In the heart of the Indian Ocean, the island of Bali attracts travelers from all over the world every year. They go there to contemplate its incredible beauty, its heavenly scenery, its natural gems… Some also go there to rest in a pleasant and exotic setting. To take advantage of the riches of this dream destination and have a good holiday, discover our best tips for going to Bali .
Things to know before visiting Bali
Where to go? What are the essentials? What do we eat in Bali? What are the uses and customs of the inhabitants of the island? Before you leave for Bali, several questions come to mind, and this is normal. Days on the island are unlike those spent in France. In order not to be completely out of step with the Balinese way of life, we advise you to take stock of the local culture, traditions, history, religions practiced there, etc.
Noodles, rice, vegetables… Balinese food has characteristics common to those of the Asian world. It is made up of holy dishes that are heavily vegetarian. Indeed, it is important to know that in Bali the local population is mainly of Hindu and Buddhist faith, so most of the inhabitants do not eat meat. You can still find meat in tourist places and in the typical local dish, nasi-goreng, which contains eggs and chicken. Near the coasts the chances of eating grilled fish multiply. So if you like fish, you are in for a treat!
As far as communication with the local population is concerned, don’t panic! Although the main language spoken is Bahasa Indonesia, the Balinese often speak English. If you have a good command of this language, you will therefore have no difficulty in making yourself understood.
Know that in Bali you will easily feel like a millionaire: indeed 1€ is equivalent to about 15,000 Indonesian rupees. The cost of living being lower than in Western countries, you benefit from a higher purchasing power.
Getting ready to travel to Bali
Woman traveling in BaliTo go to Bali, you must necessarily have a passport with a validity of more than 6 months on the date of entry into Indonesia; as well as a tourist visa if you wish to stay there for more than 30 days. We advise you to contact the competent authorities to obtain the administrative documents essential for your departure. For your plane tickets, we advise you to book well in advance. They will cost around 700€ round trip, which can be a significant part of your budget. Be aware that a flight to Bali from France usually lasts 16 hours, so before you fly don’t forget to prepare yourself to survive a long-haul flight (direct flights are rare).
In Bali, sanitary conditions are relatively good. To stay there, no vaccine is required. Nevertheless, it is recommended to be up to date with your vaccines and to have some such as hepatitis A or Japanese encephalitis.
If you want to take advantage of your trip to Bali to make another trip to Indonesia, find out whether or not you need to take antimalarial treatment. In general, throughout Indonesia, it is recommended to protect yourself from mosquito bites throughout your stay.
Once there, even for a few days only, you are not immune to a tropical illness or an accident which could lead to expensive medical expenses, a medical examination and/or hospitalization. By bad luck you could get food poisoning, hurt yourself on the beach or get bitten by nasty mosquitoes. In this case, above all, do not leave your injuries or illnesses untreated, take the time to treat yourself or receive the appropriate care to continue to enjoy your stay. Your small well -filled medicine kit should follow you throughout your stay, it can always be used!
Of course, taking out travel insurance before your departure will allow you to approach your stay calmly and to fully enjoy your trip in complete safety. You will know that in the event of an incident you will be accompanied.
When to go to Bali?
Visit Bali and its beautiful templesIf we stick to the weather conditions, the best time of the year to go on vacation in Bali is between May and October, during the dry season. Indeed, the months are the driest and sunniest on the island. This period corresponds to the best season, the most coveted by visitors to the island.
In Bali the average annual temperature is 26°. The tropical climate (hot and humid) of the island offers two main seasons: a dry season and a rainy season between January and April. This time of year is not the best time to travel to Bali, however if you go there, you encounter fewer tourists since it is low season.
Outside the wet seasons, throughout the year heavy downpours can appear at any time and drench you from head to toe. To avoid this, regardless of the period you choose, remember to bring rain gear and make the most of the sunny moments.