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If You're Packing For A Trip To Bali, The 27 Items In This List Are Worth The Space In Your Bag
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We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide. I'm a seasoned Shopping Editor with more than 10 years of experience covering travel (my favorite), home decor, fashion, and pet products. Packing for Bali means preparing for humid weather, beach days, surprise tropical downpours, and plenty of temple visits where modest clothing is a must. The good news is that a few smart essentials — like lightweight linen layers, reliable SPF, comfortable walking shoes, a portable fan, and a universal travel adapter — can make your trip infinitely more comfortable. Whether you’re exploring rice terraces in the hillsides north of Ubud, wandering through temples like Tanah Lot, checking out local cafés, or island hopping, these travel-friendly picks are absolutely worth the room in your bag. A universal travel adapter — point blank period! If you're traveling to Bali from the EU, your plugs may work as is, but if you're dropping in from the US, UK, or Canada, this baby is essential. It offers one regular outlet, two USB outlets, and two USB-C outlets, so you can charge all of your electronics at once. Let's be real, you're lost at home without access to Google Maps, nvm in a foreign country. Promising review: "I've tried a lot of these travel chargers, and a problem I've had is they often sag from the outlet and disconnect. This design locks into place and is rock solid. Charges well, too. Highly recommended." —Turner A LifeStraw two-stage filtration water bottle so you can stay hydrated without worrying about tummy troubles. You can also drink bottled water, of course, but if you like carrying your own, this dude can make tap water safer to drink by filtering out chlorine, bacteria (including E. coli and Salmonella), parasites (including Giardia and Cryptosporidium), microplastics, dirt, and more. PSA: If you’re immunocompromised, be sure to read all the package instructions to make sure it’s safe for you. Promising review: "I love it! I’m traveling in Southeast Asia, and I use it, of course, every day. It’s so convenient to not have to buy water or hope your hotel/hostel has a purified water station. I also love that it can be fully deconstructed for washing. Absolutely worth it!" —Mink Master Get it from Amazon for $32.48+ (available in five colors). A versatile The North Face crossbody bag with room for all of your essentials (phone, keys, wallet, Indonesian Rupiah), but not too much extra, so you won't be weighed down while out and about. Promising review: "My husband and I got this for our Vegas trip. Just so we wouldn’t have to carry a big bag. It was a great size for us; we were able to put our wallets, keys, my makeup, and a few other small things that we needed in it. The strap's length was great for my husband, and it fit me as well. It went with every style we wore in Vegas. It was very comfortable — honestly couldn’t feel it." —Colbyhincks Get it from Amazon for $27.14+ (available in eight colors). A quick-drying Uniqlo AIRism Cotton T-Shirt, because Bali is hot and humid pretty much year-round. While some inland and mountainous areas can be a bit more temperate, beach towns like Seminyak, Canggu, and Uluwatu will have you sweatin'. Promising review: "I bought one Uniqlo AIRism tee thinking, 'Sure, it’s a shirt. I’ve worn shirts before.' What I did not expect was to slip into a fabric so smooth it felt like being gently hugged by a cloud that also pays its taxes on time. Within 30 seconds of wearing it, I became a new person. My posture improved. My credit score probably went up. I suddenly understood jazz. These shirts are so breathable, I’m convinced they’re powered by tiny, invisible wind spirits. I don’t sweat in them anymore — my body simply whispers 'evaporate,' and the moisture respectfully leaves. I now own enough AIRism tees to outfit a small, well‑ventilated cult. I rotate them like precious artifacts. Laundry day feels like a reunion episode. If Uniqlo ever discontinues these, I will simply lie down on the floor and refuse to participate in society. Highly recommend. Life-changing. Fabric sorcery." —The Fabric Whisperer Get it from Uniqlo for $24.90 (available in women's sizes XXS–XXL and in seven colors). A compression laundry bag, because laundry service is extremely common and inexpensive in Bali, so you can pack less and just wash what you need. Most tourist streets