{"id":96695,"date":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-08-03T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelstartblg.wpenginepowered.com\/the-insiders-guide-to-living-in-bali\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T13:52:52","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T13:52:52","slug":"the-insiders-guide-to-living-in-bali","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/the-insiders-guide-to-living-in-bali\/","title":{"rendered":"The Insider&#8217;s Guide To Living In Bali"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Put a picture to paradise and many would say that Bali is the first to come to mind. Its tropical name rolls off the tongue with a lilting promise of lazy hammock days swaying beneath palm tree canopies. But past the picturesque postcard scenes, if you are planning a trip to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/lp\/denpasar\/flights\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Find the cheapest flights to Denpasar, Bali\">Bali<\/a>, there\u2019s a lot more you need to know about this idyllic island.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><i>When I <\/i><a title=\"Kick the corporate bucket and move to Bali\" href=\"https:\/\/travelstartstg.wpenginepowered.com\/for-a-simpler-life-head-to-bali\/\"><i>kicked the corporate bucket and moved to Bali <\/i><\/a><i>earlier this year I had an idea what life would be like &#8211; sun, surf and yoga &#8211; but turns out it was this, plus a whole lot more!<\/i><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Whether you are planning a two week honeymoon, a lengthy trip or even a permanent move, you\u2019ll need the local\u2019s lowdown on Bali living. So, here\u2019s my practical all-you-need-to-know expat\u2019s guide to living in Bali. From finding a home to learning the language and all the other adventures you are bound to have in between.<\/p>\n<p><strong>My insider tips and tricks will cover the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Renting a home<\/li>\n<li>Health care<\/li>\n<li>Shopping and bargaining<\/li>\n<li>Eating out<\/li>\n<li>Staying safe on the roads<\/li>\n<li>Learning the language<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Renting a home<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-41995\" title=\"Room for rent in Canggu\" src=\"https:\/\/travelstartmu.wpenginepowered.com\/zablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/Room-for-rent-Canggu-960x1280-585x780-1.jpg\" alt=\"Room for rent, Canggu (960x1280)\" width=\"585\" height=\"780\" \/><br \/>\nWhether it\u2019s a five bedroom villa with rooftop yoga studio or a one-roomed, sea shower shanty you\u2019re after, Bali has a home sweet home for everyone. Monthly rentals are generally quite reasonable compared to Cape Town or Johannesburg. For example, you can live in a decent-sized studio with small private garden for R3350 per month; water, electricity, wifi and cleaning service included. And if you are willing to pay for 6-12 months upfront, you can get an even sweeter deal.<\/p>\n<p>Bali is a mecca for construction with new apartments and extensions being built all the time. Slow island life aside, you\u2019ll be amazed by how quick these buildings go up! Keep an eye out for \u201cterima kos\/ room available\u201d signs; you\u2019ll easily find a short term or daily rental just by driving around and phoning the numbers displayed. Some of the places may appear only half finished, but, believe me, they will be brand-new and ready to rent by month\u2019s end.<\/p>\n<p>Tip: With most things in life, the best deals are to be found through word of mouth, so ask around to find the best location and prices.<\/p>\n<h2>Health Care<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-41987\" title=\"Buddha statue overlooking the sea\" src=\"https:\/\/travelstartmu.wpenginepowered.com\/zablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/Buddha-statue-overlooks-the-ocean-The-Bukit-1280x960-780x585-1.jpg\" alt=\"Buddha statue overlooks the ocean, The Bukit (1280x960)\" width=\"780\" height=\"585\" \/><br \/>\nBasic supplies like flu and cold medicine, bandages and vitamins are more affordable than back home and can be bought from most cornerside shops. Apoteks (pharmacies) are frequent features on Bali\u2019s streets and offer a wide selection of over-the-counter medication.<\/p>\n<p>If you require a doctor or emergency assistance you can play it safe and visit the International SOS clinic or BIMC Hospital, both located in Kuta, and providing highly-professional, English-speaking doctors. Or, for a much cheaper and entirely sufficient second option, you can call in at a local group practice medical clinic. If you have invested in medical insurance (I recommend this), carry cash with to your appointment. Credit card facilities are scarce in Bali so you\u2019ll have to pay upfront and claim back later.