Getting around & practical
Transport, scooters, SIM cards, money, safety and health.
Bali Belly: How to Avoid It and What to Do If You Get It
Almost everyone who spends time in Bali meets Bali Belly sooner or later. Most cases are over in a day or two; knowing how to dodge it, and when to stop waiting and see a doctor, makes all the difference.
Bali Rules for Tourists: The Official Do's, Don'ts and Fines
Bali is relaxed, but it is not lawless. After a run of viral incidents, the provincial government wrote its expectations down, and Indonesia's new criminal code took effect in January 2026. Here is what actually applies to you.
Bali SIM Card or eSIM: Which Is Best for Your Trip?
In Bali your phone is your taxi, your map and often your wallet, so getting connected is the first job after landing. Here is how to choose between a local SIM and an eSIM, and the 90-day rule that catches long-stayers.
Bali Volcano and Tsunami Risk: What Travelers Need to Know
Bali owes its fertile rice terraces and sacred mountains to volcanoes, and the same forces bring a small but real risk of eruptions and tsunamis. Here is how those risks actually affect visitors and how to stay a step ahead.
Geckos in Bali: The Tokay's Call, House Geckos and Why They're Good News
It usually happens on your first night: a deep, mechanical "to-kay, to-kay" booms from the roof, loud enough to wake you. Meet the tokay gecko, Bali's noisiest housemate, and the small chirping geckos that share your walls.
Gojek vs Grab vs a Private Driver: How to Get Around Bali
Bali has no real public transport for visitors, so every trip comes down to an app, a taxi or a driver. Here is how to choose, what it costs, and where the apps quietly stop working.
Is Bali LGBTQ Friendly? An Honest Guide for 2026
Bali is the most welcoming place in Indonesia for LGBTQ travelers, but it sits inside a country with conservative laws. Here is what the law actually says in 2026, where you will feel at home and how to travel with confidence.
Is Bali Safe? An Honest Guide for 2026
Bali is a gentle, welcoming island, and most visitors leave with nothing worse than a sunburn. The real risks are not where people expect them, and knowing them is what keeps a trip easy.
Jellyfish and Dangerous Sea Life in Bali: A Calm Guide
A bluebottle sting or an urchin spine is the most a typical beach day in Bali can throw at you. Here is what lives in the shallows, when the jellyfish come in, and how to handle every sting.
Money in Bali: Rupiah, ATMs, Money Changers, QRIS and Tipping
Bali runs on rupiah, and a few zeros too many can make anyone nervous. Here is how to get cash safely, dodge the money changer trick, pay with cards and QR codes, and tip without overthinking it.
Mosquitoes and Dengue in Bali: Seasons, Symptoms, Prevention
Of all Bali's creatures, the small striped day-biting mosquito is the one worth respecting. Dengue is common here, malaria is not, and a few easy habits keep almost every traveler safe.
Rabies in Bali: The Real Risk and What to Do After a Bite
Rabies is present in Bali, and it is entirely preventable if you know what to do. Here is the current situation, how to stay safe around dogs and monkeys, and the exact steps to take after a bite.
Sharks in Bali: How Safe Is the Water, Really?
Bali's reefs still have sharks, which is a good thing. Most are small, shy reef species, and the island's shark record is short, specific and far less scary than the internet suggests.
Should You Rent a Scooter in Bali? Licenses, Fines and Safety
A scooter is the fastest way to feel free in Bali, and the fastest way to end a trip in a hospital. Here is what the law requires, what police actually check, and when you should take a bike taxi instead.
Snakes in Bali: Which Ones Live Here and What to Do
Bali has cobras, pythons and pit vipers, and most visitors never see a single one. Here is who actually lives in the rice fields and gardens, and what to do if you meet them.
Spiders and Insects in Bali: What's Harmless and What Hurts
The hand-sized spider on your villa wall is almost certainly harmless. Bali's bugs are bigger and more numerous than at home, but the ones that genuinely hurt are few, and easy to avoid.
Tipping in Bali: How Much to Tip and When (2026 Guide)
Tipping in Bali is a gesture, not a rule, but knowing when a few thousand rupiah really matters makes you a better guest. Here is how service charges work and what to give drivers, therapists, guides and villa staff.
What Language Is Spoken in Bali? Balinese, Indonesian and English
You can get by in Bali with English alone, but the island actually runs on two other languages. Knowing a few words of each changes the whole trip.