The Ultimate Bali Packing Guide for Female Solo Travellers
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Hello solo traveller! If you’re getting ready for a solo trip to the Island Of Gods, you’ve landed at the right spot. Whether you’re going for a couple of weeks, a month, or even longer, I’ve got your back with the ultimate packing list to Bali for female solo travellers like you! Bali’s a dream, but knowing what to shove in your suitcase? That can be a bit trickier, especially with its unpredictable weather. Lucky for you, I’m here to help make sure you’re prepped and packed like a pro.
Dress code in Bali
In Bali, you will only wear 3 kinds of outfits and they all come without high heels (!), so make sure you bring comfortable shoes! These are 3 occasions you will need to get ready for:
- Activities during the day-> From sightseeing to beach days, make sure you have some comfortable clothes to help you get through a hot day. I would suggest bringing some shorts and tops. Sometimes I end up using yoga shorts for beach days and other activities.
- Yoga or sportive activities-> You should plan on getting some light yoga or gym/hike outfits with you. Yoga studios donโt have aircon so donโt pack long leggings or you will literally melt!
- Evening dinners -> itโs very likely you will go out for dinner most of the time. In this case, I would suggest bringing a few light dresses with you to pair with flat shoes. Alternatively, you can wear the same shorts you plan on wearing during the day but with a nice top this time.
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Exact store locations across Bali.
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Delivery options.
Which shoes should you pack for Bali?
As I mentioned before, high heels are not advisable because the vibe is very laid back but also for practical reasons. So what should you bring?
Let me give you a quick reality check. You are not going to wear shoes for most of the time. There are no-shoes policies at coworking spaces, some shops, peopleโs houses and homestays. You will obviously also visit the beach or pools so again, no shoes there. However, I would suggest packing the below:
- Flip flops: I would wear these during beach days or boat trips so you can easily take them off.
- Flat sandals: These will be super handy for activities during the day, evening dinners out but also to move on the scooter. Especially if you are sitting behind on the scooter, it would be very painful wearing flip-flops all the way!
- Trainers: I would suggest wearing trainers for hikes or walking through rice fields (in case you meet any snakes) if you are going to the gym or need to catch a flight.
What to bring during the rainy vs. dry season
First things first, Bali’s got two main vibes when it comes to weather – the rainy season and the dry season. Figuring out when you’ll visit is key to packing smart.
Rainy Season Rundown โ๏ธ
Set to visit during the rainy season? Brace yourself for spectacular showers and an incredible lush landscape that looks straight out of a movie. Here’s what you need to pack:
- Rain Jackets: A no-brainer, right? Go for something light and breathable. You’re not tackling cold, just wet!
- Water-Proof Bag: Protect your gadgets and documents with waterproof bags. Trust me, your future self will thank you. If you can, try to get one that also folds easily such as this one.
- Laundry Essentials: I’m sorry to break this down to you but you can’t wash up your things during the rainy season because nothing will dry! You will have to visit the laundry shop possibly once a week. Luckily it’s very affordable but yes, don’t waste your money on a laundry soap because you won’t use it!
- Bug Battling Gear: Mosquitos love the rainy season as much as we love Bali. Bring along a good insect repellent and consider packing a mosquito net if you’re going for that authentic Bali vibe.
Dry Season Dos โ๏ธ
Visiting in the dry season? You’re in for sunny days and cool nights. Hereโs what to adjust in your packing list:
- Laundry Essentials: With less humidity, you can finally pack your laundry essentials. There is no need to visit the laundry shop as often as you would during the rainy season! I would suggest bringing a small laundry soap with you.
- Bug Basics: There are fewer mosquitos, but don’t ditch the bug spray entirely. Better safe than itchy, right?
Packing List for 2 Weeks in Bali
Are you ready for the ultimate packing list to Bali for female solo travellers?
Let’s start with a two-week travel list. Here’s what you should pack:
Clothes and accessories ๐
โ A mix of casual and a couple of dressy outfits – Bali’s relaxed but you might want to glam up. I would say 4 tops and 2 bottoms that are interchangeable. 2/3 evening dresses.
โ I would suggest 7 underwear because you can wash them yourself or give them to the laundry shop
โ Swimwear, because hello, beaches and pools! I would bring 3 max and you can possibly mix and match them too.
โ Light microfibre towel you can use on the beach or to cover yourself when you visit local temples.
โ Comfortable walking shoes and flip-flops.
โ Light rain jacket if you are visiting during the rainy season
โ 3 gym outfits (you can also wear outside)
โ Reusable water bottle
โ Tissues
โ Pocket-size backpack you can use to go anywhere (if possible water-proof)
Beauty and medicines ๐
โ Skincare for hot weather. Don’t bring too much with you because you will find amazing skincare in Bali! My favourite is from this shop called Bali Life. I wouldn’t go crazy with makeup because it literally melts!
โ Electrolytes, paracetamol
Electronics ๐ค
โ Your phone, obviously!
โ Camera, if you’re taking one.
โ Laptop if you are planning on working
โ Chargers and a power bank
โ International adapter โ Bali uses European-style plugs
โ Bring your tripod to take pictures of yourself
Packing List for 1 Month in Bali
Staying a bit longer? Hereโs how to adjust your list for a month:
Clothes and accessories ๐
โ Think about the activities you will be doing most of the time and increase the size of those. Don’t go crazy though because you can wash everything and wear the same things over and over again
โ Pack some extra bikinis and period pads (I would suggest something eco-friendly like cups or fabric pads)
โ Bring a long shirt you can wear on boat trips so you won’t get sunburnt immediately!
