Bali Travel Tips

BALI TRAVEL TIPS

Before traveling to Bali, you will need to do some preparation and research. Our company provides you with information about Bali such as, tradition, culture, locating and getting directions to certain places, and many more things.  If you need any assistance, you can always contact Bali Tours Club directly.

VISA REQUIREMENTS
Only 11 countries and territories are still eligible for a "Visa Free" facility, they are: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Philippines, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Chile, Morocco, Peru and Vietnam.
Nationals of the aforementioned countries and territories will be issued with a 30-day stay permit without charge upon presentation of a valid passport with 6 months remaining validity. The Visa Free Facility is not extendable or convertible into another type of visa.

VISA AND PASSPORTS
Two-month tourist visas will automatically be issued to visitors from 46 countries, which include Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the UK, the USA, Canada, and most of western Europe. Ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months upon entry into Indonesia or you will find yourself on the next plane out. You will be given a 60-day tourist card as long as (i) your passport is valid for at least six months, and (ii) you have a ticket out of Indonesia or have enough money to fund your trip and departure. This card has to be returned when you leave Indonesia, so please do not misplace it.
Extension of tourist visas is easy; you would only have to leave the country and come back in again. This is as simple as going to Singapore and returning the same day. Paperwork is involved for extending business and social cultural visas, and this can be done only once per visa. Contact your local Indonesian embassy/consulate for more details or the immigration department once in Bali.

VISA ON ARRIVAL
21 countries are required to obtain a "Visa on Arrival" processed at the gate of entry following the payment of an official fee. The citizens of these countries and territories eligible to purchase visas on arrival are: the United States, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, Finland, Hungary, United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Germany, Canada, South Korea, Norway, France, Poland, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Taiwan.
These citizens must hold a passport with at least 6 months remaining validity at the time of arrival, present a completed embarkation/disembarkation card provided by the airlines, be able to demonstrate they have sufficient means to live during their stay in Indonesia, not be listed on any official blacklist of individuals prohibited from entering the country, and pay the stipulated fee to obtain a visa.

AIRPORT TAX
To leave from Indonesia to the country destinations or to local destination via airport, Indonesian Government will apply the airport tax for every flight passenger at cost

  • Domestic Airport Tax is Rp. 50.000 per person
  • International Airport Tax is Rp. 150.000 per person


TRAVEL TIP
Making a photocopy of your airline tickets and  passport. Also make a list of all travelers' checks and your credit card details and store it in a separate bag other than your hand bag or wallet.

ACCOMODATION
Bali as a tourist destination has a lot of choice for accommodation from the high class until the lowest one which more popular called LOSMEN/GUEST HOUSE. The availabilities of the accommodation are based on the choice of location, hotel classification, facilities etc.

BALI TIME
Bali Time Zone is GMT + 8 hours.

WATER
Do not drink the tap water. Bottled water is readily available.

WEATHER
Bali is situated approx 8 degrees south of the equator. Consequently, weather is generally warm for most of the year. Daytime temperatures are around 28 degrees celsius throughout the year.
The wet season is between November and April with rain generally falling heavily for only a few hours.

CLOTHING
Light, airy, casual clothes are the most practical and you'll find natural fibers like cotton or linen are the most comfortable in Bali's often humid conditions. Waist sashes should be worn when visiting temples.

CURRENCY OF INDONESIA
The rupiah is the basic unit of money, which is displayed as Rp before the numeral.  Coins denominations range up to 1,000 rupiah and note denominations start at 100 rupiah and extend up to 50,000.
Whilst in Bali it is a good idea to have on hand a few 100 rupiah coins as you will need these all of the time whilst shopping. Dont change large amounts of currency at any one time as there are numerous currency exchange oportunities in the main tourist areas.
SWIMMING IN THE OCEAN
Current underflows can be strong, always swim between the red and yellow flags, don't swim too far out! Do not leave your belongings unattended on the beach.

BANKS
Most major banks have branches in the main tourist centers and provincial capitals. But it would be difficult to find banks in smaller towns and remote areas.

MONEY OPTIONS
Many shops, large and small, accept plastic cards with a 3-5 percent added to the bill. Cash advances can be obtained in all major tourist resorts - Denpasar, Kuta, Sanur and Ubud. Automatic Teller Machines are numerous especially at shopping centres. Most of them are connected to international banking networks.


CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE
The rupiah is the basic unit of money, normally abbreviated to Rp followed by the value. Denominations of Rp 50 and 100 are in the form of coins, Rp 100, 500 and 1,000 are in either coins or bills, and Rp 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 are only available in bills. Values below Rp 50 are rarely seen except as change and are often substituted by sellers with sweets in lieu of change. In Bali, carry a handful of coins or Rp 100 notes and do not exchange large sums of money even if you plan to be there for a long time. Take note though, due to the volatility of the rupiah, most mid-range hotels, all top-end hotels and restaurants, and some tourist attractions, car rental agencies and tour companies list their prices in US dollar. The rupiah is still acceptable but the exchange rate is usually more advantageous to the vendor than the tourist. The postal service in Bali has a type of postal traveller's check called cek pos. You can exchange your cash for these checks at a main post office and use them throughout Indonesia as traveller's checks or cash them at any post office. However, these traveller's checks cannot be accepted by individuals.
Foreign currency, whether in banknotes or traveller's checks, should be exchanged at major banks or authorised moneychangers. Exchange rates offered by the moneychangers are generally better than the banks, they stay open longer and transactions are quicker. Look around for variable exchange rates advertised on boards along the footpaths or windows outside shops. Always ask about any commission imposed before the exchange as many moneychangers with better rates often charge a small commission.


