12 Things I Wish I’d Known Before My First Trip to Bali 

I had so many questions when planning our trip to Indonesia. We decided on Bali given its excellent reputation and relative ease of travel. This was our first venture to Southeast Asia and I stressed a lot in the weeks leading up. What are the visa requirements? Do we need to get vaccinations? How do we get around? So. Many. Questions. I put together a list of things you should know when planning a trip to Bali—including everything I wish I’d known before visiting Bali for the first time. 

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1. How to Get to Bali

24 Hours of Flying Time from the United States

To get to Bali, fly into the Denpasar International Airport (DPS), also known as the I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport. This is Bali’s only international airport. Coming from the East Coast of the United States, be prepared to spend 24+ hours in the air. From the West Coast, you’re still looking at 20 hours of flight time. Popular connecting routes are through Doha, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. 

We flew American Airways & Qatar Airways from Washington D.C. through Doha and on to Bali. It’s totally worth the trek over, but you need at least two full weeks to make it worthwhile—ten days on the island and one to two days of travel on each end. Check out my travel essentials to ease the pain of multiple long-haul flights. 

2. Indonesia’s Visa On Arrival

bali Airport or Online in Advance

Most tourists, US & UK residents included, will need a Visa on Arrival. The Visa on Arrival is good for 30 days and costs about $35. You can get the visa either online (14 days to 48 hours prior to arrival) or at the Bali airport when you get there. Visit Indonesia’s Official e-Visa Website to apply for the Visa on Arrival online. I opted to do this in the Bali airport, and the process was quick and easy. Read the full list of countries that require a Visa on Arrival on the Indonesian Government Website.  

3. Vaccinations

Shots?

Determining if we needed vaccinations was the one of the most stressful parts of planning our first trip to Bali. We made sure we were up to date on routine vaccinations like Hepatitis A & B, and Tetanus as recommended by the CDC. We stressed over whether to get the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccine. Ultimately, we decided against it because we were not visiting rural areas for an extended period. Consult a medical professional 4-6 weeks before traveling to discuss vaccines as some vaccinations require multiple doses and need time to take effect. Read the CDC Guidelines for the most up-to-date government recommendations. I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice. I am simply sharing my personal experience. Please consult a physician to determine which vaccines are right for you. 

4. Where to Stay on Bali

Uluwatu, Canggu, Ubud, Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua

From the jungle surrounding Ubud to the steep cliffs and surf breaks of Uluwaut, the ‘Island of the Gods’ is home to a dynamic collection of scenery. Plan to stay in a couple different areas when visiting Bali—Ubud and either Uluwatu are my favorites for first-timers.

• Uluwatu – Best for beaches, surf breaks, and clifftop resorts. Uluwatu is located on the Bukit Peninsula. Check out my Uluwatu Travel Guide to learn more about the beautiful area.
• Nusa Dua – Best for relaxing at luxurious resorts. Nusa Dua is located on the Bukit Peninsula. 
• Canggu – Best for chill surfer vibes and beautiful beaches. Canggu is located on Bali’s west coast north of the airport.
• Seminyak – Best for upscale shopping and dining with beautiful beaches. Seminyak is located on Bali’s west coast north of the airport.
• Kuta – Busy area with lively nightlife and watersports. Kuta is located on Bali’s west coast north of the airport.
• Ubud – Best for zen jungle vibes. Explore the ancient temples, rice terraces, and Sacred Monkey Forest. A must-visit on your first trip to Bali. Ubud is located in central Bali.
• North Bali – A less visited part of the island, North Bali is great for a quiet stay with stunning landscapes—think waterfalls and black sand beaches. Stay in Singaraja or Lovina. 
• Nusa Islands – Stay on either Nusa Penida for an adventure or relax on the quiet and beautiful island of Nusa Lembongan. The Nusa Islands are located about 45 minutes off the coast of Bali. 

5. Cash Is King

Local Currency is Indonesia Rupiah

Cash is the preferred method of payment in Bali. While some restaurants and shops accept credit cards, there is typically a convenience fee added and the credit card readers can be unreliable. Plan to pay for taxis, rentals, entry fees, meals, and tours in cash. We only used our credit card at upscale hotels and for advanced online booking of tours and boats.

