Exotic Bali: Things To Pack If You Are Traveling Solo

Hannah Belger - 4 Apr 19

When thinking about Bali, you surely think of it as a wild and exotic destination. While that isn’t far from the truth, especially because of its beautiful beaches and landscapes, it isn’t as wild as you might expect. The tourist infrastructure is well-built offering you loads of choices where to shop, an array of international brands you can buy there and lots of different restaurants with cuisines from all over the world. So, packing for Bali doesn’t really have to be very stressful, because even if you forget to bring something, chances are you’ll easily buy it somewhere.

The thing about packing is that it isn’t just about what clothes you’ll bring and how will you look – you should think about the culture of the country you’re visiting, how available is medicine there, should you bring certain cosmetic products you can’t find there. Thanks to the almighty web, there are numerous extensive Bali packing lists now, that can really help you when preparing for the trip.

Beach Time

Obviously, the thing most visitors do in Bali is visiting the numerous beaches all over the island. Because of its tropical climate, it’s beach time almost throughout the year. Beware the humid months, from November to March. Although it’s the humid part of the year, rain pours only for a couple of hours a day, usually in the afternoon.  If you’re planning on visiting Bali in this time period, make sure you bring a raincoat, it’ll come in handy.

Now back to the beaches. Apart from swimsuits, make sure you bring some light, cotton clothes and hats for the beach. Being in the open all day long makes you susceptible to sunburn and bringing suitable clothes can prevent that. Sunscreen is, of course, a must – no amount of clothes will protect you from the scorching Bali sun, and you really don’t want to be sore for the rest of the time you’re in Bali paradise.  

Adventure Time

Bali isn’t just beaches, pink sunsets and partying all night. Apart from all of this, it offers scenic hiking trails, bike tours around the rice paddies and beautiful temples to visit. If you plan on exploring Bali further than beaches, you should pack appropriate clothes. First and probably the most important thing is – pack you good-old, tested comfy shoes. This way, you’ll be sure that your scenic view of the sunrise over Lake Batur won’t be ruined by your sore feet and painful blisters.

As for the clothes, do dress in layers. Tank tops and shorts might not be the best choice, as you can easily get sunburned. An additional jumper and a raincoat can go a long way, especially if you plan on climbing higher volcanos. Make sure you have clothes that cover your shoulders and knees if you plan on visiting temples on the way.  

Mind the Cultural Differences

In relation to the last paragraph – although Bali is quite a touristy, relaxed place, some mannerisms should be respected. You won’t be banished for not respecting some rules, but you’ll definitely get some strange looks.

Rules on Bali aren’t very strict as Hinduism is the predominant religion, as opposed to Islam, which is widespread in the rest of Indonesia. So, women aren’t required to cover their hair on the streets, and they can freely wear shorts, but some places do require a certain level of respect and sensitivity towards a different culture. First and foremost, dress accordingly when visiting temples. This means covering your shoulders and knees. This can easily be done if you pack an extra sarong with you. Even if you forget to bring it with you, chances are you’ll be provided with (and charged for) one before entering the temple.

Yes, packing is stressful most of the times – especially when you’re going to a far-off, unfamiliar destination. But, packing for Bali really doesn’t have to be. Get into a relaxed mood, follow the list and just start packing. Because even if you do forget something – you’ll find somewhere to buy it, or you’ll just be so relaxed while sipping a cocktail on a beautiful beach, you won’t even really care.

Hannah Belger

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