Looking for the perfect Bali packing list? Well, then you’ve landed on just the right page.
Love it or hate it, packing is an important part of trip planning, no matter where you go. And knowing what to pack for Bali can help make your trip a whole lot more enjoyable.
Whether you’re slipping into Bali’s ancient temples, trekking to its steamy volcanoes, chasing waterfalls, chilling at its gorgeous beaches, or wandering through the rice paddies, there are certain essentials you’ll need to pack for a seamless Bali trip.
Thankfully, packing for Bali is not as hard as you might think! But, if you’re not sure where to start, follow my step-by-step Bali packing list to help you figure out which items to bring along on your trip!
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Table of Contents
Understanding Bali’s Seasons
First things first – before we dive into this Bali packing list, let’s talk about Bali’s weather. Understanding the climate will take a lot out of the guesswork, ensuring you know when to visit and how to pack.
Bali has a tropical climate, and seeing that it sits only 8 degrees from the equator, the island enjoys warm and humid weather throughout the year. There are two very distinct seasons in Bali, a dry season and a wet season.
The best time to visit Bali is during the dry season (May – September). During these months, you’ll be able to maximize your beach time and squeeze in all the best things to do in Bali without getting rained out. Weather-wise, you can bargain on glorious sunny days with average temperatures ranging between the upper twenties to mid-thirties. It can get muggy, though, so be prepared for the humidity! June to August, in particular, offer ideal conditions perfect for all kinds of water activities. With that said, these are also Bali’s busiest months, so expect higher accommodation prices.
Bali’s rainy season runs from October to mid-April. While temperatures rarely dip below 28°C during these months, you should know that it rains a lot. So be ready for frequent downpours! Despite that, it’s not impossible to still have a sunny day here and there. If you must visit during the monsoon season, try to avoid December and January as these are Bali’s wettest months.
The Ultimate Bali Packing List: What to Pack for Bali
Travel Insurance
The very first item to tick off on your Bali packing list is travel insurance. While you might think this is unnecessary, please don’t go to Bali without comprehensive travel cover. Sad as it may be, mishaps can happen. And, the very best way to avoid footing a crazy bill is by making sure you and your belongings are covered.
World Nomads is my go-to travel cover provider. Applying online is super easy and only takes a few minutes. The best part? They have stacks of different plans catering to all kinds of travel needs – from basic covering injuries, valuables, and missed flights to more comprehensive plans for adventure activities like scuba diving, river tracing, and more.
Bali Guidebooks
If you’d like to learn more about Bali’s culture, traditions, and history, it’s worth getting yourself a decent guidebook. I always travel with a guidebook no matter where I go and still use this Bali Lonely Planet pocketbook whenever I visit the island. It’s jam-packed with info and covers absolutely all the sites that are worth checking out.
For those traveling further afield, this Bali Regional Guide and even this Indonesia Country Guide are great sources of info and inspo.
Luggage & Bags for Bali
- Suitcase/ Backback: Deciding what to pack all your stuff in is probably the hardest thing about packing for Bali. But in short, it mostly comes down to what kind of traveler you are. If you’ve booked yourself into one of Bali’s luxury retreats and plan on using private transfers or taxis to get around, then you’ll totally get away with a spinner suitcase, like this gorgeous DELSEY Paris Chatelet Hardside suitcase. However, if you’re going to be moving around a lot, visiting more remote areas, or island hopping to the Gilis, then a decent backpack is your best bet. This Tortuga Women’s 45L Travel Backpack is big enough for a 7-day trip and packs like a suitcase. What’s more, it’s carry-on sized, so you won’t need to check it in!
- Carry-on Luggage: If you’re not a backpack kind of gal but still want to pack light, consider this 21-inch American Tourister carry-on suitcase.
- Day bag: You’re definitely going to need a small day bag for your phone, wallet, lipgloss, and whatnot. On most days, a small crossbody bag like this lovely Rattan bag will do. However, if you’re looking for something that can hold your camera and water bottle, you’ll need something a bit bigger like this Pacsafe Women’s Backpack.
- Beach Bag: Bali has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and it would be a pity not to spend most of your days chilling at them. Don’t forget a nice beach bag to carry all your favorite beach essentials with you.
