Things you need to know before coming to Bali
After staying in Bali for a month, I understand why this island is also known as The Island of the Gods. Bali has an incredibly rich and diverse culture. Over the years, the island has become a perfect melting pot of traditional Hindu practices and international expats from all over the world with their own food, culture, and language. It’s no wonder Bali is one of the most mentioned favorite destinations of many world travelers. But, as with any picture-perfect destination, there are a few things that you should know before you come to Bali.
Bali is the religious odd man out in Indonesia
Right now, Indonesia is a Muslim country. This wasn’t always the case. Hinduism has the largest history in the archipelago (meaning a group of islands). Most of Indonesia’s islands didn’t survive the test of time when it comes to religion. Hindu temples made way for Islam synagogues. The exception to this rule is Bali. More than 90% of the population practice Balinese Hinduism. This is also one of the major reasons why so many tourists want to visit Bali. The ancient temples and historic Hindu traditions are an experience of their own.
It goes without saying that respecting Balinese culture is the right thing to do. This means wearing a sarong when entering one of Bali’s temples, even if you are already wearing long pants. Also, watch out for ‘canang sari’ when walking or riding around in Bali. There are little daily offerings made by Balinese Hindus and it’s extremely rude to walk over them, so watch your step.
Bali is a small island, but things are much further apart than you’d think
YouTube and travel blogs are full of “10 things to do in Ubud” or “Must-see places in Canggu” and I’m always disappointed when the things on those lists are nowhere near within walking or biking distance of the town they claim to be from. The Monkey Forest is indeed in the middle of Ubud, but the famous Tegallalang Rice terrace and the Pura Tirta Empul water temple are both half an hour's drive away from Ubud.
Bali has lots of personal drivers and Gojek/Grab motorbikes, so it’s easy enough to get there, that’s not the problem. The problem is that I’m what you could call an extremely independent traveler, so I don’t like to rely on other people to get somewhere. I want to be able to walk or bike there on my own. I know it sounds crazy, but I feel more comfortable if I’m the one making all the arrangements if I want to go somewhere. Maybe I should become a tour guide myself?
Anyway, with so many transportation options, you’ll definitely get to all the places you want to. Just keep in mind that it might take a longer drive than you’d expected, and in those cases, it’s usually a bit more comfortable to rent a car instead of a motorbike. Although, if you don’t mind the motorbike, I definitely recommend it. Bali is made for motorbikes and it’s easily the fastest way around the island. Plus, discovering Bali on a motorbike is like an entire adventure on its own. It’s something you have to do at least once. My only advice is to not forget sunscreen! The Balinese sun is unforgiving and you might not notice how hot it is with the wind breezing in your face, but you’ll regret it later in the evening if you didn’t use sunscreen.
Bali is in full development mode
I guess this has been happening for a few years now, but it did shock me a bit when I first came here. Instagram and YouTube are full of those mythical temples, gorgeous rice paddies, and cute little cafes with picture-perfect views in the background. You can find all those things here in Bali, but they are scattered between run-down places and huge construction sites.
I’m glad to see there’s so much happening in Bali right now because this island really suffered during COVID-19. It’s great that tourism is picking up again and that investors are willing to take a risk and expand their business here. But yes, it also means that sometimes your favorite café is not so quiet anymore and you’ll need noise-canceling headphones to drone out the construction noise.
There are a lot of animals, both nice and not so nice animals
If you’ve done some research on Bali, then you probably already know not to look the monkeys in the eyes and to expect mosquitoes. What I didn’t know was that many lizards and other bugs come out to play at night. That’s something you’ll have to get used to because they are all part of Bali's everyday life. Another thing is the dogs. So many dogs in Bali. I must admit I’m more of a cat person, but so far all the dogs I’ve met are super friendly. Except when they have an impromptu howling match in the middle of the night.
A list of practical things to know before coming to Bali
They drive on the left side and the traffic is horrible
There is no public transportation in Bali, but you can easily get around with Gojek or Grab
Eating out means an added government tax and service tax (total of 15%)
There are lots of Western foods, but that is more expensive than eating in traditional Warungs
Don’t drink tap water!
Bring sunscreen. Balinese sunshine is no joke, no matter your skin color.
A lot of places accept credit cards, but cash is important if you want to go off the beaten path or visit local places. There are many ATMs and money exchange stores on the main island, but smaller islands like Nusa Penida often run out of cash.
Last but not least: don’t do drugs. Seriously. There is a death penalty for drug use and/or smuggling. Just don’t.
