10 Things to Know Before you Travel to Bali

Bali is one of the most wonderful places to visit in the world and is a magnet for travelling enthusiasts. Every year, the island welcomes thousands of people who travel to Indonesia to explore the numerous attractions in Bali and the islands around it. Apart from its amazing beaches, Bali boasts a beautiful verdant landscape shaped by volcanic activity. You can go for treks on some of the most exquisite volcanic hiking trails in the world in Bali, and if that is not enough, you can also go island hopping in motorboats.

Here are a few things to know before you travel to Bali:

1. Book your accommodations in advance: Bali is one of the world’s most visited places, so there is always a busy line at the hotels. It is best to plan your itinerary in such a way that you can book your hotel accommodation in advance. In fact, it is one of the most important things to know before you travel to Bali. You can either do this via hotel-booking platforms or by directly going to a hotel’s website. Waiting to book a hotel minutes after you reach Bali may cost you a lot of money, and you may not even get the kind of hotel you’d like to stay at. This is especially true when the travel season is at its peak from April to September.

2. Use motorbikes and scooters: Nothing stops you from taking a car or walking around Bali, but travelling by scooters and motorbikes is the easiest way to reach anywhere on the island. Bikes are also the best way to navigate through the chaotic tourist-filled shopping streets of Bali. Many places let tourists hire scooters and bikes on rent at reasonable prices depending on the length of their journey.

3. Download Grab or Go-Jek apps for cabs: Most tourists who travel to Bali download the cab service apps Grab and Go-Jek once they reach the island. Grab and Go-Jek are also available as food delivery apps. Note that sometimes the rates charged by a Grab driver may be high, so it helps if you are travelling in a group and can split the fare. You can also call for motorbike rides via Grab. Public transport in Bali is not available everywhere. That’s why using taxi services and hiring motorbikes are the best ways to travel around Bali.

4. Dress as per the occasion: When in Bali, do as the Balinese say. It is very important that you follow the rules and decorum maintained by the local Bali population. Make sure you are covered appropriately whenever you are travelling for a religious occasion, especially to temples. Sarongs are usually available for women at temple entrances. Men are expected to cover their upper body and legs as well.

5. Do not wear shoes inside temples: This is a very important rule in Bali and one of the most important things to know before you travel to Bali. Nobody, including tourists, is allowed to wear shoes inside Balinese temples as it is considered to be disrespectful to the deities. Most Balinese people explore the temples and the gardens surrounding them barefoot.

6. Respect Balinese customs: An extension of the rule to not wear shoes inside temple compounds, it is imperative that as a tourist you follow and respect all traditional Balinese customs. This is another one of the most vital things to know before you travel to Bali. More instance, everybody including tourists are expected to stay indoors during Nyepi, the Balinese New Year when local Balinese people observe a day of silence. You should not venture out or try to party on that day as it is considered disrespectful to engage in such activities.

7. Do not buy illegal substances, even by mistake: It is a known fact that hawkers will try to sell you a lot of things. Among the plethora of knick-knacks, some might even offer to sell you illegal substances. Always remember to check what you are buying carefully as Indonesia has a very strict resistance against illegal substances of any kind. Even though you are a tourist, Indonesian authorities are not likely to go easy on you if you are found to be possessing any item that is considered illegal in the country.

8. Check weather updates frequently: While the weather in Bali is generally good, it is important that you keep yourself updated about the latest changes in the weather. This is one of the very important things to know before you travel to Bali. It is in your best interest to ensure that you plan your treks and boat rides during good weather. This is especially true during the rainy season between November to March.

9. Visa rules: It is important to know what kind of Visa rules apply to your country before travelling to Bali. Residents of over 169 countries can travel to Bali without a Visa. For many others, there is a visa on arrival. If you are an Indian travelling to Bali for less than 30 days, you do not need a visa. Once you reach Bali, you will receive a Visa Extension Stamp that will track the number of days you stayed in Bali. The great news is that the entire process is free of cost. If you are travelling for 30-60 days, you’ll get a visa on arrival upon reaching Bali.

10. Learn the language: Of course, nobody expects you to master Balinese or Indonesian before you travel to Bali, but knowing the basics may help. Perhaps this is not the most important thing to know before you travel to Bali. Most locals in Bali speak Balinese, but the majority of the population understands and can speak Indonesian. For instance, Terima Kasih means thank you and Tolong means Please. If you did not manage to learn any of these languages, it’s okay. People can communicate in English in most tourist places anyway.