What To Pack For Canggu? The Ultimate Packing List For Your Bali Trip

December 20, 2024

Canggu is the best destination on an island full of amazing destinations and it’s almost always warm and sunny here.

But before you head to Canggu, you’re going to need a Bali packing list that you can rely on and we’ve taken the hard work out of that and we’ve put together one for you.

If you follow our list when visiting Bali and Canggu, you’ll find that you have everything you need to enjoy the island in the wet season and the dry season. When visiting temples and beach clubs and much more.

A Brief Packing List For Men In Canggu

We’re working on the assumption that you’re coming to Bali for roughly 1-3 weeks on a holiday. Not that you’re only in town for a day or that you’re ready to relocate here.

And on that basis this is what we’d have in our bags:

A cap – keeping the sun off your head helps to ensure you don’t suffer from heat stroke and it can also help shade your eyes from the sun
Sunglasses – make sure these are UV protective to keep your eyes safe, fake sunnies bought in Bali are not good for your eyes.
A hoodie – you may not need it but you will be very good that you have it if you do. It’s essential for hiking volcanoes at sunrise.
A pair of thongs/flip flops – we’d go with a robust comfortable pair but truth be told, most people wear cheap thongs and are just fine.
A pair of trainers/sneakers – not quite as good as flip flops but they do offer more protection for your feet.
A pair of comfortable shoes – ideally a pair that’s good for formal occasions and for hiking boots.
A few pairs of socks – you don’t need unlimited pairs but enough to last while you wait for the laundry to wash them. Hiking socks are important too.
A pair of jeans – you may not need them but if you hike through the jungle or up a mountain, they will be essential.
Two pairs of swim trunks – you will need these at beach clubs, waterfalls, by the pool, etc.
A light rain jacket – this is essential if you want to go out and explore Bali or visit during the rainy season
A pair of jean’s shorts (jorts) – the ultimate shorts fo wearing everywear
A couple of shirts for evening wear and a pair of trousers – go with lightweight and short sleeves as even the nights in Bali are warm

A Brief Packing List For Women In Canggu

Again, we’re working on the assumption that you’re coming to Bali for roughly 1-3 weeks on a holiday. Not that you’re only in town for a day or that you’re ready to relocate here.

And on that basis this is what we’d have in our bags:

A pair of dress shoes – because sometimes you want to go out in style
A pair of trainers/sneakers – for when thongs won’t od
A light jacket – make sure it’s waterproof for comfort when it rains
A pair of water shoes – these will ensure your feet are safe at waterfalls, when surfing or climbing cliffs.
Two playsuits – these are great for both day and evening wear and super comfy
A pair of light trousers – if you go hiking, you won’t want to be in a dress, skirt or shorts
Two long skirts – these are required for politeness’ skae in some venues and they’re good when getting into temples
Three sun dresses – this will keep you cool and ensure you have enough to wait on the laundry service
Three swimming costumes – you want to pack for Bali like you’re going to spend a lot of time in the pool or the sea
Three pairs of shorts – to have enough time for them to be washed between wears
Four t-shirts – as with the shorts
Flip flops or thongs – because most people pack for Bali to be on the beach
A hat – because heat stroke is no fun
Six pairs of socks – light socks mainly but also a pair of hiking boots
Sunglasses – because your eyes demand good UV protection

Don’t forget that Canggu has excellent laundry services, you don’t need to bring everything you want to wear. As long as you have airy clothes and are comfy, you will be fine.

What Everyone Needs To Bring To Bali

Your Most Important Documents

If you want to enter Bali, you’re going to need some documents and there are other essential items to have a fun and stress free holidays on this beautiful island and they include:

Your passport and visa paperwork – we would strongly advise that you also make a physical copy of the main passport page and visa page as well as keeping a soft copy on your phone. If you do lose your passport, this will make getting a new one way easier when you visit your mmbassy.
A document wallet – did you know that a single crease on your main passport page can get you denied entry to Bali? A document wallet keeps all your paper work in order and ensures that you have it the right state when you need it.
A current valid driving license and a current valid international driver’s permit (IDP) – if you want to drive – you get your IDP from an authority in your own country and if you want to drive a scooter your license must also have a motorcycle endorsement. If you don’t have these two documents in the event of an accident, you will not be insured. Even if you have paid for insurance. Insurance only covers legal drivers.
Any vaccination certificates that you may have – these aren’t essential items in a post-Covid world but it can’t hurt to have them on you. The same goes for any prescriptions you might be taking.
Travel insurance paperwork – if you need to claim on your insurance, it’s best to have all the details handy. You don’t want to turn a drama into a crisis because this Bali packing list item has been left at home.
Your banking details – we recommend talking to your bank and seeing if you can get a low fee or fee free ATM card. Then make sure you have the details kept separately from the cards so that you can cancel the cards easily if you lose them.

Your Toiletries (In A Toiletry Bag)

Now, we should point out that you can buy all of these things easily when visiting Bali and you might prefer to travel really light and just buy them when you get here.

However, assuming you don’t want to spend your time in Bali running around trying to buy toiletries, we’d recommend that you bring:

A wash bag – this should have a strap that allows you to hang it up as bathrooms here in Bali are often very small.
Dry shampoo – if you find yourself somewhere with a salt water shower, this is going to be far easier to use than your ordinary shampoo.
Shampoo (and conditioner if you use it) – because having clean hair is nice.
Toothbrush and toothpaste – having clean teeth is even nicer and after a night of heavy alcohol consumption at a beach club, it’s nice to be able to rid yourself of the fur that builds up on your teeth overnight while you snore.
Razors – it can be hard to find the exact brand that you use at home, so if you have a preference bring your razor and bring shaving gel too.
Scent – aftershave, deodorant and perfume can all come in handy if you want to smell good.
Feminine hygiene products – we should note that if you are likely to need these, you should bring them from home even if you’re trying to keep your packing light. They’re hard to find here in Bali and are often much more expensive than you might expect too.

Your First Aid Kit

Now, you don’t have to go overboard when making a first aid kit and you’re likely to want to bring more things if you have young kids than if you’re just travelling by yourself but some handy things to bring include:

Any medicines you need – but please, before you pack anything make sure that the medicine is legal in Bali. Many common medicines elsewhere in the world are restricted substances in Bali. That means they will be treated like illegal drugs if they are found in your luggage.
Tweezers – not only can you use these to remove splinters from fingers, but they can come in handy when applying make up too.
Nail scissors – these can trim your nails and also trim any plasters, tape, etc. that you need to apply.
Nail clippers – also for trimming nails and for cutting things when required.
Elastoplast, Bandage Materials, Micropore Tape – if you do cut yourself, you’ll be glad of these even more than of your travel documents and the right clothes at sacred sites.
Antiseptic cream – cuts get infected easily in the tropics, make sure yours don’t.
Needle and thread – hopefully only to repair your beach cover ups and other items of clothing.
Moleskin tape – this can really help to prevent blisters when you’re hiking, particularly if you’re wearing new boots.
Diarrhea kit – the dreaded Bali belly is real and while it’s not always a huge problem, it’s best to have rehydrtion salts as well as some Immodium on hand.

Your Camera Gear

Camera gear is not mandatory and most people will get by with just a smartphone but you might want:

An interchangeable lens camera – you get better photos with a great camera
A vlogging camera – would-be influencers are going to wish they had something to record their experiences with
An action camera or underwater camera – from cycling to snorkelling, sometimes you want to capture the action on the go
A drone – you will need to check current drone laws in Bali before you use a drone, but you can get amazing aerial shots here
A tripod – because it’s much easier to do long exposure shots when they’re not handheld
Spare batteries – these must be in your hand luggage if you take them

Find out more about photography in Canggu.

Your Tech Gadgets

You don’t need to bring a ton of stuff to Bali in terms of tech but any of these things might make life easier and the first item on our list is essential:

An unlocked smartphone – call your telephone service provider and make sure the phone’s unlocked or it will be just a brick in Bali. It’s hard to sort out remotely, so do it before you leave.
A laptop or a tablet – it’s nice to be able to read the news, access social media, etc.
A hard drive and memory cards – backing up photos, etc. can be very handy.
A portable charger or power bank – because sometimes, you need power on the move. You should know that a power bank must go in your hand luggage.

Health Stuff (outside of the First Aid Kit)

There are also a few items you might find handy while you’re here in Canggu:

Insect repellent – use DEET based sprays which keep mosquitoes at bay.
Reef safe sunscreen – protect your skin from UV rays and protect the coral reefs from your sunscreen.
Travel padlock – if your bags don’t lock, then being able to lock them in your room is handy.
Antihistamines – these help with dust allergies and also with any insect bites.
Antimalarials – only if your doctor says you need them, most people are at no risk of malaria in Bali even when doing outdoor activities.
A mosquito repellent plug – these are designed to drive out mosquitoes by using an ultra-high sound frequencncy that you can’t hear but the mozzies hate.

Misc

You probably also want to think about some of these items:

A reusable water bottle – a reusable water bottle means you can get free water at almost every business in Bali and it stops you from using up plastic water bottles and causing damage to the environment. And never drink tap water in Bali.
A universal travel plug – Bali’s plugs are not compatible with the plugs in most other places, a converter plug is essential.
A dry bag – if you go on a boat trip this will come in very handy.
A collapsible coffee mug – just to keep your paper waste to a minimum in coffee shops.
Packing cubes – they’re quite handy for diving up your luggage into neat areas for packing.
Headphones/earbuds – to listen to music and to cut down on outside noise as required.
Extension cable – to be able to move power to where you need it.
Snorkelling equipment – you can rent it or buy it in Bali but why bother if you already have it?
Hiking boots – these are great when paired with a light jacket on long hikes in the jungle or up mountains.
Kindle – in case you want to read.
A money belt – because it keeps your cash safe (but leave any expensive jewelry in the safe in the hotel or better yet, leave it at home).
Travel guides – if you want to read up on Bali.
Multivitamins – just because.

