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Next year in 2024, we're finally embarking on my dream trip to Bali, Indonesia—holding the top spot on my travel bucket list for years. Our initial plans for a Bali honeymoon in 2021 were thwarted by COVID-19 and ensuing travel restrictions, making this upcoming trip all the more anticipated! As an American traveling to Indonesia for the first time, I've scoured the internet for comprehensive packing lists or essential recommendations for someone taking a trip to Bali, yet surprisingly, they seemed scarce. Given my unfamiliarity with traveling to Indonesia, especially considering the water and health concerns that both visitors and locals face (let's remember to keep it respectful by avoiding the term "Bali Belly"), I wanted to ensure we're well-prepared without overpacking. So, I took matters into my own hands and created a meticulous list of everything we're bringing for our 2024 Bali adventure.

Hygiene Essentials

Water Purifier

The water situation in Bali is a real concern—you definitely don't want to risk getting ill from drinking it. But on top of that, I've come across terrifying stories throughout my internet research of how the water in Bali can even lead to hair loss. As someone whose identity is practically tied to her hair, I couldn't travel to Bali without a bathtub/shower water purifier. This one I found on Amazon conveniently loops around the sink or shower, effectively filtering the water.

Now, I'm not suggesting you start taking big gulps from your shower, whether you have this purifier or not, but at least my hair stands a better chance.

Travel Toothbrushes

I can sense the eyebrow raise: "Obviously, you'd pack a travel toothbrush for a trip?" Well, you're absolutely right. But here's the thing—I've stocked up with a 50-pack of these travel toothbrushes just for this trip. Just in case one accidentally meets the tap water and gets compromised, no worries—I can toss it and grab a fresh one from the stock I plan to bring with me. These travel toothbrushes from Amazon even come individually wrapped for that extra touch of hygiene.

Don't worry, I'm not hauling all 50 toothbrushes with me. I've got plans to use the extras for upcoming trips and generously stocked my guest room back home. It's a win-win scenario.

Toothbrush UV Sanitizer

It's a topic that's always on my mind—when travelers end up with illnesses from water or food in Bali, is it a matter of their own negligence, or is it an unfortunate inevitability for most visitors? The online stories often revolve around using tap water for tooth brushing, a common slip-up that seems to lead to illness. So, beyond just packing multiple toothbrushes to discard any that might encounter tap water, we're taking it up a notch. We're also bringing a rechargeable toothbrush sanitizer with a UV light for that extra layer of caution. After all, a little extra vigilance can go a long way in ensuring a healthy trip.

Hand Sanitizer

Whether you're going for the bougie hand sanitizer or the classic kind, travel hand sanitizer is, and will forever remain, an absolute essential, no matter where your adventures take you. We all touch our faces a whopping 20 to 25 times every hour. So, ensuring you're as germ-free as possible? That's a travel mantra we can all get behind!

Body Wipes

Taking a candid approach here. We're aiming for a 'shower-as-little-as-possible' strategy during this trip. Given our plans to venture into the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and chase multiple waterfalls, we anticipate getting a bit grimy rather quickly. So we are packing body wipes/waterless bath wipes. It's the ultimate full-body cleansing sans the actual shower ordeal involving water and soap. Don't worry, we'll definitely take real showers too. But considering the water concerns and my anxiety, these wipes are for my peace of mind and convenience.

Disinfecting Wipes

We have made it a practice to bring disinfecting wipes along on all our trips. Whether it's for a quick clean-up on the airplane or a wipe-down of our hotel room surfaces, we've got these wipes within arm's reach at all times.

Packing Organization and Efficiency

Packing Cubes

First on the list are packing cubes! I've been using packing cubes for almost a decade, and my current set has certainly seen better days, so it's time for an upgrade. I can't imagine how I managed to travel before discovering the magic of packing cubes, and I never want to experience a trip without them again. These cubes are the ultimate organizational tool, keeping you and your bag sorted while maximizing suitcase space to ensure you never run out of room.

We've opted for this set from Amazon, which comes with a laundry bag and a shoe bag—two additions we plan to fully utilize.

Travel Containers

Our mission is to pack light and efficiently for this almost two-week trip. So, we're stocking up on different types of travel containers—makeup cases, toiletry bags, and all kinds of nifty travel containers for our essentials. TSA regulations are heavily on our minds, especially since this marks our first time flying with Singapore Airlines and our very first journey to Indonesia. One of my all time favorite travel container finds are these mini perfume containers so I don’t have to bring any big perfume bottles with me.

Shoe Bags

We're fully expecting our shoes to take a beating thanks to hikes, city walks, and everything in between. That's why we're adding a handful of extra shoe bags to our packing list. When it's time to bid adieu to Bali, we've got a clean and easy way to pack any dirty shoes without making a mess of everything else in our bag. 

