Points You Need Certainly To Know Before You Head To Bali

With four million tourists pouring into Bali each year, the Island of the Gods is no more the secret getaway it once was. Longtime visitors often talk of how Bali was previously with a twinkle in their eye, and there's a solid movement pushing for Bali to decrease on foreigner-owned development.

But regardless of the influx of fellow foreigners, Bali remains an incredible place with world-class diving, hiking and more. I really don't think I could ever tire of visiting, as there is always opportunity for adventure in their own culture.

After multiple visits to Bali within the last four years, listed below are my top tips.

Suitcase vs. Backpack
I'm a solid advocate for packing your junk right into a backpack rather than a rolling suitcase generally – but this is especially the case when planing a trip to Bali. Frequent rains mean that there are mud puddles and potholes everywhere. Though you could feel fly rolling your sleek suitcase through the hotel lobby, those brown skids you've put aside might say otherwise. Bali is hot and humid. If you pack light, the backpack shouldn't be too heavy, anyways.

Do you will need a visa or flight out?
Customs or ticketing agents will ask some travelers if they have a trip out of Bali or not. This hasn't happened to me (I've booked my flight onward from in Bali), friends of mine have now been rejected entry until they could prove they've a confirmed flight out from the Island of the Gods.

Check your visa status in advance. Most nationalities are granted a free of charge visa-on-arrival, valid for 30 days.

Bring reef safe sunscreen and sun protection
Sunscreen is not only overpriced in Bali, but it's also extremely difficult to locate a sunscreen that is reef-safe (does not contain oxybenzone or other reef-killing chemicals). Popular brands like Sun Bum, Banana Boat, Coppertone, etc., all contain reef-killing chemicals. Pack a long sleeved rashguard to protect the skin and minimize your need for sunscreen. Some reef-safe brands include Stream2Sea, Green People, Raw Elements, and The Surf Butter Co.

Avoid currency exchange stalls
The most effective place to obtain money will be out of an ATM. Grab cash at an ATM in an established place like a favorite shopping center or at the airport. If you liked this report and you would like to get far more facts relating to Bali Tour Packages kindly check out our own internet site. Currency exchange booths often feature exchange rates which can be too good to be true and the men managing them have better slight-of-hand skills than David Blaine.

Stay the hell far from Kuta
Why, oh why, does everyone ignore this advice? Kuta is a dump. Expect you'll be hassled, taunted, and scammed in Bali's only truly terrible area. Go anywhere else but here. In the event that you just need to get your party fix, take action for an evening and get out.

Bartering vs. being fully a straight-up cheapskate
Prices in Bali are far more like rough guidelines, and virtually everything from your meal to your ride to your hotel to that souvenir is negotiable. You can usually chip 30-50% off your tab by bartering – but spending one hour haggling over very same of fifty cents allows you to a penny-pinching Scrooge.

Watch for the monkeys
A lot of tourists rave about how exactly soft the monkey's hands and feet are as they climb up your back – but they're still (very) wild animals. Monkeys are conniving little opportunists, and will steal whatever looks appealing to them, zipper or Velcro closure be damned! When visiting places such as the Uluwatu Temple or Monkey Forest in Ubud, wear simple clothing, minimal jewelry, and keep any valuables tucked deep inside your bag. Thankfully cameras don't seem to be always a big ticket item in the monkey world, but err on the side of caution and keep all belongings near to you.

Vegetarians: Happy Cow is the friend
Justine from Travel-Lush first introduced me to this amazing app, Happy Cow, on her behalf round-up of vegetarian foods to test in Bali. Though nearly all of Bali is vegetarian or vegan friendly, you'll manage to find better-than-average vegetarian meals in almost every tourist town.