Bali, Indonesia seems like an unreal island paradise, but there are a few things that you should know before traveling there.

The Traffic

The traffic in Bali is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. It’s a constant stream of mini-buses, scooters, and taxis. Tourism is the primary economic powerhouse of Bali, and because of the islands small size and relatively large population of locals and tourists, traffic jams are common at all times of day. It’s very common for it to take hours to go just a few miles in Bali. Most cities in Bali are not laid out in a grid pattern, the streets are narrow, and there are very few traffic lights. All of this contributes to massive gridlock in and around most major hubs such as Ubud, Canggu, and Denpasar.

PRO TIP: If you want the very best experience without the stress, I recommend hiring a local private driver. We hired our driver through Ubud Excursion Agent. (If you see Hendra tell him I said hello!)

Bali is Deeply Religious

Unlike the majority of Indonesia, Bali is a primarily Hindu culture. Balinese Hinduism, called Agama Hindu Dharma, originated from Java and is a blend of Shivaism and Buddhism. Religion is deeply woven into the fabric of everyday Balinese life. Religion is so intertwined into daily life that many families, business owners, and individuals have small shrines to the gods in their homes, places of work, and businesses. Each morning, you can see the Balinese people making small offerings to the gods for good fortune, health, and happiness. Every town and village has at least three shrines dedicated to the worlds of humans, the gods, and the sea. Because of this deep connection to religion it’s important to show respect for the Balinese people and their culture as a guest in their country. Be careful not to touch, remove, or step on offerings made to the gods each morning. You will see many small baskets of incense, bits of food, and flowers on the sidewalks in front of stores, so watch your step. Also, you may want to explore the Balinese holy temples (most of which are open to the public for a small fee). If you do, know that you’ll be required to cover your legs with a sarong before entering (regardless if you’re wearing pants already). This is a sign of respect for the holy significance of the temple you are about to enter. To have the best experience, simply use some common sense and realize that the Balinese people are allowing us to enter some of their holiest shrines and temples, so be respectful.

Don’t be afraid to barter on prices

If you’re visiting Bali, it’s likely that you’re going to want to take home some souvenirs or do some shopping for some unique gifts. Know this: the first price that you’re given is rarely the real price (with the exception of larger chain stores or fancier boutiques). Balinese culture has an expectation of haggling over prices. This can be pretty intimidating at first (especially for tourists coming from Europe or the United States, where prices are typically firm), but you’ll get the hang of it after a few tries.

PRO TIP: Not getting the price you want? Don’t be afraid to walk away and come back, or find another vendor with a similar item. Most tourist focused markets will have several vendors selling the same things, so don’t be afraid to hunt for a good deal.

Learn a few phrases

Before I travel to a new place, I always try to learn at least a few phrases to help me communicate with the locals. While Indonesian (and it’s many variations), are notoriously difficult for Westerners to learn, having a few phrases under your belt such as “please”, “thank you”, “hello”, etc. can go a long way in helping you feel more welcome in this amazing country. Take the time to learn a few common words and you’ll notice the already friendly Balinese people become even friendlier (if that’s even possible).

There will be crowds.

This may come as a surprise if you’ve spent any time looking at those perfect Instagram photos of what appears to be an empty white sand beach and a beautiful model in Bali, but there are tons of tourists just about everywhere in Bali. Bali’s economy is driven by tourism so expect to see plenty of them wandering around the streets of popular destinations like Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu and Ubud. Be prepared to wait in long lines to get that perfect Instagram snap from the perfect viewpoint.

BONUS TIP: Get off the main island.

Indonesia is comprised of over 17,000 unique islands which means there is a LOT to explore. To escape some of the hustle and bustle of the main island, take a short fast-boat ride from the port of Sanur, to the Nusa Islands. A ride will typically cost around 270-30,0000 IDR ($18-25 US) and takes about 30 minutes in calm seas.

To get a truly relaxed island vibe, I recommend staying on the tiny island of Nusa Ceningan. Nestled between the larger and more popular island of Nusa Penida (home of the T-rex beach), and Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan has great food, a relaxed atmosphere, and can easily be explored via motorbike or scooter. Ceningan was one of the best parts of our trip and gave us time to reset in between exploring Ubud and Uluwatu. I also recommend finding a place to stay at least for the night (we would have stayed a few days had we known how much we’d love it here). The Bridge Huts is a great private and relatively inexpensive option.