What to Pack for a Bali Wellness Retreat

Now that the organising is done (picking the right retreat, booking plane tickets, getting excited), it's time to fill your suitcase. The only potentially stressful part of any holiday is making sure you've got everything you need while keeping your suitcase under the weight limit. We'll walk you through the most useful items to bring so you can pack calmly and confidently.

Good news: Bali has warm temperatures year-round, so you won't need heavy coats or bulky cardigans. All our rooms at Soulshine Bali include hairdryers, so you can leave yours at home. Better yet, Bali's warm, tropical environment is the perfect place to let your hair dry naturally and embrace any natural waves or texture. We provide towels for baths, showers, and the spa, but you might want to bring a beach towel for lounging by the pool or taking to nearby waterfalls.

Consider Your Planned Activities

Your retreat at Soulshine Bali will likely include daily yoga sessions in our open-air shala overlooking the rice fields, as well as other activities like guided bike tours through stunning scenery, sunrise hikes, cultural excursions to sacred temples, or even our twice-weekly flashmobs at 1 PM every Tuesday and Friday, where you'll dance barefoot with our team and fellow guests.

Consider how many physical activities you have planned and pack enough comfortable activewear. Think breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics that move with you. If you're someone prone to sweating or you've packed light, there are laundry services available at the retreat to ensure you approach each activity feeling fresh.

You're sure to have time to enjoy our pool, so pack swimwear that you feel comfortable and confident in. Consider bringing a sarong or light cover-up for lounging, reading, or transitioning from pool to dining area.

For the rest of your time on retreat, you'll want loose, comfortable, warm-weather clothes. Think flowing dresses, linen pants, or shorts with cotton or bamboo tops. Breathable, natural fabrics work best in the tropical climate. For evenings, you'll be in an air-conditioned room, so pack a pair or two of light pyjamas or a comfortable cotton sleep set.

• When it comes to shoes: Bring running shoes or supportive sneakers if you're planning hikes or bike tours. For everything else, sandals are your best friend. Many guests spend most of their time barefoot at Soulshine, embracing the "barefoot luxury" philosophy. Consider bringing a pair of nice sandals for dinner and casual flip-flops for daytime.

• Documents and essentials: Make sure you've got your passport, any required vaccine records, and some Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) in cash, just in case. During your retreat, you can keep these in the safe in your room so you don't have to worry about them.

• Journaling tools: Consider bringing a journal or notebook to write down or sketch any thoughts, insights, or breakthroughs you may have. On wellness retreats, you connect with yourself on a deep level, and journaling can be a powerful tool to capture and integrate this growth. Whether it's morning reflections after yoga or evening gratitude lists, having a dedicated space to process your transformation can be invaluable.

• Electronics: If you're bringing a camera to capture your adventure, a smart watch to track your yoga and hikes, or your phone for photos (those rice field sunsets are unmissable), make sure you've packed chargers and at least one or two plug adapters. Indonesia uses Type C and F plugs (European-style two-pin).

Health Products You Might Need

Many guests choose not to wear makeup during their retreat, letting their skin breathe and glow naturally. If you do want to wear some, stick with light, mineral-based products due to the heat and humidity. A good tinted moisturiser with SPF is usually all you need.

Sun protection is essential. Pack sunscreen (reef-safe is best if you're swimming), sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat. The last thing you want on a relaxing, transformational retreat is a painful sunburn.

Travelling to Bali, especially if there's a significant time difference from where you live, can be taxing on the body. Consider packing a wellness toolkit: ginger tea or capsules to soothe travel sickness, probiotics to support digestion as you adjust to new foods, and electrolyte packets to stay hydrated.

Jet lag remedies: Grounding yourself during the first couple of days by placing your bare feet on the earth (easy to do at Soulshine with all our outdoor spaces) can help reset your circadian rhythm. Certain essential oils, like lavender, can calm your nervous system and support better sleep. Use a few drops in a diffuser or on a tissue near your pillow. Avoid applying directly to the skin unless diluted, as some people can react.

What we provide: At Soulshine Bali, we stock our rooms with organic toiletries, so you don't need to bring full-sized shampoo, conditioner, or body wash. Feel free to bring your favourite face products or any specialty items you can't live without.

What Not to Worry About

Don't stress about bringing yoga mats (we provide them), or packing every wellness product under the sun. Ubud has fantastic natural health shops, organic markets, and wellness boutiques if you realise you've forgotten something or want to try local Balinese remedies and elixirs. Part of the joy of being here is discovering new rituals and products you might want to bring home.

Most importantly: Pack light, pack intentionally, and leave room in your suitcase (and your heart) for what you'll bring back, souvenirs, handmade crafts from local artisans, organic Balinese coffee, and most of all, a renewed sense of yourself.

If you haven't booked yet, you now know what to bring. Browse our retreat packages and get ready to experience the magic of Soulshine Bali. Your transformation awaits.