Guest Author: Darren Wilson
Everybody gets excited when an upcoming vacation is approaching. With all the excitement, people may forget to plan and end up not having a relaxing time at all. So if you are headed to a pool villa in Bali for a vacation, do not let your eagerness and excitement get the better of you. Do a little research about the area first so that you can know what to do and what not to do in Bali.
Here are some tips to help you out on your Bali vacation.
Dress like a local
Bali is a tourist trap. Bali locals can easily smell a first-time tourist in their country. So if you do not want to be swarmed by locals that force-sell their trinkets on you, then dress not to impress. Instead, dress like a local and try to blend in by keeping a low profile.
Bali weather is also warm all year round, so if you are spending time in Bali, do not pack too many pants. They will probably end up inside your pool villa in Bali since you would rather wear shorts the whole time you are there.
Know proper Balinese etiquette
Bali is filled with old temples. Although they have become famous tourist attractions, these temples are still the sites for religious practices and traditions. Dress modestly and appropriately when visiting Balinese temples. Do not go inside temples wearing anything but a bikini as this may be offensive to the locals. Temple guests are required to wear clothing that covers the shoulders and the upper arms. When entering a temple, it is a best practice to wear a traditional Balinese sarong. Also, do not be loud and boisterous when visiting temples since other people may be there for prayers.
General safety tips
- Pickpockets. Although a lot of people call Bali “paradise,” it also has its share of snakes and hazards. Areas filled with tourists are also filled with unscrupulous individuals who would take advantage of a naïve tourist. Be careful with pickpockets and always carry your wallet and relevant documents on the front portion of your body so that you can quickly feel them.
- Taking the taxi. When travelling from your pool villa to other Bali locations, walk if you can. However, if you must take a taxi ride, then ask for referrals to which taxi company to trust. It is a harsh reality that there are taxi drivers in Bali that are dishonest and would try to cheat you into paying for higher fares.
- Money changing. When in Bali, be careful when you need to change your money into their local currency. There are always dishonest money changers that will fleece you with your hard-earned money. If you can, avoid having your money changed in the uncertified shops. Also, try to use international credit cards whenever you can. If you need to change your money, ask the hotel front desk to convert your money for you. Pool villa Bali Hotels usually have lower exchange rates as compared to the money changers.
- Smoking. If you are a heavy smoker, limit your smoking to the confines of your pool villa in Bali. Bali has recently passed a “smoke-free” law in most public areas. If you need to smoke, it is a good practice to ask your hotel’s concierge if it is allowed or ask for the location of the smoking area.
Remember to research first on Balinese culture and customs before visiting so that you will have a worry-free vacation.
