First time traveling to Bali is supposed to be all dreamy sunsets and acai bowls, yeah? That’s what I told myself anyway, back when I was doom-scrolling Instagram from my apartment in Chicago, snow coming down sideways outside. Booked the ticket, packed way too many linen shirts, felt like a total adventurer. Then I actually got there and—bro—Bali straight-up humbled me in ways nobody on YouTube ever mentioned.
Why the Traffic Almost Ended Me (First Time Traveling to Bali Edition)
Everyone’s like “rent a scooter, it’s freedom!” So I did. Felt cool for about five whole minutes cruising around Canggu. Then I hit central Ubud at rush hour and it was pure madness. No lanes, just vibes and honking. I panicked, stalled in the middle of an intersection, and like twenty scooters politely swerved around me while I sat there turning redder than a tourist sunburn. A tiny old lady on a moped gave me the gentlest pity smile as she zipped past. Mortifying.
After that I became best friends with Gojek. Seriously, if you’re a first time traveling to Bali like I was and you didn’t grow up riding motorbikes in Asia—just don’t. Your ego will thank you.
Monkeys Are Straight-Up Thieves and I Have Receipts
Monkey Forest? Iconic, obviously had to go. I’m strolling through feeling all zen, mossy statues everywhere, taking artsy photos. Next thing I know a macaque yeets itself onto my backpack, unzips the side pocket (how??), and runs off with my sunglasses. I’m chasing this tiny criminal through the trees yelling “hey those are prescription!” while locals are dying laughing. Ended up buying bananas from a vendor to bribe another monkey into trading back—except I got the wrong sunglasses. Still have some random lady’s knockoff Oakleys to this day.
Pro tip: everything zipped, nothing dangling, and maybe leave the nice stuff at the homestay.
Rainy Season Is No Joke and It Will Soak Your Soul
Went in January for “fewer crowds.” Sure, fewer crowds… and daily apocalyptic downpours. One minute I’m hiking through gorgeous rice fields feeling like Eat Pray Love, next minute the sky just opens. I’m talking instant rivers in the streets, my white shirt going full wet t-shirt contest (classic American move), phone fogging up inside its “waterproof” case. Hid in a warung eating lukewarm mie goreng watching my whole afternoon plan float away.
But also… the smell after? Wet earth mixed with incense and flowers? Weirdly addictive. I kinda miss it now that I’m back in freezing temps.
The Food Is Insane But My Gut Was Not Built For It
Bali street food is unreal. Two-dollar plates that slap harder than anything I’ve paid $30 for back home. But my very Midwestern stomach revolted hard after I demolished some late-night satay from a cart that looked a little too adventurous. Spent the next morning worshipping the porcelain throne in my $20 homestay, sweating, regretting every decision.
Learned the hard way: busy warungs only, ease into the spice, and maybe don’t eat questionable pork at midnight just ‘cause it smells fire.
That “Bali Magic” Thing Is Real—But It’s Complicated
People talk about the energy, the spirituality, all that. And yeah, I felt it. Sat in on a temple ceremony one evening, gamelan ringing, offerings everywhere, sunset hitting the statues just right… and I legit started crying for no reason. Super awkward surrounded by locals who definitely noticed the random emotional tourist.
But Bali doesn’t sugarcoat anything. You’ll smell burning trash one minute and frangipani the next. Million-dollar villas next to tiny shacks. Stray dogs everywhere. It’s messy and beautiful and doesn’t let you pretend the world’s all filtered photos.
Anyway. Sitting here in my hoodie, heater cranked, scrolling through my photos—I’d go back in a heartbeat. Even with the monkeys, the rain, the traffic, the food poisoning. Maybe especially because of it.
If you’re planning your first time traveling to Bali, just go. Make the dumb mistakes (you will), laugh at yourself, eat the scary food, get a little lost. It’s worth every chaotic second.
Drop a comment if you’ve got questions—I’ll give you the real real, no filter.
Safe travels, y’all.
(Quick legit resources I actually used:
- Lonely Planet Bali basics: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/indonesia/bali
- Official Indonesia travel site on weather/seasons: https://www.indonesia.travel/gb/en/destinations/bali-nusa-tenggara/bali
- Mark Wiens’ warung recs that saved me: https://migrationology.com/bali-food-guide/)
