So, you’re coming to Bali for the first time and you want to ensure that you’ve planned the perfect trip.
This means you have questions from “Can I eat the local cuisine?” to “Where’s the best place for a bit of hiking in the rice terraces?” to “Do I need a Bali visa?”
Well in our tips for Bali first-time visitors, we’ve got answers to all the questions that we can think of to help you enjoy this beautiful island and the Balinese culture to the fullest.
Why Come To Bali?
Bali is a beautiful tropical island in the Indian Ocean. It has lovely beaches in areas like Nusa Dua, it has amazing rice terraces and rice paddies throughout the land, cultural attractions such as the Uluwatu Temple complex, natural highlights such as the Ubud Monkey Forest and much more to offer.
Best of all, while it’s not as cheap as it once was, it’s much more affordable to spend time in Bali than it is in most Western countries and the country is set up to cater to all types of tourists.
So, whether you want to rent an entire villa with its own infinity pool in peak season or a more modest bunk in a hostel in the off-season, there’s something for every budget and traveller.
Important Dates And Public Holidays In Bali
There is a huge amount of public holidays in Bali and we’re not going to list them all here, because by and large, they won’t interfere with your holiday plans at all.
However, there are three occasions that you should be aware of before you visit Bali because you might want to change your Bali itinerary to accommodate them.
Nyepi
Nyepi is the Balinese New Year and it’s known as the “day of silence” and that’s because the island is literally silent on that day.
All public services shut down and people are required, by law and custom, to spend the day at home in quiet contemplation.
Yes, this includes tourists and yes, even the airport closes for Nyepi. Now, for some people, this is a charming facet of life here and they love the fact that they can participate in the ogoh-ogoh parades of the night before Nyepi and then chill by the pool.
If you want to learn more about Nyepi, we’ve got a full guide to Nyepi on this site.
Galungan & Kuningan
The two other big festivals in Balinese life are Galungan and Kuningan and while many people change their plans to avoid Nyepi, many will try to ensure that their Bali itinerary falls during Galungan and Kuningan so that they may enjoy the celebrations.
The streets here are full of “penjor” at this time (long decorated and curved bamboo poles) and then dancing, rituals and more can be found at the culmination of the period at Kuningan.
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is a Western calendar celebration that has been happily adopted as an excuse for a good time on almost every Indonesian island including Bali.
Here it’s all about a good party to see in the New Year and the best New Year’s Eve party on the island is at FINNS New Year’s Eve.
Just make sure to book tickets for your New Year’s Eve event in advance as they often sell out weeks in advance and you don’t want to miss out.
Weather In Bali – Rainy Season Vs Dry Season
Bali is hot and sunny and all year round. That’s because it’s in the tropics and there are only really two seasons here rather than the four seasons that you’re probably used to at home.
The first season is the rainy season or the wet season. It runs from November to April and it rains more during this season.
It rarely rains all day long, mind you, and there are about 8 hours of sunshine on average each day in this season.
It’s also hotter and more humid in the rainy season.
The second season is from May to October and it’s the dry season. It still rains in this season but not so much.
It’s also less humid and cooler and a strange phenomenon due to the temperature of the ocean, which means there’s an onshore breeze which is quite pleasant.
What’s The Best Time Of Year To Visit Bali?
You’ll read a lot of guides that say you should always come to Bali in the dry season but we don’t think that’s true.
In fact, you may find that your Bali trip is much cheaper if you come in the wet season and that there are parts of your Bali adventure that are better for the rain.
For example, the rice terraces, lush rice paddies, Campuhan ridge walk, etc. are all greener and more pleasant when it rains. The waterfalls of Bali are far more impressive in the rainy season than in the dry season too.
Most tourist destinations have fewer queues and your Bali experience is likely to be far more relaxed in the rain.
However, if you’re planning a pure beach holiday with a lot of scuba diving?
Then, the right time to come visiting Bali is probably going to be the dry season as the water will be clearer and the temperature on the beautiful beaches will be a bit cooler.
What Are The Best Areas To Stay In Bali For First Time Visitors?
