How to Prepare For Bali
9 Things you should do before going to Bali
If I’m traveling damn near 24 hours to the other side of the world for a 1 week trip you better believe I’ll have all my ducks in a row. When planning my trip to Bali from choosing the location to the date and everything after, I did tons of research. It’s so important to research where you’re going especially for longer trips. Do some research on customs, activities to partake in, laws of the land, traveling preparations, etc.
Here are 9 things you should do before going to Bali
Check your passport.
Make sure your passport isn’t expired AND has at least 6 months until expiration. You should also have at least 2 blank pages in your passport.
Get your proper vaccinations.
Admittedly, this didn’t even cross my mind until a friend brought it up. There’s a whole list here with recommendations of what to get but honestly I wasn’t trying to pay for all of that so I stuck to typhoid and polio vaccinations. I recommend researching recent outbreaks to guide your decision.
Research the best time to visit.
I love traveling during low seasons because prices are lower and it’s not as crowded. I can also plan visits while the weather is still favorable (ie, not too hot, no monsoons or typhoons)
Obtain an International Driver’s license
Wow, one thing I didn’t even think of until we were actually in Bali. Bali doesn’t have reliable or widespread public transportation. Most the the locals use scooters to get around. You can also rent a car but remember they drive on the right side! You might be able to find places that will rent you a scooter without a license or maybe your villa host will have one for you to use. Nevertheless, I would heed on the side of caution just in case Bali PD pulls you over to check. Here’s how you go about getting an international drivers license. If you want to skip the hassle of getting one you can always rent a driver for the day at affordable prices.
Research what area most of your activities are located in
Yes, I noticed that most of the things I wanted to do and places to see were in the Ubud area, which is central Bali. However, I didn’t realize it would take an hour or more to get from one part of the island to the other. I stayed in Canggu (pronounced: Chang-gu), which is about a little over an hour away from Ubud. Drivers usually charge a little bit extra when they realize they’re picking you up outside of Ubud. Honestly, the extra charge didn’t bother me, the loss time did. Traffic is a nightmare at times so keep that in mind. Also, it’s nice to be in walking distance of markets and restaurants.
Know the currency conversion rates.
I knew that the dollar was worth so much more than the rupiah and that was enough for me! Lol don’t have this mentality unless you ballin. Maybe it’s because I’m bad at math but all those zeros hurt my head. Can you imagine having multiple bills ranging from the thousands to 100 thousand. Lordt, and lets not go into negotiating at markets. I really don’t know if I was overpaying for stuff or not smh. To start you off 1 USD = 14,000 Rupiah ( this is an estimate and fluctuates daily. Check google for exact rates.)
Set realistic expectations, or better yet - none at all.
I find myself guilty of expecting exactly what I see in pictures to be reality. Beautiful pristine beaches and getting the perfect shot of monuments and landscapes. In reality it won’t always be the same and that’s okay. This shouldn’t take away from the experience, if anything it should enhance it and give you a more realistic approach to traveling abroad.
Download Gojek
One of our drivers told us about this app and it is a game changer. Order food, ride service (like uber), massage, medicine, glam, house cleaning and so much more all in one app! I was way too excited for this but it’s honestly the greatest and I highly recommend downloading the app once you land in Bali. It can also be used in Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, and Philippines.
Know the laws of the country.
Did you know it’s illegal to smoke weed in Bali? Yeah me either. Yes, Bali is known for being laid back and carefree but it’s important to know they have their own way of living with laws to abide by. The punishment can be severe if implemented and I don’t see Trump rushing to bail anyone out 😭. Do your research on what’s legal and illegal.
I hope these tips help and make your vacation planning go a lot smoother. Drop some tips in the comments below if you think I missed something!