Don’t Do These! 17 Common Tourist Mistakes in Bali

Okay, we'll hold our hands up and say that we made many of the classic tourist mistakes when we first visited Bali. It's pretty much a rite of passage when you arrive in a new destination.

And now, after almost four years on the island, we’ve seen others make almost every mistake under the sun. From common tourist scams and theft by mischievous monkeys to jam-packed itineraries that are more of an endurance challenge than a relaxing vacation.

In this guide, we’ll share all of the common pitfalls tourists make in Bali, so you can avoid doing the same.

1. DON'T only visit the “Instagram Spots”

Bali has no shortage of famous "Instagram spots." These picture-perfect locations are a major draw for many visitors to the island. But don't believe everything you see on the internet - photos can be very deceiving!

Many of Bali's most iconic viewpoints, such as the Gates of Heaven, Kelingking Beach (above), and Penglipuran Village (below), are not the serene oases portrayed online. Every time we've visited any of these popular spots, they've been extremely crowded, with long lines and wait times for those perfect Insta photos.

Rather than wasting your entire trip jumping around the island searching for those famous photo spots you've seen on Instagram, we'd recommend spending more time getting to know each area and discovering some hidden gems instead.

On this blog, you'll find in-depth guides to each destination in Bali, where we've shared both the main highlights and many lesser-known attractions worth visiting. Have a read before you go.

2. DON'T spend your entire vacation in Kuta

Where you decide to base yourself on the island can make a huge difference to your trip. There's somewhere for everyone in Bali, from busy beachfront resort towns to quiet villages hidden in the jungles.

Located close to the airport, Kuta was Bali's original tourist hub and the most popular area to stay for many years. Unfortunately, Kuta is now past its heyday. Today it’s overcrowded, packed with tourist traps, and in our opinion, a little trashy.

We’re not saying you should avoid Kuta altogether. There are certainly some fun things to do in Kuta still, like Waterbom Water Park and the many malls. But you might be a little disappointed if you base yourself here for your entire trip.

If you're looking for a beach resort town in Bali, we'd suggest heading a little further north to Seminyak or Canggu, or over to Sanur or Nusa Dua on the east coast instead.

3. DON'T rent your own car

Driving on Bali’s roads is challenging at the best of times, and the larger the vehicle, the harder it becomes. Many parts of Bali were designed for scooters, and streets are barely wide enough to fit cars. Navigating the busy roads can be overwhelming, parking is difficult, and Google Maps isn't always reliable.

If you want to hire your own transport in Bali, it’s best to stick to a scooter or motorbike, which we've found is a little easier to get around on. But only do this if you have some driving experience and the correct licence (you need an International Driving Permit!).

If you do need a larger vehicle to get around, you can easily order a car taxi using Grab/Gojek (online taxi apps) or hire a private driver, which is affordable. The locals are much better at navigating the busy and confusing streets of Bali with a large vehicle than most visitors could ever be.

4. DON'T move around too quickly

Bali is much bigger than most people realise. It took us months to visit every single corner of the island. Even after almost 4 years of travelling around, there are still countless things left on our Bali bucket list. It's best not to attempt it all in one short trip.

Moving around too quickly can leave you exhausted and not let you fully appreciate each destination. Travelling between areas often takes longer than Maps suggest, with small, winding roads and heavy traffic. Slow down, explore deeper, and don't spend all your trip changing accommodations.

With less than a week, it’s best to choose one or two bases and take day trips from these. If you have 2 weeks, choose 3-4 destinations, or with 3 weeks, we recommend 5-6 maximum.

5. DON'T leave the islands until the very end of your trip

The Nusa Islands and Gili Islands are fantastic additions to any Bali itinerary. They're two of our favourite places to visit. But it’s a risk to leave them until the very end of your trip.

Ferries can be cancelled or delayed due to bad weather, especially during Bali's wet season, which could leave you in a sticky situation if you’re trying to rush back to the airport for your flight home.

