After travelling with a laptop since 2007 and coming to Bali since 1989, my packing rule has become gloriously boring: take less. Bali is hot, laundry is easy to find, ordinary travel items are replaceable and every unnecessary kilo eventually has to be dragged through an airport, hotel, boat or staircase.
The exceptions are the things that are hard to replace or genuinely important: documents, medication, properly fitting footwear, charging gear and anything tied to a confirmed activity. Pack for the trip you are actually taking, not the imaginary expedition your suitcase thinks you are leading.
01Clothing for heat, humidity and temples
I start with light, breathable clothes that dry quickly. Bali is warm and humid at sea level, while Kintamani, Munduk and early-morning mountain trips can feel surprisingly cool, so one light long-sleeve layer earns its space without turning the bag into a wardrobe.
For temples and ceremonies, carry something that covers shoulders and knees. Many major temples provide or hire sarongs, but your own lightweight sarong is useful as a beach cover, sun shade and emergency layer. Do not assume swimwear is appropriate away from beaches, pools and resort areas.
02Footwear: three pairs is usually plenty
Most travellers need sandals or thongs, comfortable closed shoes, and optional reef or water shoes. Proper walking shoes matter for waterfalls, steep rice-field tracks and Mount Batur; polished city shoes rarely do.
Rain can turn stone steps and tiled entrances slick. Choose footwear for grip rather than fashion if your itinerary includes waterfalls or temple stairs.
03Sun, rain and mosquitoes
Bring high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. Tropical cloud does not remove UV exposure. Mosquito repellent is useful throughout the island, especially around dawn and dusk. Dengue occurs in Bali, so preventing bites matters more than simply packing cream for bites afterwards.
In wet season, a compact poncho or light rain shell is more useful than a heavy waterproof jacket. A small dry bag or zip pouch protects phones and documents during boat transfers and sudden rain.
04Medication and health items
Bring enough regular medication for the full trip in original packaging and keep important medication in carry-on luggage. If a medicine is controlled, unusual or injectable, travel with the prescription and a doctor’s letter and check Indonesian import rules before departure.
A basic kit with plasters, antiseptic, oral rehydration salts and any medication you normally rely on is enough for most travellers; pharmacies are widespread in tourist areas. Motion-sickness medication is worth considering for fast-boat crossings.
05Power, phones and electronics
Indonesia uses 230V, 50Hz electricity and Type C/F round-pin sockets. Australian Type I, UK Type G and North American Type A/B plugs need an adapter. Most phone and laptop chargers accept 100–240V; check the label before plugging in anything designed only for 110–120V.
A power bank is useful for long day trips, while a multi-port USB-C charger can replace several bulky bricks. Download offline maps and save accommodation details before leaving reliable Wi-Fi.
06Documents and money
Keep digital copies of your passport, insurance policy, onward ticket and important bookings somewhere you can access without your phone. Carry a small amount of rupiah for warungs, parking, local entry fees and places where card terminals fail.
If you plan to drive, organise the correct licence documentation before travel rather than assuming a rental shop will solve it.
07A useful Bali day bag
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen and hat
- Repellent
- Light sarong
- Power bank and cable
- Small amount of cash
- Rain cover or poncho in wet season
- Reef shoes when the day involves rocky water entry
08What not to overpack
I do not carry two weeks of clothes when affordable laundry is available almost everywhere. Toiletries, beachwear, hats, chargers and basic travel items are easy to replace in the main tourist areas; I save the luggage space for specialised things that are hard to substitute, such as prescription medicine, properly fitting walking shoes and glasses or contact-lens supplies.
09Dry-season and wet-season adjustments
Dry season usually means more sun exposure, dust and cooler early mornings in the highlands. Wet season increases the value of quick-dry clothes, a compact poncho, waterproof phone storage and footwear with decent grip. A heavy jacket is rarely useful at sea level, but a thin layer is worthwhile for air-conditioned transfers and sunrise trips.
If you are travelling during peak surf or planning boat crossings, a small waterproof pouch for passport copies, cards and medication is disproportionately useful.
10Pack for the activities you actually booked
Snorkellers may want reef shoes and a rash vest. Divers normally rent bulky equipment locally. Hikers need proper shoes rather than new fashion trainers. Remote workers should prioritise a compact charger, backup data and power bank. Families may need child-specific sunscreen, familiar medicines and a pool-safety plan more than extra outfits.
Do not pack specialised gear “just in case” unless replacing it in Bali would be difficult or expensive.
11 Temple-ready clothing
Pack at least one outfit that covers shoulders and knees. A sarong and sash are required or supplied at many temples, but carrying your own lightweight set is convenient. Clothing should be respectful rather than transparent beachwear wrapped loosely at the entrance.
Choose fabrics comfortable in heat and easy to remove from a day bag. Follow local rules even when another visitor does not.
