Trip to Bali

The list adapts to you

When you add it, the checklist asks a couple of questions and keeps only the items that fit your situation.

• Traveling with kids? NoYes
• Planning to rent a scooter? NoYes

What's inside

1. Check your passport validity

   Indonesia requires at least 6 months of validity from entry and a blank page for the stamp.

2. Get the e-VOA and pay the Love Bali fee

   The visa on arrival (VOA) can be bought online in advance at molina.imigrasi.go.id — the e-VOA line moves faster. Add the Love Bali tourist levy. Amounts and rules change — verify before flying.

3. Buy travel insurance

   Check that scooters and surfing are covered — basic policies exclude both, and they're Bali's top two injury causes. Good clinics (BIMC, Siloam) are painfully expensive uninsured.

4. Save tickets and bookings offline

   You may be asked for a return ticket — sometimes as early as airline check-in.

5. Cash + use bank-attached ATMs only

   Withdraw only at ATMs attached to bank branches — standalone street machines are Bali's skimming classic. Cover your PIN and check the card slot for wobbly parts.

6. Make copies of your documents

   Photograph passport, e-VOA and return ticket to cloud storage. The original passport stays in the villa or hotel safe.

7. Repellent with 30%+ DEET — from night one

   Dengue on Bali is a routine reality, not a scare story, and there's no tourist vaccine. Carrier mosquitoes peak at dawn and dusk. Add a plug-in repellent for the bedroom.

8. A Bali belly first aid kit

   Traveler's stomach here is so common it has a name. Sorbent, rehydration salts, anti-diarrheal, probiotics. It usually hits on day 2–4.

9. Watch the water and ice

   Don't even brush your teeth with tap water. Bottled only; tourist cafés use safe factory ice, street stalls — gamble.

10. Sunscreen SPF 50

    Equatorial sun burns through clouds, and ocean reflection doubles the dose. Sunscreen is pricey on Bali — bring it.

11. Remember: swim between the flags only

    Bali's ocean means rip currents, and they take lives every year. Swim at lifeguarded beaches between the red-yellow flags. Caught in a rip — swim parallel to shore, never against it.

12. A sarong for temples

    Temples require covered legs — a sarong is mandatory; rentals exist at entrances, but your own is nicer. Note the local rule that menstruating women shouldn't enter temples — it's taken seriously.

13. Know: monkeys steal

    In Ubud and Uluwatu monkeys snatch glasses, phones and earrings — some literally trade loot for food, they've learned. Nothing shiny in hand, no visible snacks, no eye contact.

14. Plan around the wet season (Nov–Mar)

    Rain comes as short violent bursts, mostly nights and mornings — days usually survive. Pack a poncho and quick-dry footwear, and keep sunrise volcano hikes flexible these months.

15. Light clothes + an evening layer

    Cotton and linen. The layer is for the highlands (Ubud and volcano evenings get cool) and icy AC.

16. Chargers: check your plug type

    Type C/F sockets (European standard). US and UK plugs need an adapter.

17. Set up an eSIM or buy Telkomsel

    Telkomsel has the island's best coverage. An eSIM (Airalo etc.) costs more but works from touchdown.

18. Install Gojek and Grab

    Rides, moto-taxis and food with upfront pricing. Note: in some areas (Ubud, Canggu) local taxi cartels ban app pickups — your driver may ask to meet around the corner.

19. Download offline maps

    Signal dies on mountain switchbacks and rice terraces. Offline Google Maps of the south and center saves the day.

20. Check in online for your flight

    Opens 24–36 hours out. It's a long haul — seats together are worth grabbing at opening.

21. Kids' documents Yes

    Their own passport with 6 months' validity and their own e-VOA. Birth certificate if surnames differ.

22. Kids' first aid kit Yes

    Child-dose fever reducer, kids' tummy remedies, thermometer, child-safe repellent. Bali belly hits kids harder — rehydration salts are essential.

23. Kids' sun protection Yes

    Kids' SPF 50+, UPF swim shirt, sun hat. Villa pools burn kids just as fast as the ocean.

24. Kids swim at pools or lifeguarded beaches only Yes

    Rips and shore break are no place for kids. For child-friendly swimming pick Nusa Dua or Sanur — the calmest coasts — or stick to the pool.

25. Snacks and entertainment for the road Yes

    It's 12+ hours with a connection. Offline cartoons, small new toys, familiar snacks.

26. Bring an IDP with motorcycle category Yes

    Bali police specifically stop tourists on scooters to check licenses: no IDP with motorcycle category means an on-the-spot fine — and void insurance in a crash.

27. Helmet — always, even to the corner warung Yes

    Rain-slick roads, dogs, potholes and unlicensed tourists — everything's against you. Helmetless fines target tourists too.

28. Video the scooter at pickup Yes

    Every scratch and mirror on camera before you ride. Never leave your passport as deposit — cash or a copy.