Photo made by Emile Snellen van Vollenhoven from the road in Kintamani aug -2011
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
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
Effective of 31 March 2007, a new regulation of liquids, aerosols and gels for international passengers on all flight departing Denpasar
Bali and to Denpasar Bali is executed. It is issued to improve the security system on passenger services at
Bali International Airport and the flight accordingly.
VACCINATIONS
International health certificates for smallpox and cholera are not required, except for travellers coming from infected areas.
CUSTOMS
Customs allows on entry a maximum of two litres of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco and
a reasonable amount of perfume per adult. Car, photo equipment, typewriters and recorders must be declared on entry and when re-exported.
CURRENCY
Rupiah . 1 euro = 12.000 rph 1 dollar is 9.100 rph ( okt 2011 )
POPULATION & LANGUAGE
The population of Bali is around three million of which ninety-five percent are ethnic Balinese with a Javanese minority. Bahasa Indonesia is
the national language, which is akin to Malay, written in Roman script and based on European orthography.
In all tourist destination areas English is the number one foreign language spoken and written
ELECTRICITY
Power supply is usually 220 volts/50 cycles in the big cities, but 110 volts are still used in some areas. Normal outlets are plugs
with two rounded prongs. It is advisable to check before using your appliances.
BANKING & Money.
Banking hours are 8:00am to 3:00pm Mon. to Fri. and until 1:00pm, Sat. Money can also be changed at hotel cashier and
by money changers. Bali has several international banks. Major tourist destination areas have banks with foreign exchange facilities.
Credit cards are acceptable at hotels, restaurants and travel agencies. US dollars and euros are the most accepted currency.
You find everywhere in tourist places in Bali ATM’s . Payment with creditcards in Hotels 3% bankfee. The bank charge this money not the hotel.
CLOTHING
Due to the climate, dress is normally informal in Indonesia. Accepted attire for men is shirt and long pants. Jacket and tie are
required for official calls or more formal occasions. Long sleeved batik or handwoven shirts are acceptable for evening functions.
For ladies, dresses, blouses, and long pants are appropriate. Shirts, halters or tank tops should only be used at sports facilities or on the beach.
When you visit temples in Bali then use a sarung.
TIPPING
Whilst tipping is appreciated, it is not mandatory as in some other countries. What you tip (and IF you tip) is a matter of personal choice..
I generally tip taxi drivers and waiters around 15,000 - 20,000.
At the end of my stay I give staff who have been helpful to me somewhere
between 50,000 and 100,000 rph.
Bargain
It is highly recommend to bargain when you are buying some things in Bali. Buy things with the right price.
The price the sellers tell the potential buyers for the first time before bargain buy is about twice or even more of the original price
with which the sellers bought the stuff. So, we are talking about at least 100 percent margin. With bargain buy, you can
save a lot of money and allocate your money to buy more items at more reasonable prices.
Bali Time Zone is GMT + 8 hours. 7 hours later then in Holland. ( wintertime )
Indonesia Currency is called Rupiah (Rp). The Rupiah Notes are 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000 and
Coins 25, 50, 100, 500, 1000.
If you bring American Dollars (US$) to Indonesia and Bali for further transaction, please kindly
noted that the following terms of US Currency/ US Dollar which not be accepted in major banks or companies as follows:
Transport
The main forms of public transport on Bali are the cheap buses, minibuses and bemos that run on somewhat set routes
within or between towns. Having your own transport can be arranged; there are bemos, cars, motorbikes, and bicycles for rent.
Tourist shuttle buses that run between major tourist centers are more expensive than public transport but are definitely more
comfortable and convenient.
For renting cars or daytours car with driver guide for one day ask GOTOBALI.
When you are in Ubud and you will rent a car or motorbike or bycicle then ask www.GOTOBALI.nl
Drive licence
An International driving license is a must. If you do not posses it, a Tourist Driving License in Bali can be applied at Poltabes Jl. Gunung
Sanghyang, Denpasar. Requirements: one copy of passport (photo and identification pages and entry visa page) and one copy
of valid home country driving license. A car or motorcycles license will cost about Rp.100.000 ( some years ago ) each and are valid for
one month. In Holland you can go to the ANWB, you pay 18 euro for an international drive license for 1 year.
Driving in Bali
Left Side Driving in Bali. Bali and the rest of Indonesia drive on the left side of the road, the steering wheel is on the right side of the cars.
Drunk Driving in Bali. While never a good idea, driving drunk is popular with many expats. Police have no breath tester or way to
measure your alcohol consumption, so you’ll never get pulled over for being drunk.
Accident in Bali
Should you have accident that happen to be with locals then it's better to help them first if you are in good condition, it is common that
no matter who is right or wrong you as foreigner will be considered as the wrong side, sometimes you have to give them money for
their medical attention and vehicle repair because most people in Indonesia is underpaid and they can't afford medical insurance.
I said underpaid because most people only gets 100-150 USD per month salary.
In 2010 there are 27 deaths of tourists in Bali by driving accidents. Most of them are Australian, and American.
8 Do’s and don’t do’s in Bali written by Matt Verbaan.
1. Meeting with the Balinese – Time is not a big issue as it might be in other countries. If you are meeting up with a Balinese, don’t be
upset if he or she arrives about half an hour late. This is normal in Bali and he or she probably expects that same from you.
2. When you enter a Balinese house, don’t forget to take off your shoes. And once seated, don’t touch someone with your feet or
point them towards someone. This is considered very offensive.
3. Additionally don’t use your left hand when offering or taking something from someone. The left hand is considered ‘unclean’ as this is the
hand that is used to clean oneself on the toilet. Don’t be surprised either if there is no toilet paper in the toilet. Indonesians do not
use toilet paper when going to the toilet. Instead they use water, which is often located next to the toilet in a bucket.
So don’t forget to bring your own if you need it.
4. If you are having dinner with Balinese friends expect to eat more than one serving. It is polite to show the host
that the food is good by taking a second serving. It is also appropriate to leave some food behind when finished. This is can be
seen as an offering for the gods, but it also tells the host that you have had enough. Otherwise the host will
probably serve another spoon of rice on your plate…
5. Avoid conversations about religion and politics. The Balinese do not discuss these topics openly.
However they are more interested in your personal life such as your age, if you are married and how many children you have. In other countries
this will be too personal, but in Bali this is quite normal even if you have just met somebody in a bus. …
6. Affection in public – While it is common to see a man and a woman walking hand in hand in other countries,
in Bali this is inappropriate. The Balinese do not show affection between the sexes in public. But on the other hand, it is very
normal in Bali to see to men walking together hand in hand, or with one man’s arm over the shoulder of another. This is nothing sexual, but a sign of friendship. Foreigners should not do this though.
7. But most of all remember not to touch the head of others, for example the head of children. In other countries people
regularly touch the head of children in a friendly way. But the Balinese consider the head the most sacred of the human
body and by touching them you will create a very uncomfortable situation.
8. Discussions – An important aspect of the daily life in Bali is not ‘losing-face’. Conflicts and discussions are always
avoided in the Balinese society, especially in public. If not than the dignity and pride of one person might be at stake, which is very inappropriate.
So instead of winning a discussion, it is wiser to just let it be and finish it off with a joke so everybody can laugh about it.
CULTURE
Bali culture is totally unique and permeates through every aspect of life. The influence of Hinduism the main religion is evident
in the music, drama, art, costumes and festivals which take place daily.
You'll encounter a festival almost every day, celebrating the cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Anthropologists believe that the Balinese
are descended from the ancient Chinese, the Indians and Arabs from the west, and others who came to the island directly or via Java.
Things To Know Before You Go To Bali
