Shopping for Bali souvenirs and handicrafts

Though Ubud is the centre of Bali’s handicrafts industries, all kinds of souvenirs and goods are available for sale across the whole island. Everything from wall hangings and surfboards to fake DVDs and very fine quality jewelry is for sale in Bali. Buyers with a keen eye can snare a good bargain in precious stones and works of art, while anyone after a novelty t shirt or Bali themed beachwear will not have to look far to buy something to take with them back home.

Classic Balinese painting is readily available, especially at the galleries in Ubud but there are now so many new and up and coming young Balinese artists that modern art and pop art is increasingly popular. It isn’t only art lovers or the truly knowledgeable that can make a good buy here – most gallery owners and artists are more than happy to invite novice art shoppers into their stores and run them through the history and future of all the work available for sale.

Balinese wood carving is world famous but visitors should be aware that certain countries have very strict customs and quarantine regulations that may prevent the importation of goods made from organic materials – this includes anything made of wood, naturally. Once this hurdle is overcome, however, the range of tribal and festive masks carved rom wood, paper and even some grasses and bamboos are great conversation pieces that will light up any wall. North of Ubud are the towns of Tegallalang, Pujung, and Sebatu, where Balinese woodcarving is at its absolute best.

Jewelry is invariably hand made and justifiably world famous for its distinctive styles and patterns. Belts, bangles, pins, necklaces and rings are embellished with intricate silver work and precious stones including rubies and emeralds are set into fine gold pieces. The town of Celuk is especially well known for its decorative jewelry like rings and earrings and nearby Kamasan continues a several thousand year old tradition of tribal jewelry, made on the spot.

The quintessential Bali souvenir is the batik, which is the decorative fabric used as a wall hanging or mainly, as a sarong. Batik of all sizes, shapes and colours are available for sale in every corner of Bali and the quality is generally sound. Batik are woven from fine cottons and the smaller towns and villages will not only offer a more authentic and wider range but also sell for less that the inferior batik goods and sarongs on offer at the tourist traps in Kuta and Denpasar.