- Dry bag: Bali is a mecca for adventure sports – white river rafting, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, river tracing, you name it – Bali’s got them all. If you’re going to spend most of your time near the water, it’s a good idea to add a dry bag to your Bali packing list.
- Packing cubes: Packing cubes are the new way to pack! Not only will they help you stay organized, but more importantly, you won’t need to worry about overpacking. This DIMJ Cube Set includes several pouches perfect for keeping your clothes, shoes, laundry, and electronic accessories separated.
- Jewelry organizer: Bali is a very chilled place, and since you’re probably going to spend most of your time at the beach or in the jungle, there’s not much need to pack loads of flashy jewelry. Instead, only bring a few essential pieces for a night out on the town. If you want to keep your jewelry in one easy-to-find place without getting tangled up, this Vee Travel Jewelry Box is a perfect choice.
- Toiletry/cosmetics bag: Many people use one of their packing cubes as a toiletry bag. However, if you still prefer to travel with a good old-fashioned toiletry bag, this lightweight, translucent toiletry bag is just what you need.
- Travel wallet: Keep your passport and all your travel documents in one easy-to-find place with this cute travel wallet with Rfid blocking.
Electronics & Gadgets
- Portable power bank: You’ll need a rechargeable power bank when visiting Bali. That way, you can keep your phone juiced up and access all your favorite apps on the go. This slim Mophie portable charger is a great choice and powers up to three devices at once.
- Kindle: Bali has loads of awesome things to do, so you probably won’t have much time for reading. But, if you’d like to catch up on some reading while poolside or kicking back on the beach, grab a Kindle Paperwhite. It’s lightweight, waterproof, and can literally store dozens of books!
- Universal travel plug: The standard voltage in Bali is 230 V with a frequency of 50 HZ, and the typical plug types are C and F. Unless you’re from Europe or South Africa, you’ll need to pack a good travel adapter for your trip. This travel adapter works in more than 200 countries and has three USB sockets, so you never have to worry about keeping all your devices charged up.
- AirPods: I’m not sure why people still travel with bulky headphones when there are AirPods! While they might be a bit pricier, they save a ton of space, are lightweight, and offer superior sound quality.
- Camera: Bali is a fascinating country with countless photo ops. Don’t forget to pack your camera to capture all your favorite bits. I always travel with my Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II mirrorless camera. It takes great photos and isn’t nearly as bulky as a DSLR. Oh, and travel tip – if you’re traveling to Bali solo, grab a decent tripod with a wireless remote. That way, you won’t need to feel guilty bugging other people to help you take shots.
- Action Camera/ drone: If you’re looking for a cool action camera that is small and lightweight, you can’t go wrong with a Go Pro Hero. This DJI Mavic Mini, on the other hand, is the perfect gadget for video content creators.
Clothing & Accessories
I’m not going to tell how many pairs of shorts or how many t’s, rompers, or sundresses to pack for Bali, as I’m sure you can figure that out for yourself.
What I will tell you, though, is that Bali’s fashion scene is super relaxed, and practically anything goes. Make sure to pack light, breathable clothing that will keep you cool in Bali’s crazy heat and humidity. There’s really no need to pack warm clothes since you’ll practically be living in shorts & t’s or sundresses. By all means, bring a pair of leggings or yoga pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and a light jacket or two for hiking, yoga, or breezy evenings. But, anything more than that will be an overkill.
Okay, so what essential clothing items do you need to pack for Bali?
Essential Clothes & Accessories to Pack for Bali
- Shoes: When deciding what footwear to pack for Bali, it’s important to plan according to your itinerary. Make sure to pack comfortable walking shoes for days when you’re exploring the markets and urban hubs. You’ll also need a good pair of flip-flops for beach days and island hopping and a nice pair of sandals when hitting all the cool beach clubs like Rock Bar.
- Hiking shoes: If you’re going to hike up Mount Batur or visit the gorgeous waterfalls in Ubud, a good pair of hiking shoes will come in handy.
- Sun hat: Whether you’re hitting the beaches, going island hopping, or trekking through Bali’s epic jungles, you’ll want to protect your face from the sun’s harsh rays. This beautiful straw hat is perfect for beach days, while a Trailheads women’s cap is the ideal hiking accessory.