<\/p>\n<p>And be warned, Bali Belly is real! My whole life I\u2019d done a good job convincing others that I have a really strong stomach (this accounts for my 10 minute rule where others of the weaker digestive tract opt for a safer 10 second rule). But, not even I was saved from the sometimes sketchy hygiene standards of Bali street food. It\u2019s a common tummy condition though and can be easily treated with a strong dose of antibiotics.<\/p>\n<p>Tip: On this note, do not by any means drink tap water. Only ever consume water bought in bottles.<\/p>\n<h2>Shopping and Bargaining<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-42000\" title=\"Streetside shopping in Canggu\" src=\"https:\/\/travelstartmu.wpenginepowered.com\/zablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/Street-side-shopping-Canggu-1280x960-780x585-1.jpg\" alt=\"Street-side shopping, Canggu (1280x960)\" width=\"780\" height=\"585\" \/><br \/>\nSeaside office or rice paddy villa aside, life for the expat in Bali can be challenging. Everyday is a new day to battle with bul\u00e9 (Westerner) prices. When hitting the street stalls or markets, bring your bargaining A-game. Locals hike the price when they see a foreign face and aren\u2019t bought with tales of South Africans being financially worse off than Australians (trust me, I\u2019ve tried) so your best bet is to do the haggle hustle. Decide beforehand what you\u2019d really be willing to pay for the item and don\u2019t settle for too much above that.<\/p>\n<p>Tip: Another handy insider trick is to use the phrase \u201ckurangi dikit\u201d (local price) coupled with a pleading look. Attempting just a couple of broken Bihasa Indonesia words will make the shop owner smile, likely laugh at you and at best, lower his price.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-41999\" title=\"Haggling at a market in Canggu, Bali\" src=\"https:\/\/travelstartmu.wpenginepowered.com\/zablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/Haggling-at-a-market-Canggu-1280x960-780x585-1.jpg\" alt=\"Haggling at a market, Canggu (1280x960)\" width=\"780\" height=\"585\" \/><\/p>\n<p>On just about every street corner you\u2019ll find an Indomart, Alfamart or Circle-K. Here you can buy simple household and toiletry supplies, cigarettes, snacks, but not much else. For your fruit and veggies, local markets are the way to go and for bigger grocery buys you will need to head to a supermarket like Carefour, Bintang Supermarket or Hardys.<\/p>\n<p>Bali is an island after all, so pleasures we are accustomed to back home like affordable dairy products or even dental-floss are not easy to come by. Best get your fill of camembert and gruy\u00e8re before you come over, and pack a box of floss or two for the ride.<\/p>\n<h2>Eating Out<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-41996\" title=\"A street vendor selling Bakso meatballs in Denpasar\" src=\"https:\/\/travelstartmu.wpenginepowered.com\/zablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/Street-vendor-selling-Bakso-meatballs-Denpasar-1280x960-780x585-1.jpg\" alt=\"Street vendor selling Bakso (meatballs) Denpasar (1280x960)\" width=\"780\" height=\"585\" \/><br \/>\nNot much of a cook? Then Bali is the perfect place for you! The streets are lined with warungs (little shops), food carts and even pavement barbeques, offering up a variety of Indonesian-style cooking. Devour roasted mielies smeared in chili butter, or tuck into a whole fresh tuna braaied on the street and served in brown paper with spicy sambal on the side.<\/p>\n<p>At ultra budget friendly prices (an 800g tuna bought in Denpasar will set you back a mere R20), you could easily survive on street food alone. Many brave expats do but for a short time only. Your pocket may love you forever but your pancreas will not! With their penchant for palm oil and love affair with sugar, food vendors hold taste high above health on the agenda.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-41991\" title=\"Strawberry Juice!\" src=\"https:\/\/travelstartmu.wpenginepowered.com\/zablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/Juice-strawberry-anyone-Kerobokan-960x1280-585x780-1.jpg\" alt=\"Juice strawberry anyone- Kerobokan (960x1280)\" width=\"585\" height=\"780\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Tip: The first snippet of Bahasa Indonesia I learnt was \u201csedikit gula\u201d (little bit of sugar) and \u201ctidak gula\u201d (no sugar). This comes in handy when preventing your freshly blitzed fruit juice (think tropical choices like dragon fruit, durian or papaya) from being unexpectedly heavily laced with sugar.