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What to pack when traveling to Bali

9 Apps for your great summer vacation



There’s never been a better time to get away, and I suggest the destination of Bali, Indonesia. August is the best time to travel to Bali because it’s the least rainy and least humid (although there’s never a time of year when you can’t travel to Bali.) Bali has many faces: the sea, the mountains, the ruins, the laid-back countryside, and the vibrant cityscape. No matter what concept of travel you’re looking for, it’s important to understand the specifics of Bali as a destination. In that sense, these nine apps will be essential. They’ll help you with the most frustrating parts of traveling to Bali as a foreigner: language, transportation, food, and currency exchange. To make your trip a success, let me be your Bali guide.



Standards of behavior

The Bali Bible

ⓒGoogle Play


Are you visiting Bali for the first time? Bali has four main travel themes: East, West, South and North. Each area offers different attractions for sightseeing and recreation, so it’s crucial to compare them. Make sure to set your travel standards with the Bible app. This app provides insider knowledge from a community of over 2.5 million travelers. It serves as a comprehensive Bali guidebook, listing all the things to do and see in Bali. The app aims to help you easily plan your trip with recommendations tailored to your interests.



Tolls are $50

Love bali

ⓒGoogle Play



The region imposes a tourism tax to preserve Bali’s culture and environment. The tourist tax in Bali contributes to the tourism industry. Paying the tourist tax before your arrival has the advantage of making it easier to exit the airport. To pay this tax, you will need to download and install a specific app. Once the payment is complete, ensure that your Bali tourist tax voucher is displayed on the screen. Capture a screenshot of this voucher so that you can easily present it when required during your trip to Bali.




Not appearing in the navigation

Waze

ⓒGoogle Play



When traveling, you may encounter unfamiliar roads. An app provides directions that Google Maps cannot. Taxi drivers in Bali commonly use this app, which is essential, especially if you intend to ride a motorcycle in Bali. Since Bali has limited public transportation options, you are limited to cars or motorcycles. You don’t need a map of Bali to get everywhere.




Find the blue cap

MyBluebird

ⓒGoogle Play



Bali is a traffic jam paradise. The traffic congestion is caused by narrow, poor roads with mostly two lanes each way, and a mix of cars and motorcycles. However, many people claim that using a private taxi can quickly get you to your destination. This app allows you to pre-set your starting point and destination and know how much the ride will cost. It works with your card to calculate the fare, so it’s safe and secure. Just make sure to take a blue taxi.




Your flavor has arrived

Gojek

ⓒGoogle Play



Southeast Asia’s largest ride-sharing and food delivery platform allows you to select your favorite restaurant and receive a list of nearby locations, along with pricing and reviews for each dish. Bali’s food is delicious because it’s westernized and not overly flavored. You can get food delivered affordably and enjoy meals from famous restaurants in the comfort of your hotel room.




The best picture ever in the water

Dive+

ⓒGoogle Play



When you’re swimming in a pool in Bali or snorkeling in the open ocean, you’ll want to capture some great underwater shots. It would be frustrating to have a green face because the white balance is off, wouldn’t it? With just one button in this app, you can correct it back to its original color. You can also post your own underwater photos, follow others, and interact with them like a social network.




Feel free to do whatever you want

Klook

ⓒKlook



Bali is known for offering unique activities in each region. For instance, in northern Bali, you can enjoy a dolphin tour, an Instagrammable tour in the east, beach clubbing in the west, and touring the traditional royal palaces of Ubud in the center. Bali attracts millions of travelers every year, so booking activities is a must. As a global activities platform, you may already be familiar with this app, but it becomes even more essential when you’re in Bali. That’s because nearly 90% of local attractions, experiences, and tour programs in Bali are booked through this app.




Fast money calculator

XE Currency

ⓒGoogle Play



Bali uses the Indonesian currency, the Rupiah. If you’re not familiar with this, you might encounter difficulties in local markets in Bali. You can use this app to convert to your preferred currency in real-time and potentially save some money by monitoring the exchange rate fluctuations and converting at the optimal time.



Talk to your buddy

Aksara Bali

ⓒGoogle Play



Did you know that in Bali, people speak three languages: English, Indonesian, and Balinese? Indonesian is the language used in schools and official media, while English and Balinese are commonly spoken in everyday life. If you’re planning to live in Bali for an extended period, it’s a good idea to learn Balinese. You can use an educational app to learn Balinese script through games and also learn simple phrases to enjoy conversations with your Balinese friends without needing a translator. And also jokes that make them laugh. (This app is only supported on Android.)



ⓒGettyimagesbank
TAG
2024-08-09
editor
Eunju Lee
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