If you're planning to visit Bali for your Schoolies week, you may have some questions about your trip.
Our Bali Travel FAQs are designed to help answer the most common questions people have and ensure you have an amazing holiday on this paradise island 🏝️
The 15 Most Common Questions People Have About Spending Time In Bali
What's The Weather Like In Bali? ⛅
Bali is in the tropics and that means there are only two distinct seasons, the dry season and the rainy season or wet season.
However, that doesn't mean that it rains non-stop at any time of year. In the rainy season, Bali offers an average of 8 hours of sunshine a day.
We would note that if you visit during the rainy season, it's a bit hotter and more humid than in the dry season but this is often offset as it's not peak season and thus, you will find that hotels, restaurants, the vibrant nightlife, etc. are all a little cheaper at this time of year.
Is Bali A Safe Place?
Yes! Generally speaking, Bali is a very safe place. There is almost no violent crime and the most trouble you're likely to find within walking distance of your hotel is petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching.
We'd recommend that you keep a close eye on your possessions when wandering to see what Canggu or Seminyak offers, for example, but you don't need to go overboard, with CCTV present in most public locations, tourists are not seen as easy marks for crime.
Do I Need To Rent A Car For Bali?
No, you don't need to rent a car on the island.
In fact, we'd strongly suggest that you don't rent a car in Bail. There's no doubt that finding your way around with Google Maps is easy enough but the map from Nusa Dua to Amed doesn't reflect the bad state of the roads or the local driving habits.
Given how cheap it is to rent a private driver with their own car, we'd recommend you do that, instead.
That way they can deal with the headache of the Bali things and if there is an accident, their insurer can sort out the problems, they won't be your problems.
We'd also note that we strongly discourage people from renting scooters here in Bali as accidents are all too common and you may end up in hospital only to find you weren't road legal and thus, your travel insurance won't be footing the bill for your treatment.
What Are The Best Bali Beaches? 🏖️🐚
Most people say that the beach in Nusa Dua is the nicest beach in Bali as it's soft white sands are home to some of the finest resorts on the island.
We think that most beaches in Bali have something to offer and that there are other nice beaches without as many tourists, including some on the Nusa Islands and if you don't mind black sands you can hugely widen your choice of beaches.
The world's best beach club, FINNS Beach Club, is on Berawa Beach and it was built there because they thought it had the best sunset view on the island.
Is It OK To Drink The Water In Bali?
No! 🚱 It's not ok to drink tap water in Bali. In fact, it's a very bad idea. The water might cause the Bali Belly or something much worse.
There are often heavy metals and amoeba in the water supply on the island and even boiling won't necessarily remove the threat of tap water.
You should, wherever possible, only drink bottled water in Bali. If you must drink tap water, boil it thoroughly but we wouldn't even use tap water to rinse your toothbrush.
However, it's worth noting that ice is safe in Bali - it's made under license using only treated water. So, don't panic about having some in your cocktails.
What Immunizations Do You Need For Bali?
This is a question best asked of your doctor. There are some recommended immunizations for the island but what you need will depend on your current vaccination status.
Some problems just as Japanese encephalitis are quite rare and might easily be avoided using insect repellent unless you intend to spend time in the more remote parts of Bali.
Thus, we'd strongly suggest that you talk to a health professional who can help you decide whether to vaccinate or use insect repellent.
How To Avoid Bali Belly?
Bali Belly is not a single condition but typically it's a form of traveller's diarrhea. The best way to avoid that is to drink bottled water, only eat food that is properly cooked and always wash your hands before eating or drinking.
However, there is no foolproof way to avoid traveller's diarrhea and it's super easy to get, particularly, on your first visit to a new place.
If you do find your stomach is upset, drinking electrolytes and the use of Immodium can help but if you find it lasts for more than 48 hours, you should see a medical professional.
It's not expensive to see a doctor in Bali and they can ensure that you are treated properly for food poisoning or other conditions.
Is Indonesian Food Good?
Yes! The food in Bali is very good and there's a wide range of choice of dishes on the island. We'd recommend trying the sate (satay) and babi guling if you're a meat eater 🍛
Everyone should check out the sambal matah, Bali's most famous sauce, and there are plenty of dishes for plant-based eaters to enjoy too.
You will also find that food is quite cheap on the island too, so you do try something you don't like, you can always try something else next time.
