In October 2022, my best friend invited me to Bali, Indonesia. I thrive on adventure, so of course I said yes. I spent months reading travel blogs about what to expect in Bali and watching Instagram Reels to learn more about our vacation destination.
However, Bali was one of the first destinations that defied my expectations. Here are five things that surprised me when visiting this Indonesian island.
1. Brace Yourself For Flight Prices
As a frequent traveler and Filipino-American, I have experience booking international flights, especially to Southeast Asia. Therefore, I figured a flight to Bali from New York City would be comparable to economy flights to Manila.
However, Bali is a dreamy paradise, making it a popular destination. What I also didn’t take into account was Bali’s remote location. These two factors influenced the price of a flight to hit a whopping $2,000 for my July trip.
While the cost may be steep, there are a few workarounds. Off-season travel during the rainy season can significantly lower flight expenses. My July trip hit peak season as others visited Bali during its dry months.
Alternatively, fly into a larger Asian travel hub and book a separate round-trip ticket to Bali. By doing so, I saved a few hundred dollars and explored the beautiful city of Bangkok, Thailand.
2. Enjoy Affordable Activities
Despite the high flight price tag, Bali is quite affordable once you arrive. The United States dollar goes a long way there. Food, souvenirs and excursions are a lot cheaper than they would be in the U. S.
Some of my favorite low-budget activities include:
ATV rides and whitewater rafting in Ubud.
A 90-minute massage at Spring Spa. Spring Spa is a higher-end spa with beautiful facilities. While it’s considered “cheap” by U. S. standards, other spas in Bali are even more reasonably priced.
A two-hour private surf lesson with Milu Bali Surf School. Plus, professional photographers on the beach can take pictures of your experience for a few dollars per photo.
Remember to tip your guides, drivers and waiters. A few dollars means more than you can imagine.
3. Plan For Unpredictable Weather
Bali’s dry season takes place from May to October. However, dry season doesn’t mean it won’t rain. It rained nine out of the 10 days we were there. Prepare some backup activities if the weather doesn’t cooperate. Here are a few things we did to pass the time when it rained.
Bali is known for some of the best surfing in the world, offering waves for all skill levels. You already get wet while surfing, so why not brave the rain while catching some waves?
Padel is a racquet-based sport that’s a mix of squash and tennis. Island Sports Club’s indoor courts in Uluwatu provide a fun way to pass a rainy day.
Explore the food scene. Bali provides a surprisingly large variety of culinary cuisines, from traditional Indonesian flavors to chic vegetarian-friendly cafes.
4. Don’t Get Stuck In Traffic
Bali is known for its serene beauty, so the traffic and chaotic streets may catch you off guard as tourists and locals swarm the streets. Most of the roads are single-lane, so the traffic in Bali was bad. It took my friend and me three-and-a-half hours to go 11 miles north of Uluwatu — more than double the time it took me to run a half marathon.
Because Bali has so many areas to explore — such as Uluwatu, Ubud, Seminyak and Canggu — you’re bound to sit through hours of traffic. I figured out that I had to make the most of our day by starting early and heading back home after dinner to avoid traffic.
This plan also helped us cram as much into each day as possible to avoid having to sit through more traffic, and it was so worth it. One day, we explored the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and Ubud’s shops, ending the night at a Korean BBQ before hitting the road.
5. Prepare For Genuine Warmth And Hospitality
Talking with my peers, I noticed people’s common concern about traveling to Asia is the language barrier. Because Bali is such a tourist destination, it was very easy to communicate with locals because most spoke English.
Even if we didn’t share a language, I still found it easy to connect with locals. Their happiness radiated through, adding a heartwarming layer to Bali’s charm.
If you ever make your way across the world to this Indonesian island, embrace surprises with an open heart and create memories that exceed your expectations.
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