Your flights are booked and you’re counting the days, but what should you take with you on your trip to Bali? Beyond clothes and swimsuits, what will you need? Is there anything you can’t get on the island and, if so, should you bring a supply from home?
Read on for our complete guide to the essential packing list for Bali, so you can be sure you’ll have everything you could possibly need on the island!
What clothes should you take to Bali?
When packing clothes for Bali, it’s best to choose outfits that are light, loose and comfortable. This will help you to keep cool in Bali’s tropical climate while protecting your skin from the sun on the beach.
Bali has a conservative culture and visitors should dress modestly, avoiding clothes that are especially tight, or revealing. This is particularly true if you are planning to visit the temples or venture out of the main tourist areas in the south.
Your general wardrobe for Bali should include:
- A swimsuit
- Light, loose fitting clothing
- A sarong (for the temples)
- Flip flops
- A hat
If you’re an adventurous traveller you may want to bring…
- Hiking boots
- Waterproof clothing
- Thermal clothing
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Surfers may want to take…
- Boardshorts
- Surfboard (if you have your own)
Yogis and sports enthusiasts should pack…
- Sportswear
If you’re a family and you’re travelling with children, take…
- Sun hats
- Loose fitting clothing that covers shoulders and legs
What toiletries should you take to Bali?
Most bathroom supplies can be found easily in Bali. However, if you have a preferred brand of moisturizer, shampoo, or shower gel you should bring a supply from home, as there’s no guarantee that you’ll find it on the island.
What should you put in your medical kit?
The following items can be expensive and/or difficult to find in Bali. Stock up before you go!
- Bug spray containing DEET
- High-factor sunscreen
Many travellers fall victim to ‘Bali Belly’ when visiting the island. Prepare for the worst/reduce your chances of getting sick by bringing:
- Stomach medicine
- Hand sanitizer
Accidents happen! If you’ll be taking part in any risky behaviour (e.g. riding motorbikes, hiking) outside of Bali’s main towns, make sure you bring:
- Antiseptic (e.g. alcohol, Betadine)
- Bandaids, bandages, medical tape
- Painkillers
Miscellaneous items
There are some items you’ll need to use soon after you arrive in Bali, so it’s best the take these with you!
-
What else should you bring with you to Bali? Adapter plugs
- A padlock (to keep your belongings safe)
If you plan to get out into nature during your trip to Bali, the following items may come in handy:
- A knife
- A lifestraw, water filter, or water purification tablets
- Hiking boots
- Hiking poles
- A tent
- A microfibre towel
- A small day-pack
If you’re a family travelling with children it may be a good idea to pack…
- Water wings
- High-factor sunscreen or sunblock
- Sun hats
If you suffer from any allergies, intolerances, or medical conditions…
If you used prescribed medication for any sort of medical condition, make sure you take enough with you to last the duration of your trip. Of course, Bali has plenty of doctors clinics and pharamcies, but there’s no guaramtee that you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for – and why take the risk?
If you suffer from any food allergies or intolerances, it’s a good idea to take a laminated page detailing exactly what you can’t eat in English and Balinese. Communicating your dietary requirements is unlikely to be a problem in Bali’s busy spots, but may be difficult once you leave the main towns and cities!
How much money should you take to Bali?
How much money you take to Bali will depend on your budget, what you plan to do and how you plan to eat during your stay.
Low budget
If you plan to eat locally, stay in a budget accommodation and stick to free/cheap activities in Bali, you can easily get by on around $15 – $20 per day.
Basic accommodation
- Hostels
- Guesthouses
Food
- Local restaurants (warungs)
- Home-cooked food
Drink
- Non-alcoholic
- Local drinks (e.g. arak)
Entertainment
- Beaches
- Hiking and trekking
- Camping
- Temples
Transport
- Motorbike rental
Medium budget
If you want to indulge in some spa treatments and take a few classes during your trip to Bali, you will need a little more than the basic budget. With $30 – 40 USD per day you can afford to travel by car, enjoy a beer or two and treat yourself to the odd organized trip, treat and/or fancy meal.
Accommodation
- Hotels
- Guesthouses
Food
- Restaurants (mid-range, international food)
Drink
- Local beer (Bintang or Prost, bought from the shop)
Entertainment
- Occasional spa treatments.