Do I Need Travel Insurance For Bali?
We would always recommend that you have a travel insurance policy when traveling overseas. You'd be amazed at how quickly a simple medical bill can escalate or how expensive it can be to rebook flights at the last minute.
Are Money Changers OK In Bali?
The official money changers are excellent. They have a clear list of rates posted, a QR code on the wall that allows you to verify their status and a ready supply of Indonesian Rupiah waiting for you 💸
However, the unofficial money changers are a very different story. They can easily be identified with their "too good to be true" rates.
If you use their services, you are likely to find that they skim money off when they're counting it and you will end up wishing that you'd used an official service, instead.
Check the official rate on Google and expect to get a rate that's 400-500 IDR less per $1 in an official bureau de change. If the offered rate is much better than that, be prepared to be scammed.
What Language Do They Speak In Bali?
The main language in Bali is Bahasa Indonesia (the language used by the entire archipelago and seen as a unifying language for the nation by the Indonesian government) and not Bahasa Bali (which does exist but is increasingly rare on the island).
However, most people in Bali, Indonesia that you encounter in the tourist parts of the island will also speak some English.
Most visitors to Bali, as a foreign country, will speak English and the tourism sector has adapted accordingly.
It's worth noting that if you're in some remote part of North Bali or other travel destinations on the island that are a bit off the beaten path, English may not be an option.
What Is There To Do In Bali?
Bali has endless places to visit and you can enjoy everything from beach clubs to water parks to ancient temples on the island.
Some of our highlights would include the Tegallalang and Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, Tanah Lot, Uluwatu Temple, Besakih Temple, the Ubud Monkey Forest, the Valley of the Kings, FINNS Beach Club, etc. but one thing you can be certain of is that you will never run out of things to do in Bali 🐒🌾🛕
What's The Best Bali Travel Guide?
The days of the Rough Guide and Lonely Planet are over and these guides are no longer a great way to find out what's going on in Bali.
That's because they're rarely updated and after publishing they quickly go out of date. We'd recommend using the internet to answer your queries on most topics rather than buying a guide.
What Should I Wear In Bali? 👚🕶️
It's hot and humid in Bali. We'd recommend wearing light layers of clothing with a water-resistant jacket that you can use if it rains.
We'd also recommend having some shoes with grips as well as thongs/flip-flops as it can make it easier to visit the waterfalls, rice fields, etc.
FAQs
What Is Required To Enter Bali From Australia?
The Indonesian Authorities require everyone who wants to visit Bali to have the following:
A current passport in perfect condition (you can be refused entry for tears or damage to any page) and which is valid for, at least, 6 months from your date of entry and your intended date of departure
An Indonesian visa - you can get a visa on arrival in Bali but we'd recommend that you get an e-visa before you fly
A return or ongoing ticket to another country (not another destination in Indonesia) - your airline is likely to refuse you entry to the plane without this as they are responsible for removing you from the country if you don't have it
A completed customs form - this is completely free and can be done online before you arrive or in the airport when you arrive
A receipt for the tourist tax - this can be paid online in advance or at a booth in the airport
What Are The New Rules For Bali In 2024?
The only "new rule" for 2024 has been the introduction of a tourist tax in Bali. This is a fee of 150,000 IDR (roughly $10 USD or $15 AUD) that is collected by the Balinese government and is going to be used to improve facilities on the island.
What Do We Wish We'd Known Before Going To Bali?
We think everyone should know about Grab and Gojek, the taxi apps, before they come to Bali, they make getting around here so easy and affordable.
Is Nusa Dua The Best Place In Bali?
Nusa Dua is a very nice part of the island and it's a popular place for family holidays in brand-name resorts.
However, everyone has their own opinion on the "best place" and we think Canggu offers a bit mix of facilities and is better value for money.
Can You Go Scuba Diving In Bali? 🥽
Yes! In fact, scuba diving is very popular on the island, but we need to stress you will need to be PADI-certified to dive in open water. The good news is that there are plenty of dive schools here where you can get PADI certified.
Final Thoughts On Visiting Bali Travel FAQs
Bali is an amazing place to visit and you'll find the travel tips listed above cover the basics of what everyone should know before their trip.
The good news is that most people's holidays here are amazing adventures and nearly everyone goes home in as good shape as they arrived in 😊