How to Pack for a Week of Bali Getaway with Just a Carry-On

Hotel of The Week

COMO Shambhala Estate – Bali, Indonesia

It feels like summer was just yesterday, and now we’re already at the end of October. Some of us are starting to feel the shift from summer to fall wardrobes or even might still be in denial about it. But what if we could hold onto that summer feeling (and wardrobes) just a little longer? This year, I’ve been lucky enough to catch some extra sunshine, and Bali happened to be my extended summer destination.

Having lived in Southern California for the past few years, Los Angeles’ sunshine has spoiled me a little too much. My motivation to wake up in the morning often depends on whether the sun is out or not, LOL. As typical as it might sound, getting out of bed, putting on my workout outfit, grabbing my matcha, going for a walk, and ending it with 30-mins sunbathe everyday are always the first things I look forward to on sunny days. Honestly, it’s pretty hard for me to function properly without that morning routine!

Earlier this month, I was spending some time in Singapore, where it rained almost the entire week, until I got a text from one of my best friends who lives in India saying she was planning to visit Bali the following week and inviting me to join her. Aside from the fact that we haven’t seen each other for over a year, I also thought it’d be the perfect chance to prolong our summer a little longer. Well, who wouldn’t want a year-round summer? 😀

After agreeing to fly out to see her, here comes the most tedious part of traveling: packing! Personally, I’m not a huge fan of checking bags. Unless it’s a big winter trip or a move where it’s inevitable, I always challenge myself to stick to carry-ons.

Here is our rough 7-day plan:

PS: I know these packing tips would be way more fun with spot details and some guides thrown in, but that’d turn this into a novel, LOL. So, I’m saving that for next time!

Friday night out at Klymax Discothèque at Potato Head in Seminyak, followed by Saturday at Savaya in Uluwatu. For those who’ve never been, Klymax has a Berlin vibe, completely indoors with mostly techno beats, and people dress more casually which reminds me Brooklyn-type of crowd. Meanwhile, Savaya is located at the top of a cliff—100 meters above the Indian Ocean and the vibe lowkey feels like Ibiza, plus people there are a bit more dressed up.
Both of us are pretty disciplined with our workout routine and wanted to still include our gym in our weekend schedule
One watersport activity, three beach days for sunset followed by dinners and checking out some local and beachfront bars, every day
A day trip to Ubud for a yoga session and Melukat (spiritual cleansing). We also need to make sure that our outfits are culturally appropriate for these activities.
Stroll around and shop from local boutiques in Seminyak
Chill resort day. Most of the time, the nicer the resort, the more laid-back the outfits are.
Due to the hotter climate, most people in Bali don’t wear heels. Unless it’s a night out, sandals are always a good go.
Temple/cultural institution visits. Again, outfits should be mindful when visiting these sites.
Sport and wellness day: spa, cold plunge, play padel! I always love to take part in local’s sport scene when traveling, not particulary for health reasons but it is one of the easiest ways to make new friends without involving alcohol.

Other considerations:

Humidity in Bali could reach up to 92%, with average temperatures ranging from a low of 76°F to a high of 90°F
The best way to get around in Bali is by bike, so it’s important to prioritize comfortable and practical clothing for the commutes

With this rough plan in mind, I curated outfits that transition smoothly across each activity that align with Bali’s vibe yet still fit within the American carry-on size limit.

I think one of the biggest challenges that can lead to overpacking is deciding what to bring and what to leave behind. Especially for people who are highly indecisive like me, we often get caught in the “just in case” mindset, which leads us to pack almost every possible item in our wardrobe, only for many to end up untouched the whole trip. To avoid this, choosing a color palette and sticking to it can help us to make faster decisons and help keep our packing more efficient. This will also ease us in mix and matching all items so they can go together.

Step 1: Destination moodboarding