What to Wear in Bali

What to Wear
Bali’s dress considerations matter more than they do in most beach destinations, because temple visits — a genuinely central part of any real Bali experience, not an optional cultural add-on — require specific clothing that catches a lot of visitors unprepared.

For temple visits, both men and women need to cover their legs with a sarong and tie a sash around the waist. Sarongs and sashes are rentable at every major temple entrance, and most guesthouses lend or sell them too, so you don’t strictly need to pack your own — though having a light one of your own is genuinely convenient for the smaller, less-visited temples where rentals might not be available.

In the general tourism zone of Seminyak and Canggu, Western beach and casual wear is entirely normal and unrestricted. In Ubud, slightly more modest dress fits the town’s more authentically Balinese character — light linen or cotton covering shoulders and knees is both appropriate and, frankly, more comfortable given Ubud’s lower-altitude heat.

At the beach, swimwear is standard, but cover up once you step into a restaurant, shop or other non-beach space. And take sun protection seriously here — Bali’s equatorial location means a strong UV index all year round.