In the event you’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 attraction to vacationers because it’s a really perfect spot for vacationers looking for 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 facets of a visit that would lead us to creating unhealthy choices.
This text offers you a rundown of errors it’s best 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 buddies, Bali is a hell of loads greater than that. It’s large! It’s eight instances greater than Singapore, 10 instances greater than Phuket, 64 instances greater than Santorini, 500+ instances bigger than Boracay! (But it surely’s extra corresponding to the complete Cebu or Leyte Island.)
Hold 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, it is advisable to choose essentially the most superb space to remain so that you gained’t waste an excessive amount of time on the highway. Talking of the most effective space to remain…
2. Don’t choose the mistaken space to remain.
The Kuta-Seminyak space appears to be the busiest and the epicenter of a lot of the motion within the island. It most likely has the very best focus of lodging and eating institutions. However is it the most effective space? Nicely, probably not. The perfect place to remain is dependent upon why you’re in Bali within the first place.
In the event you’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 the town heart will get busy too, it’s nonetheless a lot much less chaotic than Kuta and Seminyak. Lots of the scenic leases you see on Instagram are located round Ubud. However word that there’s no seashore right here.
For that, possibly Uluwatu and Nusa Dua are value contemplating. Most properties listed below are fairly upscale, however they provide a quieter, extra romantic seashore 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 inexpensive right here.
In the event you’re a foodie, nevertheless, Denpasar appears to be an awesome base since you might have an awesome choice of not solely Balinese fare, but additionally different Indonesian and different Southeast Asian cuisines.
Whereas we’ve a separate article going deep into the greatest technique for selecting your Bali lodging, we’ve additionally rounded up a number of the greatest locations to remain beneath in your quick access.
High Lodges in Ubud
High Lodges in Kuta
High Lodges in Seminyak
Seek for extra Bali Lodges Right here!
Once more, the most effective place to remain in Bali largely is dependent upon your purpose for visiting. In the event you 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 thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands of tourists per 12 months. The truth is, in 2024, it has recorded virtually 6.4 million overseas vacationer arrivals, the very best recorded previously decade. And an awesome 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 non-public tour by automobile or reserving Seize or Gojek to get from one place to a different. It’s no surprise site visitors buildup is a continuing incidence right here. So you probably have a tour, a present, or a flight to catch, it’s at all times greatest to have loads of lead time.
Site visitors isn’t as unhealthy in different areas, although. However I additionally observed site visitors jams in Ubud’s metropolis heart, too!
4. Don’t fall for taxi and bike scams.
Overpricing taxis are rampant in Bali. The truth is, we’ve been informed by the locals we met to not hail a cab, however use Seize or GoJek as an alternative. And if we should, solely trip BlueBird, the one respected taxi firm on the island. If coming from the airport, you may additionally pre-arrange a pickup service on-line.
In the event you desire touring by bike, 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 outlets that will cost you for pre-existing damages on the bike. Police scams are stated to be prevalent too. They are saying that some officers would simply cease bike drivers for no matter purpose they may consider simply so you could possibly pay them to allow you to go.
However when you insist on renting a bike, be sure to have the correct driving license and at all times put on a helmet!
5. Don’t dismiss native delicacies.
Partly due to the numerous expats who name this island dwelling, Bali has a vibrant worldwide meals scene! Earlier than coming to Bali, my buddies informed me I ought to strive a myriad of eating places with the most effective burgers, or the most effective tacos, and even the most effective Greek meals. Plenty 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 muffins. The perfect half, they’re in all places, 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 if you’d like the insider scoop, greatest 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 Ok. was well mannered, pleasant, and educated and will talk in English very well. He introduced us to a babi guling place exterior the town heart and to Gianyar Evening 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 with 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 large containers and simply refill your reusable bottle every so often.
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 complete 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 overlook to carry anti-diarrhea meds!
7. Don’t belief avenue ATMs simply.
And by avenue ATMs, I imply these money machines that you simply see within the streets, out within the open and might simply be tampered with. If it is advisable 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 greatest guess, and also you’ll discover plenty of varied respected banks all through the island.
