First Time in Bali? READ THIS FIRST!

Bali is an incredible destination, but there are a few things that can surprise first-time visitors.

From transportation and money to local food and cultural differences, these are the tips I always share with friends before they visit. Hopefully, they'll help make your trip smoother, easier, and a lot more enjoyable ❤️

💳 1. Bring More Than One Travel Card

I always recommend bringing at least two debit or travel cards with you.

Sometimes a card may not work, an ATM might reject it, or your bank may temporarily block overseas transactions. Having a backup card gives you peace of mind and can save you a lot of stress.

Travel cards like Wise, Revolut, and Monzo are great options because they usually offer better exchange rates and lower international fees than traditional banks.

Wise is also a great option if you need to transfer money to an Indonesian bank account. It's quick, easy to use, and usually offers excellent exchange rates with lower fees than traditional banks.

💛 My Tip: Keep your backup card somewhere different from your wallet, just in case.

🏧 2. Cash Is Still King

Although many hotels, cafés, restaurants, and beach clubs accept card payments, cash is still important in Bali.

Many local restaurants (called warungs in Indonesia), traditional markets, parking areas, small shops, and some attractions only accept cash. If you're planning to explore quieter areas or smaller villages, you'll definitely want to carry some with you.

Reliable ATMs can be found all over Bali. I usually recommend using BCA, Mandiri, BNI, or HSBC.

💛 My Tip: Instead of making several small withdrawals, take out a larger amount at once to reduce ATM fees.

📱 3. Buy a Local SIM Card

Having mobile data makes traveling around Bali so much easier.

You'll need it for Google Maps, ordering Grab or Gojek, messaging your accommodation, checking restaurant reviews, and much more.

I personally recommend Telkomsel, as it has the best coverage across Bali, especially if you're planning to visit East, North, or West Bali.

💛 My Tip: Don't forget to bring your passport, as all SIM cards must be registered before they're can be activated.

🚗 4. Travel Days Are Real Travel Days

Bali may look small on the map, but travel times are often much longer than expected because of traffic, winding mountain roads, ceremonies, weather, or even something can be unexpected.

A drive that looks like one hour on Google Maps can easily become two hours during busy periods.

The same applies when you're traveling to nearby islands like Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, or Lombok. You'll usually need to arrive at the harbour at least one hour before departure for check-in and boarding. Once you include waiting time and transfers, what looks like a five-hour journey can easily become six or even seven hours.

💛 My Tip: Don't try to pack too many activities into one day. Bali is much more enjoyable when you have time to relax and enjoy each place.

🛵 5. Renting a Scooter

Renting a scooter is one of the best ways to explore Bali—but only if you're already confident riding one.

A small scooter usually start from IDR 75,000 per day. If you're renting for several days or weeks, don't be afraid to negotiate, you can often get a better price.

Helmets are normally included, so just let the rental company know how many you'll need.

When you need fuel, you'll find official petrol stations (SPBU/Pertamina) all over Bali. You'll also notice small roadside stalls selling petrol in glass or plastic bottles. Many first-time visitors don't realise these are actually fuel stalls, but they're very common, especially in smaller towns and villages.

💛 My Tip: If you've never ridden a scooter before, I highly recommend hiring a private driver instead. It's much safer, less stressful, and you'll be able to enjoy the scenery without worrying about the traffic. (I also have a guide with my trusted local drivers.)

🚕 6. Airport & Harbour Transportation

When you arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport or places like Padang Bai Harbour, you'll probably be approached by drivers offering taxi services.

This is completely normal, although it can feel a little overwhelming if it's your first time in Bali.

Some drivers may tell you that Grab or Gojek isn't available or isn't allowed. In some locations, that's partly true. Certain areas only allow drop-offs, while pickups must be made from designated pickup points a short walk away.

If you're not interested, simply smile and say "Tidak, terima kasih," which means "No, thank you." Most people will politely let you continue on your way.

It's simply the way transportation works in some parts of Bali, especially around airports and harbours.

💛 My Tip: If you're planning to use Grab or Gojek, send your driver a quick message through the app to confirm the exact pickup location. For a stress-free arrival, I recommend booking a trusted local driver in advance. They'll be waiting for you before you arrive, so you can simply walk out of the airport or harbour and start your trip without any hassle. (I've also created a guide with my personal recommendations.)

📱7. Best Apps You Actually Need

• Grab, One of the easiest apps for booking cars, scooters, and food delivery in Bali. It's available in most tourist areas and usually offers transparent pricing. Best for: Airport transfers, getting around, and food delivery.

