Lucky you! Looks like you’re on your way to our all-time favourite destination… Here at The Bali Bible, we are the experts on creating memorable trips – that’s why we want to share with you our top tips to make your trip as enjoyable, easy and safe as possible.
What do I need to prepare before travelling to Bali?
While travelling to Bali is getting easier by the day, there are still some requirements and regulations you need to prepare for to make sure your arrival is a breeze. Here’s everything you need to know.
TRANSPORT
How much should I pay from the airport?
The easiest way to get to your hotel is to arrange pick-up and drop off. If your hotel doesn’t provide it, book our express airport transfers here. It can be cheaper to organise your own transport at the airport – but only if you have an idea of how much it should be. Haggling is rife, so here’s what you can roughly expect to pay:
· Canggu: 500,000IDR
· Kuta: 250,000IDR
· Seminyak: 350,000IDR
· Ubud: 600,000IDR
· Uluwatu: 500,000IDR
How much is it for a personal driver?
You can get a personal driver for a day trip for around 600,000 IDR ($60) per day. Your hotel should be able to arrange one for you. We also have a number of friendly drivers, just email hello@thebalibible.com to arrange one.
What is the best taxi service to use?
Blue Bird is the most reputable taxi service throughout Indonesia. The cars are light blue with a Blue Bird logo and they will always offer a metered fare – unlike other companies that negotiate the fare through their drivers. You can download the Blue Bird app or get your hotel to call one for you.
Another tip is to use GoJek – an app like Uber that lets you ride on the back of a driver’s motorbike or order a car straight to you. You can hire them to get you from place to place just using a smartphone app which communicates to the driver your exact location. You can preview the rate and pay cashless via Gojek credit (which can be topped up via the app) or pay the driver in cash. The rates are significantly better than a taxi on the street.
When are the traffic peak times?
Sadly, gridlock traffic is common and can’t be attributed to any particular time of day, but for tourist areas such as Seminyak, Kuta, and Canggu, it’s usually the heaviest during lunchtime (12 - 2 pm) and during the early evening (5 to 7 pm). Allow more time for day trips and travel across the island or speak to your hotel about the best times to venture out.
Why is there so much honking?
The people of Bali are not chronic road ragers! Honking is a polite gesture to let someone know that you are nearby or overtaking. They also disregard lanes and speed limits – which can be confusing for a visitor.
Things to keep in mind if you rent a scooter:
· You are by law expected to wear a helmet. You will find that bike accidents are common and usually travel insurance doesn’t cover moped accidents – especially if you don’t have a license.
· It’s normal to pay around 100,000 Indonesian Rupiah ($10) a day to rent a scooter short-term.
· Green means go… Orange means go faster… And red means don’t stop immediately or someone will run up behind you. Maintain situational awareness and make sure the traffic behind you is slowing down with you.
· Scooters can be a great way to explore Bali – but did we mention you should wear a helmet? We’d also suggest wearing proper shoes and long pants where possible.
· If you are stopped by a policeman for any reason, 300,000IDR ($30) is the standard fine.
MONEY AND CURRENCY
Should I take out money at the airport?
It's always a good idea to have some cash to hand for taxis and local shops that don't accept cards. We’d recommend getting a travel card like Wise or Revolut in preparation for your trip so that you can easily freeze your card when you're not using it to avoid skimming – and get the best exchange rates with minimal charges. There are a few ATMs in the airport as you get through customs/after baggage claim, otherwise, we’d say exchange money at home to save you some time.
What’s the best way to get local currency?
Occasionally money changers have been known to short-change people. Although tempting, it’s best to avoid the changers offering the best rates. The more official money changers such as Central Kuta Money Exchange and BMC are among the more trustworthy. Withdrawing cash through ATMs is also possible and the best way to avoid skimming is to use the ones located within bank branches or monitored by security guards. Exchanging cash at home is also a great option.
How much money should I bring?
Bintangs are from 30,000IDR ($3) to 50,000IDR ($5). You can pay as little as 20,000IDR ($2) for a Nasi Goreng to 150,000IDR ($15) for a salad and a smoothie. Dinner for two at swanky restaurants can cost 1,000,000IDR+ ($100+). Bali can be done on all budgets – it just depends on what you’re looking for.
Is tipping customary?
Please tip where you can. While tipping is not a requirement, the island has had a very challenging couple of years – and a little can go a long way.
FOOD AND DRINK
Can I drink tap water in Bali?
Definitely not – the tap water hasn’t been processed for drinking and can make you very sick.
Is it safe to have drinks with ice?
Long has it been preached to be wary of ice in Bali. In the last decade or more, however, standards have improved. Most places have drinking ice delivered. So YES, it is safe to have a drink with ice – but if you’re worried, just ask.
How can I prevent Bali belly?
Bali Belly is very common. Be cautious and use hand sanitiser frequently, never use tap water to brush your teeth and be careful not to get water in your mouth when showering, swimming etc. Street food in Bali often doesn’t agree with Westerners, so if you want to sample the local food it’s best to do your research first. Here’s our complete guide to avoiding Bali belly – and what to do if you do get it.
Are local spirits safe?
Many of the cheaper bars tend to use local spirits. These can cause bad hangovers and in some cases alcohol poisoning. If the prices are too good to be true, they probably are.
GENERAL
Should I get a local SIM card?
Prepaid sims cost very little and 150,000IDR ($15) of credit should last you at least a week or two. This way you can use transport apps, check in at your favourite places and refer to The Bali Bible on the go. If you don’t want a local sim card, most cafes, restaurants and hotels have WIFI.
What will the weather be like for my trip?
Bali experiences a tropical rainy season from around October/November through to March/April. Rainy season can still be fun – usually, the sun will shine for a few good hours on most days. But yes, it is hot ALL year round.
What is the best way to deal with street vendors?
It’s ok to walk past or ignore pushy street vendors, if you would like to buy something, make sure you negotiate as this is expected. Test your haggling skills and try and get the price down – but please remain respectful.
Are there supermarkets?
Yes! There are a number of great supermarkets throughout the island. Bintang supermarket in Seminyak is the biggest and usually has a great selection of local and imported products. In Canggu, there is Canggu station and Pepito (which also has stores dotted across the whole island). In Sanur, there’s Hardy’s – which is almost as large as Bintang. If you’re looking for mini markets, you can always find an Alfamart, Indomaret or Circle K in pretty much every location (almost every 500 metres!).
Where can I go for medical care?
Siloam and BIMC hospitals are the best options to see a doctor or for medical emergencies. With locations all around the island, the best thing to do is hop in a taxi and ask to be dropped off at the nearest one. 112 and 118 are the emergency numbers – but sometimes it’s best to call the hospital direct.
Is there a lot of crime?
Like any tourist destination in the world, there are thieves that target tourists. However, we find Bali is relatively safe and the Balinese are honest by nature. The most common thing to be wary of is bag snatchers on scooters. Always carry your bag on the other side of the road, and keep bags and valuables under the seat when riding a scooter.
How can I be respectful to the locals and their customs?
Bali is a magical place and the people are warm and friendly by nature. A smile and a ‘Terima Kasih’ (thank you) can go a long way. If you really want to impress, ‘Suksuma’ is the traditional Balinese way of saying thanks. But, you need to be mindful that religion plays a huge part in day-to-day life and as a visitor, you should respect them and their traditions. Dress appropriately – especially when visiting temples and sacred sites, and always ask before joining or taking photos of a ceremony.