offer laundry shops with same-day or next-day wash-and-fold services, and hotels/villas also typically offer laundry — just keep in mind that the latter is usually more expensive than dropping it off yourself. Promising review: "Great for trips. Using compression bags for your clean clothes is a pain when you’re moving around a lot, but for dirty clothes, it’s a no-brainer. Just got back from a two-week backpacking trip, and it worked well between clothes washings. The medium was large enough; the large would have been too big for my purposes." —Hunter Hunter Get it from Amazon for $20.59+ (available in two sizes and five colors). A versatile linen scarf you can toss on over your shoulders when you're wearing a tank top, but want to visit sites like Ubud Palace or Tanah Lot Temple. While dressing modestly isn't necessary in tourist hubs like Seminyak or Canggu, it's required at sacred sites, so it's best to keep a scarf or sarong in your bag. Promising review: "This is a wonderful, real linen scarf. The natural color is perfect, and the texture is natural. I wore it every day during a two-week tour in Egypt. It was great for style, for sun protection on hot days, and as a scarf on cool days. I will potentially give these as gifts for birthdays. It’s not easy to find real linen on Amazon, but the natural color was definitely real linen." —Liz H. Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in 36 colors). A rechargeable handheld fan, because you are human and you sweat on a normal day, never mind in humid 90-degree heat. This little baby also doubles as a flashlight and backup phone charger! And it weighs basically nothing, so throwing it in your purse or tote bag isn't a big deal. Promising review: "Perfect travel companion. Several hotels on my recent trip did not have air conditioning. Thank goodness I brought this with me. It was powerful enough to cool me off. The charge would last all night." —CCRose Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in three colors). An Anker Nano Power Bank with a 10,000-mAh battery, a built-in USB-C cable, and 30-watt fast charging that can boost your iPhone from 0% to 50% in just 30 minutes, because your phone is about to take the most photos ever attempted in a single day. Reviewers love the digital display that provides real-time info on remaining battery percentage and charging time. Plus, the cable also doubles as a wrist strap, so you can charge on the go without juggling a bunch of devices. Here's what BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly has to say: "I've owned this charger for more than a year and love the built-in cord. It just simplifies everything! I often throw it into my bag on regular days because sometimes I end up spending the whole day out and about (New York City is just like that) and need a charge without monopolizing an outlet in a coffee shop. It's a little heavier than other portable chargers I've used in the past, but I still adore it over all other chargers I've used. Oh, and the percentage indicator for how much juice it has is incredibly convenient and has probably ruined all other portable chargers for me." Promising review: "An absolute must-have for anyone looking to eliminate cable clutter while keeping their devices charged at high speeds. The standout feature is the integrated USB-C cable, which is incredibly sturdy and doubles as a convenient carrying handle. With 30W bi-directional fast charging, it can power an iPhone 16 or 15 to 50% in just 30 minutes, and it recharges itself just as quickly. The vibrant smart display provides real-time information on remaining battery percentage and charging time, taking all the guesswork out of your power levels. Compact enough to fit in a small bag or even a pocket, it’s the perfect balance of 10,000-mAh capacity and portability for travel or daily commutes." —Chris Get it from Amazon for $41.99+ (available in five colors). Some La Roche-Posay SPF 50 face sunscreen, since the UV index in Bali often reaches extreme levels (11+ 🥵), which poses a significant risk of sunburn and skin damage. The sun is also at its strongest between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. — hours when you're likely out and about exploring. Note that the AAD recommends using at least SPF 30 and reapplying as needed for skin protection. You can read about sunscreen myths and facts from dermatologists for more information! I am very picky when it comes to sunscreen, as my skin can get super oily, super fast. I also HATE the smell of coconut, so I'm not a fan