The biggest question people want to know about when they enjoy a Bali travel experience is where to stay and we’ve got some great ideas for this:
Canggu – the most popular tourist destination in Bali at the moment and right next door to Seminyak. It’s the home of FINNS Beach Club and has a great mix of nightlife, culture and nature. It’s not as laidback as it once was, but it is fun.
Kuta – while Kuta hasn’t got the best reputation, nowadays, we think it’s a good place to stay if you’re looking for a holiday with access to plenty of facilities and it’s only a short drive from Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu, Ubud and more.
Uluwatu – not only is it home to the famous Uluwatu Temple but Uluwatu has the best surf breaks on the island. The only downside of staying in Uluwatu is that it’s a bit spread out and you’ll need your own transport to explore the area effectively.
Ubud – home of the Ubud Monkey Forest and an incredible number of yoga studios, Ubud is the spiritual and cultural heart of the island. It’s got no beaches, and it’s rather more developed than it once was, but it’s still a great place to stay particularly if you want cooler weather.Â
Nusa Dua – Nusa Dua is the posh resort town area of Bali and it’s home to beautiful white sand beaches. You’ll spend more in this part of the island than elsewhere but if you want a holiday where you barely leave your hotel? You can’t go wrong.
Seminyak – Seminyak’s upmarket shopping (on Jalan Raya Seminyak) and high-end dining and nightlife scene bring a certain crowd to the island and if you love to see and be seen, you’ll fit right in there.
Amed – if you’re feeling adventurous and want to do some diving, and save some money on your accommodation, Amed in East Bali is a great choice of destination. It’s also not far from Lovina where you can go and watch the dolphins here in Bali.
By the way, if you want a one-week Bali itinerary, then you’re welcome to use our one-week Bali itinerary.
Where Are The Best Places To Visit On Your First Trip To Bali?
If you want great things to do in Bali, we’ve got a list of 101 amazing things to do in Bali but some highlights include:Â
Tanah Lot Temple – this temple on an island off the coast of the mainland is an amazing sight at sunset and one of our favourite spots in Bali.
Besakih Temple – the mother temple is the most spiritually significant site in Bali and it’s a fascinating introduction to Hinduism and the source of the UNESCO World Heritage site – the Subak System.Â
Ubud Monkey Forest – there’s nothing quite as charming as a lush tropical forest full of temples and roaming monkeys and this monkey forest in Ubud is the most famous in the land.Â
FINNS Beach Club – if you want to live the A-list celebrity high life for just one day in Bali, then a trip to FINNS is a must. It’s the world’s best beach club and it’s very affordable.
Mount Batur – you don’t have to climb Bali’s second-biggest volcano to enjoy an incredible spectacle. Head to Kintamani and enjoy an amazing view of the volcano above the rice terraces.Â
Tegalalang Rice Terraces – there’s nothing more dramatic than these sculpted rice fields flowing on as far as the eye can see. Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are probably better than Tegalalang but Tegalalang’s easier to get to.Â
Uluwatu Temple – the Kecak Fire Dance, roaming bands of monkeys and amazing views from the clifftop above the Indian Ocean make this one of the most memorable sights on the island.Â
Tukad Cepung Waterfall – there are so many amazing waterfalls in Bali that you can’t go wrong visiting any of them. Tukad Cepung’s one of our favourites though as it’s all the more dramatic for being inside an incredible cavern.
Tirta Gangga Water Palace – water palaces are a unique feature of Indonesian life and Tirta Gangga is one of the most impressive of these palaces.Â
Balangan Beach – there are a lot of attractive beaches here in Bali and one of our favourites is Balangan. Not only is the sand soft warm and white but the cliffs nearby give you an amazing vantage point for some really dramatic photos.Â
How To Make Life Easy When You Get To Bali
The first thing you have to deal with in this part of South East Asia is the airport in Bali and you can make your life much easier by doing some preparation before you arrive here in Bali.
Get Your Visa In Advance (Because Visa-On-Arrival Can Be Time-Consuming)
There’s no “Bali visa”, it’s an Indonesian visa and while you can get a visa-on-arrival we’d recommend that you book one in advance.
