Traveling to Bali for the first time will always be interesting. You have probably heard a lot about the place and the region and you just can’t wait for your flight to land so that you too can have a chance to share on the magical experiences it has to offer. Well, if you have gone for expedited passport renewal for a trip to Bali, you will most certainly enjoy every aspect of the trip if you know what is expected of you and have learned a few tips on how to get the most out of the Bali attractions. To help you further, here is a brief look at some of the things you must know as a first-time traveler to Bali-:
They will always know you are first time visitor
It is the desire of most travelers to blend in quickly as they can so that they can’t be easily marked out as visitors, though you may try your best in Bali, they will always know you are visiting the place for the first time. This is because they are so used to receiving visitors from all parts of the world all throughout the year and they have a way of telling that someone is visiting for the very first time. They might also test you out and see if your reactions will that for a first time visitor. For example, a woman may run to you down the streets then tie a bracelet on your wrist then as for payment. If you naively ask, “how much,” that is their confirmation that you are still new in the place.
Expect to sweat a lot
Bali is hot from January to January and the average temperatures are about 32 degrees. This is not the place to carry your jeans or heavy jackets because you will not be needing them. Instead, cotton fabrics, some comfortable kaftans, and open-toe shoes. Expect to be in your swimmers most of the times and you will always be sweating, even at night. Consequently, plan on having lots of drinking water to avoid getting dehydrated.
Learn to haggle for nearly everything
As mentioned earlier, Balinese are used to getting visitors from all corners of the world and they know that tourists always have some cash to spare. As such, it is common to find products overpriced by some vendors and if you are a frugal traveler, then haggling will be the order of the day here. If you pay the first amount you are asked, then you will be paying a lot for almost everything. Be ready to haggle for almost every purchase you make, except for when you are in the food joints where prices seem to be a bit standards amongst most of the vendors.
Go for the right kind of vista
There are basically three types of visa for travelers going to Bali and it is imperative that you know them and know which one you should go for, depending on your duration of stay. The first one is the free entry visa which allows you a stay for strictly 30 days. This is non-extendable. If you desire to stay in Bali for more than 30 days, then you should pay for the extended visa upon arrival or you can for the 60-day visa before you leave for the country.
Mopeds will be your transport of choice
Traveling in mopeds may not sound so interesting, especially in a jam-packed city, but when in Bali, they will be your best bet at getting to any place you wish. They give you the freedom and the convenience to just get to any place, thus guaranteeing that you can access most attractions conveniently and at your own pace. But before you get the mopeds, however, be sure to check the tank to ensure that the previous rider didn’t leave it on an empty tank, thus adding more expenses to you.
Culture is everywhere
If you want a destination where you will encounter a true blend of culture, festivals, and ancient rituals, then you have every reason to go for expedited passport renewal and head over to Bali since this place literally steams with culture. Everywhere you look, you will always find something going on. Besides, the island is the home to thousands of temples and there are always lots of ceremonies, rituals, and sacrifices being offered at any given time on the island. It is a wonderful place to just come and relax as you enjoy and immerse yourself in the lots of Balinese cultures.
You will need to carry along a sarong
Since it is likely that you will visit one of the temples in Bali, you will need a sarong and a sash since you cannot be allowed into the temples without these. You can always hire them if you didn’t remember to carry yours, but they will be unnecessarily expensive. So be sure to carry our own pair even if you think you will not need them.
It is not a must to wear a helmet, but it is highly recommended
You will see lots of motorists hiring the mopeds to move around in Bali and most of them will be riding without helmets. It is not a legal requirement to have a helmet while riding the motorcycles, but you would be mad to think that you don’t need one. It is a protective gear and since you are miles and miles away from home, you should take all the necessary precautions to stay safe. Therefore, always have a helmet if you have ridden the motorcycles.
You can’t drink the tap water
Use only bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. Bottled water is cheap in Bali and it will always be provided as a complimentary item when you book the hotels and the resorts. You are also advised against having ice in your drinks since you may not know the source of the water used in making that ice. The last thing you want to have in Bali is problems with your stomach and one of the best ways to avoid that is by avoiding drinking water whose source is not known to you.
