The first mistake that a first-timer can make regarding Bali is not making the trip at all because of the hassles of getting there.
That said, Bali is an incredibly beautiful volcanic island and one of the most visited of the 17,000 islands Indonesia has because of its natural topography.
So if you are planning a trip to Bali and looking to avoid mistakes first time visitors usually make this guide will give you all the information to plan ahead of time.
- How many days in Bali for first timers
Not planning enough days for a Bali trip can ruin the whole holiday. If you live close to Bali and can go whenever you wish then a week is fine, otherwise it is simply impossible to see and do all that Bali has in even seven days.
If you are flying halfway around the world, set aside two weeks or a minimum of ten days to cover all the places like Ubud, Canggu, North Bali, and Nusa Penida to name a few. If you have more than two weeks, you will not regret the extra time.
2. When to go
If you go through any guide it will say skip the wet season at all costs and go during the dryer months between May and September. But believe it or not, the last week of October is very special. Not only does it rain for a short time, the weather is beautiful and the prices go down. So don’t listen to what the websites say.
Another benefit of visiting Bali in the shoulder season, apart from the low prices, is that the tourist spots are much less crowded. So skip December to March and you won’t be disappointed.
3. Where to stay in Bali
This is an extremely difficult decision to make as there are so many good places to stay on this huge island and multiple attractions to see. People may strongly suggest Kuta and Seminyak, but they are both party places with tons of traffic and scores of people. If you don’t like crowds, avoid these two places.
It is best to stay in the neighboring town of Canggu and still enjoy the nightlife of Seminyak. The vibe in Canggu is amazingly relaxed with rice fields everywhere. To find your perfect Bali holiday accommodation you can find the best deals on cozycozy – a search engine where you can compare all accommodations in one search. Moreover, this is the largest holiday rental and hotel search comparison site on the net.
4. Packing tips for Bali
Too much clothing is not necessary in Bali so it is advised to travel with a backpack as you will be often moving from place to place and heavy handling can ruin your stuff. If you are staying in a resort, then a suitcase will be nice.
Bali has a tropical climate and at times the humidity can reach unbearable levels. Some handy things to pack are:
- Pack light cotton clothing as much as possible
- For women, a sarong is a must when visiting the numerous temples
- Must wear a hat. The sun may feel lovely but you don’t want a sunstroke on a holiday
- If you are visiting Bali in December, then a raincoat can come in useful
5. In Bali cash is king
Cash is king in Bali so make sure you carry a handful of 10000 to 100000 notes in local currency(equivalent to 0.75$ to 7.5$) for day-to-day expenses and haggling at shops. Credit cards are only accepted in some upmarket hotels and restaurants. When eating at the local restaurants, you will need to pay only in cash.
There are plenty of moneychangers in Bali but most of them around the tourist areas will try to rip you. Moreover, these are not legitimate and tempt tourists with rates that seem too good to be true.
The catch is that either they will charge a hidden commission or swipe a note or two on the pretext of counting which you may realize only after you have left the place. So to be safe, change money only at a bank or a genuine money changer.
