Planning for a trip can be stressful at times and the feeling like you are going to forget something can be scary, but from someone that has travelled to Bali and has learned the hard way about some things, here is how to prepare for your trip to Bali.
Planning Your Itinerary
Step one is to plan your itinerary. I know some travellers don’t like to plan and if that works for you go for it but I recommend having at least an outline of the places you want to visit.
Here is a list from the minimum I think you should plan (1) to if you want to plan everything (1-5).
- Places you want to visit
- Plan the amount of days you want to stay in each location
- Book accomodations
- Book activites
- Figure out transport
Looking for Tips on Places to Visit and Activities to Do Check Out…
Booking Your Flights
Booking your flights should also be high on your list when planning your trip. I recommend visiting Google Flights when looking into booking your flights. To book the cheapest flights possible I recommend checking the date you want to leave early and then setting it up on google flights to email you about price changes for the flight you want to book. That way you are notified when the price drops and can try and get the best deal possible. Another trick to save some money on flights is to look into the cheapest surrounding countries to fly into around your destination and see if booking two separate flights is cheaper.
Packing for Your Trip
When packing for Bali I was very strategic about what I brought. Of course, I brought the common everyday packing items but there were some clothes and other items that I brought specifically for Bali.
The items I brought specifically for Bali:
- Long clothes (flowy pants/button-up top)
- Mosquito repellent + afterbite cream
I packed those items to help minimize the number of bug bits as well as help relieve the itch when you do get them. There are lots of bugs and mosquitoes in Bali and some also carry viruses. Because of that, I was extra cautious and was fine.
- Sunscreen and aloe
- Electrolyte powder
Bali gets very hot and has extremely high UV during the day. I was unaware of how intense the UV was until I got extremely burnt the first day. Wear sunscreen and if you are like me and burn easily bring or buy aloe of aftersun
- Feminine hygiene products
For my ladies out there I have heard that sometimes feminine hygiene products are hard to find and that is not something you don’t want to have when you need it. For that reason, I would recommend bringing something even just a few for emergencies.
Organizing Your Vaccinations
Vaccinations are another thing you have to prepare before your trip. I recommend going to a travel vaccine clinic near you to figure out what vaccines they recommend for Bali. I do want to warn you that some of the vaccines can be pretty expensive. I had to get two vaccines before going to Bali and I opted out of a couple that the people at the clinic told me weren’t 100% necessary. Instead, I was really careful around animals and bugs while I was there because the vaccines I opted out of were viruses that I could get from animals or bugs.
Organizing Your Visas
Visas are another thing you should research and be prepared for before your trip to Bali. Depending on where you live, some may have to apply for visas before you travel to Bali and others can get them on arrival. As a Canadian citizen, I was able to get a tourist visa on arrival. You can get all types of visas depending on the type of travelling you are doing. If you are going just for a vacation the visa is for 30 days. If you stay for more than 30 days, you must apply for a visa extension. I highly recommend you apply for an extension as soon as possible because it can sometimes take longer than expected.
Those are all the major things you have to get organized before your trip. Remember to take a breath and get excited. I understand getting ready for a trip can cause a bit of stress but just look forward to all the amazing memories you are going to make on this trip to Bali. Hope these tips were helpful and happy travelling.
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