Bali | 10x practical tips and useful facts

So, you've decided to go to the magical Indonesian island of eternal smiles, breathtaking sunsets and cold Bintang. On the right track! Before you get to the airport Denpasar is swamped by a sea of taxi drivers eager to take you to your hotel, we have a few practical tips and useful facts for you. This way you will be well prepared and without surprises for a wonderful trip to the island that has a special place in our hearts, the island of the gods, Bali.

Fantastic price/quality ratio

Cheap holidays to Bali

10 days from From 799 euros | 14 days from 926 euros

A holiday to Bali does not have to be expensive. Various discounters such as TUI and D-Reizen regularly offer significant discounts.

D-Travel has a separate Bali page where you can find all cheap trips to Bali from various discount airlines. TUI has an extremely popular 14-day tour (Bali Complete) that is often booked. Click on the buttons to view the current offer.

Pros:

Cheapest providers for Bali
Including flights, hotels & transfers
Fantastic price/quality ratio

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Plan your holiday to Asia here

Specific tours : Bali travel, Thailandtravel en Srilankatravel.com.
Worldwide tours : TUI, Asiadirect, rickshaw travel, king monkey, sawadee, shoestring en Djoser.
Flight tickets for Asia you book via Skyscanner.
Hostels & Hotels in Asia you book with Hostelworld en Booking.com.
Rental cars book yourself Sunnycars, Alamo en rental cars.
Tours and Activities in Asia you book via GetYourGuide.
travel items such as suitcases, bags and more you can buy at Bol.com.
SIM cards and e-SIMs for Asia you can buy from International sim.
Parking at the airport you can arrange via Parkos.

Table of contents

1. Exit ticket & visa on arrival

Booking a ticket to the tropics is fun, but Bali wants you to leave again. When checking in they almost always ask for one at the airport exit ticket for Indonesia. Make sure you have a return ticket, or a ticket to another exotic destination within 30 days of arrival. This way you can immediately plan your travel adventure better.

So avoid last-minute booking stress at Schiphol and arrange your exit ticket on time. Do you want to stay longer? Which can. You can you On-Arrival Visa extend once for another 30 days. Stay longer? There are also other visas that you can apply for in advance.

2. Scooter around

Ahh, scootering in Bali, the feeling of ultimate freedom. For less than 5 euros a day you have the wind in your hair and the island at your feet. But before you hit the road, it's smart to drop by the ANWB for one international driver's license. And let's face it, practice makes perfect, so doing a few laps before hitting the busy road isn't a bad idea. These scooters are not the same as in the Netherlands, they are a lot more powerful. So drive carefully, at your own pace and wear a helmet!

or with your surfboard, nothing is too crazy! — On the scooter with the dog

Don't you dare to scooter yourself? No problem! With the Gojek or Grab app, a scooter or car will come your way for next to nothing, ready to take you to your destination. And for the ultimate relaxation mode you can easily find one in Bali car with driver rent for a day. In short, everything is possible in Bali!

Also read: Bali | 10x the best things to do in Ubud

3. Immerse yourself in Bahasa

Don't hesitate to get some of the learn language. Although English is widely spoken in popular tourist areas, learning a little can take some time Balinese or the general language Bahasa Indonesia no harm. The locals appreciate the effort and it adds a fun dimension to your holiday. Start with the simple and common ones, like “Selamat Pagi” (good morning), “terima kasih” (thank you) or “suksma” in Balinese. And “apa kabar?” for “how are you?”. We bet you'll get a smile back?!

A local in Bali, Ubud — A local in Ubud, Bali

Did you know the Indonesian language has adopted many words from Dutch? Words such as handuk, imigrasi, polisi, grandpa and grandma, kantor, free, ashtray and banger!

4. Adjust your expectations

Bali is fantastic and you will most likely spend your first nights somewhere in between Kuta en Canggu, in anticipation of white beaches and an azure blue sea. If you haven't read up on it, you might be surprised by the black sand and the not so clear water. Don't worry, those dream spots with white beaches and clear blue water are certainly there, but initially adjust your expectations of an uninhabited tropical island. Because Bali is lively and vibrant!

