Tips When Traveling To Bali

Bali is located in the Indonesian archipelago only eight degrees south of the Equator. The island measures 55 miles (90 kilometers) from north to south and 90 miles (140 kilometers) from east to west, making it easy to go out for an excursion anywhere in Bali and return to your hotel by nightfall.

Towering volcanic peaks that rise mystically through the clouds, terraced rice paddies carved into the mountainous landscape, iridescent crater lakes, lush tropical rain forests and sandy white beaches lapped by warm ocean currents are only a few of the wonders that draw millions of visitors to this tiny island each year.

Bali Tricks for First Time Travelers
Let’s look at some valuable travel tips to help you experience the very best that Bali has to offer:

1. Bali’s tropical weather means that travel at any time of the year is suitable, however its best to check when the major Indonesian holiday periods and religious ceremonies occur to avoid the influx of domestic tourists.

2. Bali accommodation offers superb value, particularly if you are traveling on a budget. To ensure you get the best value for money, book ahead.

3. Getting around in Bali can be quite an experience, to say the least! Road rules are nonexistent and traffic can be downright dangerous. Don’t assume that traffic will stop for you at a pedestrian crossing if you are on foot. If you are driving, the best piece of advice is to paraphrase a famous saying, “When in Bali, drive like the Balinese.”

4. Many of the luxury Bali hotels and villas will organize a driver for you, or you may choose to hire a bicycle if you don’t have far to travel.

5. As a tourist, you are bound to be hassled by local drivers shouting “Transport?” wherever you go. If you wish to hire a local driver, make sure he is clear about where you want to go and arrange a fixed price before you get in the car. Drivers are keen to barter with you, so it is customary to bargain until you get a price you are comfortable with.

6. And while we’re on the subject of bartering, it’s perfectly acceptable to barter in the local markets and stalls, but don’t try it in the larger department stores – the sales assistant may be quite offended.

7. Hawkers will descend on you from the moment you step outside your hotel, particularly if you are located in one of the major tourist areas. Although it may seem rude to you, the best advice is to ignore them altogether. Don’t make eye contact or slow down to look at the merchandise they are selling unless you are interested in purchasing something.

8. Beware of counterfeit goods unless that is what you’re looking for. Bali is well known for its knock-offs and you can buy anything from fake Rolex’s to fake Rayban’s at the local markets.

9. It’s likely you may be offered illicit drugs in the highly populated tourist spots. Ecstasy, pot, yabba (crystal meth) and shabu-shabu (methamphetamines) are the most popular drugs on offer in nightclubs and on the beaches, particularly in the Kuta area. If you don’t want to become another high-profile drug case, simply ignore the offers.

10. Bali locals are among the most friendly and relaxed people you will find anywhere in the world, but that doesn’t mean you can drop your guard when it comes to scams and rip-offs. Be wary of moneychangers who offer you amazingly good rates for exchanging foreign currency, touts who offer you the cheapest ride to your destination without confirming a fixed price and anyone who wants the money before handing over the goods.

11. And perhaps the best tip for new travelers to Bali is the one that is bound to be least successful — don’t look like a tourist!

This sage piece of advice is written almost tongue-in-cheek because the diminutive, friendly Balinese bear no resemblance whatsoever to their much larger framed Western neighbors. Not only that, our cultures are vastly different and so is our language. The most you could possibly hope for is to look like an ex-pat from your native country who has chosen to live an idyllic lifestyle on the island.

However, a couple of words of Bahasa will help with that “Oh, I’ve lived here for years” attitude. Selamat pagi (good morning), tolong (please) and terima kasih (thank you) will take you a long way in East-West relations.

Preparing For A Bali Vacation

If you have never been to Bali or any other tropical destination then it’s always a good thing to do some preparation at home. Just to avoid disappointments during your holidays.

So check these 5 things to make sure you can enjoy every moment of your holiday in Bali

# 1. Check if you need an Indonesian visa
Before you book your ticket and hotel it might be useful to check if you need a visa for Bali. Most South East Asian countries don’t need a visa, while others need to buy one.

Most nationalities can buy a Indonesia visa upon arrival at Bali airport before you go through immigration. They have a maximum 30 stay visa for 25 US dollars. If you are just staying for a couple of days you can go for the 10 US dollars visa which is valid for 7 days.

But to be on the safe side make sure if you can buy a visa upon arrival or if you need to go to the Indonesian embassy located in your country to get a visa. If you are planning to stay longer than 30 days then you need to head to the Indonesian embassy, because they are the only one who are able to issue a long-stay visa.

# 2. Arrange travel insurance
This is often last on the list: arranging a travel insurance. But you should, because if the unfortunate thing happens and you do end up in a medical clinic or hospital you will be happy that you arranged it.

Bali has good medical clinics, many of them with modern equipment and English speaking staff. So if you have your insurance you will more likely be sent to a private clinic or (in the worst case scenario, but let’s not even think about that!) they will send you to Singapore if they can not treat you in Bali.

# 3. Be aware of the health risks
Going to Bali is going to a place different then home, meaning that you can easily catch something if you don’t watch out. Make sure you are aware of all the things that you can get when you are in Bali and most importantly how to avoid getting it. This includes the little things as well such as severe sun burn, sun stroke and upset stomach.

# 4. Check out the Bali weather conditions
Bali has two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. During the dry season (around May-October) it rains occasionally and it can get really hot. While during the rainy season (around October-April) there are heavy rains and clouds. But usually during this season it doesn’t rain days on end (but don’t be surprised if there are exceptions).

The best time to go depends mainly on what you want to do. If you plan to do a lot of hiking then it’s best to go during the dry season as more trails are accessible. During this season there are more options for surfing as well. And if you plan a wedding in Bali then I suggest to do it during the dry months as well, just to avoid a sudden thunderstorm during the ceremony.

But all in all, Bali is nice throughout the year. During the wet season everything is nice a green and it can even get chilly at night. And the best thing after a heavy tropical rain is that everything feels refreshed.

# 5. Packing your suitcase
When the date is set, ticket is booked then all you need to do is start packing. My advice for this is to pack lightly and don’t forget to add something warm just in case. When I go to Bali I don’t bring a lot of stuff because there is an abundance of laundry services in Bali. They can wash and iron your clothes and make them smell fresh again in one day! On top of that it’s really cheap.

One more point to add about traveling lightly, there are ATM’s everywhere in the major tourist areas (except Candidasa, Amed and Pemuturan). So you don’t have to bring a big pack of cash with you. Just bring enough Rupiah’s for the first couple of days so you have something for the Bali airport taxi, hotel and restaurant when you just arrive.

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