Indonesia’s currency is the Indonesia Rupiah (IDR). The exchange rate is extremely favorable to the US dollar–100,000 IDR is about $6.50 USD. Get enough cash out at the airport ATMs for the duration of your trip. Including transportation, entrance fees, activities, tours, food, we spent on average 1,500,000 IDR (about $100) cash per day for two people. This number does not include accommodation, fast boats, and a handful of activities booked online. 

6. ATMs on Bali

Withdrawal Limits & Unreliable Cash Machines

Most ATMs on Bali have a withdrawal limit of 2,500,000 IDR (about $165 USD) per transaction. In order to get enough cash out, do several transactions at the same ATM. The most reliable ATMs are located at the DPS Bali airport. Once you leave the airport, ATMs on Bali can be sketchy—they often run out of cash and can be targets of skimming scams. ATMs are accessible in popular tourist areas like Uluwatu, Ubud, and Canggu. But don’t count on finding a working ATM in less populated areas, like the Nusa Islands. Popular ATM brands on Bali are BCA, BNI, Bank Mandiri, and CIMB. 

7. How to Get Around Bali

Scooter, Driver, Taxi, Gojek

Bali is not a walkable destination. You will need transportation in each area. The roads can be extremely chaotic in some regions, with Kuta being one of the worst. If you are comfortable driving a scooter on busy roads, renting one can be a great option. If you are less comfortable on a scooter, save yourself the stress and opt for a personal driver or taxi. Hiring a driver is surprisingly affordable (around $50 USD a day) and taxis are readily available. Another option is to download the app Gojek, Indonesia’s version of Uber. Car rentals are discouraged as the roads can be extremely narrow.

Aside from transportation from the airport to your first hotel, you don’t necessarily need to book transportation ahead of time. In Uluwatu and Nusa Lembongan, we rented scooters to get around. In Ubud the roads were much busier so we chose to get around by taxi. We found a good driver and got his contact information so we could schedule pickups over WhatsApp

8. Don’t Drink The Tap Water

Bali Belly

The tap water on Bali is contaminated with many bacteria including E. Coli and is not safe to drink. Drinking Bali’s tap water can cause Bali Belly or worse, waterborne diseases. Bali Belly is a term given to gastroenteritis commonly caused by ingesting Bali’s contaminated tap water. Stick to bottled water even when brushing teeth. I found that many hotels and resorts provide bottled water for guests to drink. 

9. Pack Something for Motion Sickness

Windy Roads & Rough Seas

The occasionally rough seas and windy rainforest roads are no joke if you are someone who gets motion sickness. Prior to visiting Bali, I had never experienced motion sickness in my life. Then I encountered the roads on Nusa Penida and I was retching by the side a car at 9 o’clock in the morning. Our driver, unphased, handed me some Dramamine and we continued on our 8-hour tour. Across Bali and its neighboring islands, the roads are twisty, hilly, and narrow. But vehicles on land aren’t the only concern. The fast boat crossings to Lombok, the Gili Islands, and the Nusa Islands regularly experience rough seas. We crossed on a good day and the boat was still lurching up and down. Save yourself and pack something for motion sickness. Note: I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice. 

10. Beware the Monkeys

Adorable & Aggressive

While the cheeky Macaque monkeys are cute from a distance, they will not hesitate to snatch food or valuables right out of your hand or bag. At the Uluwatu Temple, we saw a monkey grab a woman’s shoe right off her foot in the blink of an eye. If a monkey does grab something from you, don’t panic and don’t fight back. Putting up a fight will likely result in the monkey biting you.  Keep your belongings secure and try to admire the cute animals from a distance. And if you do get bitten, clean the wound and seek medical attention immediately as the Bali monkeys can carry rabies.

11. Bali Tipping Culture

Not Necessary, But Appreciated

Tips are not expected in Bali; however, they are very much appreciated. Some hotels and restaurants include a service charge so check your bill before tipping. Even the small bills can mean a lot to your drivers and servers. And for excellent service, consider a 10% tip.

12. Remember to Haggle

Be Patient & Have Fun

Bargaining is a daily practice for locals. Let the seller put the first offer out—this will likely be much higher than their bottom number. Respond with low ball offer and expect to meet somewhere in the middle. Don’t be afraid to walk away and shop elsewhere. The vendor will sometimes come down on the price even as you walk away. And if they don’t, this gives you time to look around elsewhere. Play it cool, be patient, and have fun with it! 

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