Bali’s Cultural Souvenirs Help Tourists Keep Vacation Memories Alive Long After The Return Home

Share The Article

Tourists traveling to Bali have so much to explore, but it can be hard to know what to take away from an island that gives so much.

Of course, we can all head home with a mind full of memories and a camera roll full of incredible pics, but there is something timeless and essential for the discerning traveler to come home with a carefully curated selection of souvenirs.

Bali is one of the most artistic islands in the world. Home to creativity abounding, tourists have so many opportunities to invest in one-of-a-kind, handmade items that will help capture their memories of their time in Bali forever. 

Tourists may stumble across incredible souvenirs that are just waiting for them in the most unsuspecting of places, but for many, the best souvenir shopping can be found at the island’s most famous art markets.

The Ubud Art Market, Seminyak Market, and Kuta Art Market are all excellent places to purchase souvenirs as gifts for friends, family, and loved ones, as well as for personal use. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wonderful Indonesia (@wonderfulindonesia)

With so much choice, it can be a little overwhelming, and there is only so much space in the suitcase, right?

The trick with buying souvenirs in Bali is to focus on the items that really call to your heart. Whether it’s a particular sarong, wooden carving, or painting, whatever jumps out at you the loudest is the souvenir for you!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wonderful Indonesia (@wonderfulindonesia)

Classic Balinese souvenirs that are culturally inspired are sarongs. Not only are sarongs super affordable, but they can be used in so many different ways. Not only can sarongs be used as sarongs, but also as multipurpose fabrics.

Uses include as beach towels, being tied in knots to make bags and bundles, and can be used as baby carriers, as throws, covers, or table cloths. Many people pick out several designs that they like in sarongs and then totally transform them when they get home.

With just a few simple stitches, sarong fabric can be transformed into a dress, a cute two-piece skirt and top set, or even shorts. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wonderful Indonesia (@wonderfulindonesia)

Many of the more expensive sarongs use traditional batik fabric and prints. These are fabrics that you’ll want to keep preserved in all their glory.

Be sure to ask the vendor what each colour, pattern, and design means. Across Indonesia, batik fabrics have been used for hundreds of years and are the literal fabric of the culture, telling the stories of the past for all to see. 

Wooden carvings are another classic Bali souvenir that many tourists choose to take home. From elephant to peace symbols, to the tree of life, to carvings of the mythological beings, the wooden sculptures in Bail are all hand-carved by master artisans located across the island.

Ubud is home to many traditional wood carvers, as is the Tegallalang area. Tourists can also book a wood carving lesson during their vacation in Bali to learn the basics of the craft for themselves. 

Buying wooden carvings to take home with you does come with a warning, however, especially for those travelling to Australia and New Zealand.

It is essential to review the current customs rules and regulations regarding the transportation of organic materials and wood before traveling.

It is possible that the wood needs to be treated prior to import, or tourists may risk the items being seized and destroyed. 

Classic, small, affordable, and easy-to-transport souvenirs that make great gifts include handmade keychains, bracelets, incense, and teas.

These can be found widely available at the art markets and even in supermarkets like Pepito and Bintang all across Bali.