The cost is 500,000 IDR (that’s roughly $35 USD or $50 AUD) and you should book using the official Indonesian Government Website. (Most people will want a Visa B1 for 30 days when coming as a tourist – see our guide to Bali Visas for more info).
If you book through any other site, you risk either being ripped off or worse, not getting a visa at all.
Sadly, the process for applying isn’t particularly logical or well laid out, so you will need a little patience to get through it but it’s worth doing – the queues for a visa-on-arrival when you arrive in Bali can be awful.
Worse, if you don’t get an e-visa (a visa issued online, e-visa stands for electronic-visa) you cannot use the e-gates in Bali airport and that means you have to queue up at immigration which can take hours.
If you have an e-visa, on the other hand, you can simply scan your passport at an e-gate and walk into Bali in seconds.
While you can do this on your phone in Denpasar Airport, it’s a bit time-consuming and we’d recommend that you visit the official Indonesian government website and complete the declaration before you arrive.
And don’t be deterred by online scaremongering, this is a simple process and won’t take more than a couple of minutes to do.
Note: You do not need to register your smartphone with customs unless you are staying for more than 60 days in Indonesia.
You will then be sent a QR code. You can use this QR code to pass through customs at the airport.
If you’d like to know more about Indonesian customs regulations we’ve got a guide to customs regulations for Bali.
Pay The Bali Tourism Tax Before You Fly
In addition to the visa cost, Bali has recently introduced a tourism tax which, contrary to the Lonely Planet’s current advice, is a single payment for up to 6 months of travel (the Lonely Planet says it’s daily – it is not).
You can either pay this tax at the booth as you exit the airport (and contrary to the official government advice it can be paid in cash as well as by card as long as you have IDR to pay with) or online before you travel at the official Love Bali site.
Once you’ve paid, you will be sent a QR code that you can use to show tourist police officers that you’ve paid the tax.
We’ve got a complete guide to the tourist tax here. But in brief, this tax is levied by the Balinese government to raise money for infrastructure and conservation projects in Bali.
Have Your Onward Ticket With You Before You Get To The AirportÂ
Did you know that if you arrive in Bali without an onward flight, you can, in theory, be refused entry?
The good news is that we’ve never known immigration to ask to see a copy of the flight here in Bali.
But as the airline you travel with must pay to deport you if you are denied entry for not having an onward flight, you will probably be asked to show evidence of your onward flight when you check in to come to Bali.
So, make sure you have an onward flight ticket.
If you’re not sure when you want to leave Bali and you don’t want to buy a flight you won’t use – you can either use a service like BestOnwardTicket to buy a reservation that will be cancelled after you arrive or you can buy a fully refundable ticket and then refund it after you enter Bali.
Have A Copy Of Your Hotel Room Booking On You
You should also keep a copy of your hotel booking on you. Again, an immigration officer might ask to see a copy of this when they allow you into the country.
We’ve never been asked and if you’re going through the e-gates, you’re very unlikely to even speak to an immigration officer, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
This booking does not need to be for your whole time in Bali but should cover your first night on the island.
Staying In Contact In Bali
To get the most out of being in Bali, you’re going to need to be online and that means getting connected.
Buy Your SIM At The Airport
We’d recommend that you buy a SIM at the airport (we’ve got a great guide to Bali SIM cards here) because while it is a tiny amount more expensive, it means you’re instantly connected and it means you can use the ride-sharing apps at the airport (see the next section on Transport for this).
Once you have a SIM you can get top-up (if you need it) in convenience stores around the island.
Indonesians Use WhatsApp, Instagram and Sometimes, Facebook
There are three apps that people use here in Bali. The first is WhatsApp and if you want to make local friends or to be able to connect with taxi drivers, etc. you must have it installed on your phone.
Yes, we know there are issues with WhatsApp and privacy, so we won’t blame you if you uninstall it as soon as you leave Bali but it’s the most important thing you can have on your phone here.
Then, if you want to access the best special offers at bars, restaurants, etc. we’d recommend that you install Instagram as this is where 99% of local businesses advertise deals and also Facebook because that’s where the other 1% advertise deals.
