Are you wondering what to wear in Bali? This guide tells you exactly what to pack for Bali no matter the month you are visiting for sightseeingm beaches, dinner, temples, resorts and more.
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But before we get onto the specifics of what to wear in Bali along with some outfit inspiration we thought it would be worthwhile to talk about exactly how the seasons and dress codes will affect your Bali Packing List.
Where is Bali?
So the first thing that you need to know is where exactly Bali is. Bali is a province of Indonesia but is the most visited area and most liberal in terms of dress codes.
Bali Weather Guide
Bali has two seasons – the wet season and the dry season. The wet season in Bali is categorised as November, December, January February and ends in March.
While the dry season in Bali is April, May, June, July, August, September and October, therefore if you want a higher chance of great weather this is the time to go. It is also a great time to visit for those prioritising beaches and snorkeling but the crowds and cost will be higher.
But the great thing about both these seasons is that aside from the rain, the weather is pretty consistent with temperatures average around 30C all year round.
Bali Dress Code
In most places in Bali there are no dress codes i.e. in hotels and in resorts. However temples in Bali do have a dress code where modest dress is required. We recommend keeping your shoulders and knees covered and having a sarong with you just in case.
Considerations for your Bali Packing List
Before we get onto the exact items to include to make your Bali outfits, we thought is would be worth outlining some considerations for your packing list. These are:
Pack Light
As Bali is a tropical island you have the luxury of packing lightly.
For more information on how to pack light for Bali we recommend checking out our guide on the 5 4 3 2 1 packing method or the sudoku method which will help you create the perfect Bali Capsule Wardrobe without overpacking.
Natural Fabrics
Natural fabrics are your best friend Bali.
Cottons, silks and linen are well known for being more breathable than man made fabrics. Linen in particular is very in fashion among locals and tourists alike in Bali.
Active Wear
Although many people who go to Bali are primarily going for the beautiful beaches, it is worth pointing out that there are other natural wonders in Bali that are worth visiting too from the rice terraces, sacred monkey forest sanctuary, temples and waterfalls to name just a few.
For these places we recommend having some quick dry active wear with you alongside a good amount of insect repellant.
What to wear in Bali
Dresses and Skirts
As I mentioned above there is lots of beach wear and resort wear seen in and around Bali.
Maxi dresses are one of my favorite things to wear in tropical countries like Bali. Loose and flowing dresses are better for Bali than tight fitting ones made of man made fabrics as they will keep you cooler. They are also great for wearing down on the beach and out for dinner.
Click here to shop dresses for tropical beach vacations.
Tank Tops and T Shirts
These are perfect for out exploring Bali and can be paired with skirts, trousers or shorts.
Tank tops are also acceptable in Bali in most places just don’t expect to go into religious settings in a tank top without covering your shoulders first.
Trousers and Blouse
Trousers and blouses are a great alternative to maxi dresses for exploring towns and having dinner as they are a great day to night transition outfit. And might be easier to be walking around in when the winds are particularly strong.
Shorts (Quick Dry)
Shorts are great for Bali both on the beach and in towns. As the humidity in Bali can be high we recommend packing quick dry shorts. Click here to shop quick dry shorts.
However if shorts aren’t your thing then running leggings are also suitable.
Lightweight Rain jacket
Although Bali is renowned for its beautiful beaches and weather if you are traveling in rainy season and plan to spend a lot of time in jungles then you may want a lightweight rain jackets with you.
Click here to shop lightweight rain jackets for tropical climates.
Convertible Walking Trousers
If you are going on longer hikes and don’t want to wear shorts or athleisure then convertible walking trousers are a great pick. These are good if you start a hike early when it may still be chilly, but can be unzipped for when the heat picks up. Click here to shop convertible walking trousers.
Pashmina / Sarong
I never travel to any tropical island without a pashmina. It is great in the evenings in case you get chilly, especially during the cooler months and for dining al fresco. They can also be used to make an outfit more modest for visiting religious sites. Click here to shop pashminas.
Swimwear
If you are visiting Bali chances are you will be spending time on the beach, on a boat, or around a hotel pool. Therefore you will want to have some stylish swimwear with you.
Depending on how long you plan to spend on the beach here depends on how many pieces of swimwear you will need.
I would recommend packing at least two swimwear pieces so one can be drying while you are wearing the other if you are going to Bali for a week. Click here to shop swimwear for Bali.
Rash Vest
Also if you plan to snorkel in Bali we recommend having a rash vest with you as it is very easy to burn your back while snorkelling or surfing.
Click here to shop good value rash vests.
Beach Cover
Most people in Bali when not swimming or sunbathing will put on a beach cover to head to bars or local amenities so we recommend adding one or two beach covers to your packing list.
Click here to shop beach covers here.
Sun Hats
Sun hats are a staple on any Bali packing list. Be sure to pick a wide brimmed straw hat for maximum sun protection. Click here to shop sun hats.