Beauty and medicines ๐
โ Skincare for hot weather and a strong moisturiser in case you get sunburnt
โ Electrolytes (very useful especially in case you get the Bali belly), paracetamol and medicines that require prescription
Electronics ๐ค
โ Same as for two weeks, but maybe add an extra charger in case one decides to be naughty and stop working. Alternatively, you can buy one in Bali.
โ Again, don’t forget that international adapter!
Packing List for 3 Months in Bali
Settling in for the long haul? Awesome choice! ๐ด Here’s what you’ll need for a fabulous three-month getaway:
Clothes and accessories ๐
โ Pack more of your faves from the one-month list, plus some extra pieces for those unexpected Bali adventures. If you are planning on going for a visa run, consider you might need to pack for another country as well. The tourist visa in Bali only lasts 1 month so unless you extend it you might need to change country for a day or more and come back (read more here).
โ A lightweight rain jacket, because you never know when you’ll get caught in a quick rain shower. It’s all part of the experience!
โ Don’t forget a comfy pair of sneakers. Trust me, your flip-flops will need a break.
Beauty and medicines ๐
โ Skincare only for a week or so, you will buy the rest there
โ Electrolytes, paracetamol and medicines that require prescription
โ Bring your favourite tea from home or anything comforting you think you would appreciate during a long trip
Electronics ๐ค
โ Consider bringing a small laptop or tablet for those chill cafe workdays or if you’re planning to blog about your Bali escapades.
โ An external hard drive or cloud storage subscription to back up those priceless memories.
Packing Tips
- Bring a small first aid kit – it’s better to have it just in case (especially if you are planning on surfing or driving a scooter!)
- Make sure you pack everything in an organised way, maybe with packing cubes? (check out the best packing tips here!)
- Take along a notebook or journal to capture all the amazing experiences in Bali.
- Don’t pack too much! I normally use a cabin suitcase for 3 months because it’s easier to get around.
If Youโre Staying Even Longer…
Going for three months or more? Youโre living the dream! For longer stays, consider:
- A mini capsule wardrobe that you can mix and match.
- Maybe invest in a good-quality, lightweight laptop if you’re working remotely.
- Over time, buy local products for needs that crop up. Baliโs markets are fabulous for finding treasures.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this blog post including the ideal packing list for Bali for female solo travellers. The next step now is downloading all the essential travel apps and deciding how you will get a SIM card in Bali!
Also, don’t panic about your suitcase because if you forget something you can find it in Bali for sure, in fact, make sure to leave some extra space in case you want to bring something home!
Ciao for now,
Silvia x
โ๏ธ Bali Travel Planning Guide ๐ด
Before you start your unforgettable journey to Bali here are the essential tips every female solo traveller should know:
๐ฑ Do I need an eSIM for Bali?
โ Yes. Having data from the moment you land makes your trip so much easier. I recommend Ubigi eSIM, which connects instantly without queuing at the airport for a SIM card and works better than other eSIMs I have tested. ๐ Get your Indonesia plan now
๐ Should I buy travel insurance for Bali?
โ 100% YES! โ My #1 safety tip for all travellers is to buy travel insurance for every trip in case anything happens during their visit (and yes, Bali belly is a thing!). I highly recommend HeyMondo – you get 24/7 support and it’s budget-friendly!
๐งCan you drink the water in Bali?
๐ฑ No โ Itโs recommended to drink filtered or bottled water in Bali (I even brush my teeth with filtered water).
๐ฉ Whatโs the best way to book my Bali accommodations?
My go-to for Bali hotels is Booking.com. For hostels, I normally go for Hostelworld (you can also filter by private rooms if you want!). If you love pets you should consider Trusted Housesitters, you would get free accommodation in exchange for looking after amazing pets โค๏ธ
๐ Whatโs the best way to book my Bali activities?
Get Your Guide and Viator are the best ones. You can go through the reviews to learn more about each activity and they have amazing customer support!
๐ Will I find tampons in Bali?
Yes! However, they are hard to find! Get the guide with the list of sellers and Google Map here!
๐ How can I book my taxi in advance from the airport to my accommodation?
I always recommend reserving your taxi in advance via Klook. This is because it will ask you for flight details and the driver will be able to track your flight in real time. I would book my taxi especially when I fly to new places or get there at night time! If you want to rent a car, Klook is still your best bet. They have cars available to pick up right at the airport! For scooter rental in Bali, go to BikAgo.
๐๐ฝ Where can I book surf camps or yoga retreats?
Booksurfcamps.com is the best for surf camps all over the world. Use Bookyogaretreats.com for the best yoga retreats in Bali and worldwide.
โ๏ธ What’s the best site to book my flight?
Skyscanner is definitely the best one out there! I love their “explore everywhere” function for when I need inspiration on where to go next! If you will embark on a long flight and you love showering in between flights or just using the lounges in airports all over the world, check out Lounge Passes on Klook, GetYourGuide or get a lounge membership on Priority Pass!
๐ซ Do I need a visa for Bali?
๐ Yes โ US, UK, and EU passport holders can get the Visa On Arrival (Tourist Visa) valid for 30 days in Bali. Read more here)
๐ฐ ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐: The currency here is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), and there are plenty of ATMs if you need cash. I always withdraw from ATMs to get the best rates (select โnoโ when it asks you if you accept the conversion rate). The best debit card to use when travelling to Bali is Wise!
๐ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป: Getting around Bali is easy peasy! Rent your scooter on BikAgo. The alternative would be getting a scooter taxi using Grab or Gojek which are safe and cheap in major places like Ubud, Canggu and Uluwatu. You can also book your private driver!
