I always come home from a trip having learnt something new. Some lessons make travelling easier, while others help me understand a destination more deeply.
Bali taught me both.
If you’re planning your own visit, here are a few tips based entirely on my own experiences. I hope they make your journey even better than mine.
Travel Tip 1: Be Careful with Third-Party Travel Websites
Before I left England, I searched online to fill out Indonesia’s mandatory Arrival Card. I clicked on a link that looked incredibly official, only to find myself on a third-party website. They charged me a substantial fee for a service that I later discovered was available completely free directly through the Indonesian government’s official portal.
Fortunately, I realised the mistake quickly. I went onto the genuine government site, obtained the correct Arrival Card myself, and successfully disputed the fee with my credit card provider.
To save yourself the headache, here is my advice:
- Always double-check the URL: Make sure you are using the official, genuine government website for your visas, arrival cards, and tourist entry taxes that are required for entry into Bali.
- Watch out for clever wording: Be highly cautious of private websites that heavily pepper their pages with words like “official,” “approved,” or “government” to create deliberate confusion.
- Pause at the payment screen: If a site asks you to pay a high processing fee for a standard government travel document, stop. Check whether that service is available directly from the relevant authority for free or a much lower nominal fee.
Travel tip 2: Consider Booking Direct with Your Hotel
I like planning my own trips, and one lesson I learnt in Bali was the value of booking directly with my hotel.
By cutting out the middleman, my boutique hotel in Seminyak rewarded me with several unexpected perks, including a complimentary airport transfer, discounted entry to local beach clubs, and vouchers for popular attractions such as Waterbom Bali and the Devdan Theatre show.
Of course, it’s always worth comparing prices, but don’t overlook the hotel’s own website. You may find that booking direct offers not only excellent value but also a more personal experience from the moment you arrive.
Travel Tip 3: Download Grab and Gojek Before You Arrive
One of the smartest things I did before leaving England was downloading both Grab and Gojek.
From airport transfers to spa visits and restaurants, they made travelling around Bali incredibly easy. I could check the price upfront and book a driver securely in seconds.
Because everything was already set up before I landed, I never had the stress of downloading apps or registering while trying to find my way around a new country.
Sometimes the simplest preparations make the biggest difference.
Travel Tip 4: Get Comfortable with the Currency
I remember how intimidating the Indonesian rupiah looked at first. Suddenly I was dealing in hundreds of thousands and even millions, and everything sounded expensive!
It took me a little while to retrain my brain and realise that 100,000 rupiah wasn’t nearly as much as it sounded. Once I started using a currency converter on my phone and became familiar with the exchange rate, paying for meals, taxis and shopping became much less daunting.
My advice? Spend a few minutes getting used to the currency before you travel. It will make budgeting much easier and help you feel more confident when paying for things.
Travel Tip 5: Understand the Tipping Culture
Coming from England, navigating tipping etiquette abroad can always feel a bit tricky. In Bali, tipping is not strictly mandatory, but a small gesture of appreciation goes a long way.
Here’s what worked for me during my trip:
Private sightseeing drivers: I booked several private day tours, and if a driver looked after me all day, navigated Bali’s busy roads safely and shared their local knowledge, I was happy to leave a tip of around 100,000 IDR at the end of the day.
Spa and massage therapists: After enjoying a traditional Balinese massage, I found that a tip of around 20,000–50,000 IDR, given directly in cash, was warmly appreciated.
Restaurants and warungs: Many restaurants automatically include a service charge, so it’s worth checking your bill first. Where no service charge was added, particularly in small family-run warungs, I simply rounded up the bill or left the small change as a thank you.
One lesson I learnt the hard way was not to overtip. On one occasion I left 100,000 IDR for both a massage therapist and a nail technician. They were clearly grateful, but they also looked rather embarrassed by my generosity. It reminded me that tipping is about showing appreciation, not making people feel uncomfortable. Sometimes a thoughtful, modest tip is the most appropriate one.
Travel tip 6: Book Day Tours Locally
Before travelling, I’d looked at several organised excursions online, but once I arrived in Bali I decided to ask my hotel for recommendations instead.
They introduced me to trusted local drivers, and I was able to negotiate a very reasonable day rate for a private tour. Having the same driver all day meant I could travel at my own pace, stop whenever I wanted to take photographs, enjoy a leisurely lunch and even make unplanned detours along the way.
My advice? Unless there’s a tour you absolutely must book in advance, consider waiting until you arrive. Your hotel can often recommend reliable local drivers, a
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Travel Tip 7: Don’t Try to See Everything
It didn’t take me long to realise that Bali isn’t somewhere to rush. Some of my favourite memories weren’t famous attractions at all.
They were quiet moments watching the rice terraces at Jatiluwih…
lingering over a cup of Bali coffee…
watching another unforgettable sunset…
and simply enjoying the slower pace of life.
Bali rewards people who slow down.
Travel Tip 8: Talk to Local People
Everything I really learnt about Bali came through conversations – Lilik from the hotel, my tour drivers, the university students, the café owners and so on.
Without those conversations I would have admired Bali’s beauty.
Instead, I began to understand its people, traditions and way of life.
For me, that made all the difference.
Travel Tip 9: Leave Room for the Unexpected
No itinerary could ever have planned some of my favourite memories.
The unexpected invitation that led to my timeshare presentation.
Being interviewed by local university students.
The traffic controller who had me laughing.
My “Silly Molly” moments.
And, by complete coincidence, arriving during Galungan and Kuningan—one of the most important religious celebrations in Bali.
None of those experiences appeared in any guidebook.
Yet they’re the stories I still find myself telling.
Sometimes the best travel memories are the ones you never planned.
A Few More Things I’d Mention Over Coffee
If we really were having that coffee before your trip, I’d also mention these little things…
- Carry some cash. Although many places accept cards, small cafés, market stalls and local shops often prefer cash.
- Don’t underestimate travel times. Distances may look short on the map, but Bali’s traffic can be much slower than you expect.
- Wear light clothing, drink plenty of water and avoid trying to squeeze too much into one day. Bali’s heat and humidity can be surprisingly tiring.
- Slip-on shoes are ideal for temple visits, where you’ll often need to remove your footwear.
- And if you’ve never experienced a traditional Balinese massage, treat yourself. It’s one of the most relaxing ways to end a day of sightseeing.
My Final Tip
Go to Bali with curiosity.
Of course, you’ll enjoy the luxury hotels and spas, beautiful beaches, magnificent temples and unforgettable sunsets. But don’t stop there. Take time to talk to local people, eat in family-run warungs, ask questions and embrace the unexpected.
Those moments gave me a much deeper understanding of Bali than any attraction ever could. For me, that was the real magic of the island.
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My Bali Journey:
Temples, Sunsets, and Unexpected Moments