Bali is the ultimate tropical paradise. It has sun, sand, picturesque views, and it’s all at an affordable price. However, Bali does some things a little differently than you may expect. The more you understand “how they do things” in Bali, the more seamless and safe your trip will be. Here is a checklist for you if you're thinking to travelling to bail.
The most popular way to get around in Bali is by scooter or motorbike. There are an abundance of places that rent scooters and chances are wherever you are staying has them available for rent.
Even though you’re technically relocating for a significant period of time, don’t bring a lot of stuff. You won’t need it, and you’ll curse yourself for carrying it on your back through humid 90 degree weather. The less you bring, the more you can buy and Bali has just about everything you could need—and usually at a cheaper price than what’s available back home.
Try to get some rest on your 10+ hour flight to Ngurah Rai International Airport, because long immigration lines and somewhat misleading signs will be waiting for you upon landing. Over 160 nationalities do not need a visa in order to enter Bali. This visa-free entry is valid for 30 days in Indonesia, including the day of your arrival.
Locals in Bali speak Indonesian and Bahasa. However, many locals also speak English, given you’re in the popular tourist or digital nomad areas such as Ubud, Canggu, Kuta, and Seminyak. The more rural you go, the less English locals speak.
Bali is known to have an issue with skimmers on ATM machines especially in tourist hotspots. This means they put a special skimming device on the ATM so they can skim your card and get access to your account. The best way to avoid this is to use an ATM that is inside of a bank.
No matter which area you choose, you’ll be presented with an overwhelming number of options for housing. There’s something for every budget. While many places offer discounts for longer stays, you don’t need more than your first week of accommodation booked in advance, as you’ll most likely want to move around. You just need that first week to scout your options and get the lay of the land.
Crime isn’t much of a problem in the more pleasant parts of Bali. By far the biggest danger you’ll face will come with wheels attached. Scooters are a popular way to get around in Bali, but they’re also a leading cause of tourist injury.
Long story short you need to be careful with some of the alcohol in Bali. Sometimes some places will serve “fake” liquor that has methanol in it. And if you don’t already know too much methanol can kill you.
Located on the Eastern tip of Bali, Amed is a point of welcome respite from the more urban hubs of the island. Outside of free-diving, snorkeling, and scuba diving, this is a town with very little in the way of adrenaline.
When working in a tourist playground such as Bali, you’d be forgiven for once in a while wanting to throw your laptop into the ocean and join the hordes. So if you need a vacation from your vacation, the Gili Islands are there for you.