Bali Travel Tips You NEED to Know! • 2024

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If you want to eat local food when visiting Bali, there are a few things to know. Firstly, you’ll want to keep an eye out for the big signs that say “Warung” – this is where you’ll find the local goodness, which is Balinese (and Indonesian) food.

Secondly, you may have reservations as they are run a little differently from how we are used to at home. A few less… rules in place. I want to say that they are always fine, but you should do your research. Google reviews will become your best friend when searching for the best warungs in town.

Last but not least, here are my FAV dishes that I urge you to latch your taste buds onto during your visit:

Learning the local language, even just a little, can go a long way when travelling. Not only does it make the locals smile in appreciation (and sometimes a chuckle at our sweet but failed pronunciation attempt), but it can also come in handy if you venture outside of the tourist hot spots where not everyone speaks great English.

The official languages in Bali are Balinese, Indonesian and English. To make things easy for those of you travelling in Bali and the rest of Indonesia, I’ve noted my go-to words and phrases that you can use in your Bali travels:

The Hindu culture in Bali is something special. One of the best ways to experience its beauty is by visiting one of Bali’s many temples. My favourite temple in Bali was the water temple in Ubud, also known as Pura Tirta Empul. It’s a completely immersive experience (in the water!!). I would highly recommend this to anyone staying in Ubud.

However, there are SO many temples to admire while staying in Bali where you can experience the island’s beautiful culture in. There’s a reason it’s called the Island of the Gods! These are the most popular temples to visit:

Here’s an extra Bali travel tip to go with this one: Pack a cover-up, a sarong, for example, you’ll need to have your shoulders and legs covered to enter the temples. Some places will lend, rent or sell them – but they don’t always offer them at a good price once you arrive…

Bali is a popular place to visit, probably one of the most-visited places in Southeast Asia… and that’s saying a lot. This small island can get PACKED to the rafters, especially in the peak months of July and August. If you do choose to travel during these months, you’ll find the journey can be pretty wild – particularly in Canggu, Uluwatu and Ubud.

The shoulder seasons in Bali, and even the rainy seasons, are totally under-rated. February to April and September to November are some of my favourite months to visit. Sure, there can be a bit of rain but it’s often just an hour or so a day. So pack a good rain jacket but be prepared to enjoy the best of Bali… without the crowds!

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Tribal Hostel – Bali’s first purpose-built co-working hostel and perhaps the greatest hostel in the world!

An ideal hub for Digital Nomads and backpackers, this very special hostel is now finally open…

Come on down and enjoy amazing coffee, high-speed wifi and a game of pool 😉

Canggu, Kuta, Ubud and Uluwatu seem to get most of the glory when it comes to travellers’ hit lists. However, most of my favourite things to do in Bali are beyond these bustling hot spots. You don’t have to get far before you start to experience some of the true Bali magic – far away from the delicious bunch spots and epic beach clubs (although these can be fun too).

Bali has some mind-blowingly beautiful natural landscapes and rich cultural places that you don’t always get to appreciate from the likes of Kuta and Canggu. These are some of my favourite less touristy spots to visit on your next trip:

Bali is home to some of the most aesthetically pleasing rice terraces in the world. The lush green layers are STUNNING and travellers flock to them like moths to a flame. Often, you’ll find there are gorgeous walking paths, gift shops, cafes and more set up around the popular terraces – particularly in Ubud – which make a visit a great day out in Bali.

A few of the best rice terraces to visit in Bali are:

• Tegallalang, Gianyar 
• Sesandan, Tabanan
• Jatiluwih, Tabanan 
• Munduk, Buleleng
• Sidemen, Karangasem

If you fancy yourself a bit of an adventure junky, Bali has SO much to offer – especially when it comes to hiking. The two epic peaks to climb in Bali are Mount Batur and Mount Agung; both are located in the northeastern part of the island.

Mount Batur is a more friendly hike but still offers a bloody decent challenge (even a bit of a scramble at some points) to the top. It’s the more popular of the two so you’ll no doubt meet others along your journey to the top. You can either get picked up from your accommodation in Canggu or Ubud VERY early to begin or you can stay in the mountain town called Kintamani.

If a challenge in what you’re craving, you’ll want to hit up Mount Agung. But I’ve warned you – this one is not for the faint-hearted. Although also popular, it’s nowhere near as trodden as Mount Batur.

For both hikes, you’ll want (and need) to have a guide to show you the way – especially if you’re hiking up for sunrise, it’s hard to know where the heck you’re going with no signs in the pitch black. I can recommend this Mount Batur Trekking Airbnb Experience.

Whether you’re a scuba diver, freediver, spearfisher or pro snorkeller – Bali offers some pretty incredible underwater worlds to explore. My favourite place for all of the above is in Amed, in the northeast of Bali (it is also my favourite area to stay on the island in general).

