With Love, Sassou

This week I will be publishing my entire Bali itinerary and before that, I thought I’d share some very important tips and advice after spending 8 nights there with my 10 year old daughter. I absolutely loved it and would definitely go back! I did a lot of research and spoke to a lot of people who went there before my trip and felt well prepared!

1. LENGTH STAY IN BALI: You need to be there AT LEAST a week. There is so much to see and although I stayed there for 8 nights I regret not staying longer. In 8 nights, I visited Ubud, Kuta, Seminyak, Canngu and Nusa Penida. I unfortunately did not get a chance to visit Uluwatu or the Gili Islands! I suggest you stay least 10 nights up to two weeks!
2. APPS TO DOWNLOAD: Google Translate, Xe (to calculate money exchange, Airbnb (if you’re using an Airbng), Grab & Gojek. Get these apps BEFORE leaving to Bali so that you can fully register on them as some may send a text message to confirm yoiur phone number.
3. WIFI AND PHONE USAGE: Get an E-Sim card either at the airport or just outside of the airport. It cost me about $20 USD for an e-sim that had unlimited internet. I’m so glad I took this as it saved me from getting an astronomical phone bill. Lots of the places have wifi including tourist attractions and restaurants.
4. HAVE CASH! I can’t stress this enough! Yes, you can take money out of the ATM but some ATMs have limits. Some places do accept credit cards but I found that most places don’t including some tourist attractions. I also found that the airport and the busiest streets had the wort exchange rate. I only exchanged a small amount at the airport when I landed and then, I exchanged the rest of my money in local money exchange stores.
5. PLAN AHEAD! Some tours, attractions and restaurants get book edquickly especially during the tourist season so I suggest you plan some of your activities a few months ahead. For example, we booked our cooking class two months before our trip and when I looked again two weeks before leaving, all of the cooking classes were fully booked each day we were in Ubud.
6. GETTING AROUND: If you want to explore different parts of the island, especially the temples around Ubud, my friends who have visited Bali recommend hiring a driver for the day. It’s a much easier way to see everything! Hiring a local driver was a game-changer. They know the best routes, can take you to hidden gems, and it’s a stress-free way to navigate the island. The rest of the time, you can use the apps Grab and Gojek (equivalent of Lyft and Uber) to get a car or motorcycle. There is A LOT of traffic in Bali and I preferred the motorcycles/scooters over the car as it helped us skip traffic and reach our destinations much faster. Some people choose to rent a scooter for the duration of their trip which I would propbably do the next time I go (because there will be a next time – I loved it). I just didn’t feel comfortable renting one while traveling with my 10 year old, especially because I never used a scooter on my own before. If you rent a scooter make sure you take lessons and have the correct travel insurance!
7. BEST TIME TO VISIT: The dry season is the best time to visit which is between April and October. We went at the end of July and the weather was perfect! Warm during the day and cool enough at night. We did get some rain and humid days but it did not bother us at all.
8. PACK LIGHGT & EFFICIENTLY: Bali is super laid back and not pretentious at all. It’s easy to get by with just a few essentials. Bring lightweight clothing (I had lots of flowy skirts/dresses), swimsuits, and comfortable shoes for exploring. NO HEELS if you’re a woman. I did not see one person with heels, even at Finn’s which is the #1 beach club. If you plan to visit temples, remember to dress modestly. Many temples require a sarong and sash, which are often available for rent or purchase nearby. In terms of tech, make sure you bring a universal adaptor and a battery pack. These came in handy! Here are some of my travel essentials.
9. AVOID BALI BELLY: Make sure you pack hand sanitizer, medicine, AlkaSeltzer etc in case you get a case of Bali Belly. I only got a small case of Bali belly for less than a day on the day we were leaving and when it happened, I had everything I needed to take care of myself during that time. Drinking lots of water while I was there also helped!
10. BE OPEN MINDED! Bali is one of the most beautiful places I have visited int he world and I especially loved it because of how different it was. The traditions, customs, beautiful landscapes and most importantly…the people! The people are so warm and friendly there! I felt so safe and welcomed. Keep in mind that although they have similar chains than we do here in the U.S. (Starbucks and Pizza Hut, for example), they each offer their own Balinese twist. For example, one night we were lazy at home and decided to order some pizza on Gojek (like Uber Eats)….and guess what? We could not find simple cheese pizza! Every pizza had different toppings and combinations we were not used to! Although it wasn’t what we usually get, it was still good! Make sure you visit Bali with an open mind – it won’t take you long to see how breathtaking Bali is in every way!

I LOVED BALI! I can’t wait to go back! And if you went, let me know in the comments if I missed anything!

With love,

Sassou