For more information on how to pack sun hats for travel check out this post.
Underwear
Goes without saying
PJs
We recommend packing lightweight PJs for the tropical island.
Best Shoes for Bali
Sandals
Sandals are a definite must for Bali. I would pick a pair with arch support and without a heel.
Espadrilles or wedges are a great evening shoe choice particularly for nicer restaurants.
Sneakers
Sneakers are great for Bali whatever time of year you visit. If you pack a lightweight pair they can cope well in the heat and are also good for your feet on uneven surfaces around the island.
However we do recommend wearing sneaker socks in the summer with them to reduce sweat and odour in your shoe.
Watershoes
The water in Bali is beautiful however it can have hazards by way of coral and sharp rocks. For these reason we recommend packing water shoes with you.
Click here to shop water shoes.
Flip Flops
Although I don’t recommend these for walking in towns or in the rainforests these are useful for on the beach and round by the hotel pool.
What to Pack for Bali (non-clothing)
So know you know what to wear in Bali in both the rainy and dry season, we will turn our attention for what to pack for Bali.
Travel adaptor
Travel adaptors are always on my international packing lists. These are required to make any electronics you bring work
Click here to shop universal travel adaptors.
On top of the travel adaptor you will also need
Sun Cream
No matter whether you are traveling in the rainy or dry season you will need sun cream with you. We recommend getting a high SPF, we recommend SPF 50, as the sun is always strong in Bali.
Also as you are going to spend a lot of time in the water we recommend only bringing reef safe sunscreen with you to help protect the marine life of Bali. Click here to shop coral safe sun screen here.
Aloe Vera
No one wants to get burnt on vacation but the strength of the sun can take some people by surprise in Bali. Therefore we recommend packing aloe vera / aftersun.
Click here to shop aloe vera / aftersun
Lip Balm with SPF
Although it is very important to protect your skin from the sun, it is also important to protect your lips. For this reason we recommend packing a lip balm with SPF. Our current favorite lip balm with SPF is Sun Bum. Click here to shop lip balm with SPF.
Insect Repellant
You can get mosquitos and insects in Bali at any time of year. Therefore we recommend packing strong insect repellant.
Click here to shop insect repellant on amazon.
Toiletries
As with any tropical island destination you will find that things like toiletries are expensive. Bali is no exception so it is one of the few places we recommend bringing toiletries with you.
I always bring shampoo and conditioner that is reef safe but also can help calm by hair from the humidity and to cope with damage from sea water.
Click here to shop the best shampoos and conditioners for tropical climates.
Also when looking at packing makeup remember to pack waterproof mascara as you will be spending lots of time in the water.
Snorkel Gear
Although you will be able to rent snorkel gear in Bali you will never know the quality. For this reason we recommend bringing your own snorkel gear with you.
Click here to shop snorkel equipment on amazon.
Quick Dry Towel
Although hotels will obviously supply towels for on resort, if you plan on doing excursions on the water or to a national park we recommend bringing a quick dry towel with you.
We only recommend quick dry as the humidity in Bali can make it difficult to dry regular towels quickly. Shop quick dry towels here.
Backpack
A backpack is good for excursions and if you are traveling during the rainy season you may also want a waterproof cover. Click here to shop backpacks for Bali.
Beach Bag
For use on the beach.
Inflatables
If you like to use swim aids or inflatables in the pool we recommend bringing these with you as they will be more expensive in Bali.
CLick here to shop cheap inflatables.
Camera
Bali is one of the most beautiful islands in the world it should come as no surprise that you will want to take a lot of photos. Be sure you have a good quality camera with you.
GoPro
On top of the regular camera we also advise packing a go pro or another underwater camera. The underwater scenery is amazing in Bali. To capture the beauty of it we recommend using a go pro. Click here to shop underwater cameras.
Waterproof Phone Case
If you plan on using your phone on the beach we recommend taking a waterproof phone case with you. This will not only keep your phone safe from water but is also a good theft deterrent. Click here to shop waterproof phone cases for travel.
Battery pack
A requirement of any packing list. Click here to shop battery packs.
What not to wear in Bali
Synthetic Fabrics
We recommend sticking with natural fabrics such as linen, silk and cotton for Bali. That is because synthetic fabrics actually make you hotter and sweat more which is something you won’t want in Bali.
Jeans
Jeans are too hot in Bali even lightweight ones or ripped ones. Instead we recommend packing linen or cotton trousers.
Heels
Heels are not that useful in Bali except in restaurants at night. Instead of heels we recommend packing a more versatile shoe such as a wedge or just a dressy pair of sandals.
What to wear in Bali FAQs
What to wear in Bali at night?
If you are wondering what to wear in Bali at night I would advise that you dress comfortable for heat and to protect against mosquitos.
For me the perfect outfit for Bali at night is a maxi dress with a pashmina or some long linen trousers with a long sleeve blouse that can protect against mosquito bites.