In the event you should withdraw from one on the road ATMs, at all times double examine for indicators of tampering. When unsure, don’t do it and simply discover one other method to pay or get money. Talking of money…
8. Don’t overpay by mistake.
In Bali, the official foreign money is the Indonesian rupiah. And 100 USD is roughly 1.6 million rupiah. (And 100 pesos is roughly 28,000 rupiah.) The best denomination is 100,000 rupiah. Sure, that’s 1 adopted by 5 zeroes.
For individuals who are aware of the foreign money, the notes might be simply differentiated by the dimension and the coloration. 100,000 is huge and crimson; 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 simple to assume that 10,000 is 100,000. It was really easy to make that mistake. And similar to every other vacation spot, you could run into somebody who’s prepared to take benefit when the chance presents itself.
It was already my fourth day once I lastly obtained the hold of it. However possibly I’m simply sluggish 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 out there. Fortuitously, the grocery store in entrance of our lodge accepted bank cards.
9. Don’t maintain your telephone up within the streets.
Bali is usually secure and has a comparatively low crime charge, 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 highway as a result of somebody on a bike may simply snatch it away. Hold it away from different individuals’s attain. And don’t go away them unattended on the seashore 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 comparable sights.
Earlier than you e-book a number of day excursions, examine the itinerary first. Most excursions in Bali have comparable sights. There’s usually a cease at Tegallalang Rice Terraces, a espresso farm the place you could possibly style quite a lot of espresso and tea flavors, and Instagrammable websites with large swing and the like. And to be trustworthy, when you’ve skilled one in every of every sort, you’ve skilled all of them.
So when you’re reserving multiple personal tour, ask your contact or information when you might change a few of these spots to keep away from a repetitive journey and you could possibly expertise extra of Bali. We’ve completed 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.
Once we consider Bali, photographs of its seashores immediately come to thoughts. Rising up, I considered Bali as a seashore paradise. However once 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 rather more awed by its temples and waterfalls and delicacies than by its seashores.
The seashores right here will not be unhealthy. By no means. However simply to handle your expectations, when 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 similar 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 should! However there’s a lot extra to Bali than its shores.
12. Don’t disregard the queuing instances at Instagram spots.
Of all of the locations I had set foot in, Bali is maybe 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 need to be conscious of. You see, it’s so well-liked that the road for this picture can get loopy lengthy. We’re speaking about as much as three hours of ready time for only a minute of picture 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 instances, go within the early morning. My teammate Pycan did simply that, in time for dawn. They had been second in line.
However even when your timing is correct, don’t anticipate all the pieces to be image excellent. Most images you see had been both taken below the most effective circumstances 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 well-liked because the Gate of Heaven, however you could possibly nonetheless find yourself ready 40 minutes to an hour in your flip.
Personally, I don’t thoughts the ready instances as a result of I understand how to maintain myself busy. I often spend the time chatting with our information and different locals. However when you’re probably not into IG-worthy spots and also you wish to maximize your keep, you may simply be losing plenty of time queuing. There are different picturesque however much less crowded sights elsewhere within the island. However when you really need these pictures you see on the web, go forward. You’re already in Bali, may as properly expertise the complete bundle, queues and all.
13. Don’t overlook to carry mosquito repellent.
Mosquitos are frequent in Bali, so it’s greatest 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 susceptible 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 should gown 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. In the event you’re bleeding — say, you’ve an open wound or, for girls, if at the moment menstruating, you shouldn’t enter the temples.
Even when there’s plenty 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 be sure to don’t stroll on them.
Additionally, when handing out one thing to a neighborhood, at all times 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 vitally essential that you already know this.
Initially, don’t do medicine anyplace you journey to, however particularly right here in Bali as a result of Indonesia has a number of the strictest legal guidelines with regards to medicine.
Possession is punishable by imprisonment for 4 to 12 years or, if the quantity is sufficiently big, you might be imprisoned for all times, plus fines of as much as 8 billion rupiah. For trafficking, the dying penalty could also be imposed.
That’s not the type of journey you wish to expertise overseas.
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