If you’re visiting the islands, try to go early or in the middle of your trip to minimise any potential travel disruptions. And definitely don't book a ferry back for the same morning as your international flight.

6. DON'T bother exchanging money before your trip

While card payments are widely accepted in many areas of Bali, you’ll still need some cash on hand. However, there's no need to exchange loads of money before you go. If you’re going to exchange money, take your home currency with you and exchange it when you arrive for the best rates.

An even smarter idea is to simply withdraw the local currency directly from an ATM in Bali. The rate from an ATM is typically up to 3% better, as you don’t have to account for the money exchange fees. Another benefit is that you don’t have to carry large amounts of cash around with you.

There are many free ATMs across the island, including at the airport when you arrive. We list the best banks to look out for in our Bali money tips guide. Just make sure your home bank doesn’t add overseas withdrawal fees. If they do, consider getting a traveller-friendly card like Wise before you go.

7. DON'T keep too much money on your main bank card

While we’re on the topic of money, another common mistake in Bali is keeping too much money on your main bank card that you use for daily payments and ATM withdrawals. If your card is lost, stolen, or skimmed, it can put a large amount of your funds at risk.

While card skimming is rare in Bali, it does occasionally happen. We only keep £50-100 on our main bank cards at any time, then top up the balance using a banking app when it runs low. This is a good tip when visiting anywhere, as card skimming is a global problem.

Luckily, we haven’t run into any issues ourselves (fingers crossed), but we have heard about it happening to friends of ours. At least if someone does try to skim or steal our bank card, losing tens of pounds is much better than losing hundreds or thousands.

8. DON'T rely on the weather forecast in Bali

Anyone who's spent a prolonged period of time in Bali will tell you that you really can't rely on the weather forecast here. In our many years of experience, it’s been pretty inaccurate the majority of the time.

If you NEED to see a weather forecast, we recommend the Windy.com app (Apple | Android), which visualises the weather, making it more useful for tropical climates.

But it’s still very difficult to predict the weather in Bali. If you’re visiting during the wet season, just remember it’s more likely to rain in the afternoon than in the morning. So get up early to make the most of your day and always try to catch ferries to the islands in the morning when the sea is calmer.

9. DON'T overpack

Bali has a hot tropical climate all year, so we’d recommend bringing lightweight, breathable fabrics. Think tropical island vibes; shorts, t-shirts, vests, dresses, swimwear, etc.

If you plan to visit mountainous areas, such as Kintamani, Munduk, or Bedugul, you might want to pack 1 or 2 extra layers for the chillier evenings. But for the most part, you won't need any thicker clothes like jeans, sweaters, or jackets.

You also don’t need to pack anything too dressy - we've always dressed casually in Bali. It stays hot into the evening, so most bars, restaurants, and clubs don’t mind casual summer wear. Some high-end bars and clubs in South Bali do have a no-flip-flops policy, but simple flats or sandals are fine.

10. DON'T ride a scooter without a helmet

Whether you’re driving a scooter or riding as a passenger, wearing a helmet is a non-negotiable. The roads in Bali are notoriously chaotic, and accidents involving tourists do happen fairly regularly.

When you get a bike taxi, they should always have a helmet available, but they might not offer it to you straight away. Don’t be afraid to ask for their extra helmet when they arrive to pick you up. And if the driver doesn't have one, you're within your rights to cancel and book another bike.

11. DON'T only visit South Bali

Most tourists in Bali tend to stick to the big tourist resort areas of the south, like Seminyak, Nusa Dua, or Sanur. But if you're looking to experience a more authentic and quieter side of the island, the best areas are found further north.

Venturing up to Ubud is a good start, with its dense jungles and rice terraces, but to see some of the most beautiful parts of the island, we prefer rural areas like Sidemen, Amed, Munduk, and Pemuteran. These are our favourite places for enjoying stunning natural landscapes and quaint traditional villages.

Exploring these less-travelled regions is the best way to discover hidden gems such as local markets, charming temples, and opportunities for adventure activities like hiking and snorkelling in pristine waters. They're also far from the big crowds and inflated prices often found in the south.

