Bali Traveller Tips

Passport & Visas

A 2 (two) month tourist visa will be automatically issued for visitors from all West European countries, ASEAN countries (Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and , Thailand, Canada and USA while others countries not mentioned above would have to obtain from their local Indonesian consulate or embassy. Passport must be valid for 6 (six) month upon entry into Indonesia territory and you also should have proof of onward passage. For details on obtaining other types of visas, please contact your local Indonesian consulate or embassy in your country.

Currency

The Local currency is the Rupiah as the basic unit of money. The smallest denominations in the forms of coin are Rp. 5, Rp. 10 (very rarely seen nowadays), Rp. 25, Rp. 50, Rp. 100, Rp. 500, and Rp. 1000. And in the form of bills are Rp. 100, Rp. 500, Rp. 1000, Rp. 5000, Rp. 10.000, Rp. 20.000, Rp. 50.000, Rp. 100.000. The exchange rate againts US dollar is has fluctuated widely recently but is now heading toward stability. Please be sure to check the current exchange rate before you changing money at local money changer. If you have an internet connection you may log in to Http://www.bii.co.id for the updated exchange rate. Most major credit card and traveler's checks are accepted in almost big store and hotels in Bali. Also be cautions when paying with credit cards as most merchant will add 3% againts the total of transaction for the cards.

Health

Travellers coming from infected areas are recommended to obtain International health certificates of vaccination against smallpox, cholera, yellow fever, typhoid and paratyphoid. For those who intended to stay for a longer period of time in Bali, it is recommended to have gammaglobulin injections.

Good advise for visitors when they have infamous "Bali Belly" during their stay in Bali is to take Lomotil and Imodium as an first medications. It is also advisable to drink a strong, hot tea and avoid all fruits and spicy foods at the first sign of discomfort (diarrhea and cramping). It will help to lessen the cramping if you do charcoal tablets (the brand name is Norit). To stop from dehydration, Oralite (mineral replacement salts) is a good choice and is available at nearly every store or local pharmacy. In the worst cases caused by viral infection, get a doctor for an antibiotics prescription.

To avoid Malaria, visitors should consult their doctor for a supply of malaria-repressant tablets. Chloroquine is available widely in Bali and much cheaper than abroad.
Drinking-it's best-drink bottled mineral water. Be cautions for the sun as it is become very intense in the afternoon especially in dry season.

Dress and what to wear

Balinese Show respect by dressing neatly and modestly. Very informal dress in certain situations can be seen as an insolt to those you meet and Bali has a humid climate and it is best to bring along all-cotton sundreses, shortsleeve shirts. Bali has become a center of garment manufature so you may find a casual fashion at a cheaper prices. Local traditions in Bali encourages visitors to take off the shoes before going into a house. For formal occasions, mean usually wear batik or ikat shirts and dark trousers while for women usually opt for modest dresses. Pay attention when entering a temple in Bali. It is suggested that guest wear pakaian adat- the full native dress of a kain, kebaya and sash for the women and a kain, saput (overskirt), niche shirt and sash for the men.

What to bring

Do not carry too much luggage as you will be surprised to see if you soon become out of space of your luggage when you travel to Bali as so many beautiful, inexpensive things to buy. You might bring insect repellent, a flashlight if you plan to stay in the hotel near the village where the road to go to your hotel may be a bit dark, sunscreen, a supply of prescription medicines and an extra set of prescription glasses.

Animal Quarantine

Bali is free of rabbies. When planning to carry your pets with you, please prepare an official letter from your vetenarian stating that your pet is disease free. However this is also not a guarantee that your pet will not be quarantined. Please consult your nearest Indonesian consulate or embassy for details.

Culture and local customs

Indonesian laws forbids visitors from bringing weapons, narcotics and pornography material into the country. Fresh fruits, plants, animals and exposed films and video might be checked.