<\/p>\n<h2>Staying Safe on the Roads<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-41998\" title=\"Typical road in Bali\" src=\"https:\/\/travelstartmu.wpenginepowered.com\/zablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/Typical-road-in-Bali-Ubud-960x1280-585x780-1.jpg\" alt=\"Typical road in Bali, Ubud (960x1280)\" width=\"585\" height=\"780\" \/><br \/>\nIf you think the bustle of big city traffic is bewildering, get ready for island style driving. Bali may have less cars on the road but it also has less traffic lights and less road rules. Add in a couple thousand scooters zooming in all directions and you\u2019re in for a real treat.<\/p>\n<p>When I first located to Cape Town I realised that, to be safe and sensible, I had to start driving like a Capetonian (interpret that as you will). Moving to Bali taught me the same lesson. Shortly after learning how to maneuver a scooter, I learnt how to cruise over corroded dirt roads, scoot past cars on the pavement and follow the stream of traffic down one ways (in the wrong direction) if that\u2019s where it was heading.<\/p>\n<p>TIP: My best advice is to just be confident. If you want to take the gap, take it. Don\u2019t hesitate, or the other drivers will sniff your fear and push in front. Also, get used to the sound of hooters. If someone hoots at you it\u2019s not because you are doing something wrong, they\u2019re just letting you know they are about to overtake from behind. Bali drivers are actually very courteous.<\/p>\n<h2>Learning the Language<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-41988\" title=\"Children peek through the gates at Tirta Emple Water Temple\" src=\"https:\/\/travelstartmu.wpenginepowered.com\/zablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/Children-peek-through-the-gates-at-Tirta-Emple-Water-Temple-Ubud-960x1280-585x780-1.jpg\" alt=\"Children peek through the gates at Tirta Empul Water Temple, Ubud (960x1280)\" width=\"585\" height=\"780\" \/><br \/>\nThe language spoken in Bali is Bahasa Bali, a dialect of Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian) which is spoken more widely throughout Indonesia. The two languages are very similar save for a few words and phrases that the Balinese have painted with a local flavour. The only major difference to English that might take some getting used to, is that adjectives are placed after the noun, not before it. So don\u2019t be surprised if you see a sign advertising \u201cjuice strawberry\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Here\u2019s a couple of important phrases to get you learning the lingo:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>How are you? <strong>Apa kabar?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I am fine <strong>Aku bagus\/ aku baik<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Thank you (very much) <strong>Terimikasi (banyak)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Yes <strong>Ya<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>No <strong>Tidak<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I don\u2019t understand <strong>Aku tidak mengerti<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>How much is? <strong>Berapa haga?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>How much is the fare to\u2026? <strong>Berapa haga karcis ke\u2026?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Where is the\u2026? <strong>Dimana&#8230;?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>What is this? <strong>Apa ini\u2026?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-41989\" title=\"Galungan ceremony Ubud\" src=\"https:\/\/travelstartmu.wpenginepowered.com\/zablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/Galungan-ceremony-Ubud-960x1280-585x780-1.jpg\" alt=\"Galungan ceremony, Ubud (960x1280)\" width=\"585\" height=\"780\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Respect Bali<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-41997\" title=\"Tropical coastline, Bingin Beach\" src=\"https:\/\/travelstartmu.wpenginepowered.com\/zablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/Tropical-coastline-Bingin-Beach-1280x960-780x585-1.jpg\" alt=\"Tropical coastline, Bingin Beach (1280x960)\" width=\"780\" height=\"585\" \/><\/p>\n<p>So there you have it, my practical insider guide to life in Bali. This tropical idyll is so much more than the turquoise ocean coastline caught within the four corners of a postcard. It is a thriving, albeit slow paced, existence offering a colourful culture and laid-back lifestyle like no other. It is an utterly unique experience that I full-heartedly suggest everyone give a try.<\/p>\n<p>My last bit of advice is &#8211; respect Bali and she will respect you back. They say that karma works quicker in this Island of The Gods, so keep humble, be gracious and treat her lands and people with the reverence they deserve. Send out happy vibes, keep your intentions and interactions pure and you\u2019ll be amazed by what you&#8217;ll receive in return.