Bali Packing List: What to Wear and Pack in Bali

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For those who haven’t been to Bali before, I make this Bali packing list, especially for you. I know there are some experts traveler who has been to Bali many times, so if you think I need to add some items here, feel free to comment below.

Before I get into all of the must-pack items for a trip to Bali, I’d like to talk quickly about the weather in Bali. There are two seasons in Bali: dry and rainy. If you travel between November and March, you will be in Bali during the rainy season. The weather is hot and humid from April to October, with minimal rain.

This Bali packing list guide is ideal for individuals searching for a luxury vacation, digital nomads, and, to some extent, backpackers. Even if you forget something, don’t panic. Bali is a shopping paradise, so instead of overpacking your suitcase, leave some room for some of those gorgeous gifts.

Without further ado, keep reading to discover our best Bali packing list, which includes everything you should and shouldn’t pack for your trip to Bali!

Essential Bali Packing List Items

To start this Bali packing list, let’s start with the things I believe you should not forget because they may not be available in Bali.

Sunscreen – You should absolutely bring your own sunscreen to Bali. This is due to the difficulty of finding a sunscreen that does not contain whitening chemicals while in Bali. Make sure to bring sunscreen with you no matter what time of year you visit.

Reusable water bottle  – Many hotels and guesthouses now provide visitors with a water refill station. Bring a reusable water bottle to not only save money, but also to produce far less plastic waste during your Bali trip!

Money Belt – Nothing is worse than losing your passport or crucial documents when traveling, which can easily ruin a once-in-a-lifetime trip! So, to keep our most important documents safe, we always travel with a money belt, which allows us to sleep on planes and other public transportation without fear of being robbed.

Earplugs – Nothing is more important than getting a good night’s sleep while traveling, which can be quickly disrupted by a little noise. Personally, I prefer sleeping with earplugs, especially while living in dorm rooms with other travelers who snore or decide to pack their bags in the middle of the night!

Camera – Don’t forget to photograph all of those wonderful moments! If you want to do a lot of diving, snorkeling, or waterfall chasing, pack an action camera like a GoPro, which is ideal for capturing those thrilling moments. Don’t forget to bring chargers and plenty of memory cards with you on your journey!

Phone Battery Power Bank – I can’t imagine traveling without a power bank, especially because I take so many photos. Furthermore, GPS is always a drain on your phone’s power, so having a charging bank can save your life.

Pen – You will need to fill out a customs declaration upon arrival, therefore have a pen in your hand luggage to prevent having to wait for that one pen to become available. Also, having a pen and paper with you is usually useful for jotting down brief thoughts while traveling!

Reusable cutlery – Are you planning on remaining in and possibly ordering some food? Make sure you bring some reusable cutlery. Because Bali banned single-use plastic in 2019, you will not receive any plastic forks, spoons, or knives with your food. While burgers and pizzas are easy to eat without utensils, a pasta dish may not be!

Toilet paper – When traveling in Southeast Asia, one of the first things you’ll learn is to bring toilet paper with you. A roll of toilet paper or a small box of tissues in your luggage will be perfect for those emergency situations, as not every toilet in Bali will have toilet paper. Check to see if you can flush the toilet paper (normally there is notice if you can’t), if not, you’ll find a tiny waste container to dump it in instead!

Dry Bag – If you plan on doing a lot of adventurous things in Bali, you should bring a dry bag to keep your belongings safe and dry! These dry backpacks are perfect for trips to the beach, waterfalls, boat trips, and rainy days in Bali, allowing you to explore the island worry-free. This will come in handy to hold things such as bug spray, water, sunscreen, a travel towel, and any of your other personal items, like cameras. It also works perfectly as a carry-on.

Quickdry Towels – I will never go to the beach without quick-dry towels. They are not only exceedingly lightweight, making them easy to pack, but they are also sand-resistant and do a fantastic job of drying you.

Wet wipes – I always bring wet wipes with me everywhere. Antibacterial wet wipes have fast become one of those items that I no longer travel without and that I just keep in my handbag. At some squat toilets in Bali, they use a toilet water hose or even a bucket of water. This is actually quite common in the majority of Asian countries, though it can be challenging to adjust to. Adding wet wipes to your Bali packing list is, therefore, an excellent idea.

Feminine Products – Tampons and other feminine goods may be difficult to find in Bali. If you do find them, they may not be of the quality you are used to. Therefore, you need to overpack these things – just in case!

Bali Packing List: What to Wear

Now that you know what you’ll need for your trip to Bali, let’s talk about what to pack and wear in Bali. Despite being a tropical island, Bali’s local culture is a little more conservative, particularly in places of worship. This part will go through what to pack and wear for both men and women.

Shoes – When exploring Bali, flat shoes are recommended. The majority of people are wearing hiking sandals. These are usually grippy, waterproof, and have straps to keep your feet in place. Because it can get very wet in Bali, shoes that are waterproof or dry fast are essential.

Shawls & Long Dresses/Skirts – The dress code in Bali is modest, especially when visiting a place of worship. I advise you to always keep a shawl or scarf in your bag to easily cover your shoulders if necessary. If you forget your shawl, several stores sell them. Moreover, I recommend packing long dresses and skirts because they are appropriate for the dress code and are more comfortable and cooler than wearing pants.

