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Booked your tickets to Bali? Use this sample packing list to get ideas for what you should bring to Indonesia’s most popular island and what you should wait to buy after arriving. No one packing list is perfect for everyone, so tailor your own list to match specific travel plans and needs.
You won’t need much for your trip to Bali, and if you forget something, you’ll most likely find it available for purchase locally anyway — Bali is hardly a deserted island!
Instead, pack like a pro; bring less and take advantage of unique shopping experiences on the island. You’ll have even more of an excuse to pop into the many boutique shops for beachwear and other items that will look good at home, too.
What Clothing for Bali?
While vacationing on an island certainly encourages skimpy beach attire, locals dress quite conservatively. You should cover your knees and shoulders when visiting Hindu temples, sacred sites such as the Elephant Cave, or when exploring small villages in the island interior. Beach attire is fine for daily wear other than when dining or clubbing at pricey establishments. Cover yourself up before stepping off of the sand!
Aside from some public transportation with super-powered air conditioning, you don’t have to worry about being cold while on Bali. Opt for light cotton clothing; jeans will be hot and heavy for most circumstances.
High-tech, quick-dry garments will work, too, but don’t leave them hanging to dry somewhere they could be stolen.
You won’t need as much clothing as you would expect; keep your packing simple and purchase items locally if you run out of outfits to wear. If on an extended trip, you’ll find plenty of places that do laundry for a fee based on weight.
When packing, separate clothing and other “kits” into sealed modules or cubes in case temperature and pressure changes pop open bottles.
The Best Shoes for Bali
As with most of Southeast Asia, the standard-issue footwear for Bali is just a pair of reliable flip-flops. Some shops, temples, bars, and restaurants may ask you to remove your shoes at the door. Flip-flops are easier to slide on and off than sandals with straps. Opting for more expensive footwear may encourage someone to upgrade their own by “trading” for your shoes without asking. You can purchase cheap flip-flops in shops and stalls all over the island.
You’ll need proper hiking shoes or sandals if you want to climb Mount Batur or Gunung Agung. Some of the pretentious, high-end clubs in Kuta and Seminyak may enforce dress codes that prohibit sandals and flip-flops.
What to Put in Your First Aid Kit
You don’t want some annoying ailment to affect your precious time on the island. But at the same time, you don’t want to carry more medical supplies than a Green Beret medic. Fortunately, walk-in pharmacies sell nearly everything that you’ll need — including prescription drugs — without the need to visit a hospital first. Pack only a small, simple travel first-aid kit with basics then purchase the rest if necessary.
Tip: Every first-aid kit should have an anti-diarrhoea medicine, but don’t take it unless getting to a toilet isn’t an option (e.g., you’ll be on transportation all day).
Money and Documents for Bali
Make two copies of your passport, travel insurance papers, receipts for any traveller’s cheques, and other important travel documents you should have on every trip. Diversify your copies by hiding them in both your money belt/day bag and big luggage to avoid disaster if one or the other gets lost. Hide credit card information (scramble the numbers in a way that only you understand) and emergency contact phone numbers in an email to yourself in case you need to contact banks.
You’ll want to bring along a few additional passport-sized photos with you if you intend to apply for tourist visas to visit other countries in Southeast Asia.
Bali has plenty of Western-networked ATMs, however, bring backup cash just in case the network goes down. Consider bringing a few traveller’s cheques and some U.S. dollars that can be cashed in for emergency funds (highly recommended) in case your ATM card is compromised. The currency in Bali is IDR.
Tip: Should you lose your passport, having a photocopy of it and your birth certificate will greatly expedite getting a replacement from an embassy in Southeast Asia.
Bringing Electronics to Bali
You may want to bring along your smartphone, tablet, ebook reader, or even a laptop for taking advantage of free Wi-Fi in cafes and guesthouses. If you opt to bring fragile electronic devices, know how to protect them in a tropical environment.
Indonesia uses the round, two-pronged, CEE7 power outlets common in Europe. Voltage is 230 volts / 50 Hz. Unless you intend to carry a hair drier (don’t!), you won’t need a step-down power transformer because most device chargers (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, etc) handle the higher voltage automatically. Although many hotels have universal outlets that work with many cord types, you may need a small adapter to accommodate your device.
Tip: You can purchase a relatively cheap 4g data package for your smartphone after arriving. See if your cell phone will work in Asia beforehand. Whatsapp and facebook messages are best for communication. You may buy a local sim too however it wouldn’t be of much use till you have to make calls locally in Bali. Simply recharge your internet pack and free incoming international calls on your respective country sim.
Other Items to Consider Packing for Bali
Along with the obvious stuff, consider bringing along the following:
- Small padlock for use in guesthouses/hotels where security lockers are provided.
- Hand sanitizer and toilet paper for encounters with public squat toilets.
- Earplugs or an MP3 player in case you end up with a room to close to the party.
- Mosquito repellent to protect yourself from mosquitoes that could carry dengue fever.
- Torch/Flashlight(save phone battery) for unexpected power outages — a common occurrence in Southeast Asia.
- Plastic bags or cases for waterproofing electronics and valuables.
What to Buy in Bali
Purchasing what you need on a trip after arrival not only helps the local economy, it’s fun! Leave room in your luggage for new purchases and unique items not easy to find at home.
You’ll find plenty of shopping in Bali, particularly in Ubud where lots of boutique shops carry unique clothing that is perfect for the island. Along with stalls and small shops, you’ll find several large shopping malls in Kuta with name-brand items. Outside of malls, you will need to negotiate — particularly in tourist shops — to get acceptable prices.
Rather than leave home with a full suitcase, consider waiting until you arrive in Bali to purchase some of these common items:
- Sarongs (some Hindu temples require that men wear one to enter)
- Hats
- Sunglasses
- Beach bags
- Swimsuits/beach cover-ups
- Evening dresses
- Flip-flops / sandals
- Handmade jewellery
- Aloe vera / after-sun lotion
- Coconut oil (a great after-sun moisturizer that is popular on the island)
- Snacks
You’ll probably want to bring your own toiletries, sunscreen, and consumables in case the brands you normally use are not available. Beware of the many local toiletries, particularly soaps and deodorants, that contain whitening agents.
Choose Your Bags Carefully
Although violent crime is not really an issue on Bali, the influx of tourists does attract some petty theft. Be mindful when choosing a day bag; backpacks or satchels with popular logos (e.g., IBM, LowePro, GoPro, etc) announce to would-be thieves that the contents inside are valuable. Avoid walking on secluded roads alone/with friends especially during the evening/night as there are regular incidents of chain/bag snatching. Pick pockets and snatchers are clever enough to know if you’re typsy/drunk and hence an easy target for them.
What to Leave at Home
Leave the following items at home or purchase them locally if you need them:
- Snorkel gear: You can rent gear snorkel gear daily when you need it.
- Water filters: Although the tap water is not safe to drink in Bali, bottled water is available everywhere. To cut down on plastic, use water refill machines whenever you can find them.
- Expensive jewellery: Flashy bling will get you higher prices and make you more of a target for petty theft. Many jewellery artists call Bali home; consider purchasing some of their beautiful work.
- Weapons/pepper spray: Arming yourself is certainly not worth the risk of trying to cross borders with it; leave weapons off your Bali packing list!
We hope this information helps. In case you have any further question we are available on our toll-free number 24 x 7. Feel free to buzz us & ask many times you like for any further details till you are absolutely satisfied with your pre-arrival planning. We’ll be very happy to help!
Happy Tripping!
Tripver Travel Community
