Experience the best of Bali.

Clothing

While vacationing on an island often encourages skimpy beach attire, the Indonesian locals dress quite conservatively. You should dress appropriately and cover your knees and shoulders when visiting Hindu temples, sacred sites, or when exploring small villages in the island interior. Beach attire is excellent for daily wear other than when dining or clubbing at pricey establishments. 

Plan on bringing light cotton clothing; jeans will be hot and heavy for most circumstances. High-tech, quick-dry garments will work, too, but don't leave them hanging to dry somewhere they could be stolen.

You won't need as much clothing as you would expect; keep your packing simple and purchase items locally if you run out of outfits to wear. If on an extended trip, you'll find plenty of places that do laundry for a fee based on weight.

When packing, separate clothing and other "kits" into sealed modules or cubes in case temperature and pressure changes pop open bottles.

Shoes

As with most of Southeast Asia, typical footwear consists of just a pair of reliable flip-flops. Some shops, temples, bars, and restaurants may ask you to remove your shoes at the door. Flip-flops are more accessible to slide on and off than sandals with straps. I wouldn’t recommend bringing expensive footwear. You can purchase cheap flip-flops in shops and stalls all over the island. You'll also need proper hiking shoes or sandals if you want to climb Mount Batur.

First Aid Kit

Don’t let an annoying ailment affect your precious time on the island. Fortunately, walk-in pharmacies sell nearly everything that you'll need -- including prescription drugs -- without the need to visit a hospital first. Pack only a small, simple travel first aid kit. (Hopefully, you won't need anything more than ibuprofen after too many beach cocktails)

Tip: Every first-aid kit should have anti-diarrhea medicine such as loperamide(Imodium), but don't take it unless getting to a toilet isn't an option (e.g., you'll be on transportation all day). Antimotility drugs may exasperate simple travelers’ diarrhea by trapping bacteria inside instead of allowing it to pass normally.

Money and Documents

Make two copies of your passport. Diversify your travel documents by hiding them in both your money belt/day bag and big luggage to avoid disaster if one or the other gets lost. Bring multiple credit cards, and plan on leaving one in the hotel safe in case of an emergency. I recommend sending someone in your family your travel itinerary and flight details. Send emergency contact phone numbers in an email to yourself in case you need to contact banks.

Bali has plenty of Western-networked ATMs, however, bring backup cash just in case the network goes down. Consider bringing $100 in case of an emergency. 

Tip: Keep your passport locked in the hotel safe. Don’t carry it around with you out of fear of losing it or theft. 

Electronics

Don’t bring too many electronics. I recommend a mobile phone and optionally a camera. I would suggest considering bringing a portable battery charger for your phone. If you opt to bring fragile electronic devices, know how to protect them in a tropical environment. A good rule of thumb - leave non-essential valuables back in the USA.

Indonesia uses the round, two-pronged, CEE7 power outlets common in Europe. Voltage is 230 volts / 50 Hz. Unless you intend to carry a hair drier (don't!), you won't need a step-down power transformer because most modern device chargers (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, etc.) handle the higher voltage automatically. Although many hotels have universal outlets that work with many cord types, you may need a small adapter to accommodate your device.

Tip: Have a plan for your cell phone before you depart. Call your carrier to find out the details and coverage of using your phone while in Bali. Verizon offers it for only $10 a day if you sign up for their international plan in advance.

Other Items 

Along with the obvious stuff, consider bringing along the following:

Hand sanitizer and toilet paper for encounters with public squat toilets. 

Earplugs

Mosquito repellent 

Flashlight for unexpected power outages -- a common occurrence in Southeast Asia.

Plastic bags or cases for waterproofing electronics and valuables.

Souvenirs

Purchasing what you need on a trip after arrival not only helps the local economy, it's fun! Make sure you leave room in your luggage for purchases and unique items not easy to find at home.

You'll find plenty of shopping in Bali, particularly in Ubud, where lots of boutique shops carry unique clothing that is perfect for the island. Along with stalls and small shops, you'll find several large shopping malls in Kuta with name-brand items. Outside of malls, you will typically need to barter, particularly in tourist shops -- to get acceptable prices.

Rather than leave home with a full suitcase, consider waiting until you arrive in Bali to purchase some of these common items:

• Sarongs (some Hindu temples require that men wear one to enter)
• Hats
• Sunglasses
• Beach bags
• Swimsuits/beach cover-ups
• Evening dresses
• Flip-flops / sandals
• Handmade jewelry
• Aloe vera / after-sun lotion
• Coconut oil (a great after-sun moisturizer that is popular on the island)
• Snacks

You'll probably want to bring toiletries, sunscreen, and consumables in case the brands you usually use are not available. Beware of the many local toiletries, particularly soaps and deodorants, that contain whitening agents. 

Although violent crime is not an issue in Bali, the influx of tourists does attract some petty theft. Be mindful when choosing a day bag; backpacks or satchels with famous logos (e.g., IBM, LowePro, GoPro, etc.) announce to would-be thieves that the contents inside are valuable.

Other Items to Bring

• COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES! Don’t even think about bringing non-practical shoes. You won’t wear them, and they will only take space in your bag.
• Portable battery charger for your mobile phone
• Empty garbage bag for laundry
• Used grocery bags for wet shoes
• Day bag for day trips
• Poncho or umbrella
• tissue pack
• Hand sanitizer
• Compression socks (for the long flight)
• Sunscreen
• Extra room in your luggage for bringing home souvenirs
• Dramamine and other basic medications
• Flip flops for the beach
• Modest, temple appropriate outfits

Other Items to Leave Home

Leave the following items at home or purchase them locally if you need them:

Snorkel gear: You can rent gear snorkel gear daily when you need it.

Water filters: Although the tap water is not safe to drink in Bali, bottled water is available everywhere.

Expensive jewelry: Flashy bling will get you higher prices and make you more of a target for petty theft. Many jewelry artists call Bali home; consider purchasing some of their beautiful work. Also, I never travel with my actual wedding ring. Consider a cheap alternative that won’t risk getting damaged or be as difficult to replace instead.

Weapons/pepper spray: Arming yourself is certainly not worth the risk of trying to cross borders with it; leave weapons off your Bali packing list!