You may carry a maximum of two liters of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco, and a reasonable amount of perfume. Photograpgic equipment, typewriters and radios are granted admittance provided these will be taken out on departure. Visitors are encouraged to declare all the equipment and the amount of foreign currencies they carry by completing a declaration form upon arrival. This is usually handed over at the immigration counter. The limit of the foreign currencies you may import or export is US$5.000 and for Indonesian currencies is Rp. 50.000,-

Export of national treasures is prohibited as well as tortoise shell, crocodile skin, and ivory products.

To the Balinese, the world is their living room and its foreign visitors their guests. Decades of tourism have somewhat diminished this positive attitude, however people in Bali remain notably friendly and courteous. Balinese people also remain substantialy conservative, for tradition is the backbone of their highly civilized culture thereby please do your best to respect their traditions and attitudes. The Balinese are a very polite people and smiles are an island-wide characteristic. Shaking hands on introduction is common for both men and women. It is consider bad or taboo if you use the left hand to give or to receive something- as the left hand is used for hygienic purposes. Also pointing with your left hand is consider rude and the same case for crooking a finger when calling someone.
A good principal when shopping is never to ask for the price if you do not intended to buy, and always bargain before payment.

Weights & Measures

Indonesia use the metric system of measurement. 1 kilometer is equal to 0.6214 miles; one meter is equal to 3.2808 feet; one kilogram is equal to 0.2642 U.S. gallons or 0.22 imperial gallons. To convert Celcius to Fahrenheit, multiply by 1.8 and add 32; to convert Fahrenheit to Celcius, substract 32 and multiply by .55.

Electricity

In most places, it is 220 volts, 50 cycles, but check first as 110 volts is still used in some areas. The plug is two pronged round. In most good hotels, a voltage converter usually available on request.

Business Hours and Holidays

The goverment office hours usually starts at 08.00 am and finish at 05.00 pm except for Saturdays when office hours usually shorter but some goverment office closed. This is also applied for banks and private office. The labor working rules suggest 8 working hours a day plus 1 hour for meal time and 40 hours working days in a week.

Religion is way of life for Indonesia and especially Bali where there are no days without ceremony and offerings. There are only five major religion in Indonesia: Muslims (90% of total population), Chatolicism, Protestantism, Hinduism, and Buddhism and each of these has their own official holidays in a year.

Airport & Flight

Airport Tax
International : Rupiah 100,000 per person
Domestic : Rupiah 30,000 per person

Please make sure that you reconfirm your flight at least 3 days prior to departure. Show your guide your ticket the day after your arrival in Bali and he will reconfirm for you.

Departure Information
If your departure transfer from your hotel to Ngurah Rai airport, Denpasar, has been booked with agent, confirmation of the pick-up time from your hotel will be placed in your hotel key box or with the reception one day prior to your departure. Pick-up time is approximately 2 to 3 hours prior to your flight departure time.

Check out Time
at hotels in Bali is normally 12 noon. If your pick-up time for departure is in the late afternoon, please check with your hotel reception to see if you can keep your room for an extra hour or two. (Note that hotels might charge you for this facility and this will be at your own expense).
Please make sure that you have settled your HOTEL “EXTRAS” BILL (drinks, meals, telephone, laundry, etc) in plenty of time so that you are ready when the guide comes to pick you up.

Please check that your LUGGAGE IS CLEARLY LABELLED with your name and address (inside and outside) and that it is locked. Contact your hotel’s Bell Captain at least 15 minutes before leaving the hotel so that he has plenty of time to collect your luggage from your room. Your luggage will be transferred to the airport. Please note that you will personally have to take it through the security check. Luggage trolleys are not allowed through security but porters are available and they charge RUPIAH 500 per piece of luggage. Just to remind you - keep your passport and tickets in your hand luggage !.

If you are CHANGING PLANES IN JAKARTA, please note the following information :
Two boarding passes should be issued by Garuda Airlines when you check in at Denpasar airport, one for you Denpasar to Jakarta flight and one for Jakarta to your next destination. You can thus proceed directly to the boarding lounge at Jakarta airport for your next flight.

If you are issued with only one boarding pas by Garuda Airlines, you must make your way immediately upon arrival at Jakarta airport to the TRANSFER DESK to collect your boarding pass for your onward flight. Denpasar airport has a restaurant and duty free shopping facilities.