It’s a great place to get your PADI license as you can dive straight off the beach (no boat required)… which also makes it a cheaper spot to get it. There are also great free-diving courses, if that’s more up your alley.

A few other EPIC dive spots in Bali are Nusa Penida, Menjangan Island, Nusa Lembongan, Padang Bai, and more.

When it comes to Airbnbs in Bali, they are on another level. I’ve never travelled to a place with more impeccably designed places to stay. But the particularly common type of Airbnb that blew me away were the treehouses in Bali.

These would’ve been a top-tier childhood dream for any kid but now, they have been designed with pure luxury in mind (with a hint of fun – of course, they are treehouses!!!)

If this sounds like a bit of you, I’d recommend this Dream Cliffside Bamboo Villa (AKA Treehouse). Taking you off the beaten track a little, you’ll be perched up in the trees near the beautiful, quiet town of Sidemen.

Bali Belly hits many a traveller on the Island of the Gods and I’m not going to lie IT SUCKS. It sucks so so much. It often involves… actually I’m not going to go into that but trust me when I say, you’ll want to avoid it at all costs. It’s a sure way to put a dampener on your holiday.

Bali Belly is a sickness that is caused by bacteria (most commonly – E. coli) that can be found in both foods and water. And unfortunately, it is very common for travellers to come down with it 🙁

My top tips for avoiding Bali Belly are:

• DO NOT DRINK THE TAP WATER!!!!!
• Use bottled water to brush your teeth.
• Check the reviews at a restaurant before diving into their delicious-looking chicken skewers.
• Don’t wash your fruit & veg with tap water.
• And of course, wash ya hands, yo.

I was pleasantly surprised at the number of homestays, hotels and even restaurants that offered free water bottle refills – so Bali travel tip #8 is to take a reusable drink bottle.

OR, you can do one better and get yourself the Grayl Geogress water bottle, this way you actually can drink the tap water, or nearly any water – as this magical bottle filters it for you.

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Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress rigorously from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

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The famous Kecak Fire & Trance Dance Performances are most commonly witnessed by travellers at the Uluwatu Temple and mate, they are pretty damn spectacular. If you’re heading to Uluwatu, it’s one of those must-do experiences during your visit.

You can feel the passion and the culture radiation from the performance (as well as heat if you sit too close!!) This is one of those experiences that is pretty awesome when shown around by a local, I can recommend joining this Uluwatu Temple Sunset & Kecak Fire Dance Experience.

Nypei is a National Day of Silence in Bali and to say it is taken seriously is an understatement. The airport closes, the power must be turned off and you must stay inside. I was in Bali for Nyepi last year and it was a pretty surreal experience. We had to cook with head torches in the evening as we couldn’t turn the lights on!

The night before Nypei there are big festivals across Bali. The locals spend weeks creating these HUGE sculptures called Oogas which get paraded down the street at night. If you have the chance to experience this, I highly recommend it. It was a slightly terrifying but amazing night.

On the day of, it’s important that you are STOCKED with everything you’ll need for that day. Water, food, etc. As I said, you will not be allowed outside of your accommodation and even if you do, literally everything is closed.

Ok, I do really love eating at local warungs when visiting Bali but the brunch scene in Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, Uluwatu and beyond is pretty insane. From creamy coffees to the best brunches I’ve ever had (and that’s coming from a Kiwi gal).

Here are a few of my top cafe picks from across the island:

Although in most of the tourist hot spots, your accommodation and restaurants will likely accept cards. However – the local folks, warungs and shops will most likely only take cash. So, don’t be caught out by not having any!

There are plenty of ATMs around the place (less so in places like Nusa Penida and Lembongan – these ATMs often run out, so stock up before you go just in case).

The good news is that you won’t starve if you don’t have cash – you’ll more than likely find a boujee restaurant somewhere in Bali to feed you. But if you’re travelling on a budget or want to eat locally – you’ll want some cash handy.

A trip to Bali isn’t complete without a visit to a beach club. This little island in Indonesia is world famous for em’! From FINNS in Canggu and Desa Potato Head in Seminyak to Sundays in Uluwatu – there are SO many beach clubs in Bali to choose from.

Many of the beach clubs sit literally on the beach, so you can chill out, grab a cocktail (or ten) and watch the waves come and go. They are great fun whether you visit during the day or night.

One of the most popular forms of transport in Bali is scooters. Most of the time, you don’t even need a license to rent them… but this doesn’t mean you should. Learning to drive a scooter in the likes of Canggu is WILD and honestly, a fucking terrible idea.

But if you’re a confident driver when it comes to riding on two wheels, it’s a great way to get around. Cruising through the ride paddy fields is a pretty cool feeling.