Bali | 10x practical tips and useful facts — Bintang in Bali

5. Withdraw money as a millionaire

In Bali, with more than 60 euros in your bank account you are officially a millionaire. This amount is approximately equal to 1 million Indonesian rupiah. Sounds good, right? But unfortunately, that million flies through faster than you think. ATMs usually don't let you withdraw more than 2 to 3 million at a time, so plan some trips to the ATM.

It is wise to set your debit card and (prepaid) credit card to 'worldwide' before departure to avoid problems. Are you going away longer? Then consider handy prepaid credit cards such as Bunq, N26, WISE or Revolut. Even though you can pay contactless in many stores, a little cash is always handy.

Also read: Which (prepaid) credit card is best to travel with? And why?

Note for scammers and hold your hand above the ATM keypad when you enter your PIN code.

6. Arrange a taxi in advance

As mentioned earlier, upon arrival at Denpasar Airport you will be swamped by taxi drivers. But who do you choose? Can it be trusted? Stress! How nice is it that you have already booked transport in advance? No stress, just look for your name on one of the signs. This way, you can relax at your pool as quickly as possible without any negotiations or discomfort. You can usually arrange this through your accommodation, simply send them a message.

rice fields in Bali — Rice fields in Bali

7. Respect the locals

Respect for local culture is essential in Bali. Be aware of the rituals taking place and avoid disrupting them. When visiting temples it is customary to cover your legs and take off your shoes. Furthermore, it is polite to eat and accept things with your right hand, as the left hand is considered unclean, so you wipe your butt with it. A smile and kindness go a long way in Bali and you will certainly get it back!

It can be incredibly hot in Bali, so it's tempting to jump on the scooter without a shirt. Do not do this. Avoid not wearing a shirt or (only a) bikini on the scooter or in a restaurant, as this may be considered disrespectful. This is of course possible on the beach. And if you have any doubts about whether something is appreciated or not, ask just to be sure. Balinese people are extremely open-minded and polite.

Also read: The ULTIMATE Bali travel route 2 to 4 weeks with 53 (!) tips

8. Prevent the Dreaded “Bali Belly”

“Bali Belly” is an informal term used to describe traveler's diarrhea. Bali Belly is a common problem that unfortunately most people will encounter when traveling to tropical areas such as Bali.

To prevent the dreaded “Bali Belly”, it is important to handle food and water carefully. Avoid drinking tap water and opt for bottled water instead. Be careful with ice cubes, as they may be made from tap water. Preferably eat well-cooked or fried food, avoid raw fish and meat, and be careful with salads and unwashed vegetables. Washing hands before eating and using hand sanitizer regularly can also help prevent illness. A little caution can make a big difference and ensure that you enjoy your time in Bali healthy and full of energy.

Also read: Eat safe street food during your World Trip | 11 Tips

9. Activities with wild animals are a no-go!

Unfortunately, in Bali, like many other places in Southeast Asia, animals are used for the entertainment of tourists. What many people do not (yet) know and what is often not visible is that animal suffering often lies behind this. Animals are roughly trained to have their picture taken with people, perform tricks or carry people.

For example, Mahouts (elephant keepers) use a stick with a metal hook to make the animal listen. The point of the hook is sharp and goes deep into the skin, often on the elephant's head. This causes the elephants to suffer wounds and scars.

So always avoid attractions with wild animals where you as a visitor have direct contact with the animal. If you can hug, ride, wash, touch or otherwise get too close to a wild animal, this involves animal suffering.

Also read: Do not swim with dolphins and do not take elephant rides

10. Hungry? Gojek!

The Netherlands has Thuisbezorgd.nl, Bali has Duck! Thanks to Gojek, ordering food via the app is a true game changer in Bali. Whether you fancy a colorful smoothie bowl, tasty nasi goreng, a crispy pizza or a juicy burger; Gojek! With just a few clicks on your phone you will be linked to a driver, and shortly afterwards your favorite dish will be on your doorstep, all for next to nothing.

Tip: You can also have groceries delivered via Gojek and even have a masseur come to your home. Convenience serves people in Bali!

These were our 10 practical and useful tips for Bali! Are you looking for more useful information about Bali? don't forget to read our other Bali articles, which can be found on our Bali page† See you there!