mood photoDesk · Roost or Nexstand
Folding laptop stand
For you if you will work from cafes and villas with low tables, which is every cafe and villa.
Trade-off plus a mouse, or it does not help.
Guide · for nomad, holiday travellers
A one-bag month in Bali
Hot, humid, rainy some afternoons, and most of what you need is for sale in Canggu or Ubud. Pack for the first three days and the work; buy the rest there.
the whole list0 of 9 packed
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Bali is the easiest place in the world to pack for, because almost everything is available and cheap on the island. The only things worth carrying from home are the ones that are hard to find locally: good work gear, a proper rain layer, prescription items and sunscreen that will not bleach the reef.
This guide is written from the island. Where a note says what is easy to buy locally, that is from walking the shops, not from a search.
Work kit, from home
start here ↓The one category not to buy locally: electronics are more expensive and the selection is thin.
mood photoSee it at Roost →
mood photoConnection · Airalo
Indonesia eSIM for arrival, local SIM after
For you if you land at night and want a Grab or Gojek ride without airport wifi.
Trade-off a local Telkomsel SIM from a shop in town is far cheaper per gigabyte for the month; the eSIM is for the first days.
mood photoPower · Any
Universal adapter
For you if your plugs are not European two-pin.
Trade-off Indonesia uses the European type C and F plugs; if you are from Europe, leave it home.
mood photoInsurance · SafetyWing
Nomad medical insurance
For you if you will ride a scooter, which you will.
Trade-off check whether scooter accidents are covered and under what licence conditions; many policies require a motorcycle licence.
Clothes for heat and rain
then this ↓
mood photoClothes · Patagonia or Rab
Light rain shell
For you if you are there between November and March.
Trade-off it is hot under any shell; a cheap poncho from a warung does the same for a scooter ride and costs almost nothing.
mood photoClothes · Birkenstock or Teva
Sandals you can walk and ride in
For you if you want one pair for everything.
Trade-off open shoes on a scooter are the local norm and a bad idea; closed shoes for riding, sandals for the rest.
mood photoHealth · Any mineral brand
Reef-safe sunscreen, two tubes
For you if you will swim or surf.
Trade-off expensive and hard to find on the island; the local shops sell mostly chemical sunscreens.
Buy there, not here
the fun part ↓
mood photoLocal · Local markets
Sarong, swimwear, linen shirts, a hat
For you if you want to pack light.
Trade-off markets are cheap and the quality is mixed; the boutiques in Canggu are good and priced like Europe.
mood photoLocal · Any pharmacy (apotek)
Mosquito repellent and after-sun
For you if everyone.
Trade-off local brands work and cost a fraction; bring only a prescription item you cannot replace.
What to leave at home
lighter alreadyskip:A big first-aid kit
Pharmacies are everywhere and well stocked. Bring plasters and your own prescriptions.
skip:Jeans
You will wear them once, on the plane home.
skip:A second laptop charger
Buy a cable locally if one dies; keep the brick in the bag at all times.
Save this guide for the next trip
two pins, pick oneLists change as we swap out items that stop earning their place. The pin always points to the current version of this page.
