Useful Information for Bali

Passports & Visas

Please ensure that your passport is valid for six months after your return date. Visas are required by all nationals of EU countries - you will be able to apply for a Visa on Arrival valid for either 3 or 30 days upon arrival by air in Bali, Jakarta and a few other international airports or by ship at a limited number of Indonesian sea ports.

Country

Indonesia lies between the mainland of South-East Asia and Australia in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's largest archipelago state. Bali is the most southern island in Indonesia.

Capital

Capital of Bali is Denpasar.

Language

Bahasa Indonesia is the official national language. Altogether, there are an estimated 583 languages and dialects spoken in the archipelago.

Religion There is a Muslim majority of approximately 90%, with Christian, Hindu and Buddhist minorities.

Weather

Bali has a tropical climate which varies from area to area. The eastern monsoon brings the driest weather (June to September), while the western monsoon brings the main rains (December to March). Rainstorms can occur all year.

Currency

Rupiah (IDR - symbol Rp). Notes are in denominations of Rp100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000 and 1,000. Coins are in denominations of Rp1,000, 500, 100, 50 and 25.

Credit Cards

American Express, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in Bali in the main tourist areas. In more remote areas, it is best to carry cash in small denominations.

Banking Hours

Mon - Fri 08:30-14:00

Telecommunications

Country code: 62 followed by 361 for Bali. Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage may be limited to main towns and cities. There are Internet cafes in all major cities and tourist destinations.

Time

Bali is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Electricity

Electricity in Indonesia is 220 volts AC and 50 Freq/Hz. cycle power.

What to Wear

Living in a tropical climate, local people dress very informally (e.g. lightweight linens and cottons, T-shirt, shorts, jeans). For dinners and night spots, smart casual wear is the norm. Topless or completely naked sunbathing is not allowed. When entering mosques and temples, please wear long sleeves and loose trousers or long skirts as a sign of respect.

Shopping

Indonesia has a wealth of shopping, and you can buy anything from batik to diamonds. And just because Indonesia is a third world country doesn't mean that it doesn't have its fair share of shopping malls!

Bargaining is part of the culture in Indonesia. The difference between a starting price and the price a vendor is willing to sell at can be large, especially in tourist areas. One essential trick is the slow walk away. Shake your head in sadness – yes you like the item, but surely it is not worth that amount. Slowly turn your back, and step away – but not too fast, as you are waiting for the vendor to call you back and lower the price.

Stay Safe

• Never bring any recreational drugs into Bali or Indonesia. Possession and/or trafficking of even minute amounts can lead to a mandatory death sentence.
• Crime levels are relatively low in Bali, but common sense precautions should be observed. Beware of pickpockets and snatch-and-run thieves.
• Exercise caution when crossing the streets. Some drivers will not stop at pedestrian/zebra crossings. Use pedestrian bridges if available.
• Drink driving is a serious offence and breathalyser tests by the police are common.
• Travel documents and valuables are best deposited in a hotel safe or carried safely with you, as there is a potential of theft from hotel rooms while guests are away.
• Women travelling alone should be wary of opening their room doors to strangers. In such situations, common sense judgment should prevail.
• Credit card fraud can be a problem, so use your card only at large, reputable retailers, and do not let your card out of your sight.

Stay healthy

• Tap water is not safe to drink. Indonesians boil tap water before drinking it. It is recommended for visitors to stick to bottled water and to always check the seal on the bottle before drinking.
• Ice in drinks might be made from tap water but the cylindrical variety with a hollow tube down the middle are mass-produced at ice factories and are safer to consume.
• Avoid buying food or drinks from street vendors if you find the hygiene standard is questionable.
• Heat exhaustion is rare, but do consume lots of fluids, use a hat and sunscreen and shower often. Pack clothing suitable for a warm humid climate.
• Due to the constant humid climate, mosquitoes tend to be present throughout the year. To repel mosquitoes, ticks and other arthropods, apply an insect repellent.
• The risk of malaria is extremely small in Bali, however, if you are visiting rural areas Malaria prophylaxis is recommended. The best protection is of course prevention so try to avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, use insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleep under a mosquito net.

Local Cultures: Dos and Don'ts

Bali is generally a laid back and relaxed place. However, it does have its own customs and visitors should try to observe these practices when they arrive. Some common courtesies and customs are as follows:

• When entering mosques and temples, wear long sleeves and loose trousers or long skirts as a sign of respect.
• Shoes must always be removed when entering an Indonesian home.
• Drinks and food are generally offered to guests. It is polite to accept but to first wait until the host invites you to eat or drink.
• The right hand is always used when eating with one's hands or giving and receiving objects; never pass or accept anything with the left hand.
• Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon, and kissing in public will attract a great deal of unwanted attention.
• Pointing is considered impolite.
• Avoid patting children on the head
• Smiling is a cultural tradition and Indonesians smile frequently, even in an uncomfortable or difficult situation. Visitors should avoid losing their temper.
• Shoes must be removed when entering places of worship such as mosques and temples. Some mosques provide robes and scarves for female visitors. Taking photographs at places of worship is usually permitted but always ask permission beforehand.
• The list goes on and on, however, practice common sense, and enjoy the holiday.