5 travel tech must-haves for your trip to Bali

Before you jet off to Bali, make sure your phone is as ready as your suitcase with these apps and tech tips to help you navigate the island with ease while saving you time, money and hassle. Being connected in Bali isn’t a luxury – it’s a must. It’s how you order rides, find your villa, pay bills, message drivers, confirm bookings, and navigate traffic.

Here are two options SIM options to get you going: Many travellers still buy a local SIM fromTelkomselbecause larger data packages are often cheaper than international eSIM options. BUT, depending on your phone and stay duration, device registration requirements can apply at customs. This is a good option if you’re planing on staying for a longer time and/or working remotely.

WhatsApp is great for staying in touch with your accommodation hosts, but you’ll also want to get these two for getting around and living like a local: Tipp: In parts of Canggu and Ubud, ride-share pickups can be restricted, so you may need to head to an official pickup point or walk a short distance to meet your driver. While trendy cafés in areas like Seminyak and Canggu use QRIS payments widely, these QR codes don’t always connect smoothly with South African banking apps. Unlike SnapScan at home, you won’t always be able to “scan and pay” on the go.

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Many South Africans travel with forex-friendly cards like Shyft or other multi-currency fintech cards to avoid high bank FX fees. In Bali, they generally work well, but wallets like GoPay may require an Indonesian number for full access. A simpler option is often Grab, which tends to work better with international cards.

The key is not assuming every local wallet will accept your card immediately. Facilities like BIMC Hospital and Siloam Hospitals offer excellent private care, and many clinics even provide mobile IV drips to your villa if “Bali Belly” strikes. But without insurance, these services can get expensive quickly. Make sure your medical cover is active before you travel and double-check that it includes scooter-related incidents if you plan to rent a bike – this is one of the most common reasons claims get declined.

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