What to Watch Out for in Bali
What should you be careful about when visiting Bali?
First of all - don’t believe everything you read or hear on the internet, especially from people who visited one place once for a week or two. “Pseudo-travelers” with tens of thousands of followers on YouTube often make things up too. When I sometimes watch those stories about someone being denied entry somewhere after traveling for months, then flying to Vietnam without knowing they needed a visa and having to urgently book a flight to another country - it honestly drives me crazy.
When I hear these recycled stories about motorcyclists snatching wallets from tourists, poor hygiene everywhere, “get vaccinated for malaria,” or the death penalty in some Asian countries, I honestly wonder whether that person has ever even been to Asia - or ever worked in hospitality in Poland…
I’m not saying such things never happen - of course they do. All over the world there are thefts, scams, crimes, or salmonella in burgers… something bad can happen to anyone, anywhere. The key is to take care of yourself and not lose your mind over it.
Of course - if you go into the jungle, you must expect that you might encounter snakes or other animals that could potentially bite you. But on a typical vacation focused on tourist areas, the chance of seeing any wild animal (other than a lizard running away from you or monkeys in the forest) is about one in a million.
To sum up, from my own experience I can confidently say that (as a woman) I feel less worried walking after dark in Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok than in Wrocław or Warsaw. Bali is equally safe.
That said, the things you should watch out for in any country - I’ve narrowed down to the absolute top list. In this case: TOP 8.
These are genuinely worth paying attention to.
When you go to work, you don’t constantly think about whether a cyclist will hit you - travel is the same. Go and enjoy yourself, but keep the following in mind.
(Fortunately, none of these happened to us - we prepared well, just like you - but later confirmed they can be real risks.)
“Bali Belly” - this is not a myth and it’s not just ordinary food poisoning that probiotics will fix. It’s quite common, and the illness is caused by bacteria found in food and water. Symptoms include nausea, dizziness, stomach cramps, weakness, muscle pain, and other issues. So while in Bali, drink only bottled water. When making coffee, don’t fill the kettle with tap water - buy large bottled water instead (honestly, it’s best to always do this wherever you are). Avoid ice cubes in drinks (in restaurants it’s usually safe) and raw or undercooked food. If you have a sensitive stomach, I also recommend brushing your teeth with bottled water.
Do not drink alcohol from unknown sources - SERIOUSLY. In Indonesia there is a real problem, bluntly speaking, with poorly distilled homemade alcohol. There are many cases of tourist deaths and serious illnesses caused by methanol-contaminated drinks. Avoid cocktails that contain traditional arak. Even locals often get sick after drinking arak - we spoke with a 23-year-old who spent a long time in hospital after drinking contaminated alcohol, more than once.
Riding a scooter in Bali is dangerous. Basic traffic rules often don’t apply here and everyone drives however they want. Driving into the wrong lane while turning, cutting people off, or running red lights is the norm. Additionally, rental motorbikes are often in very poor technical condition, and helmets do not meet basic safety standards. You must have an International Driving Permit issued under the Vienna Convention. Before renting a scooter, check whether your insurance covers road accidents.
Balinese New Year - also known as the Day of Silence or Nyepi - takes place in spring (the date changes every year). This is a day when you cannot leave your accommodation. ANYWHERE. Everything is closed, including the airport. Electricity is limited - no lights may be turned on and nobody works. Make sure this day does not fall during your stay.
Monkeys - they can snatch anything you have, scratch you, or bite. If you think you’re smarter than a monkey — you’re not ;) These animals are sometimes even trained to grab your phone or glasses and bring them to the owner, who will return your belongings for a fee.
Mosquitoes - like everywhere in Asia. Use mosquito repellent and always keep something for bites on hand so you don’t scratch. Malaria is generally not a major risk, but dengue is a very dangerous disease. If you notice any worrying symptoms, immediately contact your insurance provider and go to a local hospital. Even the best clinics in Poland will not handle tropical diseases as effectively as hospitals in Asia - whether in Bali, Vietnam, or any other country.
Dr0gs and other substances - and I don’t even mean the popular “acid” in Ubud or other hard substances, which you absolutely should not take in Bali (I recommend the Instagram account @ubudonacid if you want to see the darker side of the town), but we0ed. If you want to smoke, go to Thailand - it’s legal there and shops are more common than food stalls. In Bali it is often a setup, and undercover officers are just waiting for you to buy from them. We personally had a situation where a police officer offered it to us. This is not an urban legend.
Money exchange - it’s best to exchange cash in exchange offices located in large shopping malls or good hotels. Carefully count the amount given by the cashier -always be the last one to count. In Indonesia, exchanging US dollars can sometimes be problematic because most exchange offices accept only new and undamaged banknotes. I know you’re experienced travelers, but travel forums are always full of people who got scammed.
That’s it 🙂
Have fun, take care of yourselves, and besides taking Instagram photos, remember to sometimes keep your phone in your pocket and simply enjoy the moment.
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