- Sunglasses: Don’t forget your shades, because you’ll need them every single day!
- Sarong: It’s important to be respectful of the culture when visiting Bali’s religious sites. Most temples have a strict dress code, and you’ll need to cover your legs and shoulders. Some temples, like Uluwatu and Tirta Empul, offer sarong rentals, but this is not always the case elsewhere. Bring a sarong to keep handy no matter where you go!
- Swimsuit: Bali has loads of amazing beaches, and most hotels have dreamy infinity pools perfect for cooling off after a day out exploring all of Bali’s best bits. Don’t forget your favorite bikini or swimsuit!
- UV jacket: If you’re going to spend lots of time hiking, it’s a good idea to pack a light UV jacket to keep you from getting sunburnt.
- Raincoat: The weather can be unpredictable in Bali, even during the dry season. While you won’t have trouble finding cheap plastic raincoats at the local corner store, they aren’t good for the environment. Rather get a durable eco-friendly raincoat like this L-Raincoat that will last you ages and reduce plastic waste.
Travel Accessories & Toiletries
- Refillable water bottle: Please don’t drink tap water in Bali! While your hotel will probably provide two free bottles of water daily, it’s not nearly enough to stay hydrated. Make sure you include a reusable water bottle in your Bali packing list that you can refill at your hotel or hostel’s water dispenser. I always travel with my Hydy Stainless Steel Water bottle, but a collapsible bottle is a good choice if you want to save space.
- Insect repellent: You’ll need a good bug spray no matter where you go in Bali. This Greenerways organic mosquito spray is DEET-free and fits into your handbag.
- Sunscreen: You won’t have any trouble finding sunscreen in Bali, but it’s important to know that many sunscreen brands in Asia contain whitening agents that can change your skin’s color. Moreover, not all of them are reef-save. Rather bring your favorite brand along so that you don’t need to worry about a thing. I love this reef-safe Banana Boat sunscreen spray and take it on all my trips!
- After-sun or aloe vera: If you’re prone to sunburn, it’s always a good idea to bring decent after sun or aloe vera to Bali. TONYMOLY Aloe Chok Soothing Gel is my go-to multi-purpose hydrating gel. It’s formulated with 99% aloe extract. What’s more, it relieves everything from sunburn to irritated skin and moisturizes damaged hair and dry lips!
- First Aid kit: It’s always a good idea to have a small first-aid kit handy no matter where you go. You don’t need to go overboard. But make sure you include things like Imodium, motion sickness tablets, bandaids, paracetamol, antiseptic cream, and antihistamines.
- Travel towel: Unless you’re staying at a beach resort, you probably won’t have access to beach towels. This Dock & Bay towel is the perfect add-on to your packing list for Bali. It’s super lightweight and dries in a jiffy.
- Deodorant: Most deodorant brands in Asia contain whitening agents. If that doesn’t jive with you, bring your favorite brand along.
- Hand sanitizer: You’re definitely going to need hand sanitizer in Bali! This Purell hand sanitizer gel will be a real lifesaver when hitting the beach, visiting the waterfalls, or hiking through Bali’s jungles.
- Hairstyling products: As already mentioned, Bali’s weather is hot and humid! If you have frizzy hair, it’s best to bring along your own styling products.
- Oral care products: Finding oral care products is quite easy in Bali, but it might not be your preferred brand. Pack your favorite brand of toothpaste, dental floss, and mouthwash for a hassle-free trip.
- Soap/ Bodywash/ Shampoo/ Conditioner: Most hotels will take care of this for you, but if you have a special brand you like to use, you’d be better off including it on your list of things to bring to Bali.
- Makeup: There’s not much need to pack heaps of makeup for your Bali trip. And to be honest, with Bali’s muggy weather, there’s no way your makeup will stay flawless all day. Instead, keep things minimal. Pack a light BB cream, blush, neutral eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, and a nice lip gloss.
Need More Help Planning Your Bali Travels?
Packing for Bali in Conclusion
Great! Now that you know what to pack for Bali, all that’s left is to get on that flight! While you certainly don’t need to bring everything on this list, I hope it helps to make what to bring Bali a little bit easier!
Well, that wraps up this guide on things to pack for Bali! If you’ve got any questions about this packing list for Bali, drop me a message in the comments below.
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