I took my wife and kids to Bali and what a magical destination truly is. My stay was booked in Ubud for a couple of nights before starting off with island hopping. We all were pretty excited because it was our first family trip to Indonesia. And our main focus was to explore as much as possible. From green rice fields to busy local shopping places, Indonesia literally surprised us in every way possible .But we also made a few small mistakes that we realized later on and our trip turned out to be exhausting than expected. Here are the mistakes we made and what we learnt on our first trip to Indonesia.
1. Not Preparing Visa and Arrival Forms Before Flying
After landing to the airport, I observed that the airport was busy, and immigration took longer than expected. Please make sure that checking the Indonesia visa requirements and completing any required arrival forms before flying. This will save your time. We contacted to a visa consultant in Dubai to process our tourist visa. You may consider them for the same, we had nice experience.
It’s also better to arrange airport transfers in advance, as finding a reliable taxi after a long flight with children can be stressful.
2. Covering Too Many Places in One Day
My wife and I first thought of covering at least four places in a day, especially around Ubud and its nearby spots. But turned out we could have planned something better. The traffic in Bali moves very slowly. Covering short distances took more than an hour or so, it was very frustrating.
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No need to take car if you are travelling solo or couple. Constant transferring from one place to another quickly became tiring. If I planned the trip again for this place, then group nearby attractions together. Just target to cover 2 places in a day so that you can explore without in hurry.
3. Not Carrying Both Cash and Card
We carried cash and used our credit cards during our Bali trip. Cash was especially useful for small restaurants, local shops. While we used credit cards at entrance tickets, and at larger hotels and restaurants.
Make sure to exchanging a small amount at a reliable money changer and using ATMs carefully or talk to your tour operator they can easily help you out. Local meals were generally affordable, but hiring a private driver for a full day cost more. My biggest tip is to agree on transport prices in advance and keep some Indonesian rupiah handy for small expenses.
4. Rushing Between Islands with Kids
Nusa Penida was a beauty but the long drive and rough roads were not a good experience. My kids got tired by the time we reached there.We really had a good time in Ubud. It was the best place in Indonesia according to medue to the greenery everywhere. There are lots of rice paddies, local markets and a relaxed vibe. Kids loved exploring and tasting local foods.
If travelling with family, I’d avoid packing too many destinations into one trip and spend more time in Ubud rather than rushing between islands and beaches.
5. Not Checking Food Ingredients
All of us are vegetarian and luckily Bali has many vegetarian restaurants. We found a couple of vegetarian cafeterias in Ubud. Some Indian restaurants were also present, but better check the food preparation on the menu card. Or you can also ask the waiter for the ingredients that are added in a particular dish. Some local dishes here include fish sauce and shrimp paste.And you may not like it if you are vegetarian.
6. Ignoring Temple Dress Code and Local Precautions
Your Indonesia trip can be a whole lot of fun only if you know what to pack in your trolley. Pack clothes that easily cover your shoulders and knees. A sarong is a must when visiting any holy site. Be a little careful around monkeys and keep your kids close to you. Only bottled drinking water is safe. Scooters on rent are good options, but get yourself one only if you have a license and know how to ride.These small precautions can make your first trip to Indonesia much smoother.
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FAQs
What should I do before flying to Bali?
Check the visa requirements and complete any required arrival forms before flying. Also arrange airport transfers in advance, finding a reliable taxi after a long flight with children can be stressful.
Can I cover three to four places in Bali in a day?
Aim for only one or two places in a day. The traffic in Bali is very slow and reaching short distances can sometimes take more than an hour. Include only the nearby attractions at a time for one day.
Is Nusa Penida a good place for kids?
Of course it is a beautiful island in Indonesia. But the journey is not at all easy to Nusa Penida. Bumpy roads make kids feel exhausted. Ubud is a far better option in my opinion.
Is vegetarian food easy to find in Bali?
Definitely yes and you will find plenty of options in Ubud. There are also many Indian restaurants there. Just make sure to check the ingredients as some local dishes have fish sauce or shrimp paste in them.