Some Things To Consider When Compiling Your Bali Packing List

Back view of group of people in traditional clothes walking in decorated city with umbrellas and flags on crowded street in daytime in Bali

There are also a few things that you should bear in mind when packing for Bali and these include:

Balinese culture – this is a Hindu enclave in a mainly Muslim nation. You can pretty much wear what you want at the beach but you’re expected to dress respectfully elsewhere and at temples, you should have garments that cover your shoulders and knees at the bare minimum. Most temples will rent or sell you clothes if you’re not dressed appropriately. But please be aware, you cannot enter a temple without dressing correctly and if you do so, you can get into serious trouble.
Balinese geography – whether it’s the dry season or the wet season is irrelevant to geography. On Bali’s beaches it’s hot and sunny all year round. But go inland or up a volcano and it gets pretty cool quickly. So make sure to bring the right clothes for the places you want to visit.
Balinese weather – there are only two seasons in Bali the rainy season and the dry season. It’s cooler in the dry season but it’s not cold and it still rains even at this time of year. In the wet season, it’s definitely a good idea to have a rain jacket.

What Kind Of Bag Is Best For Canggu?

You have two real options for your main bag:

A backpack – we don’t recommend backpacks any more. Transport has completely changed from the days when you had to squeeze on to a bus with 120 other people and carrying your luggage on your back is no fun.
A wheeled bag – this is the way we pack for Bali. Wheeled luggage is easy to move around in airports and it stacks efficiently in the hold of a plane.

You should also bring a day bag. We’d recommend a small rucksack for a day bag, as this is the easiest way to carry stuff around like your rain jacket and water bottle without tying up your hands.

Things Not To Add To Your Bali Packing List

There’s not a lot you absolutely don’t want to bring to Bali but we wouldn’t bring:

A sleeping bag (or a sleeping mat) – you just won’t need them, if you do go camping, they’ll be provided for you
A very big bag – don’t pack for Bali like you’re moving countries, pack sensibly, carrying around a huge bag ins no fun

FAQs

What Should I Wear In Canggu, Bali?

Excited youthful charming ethnic woman looking at camera and enjoying holidays while taking photos on camera and standing at gates in street

Most of the time you’ll be fine wearing thongs (or flip flops), t-shirts and shorts if you’re a guy and a maxi dress or t-shirt and skirt or shorts as a woman.

Most people tend to pack light for Bali and in the heat you will want light weight clothes that are suited for the beach or the pool.

If it’s rainy season then breathable clothing is a real bonus when it rains.

What To Pack For Bali Belly?

If you have a general First Aid Kit, we’d recommend that you pack some electrolytes and perhaps, some Immodium too.

Mainly Bali Belly is traveller’s diahrrea or very mild food poisoning and it will clear up with in a day or two.

If it lasts any longer than 48 hours, you should see a doctor and have them prescribe medicine and rehydration therapy as appropriate.

How Many Days In Canggu Is Enough?

It very much depends on the kind of holiday that you want to have. Many people spend their entire holiday in Canggu and it’s easy to spend two weeks in the area on the beaches and wandering the rice paddies and enjoying the tropical climate and outdoor activities that the area offers.

However, if you’re keen on seeing more of Southeast Asia then 2-3 days is probably enough to spend in each of the travel destinations in Bali including Canggu before you move on to hiking Mount Batur or a boat trip to the Gili Islands.

What’s The Dress Code In Bali For Tourists?

There is no strict dress code of any kind for everyday wear i Bali. To the greatest extent what you pack for Bali is entirely up to you.

However, local culture is quite conservative and while you won’t be forced to wear any kind of clothing – you should know that off the beach, you should dress relatively modestly to fit in and it’s not appropriate to visit the supermarket in a bikini (though you won’t be in any real trouble if you do but you will be all over local social media).

However at religious sites on the island, it’s mandatory to cover up and you will be expected to wear a sarong and a shawl.

The good news is that if you don’t have these in your day bag, you will be able to rent or buy one at the temple you are visiting.

You must wear these clothes while inside the temple grounds and failure to do so could lead to problems with the law and in extreme cases could lead to your arrest, a fine and even being deported!

It’s best to respect the culture wherever possible in Bali.

Final Thoughts On Your Ultimate Bali Packing List

You don’t need to overthink your Bali packing list. One of the best things about Bali is that you can buy almost everything you need when you get here – so if you forget something it’s not the end of the world.

However, if you follow our packing list, you should be able to pack light and still have everything you need on hand for every occasion you face in Canggu.

One thing we’re certain of is that no matter how you pack for Bali, you’re going to have an amazing time in this busy and exciting area.

Other guides you may find useful are our ultimate honeymoon guide to Canggu, and our 3 day itinerary for Canggu.