- Yoga classes
- Surf classes
- Diving trips
Transport
- Uber, Grab, occasional taxis
High budget
Living like a king in Bali is easy, as the island has endless options for luxury travel. If you want a taste of the high life, budget around $80 – 100 USD per day. This will be enough to keep you in quality accommodation, cocktails, fine dining and spa treatments throughout your stay. However, some of the most luxurious activities and accommodation could, of course, require higher budgets.
Accommodation
- Hotels
- Luxury villas
- Resorts
Food
- Restaurants (up-market, international food)
Drink
- Cocktails
- Imported beers and spirits
Entertainment
- Spa treatments
- Golf
- Beach clubhouses
- Private boat trips and excursions
Transport
- Taxis
- Car rental
Do you need a visa to visit Bali?
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Probably not! At least, not if your country is on the list of 140 countries cleared for visa-free entry to Indonesia AND you plan to stay less than 30 days. If this applies to you, then getting into Bali is easy – simply rock up at the airport and get your visa exemption stamped into your passport. (Be aware that you may be asked to provide proof of onward travel, i.e. a return flight).
However, you will need to purchase a visa if:
- Your country is not listed under the 140 countries with visa exemption in Indonesia
- You plan to stay in Indonesia for longer than 30 days
- The purpose of your visit is something other than tourism
If your country is not on the list of countries eligible for visa exemption…
If your country is not on this list, then you must apply for a tourist or social visa before arriving in Bali. This is known as a B-211 visa and must be obtained at an Indonesian Consulate or Embassy outside of Indonesia.
Usually, applicants for the B-211 visa will need to present a sponsor letter from an Indonesia citizen to get a visa. You may run into difficulties when trying to get your tourist visa for Bali if you are from one of the following countries:
- Iran
- Pakistan
- Israel
- Guinea
- North Korea
- Cameroon
- Liberia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Somalia
- Afghanistan
What vaccinations do you need for Bali?
You should make sure that you’re up to date on all of your routine vaccinations before visiting Bali. These include vaccines for tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio. Most visitors from developed countries will already have had all these shots and won’t need to get them again. However, there are a few extra diseases in Bali that you should get vaccinated against before you travel. These include:
Typhoid
Typhoid is a waterborne disease and is usually contracted from contaminated food or water sources. The typhoid vaccination is strongly recommended to travellers who are planning to visit rural areas in Bali and adventurous eaters.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is another disease that is contracted through the consumption of contaminated food and water. This vaccination is recommended for all travellers to Bali.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person. This vaccination is recommended for travellers who might have sex with a new partner, or who might get a tattoo or piercing in Bali.
Japanese Encephalitis
Japanese Encephalitis is a rare, but potentially life-threatening disease that is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes. You may need to get this vaccine if you plan to stay in Indonesia for longer than a month, or if you plan to spend a lot of time in rural areas. It is best to discuss your trip with your doctor to determine whether you should get this vaccine or not.
Rabies
Rabies is carried by dogs, bats and several other mammals in Indonesia. It is a good idea to get this vaccine if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors, are working with animals, or engaging in any other activity that puts you at high risk of animal bites (e.g. exploring caves, hiking, camping).
Yellow Fever
There is no risk of Yellow Fever in Bali; however, the Indonesian government requires proof of vaccination if you are travelling from a country that has the disease. Make sure your country is not on the list of those with a risk of Yellow Fever before you travel and get the appropriate vaccination if necessary.
Do you need travel insurance for Bali?
It is ALWAYS a good idea to buy insurance before you travel anywhere. Although your chances of using it are slim, an unforeseen accident or medical emergency could be disastrous without it!
Basic travel insurance can be bought inexpensively and easily online and can be a life-saver when misfortune strikes.
However, a basic insurance package is unlikely to cover ‘high-risk’ activities, such as scuba diving, surfing, or riding motorbikes. If you plan to take part in any adventurous activities during your trip, you will need to find insurance that covers these. This will cost you more, but it’ll be worth it if you run into trouble during your stay!
It is, therefore, a good idea to consider your plans for Bali before you purchase insurance. Check out the following sites for reasonably priced travel insurance suitable for all types of traveller: