A Packing List For Bali

packing list for bali
Charisse
Charisse 
Updated
| 8 min read

Bali, Indonesia is one of the favorite tourist destinations of people from all over the world. People love the rich culture that is still reflected and alive in their traditions up to this day. Bali has a welcoming vibe to it, whether it’s the beautiful beaches, world-class waves for surfing, exciting bars, delicious restaurants or the kind locals. Bali really lures in tourists to stay longer than what they’ve planned, and even sometimes gets them to actually live there for good. Bali has this natural, laid-back way of living that most tourists fall in love with it. Whether you’re in Bali to do some soul-searching and rejuvenating, a little bit of partying or a whole lot of surfing, it truly is a place that tourists love coming back to. To prepare yourself for that perfect island get away, read on to know more about what you should bring. Here is our packing list for Bali, Indonesia.

1. Bug repellent

Honest Bug Spray, Insect Mosquito Repellent, 5/2016, Target, DEET Free, pics by Mike Mozart of TheRoyChannel and JeepersMedia on YouTube #Honest #Repellent #Deet #Free #Bug #Insect
Source: Photo by user Mike Mozart used under CC BY 2.0

Your accommodation on the island may already be protected with bug repellent like mosquito coils, but you won’t be once you step out to explore. Make sure to pack either spray or lotion so you have something to protect exposed skin on your legs and arms. As a tropical country, Indonesia is no stranger to mosquitos, so be sure to arm yourself against them. If you’re staying more than a few days and you run out, you can always head to the nearest Carrefour or local supermarket to replenish.

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2. Hiking shoes

My Hiking Shoes
Source: Photo by user Enrico Strocchi used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Expect to walk a lot during your trip to Bali - besides lounging and swimming on sunny beaches, there are temples, rice terraces, and mountains to explore, so sturdy and comfortable shoes are a necessity. You can get by with velcro sandals and your most trusted pair of sneakers on a regular day, but if you’re going to hike up Mount Batur or the sacred Mount Agung, you’ll definitely need to come prepared. Besides mountain trails, there are plenty of other paths where your hiking shoes will come in handy.

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3. Active wear

Active wear
Source: Piqsels

Throw in some long pants, capris, and shirts along with your swimsuits and beachwear because you’ll want to be comfortable when exploring the cities and towns in Bali. Take note that some places like Ubud will have unpaved roads that aren’t easy to walk through, plus the humidity will definitely call for breathable fabrics like nylon, cotton, or polyester. Additionally, if you’re planning to join a walking tour or go hiking in the mountains, hiking shoes alone won’t cut it - you’ll need the right clothes as well.

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4. Sunblock

Sunblock
Source: Pixabay

Whether or not you’re planning to spend all your time at the beach, you’ll need to wear sunblock to protect your skin against harmful UV rays. If this is already a part of your skincare routine, then you’re all good to go. If not, the smell of the lotion or spray may call to mind memories of the beach - the last and only place where most people choose to wear sunblock. Bali’s weather is known for being dry and sunny, with temperatures reaching up to 29 degrees Celcius (84.2 degrees Fahrenheit). At the very least, you’ll keep yourself from getting a sunburn.

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Bali Tour Guide

Dori Januhari

Dori Januhari

I am a legal and licensed tourist guide from Indonesia. I have been guiding for 20 years. I live in Jakarta, Indonesia, but I have traveled to many places in the country. My guiding areas are Java, Bali, and Lombok Island. I obtained my license from the Indonesia Tourism Ministry. On days when there is no tour, I work as an English and German private teacher, teaching mathematics and science physics. I'll be happy to guide and ready to show you the magnificent places in Indonesia.

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Bali Tour Guide

toni kenpachi

Toni Kenpachi

Hello my name is Toni and I live in Jakarta- Indonesia, I've been working as a Tour Guide since 2008, I have licensed from Jakarta City Government Tourism Office, I choose to be a Tourist guide due to my background education because I graduated from Tourism Academy, I'll be glad to assist your trip in Indonesia especially in Jakarta and surrounding areas also if you would like to do overland tour from Jakarta to Bali I'll be glad to assist your trip too, there will be more interesting places to visit and I'll glad taking you to see those places, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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5. Eye and head protection

Eye and head protection
Source: Pixabay

For a trip to any tropical destination, sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats aren’t just for accessorizing. Go one step further to protect your skin from prematurely aging by keeping the sun away from your face with a hat. Protecting your eyes and the top of your head against the sun will also keep you more comfortable while you’re out exploring. Long exposure to UV rays isn’t just bad for your skin but your eyes as well, so thank your sunnies and know that it does more than just complete your vacation look.

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6. Fashionable swimsuit

Sirens 2013 Range
Source: Photo by user Sirens Swimwear used under CC BY 2.0

Of course, swimsuits should be on top of your packing list because Bali has one of the best beaches in the world. Swimsuits are perfect for tanning all day at the seashore or for lounging in the comfort of your villa. It’s a lightweight garment so bringing a number of swimsuits for the entire trip wouldn’t be difficult to carry. Swimsuits are a great outfit when going out at night, you can pair it with shorts and a trendy cover-up for that sexy look. For tourists who would like to try surfing, it is best that you bring rash guards and wear them on top of the swimsuit for protection from the sun and for a comfortable time while surfing. Remember, it is important that you feel comfortable with what you wear and to be proud of the body that you have!

