What to Buy in Bali: Top Souvenirs and Where to Find Them

The jewelry in Bali is more than just accessories. It represents traditions, skills, and creativity. For centuries, Bali has used the technique of hammering thin metal sheets over resin casts to create intricate patterns, known as repoussé and the chasing method. You often find the plants, animals, natural objects, and geometric patterns in Bali. But you can also request an artisan to turn your design into reality!

In the past, Balinese used the method only for traditional clothing accessories and ceremonial tools. Search for Balinese wedding accessories, and you’ll pick your jaw off the floor. Nowadays, Bali artisans still use the same technique to create the pendant, earring, or brooch, even if the pattern and motifs are highly contemporary. And nothing beats silver and gold jewelry if you want the best things to buy in Bali.

When discussing batik from Bali or Indonesia as a souvenir, it’s not just a pattern on a fabric. That’s why UNESCO added batik to the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2009. If you’re shopping in Ubud, you will see vibrant colors with geometric patterns, mythical figures, and floral motifs. So that you know, the dye process in Balinese batik often uses natural dyes like indigo and turmeric.

You can find a traditional weaving technique with the double ikat method called gringsing in Tenganan village. Gringsing is unique because there are strict rules to follow when making gringsing, as Balinese believe it has a magical power. Bali also has endek and songket, which are the types you see when browsing at the Ubud Traditional Art Market. Designers often incorporate them in modern design because of how versatile they are.

Balinese wood carvings and sculptures may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but no one will deny their complexity. In Bali, carving and sculpture are tied to tradition and culture. Woodcarving has existed since the 14^th century, and you know how Balinese artists can create a masterpiece like Garuda Wisnu Kencana. Suar (rain tree), ebony, teak, sandalwood, and jackfruit wood are the main materials used to create sculptures and wood carvings.

Balinese artists also always draw inspiration from nature and Hindu symbols. You see many sculptures of Ganesha (the elephant-headed God), barong (the mythical crossbreed of lion and dog representing good), and rangda (representing evil). But Balinese is also a master in creating intricate leaf, flower, and animal patterns, such as turtles and dragons.

No one will blame you for loving the smell of frangipani or the refreshing lemongrass. And while you may enjoy the massage oils when having a spa day, they are also the perfect things to get from Bali! Bali’s essential oil has been used for generations as a remedy. You can bring them as organic bug spray repellent, soaps, body butter, body scrubs, and other skincare products.

However, herbal products in Bali go beyond just essential oils or spa products. Take coconut oil, for example. For Balinese, coconut oil is a multi-purpose oil. Many Balinese cooks use coconut oil, and it’s also good for your skin! Though herbal drinks like jamu made of roots and spices are great for your body, you cannot bring them home due to their short shelf life. But you can buy the body scrub that has jamu ingredients, instead!

Can you even call yourself a coffee addict if you’ve never tried Luwak coffee? Luwak coffee is one of the most exclusive (and expensive!) coffees. Luwak coffee relies on the Asian palm civet to produce a smoother and less acidic character. What makes them unique? You basically drink the poop coffee. If you visit the best coffee plantation in Bali, you can see the whole process of making Luwak coffee and try a sip.

The civet munches on the ripest and sweetest coffee cherries. Then, in 24–36 hours, the farmers collect the excreted coffee beans, wash and sun-dry them, removing the outer parchment before the beans get roasted. And voila! There’s an ethical concern as civets are often kept in a cage and forced to feed on cherries. You need to always look for the wild-sourced Luwak coffee. Though it’s more expensive, it’s a more ethical choice if you look for one of the best Bali souvenirs.

Balinese ceramics are often overlooked when people talk about gifts from Bali, as they are breakable. However, traditional Balinese pottery making in Pejaten village still uses a coiling method, a technique from Bali’s Bronze Age. The clay is hand-rolled into coils and layered to build pots without a wheel. The pottery is fired in the wood-burning kilns (oven for clay and porcelain) to add a rustic texture.

Modern ceramic artists blend the traditional technique with contemporary design. Consider abstract shapes or animal figurines with bold or earthy tones, depending on your aesthetics. You’ll find vases, plates, mugs, and bowls with leaf or ocean wave motifs, as if carving Bali’s nature into everyday objects. The clay used for ceramics in Bali is often mixed with volcanic ash to enhance the strength and durability.

Nothing says eco-friendly like rattan bags. Balinese people made rattan bags long before sustainability became a fashion statement. Known for its versatility, durability, and simplicity, Balinese handmade woven bags will elevate your look and make you stand out. The practicality with little maintenance, plus how chic it looks for beach days or brunch, has made rattan bags one of the things to buy from Bali.

Bamboo baskets, on the other hand, are another story. In the beginning, Balinese used bamboo baskets for ceremonial purposes as they needed to carry offerings. But the beautiful weaving technique and its versatility are then applied to home decor and household items. Because you can use them as storage, bringing one home will add a splash of tropical aesthetics to your home vibe, without making it overtly boho.

You’ve probably seen the Balinese mask with the long fangs and big, rounded eyes. That’s Rangda, a personification of evil in Balinese culture. A mask in Bali is not something you wear for a masquerade party, as people in the West do. The authentic Balinese mask is seen as a sacred object, tied to spiritual beliefs. You will see dancers often wearing masks because Balinese believe the ancestor’s spirit will come through the mask as a vessel.

Making Balinese masks for religious and ceremonial purposes also involves rituals, such as purification and offerings. Temples often keep the mask to maintain its sacredness. Balinese masks for decorative purposes certainly don’t undergo the same process. If you’re wondering which ones and what type you can buy in Bali, those are your options. Maybe you need to choose the Barong mask instead, as it embodies the good.

What do you need to buy in Bali if you love snacking? When it comes to snacks and sweets, get ready for some delicious local treats. Milk pie or pie susu, a small crust pastry filled with egg custard and condensed milk, should be the first item on your list. Another pie, but this one is a flaky pastry stuffed with mung bean, chocolate, or cheese, is another winner.

Not a fan of sweet treats? You’ll love Kacang Disco. It’s a crunchy flour-coated peanut with various flavors like barbeque and cheese. And if you like to challenge yourself, buy the extra spicy one! For chip lovers, Balinese has more than just your average potato or cassava chips. You can get banana, jackfruit, tempeh, and even durian chips. We understand if you finish them all even before packing because how crunchy, savory, and addictive they are!