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-41994\" title=\"Rice paddy workers keep the birds away, Kuta Utara\" src=\"https:\/\/travelstartmu.wpenginepowered.com\/zablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/Rice-paddy-worker-keeps-the-birds-away-Kuta-Utara-1280x1280-780x780-1.jpg\" alt=\"Rice paddy worker keeps the birds away, Kuta Utara (1280x1280)\" width=\"780\" height=\"780\" \/><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-41993\" title=\"Rice Paddy fields, Ubud\" src=\"https:\/\/travelstartmu.wpenginepowered.com\/zablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/Rice-paddy-fields-Ubud-1280x960-780x585-1.jpg\" alt=\"Rice paddy fields, Ubud (1280x960)\" width=\"780\" height=\"585\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Put a picture to paradise and many would say that Bali is the first to come to mind. Its tropical name rolls off the tongue with a lilting promise of lazy hammock days swaying beneath palm tree canopies. But past the picturesque postcard scenes, if you are planning a trip to Bali, there\u2019s a lot more you need to know about this idyllic island. When &#8230; <a title=\"The Insider&#8217;s Guide To Living In Bali\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/the-insiders-guide-to-living-in-bali\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about The Insider&#8217;s Guide To Living In Bali\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":96708,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_destination_ratings":[],"_destination_review_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[463,13,16,445,448],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-96695","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-food-drink-lifestyle","category-lifestyle","category-travel","category-destinations-travel","category-inspiration-travel","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Insider&#039;s Guide To Living In Bali - Travelstart Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/the-insiders-guide-to-living-in-bali\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Insider&#039;s Guide To Living In Bali - Travelstart Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Put a picture to paradise and many would say that Bali is the first to come to mind. Its tropical name rolls off the tongue with a lilting promise of lazy hammock days swaying beneath palm tree canopies. But past the picturesque postcard scenes, if you are planning a trip to Bali, there\u2019s a lot more you need to know about this idyllic island. When ... Read more\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/the-insiders-guide-to-living-in-bali\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Travelstart Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2015-08-03T00:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-11-04T13:52:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/Rice-paddy-worker-keeps-the-birds-away-Kuta-Utara-1280x1280-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Brandon Mlilo\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Brandon Mlilo\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.travelstart.co.za\\\/blog\\\/the-insiders-guide-to-living-in-bali\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.travelstart.co.za\\\/blog\\\/the-insiders-guide-to-living-in-bali\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Brandon Mlilo\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.travelstart.co.za\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/0c92c48c805c2d5ebd15bafa2395fa16\"},\"headline\":\"The Insider&#8217;s Guide To Living In Bali\",\"datePublished\":\"2015-08-03T00:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-04T13:52:52+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.travelstart.co.za\\\/blog\\\/the-insiders-guide-to-living-in-bali\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1553,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.travelstart.co.za\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.travelstart.co.za\\\/blog\\\/the-insiders-guide-to-living-in-bali\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.travelstart.co.za\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/5\\\/2025\\\/10\\\/Rice-paddy-worker-keeps-the-birds-away-Kuta-Utara-1280x1280-1.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Food &amp; Drink\",\"Lifestyle\",\"Travel\",\"Travel Destinations\",\"Travel Inspiration\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.travelstart.co.za\\\/blog\\\/the-insiders-guide-to-living-in-bali\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.travelstart.co.za\\\/blog\\\/the-insiders-guide-to-living-in-bali\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.travelstart.co.za\\\/blog\\\/the-insiders-guide-to-living-in-bali\\\/\",\"name\":\"The Insider's Guide To Living In Bali - 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