Driving Information

Getting Around

Although the island is only 140 kilometers (84 miles) long by 80 kilometers (48 miles) wide, a week would not be enough to appreciate all of Bali's beaches, temples, volcanoes, and towns. Bali has several beach areas on the southern coast, where 90% of its visitors stay. Each has its distinctive appeal, and they are within easy reach of one another.

Travelling by hire car, stopping when you want to explore the villages, mountains and beaches, is a great way to discover the beauty of Bali. About two hours drive North-east of the Denpasar Airport and Kuta, you'll arrive at Candi Dasa. From here you can explore the coast further north, or return to drive inland into the hills. The central inland village of Ubud, is about one hour from the airport and Kuta. Along the way you'll pass many villages and find that most of them specialise in handcrafts of a particular type such as exquisite wood-carvings and unique jewellery.

Car Hire

Car hire is easy on Bali. Large international rental companies offer good deals, but local companies are very competitive. The most popular rental vehicle is the Jimny - a small, Suzuki Katana jeep with ample ground clearance. The Jimny has a tiny 800 cc engine, two seats in the front, and two to four bench seats in the back. The larger Toyota Kijang seats six and is very economical and lightweight. The majority of hire-cars have manual 'stick-shift' gears as opposed to automatic transmission.

TIP - Shop around for a good rental deal. Check out the net, Bali's local papers and Magazines for the best prices.

TIP Carefully check the condition of your car before accepting terms (especially the horn, as this is used to warn other road users of your presence).

TIP - All rental cars should have registration documents and registration plates prefixed with the letters: RC (for 'Rental Car'). These are legal requirements for renting and without them the police could stop you and impose fines. Registration plates should also include both Balinese and Lambok licensing for use on both islands. Inform the rental company if you intend to use the vehicle on both islands and request appropriate documentation.

TIP - During the major holiday periods of Galungan and Nyepi, hire vehicles are in great demand from Balinese locals going home for the festivities, so it is advisable to book your vehicle in advance of these periods. Car Hire with Driver Known in Bali as 'chartered transport'. Although prices vary, depending on the places you wish to visit (and the distance covered), a car with driver will run about 15,000 - 20,000 rp per day (12 hours). Negotiate with the driver before agreeing a deal and check what extra costs will have to be paid such as petrol, meals, etc. Insurance Requirements Some rental companies offer insurance for an added fee. Check the small print as the conditions of policies vary considerably.

TIP - Maximum write-off damage will require an approximate payment of US $25 variable according to the individual policy, but minor damage such as a smashed wing or headlight could result in the hirer paying the full cost of repair which can be very expensive. Licence Requirements An International Driving Permit is required in addition to your own national Driving Licence. These are obtainable from motoring organisations in your country.

WARNING - Driving in Bali without a licence can incur a fine of 2,000,000 rp. Seat Belts Seat belts are fitted to some vehicles, but there are no legal requirements to use them. If you intend to rent a motorcycle, helmets will be supplied by the hire company for the rider and passenger. It is a legal requirement to wear one and it has to be in good condition. Which Side of the Road Traffic drives on the left. Priority It is your responsibility as driver to avoid all other road users. Any vehicle has the right of way to pull out in front of you. Drivers in Bali rely on audible warnings, so use the horn regularly to let them know of your presence and in particular when overtaking. Likewise, other drivers will use their horns to let you know of their presence.

WARNING - Be extra vigilant when driving at dusk or at night in rural areas. Many bicycles and carts are not illuminated by lights and street lighting is to be found only in the larger towns. Routes Indonesia's main roads are generally excellent surfaced highways, though overland travel may be hampered by the IMF's insistence that the government remove price subsidies on petrol. In Badung regency especially, there are certain roads that change priority from two-way to one-way during the course of the day. Be extremely careful as road priorities can change without warning and the police will fine anybody driving in contravention of altered road priorities. Speed Limits There is a maximum speed limit of 70 kph. Petrol Expect to pay over 1,150 rp a litre.

Emergency Numbers

The emergency telephone numbers are as follows:
Ambulance 118
Fire 113
Police 110