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 inclined to overlook the opposite elements of a visit that would lead us to creating unhealthy selections.
This text offers you a rundown of errors it is 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 motive, I assumed that Bali is simply as small as Phuket or Santorini or Singapore. My buddies, Bali is a hell of so much larger than that. It’s large! It’s eight instances larger than Singapore, 10 instances larger than Phuket, 64 instances larger than Santorini, 500+ instances bigger than Boracay! (However it’s extra corresponding to your entire Cebu or Leyte Island.)
Preserve that in thoughts when constructing your itinerary. Don’t schedule your actions instantly after one other in the event that they’re in several elements 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, you must choose probably the most perfect space to remain so that you received’t waste an excessive amount of time on the highway. Talking of the very best space to remain…
2. Don’t choose the incorrect space to remain.
The Kuta-Seminyak space appears to be the busiest and the epicenter of many of the motion within the island. It most likely has the best focus of lodging and eating institutions. However is it the very best space? Properly, not likely. The very best place to remain is dependent upon why you’re in Bali within the first place.
In the event you’re after a calming time, you’re not gonna discover it in Kuta. It’s not even probably the most central location. That distinction belongs to Ubud, which is on the geographic middle of the island. From Ubud, it’s simpler to see the temples, terraces, and waterfalls of the north and the east. And whereas town middle 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 observe that there’s no seashore right here.
For that, perhaps Uluwatu and Nusa Dua are price 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). It is a favourite amongst digital nomads as a result of it’s extra reasonably priced right here.
In the event you’re a foodie, nevertheless, Denpasar appears to be a terrific base since you might have a terrific choice of not solely Balinese fare, but additionally different Indonesian and different Southeast Asian cuisines.
Whereas now we have a separate article going deep into the finest technique for selecting your Bali lodging, we’ve additionally rounded up a number of the finest locations to remain beneath to your easy accessibility.
High Lodges in Ubud
High Lodges in Kuta
High Lodges in Seminyak
Seek for extra Bali Lodges Right here!
Once more, the very best place to remain in Bali largely is dependent upon your motive for visiting. In the event you resolve to remain within the Kuta/Seminyak space, there’s one other factor you shouldn’t underestimate: the visitors.
3. Don’t underestimate the visitors.
Bali welcomes tens of millions and tens of millions of holiday makers per yr. In reality, in 2024, it has recorded virtually 6.4 million overseas vacationer arrivals, the best recorded prior to now decade. And a terrific 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 want a personal tour by automobile or reserving Seize or Gojek to get from one place to a different. It’s no marvel visitors buildup is a continuing incidence right here. So when you’ve got a tour, a present, or a flight to catch, it’s all the time finest to have loads of lead time.
Visitors just isn’t as unhealthy in different areas, although. However I additionally seen visitors jams in Ubud’s metropolis middle, too!
4. Don’t fall for taxi and motorcycle scams.
Overpricing taxis are rampant in Bali. In reality, now we have been instructed by the locals we met to not hail a cab, however use Seize or GoJek as an alternative. And if we should, solely experience 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 want touring by motorcycle, 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 retailers that might cost you for pre-existing damages on the bike. Police scams are mentioned to be prevalent too. They are saying that some officers would simply cease motorcycle drivers for no matter motive they may consider simply so you could possibly pay them to allow you to go.
However in case you insist on renting a motorcycle, ensure you have the right driving license and all the time put on a helmet!
5. Don’t dismiss native delicacies.
Partly due to the various expats who name this island dwelling, Bali has a vibrant worldwide meals scene! Earlier than coming to Bali, my buddies instructed me I ought to strive a myriad of eating places with the very best burgers, or the very best tacos, and even the very best Greek meals. A number 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, just like lechon) to the ever present sate and nasi campur to conventional truffles. The very best half, they’re all over the place, 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 would like the insider scoop, finest 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 suggestions.
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 rather well. He introduced us to a babi guling place outdoors town middle and to Gianyar Night time 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 as regards to meals, I can’t stress this sufficient: don’t drink faucet water! Not even the locals do that they usually 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 taking place 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 deliver 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 you must 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 finest guess, and also you’ll discover quite a lot of numerous respected banks all through the island.
