Bali Shopping

In the shops you usually don't get hassled, however, there is most often a set price for the item, or a set discount. Always ask if they will negotiate, or give you better price, and they will let you know. Shopping on the street, in the markets, and in some of the smaller shops you will be able to barter for your best price.

The Balinese people love to negotiate prices, and they are very superstitious. Shops and boutiques have lots of textiles, surf wear and leather goods at substantial price savings. A leather jacket or a tailored suit can be expertly and hand made within a couple of days. Another good buy is the Balinese lace - there are a chain of these beautiful stores all over Bali - it is locally owned by a Balinese woman and all items are locally made. These delicate and unique lace garments are quite expensive outside of Bali.

The Balinese are well known for their creative and artistic skills evident in the numerous arts and crafts found throughout the island. Many craft factories are found in Tegallalang and the surrounding area. Skilled silversmiths in the village of Celuk, sell their creations in eclectic shops in Ubud but you will be able to buy their jewelry at slightly better prices. Sukawati art market is where you will find many of the fabrics used in Balinese clothing as well as hand made crafts such as woven baskets at good prices. Crafts and statues are made from natural products found on Bali such as coconut wood, bamboo and volcanic sand stone. Masks and puppets make interesting gift items. You will also find many unique home decor items such as table runners, lamp shades and wall decorations to give your home a touch of Bali style when you return. Furniture items are often available at attractive prices compared to if you were to purchase them from outside of Bali.

So there you are, a list of many things you can do in Bali. Relax, get fit, have fun, gain new experiences and most of all, a memorable holiday. And if you count them up, you’ve got a lot more than 10 things to do there. This is by no means an exhaustive list but more than enough for a 3 to 7 day trip to this wonderful and magical island of the Gods.

If you are spending a day touring the island's popular tourist spots visiting Ubud, temples, beaches etc, you will pass many small stalls of local people selling their wares. For example, in Ubud, there are different areas that specialise in different crafts that are family-generation taught - e.g. wood carving, stone carving, painting, batik garments etc. If your item is too large for your case, most places can arrange shipping for you. Just remember to have fun and take a half empty suitcase with you - rest assured it will be full on your return journey home.