12. DON'T underestimate Bali's mischievous monkeys

Monkeys roam freely in many parts of Bali and have become somewhat of a symbol of the island. They’re considered sacred in Balinese Hinduism, as they represent the spirit of Lord Hanuman, the monkey god from the Hindu Epic Ramayana.

But while their playful appearance may seem cute and friendly, it's important not to underestimate them. In some places, the monkeys have become a little too accustomed to humans. On numerous occasions, we've seen them steal belongings from tourists, which they've used to barter in exchange for food.

If you’re visiting one of the monkey forests or temples (such as Uluwatu Temple, Ubud Monkey Forest, or Pura Pulaki), bring a ultra secure bag or try to use lockers where available. And definitely DON'T carry any food with you whatsoever.

Keep glasses in your pocket when you’re not wearing them, and stay vigilant when using your phone, as we've seen them steal these right out of people's hands.

13. DON'T forget to barter at the markets

There's a large bartering culture in Bali. If there's no clear fixed pricing, such as a menu or price tags, assume it's negotiable. We never accept the first price a seller offers, as they always start super high.

Overpaying isn’t just bad for you, but it’s also bad for the local economy over time. If tourists consistently pay higher prices, prices rise faster overall and can eventually become unaffordable for locals.

Of course, it's reasonable to expect to pay more than locals. This helps them put food on the table for their families. But if you're regularly paying 5X the going rate, it can do more harm than good.

If you have some extra cash and want to make a difference, consider donating to a local charity instead. We shared several Balinese charities doing amazing work to help local people in our guide to responsible travel in Bali.

14. DON'T forget to wear mosquito spray

With a tropical climate also comes lots of mosquitoes. These annoying pests are common all across Bali, but are more prevalent in rural areas such as jungles and forests, and near bodies of stagnant water.

The majority of mosquito bites are minor. At most, they’ll cause a small itchy bump that goes away after a day or two (our favourite hack is to warm a spoon in hot water and place it on the bite to reduce itching).

However, mosquitos can carry diseases such as dengue fever, so you should follow some simple precautions to reduce your chances of a bite. These include:

• Using insect repellent (available in most pharmacies)

• Wearing long clothes in the evening

• Keeping your doors/windows closed at night

15. DON'T forget to carry a raincoat during wet season

There’s nothing wrong with visiting Bali during the wet season. We've experienced many wet seasons on the island and have still enjoyed ourselves. But one big mistake we kept making early on was looking at the sky, assuming it wouldn’t rain anytime soon, and leaving the house unprepared.

The weather in Bali can change so quickly. Bright blue skies can turn into a rainstorm in a matter of minutes. Even when the weather forecast says otherwise.

When travelling in Bali during the rainy season, always keep a small, light raincoat with you. No exceptions. We usually keep extra coats in our scooter.

16. DON'T support unethical animal experiences

Unfortunately, Bali doesn’t have a great reputation when it comes to animal experiences. Several wildlife entertainment venues across Bali were highlighted in a report by World Animal Protection as offering “inadequate conditions,” with some “[not even meeting] the most basic needs of captive wild animals” (source).

Researchers witnessed cases of elephant riding, tigers in overcrowded cages, turtles in small tanks without enough water, and other poor conditions.

Of course, you should use your own judgment, but we think it’s best not to support them until conditions improve. The main venues listed in the report were:

• Bali Zoo

• Mason Elephant Park & Lodge

• Bakas Elephant Park (Bali Elephant Park)

• Bali Safari & Marine Park

• Bali Fantasi Benoa Bay (Turtle Island)

• Bali Bird Park

• Bali Reptile Park

• Bali Exotic Marine Park

• Tasta Zoo

There are plenty of alternative ways to see animals in the wild in Bali, including the wild dolphins in Lovina and many turtles around the islands.

17. DON'T disrespect local culture and traditions

We’re sure most people don’t go out of their way to be disrespectful. But if you want to be a responsible tourist, here are some tips to make sure you always respect the local culture and traditions: