What to Pack For a Bali Vacation, According to an Editor

PS Photography | Kelsey Garcia
PS Photography | Kelsey Garcia
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I've traveled quite a lot in my life, but the farthest from home I've ever been was during a recent trip to Bali, an Indonesian province and popular vacation destination. The trip entailed two flights amounting to about 20 hours in the air, and then a two-hour drive upon landing. Worth it? Without a doubt.

Bali is beautiful, yes, but it's more than just a place to plop down your beach chair. Referred to as the Island of a Thousand Temples, it's become known as a spiritual destination for travelers seeking dedicated time for wellness, self-care, and reflection.

I certainly found that during my one-week trip, which entailed stays at both the Four Seasons Bali at Sayan and the hotel chain's other resort at Jimbaran Bay. Altars of varying sizes can be found throughout both properties, and upon my arrival at Jimbaran Bay, I was greeted with a blessing from the hotel's full-time Balinese Hindu priest, Ajik Ngurah. In addition, I experienced a reiki session and participated in a purification ceremony known as melukat.

On such a spiritual trip, it feels wrong to worry about outfits and personal possessions. And while my vacation wardrobe wasn't at the forefront of my mind, I did still learn a thing or two about what is (and isn't) worth packing on a trip to Bali. More on that below.

How to Pack For Bali

I'm going to hold your hand while I tell you this: Bali is not the place for your oversize luggage. Depending on your departure city, you will most likely be facing a multi-stop journey with at least one layover. So, carry-ons will be your friend to assure your belongings make it with you to Bali.

What's more, Bali is warm year-round, which certainly helps in keeping the packing list light. (No bulky jackets or heavy sweaters needed.) I recommend gravitating toward breathable fabrics, like linen and cotton, and activewear for any daytime excursions, tours, or hikes. And while Bali is a growing tourist destination with plenty of nightlife, I'd leave your fanciest attire at home — comfort and relaxation are priorities for all travelers here, so a simple slip dress and sandals will work just fine.

Speaking of shoes, skip the heels; I packed a pair of sneakers, flip flops, and strappy sandals, and that's truly all I needed. If I had packed heels, I probably would have worn them once — at most. Trust me, save the room for souvenirs.

Ahead, learn more about my Bali packing list.

01
A Duffle Bag
calpaktravel.com

A Duffle Bag

Calpak Luka Duffel in Matte Black ($128)

While I was committed to only bringing a carry-on, this duffle certainly helped make that possible. There are so many compartments in this thing; it fits a lot more than meets the eye.

I popped my sandals in the exterior shoe compartment at the base of the bag, and inside housed my laptop, chargers, and even my toiletry case for some in-flight freshening up. (I promise I didn't do a full skin-care routine on the plane, though.)

02
Breathable Activewear
beyondyoga.com

Breathable Activewear

Beyond Yoga Spacedye Get Up And Go Pocket Biker Jumpsuit ($60, originally $120)

I can't tell you how many times I gravitated toward this jumpsuit during my trip. While I dressed up for dinners, most of my days were spent exploring the resort, getting in a workout, or heading to the spa — making comfort a top priority.

While I generally tend to be a fan of a workout onesie, I like this one because of the supportive halter neckline with a built-in bra. And while I said comfort was the goal, it doesn't hurt that this jumpsuit looks cute, too.

03
A Rain Jacket
aloyoga.com

A Rain Jacket

Alo Yoga Vantage Nylon Ripstop Track Jacket ($138)

I visited Bali just before its rainy season, but there were still a few showers during my stay. In the event of unpredictable weather, a rain jacket is always a good idea, and I used this Alo Yoga option that paired nicely with my aforementioned workout jumpsuit.

While this track jacket isn't marketed as a raincoat per se, I found that it could do the job thanks to its lightweight fabric and hood. Plus, it's really foldable and easy to fit into a suitcase or weekender.

04
Easy, Breezy Loungewear
shopdonni.com

Easy, Breezy Loungewear

Donni The Pointelle Simple Crop Pant ($134)

I had been eyeing these lounge pants for quite some time, and 20 hours of travel felt like a good enough excuse to finally go ahead and get them. I know the price is high, yes, but these were truly a lifesaver during those long flights. While the cropped pants ended up being soft enough to sleep in, they didn't stretch out or get wrinkly, so I was still able to look somewhat put together after all that travel.

05
A Statement Necklace
heavenmayhem.com

A Statement Necklace

Heaven Mayhem Julia Necklace ($120)

When it's hot out and your clothes need to be as light and minimal as possible, accessories can do a lot of sartorial heavy lifting. This glass bead necklace became my go-to whenever I needed to zhuzh up a simple tank dress or swimsuit coverup. Plus, it's adjustable, so you can tweak the length based on what pairs best with a particular outfit.

06
A Pair of Sandals
margauxny.com

A Pair of Sandals

Margaux The Wrap Sandal ($225)

Mark my words: I'll never go on another beach vacation without packing these wrap sandals. These are so timeless, versatile, and can easily go from day to night. Plus, they're sleek and easy to pack, and fit perfectly in the shoe compartment of my Calpak duffle.

07
Comfortable Sneakers
bloomingdales.com

Comfortable Sneakers

Salomon Unisex XT-6 Sportstyle Low Top Sneakers ($200)

A few years into living in Los Angeles, I realized I needed some decent hiking sneakers. Now, I didn't need some Cheryl Strayed-worthy boots for the kind of walks I was going on; I just wanted sturdy sneakers with good grip and arch support. And that's when I met these.

I can't say enough good things about my Salomons. They are comfortable, supportive, and look cool, too. I will say, white was certainly a choice. I might go for a darker colorway next time.

08
A Hydrating In-Flight Face Mask
amazon.com

A Hydrating In-Flight Face Mask

Biodance Hydro Cera-nol Real Deep Mask ($19)

While I resisted the temptation to bother my seatmates with a 20-step skin-care routine, I knew I'd be in need of some hydration on the flight. (Not to brag, but I have exceptionally dry skin and eczema.) Thankfully, this face mask helped tremendously. It's an overnight one, but I truthfully just wore it for a few hours while catching up on "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City."

I'm not the only one who's a fan: the mask has a little over four stars (out of five) on Amazon, with over 10,000 reviews.

09
Noise-Canceling Headphones
bose.com

Noise-Canceling Headphones

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones ($429)

I'm a bit of a nervous flier, but I've found that noise-canceling headphones really help to block it all out.

These from Bose have a battery life lasting up to 24 hours, and the headband is nicely cushioned so I don't get a headache after extended use. Plus, there are three different listening modes in case you don't want to completely tune out your surroundings or any important flight announcements.


Kelsey Garcia (she/her) is the associate content director of PS Balance, where she oversees lifestyle coverage, from relationships to parenting to financial wellness. Kelsey is passionate about travel, dating trends, and changes in the workplace. Before joining the PS team as an editorial assistant in 2015, she interned at Elle and Harper's Bazaar, among other publications.