Things You Should Know Before Visiting Bali

Thinking of visiting Bali? Here are some things you should know before your trip.

ATM Machines

I had to be wary when withdrawing money in Bali, as some machines would only accept my TD debit card, while others would only accept my Tangerine debit card.

I was prepared for ATM machines to eat my card so I brought multiple cards for my journey and I’m so glad I did.

Note that most ATMs charged a transaction fee of $5 Canadian, and would only dispense a maximum of 1,500,000 -3,000,000 IDR ($130 CDN).

This can be super annoying having to pay $15 for 3 transactions just to take out close to $400-$500 Canadian.

I did manage to find one machine in Ubud (the ATM inside the Circle K across from Arya Wellness) that dispensed 3,000,000 IDR per transaction but none asides from that one.

If you plan to go to the islands such as Gili T or Gili Air, make sure to bring cash with you.

The ATMs on these smaller islands have limited amounts of cash in them and have run out of money so people weren’t able to withdraw money.

Using other options such as the Transferwise Debit card can save you money on transaction and currency exchange rates.

Carry cash

Although many businesses accept credit cards, it’s still important to have a bit of cash on hand in case there are power outages and you cannot pay by card.

Having smaller notes is essential although most restaurants have enough change, some smaller businesses may not.

You may come across moments where the person does not have enough change to give you so it’s best to have some smaller notes on hand.

Beware of the traffic in Bali

Another travel tip for Bali is that the traffic is usually congested, especially during peak times and holidays.

To ensure you get where you need to go on time, it is best to allow extra time for any car journey.

It is also important to take into account the weather conditions, as heavy rains or floods can cause traffic to slow down significantly.

To minimize any delays, try to travel outside of peak times and plan your journey with the current weather conditions in mind.

There’s a lack of sidewalks

Depending on the area, there is a lack of sidewalks OR the sidewalks may be severely uneven making it easy to roll your ankle if you aren’t careful.

It’s definitely not a place you would want to push a stroller or drag luggage around.

Book day trips around Bali

Another travel tip for Bali is to go on weekend or day trips which can be a great way to check an area before committing to it long-term.

You should definitely look into hiring a private driver for the day to take you on a custom tour if you don’t want to go through a guided tour group or wished to have your own private tour. It’s a pretty sweet deal.

I had my hotel book a driver for 8 hours for 700,000 IDR ($62 CDN).

This allowed me to go to 5-6 stops all within the 8 hours and I was alone so we got to move onto each destination on my schedule and not the group’s schedule.

It’s always nice to have the freedom to go at your own pace.

Having a driver allows you to see a lot more in a shorter amount of time and you don’t have to worry about navigating or getting lost.

I felt safe the whole time and my driver was very nice.

I was really happy I booked this for myself since most tours on other websites like Klook were charging maybe $20 less to go with a group.

Download the Grab & Gojek Apps

The most common way to get around Bali is by scooter or motorbike.

If you aren’t familiar with or comfortable riding one, I would suggest booking a ride either by bike or car using the Grab or Gojek app.

These apps are easy to use and very similar to Uber or Lyft. You can also use these apps for food delivery and often have a great selection of food you can order from.

I usually take the bike option since it’s easier to get around weaving through traffic, and it’s a lot cheaper than booking a car.

The times I book a car are when it’s a longer trek or if I have to carry my luggage to my next destination.

It’s wise to download these apps before you arrive at the airport so you can book a ride to get to your destination instead of dealing with a taxi at the airport.

I have used a taxi before at the airport by negotiating down to what the Grab app was offering at the time with them.

Also, you will often find people offering taxis on the side of the road and I have negotiated with them to pay the amount the Grab app would charge me.

I usually only use this method if there are no other available drivers off of the app due to weather or out of convenience.

The apps are the way to go as they offer pre-set pricing, but they also track your ride and check in on your safety if you go off-route.

You can also set up your credit card if you don’t want to deal with handling cash after each ride.

Tipping Culture in Bali

Tipping is not a common practice in Bali, as it is not expected by most service providers.

However, it is considered a polite gesture to give a small gratuity to those who have provided exceptional service.

In restaurants, it is common for a service fee of 5-10% of the total bill.

Taxis and other transportation services do not expect tips, but drivers may appreciate a tip.

-Naomi