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Things you should know before travel to Uluwatu/ Uluwatu Travel Tips
Here are some guidelines to adhere to when visiting Uluwatu Bali to steer clear of any cultural missteps.
When traveling abroad, it’s wise to follow local customs and practices. By doing so, you can anticipate a hassle-free holiday experience.
Uluwatu Travelling tips
- Consider picking up some basic Bahasa phrases like terima kasih for 'thank you' or selamat pagi for 'good morning'. It's a thoughtful gesture to converse with the Balinese in their native language. Greet them with om swastiastu for 'hello', express gratitude with suksma.
- Ensure you dress respectfully when exploring temples in Uluwatu and Bali. Many popular temples might provide sarong and waist sash, but it's wise to bring your own. Avoid revealing too much skin as a sign of respect; instead, opt for attire that provides T-shirt-style coverage.
- Take the opportunity to witness one of the numerous ceremonies that you may encounter during your stay. It's perfectly acceptable to observe, so feel welcome to watch with the locals.
- It's essential to have a travel insurance before embarking on your journey. Accidents can occur anywhere, even in the most unexpected of circumstances. Highlighting the importance of being prepared for unforeseen events.
- Exercise sensitivity when witnessing Indonesians meticulously count out money down to the last rupiah in front of you. Indonesians uphold a high level of transparency when it comes to financial transactions, ensuring accuracy and preventing inadvertent errors in change.
- Embrace the tradition of haggling at markets—it's part of the fun! Remember to negotiate with a smile and in a friendly manner. While enjoying the theatrical aspect of bargaining, avoid proposing excessively low prices.
- Stay composed when encountering beach hawkers and vendors at tourist spots. Recognize that they rely on this as a livelihood. Expressing anger or being confrontational is offensive and counterproductive.
- Try to be engage in conversations. Balinese people are naturally curious about others.
Crucial dont's at Uluwatu
- Avoid consuming tap water. Instead, carry a refillable water bottle, as most villa kitchens provide a dispenser of high-quality chilled water.
- Avoid using your left hand for transactions or physical contact. Indonesians associate the left hand with personal hygiene, so it's best to use the right hand.
- Be mindful of offering baskets placed on the streets, as they are accessible to dogs as part of religious rituals. Ensure you avoid accidentally stepping on them.
- When seeking attention, like from a waiter, refrain from raising your arm with fingers pointing upwards. Instead, raise your arm with the palm facing down and gently flick your wrist up and down.
- Avoid visiting temples if you have any bleeding, whether from a minor cut, recent wound, or menstruation. Blood is considered impure in temple settings.
- Refrain from touching the heads of Balinese individuals, as it's deemed the most sacred part of the body. Doing so is considered disrespectful and defiling, regardless of age, including children and babies.
- Avoid pointing your feet towards individuals or temple altars; keep them flat on the ground at all times.
- Refrain from touching monkeys or any wildlife. Macaques, especially in tourist hotspots like Ubud and the sea temple at Uluwatu, are known as crafty thieves.
- If you see turtles on the beach, don't obstruct or disturb as they are endangered and the Balinese will help them.
- Avoid pointing with your index finger, as many Indonesians find this gesture offensive.
- If street vendors offer prescription medicine or any other drugs for sale, it's best to keep walking, as Indonesia has strict drug laws in place.
- If street vendors offer prescription medicine or any other drugs for sale, it's best to keep walking, as Indonesia has strict drug laws in place.
