Before you embark on your journey to Bali, it’s crucial to equip yourself with the necessary knowledge to make the most of your adventure. From travel essentials and cultural etiquette to health precautions and transport tips, this comprehensive checklist will ensure you’re fully prepared for an unforgettable experience!
Before Arriving in Bali:
Environment Expectations: Bali is a completely different world compared to Australia. Be prepared for popular areas to be extremely busy, regular hagglers on the street trying to sell you things & every cab honking at you asking if you need a ride. If this is your first time, you’ll learn quick how to deal with scenarios. Always be polite, don’t take it personal and simply keep walking will get you through most scenarios.
Visas: If you have an Australian Passport, a Visa on Arrival (VoA) is available for those on a short trip. The VoA is 500,000 IDR (approx $50 AUD) and can be bought with local or foreign cash or Visa/Mastercard. To approve your visa, they may ask to see confirmation of your return flight so print this out prior to travel if you wish to be extra prepared. For more details on visa requirements, click here
Passport: Have a valid passport with at least 6 months of expiry left past the date of your arrival.
Customs Declaration: If you want to save time at the airport. You can complete the customs declaration online. Alternatively, you can complete the form on the plane and wait in the usual lines like most.
COVID Vaccine: Bali have changed their requirements and now ‘suggest’ you are fully vaccinated. To avoid any dramas, make sure you have your international Covid certificate both printed and readily available on your phone anyway.
COVID Testing: Not required as of date this article was published.
Airport Transfer: Ensure this is organised prior to arriving. There are plenty of options at the airport however unless you want your first Bali experience to be very hectic with haggling and dozens of drivers trying to get your business…be prepared.
International Adapters: Most hotels will have these or at least USB power points but always good to be prepared and bring an international adapter anyway!
International Sim: Weigh up pros and cons of your current phone plans data roaming vs getting a sim.
Travel Insurance: Ensure you get this when going to Bali. While generally very safe, you hear the occasional horror stories of alcohol poisoning, scooter accidents & adventures going wrong. Many credit cards have travel insurance included so double check your T&C’s.
Prepare your stomach: You may want to visit a pharmacy to get some digestion tablets to set your stomach prior to arrival. Consider packing medication encase you do get Bali belly. Better to be prepared and not need it then to deal with it when it’s happening.
During your Bali Trip:
Food: Avoid Ice. Avoid tap water and use bottled water for everything including brushing your teeth. Ensure meat is cooked well with no blood. Avoid salads and raw foods that are generally washed with tap water. Thick skin whole fruit is best and try to avoid pre chopped.
Alcohol: Methanol Poisoning while rare, can still happen in dodgy bars. Try to only stick to very popular tourist spots with good google reviews. Even then, if you want to play it safe, stick to beer or pre-sealed alcohol.
Currency & Cash: As a rule of thumb, 10,000 IDR = Approx $1 AUD
Most tourist hotspots (Clubs & Restaurants) accept Visa/Mastercard but for smaller purchases made on the street they will only accept cash.You don’t need a lot of cash unless constantly buying things in street markets – $100-200 AUD should be fine for a few days or a week depending on your itinerary. Carry small notes around for quick small purchases. Preplan your itinerary and weigh up how frequently you’ll actually use cash.
Remember your bank card & the pin as contactless payment is rare. When given the choice to pay in local or foreign currency using your card, generally, paying in local currency will give you a better conversion. Limit ATM/foreign exchange as each time you’ll have fees.
Notify your bank you’re travelling too (most times you can do this on the app).
Get a Small Carry Bag: This is essential for carrying cash, passport, keys, sunscreen, hand sanitiser & sunnies!
Transport: Taxis, always ask to use the meter. If it is peak time, sometimes you’ll need to negotiate the rate FIRST (don’t leave this to the end). Blue Bird has the best reputation. Ensure the cab says Blue Bird and is not just a blue cab. You can also get the MyBlueBird app if needing a cab from a non busy area.
Gojek & Grab are the ride sharing apps trusted in Bali. Take advantage of any promos for first user sign ups to get a discount on your first ride!
Alternatively, your own personal driver may not be necessary but would be the most convenient.
Tipping: Not mandatory but a couple of extra dollars goes a long way for local residents.
For more details on packing, use of ultimate checklist to ensure you remember everything! It can be found here
For more pre travel tips our essential carry on checklist can be found here
