Bali Packing List: What to Carry for Beaches, Temples & Adventures

Getting ready for Bali? Well, you are going to have the most incredible time of your life in this Indonesian gem. The beaches, temples, hot springs, and markets, everything feels effortlessly perfect here, making you experience and live the most picture-perfect moments. When packing, most tourists either miss essentials or pack the wrong things, only to regret it later and spend extra money replacing them. A good packing guide can help you pack smartly and focus on enjoying the journey instead of worrying about what you forgot.

Let us not keep you waiting and take you directly to the mindfully-crafted Bali packing list for beaches, temples, and adventures.

The Ultimate Bali Packing List: Pack & Move Like a Pro! 

Wondering how and what to pack for Bali? Why worry when you have JustWravel by your side? Our experts have created a simple-to-follow, incredibly useful, and well-rounded packing guide for beaches, temples, adventures, and everything in between, along with some practical tips at the end. 

Save it and follow for a great & worry-free trip to Bali. 

1. Bali mostly experiences hot and humid weather across the year, with average daytime temperatures between 26°C and 32°C and humidity levels often crossing 80%. This makes cotton clothing an essential part of the Bali packing list for a comfortable, stress-free journey. Packing lightweight, light-colored cotton clothes is essential for tolerating hot weather and promoting easy sweat evaporation. If you opt for other fabrics, such as polyester, nylon, thick denims, or satin blends, which trap sweat, you may overheat your body faster, causing fatigue, dehydration, and skin irritation, especially when you’re walking long distances, visiting temples, riding scooters, or exploring markets.

2. Do not forget to pack waterproof bags with you while traveling to Bali, as water is literally everywhere, including beaches, waterfalls, temple pools, boat rides, sudden rain showers, and scooter splashes. Good-quality waterproof bags help protect your phones and essential documents, such as passports, cash, and cards, and reduce the risk of damage. This way, you can ensure zero accidental exposure, whether from a single strong wave, a waterfall slip, or a sudden downpour. This is also important because repairs in tourist areas are expensive, and replacing documents can take days, disrupting your trip.

3. Another one of the most useful and suggested Bali travel essentials is to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Bali is not just bright; it’s also hot, especially during the day. It’s smart to carry QUALITY sunglasses and a hat when traveling to beaches, islands, temples, or any other daytime activity to protect your eyes from the heat and sunlight. Prolonged exposure to heat may cause eye irritation, blurred vision, or even long-term eye damage. Quality sunglasses with 100% UV400 protection and sunscreen block harmful UVA and UVB rays that damage your eyes. For hats, choose a wide-brimmed hat or cap that provides direct shade to your face, neck, and scalp, protecting areas that heat up fastest. Both of these items will help you move comfortably during walking, sightseeing, or any other outdoor activity. 

4. The most important aspect of your Bali clothing guide is to pack something long and covering for the temples and sacred places visits. Bali is packed with revered temples, and visiting them requires a certain dress code. Wearing clothes that are too revealing or that show the shoulders or legs may not be considered appropriate. It’s best to avoid wearing shorts and to carry a scarf with you for added safety and as a respectful travel gesture. Although many popular temples provide sarongs at the entrance, they are not always clean, available, or included for free. But during busy hours or peak-season travel times, temples may run out of sarongs, so keeping an extra scarf or already being appropriately covered can be a smart move. 

5. Many tourists often think about what to pack for Bali when it comes to footwear. Most of your experiences will be at the beaches, cafes, temples, markets, and adventure activities that demand hikes, walking, or even standing (for quite a long time). Wearing heels or heavy shoes may not be comfortable for you. Pack comfortable footwear, such as flip-flops or other lightweight shoes, that allow you to move freely without causing foot pain. Flip-flops are mainly recommended for their extreme lightweight and fast-drying ability. Unlike sneakers or sandals with padding, flip flops do not hold water. Moreover, after visiting the beach, you can easily clean these flip-flops with a gentle rinse. 

6. Another not to be missed Bali travel essentials are the powerbank and travel adapter. Your mobile phone will play a great role during your Bali travel as it will act as your map, camera, translator, ride-booking tool, and emergency contact, all at once. Keeping it charged and avoiding battery depletion is essential. Losing power means losing access to everything you rely on. This is why a travel adapter and a power bank are two items you should always pack together. For a power bank, ensure a 10,000 mAh capacity and fast-charging support. For travel adapters, Bali uses Type C and Type F power sockets, which are different from plugs used in many countries. Without a travel adapter, it will be difficult to charge your mobile phones at hotels/resorts/ or even at cafes. 

