Travel Shopping Essentials: A Safe and Convenient Guide

Key Takeaways: 4 principles for preventing pickpocketing and loss while shopping in Bali—① Bring only enough cash, store the rest in the hotel safe; ② Keep cash and passport/documents separately; ③ Place valuables in a front or waist pouch, separate from shopping bags; ④ Nearly 90% of shops in tourist areas accept GoPay e-wallet (built into the Gojek app, can be linked to a credit card or topped up by your driver), so prioritize cashless payments and minimize wallet use for maximum safety.

【Shopping】 is often a key activity during travel. When shopping on a trip, convenience and safety are crucial considerations. While browsing for items you want, you might become less alert, which increases the risk of losing money due to dropped wallets or pickpocketing.

To make travel shopping more convenient and secure, try the following tips:

1. Carry Only a Modest Amount of Cash

Carrying a modest amount of cash is a great first step for travel shopping, making your vacation safer and more convenient. However, bringing too much cash adds unnecessary risk! Plus, carrying just enough cash can help prevent overspending, as people with too much cash on hand sometimes become more wasteful.

For a safer and more comfortable trip, it’s recommended to keep cash and documents separate. This helps prevent the loss of both money and important papers.

2. Keep Cash and Tickets/Documents Separate

Cash is typically used for payments, while tickets or passports are only needed at specific times. It’s best to store cash separately from tickets and documents to avoid losing everything at once due to carelessness.

Want to budget before you go? Check out the Bali Ticket Price List for real-time reference prices of popular attractions across the site, making it easy to compare deals on Klook/Trip.com.

3. Carrying a Bag with Collectible Items

Make sure the bag you bring is smaller than your main backpack so it doesn’t feel cumbersome. Additionally, keep the bag on your chest or waist to store valuables—this makes it easy to keep an eye on your precious items at all times.

Make sure to bring a bag smaller than your main backpack so you won’t feel inconvenienced. Additionally, keep the bag on your chest or waist to store valuables, making it easy to keep an eye on your belongings at all times.

For cashless payments, travelers in Indonesia or Bali can consider the e-wallet GoPay. GoPay is a service under Indonesia’s super app, GoJek. Using the GoPay e-wallet allows you to pay at nearly 90% of merchants in tourist areas across Indonesia or Bali.

During your vacation, try to prioritize cashless payment methods whenever possible. This will make shopping much easier, so you won’t need to carry too much cash.

For non-cash payments, travelers in Indonesia or Bali can consider the e-wallet GoPay. GoPay is a service under Indonesia’s super app GoJek. Using the GoPay e-wallet allows you to make payments at nearly 90% of merchants in tourist areas across Indonesia or Bali.

Why is GoJek considered a ‘super app’? Beyond helping travelers get around with short-distance rides, GoJek also lets you order food delivery straight to your hotel and make payments using the GoPay e-wallet—three of the most commonly used services for travelers. Topping up your GoPay balance is incredibly easy too! You can do it at ATMs in Indonesia or Bali, at convenience store chains, or even by handing cash to a GoJek driver and asking them to top it up for you. Another option is linking GoPay to your credit card, which saves even more hassle.