Wet Bags

With a whole lot of waterfall chasing and hiking in the pipeline for our trip, not to mention ample pool and flower bath time, we will be getting a lot of use out of our bathing suits. Some days, they'll dry in a flash, but others might need a bit more time, maybe even a few days. That's why we're adding wet bags to our packing arsenal, ensuring a hassle-free way to stow away our damp suits when it's time to go back home.

Health Care

Charcoal Pills

Can you tell that I’m anxious about getting sick on this trip? The internet is flooded with articles stressing the importance of having charcoal pills on standby, just in case the unfortunate happens in Bali. According to The National Institutes of Health, activated charcoal draws and eliminates toxins from the digestive system. It acts as a shield, preventing the absorption of bacteria. Our plan is to bring a supply of activated charcoal pills from either Amazon or Costco before the big adventure. Better safe than sorry!

Hydration Packs

We're die-hard fans of electrolyte drink packets, whether we're at home or on the go. But heading to Bali takes it to a whole new level—it's an absolute essential. If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of food poisoning, these electrolytes become a lifeline. It's pretty common to get a bit dehydrated during travel in general, especially when you're not in your usual hydration routine. One of our favorite brands is Liquid I.V. and we love buying the big packs from Costco!

Adventuring Supplies

Sarong

Many of the religious temples and sites in Bali require men and women to cover their shoulders and knees, and some even call for both men and women to wear a sarong. We have read online that some temples will give you one with your entrance fees, and other temples sell them to you, but to be on the safe side, we are planning to pack our own from Amazon! The last thing we ever want to do is be in a situation where we could possibly disrespect the rules of these temples so we are playing it safe and purchasing a cheap Sarong from Amazon to bring and then we plan to buy an authentic one once we are in Bali when the opportunity presents itself. 

Microfiber Towel

When you're out there, exploring to discover those breathtaking waterfalls, naturally, a dip in those falls is a must. That's where our trusty, "beach towel" sized microfiber towel is perfect for the quick dry-off sessions between our adventures. We also recently came across this three-pack of microfiber towels that are in different sizes and think we just might snap a pack of them to bring with us too. 

Travel Pillow + Blanket

Usually, I'd throw a compact, small-sized blanket into my carry-on, but this time, we're all about maximizing space with travel gadgets. Opting to grab a travel pillow/blanket combo from Amazon for that perfect balance of comfort and convenience. Here's the one we've got our sights set on!

Footwear

Walking Sneakers

Let me rave about these Dr. Scholl's Time Off Platform Sneakers—they're the ultimate blend of comfort and style, a walking sneaker dream! A vacation essential, especially when your itinerary involves a ton of walking and you're not looking to weigh down your outfit with clunky athletic shoes. Personally,  I'm totally a sucker for anything in the platform shoe department. 

Tevas

Of course, we can't forget about the perfect shoes for our outdoor escapades, especially the waterfall adventures. I'm about to proudly be a first-time owner of Teva’s for this trip. All the articles and reviews online rave about Teva’s, highlighting their versatility for various outdoor activities, whether on land or in water. It's clear—they're the ultimate footwear addition for my Bali trip. I have been eyeing these platforms Teva shoes online but haven't bit the bullet to make a decision yet. It’s hard when you love them all!

Miscellaneous Travel Essentials

Handheld Luggage Scale

Here's a gem of a travel tip I never hesitate to share with fellow travelers. Our trusty handheld luggage scale is an absolute game-changer. Souvenirs have a sneaky way of making your bag feel like a ton of bricks. So, we always whip out this digital scale to ensure we're not breaking any weight limits before we hit the airport. No one wants a cringe-worthy moment at the check-in counter, cracking open your bag in front of everyone to remove items to hit the right weight. We even use this handy hook before we leave for the airport, giving us a clear idea of where our bag's weight stands right from the get-go.

Luggage Tags

An obvious must—luggage tags! They're our go-to for suitcase spotting at baggage claim. We're always tossing in an extra tag for our trip back. Anyone seasoned in travel knows those TSA workers have a knack for accidentally ripping off your luggage tag.

Travel Luggage Lock

For those suitcases that missed the lock memo, let me introduce you to these TSA locks. Trust me, they add that extra blanket of security and peace of mind for all your belongings while jet-setting around. 

So there you have it—a curated checklist of essentials of what you need for your Bali trip! From packing cubes to stay organized on the go, to shoe bags to preserve your kicks through the journey, you will be all set for seamless travel. Health and hygiene are paramount, reflected in our arsenal of water purifiers, sanitizers, and even activated charcoal for that extra layer of precaution. Every item is meticulously chosen to enhance your Bali experience, making your travels smoother, safer, and more enjoyable.

The excitement is palpable as we gear up for our own dream trip to Bali, fulfilling a top-tier spot on my bucket list. As the departure date approaches, the thrill and eagerness to step into this adventure of a lifetime are beyond words. Bali, here we come (in six short months)!

You can see my full Bali Travel Essentials list here and my General Travel Essentials list here. Enjoy!