In the event you should withdraw from one on the road ATMs, all the time double test for indicators of tampering. When doubtful, don’t do it and simply discover one other technique to pay or get money. Talking of money…
8. Don’t overpay by mistake.
In Bali, the official forex 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 conversant in the forex, the notes might be simply differentiated by the dimension and the colour. 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 area. So it’s straightforward to suppose that 10,000 is 100,000. It was really easy to make that mistake. And similar to another vacation spot, you could run into somebody who’s prepared to take benefit when the chance presents itself.
It was already my fourth day after I lastly acquired the hold of it. However perhaps I’m simply sluggish on the whole. 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 normally paid by card when out there. Fortuitously, the grocery store in entrance of our resort accepted bank cards.
9. Don’t maintain your telephone up within the streets.
Bali is usually secure and has a comparatively low crime fee, 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 motorcycle may simply snatch it away. Preserve it away from different folks’s attain. And don’t go away them unattended on the seashore or use them to order a desk at a meals courtroom. 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, test 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 sincere, in case you’ve skilled considered one of every type, you’ve skilled all of them.
So in case you’re reserving multiple non-public tour, ask your contact or information in case you might exchange a few of these spots to keep away from a repetitive journey and you could possibly expertise extra of Bali. We’ve accomplished it earlier than and each information obliged as a result of it’s not tough to search out one other focal point alongside the route.
11. Don’t anticipate an excessive amount of from Bali’s seashores.
After we consider Bali, pictures of its seashores immediately come to thoughts. Rising up, I considered Bali as a seashore paradise. However after I was there, I spotted that Bali’s largest property usually are not its sandy shores, however its well-preserved tradition and inland pure sights. I used to be way more awed by its temples and waterfalls and delicacies than by its seashores.
The seashores right here usually are not unhealthy. In no way. However simply to handle your expectations, in case 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 identical glowing beachscape, then you definitely’ll be underwhelmed. That’s to not say that you simply shouldn’t come to Bali since you positively ought to, it’s essential to! 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 probably 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 bear in mind 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 ought to be conscious of. You see, it’s so common 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 have been second in line.
However even when your timing is correct, don’t anticipate every part to be image good. Most photographs you see have been both taken beneath the very best 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 common because the Gate of Heaven, however you could possibly nonetheless find yourself ready 40 minutes to an hour to your flip.
Personally, I don’t thoughts the ready instances as a result of I understand how to maintain myself busy. I normally spend the time chatting with our information and different locals. However in case you’re not likely into IG-worthy spots and also you wish to maximize your keep, you may simply be losing quite a lot of time queuing. There are different picturesque however much less crowded sights elsewhere within the island. However in case you really need these photographs you see on the web, go forward. You’re already in Bali, may as nicely expertise the total bundle, queues and all.
13. Don’t overlook to deliver mosquito repellent.
Mosquitos are frequent in Bali, so it’s finest to be ready. We didn’t consider it till we checked in to our resort, which supplied a mosquito repellent spray, free to make use of. And we realized some locations and a few months are extra inclined than others. However to be on the secure aspect, simply deliver one with you when touring.
14. Don’t disrespect the native tradition.
If you’re into temple-hopping, know that it’s essential to 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 may have an open wound or, for ladies, if presently menstruating, you shouldn’t enter the temples.
Even when there’s quite a lot of tourism exercise within the island, Bali stays non secular, 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 each day choices to the Supreme God of Indonesian Hinduism (Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa) as a logo of gratitude. So, watch your step and ensure you don’t stroll on them.
Additionally, when handing out one thing to an area, all the time use your proper hand. Your left hand is taken into account soiled and is for bathroom 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 medication.
I do know it sounds apparent, however it is extremely necessary that this.
Initially, don’t do medication anyplace you journey to, however particularly right here in Bali as a result of Indonesia has a number of the strictest legal guidelines in relation to medication.
Possession is punishable by imprisonment for 4 to 12 years or, if the quantity is large enough, you might be imprisoned for all times, plus fines of as much as 8 billion rupiah. For trafficking, the demise penalty could also be imposed.
That’s not the type of journey you wish to expertise overseas.
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