OK, before you head to the beach clubs and start partying, it’s time to sort out some local transport.
Download Grab & Gojek
Don’t just sally forth into the throng of waiting taxi touts. Stop a moment and download the Grab and Gojek apps.
These are the two local ride-sharing apps (and more) and they both operate stands at the airport.
If you book with these apps, you get a guaranteed fixed-price ride to your hotel and access to their waiting areas.
Ignore the touts, even if they offer to price match these apps, sadly, there’s a good chance that you will get ripped off when you reach your destination if your taxi driver is one you just met at the airport.
If you must use a taxi service, then Blue Bird Taxi operates from the airport and they are the most reliable service here.
Let’s Talk Motorbikes In Bali
We don’t recommend that you hire a motorbike in Bali and that’s for a bunch of good reasons.
Yes, we know that scooters and motorbikes are cheap and that many people see them as an essential part of their holiday but here’s why you should avoid them:
A minor traffic infringement could get you deported – no joke. The Balinese government is cracking down on badly behaved tourists and intends to deport anyone who infringes any rule, no matter how small the infringement and yes, they have extended this threat to traffic violations.
The local roads are in terrible condition. It’s hard enough to drive safely on a motorbike on Western roads, the roads here in Bali are dire and dangerous. Accidents are all too common and while the roads aren’t as dangerous as in Thailand, they’re not good, either.
Local driving standards are appalling. Bali sees some of the worst driving on the planet and even highly experienced riders find driving here very challenging. Learning to drive a scooter in Bali is a terrible plan.
Staying road-legal is hard. You must have a current driving license from your home country and it must have a motorcycle endorsement (no endorsement – you’re not legal) and you must have a current International Driver’s Permit (also issued in your home country). You must also be appropriately attired, wear a helmet and be completely alcohol-free.
If you’re not road-legal, you’re not insured. This is a huge deal. With accidents being very common, if you’re not legal to drive, your insurance is invalid and will not pay out a cent if you are injured. You will hear people dismiss this as though it’s not a big deal but it’s a huge deal. You can end up facing bills in the tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars for medical care in the event of a crash. You cannot leave Bali until such bills are paid and in most cases, you will only be provided with essential treatment and nothing more unless you have insurance or cash to pay with.
If you really must rent a scooter, we’d advise reading our guide to renting scooters but don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Traffic In Bali – Why Google Maps Is Wrong
Traffic in Bali is infamously terrible and that’s because the roads were built for a sleepy island with almost no visitors and they were built in such a way that they can’t easily be widened or adapted to the current levels of traffic.
That means when you call up Google Maps and see that Nusa Dua is only a few kilometres from Denpasar Airport, for example, you imagine that your trip from one to the other will take a few minutes at most.
In reality, on a good day, it may take 45 minutes or longer to get between the two and on an exceptionally busy day such as Xmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, it may take hours.
It’s not that big a deal, particularly when you’re on holiday, you will get where you’re going but you need to be aware so that you can give yourself time for a journey.
And if you’re doing a long trip like heading to North Bali from the beach towns, we’d recommend leaving very early in the morning to beat the traffic.
Is Bali Walkable?Â
Sort of. We’ve read guides where they say it’s impossible to walk around Bali. It’s not. In fact, the author of this guide does it every day from their home to FINNS Beach Club.
However, it’s not a great place to walk and even if there are sidewalks, they are often co-opted by scooter drivers seeking a shortcut.
You’ll need to keep a very careful eye around you as you walk, checking for holes in the pavement or road surface, traffic and even street dogs who can be a bit of a pain, particularly in the early mornings.
So, we don’t recommend walking in most parts of Bali even though it can be done and we need to stress that for people with motion impairments or wheelchairs, the roads and sidewalks here are not going to be suitable for you. We do have a guide to wheelchair-accessible places in Bali.
Money Matters In Bali
The currency in Bali is the Indonesian Rupiah and there are roughly 15,000 IDR to $1 USD or 10,000 IDR to $1 AUD.
You can learn more about currency in Bali here.
Cash Is King?