12 Rain protection
A compact rain jacket or poncho, waterproof bag liner and small umbrella cover most situations. Protect passports, medicine and electronics independently rather than assuming the outer backpack is waterproof.
Quick-drying clothes and a second pair of light footwear help during wet periods. Avoid riding a scooter in unsafe rain simply because you packed a poncho.
13 Pack less and use laundry
Laundry services are widely available, though drying takes longer in humid or wet weather. Pack enough clothing for several days rather than every day of a long trip. Identify delicate or high-value items and keep them out of bulk wash.
Check pockets and photograph special garments before handing them over. Do not send essential clothes immediately before departure.
14 Toiletries and liquids
Everyday toiletries are easy to buy in developed areas, but particular fragrance-free, medical or hair products may not be. Bring enough specialised products while following airline liquid rules.
Use refillable containers that seal well. Sunscreen, repellent and hand sanitiser should remain accessible on travel days, not buried in checked luggage.
15 A sensible first-aid kit
Carry plasters, antiseptic, oral rehydration supplies and any clinician-recommended medicines. Add items needed for personal conditions rather than packing an improvised pharmacy. Keep everything labelled and within expiry.
Serious symptoms require professional care. A first-aid kit is for minor problems and the period before help, not a replacement for diagnosis.
16 Luggage and island transfers
Wheeled suitcases work in hotels but become awkward on sand, stairs, boats and narrow lanes. A manageable soft bag or backpack is useful for island travel. Do not pack more than you can safely lift when boarding procedures are uncertain.
Use a small waterproof carry-on for medicine, documents, electronics and one change of clothes. Boat luggage can receive spray or be stacked out of reach.
17 Security items
Bring a small padlock for lockers, a discreet money arrangement and secure digital backups. Do not carry every card and all cash together. Record device serial numbers and enable remote tracking where appropriate.
A portable door device may not suit every lock or fire-safety arrangement. Never block an emergency exit or prevent staff access during an emergency.
18 Power and charging
Bring a suitable Indonesian plug adaptor, quality charging cables and a power bank within airline rules. A compact multi-port charger reduces adaptor clutter. Check voltage compatibility for hair tools and medical equipment.
A travel adaptor changes plug shape, not voltage. Leave unsuitable high-power appliances at home rather than risking damage or fire.
19 Activity-specific additions
Surfers may need rash protection and reef-safe repair supplies; hikers need grip, a warm layer for altitude and a head torch; divers need certification details and personal equipment they cannot comfortably rent. Families should add familiar child medicine and properly sized flotation only when professionally recommended.
Pack for confirmed activities, not every hypothetical adventure. Most specialised equipment can be rented from a reputable operator.
20 Customs and prohibited items
Check official Indonesian customs and airline rules for medicines, food, batteries, drones and restricted goods. Declare items when required. A product being legal or ordinary at home does not guarantee it can enter Indonesia.
Apply the same care when returning: Australia and other destinations enforce strict biosecurity rules for food, wood, plant and animal products.
21 The final packing rule
My bag is built around health, documents, climate and confirmed activities. Almost everything else can be bought, washed or lived without. Leave spare capacity for responsibly purchased things and avoid luggage so heavy that every transfer becomes a small act of revenge.
A good Bali bag is light enough to manage, secure enough for essential documents and flexible enough for heat, rain and respectful cultural visits.
22 Pack an arrival pouch
I keep the arrival essentials together in my cabin bag: passport, entry documents, accommodation address, payment card, a little rupiah, pen, charging cable and essential medication. A light change of clothes is handy if checked luggage is delayed, and screenshots matter because airport Wi-Fi and mobile activation have terrible timing when they decide not to cooperate.
23 Pack differently for island transfers
If your itinerary includes the Gilis, Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan, a manageable soft bag is easier than an oversized hard suitcase. Fast-boat boarding can involve steps, sand, wet jetties or carrying luggage a short distance. Protect medication and electronics from spray and keep valuables with you rather than in a loosely handled outer pocket.
24 The five-minute final check
My five-minute final check is passport and travel documents, essential medication, chargers and adapters, temple-ready clothing, suitable footwear and travel-insurance details. Everything else is usually replaceable in Bali. Weigh the case once, remove the duplicate outfits and leave room for something you did not know you wanted until you got here.
Cheers, Carpe Diem & Pack Light & Leave Room for Bali! 🍻⏳🎒
your recovering overpacker and travelling cyborg
About the author
TATS Man
Travel journalist · digital nomad since 2007 · visiting Bali since 1989
TATS Man is the beer-loving cyborg travel journalist behind Totally Bali and TATS (Totally Awesome Travel Sites). He has travelled and worked remotely since 2007 and has been visiting Bali since 1989. His guides combine long-term destination familiarity with current primary-source research — and he does not claim first-hand experience where he does not have it.