like many different vacationer hotspots, petty crimes do exist in Bali particularly inside developed areas like Kuta.

Don’t maintain your telephone, purse, or pockets out within the open when strolling or standing by the street as a result of somebody on a motorcycle may simply snatch it away. Maintain it away from different folks’s attain. And don’t go away them unattended on the seaside or use them to order a desk at a meals court docket. This isn’t Japan, Dubai, or Singapore.

10. Don’t get trapped in related sights.

Earlier than you e-book a number of day excursions, test the itinerary first. Most excursions in Bali have related sights. There’s typically a cease at Tegallalang Rice Terraces, a espresso farm the place you may style a wide range of espresso and tea flavors, and Instagrammable websites with big swing and the like. And to be trustworthy, in case you’ve skilled certainly one of every form, you’ve skilled all of them.

So in case you’re reserving multiple personal tour, ask your contact or information in case you might exchange a few of these spots to keep away from a repetitive journey and you may expertise extra of Bali. We’ve executed it earlier than and each information obliged as a result of it’s not tough to seek out one other focal point alongside the route.

11. Don’t anticipate an excessive amount of from Bali’s seashores.

After we consider Bali, photos of its seashores immediately come to thoughts. Rising up, I considered Bali as a seaside paradise. However after I was there, I spotted that Bali’s greatest belongings will not be its sandy shores, however its well-preserved tradition and inland pure sights. I used to be way more awed by its temples and waterfalls and delicacies than by its seashores.

The seashores right here will not be dangerous. Under no circumstances. However simply to handle your expectations, in case you’ve been to different seashores in Indonesia (or Thailand or the Philippines for that matter) and also you’re anticipating Bali to provide the identical glowing beachscape, then you definitely’ll be underwhelmed. That’s to not say that you simply shouldn’t come to Bali since you undoubtedly ought to, you need to! However there’s a lot extra to Bali than its shores.

12. Don’t disregard the queuing occasions at Instagram spots.

Of all of the locations I had set foot in, Bali is probably essentially the most Instagram or IG-worthy. It’s simply bursting with pciture-worthy spots, each pure and man-made.

By now, you most likely know in regards to the Gate of Heaven at Lempuyang Temple. And also you may already remember that the reflection created is a mirror trick and that there isn’t any physique of water on website. However that’s not the one factor you ought to be conscious of. You see, it’s so fashionable that the road for this photograph can get loopy lengthy. We’re speaking about as much as three hours of ready time for only a minute of photograph session.

On our final journey, we arrived within the afternoon — simply in time for the sundown — and we waited two and a half hours! They are saying that to keep away from ready occasions, go within the early morning. My teammate Pycan did simply that, in time for dawn. They have been second in line.

However even when your timing is correct, don’t anticipate the whole lot to be image excellent. Most images you see have been both taken beneath the perfect situations or enhanced digitally. Typically, the skies don’t cooperate. It’s extra probably that you simply’ll get a plain white backdrop as a result of the mountain is hiding behind the clouds or fog.

A glance-alike might be discovered within the north — the Handara Gate. This additionally has the identical impact. It’s not as fashionable because the Gate of Heaven, however you may nonetheless find yourself ready 40 minutes to an hour to your flip.

Personally, I don’t thoughts the ready occasions as a result of I understand how to maintain myself busy. I often spend the time chatting with our information and different locals. However in case you’re not likely into IG-worthy spots and also you wish to maximize your keep, you may simply be losing a whole lot of time queuing. There are different picturesque however much less crowded sights elsewhere within the island. However in case you really need these pictures you see on the web, go forward. You’re already in Bali, may as properly expertise the complete package deal, queues and all.

13. Don’t neglect to carry mosquito repellent.

Mosquitos are frequent in Bali, so it’s finest to be ready. We didn’t consider it till we checked in to our lodge, which offered a mosquito repellent spray, free to make use of. And we realized some locations and a few months are extra inclined than others. However to be on the secure facet, simply carry one with you when touring.

14. Don’t disrespect the native tradition.

If you’re into temple-hopping, know that you need to costume modestly throughout the neighborhood. Some temples present sarongs that you could be borrow, however to be secure, simply put on one thing that covers your shoulders, higher arms, and legs. This is applicable to women and men. For those who’re bleeding — say, you might have an open wound or, for girls, if at the moment menstruating, you shouldn’t enter the temples.

Even when there’s a whole lot of tourism exercise within the island, Bali stays spiritual, conservative, and conventional. It’ll turn out to be obvious to you in your first day, simply by taking a brief stroll.

In entrance of the homes and on the sidewalk, you’ll see small palm trays with flowers and meals. These are canang sari (chanang sari), that are day by day choices to the Supreme God of Indonesian Hinduism (Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa) as an emblem of gratitude. So, watch your step and ensure you don’t stroll on them.

Additionally, when handing out one thing to an area, all the time use your proper hand. Your left hand is taken into account soiled and is for lavatory duties. And by no means contact anybody’s head, which is taken into account a sacred a part of the physique.

15. Don’t do unlawful medicine.

I do know it sounds apparent, however it is rather necessary that you recognize this.

To begin with, don’t do medicine wherever you journey to, however particularly right here in Bali as a result of Indonesia has a number of the strictest legal guidelines on the subject of medicine.

Possession is punishable by imprisonment for 4 to 12 years or, if the quantity is large enough, you might be imprisoned for all times, plus fines of as much as 8 billion rupiah. For trafficking, the loss of life penalty could also be imposed.

That’s not the type of journey you wish to expertise overseas.

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2025 8 12 – First uploaded