BUT make sure to say yes when they offer you a helmet. You’ll see people riding without one, but please don’t be like them. Accidents happen more than you think in Bali and having a helmet can literally save your life.

It’s also very handy to get yourself an International Drivers License from your home country before heading over. Mine was only around $15 USD and if the coppers in Bali pull you over, I bet ya that’s what they will be asking to see.

More importantly, not all travel insurance for Bali will cover accidents if the driver doesn’t have one! So, be sure to check your policy or apply for one before you head over. 

If you’re not confident on a bike, or maybe you’ve had a few beers and need a ride – GoJek and Grab will be your best friend. The apps aren’t available all over the country – places like Amed & Lovina are yet to get the whizzy green bikes around the place, but certainly in Canggu, Uluwatu and Ubud – these guys are legends.

Not only are they a ride service app that you can choose a taxi car or scooter (!!) but you can also get food delivered through it. Honestly, the convenience of it all is insane.

Apparently, you can also hire drivers (with a car or bike) by the hour, rather than doing lots of individual journeys. I’m yet to try this feature, but it sounds like something to try if you want to do a DIY-style tour of a place!

Also, it’s always nice to chuck the drivers a tip after a ride. The apps take a decent wedge, so it’s nice to give them a bit extra 🙂

Bali is a pretty safe place for tourists but that doesn’t mean things can’t go wrong. Even to the best of us backpackers. From Bali Belly to scooter accidents, shit happens.

Hence, why I ALWAYS recommend getting travel insurance for Bali. Pass those big ol’ bills onto your insurance company! But, as always check your policy – not all insurance companies cover scooter accidents for those without motorcycle licenses. Many do, but it’s always safe to check!

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

While we are on the topic of boring but extremely important things like insurance, visas are another fun one! Many countries can get a 30-day VOA (Visa on Arrival) in Indonesia, however, my recommendation is to apply for a visa online before you arrive to avoid the chaos and queues of Denpasar immigration.

If you’re planning to stay longer than 30 days, you can extend this to 60 days. As per my last trip (earlier this year), if you get your visa in person (VOA), you also have to extend it in person – which can be an absolute pain in the ass, as you have to get to immigration three times. However, if you get the eVisa, you can also extend it online which is much easier.

But my travelling community sources have informed me that you may not be able to extend your VOA online now. I have not done this myself, and I’m struggling to find information online about it (if you have done this recently please let me know in the comments!) However, I’d still encourage you to apply for the eVOA, and save yourself the hassle once you’re in the airport.

Whether you’re a pro or just starting out, Bali has a shit load of surf spots (and some sick surf hostels) to suit all. If you’re just starting out on your surfing journey, Canggu and Kuta are great beaches to start. The waves are a bit more mellow (usually) and there is no reef to fall on – just sand :))

However, if you’re on a search for the biggest, gnarliest waves around – you’ll want to take yourself up to spots like Medewi, Keramas or down to Uluwatu.

The only downside is that this island surrounded by perfectly rolling waves is extremely well-known, so you will be lining up for your waves amongst the masses. But if you’re up for it, stoke levels are high once you’re riding Bali’s sweet sweet waves.

One of the best ways to beat the lineup is to go with a surf instructor – these guys always seem to have the right of wave! Check out this surf lesson with MySurf School in Badung (Legian Beach).

Bali has some seriously beautiful places to watch waterfalls from high places (AKA waterfalls). Some are just amazing to marvel at and soak in their meditative beauty but others you can strip off and dive into!

My favourites to visit are Gitgit Waterfall (North Bali), Tegenungan Waterfall (Ubud), Banyumala Twin Waterfall (North Bali), Sekumpul Waterfall (Sekumpul, North Bali) & Tibumana Bali Waterfall (Ubud).

Before touching down in Bali, it’s extremely handy to have already sorted yourself an eSim card. It’s never fun to arrive in a new country with no data, trying to stay on the airport Wi-Fi while trying to find your Uber driver. Bali arrivals can be overwhelming enough, don’t add another stress to ya self.

The Future of the SIM Card is HERE!

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

Jetpac eSIMs work just like an app: you download it, pick your plan, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and ditch the plastic.

Grab an eSIM!

Whether you’re up for climbing mountains, diving with fishies, ripping waves or sipping cocktails by the sea – Bali is ideal for nearly every flavour of traveller. Equipped with these all-mightly, essential Bali travel tips, I hope your adventure to the Island of the Gods is one to remember.

I wish I had this list handy the first time I touched down in Bali… but nope, I had to find out the hard way (so you don’t have to!) So, go forth my fellow backpacker, take this wisdom with you on the road, and make a few mistakes of your own but whatever you do – don’t drink the water and always wear a helmet.

No doubt you’ll discover a few travel tips for Bali too, if you do – please leave a comment and let me know!

Happy travels, friend 🙂

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