10 Things to Know Before You Travel to Bali

We’ve helped hundreds of travellers plan their dream trip to Bali. And one question always comes up when they get home: “Why did nobody tell us this?”

Here are the ten things we wish everyone knew – before they packed their suitcase.

Want help planning a Bali trip that actually works?
Get a free trip proposal →

1. Download Grab and GoJek – and add your card in the app

Forget everything you’ve heard about haggling with taxi drivers. Download Grab and GoJek before you land in Bali. They’re Southeast Asia’s answer to Uber – you see the price in advance, you pay what it says, and you avoid the classic discussion outside the airport.

The most important thing to do: add your payment card in the app at home. Then you pay directly in the app and don’t have to handle cash at every stop. Both apps work across most of Bali, are cheap, and the drivers are generally polite and reliable.

2. A scooter requires an international driving permit with a motorcycle category

A scooter in Bali is tempting. It looks free and authentic. But the traffic in Bali is chaotic, the roads are uneven, and the hospitals see most accidents among inexperienced tourists.

A regular car licence isn’t valid for a scooter in Bali. Most scooters are 150cc or more, and that requires an international driving permit with a motorcycle (A) category. Without it you’re riding illegally – and your insurance probably won’t cover you in an accident.

Ride a lot of motorbikes at home and hold a motorcycle licence? Then Bali is no problem. Never ridden one? Then Grab and GoJek are your best friends.

3. Bali is big – choose the right base

Many people think Bali is a small island that’s easy to explore on your own. But the drive from Ubud to Seminyak often takes an hour and a half to two hours – and that’s down to everyday traffic. Plan your trip by zones:

Ubud – nature, culture, rice fields, temples
Seminyak / Canggu – trendy restaurants, surf culture, nightlife
Uluwatu – cliffs, world-class surfing, sunsets
Sanur – calm, family-friendly, a good base for boats to the islands
Nusa Penida – perfect as a day trip from Sanur
The Gili Islands – an overnight trip, not a day trip – allow at least two nights

Don’t try to cover everything. It gives you two hours in the car for every stop.

4. Sort out your documents before you land – and skip the queue

e-VOA (electronic visa on arrival) – apply and pay in advance at evisa.imigrasi.go.id. It costs the same as at the airport, but you can scan your passport at the autogate and walk straight through without queuing.

Tourist levy – Bali has introduced a tourist levy of IDR 150,000 (about $10). Pay in advance at lovebali.baliprov.go.id and show the QR code on arrival.

Customs declaration – fill in the digital customs declaration at ecd.beacukai.go.id in advance. With all three ready on your phone, arrival is much faster.

5. Buy an eSIM at home – don’t rely on airport Wi-Fi

International roaming is expensive, and free Wi-Fi in Bali is unpredictable. The simple solution is to buy an eSIM at home before you travel. Find one with enough data for the whole stay – typically 10–15 GB is enough for a two-week trip with normal use.

Providers such as Airalo, Holafly and eSIM.me sell eSIMs for Indonesia at a fraction of the cost of roaming. You activate it on your phone before boarding and you’re online as soon as you land.

Check that your phone supports eSIM – most newer models do.

6. Never drink tap water

It’s the golden rule in Bali: always bottled water. That applies to ice cubes at restaurants too – make sure they’re made from purified water. Brushing your teeth with tap water is usually fine for most people, but if you have a sensitive stomach, use bottled water for that too.

7. Bali belly is real – be well prepared

Many travellers get stomach trouble in the first few days. It’s called “Bali belly” and is usually caused by bacteria in food or water your body isn’t used to. Always pack oral rehydration salts, Imodium and probiotics (ideally start taking them in the days before you travel).

The very best thing you can do: ask your doctor about the oral vaccine Dukoral at least two weeks before departure. It gives some protection against ETEC (a type of E. coli) and cholera – among the most common culprits behind Bali belly.

8. Temples require a sarong – but they’ll happily lend you one

Bali is a deeply religious island. When you visit temples you must wear a sarong around your waist. The good news: almost all temples lend sarongs at the entrance, free or for a small fee. Remember, too, that sitting on temple walls, climbing on statues or behaving disrespectfully is very offensive in Bali.

9. Haggling is part of the culture – but don’t overdo it

At the market in Ubud, with street vendors and in many shops, the price is a starting point for conversation. You’re expected to haggle. Start at about half the asking price and meet somewhere in the middle.

But: don’t haggle in restaurants, in Grab/GoJek cars or anywhere with a clear price list. And don’t haggle someone down on something you don’t intend to buy – that’s considered rude.

10. Book popular activities in advance

Sunrise on Mount Batur, snorkelling at Nusa Penida, a silver jewellery class in Ubud – the most popular experiences fill up fast, especially in high season. Don’t wait until you’re in Bali to book. Some activities sell out weeks in advance – and the cheapest places always go first.

We’re happy to help you put together a programme and book activities as part of your trip.
See our activities in Bali →

Bonus: It rains – and that isn’t necessarily a problem

The rainy season in Bali roughly runs from November to March. But “rainy season” doesn’t mean it rains all day. Typically there are short, intense showers – often in the afternoon – and clear weather for the rest of the day.

High season (July–August) is drier, but also more expensive and crowded. The shoulder seasons (April–June and September–October) give you the best of both worlds: fair prices, short queues and mostly good weather.

Ready for your Bali trip? We reply within 24 hours – with no obligation.
Send a travel request →