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.

1. Airport Entry, e-VOA, and the Bali Tourist Levy 

Before you take off, sort out your airport admin online: 

• Apply for your e-VOA (if needed) through Indonesia’s official immigration portal – this can give you access to the faster biometric autogates instead of the manual queues.  
• Within three days of arrival, complete your Electronic Customs Declaration to receive your QR code for airport exit. 
• Pay Bali’s Tourist Levy (IDR 150,000, roughly around R170–R190) through Love Bali before departure and keep your digital receipt on your phone just in case it’s checked.

2. Staying connected

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:

• eSIM before you fly 

This is the most convenient route, as you can activate it before departure. Popular providers include Airalo and Holafly.   

• Local physical SIM 

Many travellers still buy a local SIM from Telkomsel because 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. 

3. Getting around

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:   

• Grab for rides and food 
• Gojek for deliveries and local services 

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.

4. Making payments 

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. 

Your 2026 payment game plan should look like this: 

• Tap-to-pay: Most cafés and restaurants accept card taps (Shyft, Revolut, or Standard Bank cards).  
• GrabPay: Link your card via Grab for transport and select merchants.  
• Local cash: Keep Indonesian rupiah for small warungs, markets, and occasional deliveries. 

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.

5. Being covered

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.

Content by Thompsons Holiday. 

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