What should I pack for Bali?

Sarong and sash — that's the item most visitors forget, and it will stop you cold at Tirta Empul, Uluwatu, Besakih, and every other temple on the island. You can rent them at the gate for about 50,000 IDR (~$3), but they tend to be damp from the last tourist, and the elastic sash cuts into your waist after ten minutes. Buy your own at Sukawati Art Market for 30,000-40,000 IDR, or bring a lightweight one from home. Both men and women need them. No exceptions. Worth noting: some temples also require that your shoulders are covered, so toss in a light scarf or cotton shawl that can double as a beach cover.

You're packing for 28-34°C with humidity that rarely drops below 65%. Three quick-dry shirts will rotate better than five cotton ones — cotton stays wet and starts smelling like a gym bag by day two. One light long-sleeve layer handles the aggressive AC in Grab cars and the restaurants along Jalan Petitenget in Seminyak, where the contrast between 34°C street heat and 20°C dining room air will give you actual chills in a damp tank top. Footwear matters more than you'd expect. Bali's sidewalks — where they exist — are uneven, cracked, and occasionally missing chunks where storm drains sit uncovered. Flip-flops work for Kuta Beach and casual walking in central Ubud, but bring one pair of closed-toe shoes with grip. If you're renting a scooter, closed shoes are non-negotiable: the exhaust pipe burn scar is the unofficial Bali souvenir nobody wants.

Bali's dry season runs roughly April through October — warm, lower humidity, mostly clear skies. The wet season from November through March brings daily downpours that typically hit mid-afternoon and last an hour or two. During wet season, pack a compact rain shell and a dry bag for your phone and wallet. The rain itself is warm, almost bath-temperature, and it stops as suddenly as it starts. That said, even in dry season you might catch a surprise shower around Kintamani or in the rice terrace country north of Ubud — the elevation changes the weather fast. If you're planning a sunrise trek up Mount Batur, bring a fleece or warm mid-layer: the summit sits at 1,717 metres, and pre-dawn temperatures can drop to 10-15°C. Nobody warns you about that until you're shivering at 4 AM in shorts.

Skip packing sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and basic toiletries. Guardian pharmacy and Kimia Farma are on every main road in Denpasar, Kuta, and Ubud. Reef-safe sunscreen at Guardian runs about 85,000 IDR (~$5) — cheaper than what you'll pay at home, and you won't risk a checked-bag leak. Autan mosquito repellent is 20,000 IDR at any Indomaret or Alfamart. One thing you should bring from home: your preferred deodorant. The local options tend to be spray-only and lightly scented — fine if that's your thing, frustrating if you want a solid stick. Also pack any prescription medications you need. Indonesian pharmacies require a local prescription for most things beyond basic painkillers, and sorting that out in Denpasar while jet-lagged is not how you want to spend your first morning.