SECURITY
Bring part of your money in traveller's cheques, despite getting better exchange rates for cash. Backing this up with a credit card for major purchases is a good idea depending on your credit card fees. Check out these credit card conversion fees before you leave home. US dollars are the most negotiable currency, particularly in remote areas.
Customs

CUSTOMS
Weapons, narcotics, pornography, and radio-cassette players are prohibited in Bali. Yes, it is strange that cassette players are not allowed into the island but this law is rarely enforced. Anything with Chinese characters written on it is forbidden. The same rule applies to fresh fruits, plants, animals, exposed films, and videos. Pets are strictly banned to prevent the spread of rabies. But if you insist on taking your furry friends along, an official letter is needed from your veterinarian stating that your pet is disease-free but this would not guarantee a quarantine. Feel free to contact your local Indonesian consulate/embassy for details.

You are only able to bring a maximum of one litre of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco, and a reasonable amount of perfume into Bali. You may not import or export the Indonesian currency exceeding Rp 5 million. In addition, export of national treasures are frowned upon - tortoise shell, crocodile skins, and ivory are not to be taken out of Indonesia.


TRANSPORT
You will find a range of chauffeur driven limousines, self-drive cars, taxis and hotel courtesy cars. Many taxis are not metered so it's wise to negotiate the fare before you climb aboard. Bemos are a unique form of transport. They are a mini-van masquerading as a communal bus. You simply hail the driver and negotiate the fare that suits you both. Motorcycles can also be hired in many places but special care should be exercised at all times as road and traffic conditions can be somewhat hazardous in certain locations. Travelling around Bali is made all the easier because everywhere you go you'll find friendly people only too happy to give you advice and directions on how to get where you want to go.

DRIVER’S LICENCE
If you wish to hire a car you must be over 18 years of age and posses an International Driver's License or license from ASEAN countries.

HEALTH
If you are entering Bali from an area infected with smallpox, cholera and yellow fever, an international health certificate will be required. The further off the beaten track you go, the more necessary it is to take precautions. Plan ahead when getting your vaccinations as some may require more than one injection. It is recommended that you seek medical advice at least six weeks before travel. Typhoid and paratyphoid vaccinations are advisable and if your stay in Bali is long, go for gamma-globulin injections as the risk of hepatitis could be reduced. Many people might get the notorious "Bali Belly"but the symptoms can stopped by taking Lomotil and Imodium. At the first sign of discomfort (diarrhoea and cramps), drink strong, hot tea and avoid all fruits and spicy food. Charcoal tablets, a brand named Norit, will help alleviate the cramping. If a fever occurs with the above symptoms, go to a doctor for a course of antibiotics. Be sure to rehydrate yourself by taking mineral replacements salts such as Oralite and drinking as much liquids as possible.
Malaria may not be a major threat in Bali, but dengue fever is. Protect yourself with long sleeves and trousers or use insect repellent to keep the Aedes mosquitoes at bay.
Remember to bring along sunscreen and sun block to protect yourself from the harsh Bali sun. A wide-brimmed straw hat is also useful around noon, when the tropical sun is intense.
You should also ensure that you have adequate health insurance and that your teeth are in perfect order before you travel, as dentists are hard to find in Bali.
It is an important rule to be careful of the water, especially iced. If you do not know whether the water is safe, assume the worst. If unsure about tap water, drink bottled water or soft drinks. Just be certain that you use water from containers with a serrated seal, not tops or corks. Be cautious with fruit juice, particularly if it has been added with water. Boiling water is the simplest way of purifying but at higher altitudes, boil longer to kill germs.
All fruits should be peeled before consumption and raw vegetables should not be eaten. Watch what you eat and where you eat, and always wash your hands with soap.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Please take out proper travel insurance. It can save you a lot of worry and money. Medical attention may not be what you would expect in Australia and in an emergency, travel insurance can assist in obtaining proper care.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

  • AEA International (Medical Evac) Jl. Hayam Wuruk 40, Denpasar. Tel : 228996
  • Bali International Medical Center Jl Bypass Ngurah Rai 100X Denpasar. Tel : 761263
  • Rumah Sakit Dharma Husada (Hospital) Jl. Panglima Sudirman No.50, Denpasar. Tel : 227560
  • Kuta Clinic : Jl. Raya Kuta No.100X, Kuta. Tel : 753268
  • Nusa Dua Clinic : Jl. Pramata No. 81A, Nusa Dua. Tel : 771324
  • Rumah Sakit Umum Sanglah (Hospital) : Jl. Diponegoro, Denpasar. Tel : 227911


EMERGENCY NUMBERS

  • Police : 110
  • Ambulance : 118
  • Fire : 113
  • Search & Rescue : 51111
  • Red Cross : 26465
 
 
 
 
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