of anything that has that typical sunblock smell. This formula is really lightweight, absorbs super fast, doesn't leave me shiny, and offers SPF 50 — aka much better protection than a lot of alternatives I've tried. Promising review: "I have tried a million face sunscreens, and this one is the most lightweight one I can find. I hate feeling sunscreen on my face and can’t stand feeling sticky, and I know if it makes me sticky, I won’t wear it every day. This one is a very thin consistency and really melts into your skin, leaves a minimal white cast, and I find myself reaching for it every day. I also have very sensitive skin and rosacea, and this doesn’t sting my face like some others do. Love!!" —Savanna Ouellette Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in an original formula and four tinted shades). A waterproof dry bag for days spent beach hopping. Boat trips — be they budget ferries or chartered private rides — are part and parcel of exploring Bali's surrounding islands and coastal areas, so between spray from choppy open waters and having to wade through knee-deep waters when boarding/disembarking your ride, you're bound to get wet. This roll-top bag keeps your belongings protected, and it comes with both backpack-style shoulder straps and a sternum strap, so you can easily lug it around. Promising review: "I used this wet bag when I vacationed in Asia, island hopping for eight days. It carried all my stuff inside and kept it all dry! I love the color too! Although they sell wet bags in the country, I am the only one with that color! Very much recommended!" —Ridgerunner from Asco Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in six sizes and 10 colors). A waterproof phone pouch you'll be happy to have on hand during excursions. Whether you're swimming with manta rays in Nusa Penida or taking a surf lesson in Canggu, this will keep your v expensive iPhone nice and safe! Promising review: "Took these on a trip to Bali and they worked great while ATVing through the mud and rivers. Would recommend." —Amari H. Get a pack of two from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 18 color combinations). A loose linen-blend button-down — a lightweight layer that's a must for visiting Bali's ninth- and 10th-century temples. While nights out in more touristy corners of town (Canggu, for example) may be a little more lax about dress codes, if your itinerary includes day trips to cultural attractions, you’ll want to avoid shoulder (and cleavage) baring tops and opt for higher-cut tees and shirts with sleeves. Promising review: "Love this for layering when the weather starts to warm up. It's that perfect linen — sort of like a natural linen look (light tan color). Lightweight enough and yet keeps you warm on a cold plane! Would love to have it in every color." —anonymous Get it from Old Navy for $44.99 (available in women's sizes XS–4X regular, tall, and petite and in 10 colors/styles). A pair of quick-drying Teva sandals with a robust EVA footbed and stabilizing nylon shank that make them ideal for all sorts of outdoor activities and terrains. One reviewer says they wore these nearly every day on their 3-week trip through SE Asia, and they served them well!! Promising review: "Oh man! This sandal is the best all-around comfort sandal. And by all around, I mean you can go hiking, swim, trek through a river, walk, run, whatever, these sandals are staying on your feet while keeping them comfortable! I bought them for a trip to Bali, and honestly, they could now be the only shoes I pack for a tropical vacation." —7s Get it from Amazon for $64.93+ (available in women's sizes 5–12 and nine designs). If you're simply not a sandal person, some slip-on sneakers like the OnCloud Cloud 6 are also great, as you can pop them on and off with little effort when exploring temples or hitting the beach. These feature elasticated laces and a sockliner for easy step-in. Get them from OnCloud for $160 (available in women's sizes 5–12 and in 16 colors). A packable floppy sun hat, because if you're spending time in a beach town, be it Jimbaran Bay, Sanur, or Seminyak, sun protection is a must. This cutie comes in under $15, but will help protect your schnoz from the extremely high UV index! Promising review: "I love this hat! I’ve been trying to find a hat that is cuter and more comfy than a baseball hat for the beach and outdoors in tropical locations, but I don’t like big floppy hats. This hat is so cute, lightweight, and really easy to pack. It can be really smushed in a bag and easily reshaped. I bring it on all my travels now and am thinking about getting another in case it wears out!" —Rick F. Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in 17 styles). A quick-dry UPF 50+ swimsuit so you can take a dip at a moment's notice! As this blocks 97.5% of the sun's UV rays and dries super fast, you can also comfortably wear it as a bodysuit. Get it from L.L. Bean for $89.95 (available in women's sizes 4–18 regular and long). An insect repellent misting spray so you aren't eaten alive while attending an evening fire show on the beach. These choreographed acts, which are often hosted by beach bars and restaurants, are super common, but mosquitoes are also frequent guests, so a quick spritz is always smart. Promising review: "I purchased this for our overseas trip to a location with lots of mosquitoes, and it was fantastic. I loved that it is odorless, feels like nothing on your skin, and is non-aerosol, making it perfect for travel. It worked so well that I came home and bought another one right away. Highly recommend!" —PetsnCare Some breathable 100% linen wide-leg pants, because they're an easy go-to, whether you're exploring rice terraces in Ubud or wandering through the ancient temple ruins of Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (look out for the 1,000 free-roaming long-tailed macaques). I particularly love these as they're super affordable and offer functional pockets. Promising review: "I am very happy with these pants. The fabric quality and craftsmanship are good (I'm a seamstress, so I know), and the price was wonderful. I washed them, hung them up to dry, and didn't really need to press them. I've been ordering washable linen pants from another source for years, and these Quince pants were nearly half of what I have been paying." —Carol L. Get them from Quince for $42 (available in women's sizes XS–XL, inseams 26, 28, and 30, and in 11 colors/designs). Some quick-dry water shoes that'll protect your toes from hot sand, sharp rocks, and whatever other terrain you're dealing with. And when you're done, they fold down to basically nothing, so you can slip them in your pack without playing tote bag Tetris. Promising review: "We bought these shoes for our trip to Bali, and they were such a blessing. Walking on the beach with these made life so much easier. The sand doesn't even get into the shoes, and you can actually walk in the water with them. Best money I have ever spent!" —Yulanda Get them from Amazon for $9.88+ (available in women's sizes 4/5–13.5, men's sizes 3/4–12, and in 44 colors/designs). A light sweater that'll come in handy during the slightly chillier moments of your trip — say, when you're on a ferry or motorbike, in mountainous areas like Ubud, or just enjoying a stroll through an air-conditioned mall. Promising review: "I bought this sweater because I’m a boater and enjoy traveling. This sweater has seen the world! It’s lightweight to toss over your shoulders, wear on its own, or layer as a double. It’s great to wear casual or dress it up." —CCH3 Get it from J. Crew for $49 (originally $98; available in women's sizes XXS–3X and in five colors). A lightweight day pack if your itinerary has you out from dawn till dusk, so a crossbody simply won't cut it. This gives you room for a change of clothes, a water bottle, a fan, etc. It also has a durable water repellent coating, so showers are no biggie, and a mesh-covered foam design that offers comfort and ventilation. Promising review: "Nice pack for day trips. The large interior pocket easily handles a rain jacket, water bottle, and umbrella, while the smaller interior pocket holds snacks, energy bars, and other daily needs. There are interior dividers to keep items separated as needed. Exterior mesh pockets worked well for sunglasses (glasses were enclosed in a protective case), and a small brochure /map, if needed. The lightly padded shoulder straps are comfortable, and the adjustable buckle straps make it easy to secure the pack as needed. There is space for a small H2O bladder (not included). This pack lacks an exterior frame (as expected) and has breathable back mesh; however, it does not provide much airflow. The pack was perfect for international travel as a carry-on and for tour buses with narrow overhead space." —Jim D. Get it from REI for $70 (available in five colors). Some sanitizing wet wipes so you can clean your hands before indulging in street food — maybe Sate Lilit, Nasi Goreng, or Babi Guling? Promising review: "I carry these with me when I travel. These are especially useful