Trouble in paradise: YouTubers share their dos and don’ts for a hassle-free holiday in Bali and explain why you should NEVER order cocktails

  • A YouTuber couple who lived in Bali gave dos and don'ts for tourists visiting the Indonesian party island
  • They advised travellers to avoid tourist traps, the monkey forest, recreational party drugs and cocktails   
  • The couple encouraged tourists to do their research to find out which parts of the island most appeal to them
  • They warned tourists against stepping on Canang Sari, a religious offering locals leave outside shopfronts

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A couple living in Bali have shared their tips for enjoying a hassle-free holiday on the idyllic Indonesian party island.

American expat Jimmy, and his Thai girlfriend Tah, flagged some of the dos and don'ts with their 200,000 followers on YouTube. 

They explained that it was best to avoid drinking super cheap cocktails in clubs as many mixed drinks contain spirits such as arak or Balinese wine.

Some of these strong drinks are 50 per cent alcohol and have been known to cause blindness and even death.

The young couple also told holidaymakers to watch out for stepping on or over Canang Sari, the locals' daily offerings made to thank God.

These tributes often take the form of flower displays and disturbing them can cause great offence.

The couple also visitors not to touch drugs, hire a motorbike or get cross if a local driver honks their horn.

While visitors are welcome to enjoy Bali's many palm-fringed beaches and beach clubs the couple warned tourists not to visit the monkey forest as some of the primates could have rabies. 

Don't drink mixed spirits at clubs  

The couple advised against buying cheap cocktails during happy hour which can see holidaymakers pay less than five dollars for a drink. 

'Don't go crazy with drinking super, super cheap cocktails. Most of them contain arak or Balinese wine or Balinese liqueur,' Jimmy told the couple's subscribers.

Spirit bottles are often tainted with methanol on the island as it is found in locally-made spirits such as arak, which has been known to make partygoers go blind or even kill them.  

'By no means are we telling you to avoid taking advantage of this amazing happy hour, but just don't go too crazy on it, especially if you're a first timer,' the US expat said. 

The couple said there's still a number of bottled drinks that revellers can safely drink on the holiday island, such as Smirnoff Ice, Blackjack, beer, cider and wine. 

American national Jimmy and his Thai partner Tah, who have been travelling the world since 2017, shared their biggest don'ts for visitors

American national Jimmy and his Thai partner Tah, who have been travelling the world since 2017, shared their biggest don'ts for visitors

Don't take or get involved with drugs

The couple advised tourists to resist the temptation to take illicit substances in Bali, or attempt to traffic drugs into the island. 

Jimmy and Tah referenced the infamous Bali Nine case, which saw nine Australians either locked up for life or executed over a thwarted heroin smuggling plot. 

Ringleaders Myuran Sukumaran and And­rew Chan were convicted of attempting to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin out of Indonesia and into Australia in 2005, and were executed in 2015.

Six other members were sentenced to life imprisonment in the country's hellish jails, while Renee Lawrence - the gang's only woman - was given a 20-year sentence.

They referenced the infamous Bali Nine (pictured), which saw nine Australians either locked up for life or executed for a thwarted heroin smuggling plot

They referenced the infamous Bali Nine (pictured), which saw nine Australians either locked up for life or executed for a thwarted heroin smuggling plot

Don't step on Canang Sari (locals' daily offerings made to thank God)

The couple strongly warned tourists against stepping on or over Canang Sari, a small religious offering locals leave outside their homes and shopfronts. 

'It is the icon of Bali,' Tah said. 'It is the offering that you see a lot on the street, in front of restaurants right at the door.

'There is nothing more disrespectful than stepping on something meant for God. The Balinese are highly spiritual and these offerings are part of religious beliefs.' 

Jimmy advised tourists to be careful where they step when leaving a shop or restaurant.

'Just make sure you realise where you're walking and step over it or walk around it,' he added. 

'Bali's culture is very rich... they are very, very strict with their culture, beliefs and prayers.'

Don't believe locals when they say a tour is free

Jimmy and Tah warned unsuspecting travellers they may fall victim to tourist traps when visiting temples.

'When you go to a temple in Bali, particularly places like Goa Gajah and Ubud, you might encounter some locals that offer free services or tours,' Jimmy said.

'[If you go on the tour] at the end they will ask you for some money or a form of donation.'