• Gojek, Indonesia's all-in-one super app. Similar to Grab, but you can also order food, groceries, medicine, and even send packages. Best for: Local transport, GoFood delivery, and everyday essentials.

  Good to know: Grab/Gojek isn't available everywhere. In areas like Amed, Kintamani, West Bali, and some parts of North Bali, you'll usually need to use a local driver instead.

• Google Maps, A must-have while exploring Bali. Use it to find cafés, waterfalls, beaches, restaurants, petrol stations (SPBU), ATMs, supermarkets, and almost everything else.

  💛 My Tip: Download the offline map of Bali before your trip. It's incredibly useful when exploring remote areas with limited signal.

• WhatsApp, Almost everyone in Bali communicates through WhatsApp—from villa hosts and private drivers to restaurants and tour operators. Having WhatsApp makes it much easier to stay in touch during your trip. Best for: Communicating with locals and businesses.

• Wise, One of the best travel apps for international money transfers. If you need to pay a villa, private driver, guide, or another local business via Indonesian bank transfer, Wise is quick, reliable, and usually offers excellent exchange rates. Best for: International transfers and payments to Indonesian bank accounts.

• Booking.com, Agoda & Airbnb, Perfect for finding accommodation throughout Bali, whether you're looking for budget guesthouses, private villas, luxury resorts, or long-term stays. I usually compare prices across all three before booking.

• Google Translate, English is widely spoken in tourist areas, but it becomes less common once you travel into smaller villages. Google Translate can be incredibly helpful for conversations, reading menus, or translating signs.

  You can also download Bahasa Indonesia offline before your trip. Here are a few useful phrases:

  Terima kasih = Thank you

  Tidak = No

  Permisi = Excuse me

  Tidak pedas = Not spicy

  Berapa harganya? = How much is it?

💛 My Tip : Download and set up these apps before you fly

🍛 8. The Food Is Delicious (But It Can Be Spicy!)

One of the best things about Bali is the food.

From traditional warungs to trendy cafés, you'll find amazing meals almost everywhere.

Many Indonesian dishes are naturally spicy, but don't worry—you can always ask for your food to be made mild.

Simply say:

"Tidak pedas, ya."

which means:

"Not spicy, please."

If you're not used to spicy food, don't be shy about asking. Most restaurants are happy to adjust the spice level for you.

Some of my favourite local dishes are Nasi Goreng, Mie Goreng, Chicken Satay, and Beef Rendang.

Don't be afraid to eat at local warungs—they're often where you'll find the most authentic and delicious Indonesian food.

🧺 8. Laundry Is Everywhere

One thing you'll quickly love about Bali is how affordable and convenient the laundry services are.

You'll find laundry shops almost everywhere, and many offer same-day or next-day service. Just search "Laundry" on Google Maps.

If you have delicate fabrics, expensive clothing, or white garments, simply let the staff know when you drop them off and ask for those items to be washed separately or with extra care.

It's one of the reasons you don't need to overpack when visiting Bali.

🛒 9. Grocery Shopping

Whether you're staying for a few days or a few months, Bali has plenty of supermarkets.

For a larger grocery shop, I recommend Pepito, Frestive, Bintang Supermarket, Lotte, or Grand Lucky. If you're staying in Amed, Solaluna and Adi Market are both great options.

For snacks, drinks, toiletries, or anything you forgot to pack, you'll find Alfamart, Indomaret, and Circle K almost everywhere.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 10. Bali Is Very Family-Friendly

If you're traveling with children, you'll quickly notice how welcoming Bali is.

Balinese people genuinely love kids, and it's very common to see locals smiling, waving, or naturally offering to help families.

Restaurants are generally accommodating, and children are warmly welcomed almost everywhere you go.

A Few Things That Might Surprise You

Here are a few things many first-time visitors don't expect:

• Scooters are everywhere, so always stay alert when walking or crossing the road.

• English is widely spoken in tourist areas in Bali, but in smaller villages, Google Translate or Basic Bahasa indonesia can be incredibly helpful (I've also created a Travel Tip for Basic Indonesia.)

• Life moves at a slower pace in Bali. Traffic, ceremonies, and weather may occasionally change your plans—but that's simply part of island life.

• Many visitors are surprised by how friendly and welcoming Bali feels. One thing I hear from my friends after their first trip is how safe and relaxed they felt during their time here. They often tell me they were surprised to see people leaving their helmets on their scooters or their belongings on the beach while they went for a swim or snorkel. Of course, it's still important to take normal precautions, just as you would anywhere else in the world. But the warm hospitality and sense of community here are some of the reasons so many people fall in love with Bali.