Personally, I would include a few summer dresses on your Bali packing list. Wearing flowy dresses and skirts is also common in Ubud’s rice paddies. You cannot normally enter the temple if your legs or shoulders are exposed. Shawls, on the other hand, are frequently offered at the entrance.

Shirts – You should pack lightweight shirts and tank tops for your tops. I’m quite sure there wasn’t a day when I didn’t feel like I was covered in sweat in Bali, so choose a color that doesn’t draw attention to it as much as a dark gray would. The same is true for men.

Shorts and Pants – It goes without saying that you should pack a pair of shorts for your trip to Bali. I would also add a couple of pairs of long pants, such as paper bag pants and yoga pants. Ubud, Bali, is well-known for its yoga! Long pants are also useful for avoiding mosquito bites.

Raincoat – Bali has a tropical climate that changes frequently and rapidly! Depending on the season, packing a raincoat for your trip to Bali may be a good idea. They get a lot of rain during Bali’s wet season. You might also bring one of those compactable umbrellas in addition to or instead of a raincoat!

Bathing Suits – Bali is known for its stunning beaches, so don’t forget to pack a few stylish bikinis. Even if you were staying in the Ubud Jungles, I’m sure you’d want to relax by the hotel pool.

Bali Packing List: Health

One of the most important aspects of traveling is staying healthy, because getting sick may easily ruin your vacation. I’ve made a personal first aid kit, which is ideal for when I’m not feeling well or accidentally receive a cut or scrape.

First aid kit essentials – I like to put my first aid kit basics in a tiny zip-lock bag or pouch to keep everything neat and clean, ready to grab whenever we need it. This is what I have in my own first-aid kit:

• Antibacterial wipes
• Antiseptic or betadine
• Hand sanitizer
• Instant cold pack
• Pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen for headaches or sprains
• Scissors
• Self-adhesive wrap
• Thermometer
• Tweezers
• Bandages in various sizes
• Gauze to clean wounds
• Medical tape
• Aloe vera gel for sunburns
• Antacids for mild indigestion
• Anti-diarrhea meds
• Motion sickness tablets

Over the years, I’ve discovered that these meds are absolute must-haves for me to have on hand while traveling and are ideal for roadside emergencies. If you use prescription medication, make sure you only bring medications that you know how to use and that will not interact with your other prescription medications; if in doubt, see your doctor.

Prescription medication – If you pack any prescription medication with you, be sure to check up on the latest drug laws of Indonesia and to take a valid prescription plus a doctor’s note with you. Indonesia has some of Southeast Asia’s strictest drug laws, and travelers have been jailed for bringing prescription drugs without following proper procedures.

Insect repellent – Finally, but certainly not least, insect repellant. Mosquito bites are not only irritating and annoying, but they also carry the risk of Dengue Fever in Bali. Because there is no vaccination for Dengue Fever, the best way to avoid contracting it is to avoid mosquito bites altogether.

And there you have it, all of the items I carry for remaining healthy on the road. Is there anything else you have in your first-aid kit that you consider extremely necessary? Please let me know in the comments section below!

Bali Packing List: Toiletries

There are no specific toiletries that I would recommend taking to Bali, and if you forget any, you will be able to get practically everything here. One of the few items I would recommend carrying is sunscreen, mainly because the options in Bali are limited and pricey. If you intend to conduct any ocean activities, such as snorkeling or swimming, use sunscreen that is non-toxic to the underwater environment. Aside from that, here are some essentials we always bring:

And with that, your backpack is fully packed, loaded, and ready for your vacation to Bali. Is there anything else you can’t travel without? Please share it with me in the comments box below! While your backpack or suitcase may be loaded, there are a number of things you must not forget.

Travel documents

Last but not least on the list of things to carry for your Bali packing list is your travel document. Making sure you have the proper documentation might make or break your vacation to Bali. I always keep my paperwork in a tiny document folder with me so that I know exactly where everything is when I need it. Here are some of the most important travel documents you should bring with you to Bali:

Passport – Quite self-explanatory, however before you book that trip, make sure you have two vacant pages in your passport and that it is still valid for six months from the date of your arrival.

Driver’s license – Another kind of identification that can be handy even if you do not intend to drive in Bali. If you intend to drive a car or ride a scooter, bring your International Driver’s License with you.

Bank cards – Don’t forget to bring your bank cards with you on your trip. Oh, and don’t forget to notify your bank in advance that you will be traveling abroad so that your card is not blocked.

Cash – While you do not need to bring thousands of dollars in cash, I always recommend carrying $100 in hard currency with you no matter where you visit. This backup cash is ideal for emergencies, such as if you lose your wallet or there is an ATM disruption and none of the ATMs work.

Copy of your documents – Next on the list is to bring a copy of all your crucial documents as a backup. To be safe, I brought a physical copy as well as an email copy that I saved on my laptops. You should bring a copy of the following documents:

• Passport
• Driver’s license + international driver’s license
• Travel insurance papers
• Flight tickets to Bali
• Flight confirmation of flights out of Bali
• Booking confirmations such as hotels or activities (digital copy should suffice)
• Emergency contact list

That’s all! You’re good to go! You now know what items to include on your Bali packing list. You should be fine whether you are a digital nomad or planning your dream Bali honeymoon!

Tell me, is there anything missing from this Bali packing list? Please let me know what I’m missing here.