8 Things to Know When Visiting Bali

There is no escaping the beauty of Bali. If you scroll through social media under #wanderlust or #travel, you're bound to see a few posts about the island. From its beaches to its jungles, there is something for nearly everyone! After living in Bali for 2 months, here are 8 tips we think you should know when planning a trip to Bali.

1. Where to Stay

Plan ahead, do your research, and think about where you want to stay while in Bali. Getting around the island can take some time, so decide what you like best and center your stay there. Brian and I got an opportunity to stay in several different spots, including Canggu, Ubud, Seminyak, and Sanur beach. We quickly found each was unique and had its own strengths and weaknesses.

Canggu is a small coastal village on the southern end of Bali. It has seen a surge of growth over the past few years which has made it one of the most desirable locations in Bali (and for good reason). It mixes the restaurant and night scene of Seminyak with the rice fields and greenery of Ubud while maintaining a colorful charm of its own.

Ubud is a top-rated destination close to the center of Bali. It's deep in the jungle and home to multiple temples and rice terraces. It's centrally located and close to many tourist attractions and popular restaurants. Simply put, Ubud is beautiful! If you plan on leaving the jungle for any beachside destinations, we recommend budgeting a few hours of travel time each way.

Seminyak is easily one of the most popular places in Bali. It has some of the best restaurants, bars, shopping, and night life on the island. It is also right on the beach, and has access to some incredible beach clubs. All this being said, it is one of the busier places on the island, so if you're seeking a more quiet ambiance, other destinations might fit the bill better.

Our favorite spot based on our preferences and lifestyle was Sanur beach. We loved the laid-back atmosphere, having breakfast by the ocean, and avoiding most crowds. If you're looking for bars and night life, Seminyak is a better choice.

2. Traffic

Bali has seen immense growth over the past few years, and unfortunately the infrastructure on the island hasn't quite been able to keep up (though improvements have been made, such the Bali Mandara Toll Road providing better access to the airport). That being said, the traffic in Bali can be hectic and challenging. Narrow roads are shared by cars, scooters, and pedestrians, so getting around can be time consuming. Hiring a driver by the day is an affordable and convenient option for days you want to spend several hours exploring. Make sure to factor in plenty of drive time when you choose to go sightseeing. We found Google Maps to be quite accurate in calculating the time it would take to get from place to place.

3. Taxis & Food Delivery

We highly recommend downloading the "Grab" app to your phone before your trip. Grab is the local food delivery and transportation app similar to Uber/Uber Eats. We found this to be very convenient, especially when we didn't want to leave the Airbnb to grab a couple of small things. Prices are very reasonable too!

Regular taxis are also available and very cheap, especially in tourist areas like Canggu and Seminyak. It's important to ensure the driver uses a meter, otherwise you should be ready to negotiate the price ahead of time. Unfortunately some will try and overcharge you a flat rate for a short distance if they know you're a tourist. Double-check the price against Grab and be prepared to negotiate accordingly. Carry exact change as they won't give you change if you only have large bills.

4. Scooters

Bali residents use scooters as their main form of transportation, and it's easy to see why! Navigating the narrow streets on a scooter is faster and easier than in a car. You'll see scooters for rent everywhere, but proceed with caution. The price is reasonable, but navigating the traffic can be intense, and a scooter crash is almost sure to ruin your trip. Brian spent a few hours at the hospital one afternoon (non-emergency) and watched numerous tourists leave with a cast, some road rash, or a tinge of regret from overestimating their scooter driving skills.

5. Walking

Walking is often the best way to get to know a new place, but walking in Bali can be tricky in busy areas. Many sidewalks are in bad shape (or nonexistent), and the narrow roads are often not conducive to pedestrians. Pay attention to your surroundings as you're walking around to avoid any accidents. If walkability is important to you, investigate the area around your hotel or Airbnb to ensure there are sidewalks or wider roads. Otherwise, taxis are plentiful and provide a quick way to explore your surroundings.

6. Money & Shopping

Bali is a cash-heavy island. Many shops, spas, and local restaurants don't take credit cards, and the ones that do may charge you an extra 3% to cover the fees. If you want to pay by credit card, make sure you have a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. If you need to withdraw extra cash once in Bali, ATMs are fairly common around most towns.

As with many tourist destinations, shopkeepers may approach you and try to sell you their wares. We found most are very respectful if you say, "No, thank you." If you choose to shop, make sure to barter. Every situation is a little bit different, but most of the time, asking for 30-40% off the price is entirely normal and not offensive. Shop in the afternoons and evenings as vendors tend to get tired and are more likely to make deals later in the day.

Prices are very fair, and US dollars go a long way in Bali. For example, 1 million IDR equals about $67 (as of August 2022). A one-hour full body massage rings in around seven US dollars at most places you'll find while out and about. Luxury/high-end spas will usually run a bit higher, but they are still affordable when compared to other countries.

7. Beach Clubs

Bali has some great beach clubs, and this was one of our favorite activities on the island. Make reservations, and plan on spending a good part of the day there if you choose to visit one of them. You'll pay a retainer amount up front to reserve your spot, but that money goes towards the food and drinks you order while you're there. Plan on about $70/person depending on the club. One Eighty, Finns and Potato Head were our favorites.

8. Additional Excursions

Do your research, read reviews, and choose your tours carefully. We found some incredible tours, cooking classes, and excursions while in Bali, but several that we signed up for ended up being very underwhelming. For example, we did two different snorkeling adventures, and one was dramatically better than the other. We enjoyed the Bali Swing, rice terraces, and monkey forest; however, you can skip the hot springs and the Luwak coffee (also known as "cat poop coffee").

Final Thoughts

There is so much to love about Bali. As with all international destinations, there are nuances you must navigate and cultural differences you must understand. If you'd like an easy way to travel to Bali without worrying about the logistics and planning, we've got you covered! Our 9-Day Luxury Bali Retreat is all-inclusive and takes the worry and stress out of planning your vacation. Click here for more information and to book your spot!