at gas station pumps and when using public restrooms that may not seem the cleanest. These are ideal for a quick face or hand clean up, and the softness and strength are as expected." —Simply Mary Music Get three 30-packs from Amazon for $9.99. An adjustable rain jacket, because Bali is a tropical, humid (oh-so-humid) island year-round, but if you visit sometime from October to March, you'll also get well acquainted with rain. This lightweight coat offers adjustable cuffs, a drawcord-adjustable hem, two zippered hand pockets, and folds down into its own pocket for easy storage. I purchased this jacket years ago, before a trip to the Peruvian Amazon, and it definitely came in clutch. If you're a frequent traveler, you'll appreciate not only how easy it is to pack, but that you can actually fold it up into its own pocket so you can store it in your backpack or purse when you don't need it. Promising review: "I decided to take a chance on this as I needed a light raincoat to take to Japan. Little did I know that a GIANT storm was rolling in before we left. I got a chance to try it out in a Texas thunderstorm, too... Which, if you haven't heard, are massive! The jacket fits great! I am able to put another sweatshirt underneath and still feel comfortable. Now, for the functionality. I wore this for two days in the pouring rain and didn't get wet once! It also did a great job shielding the wind. The hood tucks nicely in the collar and is easy to put in and out. Very lightweight and super easy to throw in my purse just in case." —Sarah Crain Get it from Amazon for $34+ (available in women's sizes XS–3X and in 45 colors). Some go-to sunnies to protect your peepers when you're out and about all day. They look pretty similar to styles from Ray-Ban, but because of the price, you won't cry if they accidentally fly off your face on a scooter-taxi. Promising review: "These sunglasses are great quality!! They are very trendy and fit comfortably on my face. Great price and color!" —Maddie Get them from Amazon for $15.99 (available in six colors). A breezy cotton gauze maxi skirt for especially hot days when you simply can't force yourself to pull on full-length pants. Bali is home to more than 20,000 Hindu temples (it didn't get the nickname "The Island of a Thousand Temples" for nothing), and I'm willing to bet at least a few of them have made your itinerary. As such, you'll need pieces that cover your shoulders and knees to enter. Promising review: "This skirt is absolutely worth the price because it's 100% cotton gauze. Don't believe other reviews that say it's cheap! If you know natural fibers, you will understand." —Allison B. Get it from Gap for $79.95 (available in women's sizes XXS–XXL regular, tall, and petite and in five colors/styles). Some Kleenex pocket packs that take up next to no space, but boy, will you be thankful you brought them when you come across a bathroom with no toilet paper. Promising review: "These small packages of Kleenex are irreplaceable when traveling. You’ll always have them on hand for noses and spills and restroom stops!! Love these!!!" —Dennis M. Hannah Jr. Get 16 Pocket Packs (10 per pack) from Amazon for $11.48. Some just-in-case Immodium if you have a sensitive stomach, even when you're at home, so it's best to be prepared. It'll also come in clutch if you overestimate just how much spice you can take... (Lots of Balinese traditional dishes feature bird's eye chilies — so watch out!) Promising review: "Imodium A-D is a lifesaver! Whenever stomach issues hit, these caplets work quickly to calm things down and bring relief. I like that they’re small, easy to swallow, and start working within the first dose. They’re gentle on my stomach and don’t cause any extra discomfort, which is a huge plus compared to some other medicines. I always keep a box in my medicine cabinet and in my travel bag — it’s one of those essentials you don’t want to be without. If you need dependable, fast-acting diarrhea relief, this is definitely the one to trust." —Whitney Get it from Amazon for $4.48+ (available in packs of 6, 12, and 24). * Travel Products That’ll Make Your Vacation Companions Say, “Damn, I Should’ve Brought That” * If You And The Kids Are Going To Take A Long Car Ride, These 27 Finds Will Keep Them Busy In The Backseat * Pieces That’ll Turn Your Vacation Into A Fashion Show * Travel Light With These 43 Carry-On Packing Tips Plus, travel shoes and finds from Walmart. BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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