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Heading to Bali for the first time? You're going to love it. The beaches are gorgeous, the food is cheap and good, and the culture is unlike anywhere else in Southeast Asia. But there are a few things worth sorting out before you board your flight, and some of them have changed recently.

This checklist covers the practical stuff: entry requirements, transport, what to pack, and how to stay connected.

Ready to explore? You can discover, book, and experience the best activities on the island (attractions, cultural tours, private car charters, SIM cards, and more) directly on BaliBlissed. Sign up now to start planning your trip.

What to actually do in Bali

The island is big enough that you could spend a month and still miss things. Here is a rough sense of what is on offer:

The beaches vary a lot. Kuta is loud, social, and packed with surfers. Seminyak is cocktails at sunset territory. Nusa Dua is quiet and resort heavy. Pick based on your mood, not just what looks good on Instagram.
For culture and art, Ubud is the obvious choice, and for good reason. The rice terraces are real, the local art scene is lively, and the Sacred Monkey Forest is entertaining (keep your sunglasses in your bag or they will get stolen). The sea temples along the coast are worth a morning trip.
If you want adventure, the surf breaks are world class if you know what you are doing. If you do not, lessons are cheap and everywhere. Waterfalls are scattered through the interior jungles, and white water rafting on the Ayung River is a solid half day activity.
Balinese food is heavily spiced and good. Try babi guling (roast suckling pig) and ayam betutu (slow cooked spiced chicken) at a local warung rather than a tourist restaurant. You will pay a fraction of the price and get the real thing.

Mandatory entry requirements

Everything has gone digital. Complete these steps before you get to the airport:

1. Passport validity and return ticket

Your passport needs at least six months of validity from your arrival date. It must be undamaged (tears or peeling laminate will get you turned away). You also need proof of an onward or return ticket out of Indonesia.

2. The "All Indonesia" digital arrival form

Within 72 hours before your flight, fill out the official digital form at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id. This single form handles immigration, your health declaration, and the Electronic Customs Declaration. Once submitted, save a screenshot of the QR code on your phone. You will scan it at the airport.

3. Visa on Arrival (VoA)

Most nationalities qualify for a Visa on Arrival. It costs IDR 500,000 (roughly $35 USD) and is valid for 30 days. You can pay at the airport, but the lines are long. Apply for an e-VOA in advance at evisa.imigrasi.go.id to skip them entirely.

4. Bali tourist levy

All international visitors pay a one time fee of IDR 150,000 per person (about $10 USD) to support environmental and cultural preservation on the island.

Tip: Pay this before you fly via lovebali.baliprov.go.id. It is cashless and takes two minutes. Keep the emailed QR code handy for the checkpoint at arrivals.

Getting around

Bali has no train or metro system. Transport is the one logistical thing you will want sorted early.

Airport transfers

After a long flight, the last thing you want is to haggle with taxi drivers in an unfamiliar airport. Booking a transfer through BaliBlissed means someone is already waiting at arrivals with your name on a sign. They drive you to your hotel, and you do not have to think about it.

Private car charter

If you want flexibility, this is the best way to see the island. You get a driver who knows the roads (which are narrow, chaotic, and sometimes barely paved), and you decide the itinerary as you go. Want to stay an extra hour at a temple? Fine. Spotted a roadside warung that looks good? Pull over. It costs less than you would expect.

Scooters, ride-hailing, and taxis

For short trips, use Grab or Gojek (Bali's ride hailing apps). For metered street taxis, Bluebird is the reputable one. If you rent a scooter, bring a valid International Driving Permit alongside your home license and wear a helmet. The police do stop tourists, and the fines are annoying.

Tip: Download your areas on Google Maps for offline use before heading out. Signal can be patchy in rural areas, and Bali's roads do not always follow obvious logic.

What to pack: clothing and accessories

Pack light. It is hot and humid year round.

Pack your swimwear and a sturdy pair of flip-flops or reef sandals for the beach, pool, and easy walks around town. For anything involving temple stairs, waterfall treks, or rice terrace paths, bring grippy, supportive footwear like trail sandals or light hiking shoes. Leave the sneakers at home unless you are planning a volcano hike.

Bring a sarong. You need it to enter temples (they will hand you one at the entrance if you forget, but it is easier to have your own). It also doubles as a beach towel, cover up, or picnic blanket.

Do not forget sun and rain protection: a hat, sunglasses, reef safe sunscreen (the high SPF kind), and a compact rain poncho. Tropical showers come fast and leave fast.

Travel gear and staying connected

Bring a universal travel adapter (Bali uses the two pin round plug, Type C/F) and a portable power bank. Your phone will die faster than you expect when you are using GPS all day.

A reusable water bottle is useful since filtered refill stations are common and it reduces plastic waste.

For data, a local SIM or eSIM makes life much easier. Maps, restaurant lookups, ride hailing apps, and keeping in touch all depend on it. Hotel Wi-Fi exists but is often unreliable outside the room.

Connectivity options through BaliBlissed

3G/4G prepaid SIM card (hotel delivery).
- Your physical SIM card gets delivered to your hotel or villa front desk on your selected arrival date (between 07:00 and 19:00). Coverage areas include Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Kerobokan, Canggu, Denpasar, Sanur, Gianyar, and Ubud. A BaliBlissed team member can help with registration and activation if needed.
Prepaid SIM by Javamifi (hotel drop off).
- Delivered to your accommodation within Bali city limits. Enter your hotel name and primary guest reservation name at checkout so the front desk can accept the package. Indonesian law requires IMEI registration for foreign phones using local SIMs. The provider handles this through the official customs channel on your behalf. You will need to provide your phone model and IMEI number (dial *#06# to find it). Your passport details are collected only for the mandatory registration, submitted via encrypted transmission, and retained only as long as Indonesian regulations require.
Instant 4G eSIM for Southeast Asia.
- No physical card. Match your pickup date with your departure date and you will receive a digital voucher instantly. To install: go to Settings > Cellular, tap Add Cellular Plan, and scan the QR code before boarding or after landing. To remove it when your trip ends, go back to Cellular settings, select the plan, and tap Remove Cellular Plan. Data validity is calculated on a calendar day basis.

Health, safety, and money

Dealing with Bali Belly

Pack a small first aid kit: band aids, antiseptic, pain relievers, rehydration salts, diarrhea pills, and charcoal tablets. The stomach issues are real and common among first time visitors. Stick to bottled or filtered water (never tap water), eat at busy local establishments (high turnover means fresher food), and wash your hands frequently. If you are taking a fast boat to the Gili Islands or Nusa Penida, bring motion sickness pills. The waves get rough.

Cash matters

High end hotels and modern restaurants take cards. Everywhere else, you need Indonesian Rupiah. Markets, warungs, parking attendants, temple donations, tipping drivers: all cash. Get some from an ATM early.

ATM warning: Indonesian ATMs dispense your cash before returning your card. This trips up tourists constantly. They grab the money, feel relieved, and walk away without the card. Take the cash, then wait for the card.

Bali rewards people who show up prepared but stay open to the unexpected. Sort the logistics ahead of time, and you will spend your trip actually enjoying the island instead of troubleshooting. If you want help with transfers, tours, or SIM cards, BaliBlissed can handle the bookings so you do not have to.

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