Bali Packing List: Everything You Need To Bring

Are you counting down the days until your trip to Bali? What should your Bali packing list include?

First of all, keep in mind that Bali has a tropical climate. Therefore, you should pack clothes made of cotton and linen that will let your skin breathe.

And really, you are not going to Bali just to get a good old summer tan, but you will also want to discover all the Bali hotspots, sights, colourful markets and beautiful temples. So, clothes that will cover your shoulders and knees are a must-pack for a trip to Bali.

Do you worry that you might forget something at home? Bali is everything but an empty island distant from where you come from. You will have plenty of options to stock up as you can find local and many international brands in Bali.

However, there are a few must-bring items that totally should be in your luggage: a small mini umbrella in case you visit Bali in the wet season, your favourite beach towel, my favourite is this one, and any prescription medicine sufficient for the period you will spend in this paradise.

What To Wear In Bali

If you travel to Bali during the dry season you can enjoy warm, sunny days and almost no rain. The temperatures vary between 20 and 33 degrees Celsius all year round during the day, which are some pretty perfect conditions for a memorable holiday.

In case you are wondering what to take to Bali with you, the answer is very simple: light shoes and clothes made of breathable materials.

Think of your daily activities. What do you plan of doing on the island? 

For instance, if you are going to spend most of the time at the beach or around the pool or the beach, you should pack cotton tops, short pants, several bathing suits, flip-flops, and sandals. I never leave on any trip without my beloved Havaianas!

And don't forget reef-save sunscreen, which is biodegradable and good for the environment. I like this one from Sun Bum, which is vegan, reef-friendly and doesn't clog pores.

On the other hand, in case you are an explorer and want to visit the temples nearby, then you need to keep in mind the local culture when packing for Bali.

This means that you should choose pants that will fall below the knee, long sleeve blouses or shirts, and comfortable walking shoes that you have worn before, because it's never good to get new shoes right before your holiday as this simply yells for sore feet and blisters!

You might also be wondering what to wear in Bali at night? Bars and clubs are generally very laid back. There is not really a dress code for clubs in Bali.

Of course, you can dress up a little and wear nice clothes, but remember Bali has a tropical climate and I don't like wearing dresses that show that you're sweating. Many places allow singlets and thongs, however with the night wearing on, you might be better off with some semi-closed shoes or sturdy sandals.

Toiletries To Bring To Bali

Even though you can find plenty of supermarkets stocking international brands across the island, your Bali packing list should include some toiletries.

In general, you can find the basic items at any hotel, however, if you have some preferred brands, I certainly do, it is better to pack them at home in small-sized travel containers. I like the silicone containers you can squeeze and most importantly, that are leak proof!

Try to not forget your leave-in hair conditioner, sun screen, and mosquito repellent, I use an anti-bug stick actually. Or give this all-natural mosquito repellent soap a go, if you are a prime target for mosquitos!

Even if you decide to browse the local shops and buy all the toiletries you need right on the island, be mindful that some products are quite expensive in Bali, just because it's an island after all and some products are just not stocked regularly.

For example, it would be better to bring your own tampons as you may have a hard time finding them.

To store all your toiletries, I like this travel toiletry bag here.

In addition, in case you plan a romantic holiday, add protection in your bags and better focus on other things than searching for them from one supermarket to the other.

Lastly, bring that hand sanitizer for all the encounters with public toilets.

Travel Health Tips For Bali

As you are going to a foreign country, you should be prepared in case something bad happens. One of the most frequent symptoms that can ruin your Bali vacation is travellers diarrhoea, also known as Bali belly.

Your first-aid kit should include some diarrhoea treatment, your usual pain tablets as well as cold and flu tablets, and any prescription treatment.

In addition, you could also add some bandages and antiseptic. In case you are going on a boat for the first time, it would be better to have some sea sickness tablets with you.

Water is not safe to drink out of the tap in Bali, you can brush your teeth with it, though I recommend to never swallow it!

Also, be cautious with ice cubes at street stalls and fresh fruit that already cut open.

There is water you can buy in bottles everywhere. If you ever wanted to drink the water, definitely boil it and use a travel water filter!

Electronic Gear 

I am sure you have electronics as one of the questions about “What should I pack for Bali“. Start by buying a waterproof case for your phone, you'll probably need it as some stage.

As you will most probably spend most of the time on the beach or joining water activities, it would be better to protect your phone with a high-quality case.

In addition, you can save some money if you buy a local SIM card and therefore avoid roaming costs.

If your phone isn't unlocked to be used internationally or you have multiple devices you would like to use wifi with, then I strongly recommend buying a portable wifi hotspot. This way you can connect up to 10 devices to the Internet at one time.

As Bali is truly one of the most spectacular places you can visit in Southeast Asia, you will most likely take hundreds of photos. So, don’t forget your camera for all those Instagram shots. Plus pack spare batteries and memory cards.

Read also: The 13 Best Cameras For Bloggers

In the end, it doesn’t matter how many electronics you bring with you, as long as you don’t forget the chargers and the travel adaptor, everything is alright.

It pays to take a padlock as well so you can lock away your valuables electronic items.

If you carry a lot of valuable items with you to Bali, it might be worth having a look at an anti-theft backpack to keep your valuables extra secure.

Get Ready To Shop-Till-You-Drop

What is so great about Bali is that you will find a lot of unique clothes and souvenirs. Pick up a traditional sarong, colourful jewellery or some other piece of art in the cultural heart and crafts capital of Bali, Ubud.

Moreover, you can check out the shopping malls in Kuta, such as Beachwalk Shopping Center, where you will find almost all the international brand names.

But, you can also head to the little street stands all around Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu or Ubud to negotiate with the locals who are selling spectacular handmade pieces.

So, it's best to not kill your body by carrying a super heavy bag from home as you will definitely want to go shopping in Bali.

Street snacks, after-sun lotion, coconut oil, flowy evening dresses, beach bags, hats and sunglasses, and many others can be found on the streets of Bali.

Things To Be “Forgotten“ At Home

You definitely don’t need to take expensive jewellery with you. If you really want to relax you will wear comfortable clothes and minimum make-up. So, there is need to carry extra accessories.

Furthermore, pack as little clothes as possible. You can find incredible fashion in the malls and at the local shops. Thus, it is better to have extra space in your luggage for all these.

Finally, you don’t need too much cash with you. A good option is to use the local ATMs and credit cards are widely accepted too.

Bali is definitely a place you should visit at least once in your life. I have been over 8 times in the past 2 years!

Therefore, I strongly recommend you try to keep your luggage as light as possible and be prepared to fill it up with a lot of beautiful traditional and unique Balinese things from the island.