Explore the wonders with our expert-curated Bali Tour Package. Secure your spot today! 

7. Another crucial item of our Bali clothing guide is packing swimwear for beaches, waterfalls, and pools. Your Bali trip will include multiple visits to beaches, waterfalls, hot springs, and other water-related activities. Carrying quick-dry swimwear is important because it helps you feel comfortable in the water; regular clothes can become heavy and uncomfortable, and can cause skin irritation. 

8. Do pack classy and flashy clothes for the evenings, as you will be visiting high-end clubs, rooftop lounges, restaurants, bars, or beachside clubs for the energetic party scenes. Pack max 2-4 party outfits: lightweight button-down shirts with chinos or tailored trousers for men, and midi dresses, jumpsuits, or elegant tops with flowy pants for women. Do not forget to ensure these outfits are breathable, as the evening humidity can bother you. 

9. Insect repellents and a first-aid kit are non-negotiable parts of your Bali trip checklist, as Bali’s humid climate and location attract a lot of mosquitoes and other insects. Mosquito bites can be uncomfortable and may even cause dengue or chikungunya, which are common in tropical regions. Make sure to purchase insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, or IR3535, for good protection. Also, a first aid kit is a safe backup to carry on your trip, in case minor injuries, small cuts, blisters, stomach issues, or headaches arise from long walks, outdoor activities, or scooter rides. Make sure your first aid kit contains antiseptic wipes, band-aids, pain relievers, motion sickness tablets, and any personal medication.

10. Another crucial packing item of our Bali trip checklist should be a day backpack. It’s essential because you will be outdoors for a long time, visiting temples, beaches, and doing other stuff. A small but efficient backpack keeps your hands free and your essentials organized, making travel easier and more comfortable. Make sure it’s lightweight and water-resistant, and that it can easily hold a phone, wallet, sunglasses, water bottle, sunscreen, power bank, and a light jacket.

If you want to explore Bali on a budget, then read this blog: Bali Budget Trip Guide

Some Useful Tips to Follow During Bali Packing

Apart from being fully prepared with a great suitcase and all the essentials, it’s best to follow the tips below to ensure your return is as smooth as your departure! Read out now. 

Tip 1: Always leave a little space in your suitcase for shopping items when traveling to distant locations. Bali is a phenomenal shopping destination, and returning empty-handed is unlikely! We’re sure that you’ll end up buying souvenirs for yourself, your home, or your loved ones. Leaving an extra space in your suitcase will help you return easily and free-minded without the load of extra luggage. 

Tip 2: Another essential Bali clothing guide is to pack your suitcase in layers rather than folded, separate sections. This packing tip will help maximize the space in your suitcase and even reduce wrinkles. The best way is to place thinner items between heavier clothes so everything fits neatly and stays protected. Along with creating extra space, it will help you avoid overstuffing your suitcase and running into trouble when closing and locking it! 

Tip 3: Using packing cubes is another expert-recommended tip of our Bali clothing guide. These packing cubes help pack items such as outfits, underwear, and accessories separately, making them super easy to find and use. It helps reduce wasted space and reduces the chances of clothes shifting during travel. 

Tip 4: This is the most essential tip that you must follow! Always keep the jewelry and other precious items with you in a separate, handy bag, not in checked luggage. This way, you not only ensure the highest level of safety for your high-value items but also reduce the risk of damage during luggage transfers. It will further provide you with a sense of calm throughout your journey. 

Tip 5: If you’re carrying bottles, keep them in zip-lock bags to help prevent accidents in transit. It further protects your clothes and electronics from potential leaks or spills. Before placing them in your zip-lock bags, make sure to seal the caps tightly and set the bottles upright. 

Tip 6: Most people miss this useful hack when traveling. Wear your heaviest shoes or footwear during travel, and keep flip-flops in your luggage. You not only save space in your luggage, but you also make your suitcase easier to carry and better organized. Further, Bali is largely defined by its beaches, and wearing flip-flops is the best footwear you can opt for! 

Are you all set to start your most amazing and unforgettable Bali travel tale? Why wait, when great packages await? Choose your desired Bali Tour Package or simply get in touch with our travel mavens for a perfectly crafted, stress-free escape to paradise.

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