There was a time when credit and debit cards were something of a rarity and you could only use them at fine dining restaurants, posh resorts (like the one on Double Six Beach), etc.
But today, you’ll find that your cards are accepted in most places in Bali and that cash is no longer king.
However, there are places where your cards probably won’t be of any use, like when you’re eating local food in a warung or trying to gain admission to an attraction in the middle of nowhere.
That means if you don’t want to get sent packing from UNESCO World Heritage sites or to be denied fried rice when you’ve been around an amazing Balinese Hindu temple, you should always carry some cash.
We’d recommend having about $100 USD (that’s 1.5 million IDR) on you at all times and that you make sure some of it’s in small bills.
You will find that your Bali travel is far smoother when you don’t have to go dashing off to find change before your yoga class can start.
ATMS vs Money Changers
So, where should you get that cash? Well, we’d recommend that you use an ATM as it’s easy and relatively cheap even though you may find that the withdrawal limits on some machines is very low.
That’s with the proviso that you use an ATM in a safe place like the one at FINNS Beach Club or inside a mall or a bank.
There have been issues with ATM skimming in Balil but usually at unattended ATMs or ATMs without security cameras nearby.
Money changers are a decent fallback option as long as you use official money changers and don’t find yourselves out hunting down a rate that’s “too good to be true” because it is too good to be true and is a well-known scam in Bali.
See our guide to finding a good money change in Bali.
Is Bali Cheap?
Yes. And no. Bali is much less expensive than you’re used to back home and parts of the country are very inexpensive such as areas in Central Bali, North Bali and West Bali.
However, this magical island has some of the best beaches on Earth and it attracts a lot of visitors.
That means the giveaway prices of yesteryear are long gone and while things are cheaper than at home, they’re no longer “super cheap”.
Alcohol is also quite heavily taxed in this predominantly Muslim country and Balinese Hinduism doesn’t get people on the island a discount on alcohol taxes.
Haggling And Shopping Culture In Bali
One way to ensure that your time in Bali is cheaper is to master the art of haggling.
It’s expected whenever you encounter a street vendor on the beach (be it Sanur Beach, Echo Beach, Dreamland Beach, etc.) or at one of the many markets on the island and even, occasionally, in stores when buying in bulk (though not at supermarkets or convenience stores).
Once you master haggling you will find it’s great fun and you can get way better prices on everything from fresh food to t-shirts and souvenirs.
Bali Basics – Staying Safe
Bali is very safe and most holidaymakers never encounter any problems related to their safety on the island. However, there are a few things you can do to help increase your chances of staying safe.
Common Sense
Firstly, take all the common sense precautions that you would take at home. For example, don’t wander dark alleyways late at night (particularly if you’re drunk). Don’t wander off with strangers that you’ve just met. That kind of thing.
Keep An Eye On Your Things
The vast majority of crime in Bali is petty crime. You’re much less likely to have somebody steal your bags if you’re keeping an eye on them.
Lock Your Doors
The likelihood of waking up to an intruder in your home here is pretty low but it’s not zero. The easiest way of ensuring you have a pleasant and uninterrupted night’s sleep is to lock your doors and close your windows at night.
Bali Basics – Cultural Norms
We’ve got an in-depth guide to the local customs and laws on the site but the basics that everyone should know are as follows:
Tipping Culture
There is no custom of tipping in Bali and while you are welcome to do so, it’s not mandatory (though in some spas, you may find a tip to your masseur is expected, that’s the only place it will happen).
If you do leave a tip, it’s worth remembering that Indonesian wages aren’t very high and a tip of 20-50,000 IDR is more than enough in nearly every circumstance.
Tax & Service Charge Culture
While there is no tipping culture, all businesses in the hospitality sector are expected to levy additional charges on top of the menu costs.
These are tax (a flat 10%) and a variable service charge (7-12% seems to bee the range).
They are labelled separately on your invoice so that you know where the money is going. The only exception to this is in very small establishments which are immune to the law.
The good news is that the law requires the service charge be divided among service staff at the end of each month and be paid on top of their wages.
So, if you’re paying a service charge, you have already tipped your server, there’s no need to tip again – unless you really want to.
