After what feels like too long of a wait, the day has finally come. Time to start planning and packing for your holiday in Bali.
You won’t need to pack much for your trip to Bali. If you forget something, you’ll most likely find it available for purchase locally anyway. Don’t be one of those tourists dragging a giant roller bag through the sand. Bali is a thriving island full of shops and restaurants and all the comforts of home. Bring less, support the locals and bring back some great (useful) souvenirs. Shopping here is a great experience with top brands and even luxury items. Bringing less means you will have an easier time on boats, planes and buses if you plan to island hop and really experience Indonesia.
First things first, you will need a place to park your bag while you’re lounging on the beach with a Bintang in hand. However, don’t waste this experience on a cheap hotel. With the prices here your money goes a lot further. Spend a bit more to get a lot more. Stay in a Seminyak villa and enjoy all the comforts of home, and then some. If you fancy breakfast in bed or dinner for all your mates then a private chef can be arranged, too easy. Want a relaxing time away from it all? Then the private pool and spacious lounge complete with a large TV and Netflix is probably what you’re after. Don’t forget the gorgeous views of the volcano or the beach from your bedroom window.
What to wear?
The western vision of a holiday on an exotic island brings to mind images of sexy beach wear and flowered open shirts, here it’s quite the contrary. Because locals dress quite conservatively. Plan to cover up when you come off of the beach.
You must cover your knees and shoulders when visiting Hindu temples and sacred sites. Clubs and nicer restaurants will also require a certain dress code. Think covered, cool and casual.
The weather is fairly consistent with temperatures dipping down to about twenty two on the rainy nights and maybe even as high as thirty three on the oppressive hot days in peak dry season. Depending on what time of year you visit you don’t have to worry about being too cold or too hot. No denim but maybe a light jumper just in case. Opt for quick drying, cotton clothing, and lite fabrics.
All in all you won’t really need much clothing. Pack the staples and plan to purchase some statement pieces that will have all your friends back home gushing over where you got that stylish top. Depending on how long you stay, laundry is very inexpensive here, just drop it off and pick it up washed, dried and ironed the next day.
Which pair of shoes?
You’re thinking flip flops right? Hell yes! These can be bought in Bali for breadcrumbs. However another pair of closed more sturdy shoes will get you far. If you plan on hiking, climbing or even just walking through the airport bring something comfortable that is easy to quickly remove as some temples and shops don’t allow shoes inside. Choose a nice middle of the road type shoe as some clubs and restaurants enforce a dress code that does not include flip flops or hiking boots.
Prepare your documents.
Now there’s the issue of documentation. Always when travelling anywhere it’s a good idea to bring two copies of your passport, vaccination records, visas, and travel insurance papers. It’s also good to bring copies of your local ID card and birth certificate if you lose your passport. Keep one copy in your luggage and one copy on you but not with your passport. Bring at least two forms of payment other than cash. A good idea is to email yourself the numbers along with contact info for your bank just in case. All that said, here cash is king so be sure to bring enough cash before you land in Bali so you’re not scrambling at the airport currency exchange to pay the taxi driver. Bali has plenty of ATMs however, bring backup cash to use until you can locate an ATM.
That’s about it, of course depending on how long you will stay you will need the appropriate photos and forms for visas as well as any medical records medications and first aid supplies. But you got all that already right?
