Bali is a humid island full of adventure and culture which makes for a few items that are super helpful to have when you pack for Bali! Here is everything you should pack to make your life a little easier in Bali!
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Weather in Bali
Weather in Bali is always warm and pretty humid, the intensity of that heat and humidity just varies a bit throughout the year as does the amount of rainfall.
Dry Season: May-September
If you visit Bali between May and September you are pretty well in the clear of heavy rain and should have the best weather Bali has to offer. The highs will be somewhere between 80-90 degrees F (27-32 degrees C) and the humidity will be “lower”-low, not non-existent 😉
Wet Season: November-March
Bali has a very real wet season. If you travel to Bali between November and March you are risking exploring Bali in a downpour. Though the temperatures don’t vary much between dry season and wet season, the average rainfall DOES. The rainfall in January can be double of that in July or August!
Shoulder Season: April and October
The months of April and October are right between dry and wet season and can be a little unpredictable. We visited toward the end of April and lucked out with the weather. It did rain every morning in Nusa Penida, but by the time breakfast was over, the rain was done and we were able to explore the island in the sunshine. Just know, if you opt for these months it can be a bit risky, but still not as bad as peak wet season (December-February).
Clothing to Pack Anytime of Year
Now that the boring, yet important information is out of the way, here is the info you came here for 🙂. Anytime of year you visit, you will want to pack light, breathable clothing. The humidity can make your clothes stick like glue, and you really don’t want to be exploring in something like cotton.
Also, know that you are going to sweat and probably not smell very good, so clothes will not be re-wearable unless you have access to laundry (which many of the hotels do offer).
- Tanktops and Shirts: Again, lightweight tops that will wick sweat and water quickly are your best options!
- Shorts and bottoms: Be sure your shorts and bottoms are comfortable and won’t cause chafing! Get a material that won’t hold on to moisture. Athletic material, waterproof material or a light linen or good options. Avoid cotton at all costs.
- Swimsuit: I recommend packing at least two swimsuits so you can always have a dry one to wear before your activities (putting a wet swimsuit on in the morning under dry clothes is a bad feeling)
- Sarong: Most places where sarongs are required, you can rent them for a small fee. However, I found it super helpful to just have my own with me at all times. I used it FREQUENTLY.
- Hat: Weather you are fighting the sun or the rain, keeping both out of your face goes a long way. Also, you just won’t have good hair while you are in Bali. Bring a hat to help!
- Summer dresses: Lightweight summer dresses are an easy items to pack for dinners or for exploring during the day without having to worry about coordinating a full outfit.
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What to Add During Wet Season
If you are going to brave wet season for smaller crowds or cheaper plane tickets, don’t forget to pack a little extra rain gear! I also recommend having a little bit of rain gear if you visit during the shoulder months.
- Light rain jacket: Do NOT pack a heavy rain jacket. Make sure it is light and breathable because even if its raining, its going to be a warm rain and it will be humid. A poncho is another good option if you aren’t a rain jacket fan.
- Umbrella: If you take photos with a camera a rain jacket won’t suffice. Or, if you hate the feel of a rain jacket or poncho sticking to you, bring an umbrella.
- Waterproof Hiking Pants: If you plan to do any hiking in Bali during rainy season, it may be good to bring waterproof hiking pants. But be sure to pack some light ones, because though it may be raining, it will still be warm and humid.
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Best Shoes to Pack
Obviously this kind of depends on what you plan to do while in Bali. If you are planning to do the Mount Batur volcano hike (which is really cool!), you should also pack either a pair of sturdy sneakers or hiking boots. The trail is really rugged!
- Waterproof sandals: You will wear these frequently and probably while doing pretty adventurous activities. Be sure they are sturdy! The Teva Hurricanes are my current favorite, comfortable adventure sandal!
- Lightweight sandals: You will get tired of wearing your sturdy sandals, especially if they are frequently wet. Bring a second pair of lightweight sandals you can wear to dinner and during less-adventurous activities.
- Sneakers: If your itinerary involves any longer walks or hikes that are on rugged terrain, you should pack either a pair of sneakers or hiking boots. If you are visiting during the rainy season, a pair of water resistant sneakers may be a good option, such as the Brooks below!
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Electronics to Pack for Bali
- Converter: Indonesia uses plug type C, which is the same that is used in Europe. Be sure to have a converter or two if you are coming from the US!
- Power Bank: I don’t recommend traveling anywhere without one of these. Losing navigation or video abilities is not a good feeling!
- Go Pro: Bali is home to a LOT of adventurous water activities. If there was ever a time to own a Go Pro, it would be for Bali! If you aren’t prepared to drop the money on a Go Pro, at least have a reliable waterproof case for your phone.
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Medicines to Pack for Bali
It is no secret that Bali can be rough on the tummy. I want to make it known I am not a doctor and not providing medical advice here, but you will want to pack medicines that will help in case of “Bali belly.” This includes an diarrheal and plus something that has electrolytes to replenish hydration.
Other Essential Items to Pack for Bali
- Quick-drying towel: Again, there is a lot of water activities to do in Bali and Nusa Penida and having a quick-drying towel will prevent you from having to hike soaking wet at times.
- Waterproof phone case: If you are opting out of the Go Pro choice, definitely have a waterproof phone case! Between waterfalls, natural springs, snorkeling and rain, your phone is going to be exposed to a lot of moisture.
- Sunglasses: This seems pretty self-explanatory. But Bali is sunny; don’t make yourself squint the whole time.
- Small backpack: I recommend having a small backpack while you are exploring Bali and Nusa Penida. Between the need for sunscreen, bug spray, changes of clothes, etc, there can be a lot to keep up with.
- Portable water bottle: You will sweat a TON and will need to replenish your water. Nearly every hotel offers filtered water (because don’t dry tap water!!!), but you will need something to pour the water into.
- Cash: Avoid ATM fees and pack currency. Once you get to Bali you can exchange it to the Rupiah.
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What NOT to Pack for Bali
Knowing what to leave behind is just as helpful as knowing what to bring sometimes. My biggest advice is to know that you are likely to look like a frizzy, humid tropical explorer.
- Hair-styling tools: Don’t bother bringing any heat tools; leave the curling irons and blow dryers at home. Embrace the frizz.
- Long Pants: I packed a pair of linen pants thinking I might need them for temples or something, but didn’t wear them once. It was too humid to even think about wearing them. It may be better during the peak dry season, though.
- Sunscreen: Yes, you will NEED sunscreen, but you can buy this and bug spray once you get to Bali to save some space and decreased risk of an explosion.
Packing Recap
In short, pack lightweight, breathable clothes and items that will help you survive humid, moist environments and bring a sarong if you don’t want to rent one!
Enjoy exploring Bali!
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