What should I pack for Bali?
Start with light clothes you can wash, a temple cover-up, comfortable walking shoes, sun and mosquito protection, and a rain layer. Then check the things a clothes list cannot solve: your passport and visa route, safe drinking water, and whether your transport plans match your licence and insurance.
Keep these three entry checks separate
Requirements depend on your passport, visit purpose and stay length. Check them before booking non-refundable travel and again before departure. A short tourist trip does not automatically qualify for visa-free entry.
| Prepare | What to check and save |
|---|---|
| Passport and immigration permission | Use Indonesia's official visa portal to check your nationality and purpose. Ngurah Rai Immigration lists eligible visa-free visits as up to 30 days without extension; eligible Visa on Arrival visits cost Rp500,000, allow 30 days and may be extended once. These are different permissions. Save your approved visa if applicable, onward/return booking and accommodation address. See the immigration office's visa categories; do not rely on an old country list copied into a packing article. |
| Arrival declaration | Complete the All Indonesia arrival card within 72 hours before arrival and save the confirmation. The declaration itself is free; it is separate from any visa fee. The FCDO entry guide explains the timing and warns about paid lookalike sites. Its passport advice is for British travellers: passport validity is at least six months from entry, with two blank pages. Confirm the rules for your own travel document with Indonesian Immigration. |
| Bali tourist levy | Check Bali's official Love Bali service for the Rp150,000 foreign tourist levy and exemption conditions. It is separate from your Indonesian visa. Save the payment voucher, or the applicable exemption evidence, offline. Do not assume that a visa exemption also exempts you from the levy. |
Put documents in a water-resistant pouch; keep a second accessible copy of bookings and insurance contact details. For stays beyond your permission, arrange the correct visa or extension through Immigration before that permission expires.
A bottle is useful; its filter is not a safety guarantee
Use commercially sealed bottled water or water you know has been made safe, including for brushing teeth. Ask your accommodation how refill water is treated. A dispenser or a clear-looking jug does not establish that water is safe. Skip ice when its water source is uncertain; a restaurant's location does not verify its ice.
A typical portable filter may leave viruses behind. If you need to treat water yourself, choose a method that addresses the relevant germs and follow its instructions; CDC recommends boiling, or filtering followed by disinfection, for uncertain water. See CDC's treatment comparison. Pack a reusable bottle for safe refills, not as a substitute for knowing the water source.
Pack an appropriate repellent, such as DEET or picaridin, and follow the label, including age restrictions. Light long sleeves and trousers help reduce bites; do not limit protection to one time of day. Use sunscreen, a hat and shade. A “reef-safe” marketing label does not establish a universal Bali legal requirement. Check your marine operator's actual product restrictions. Review CDC's Indonesia health preparation for itinerary-specific advice before travelling.
Decide transport before adding a scooter to the itinerary
Rental availability is not proof that you are legally licensed or insured. If your licence, experience or coverage does not fit the vehicle, arrange a licensed taxi or a car with a driver instead.
| Your plan | Check before paying |
|---|---|
| Ride a scooter or motorcycle | Confirm the required local licence or International Driving Permit and home licence for your nationality. The entitlement must cover the actual motorcycle or moped, not just a car. Ask your insurer about rider and passenger cover, vehicle restrictions and exclusions. A rental shop's assurance does not amend your policy. Wear a properly fitting helmet in good condition. |
| Book a driver or taxi | Use a licensed service and confirm the pickup location, payment and luggage space. Keep the booking available offline. Leave time for congestion rather than judging a trip by distance alone. |
| Take a boat or an outdoor tour | Check weather, operator safety equipment and activity insurance before setting out. Ask about suitable life jackets. A dry bag protects belongings; it is not flotation or a reason to continue in unsafe conditions. |
Official guidance differs by licence-issuing country. Smartraveller's Australian guidance requires an Indonesian licence or an IDP alongside the Australian licence, with the correct vehicle class. FCDO's British guidance says a UK licence alone is insufficient and stresses insurance and helmets. Use the advice applicable to you and confirm unresolved licence questions before riding.
Pack around your next laundry opportunity
These are adjustable examples for one adult, not a tested minimum or a guarantee that a bag meets your airline's limit. Count what you wear on the flight as part of the total. Add underwear for each day until the next wash, plus a spare; allow drying time.
| Trip plan | A starting clothing set |
|---|---|
| 4–5 days, no laundry | 4–5 light tops, 2 bottoms, underwear for each day plus a spare, sleepwear, swimwear if needed, a temple cover-up, one walking pair and optional sandals. |
| 7 days, wash mid-trip | About 4 tops and 2 bottoms, with enough underwear until the wash plus a spare. Confirm laundry turnaround and keep a clean outfit while clothes are away. |
| 14 days with regular washing | Use the same laundry cycle as a shorter trip; add pieces for actual activities or slow drying, not simply because the trip is twice as long. |
- Temples: bring a sarong or modest cover-up and clothing covering shoulders and knees. Follow each temple's signs and staff directions; ask whether a sash or loaned garment is needed.
- Rain and hills: a light rain layer and a warmer layer for higher ground or early starts are useful. Match footwear to the actual walk; beach sandals are not a universal trekking shoe.
- Beach: swimwear, sun protection and a bag for wet clothes. Check accommodation towels before packing another.
- Electronics: check the outlet adapter and your charger's input rating with your accommodation. An adapter changes plug shape, not voltage. Avoid packing an incompatible high-power appliance.
Use the Bali climate guide for seasonal planning, then check a local forecast close to departure. A seasonal average cannot promise your day's weather. Confirm laundry prices with your accommodation; this guide does not assume a fixed local price.
Money: Bring a payment card and a practical rupiah cash backup for smaller purchases. Check fees with your bank and on the ATM screen; there is no single fee for every traveller. Use licensed currency exchanges and verify their Bank Indonesia registration rather than trusting a sign or an unusually good rate. The FCDO safety guide linked above explains how to check the licence QR code.
Before choosing a bag, check each booked flight's allowance in the carry-on packing guide. Compare organisers with the packing-cube weight comparison; it estimates weight, not airline acceptance.
My Bali departure checklist
Tick these after checking your own arrangements. This checklist resets when you reload; save or print your final notes separately.
Frequently asked questions
Can I refill a filter bottle from a tap?
Do not assume a basic portable filter makes tap water safe: it may not remove viruses. Refill with water known to be safe, or use a suitable treatment process following official guidance and product instructions.
Does paying the Bali levy give me a visa?
No. Indonesian immigration permission, the arrival declaration and Bali's tourist levy are separate checks. Confirm the visa route for your passport and purpose, and retain the relevant confirmations.
Is scooter experience enough to rent and ride?
No. Confirm the licence and permit requirements for your nationality and vehicle class, and your insurance conditions, before riding. A shop agreeing to rent a scooter does not establish your legal entitlement or coverage.
Do two weeks need twice as many clothes as one week?
Not if you have a reliable laundry plan. Pack enough for the next wash and drying period, then add clothing for specific activities. Check your actual baggage allowance and weigh the finished bag.