If you are lucky enough to be traveling to Bali, first stop and do a happy dance. Bali is absolutely beautiful. It is filled with rich culture and exotic wildlife. This should be the trip of a lifetime. To make your trip go smoothly, you need to know what to expect while visiting.

Weather

Bali basically has two seasons. The wet season is from October to April, while the dry season is May to September.

The different seasons affect the wind making Surfing conditions vary between seasons and coasts. On the west coast, April to October are the best times to surf, while November to March are better for the east coast.

Animals

If you see a monkey, don’t smile, unless you want to deal with an angry monkey. Monkeys see teeth as aggression.

Monkeys associate plastic with food. If you bring plastic, whether a plastic bag or water bottle, be prepared to share.

Don’t play tug of war with a monkey, unless you want bitten.

There are many poisonous snakes in Bali. Carry a torch or light at night to avoid stepping on snakes or other critters.

A Mosquito bite can cause Dengue Fever. It’s important to protect yourself from mosquitoes whether you use a spray or even an insect repellent bracelet.

Getting Around

In Bali they drive on the left side of the road and they their vehicles are right side drive.

The Blue Bird Taxis are the way to go when choosing a taxi. They are very to easy to spot because they’re bright blue. Their vehicles are all metered.

Some taxis may say their meter is broken, so that they can charge you more.

Many roads are in poor conditions and traffic is very chaotic. You will see people cutting in front of others and zig-zagging between sides of the roads. There will be lots of honking. Since traffic is crowded and crazy, listen for the horns. Locals will blast their horn when they want to been noticed.

Scooters are very popular because of their size. It is a preferred means of travel by the locals.  You can even rent a scooter, but be careful. Accidents are very common.

Health

-Plan your vaccines ahead.

-Wear sunscreen. Because of Bali’s location, the sun is more intense causing sunburns to happen faster and be much worse.

-“Bali Belly” is not as cute as it sounds. It’s actually an illness causing diarrhea from unsafe food handling.

-Dehydration can be a problem. Drink lots of water, it’s hot and humid there.

What to Wear

In general, Balinese are very conservative and dress very modestly.

While visiting temples you must wear particular clothing. Dressed modestly and wear a waist cloth and sash. Don’t worry if you don’t own a waist cloth, they’re many places to rent one.

Flip flops are the most common footwear. Some places will ask you to remove your shoes before entering, so they’re a great choice.. When hiking in the mountains you will want boots. You want to protect your feet from the terrain and insects and snakes.

Communication

When you first arrive, buy a Sim Card and an internet package. The internet will still be much slower than other countries.

If you need an ambulance the emergency phone number is 112.

Interesting Facts

-As of 2011, Bali is smoke-free in public areas.

-One day a year, Nyepi, all of Bali shuts down. There will be no traveling and lights will be off.

-When on the beach, do not go for a swm if there is a red flag. The red flag is a warning and could mean there are dangerous rip currents.

-No drugs allowed! Drug laws in Bali are extremely strict. You can receive a death penalty if found guilty.

-Prostitution is illegal and HIV is prevalent among prostitutes.

-The currency used in Bali is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)

-Ice is regulated by the government.

-Use your right hand, because lefts hands are for hygiene. Toilet paper isn’t used often by the locals. They primarily use their left hand and water to clean themselves after using the restroom.

Bali is beautiful place full of culture. There are many things to do while visiting. You can surf or visit temples. Your trip will be much more fun if you learn more about its people and culture before you go.