Bali the island of beautiful countryside, active volcanoes, breathtaking waterfalls endless beaches, and amazing outlet shopping. There is a reason Travelandleisure rated Bali the second-best island in the world because it really has something for every type of traveler. With there being so many options for places to go and things to do but only limited time we are here to help you choose. Today we are going to dive right into the best Outlet shopping Bali and where to find the best things to buy in Bali. Whether it’s for yourself or back home there is one key place to look for it all.
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Shopping in Bali Indonesia
Shopping in Bali can sometimes be a little stressful especially if you are in the main tourist location like Kuta, Seminyak or Canggu. This is mainly because these places are so far from the location the products are made they bump up the price to specifically target tourists. Now I am not saying that you can’t find good deals in these locations but Seminyak shopping can be a lot more expensive and a lot more stressful than say, Ubud shopping. If you are truly trying to have the best time in Bali while staying on budget its all about knowing where to go and knowing how to barter. If you can figure these two things out you can really get the most out of your money while shopping for all the unique Bali souvenirs.
What to buy in Bali
Shopping in Bali is so much fun when you know the right things to buy. This beautiful island is known for some main things such as:
- Clothes
Some of the clothes here are made in Bali. This means they are cheaper here than anywhere else. You can find tons of unique Bali clothing like jumpers and cotton clothes. The famous Bintang singlet for around 20,000 – 30,000 or some vibrant colored jumpers for 60,000 -150,000 IDR. The price varies depending on the style and quality of the piece you are trying to buy.
2. Handcrafted items like Bags
If you are traveling around the island you will see tons of females walking around with the round with woven bags. These are all made right outside of Ubud so the closer to the source you go the cheaper they will be. For the woven bags they come in many different colors and designs. These seem to be one of the best things to buy Bali as they are anywhere from 90,000-250,000 IDR. We bargained them down to 90,000 but if you buy them near Canggu you can expect to pay 250,000+
3. Artwork like paintings and wood carvings
As there are many art markets in Bali you will see tons of hand-painted pieces and wooden sculptures. Many people travel from all over the world to Bali for the amazing artwork and carvings. They will purchase them for way cheaper then they would back home and then mail them to themselves so they can decorate their home.
4. Organic beauty products
While outlet shopping in Bali make sure you don’t miss the natural beauty products. This is something the island is really well known for. They have been using things like lemongrass and traditional flowers to create some of the best oils, soaps, and scrubs. Knowing this can save you a lot when it comes to packing. These can range anywhere from 55,000 -480,000 IDR.
5. Bali sarong
At the start of your trip, we highly recommend you pick up a sarong. They are perfect for every day and make great Bali souvenirs. You can use them to lay on while spending your days soaking up the sun on any of the numerous beaches or to cover your legs while you are entering a sacred temple. They are very lightweight and breathable and come in many colors and designs. We are sure you can find one that fits your style for 15,000-20,000 IDR.
Tips on outlet shopping Bali
1. Quality check
Most products have a wide range of prices. This is because of one of two things. The quality changes depending on the price OR they are shipping the product from one location to another. The farther away from the manufacturer you go the more costly it will be. Always keep this in mind when shopping. If it feels like really good quality it will most likely come with a little higher price then the other products.
2. Bargaining
This is the key to shopping in Asia. You have to know how to bargain though. In most cases, the seller will always start with the highest price possible. That is when you need to hit them with the lowest price possible. Once you do this they know its game on. Then the real fun begins, You will then go back and forth between prices you will always be lower than theirs but at some point, you can hopefully settle in the middle where you are both happy. There are certain things you need to make sure you don’t do and being too pushy is one of them. Learning skills in bargaining can take time so don’t feel bad if you don’t get it right the first time. Something to note here is that If you are shopping first thing in the morning Balinese will most likely give you a great good deal if you are their first customer. They believe that the first sale will bring them good luck for the rest of the day. In this case, the early bird really does get the worm.
Where to shop in Bali
Alright, what we have all been waiting for. The best Outlet shopping in Bali is none other than the Ubud Art Market. It is also known as Pasar Seni Ubud. We have ridden scooters in Bali for hours to see the many markets but due to the mass selection and very affordable prices, we truly believe the Ubud Art Market is one of the best places to shop in Bali. We have heard that the Sukawati Art Market is even better but when we went there we were a little let down by the selection of products. It is a little cheaper but it’s mainly a market specifically for art and handcrafted wood items. If this is what you are looking for then we suggest you going here but if you are looking for a large selection of goods then make sure you visit Ubud Art Market.
**If you are interested in riding a scooter around and checking out all the markets make sure not to miss the full guide on renting a scooter in Bali.**
How to get to Ubud Art Market
Its located directly in the center of town and very convenient for anyone who is staying in Ubud. If you are staying somewhere in the south it is still only 28 Km or 58 minutes from Canggu by scooter. If you don’t feel comfortable riding a scooter don’t worry there are plenty of ways to get from Canggu to Ubud. Be warned midday traffic can be crazy in Ubud Center so I suggest getting there right when it opens at 6-7 am. The market’s normal hours of operation are from 6 am – 6 pm but some stalls tend to stay open later.
After traveling Bali for over 3 months we have learned a couple of tricks on how to live in Bali on a budget while also seeing all the Bali hidden gems. As travelers and foreigners, we don’t always get the local price but we sure can true. We hope this helps you and allows you to be the most prepared for your next shopping experience.
If you have any tips and tricks about shopping in Bali or any other good locations please let us know below we would love to check them out on our next trip!
Thanks again for reading!
Jimmy&Tah
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