Plastic Bag Use
It’s no secret that there’s a bit of a plastic problem in Bali. The Indonesian government is taking steps towards reducing plastic use throughout the archipelago and one of the areas affected is plastic bags.
While there was a time when you couldn’t shop here without being festooned with plastic at every turn, today, you will normally be expected to buy a reusable bag rather than a plastic one.
If you carry a reusable bag, you don’t need to buy one.
Offerings – Canang Sari
One key aspect of the local religious culture is making offerings to the Gods and the most visible sign of this practice when visiting Bali are the canang sari which are left in front of every business, home, etc. in the land.
It’s bad form to step on these offerings and you should walk around them carefully.
Carry Your Own Toilet Roll
Toilet roll is not the norm in Balinese toilets and while in much of the land, you will find that tourist destinations have adapted to the Western need for toilet roll, not every place has.
You should carry your own toilet roll if it’s essential to you and, ideally, if there’s a bin in the bathroom, you should dispose of it in the bin rather than flushing it – otherwise, it can block the pipes and cause an unpleasant bathroom flood.
Smoking Is Everywhere
As we said in our guide to smoking in Bali, there are rules against smoking in public here just as there are in most countries.
However, they’re not enforced and smoking outside at restaurants and bars is very common. There’s no point in kicking up a fuss about this, either.
Bali Basics – Your Health
You’ll hear some scare stories about your health while you’re overseas but most people who come to Bali will have no health problems and the few who do – will usually do so because of one of the items on the list below.
The only other common problem here is one that we’ve already mentioned – scooter accidents and it’s why we don’t recommend driving scooters in Bali.
Vaccinations Before You Come?
Vaccinations Before You Come?
FINNS is not a medical practice and we don’t give medical advice. We do, however, recommend that you talk to your doctor at home and see if you need to get any vaccinations before your Bali holiday.
Some preventable diseases are more prevalent in Bali than outside of the tropics and it’s worth having a conversation to see that you’re as safe as can be.
Keep Away From Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are responsible for more human deaths than all other animals on Earth combined and while malaria is rare here, some other mosquito-borne diseases like dengue are very common. (We have a full guide to mosquitoes in Bali).
The best way to avoid getting sick from mosquito bites is to avoid getting bitten. Wear long sleeves and trousers in the early morning and evening when mosquitoes are most active.
Use bug spray (with DEET) to keep mosquitoes away and air-conditioning in your hotel room will help to keep the room free of bugs too.
Never Drink Tap Water But Ice Is Fine
The tap water in Bali is dangerous to drink and we strongly advise you never to drink it (even boiled water is suspect).
Instead, buy bottled water or use a water refill station for drinking water.
However, ice here is fine. It must be made with drinking water, by law, and ice is supplied to all vendors on a daily basis.
The Bali BellyÂ
The most common health problem for tourists in Bali is the Bali Belly. Bali Belly is a catch-all term for various conditions from traveller’s diarrhea to mild food poisoning.
The best treatment for this condition is to stay hydrated. If it goes on for longer than 48 hours, seek medical attention.
Sunscreen And Sun Protection
It’s hot and sunny in Bali and that means you are at risk of heatstroke and sunburn.
We strongly recommend using a high SPF factor suncream when out in direct sunlight and that you limit your time in the sun even when using suncream.
You may also find that a sunhat, sunglasses, etc. help to prevent heatstroke and make it more comfortable to be outside.
The Monkey Forest(s)
There is more than one monkey forest in Bali, though the most famous one is the Ubud Monkey Forest and the next best known is the Sangeh Monkey Forest.
Monkeys are wild animals, not pets. The best way to stay safe around monkeys is to keep your distance from them, secure your belongings before you meet them and don’t make direct eye contact (it’s a dominance challenge).
If you’re attacked by monkeys they will bring their friends, it will hurt and you will get bitten. Then, you will need a vaccination for rabies. Rabies vaccination is very expensive in Bali.
Street Dogs / Beach Dogs
Most street dogs in Bali are friendly and even those who bark rarely bite. However, as Bali does have a rabies problem, you will need to get vaccinated for rabies if you are bitten by a dog.