Jimmy instead advised tourists to do their own research to avoid being asked for money. 

'If you're a very strict budget-backpacker, you can just look up the history yourself on your phone so you don't get to that awkward moment at the end,' he said. 

'Kindly decline it at the beginning if you know you don't have any cash.'

Don't get confused with zeros on Indonesian Rupiah

Jimmy and Tah warned tourists to make sure to correctly count their notes, and not hand over more than they need to when buying something. 

'When you go to a restaurant you might see 30, 50 or 100... but remember that 30 is actually 30,000 [rupiah],' he said. 

The couple wanted tourists to pay attention to prices at restaurants, as they often leave off a few zeros, making food appear cheaper. 

'My trick is to remember the colour of the note instead of looking for the zeros,' Tah told viewers. 

'When I went to the local market, I accidentally handed them a 100,000 rupiah bill when it was meant to be 10,000 rupiah.'

Jimmy and Tah warned tourists to make sure to correctly count their notes, and not hand over more than they need to when buying something

Jimmy and Tah warned tourists to make sure to correctly count their notes, and not hand over more than they need to when buying something

Tah told viewers she accidentally handed a market owner a 100,000 rupiah bill instead of a 10,000 note (pictured: Tah at the local food markets)

Tah told viewers she accidentally handed a market owner a 100,000 rupiah bill instead of a 10,000 note (pictured: Tah at the local food markets) 

Don't ride a motorbike 

Jimmy and Tah advised tourists to avoid renting their own scooters, and instead download the apps Gojek and Grab to hire a motorbike rider to take them to their destination.

'The driver will arrive, give you a helmet, and he will get you there the fastest,' Jimmy said.

Because Bali's roads are so congested, the couple said scooter riders often ride along the footpath to overtake traffic.

'When I first got to Bali I thought "how is this even allowed?",' Jimmy said.

Jimmy and Tah advised tourists to avoid renting their own scooters, and instead download the apps Gojek and Grab to hire a motorbike rider to take them to their destination

Jimmy and Tah advised tourists to avoid renting their own scooters, and instead download the apps Gojek and Grab to hire a motorbike rider to take them to their destination

Don't get mad when local drivers honk at you

The couple pointed out that honking is just a normal part of driving in Bali, and tourists shouldn't be offended if they are beeped at.  

'Don't get mad if they honk at you while riding a scooter, because this is very, very common,' Jimmy said. 

'There's no road rage, really, in Bali. It's not like the US. Honking in Bali is the polite way to let somebody know that you are overtaking or going around blind corners or intersections.

'If you're going around a corner and you hear a honk, they're just warning you that they're coming around the corner and they can't see anybody coming.

'Everybody uses this as a gentle gesture to communicate something.'

Don't think the whole island of Bali is the same 

Jimmy and Tah encouraged tourists to do their research to find out which parts of the island most appeal to them.

'The biggest misconception in Bali is that it's a small island,' Jimmy told viewers. 'Every area is very, very different. It's better to get to know the areas first before booking rooms.

'If you love culture and art, you're going to love Ubud, which will give you the feel of the traditional Balinese lifestyle.

'Kuta is well known for being a party area; full of beaches and lots and lots of nightlife.

Jimmy said tourists looking for a more relaxed 'hippie-vibe' should head to Canggu.   

Jimmy and Tah met in August 2015 in South Korea, and kicked off travelling in September 2017 with $4000 in savings

Jimmy and Tah met in August 2015 in South Korea, and kicked off travelling in September 2017 with $4000 in savings

Don't visit the monkey forest  

Despite the monkey forest in Ubub being a favourite among many travellers, Jimmy and Tah said the seemingly innocent creatures are known to get aggressive and even steal from tourists.  

'They may look cute and cuddly but they can become territorial and be very, very aggressive,' Jimmy said. 

'It's really hard to distinguish when they feel aggressive and when they feel calm. We never know from their face,' Tah added. 

The couple warned that if travellers get bitten by monkeys in the forest tour, they are required to receive four rounds of rabies shots.

They advised against buying bananas to feed to monkeys, as they often times steal tourists' sunglasses.  

The couple warned that if travellers get bitten by monkeys in the forest tour, they are required to receive four rounds of rabies shots

The couple warned that if travellers get bitten by monkeys in the forest tour, they are required to receive four rounds of rabies shots

 

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Dos and don'ts when on holiday in Bali

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