Everything You Need To Know To Prepare Your Bali Trip Plan
Are you making a Bali trip plan? There are so many exciting things to expect. From delicious traditional food, beautiful white beaches, green rice fields, to cheap massage; it’s no surprise that Bali is one of the most popular destinations in the world.
To make your Bali trip even more wonderful, you need to plan it carefully. Here’s what you need to know to plan a trip to Bali that you’ll never forget.
Tourist Visa
Applying for visas can be difficult and take a long time. But the good news is that to visit Bali you don’t need to worry about visa. Visas are granted for free on arrival in the airport. But you need proof of a flight out of Indonesia within 30 days since your visa is only valid for that period. So, make sure that you’ve booked round trip tickets.
If you want to stay for more than a month, you need to pay 35 USD for your visa on arrival. Then, you have to go to immigration with your passport and extend your visa before the 30 days period is up. For a longer stay, you need to consult a migration agent.
Flights to Bali
Bali only has one airport called I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar. The airport is 30 minutes’ drive from Kuta, 1 hour from Seminyak and Canggu, and 2 hours from Ubud.
Airline tickets can be the most expensive part of a trip, so make sure that you get the best deals. You can find cheap tickets on skyscanner.com.
It’s also better to visit during low season, which is between March to May. You’ll find the cheapest rates on tickets and hotels during those months. July to September, on the other hand, is the peak season, so try to avoid these months.
Finding Accommodation
Accommodation is a crucial part of your Bali trip plan. Of course, we want a safe and comfortable accommodation. You need not worry because Bali has many options, even for budget travelers. You can get great value for money especially if you book in advance. But there are also many awesome last minute promotions.
To get more information on accommodation offers, it’s easier if you use booking.com to find rooms. You can find anything here, from hostels and bed and breakfast to luxury hotels and private resorts.
Weather
Bali is located in the tropics, so expect it to be hot year-round and get your summer clothes ready! But, don’t forget to prepare clothes that cover your body decently in case you want to visit the temples.
There are two seasons in Bali. The wet season is from October to April. Get ready for rain, so pack a raincoat or an umbrella with you. While, the dry season is from May to September.
Phone and Internet
You can get a SIM card plus 23 GB of data for about 100,000 rupiah (9 USD). Most cafes, restaurants, and accommodations have decent Wi-Fi connection. But, if you want to visit less popular destinations, it’s better to get a SIM card since you might not find Wi-Fi there.
Traveling Around the Island
Unfortunately, public transportation is virtually nonexistent in Bali. If you’re travelling in a group, it’s cheap and easy to rent a car and hire a driver.
Many car rentals also have drivers who know some English and are experienced in driving tourists around. Plus, you can book online in advance, so when you reach Bali everything is already prepared for you. If you have an international license, you can drive on your own.
If you’re traveling solo, why not try renting a scooter? Scooters are not only cheap, they’re fast and you can get away from the traffic more easily. It’s also a good transportation alternative if you want to visit less popular and easily accessible destinations.
But, don’t forget to arrange for travel insurance before driving a vehicle on your own. Travel insurance is a necessity before traveling anywhere. World Nomad’s travel insurance scheme is recommended!
Money Changer
You can withdraw cash from an ATM, but you might get charged, and sometimes this costs a lot. Fortunately, you can find money changer everywhere in Bali. It’s better to bring cash in Bali because many places don’t accept credit cards.
Shopping
Bali’s markets are a true shopping paradise. You can find many fashion items, textile, artisan crafts, to souvenirs from local artists. But keep in mind that the first price you’re offered is rarely the real price, especially for foreign tourists. Don’t be afraid to bargain so you get a better deal!
What to Eat in Bali
If you miss the food at home, Bali is not short of Westernized restaurants, especially tourist hotspots like Seminyak and Kuta. But if you want to save money, opt for Indonesian food from local restaurants or markets. You can get really good prices, like a humongous plate of mi goreng or nasi goreng plus a refreshing glass of watermelon juice for just a few bucks.
If you’re vegan, worry not. It can be hard to find vegan food in Indonesia, but it’s not the case in Bali. You can find many vegan restaurants that serve meals made of fresh organic ingredients.
Vaccinations
Before your vacation, it’s better to get the necessary vaccinations to avoid any possible health hazards. Some strongly recommended vaccines before your trip are tetanus, diphtheria, MMR, typhoid, and hepatitis A.
Tipping
Tipping isn’t expected. But, if you receive high quality service, do consider leaving some to appreciate the workers. Many of them might work long hours for low wages, so a little kindness can go a long way.
Forego Popular Destinations
If you want to save budgets, you can go to the less popular destinations. Bali is huge and there are many hidden gems. Plus, prices of accommodation and food are cheaper than in the more touristy areas. So, it’s good to include less off the beaten path destinations in your Bali trip plan.