Here's the thing nobody tells you: you can buy almost anything in Bali, often for less than at home. Sunscreen, sarongs, flip-flops, chargers, a bottle of shampoo — it's all here, cheap, minutes from wherever you're staying. So the point of packing well isn't to bring everything. It's to bring the handful of things that are annoying, overpriced, or hard to find once you're on the ground — and to skip the rest. This is the list I'd hand a friend flying in next week.
Every product row below links out to buy it. Straight with you: those are affiliate links — if you buy through one I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. I only list things I'd actually put in my own bag, and I've flagged the stuff you should not bother buying in advance.
The one that catches everyone: the plug
Bali runs on 230V, Type C / Type F sockets — the round two-pin European plug, same as Germany or France. Your US, UK, or Australian plugs will not fit, and the airport-arrivals adapters are overpriced and fall apart in a week. Sort this before you fly. If Bali's your only stop, a simple Europe adapter is all you need; if you travel on from here, a universal one earns its keep.
Voltage is 230V, so single-voltage US appliances (some hair tools) need a converter, not just an adapter — but phones, laptops and camera chargers are all dual-voltage and just need the plug shape.
Sun, reef and mozzies — buy the good version at home
You can buy sunscreen and repellent here, but the local shelves lean heavily toward whitening lotions and weak SPF, and the reef-safe stuff is patchy and pricey. This is the one toiletry category worth bringing.
Watch out
Dengue, not malaria, is the mosquito risk in Bali proper. There's no quick jab for it — avoiding bites is the strategy. Pack the repellent, and cover up around dusk. More on staying well in the Bali belly & health guide.
For the water: Bali is wet, on purpose and by accident
Between the surf, the waterfalls, the boat to the Nusa islands, and wet-season downpours that arrive in minutes, you'll be around water constantly. Two cheap items save a lot of grief.
The scooter kit
If you're going to ride — and Bali really opens up when you do — a couple of things make it safer and less miserable. Read the scooter guide before you rent; it's the one that saves you real money and skin.
Power, because your phone works overtime here
A day of Google Maps, ride-hailing, translating menus, and photographing rice terraces flattens a phone by lunchtime. Between that and long temple-and-waterfall days far from a socket, a power bank is one of the most-used things in my bag.
Cameras, if you're that person
Bali is stupidly photogenic, and the good stuff is often in the water — surf, snorkel, the cliffs at Uluwatu, canyons and waterfalls up north. A phone does most of it; an action camera does the wet, wide, adventurous half.
Nice-to-haves that genuinely earn their place
What to actually leave at home (buy it here for less)
Packing well is as much about what you don't bring. Skip these — Bali sells them everywhere, cheaply, and often better-suited to the climate:
- Sarongs and light temple-appropriate clothing — sold at every market and temple entrance; you'll want a sarong for temples anyway, and it's cheaper here.
- Flip-flops, beachwear, cheap sunglasses — everywhere, a few dollars.
- Toiletries in bulk — shampoo, soap, razors, tampons/pads (bring a starter supply of the last two if you're particular about brand; choice can be limited).
- Bulky towels and beach mats — see the packable towel above; buy a mat here if you need one.
- A heavy rain jacket — a cheap local poncho for wet-season scooter rides does the job for a couple of dollars.
| The four you'll regret forgetting | A Type C/F plug adapter, reef-safe sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and a dry bag. Everything else you can improvise here. |
|---|---|
| Power | 230V, round two-pin European sockets. Dual-voltage devices (phone, laptop, camera) just need the plug shape; single-voltage US hair tools need a converter. |
| Documents | Passport valid 6+ months, a printed/screenshot copy of your visa or e-VOA, travel insurance details, and a backup bank card kept separate from the first. See the visa and money guides. |
| Buy it there | Sarongs, flip-flops, beachwear, everyday toiletries, a rain poncho — all cheaper on the ground. |
One honest note on the links
Prices and exact products change, so each link points to a current option rather than a single fixed item — check the reviews and pick what fits your trip. And if you already own a decent version of any of these, bring that; the goal is a bag that works for Bali, not a shopping spree.
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The gear that survives a wet-season scooter ride, which sunset spot is a car-park by six, how not to get short-counted at the money changer — one honest, been-there guide at a time. Want the next one?