Eating & Drinking In Bali
There are plenty of great places to eat and drink in Bali. Including:
Beach Clubs
Beach clubs, like FINNS Beach Club, the world’s best beach club, are a great way to enjoy a fine dining experience combined with a prime location on the beach with an infinity pool or two, entertainment and much more.
Bali is the best place on Earth to enjoy this experience and nearly 1 in 8 visitors to Bali comes to FINNS.
Night Clubs
If you like to dance the night away, then there are plenty of old-school nightclubs in Bali where you can drink and eat to your heart’s content.
Restaurants
From the world’s best fine dining to amazing beachfront restaurants, Bali has it all. Many restaurants will offer extra entertainment too like a traditional dance performance.
Warungs
If you love Indonesian food then the best place to experience it is in the local warungs. From absolutely amazing Nasi Goreng to Babi Guling, the best local food is found here and it’s the cheapest way to eat too.
Supermarkets
If you like to make your own food, the supermarkets here in Bali are very good and reasonably priced.
Convenience Stores
You can also do your grocery shopping in convenience stores here and there’s one of those on nearly every street corner.
Street Food & Local Markets
You should also try the street food in Bali and the local markets here are a great place to get started with that.
Vegetarian and Vegan Food
There are plenty of vegan restaurants and vegetarian restaurants in Bali and many other places have vegan or vegetarian menus.
Floating Breakfasts
They’re fun, but eating breakfast in a swimming pool tends to make for wet and inedible food. You might be better off spending your money elsewhere.
Other Tips For Visiting Bali For The First Time
There are a few other things you should know about Bali too and they include:
Influencers And Instagrammers
Bali attracts a lot of influencers and would-be influencers. They can be very annoying, particularly when they ruin your view of the rice terraces, Dreamland Beach or the monkey forest.
However, just be calm, they will move along and Bali travel wouldn’t be quite the same without them.
Digital Nomads And Bali
Bali is very digital nomad-friendly. There are coworking spaces and coliving spaces all over the island.
However, we should point out that it’s not legal to work in Bali unless you have a work permit (no matter what any visa agent tells you about social visit visas or business visas – they don’t make it legal to work here), so discretion is a vital part of the nomad experience here.
Respect Local Customs & The Law
This is really important. The Balinese people are super friendly and welcoming to tourists but they feel that sometimes, they are being taken advantage of.
If you break the laws here or offend local customs, you may be arrested and/or fined and/or jailed and/or deported.
No Sex Before Marriage By Law?
This law won’t come into effect until 2025 and it does not affect tourists in Bali at all.
It will only apply to Indonesian citizens and a complaint must be made by an Indonesian family member related to one of the two (or more) parties involved in the sexual relationship for a prosecution to take place.
Bring A Reusable Water Bottle
Nearly all businesses in Bali have a water dispenser and you can take their drinking water for free as long as you have a reusable bottle.
This is much cheaper than buying plastic bottles of water and it’s more environmentally friendly.
Dress Appropriately
It’s fine to wear a skimpy bikini on the beach here in Bali. It’s not OK to dress like that in a supermarket or a temple.
Dressing just comes down to the situation. For example, think about how you spend your Sundays. Beach club? Dress as you wish by the pool, and dress up for the restaurants. Church? Dress up. And so on…
The Outside Chance Of Natural Disasters
Earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes – Bali has plenty of potential natural disasters and while most Bali holidays will never know a natural disaster, you should read the guides at the links above, just in case.
The most important thing to do, however, if a disaster strikes is to listen to local authorities and follow their instructions. Everything should be OK if you do.
Final Thoughts On Everything You Need To Know When You Visit Bali
So many travellers don’t really think about their Balinese holidays until they arrive on the island and then they find themselves facing lots of tedious little issues that stop them from getting the most out of their holiday.
Fortunately, you’re now well prepared for your Balinese holiday and you can enjoy every popular tourist destination, Balinese food, and the natural beauty of this island to the full!
Why not bookmark this page and return to it just before you fly to Southeast Asia? That way you can be sure you’ll be fully up to date when you’re visiting Bali.Â
