22 Top Travel Tips for Bali & Lombok with Traveller Videos
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Get great Bali travel tips from seasoned travellers
For first-time visitors to Bali, it can all seem a bit daunting—there are so many incredible places to see that it is hard to know where to start. Add to that the questions every traveler has about things like transportation, visas, vaccinations, mosquitoes, scams, safety, food, and so much more, and it can be overwhelming.
However, if you get the advice of some seasoned travelers, it all becomes crystal….and we’ve gathered some of the best Youtubers to get you sorted. Support their channel by subscribing to them and showing the love!
Joel Friend’s Bali Travel Tips
Rhett and Claire’s Bali travel tips for 2023
Baligram’s Top 20 Travel Tips
Boiling all this great advice from Joel, Rhett and Claire down, here are our top 20 tips for safe travel to Bali and Lombok:
Check travel advisories and the current health situation before planning your trip. The absolute trusted top site for VISAs, vaccination and other travel info is the Bali Tourism Board’s site www.welcomebacktobali.com
Get travel insurance - we strongly recommend you have Bali travel insurance to cover your visit in case of an accident and to cover the high cost of medical treatment in Bali.
Follow the rules and regulations of Indonesia and Bali and respect local customs and traditions. Be particularly careful to respect religious and cultural practices. Don’t do anything to get you deported from Bali like posing nude hugging a sacred tree!
Keep a photocopy of your passport and other important documents in case of loss or theft.
Use a money belt or hidden pouch to keep your valuables safe. Check ATMs before withdrawing for skimming devices. Try to use ATMS located in the foyer of banks (not the freestanding street ones located in air-conditioned boxes).
Stay in reputable accommodations and be cautious of street vendors or unlicensed tour operators.
Avoid visiting remote or isolated areas without proper planning and guidance.
Use sunscreen and protect yourself from the sun to avoid sunburn and heat stroke.
Be aware of the risks of food- and water-borne illnesses and take precautions such as drinking bottled water and eating at reputable restaurants.
Avoid swimming in the ocean during rough seas or if there are no lifeguards on duty.
Be mindful of your surroundings and avoid wearing expensive jewelry or displaying large amounts of cash.
Learn a few basic phrases in Indonesian to help with communication. We recommend Duolingo…an awesome online learning experience with an amazing FREE tier—enough to learn fluently, let alone for travel!
Avoid participating in activities that could harm the environment or wildlife.
Avoid taking drugs or engaging in other illegal activities, as penalties can be severe.
Be prepared for natural disasters and follow the advice of local authorities in case of an emergency.
Take care when crossing roads, and keep an eye out for motorcycles and scooters.
Avoid wearing revealing clothing or swimwear at sacred or cultural sites.
Respect the local culture, avoid taking photos of people without permission, and be mindful of local customs.
Be aware of the risk of terrorism, stay vigilant, and follow the advice of local authorities.
Be respectful of local laws, avoid taking photographs of government buildings and military sites.
Don’t worry about the ‘no sex before marriage’ laws in Indonesia because Bali’s governor says they will not be enforced against tourists
Always carry your license and drive carefully, particularly on a scooter or motorcycle
Having said all this, let us assure you that Bali and Lombok are incredibly safe to visit. Pretty much the only times tourists get into difficulty are when they fail to take common-sense precautions, get involved with drugs, or fail to respect local religious and cultural sensibilities.
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