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7. Beach bag

beach bag
Source: Maxpixel

Beach bags are an essential when traveling to Bali. It’s perfect for summertime and a trip to beach destinations. You can choose from canvass, waterproof, or tote beach bags. It’s easy to carry and you can put your important things inside–wallet, passport, phone, sunblock, towels, etc.–to keep them safe and to prevent them from getting wet since you will be at the beach most of the time. It’s very convenient if you want easy access to your things. It is also important that these beach bags are durable and made with good quality since it can be exposed to a lot of sun, sand, and water. You can also make a fashion statement with your beach bag to complement your entire beach look.

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8. Classy evening dress

Black dress
Source: Unsplash

Choosing an evening dress can be challenging but remember to choose a dress you can dance all night and feel both pretty and comfortable in. You can never go wrong in a little black dress, but you can also experiment with a long cocktail dress. Bali is packed with clubs, restaurants, and parties where everyone can enjoy which makes it such an exciting and vibrant place to explore. Bali is a perfect place to glam up a little when going out. Put on makeup, wear that classy dress, and strap on some heels for a girl’s night out or for a perfect date night with your loved one.

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9. Power bank

Powerbank
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user © Konstantin Silka used under CC BY-SA 4.0

A power bank is immensely important when traveling. For one, it keeps your phone, pocket WiFi, or any rechargeable device charged for the whole trip. Everyone wants to be connected to the internet at all times to update their loved ones about their activities. Having this power bank is helpful with that since it charges your devices on-the-go. Secondly, there are a lot of travelers who have jobs online, and so power banks are one of their must- haves since they have to either answer e-mails or communicate online for their notes. Thirdly, it’s very handy and convenient to bring especially if you’re bringing a small hand bag.

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10. Comfortable dancing shoes

Shoes
Source: Needpix

Get ready to dance whole night and party the night away with Bali’s exciting bars and clubs. But of course, you need comfortable footwear which you can dance in the whole night. Make sure to choose shoes that’s comfortable, easy to wear, stylish, and most importantly, of good quality and durable. You can opt to pack lightweight heels, beach sandals, or closed shoes as long as it’s comfortable, because in reality, you should prioritize comfort over style especially when going dancing and clubbing whole night.

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11. Traveler's cheques

US Treasury Checks - 3D Illustration
Source: Photo by user DonkeyHotey used under CC BY 2.0

Traveler’s cheques are perfect for travelers who do not want to use their credit cards or bring large amounts of money the entire trip. It is a great option when traveling abroad, especially for some places where banks or ATM machines are sparse. Traveler’s cheques can be used as a payment instead. This also helps tourists to budget and plan their expenses by tracking and controlling them through these cheques. This check is not linked to the customer’s bank account, thus, it lessens the possibility of theft. It’s also safer to use since these cheques have serial numbers, so when stolen, the owner could report the serial number and the bank can simply cancel the transactions. It’s truly a convenient way to shop non-stop in Bali’s shopping markets.

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12. Photocopy of your travel documents

Passport
Source: Needpix

This is more important than anything. It is a must to photocopy your travel documents such as passport, valid ID, credit cards, hotel reservations, plane tickets, etc., in case these will be lost or stolen. It is difficult to replace these documents when lost, more so when in a foreign country and would cost you even more money. Another way is to save a soft copy of these documents and store them in your laptop and send them to trusted people so when you lose your photocopy, you can have them sent to you via email and have them printed out. This could also help for travel insurance. Stolen or lost documents could really happen when traveling; it’s better to secure these ahead of time so that it won’t be troublesome when you are out there enjoying your vacation.

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13. Torch or flashlight

CreativeTools.se - PackshotCreator - Genzo LED flashlight v4
Source: Photo by user Creative Tools used under CC BY 2.0

Torch or flashlight can be very helpful in cases of emergencies. For example, in Bali, a lot of tourists ride the motorbike when going to far places like Ubud to see the Rice Terraces or the famous temples. When driving at night in dark places, flashlights could help to see the road more clearly or to call for help when the motorbike gets damaged or flat tires. It’s also recommended for safety when traveling to new cities or countries in case of calamities such as long hours of blackouts or other natural and unforeseen situations. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

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14. Waterproof bag

Waterproof bags on sale in Thailand
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Maksym Kozlenko used under CC BY-SA 4.0

A waterproof bag is one of the best investments you could buy when traveling to Bali or to other beach and island destinations. This is great for safekeeping your valuables such as phones, wallets, passports and tickets and to keep them from being wet. This is perfect when going island-hopping, wherein you will constantly get wet, other activities such as diving or snorkeling, or when it’s raining. Waterproof bags have different sizes and colors, depending on what you want to store inside.

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15. Traditional sarong

sarong
Source: Pexels

Sarong is one of the traditional clothing in Bali and it is required when entering some of the sacred temples. Sarong is a long piece of cloth wrapped around the waist and can be worn by both men and women. There are many beautiful designs of sarong since this is also one of the favorite souvenirs that tourists buy. This can be worn in a lot of ways–like a long skirt or a wrap-around dress or also as a beach mat perfect for sun bathing without getting sand all over your body.

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Get ready for Bali!

Bali, Indonesia
Source: Photo by user Thomas Depenbusch... used under CC BY 2.0

These are some of the most important things that you should pack when traveling to Bali. It’s helpful to make a list of all the things you want to bring with you so that you won’t forget to pack everything necessary for the trip. Being prepared when traveling makes your trip easy and hassle-free. Get ready to enjoy this beautiful place by preparing a packing list for Bali!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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Charisse, hailing from the Philippines, spent four years living by the beach, where she found profound happiness and developed an appreciation for the simple joys of island life. She learned to...Read more

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