Like I said, I’ve been to Bali five times in the last 20 years and never felt unsafe. Despite Bali being a pretty safe place, you should still be careful. Petty crime happens in Bali, but mostly in busy areas such as Kuta and Seminyak.

There’s more risk crossing the street or renting a motorbike. The roads in Bali can be chaotic, with many motorcycles, cars, and trucks jockeying for the same space. So be careful when crossing the street. And like any other place, common sense goes a long way.

Bali doesn’t have a public transport system, so you’ll need to figure out a way to get around. With a busy shooting schedule, I opted for hiring a private car and driver. It’s quite cheap compared to most parts of the world, with prices ranging from about 25 USD for a 2-hour ride from one hotel to another, or for an airport pickup to most hotels. A half day for a private driver will likely run you between 35 to 50 USD.

You can also rent a motorbike – but that’s how most foreigners are injured in Bali. Another option is to grab a ride on the back of a motorcycle if you’re just going around town. You can go across Ubud for $2 or $3, and it’s fun. There’s also the more official Ojek motorcycle service. Look for the guys with the green vests and download the app.

Finally, of course, there’s taxis. They will run you two or three times more than what a motorbike would.

If you visit a temple or attend a ceremony, here are some tips to help you fit in.

• Cover your legs and shoulders. If you didn’t get this memo until the last minute, you can usually grab a sarong for about $3, often near the gate of a temple.
• No sarong? Women should wear a knee-length skirt or a dress, and something to cover their shoulders. Men should wear long pants and a shirt with short sleeves.
• You should also take off your shoes before entering a temple (but no need to take off your shoes to enter the temple grounds). If in doubt, look for a pile of shoes.
• In Balinese Hinduism, women having their periods are not supposed to enter temples or participate in religious ceremonies.
• Lastly… try to be discreet when taking pics during ceremonies.

Remember: these temples are sacred spaces for the Balinese, so please be a good ambassador.

In our Bali travel guidebook, we have more information about temple etiquette. Check out our Bali travel guidebook here.