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Airlines
Access
Bali is served by seventeen scheduled
international air carriers, with Singapore
Airlines and Garuda Indonesia
providing the highest frequency of
service. In addition, there are three
Indonesian carriers which offer
international connections via domestic
hubs, and a total of eleven domestic
carriers which provide connections to
the rest of Indonesia. Most major air
carriers are only a short connecting
flight away from Bali via major air hubs
in Singapore, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur,
Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Taipei.
Virtually every major international air
carrier either flies to Bali direct or via
one of these air hubs. Australian cities
served by direct flights are Adelaide,
Brisbane, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth,
and Sydney.
Airport
Ngurah Rai International Airport,
referred to as ‘Denpasar’ or ‘DPS’ on
air tickets, serves all international and
domestic flights. It is centrally located
in relation to the island’s main tourist
areas: 30 minutes to Sanur; 15 minutes
to Nusa Dua; 60 minutes to Ubud; 40-
50 minutes to Tabanan/Tanah Lot; and
15-30 minutes to Kuta. A licensed taxi
co-operative offers service to all island
destinations at fixed published tariffs.
Passengers arriving on inclusive tour
and group programmes are typically
met by DMC (Destination Management
Company) representatives who
coordinate transfers.
Airport
Service Charge
Rp100,000 (the rupiah is the Indonesian currency) per
passenger departing on international flights, Rp30,000
per passenger on domestic flights.
ATM
Machines
Automated Teller Machines (ATM) abound in South Bali,
with many offering international withdrawals on major
credit cards and bank cards linked to major banking networks.
Baby-sitting
With advanced notice, most hotels can
arrange babysitting services.
Best Buys
Leather goods; batik cloth; goldthreaded
songket; tie-dyed ikat textiles
and garments; ready-made garments;
innovative fashions; gold and silver
filigree and modern jewellery;
woodcarvings; handicrafts; and spices.
For more information, see the guide in
the Shoppers’ Paradise chapter.
Business
Hours
Offices are generally open 9 a.m.-
5 p.m. Most government offices,
however, are open 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Monday-Friday, closing earlier on
Friday. Visitors should target the 8
a.m.-12 p.m. period for their visits.
Clothing
Unless your MICE event includes a formal business session
or black-tie evening, there’s little reason to pack a
jacket and tie or formal evening wear. Smart, casual attire
(no jacket required) is suitable for even the island’s
most fashionable restaurants and top hotels. The Balinese
typically show respect for each other by dressing neatly.
Sarongs, long pants or long skirts with a sash around
the waist are mandatory when visiting local temples.
Communications
Email
& Internet
while connecting
and transmitting can be slow, reliable
internet access is readily available
in hotels. Internet cafés and kiosks,
charging reasonable rates, are
available in all areas of the island.
Telephone
and Facsimile
the
international dialling code for Indonesia
is 62 and the area code for most of
southern Bali is 361, with 362, 363,
365 and 366 used elsewhere. Except
in some of the more remote corners
of the island, international roaming
facilities can connect cell phone users.
Phone cards are widely available at
wartel (public telephone kiosks) where
one can also make local, long distance
and international calls, as well as send
and receive faxes.
Consulates
The following countries offer consular
services in Bali: Australia, Austria,
Canada, Chili, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Hungary, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the
Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the
United Kingdom, and the United
States.
Credit Cards
Major credit cards are accepted at most
hotels and many businesses. Note
that while prices are often advertised
in U.S. dollars or Indonesian rupiah,
all credit card sales are transacted in
rupiah. As a result, all final charges
shown on your monthly statement will
reflect inter-bank exchange rates and
possibly even a 1-4% surcharge.
Customs
Weapons, pornography and narcotics
are illegal imports. Rupiah currency
in excess of five million cannot be
imported or exported without written
permission from Bank Indonesia.
Visitors may bring in 100 grams of
tobacco, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars,
and one litre of liquor or wine, duty free.
Your DMC can facilitate the temporary
importation of exhibition materials.
Dietary Matters
Most special dietary requirements
can be catered for by giving advance
notice to your hotel or DMC.
Driving
Self-drive car and motorcycle rentals
are available for those holding an
international driving permit, but
Bali’s sometimes congested and
unpredictable roads are not the place
to learn how to ride a motorcycle. Bali’s
road rules can prove frustrating for the
uninitiated. Consider hiring vehicles
with driver, as the rates are very
reasonable. All major points of interest
are within only a few hours drive.
Electricity
220 volts at a 50-cycle alternating
current. Most electrical outlets utilise a
two-pin plug.
Foreign Exchange
The Indonesian currency is the rupiah.
For best rates and service, only
exchange foreign currency at licensed
moneychangers or banks. New,
un-creased, unstained, un-stapled
US$100 bills fetch the highest rate of
exchange. Always insist on a receipt
and personally count your money
before leaving the counter.
Government
Bali is part of the Republic of Indonesia,
the world’s largest archipelago encompassing over 17,500 islands.
The island is one of Indonesia’s thirty
semi-autonomous provinces with
its own provincial government and
legislature. The province is further
divided into nine regencies.
Handicapped Facilities
Facilities for handicapped travellers, although limited,
are becoming more readily available. Check with your DMC
or hotel for the availability of appropriate transport
and rooms.
Health
No vaccinations are currently required
for visitors to Bali, but cholera, typhoid,
tetanus and hepatitis shots are
recommended for travellers to Bali,
as to most of Asia. Note that malaria
and dengue fever infections can occur
in densely populated areas such
as South Bali. However, cases are
extremely rare among tourists staying
at hotels and resorts where pest
control measures are in place.
Information
Local Publications &
DMC Websites
Local Publications & DMC Websites Free for the taking
at the airport, hotels, restaurants and entertainment
venues are a number of excellent publications such as
Bali & Beyond, Bali Plus, Hello Bali, and the beat. Bali’s
leading DMCs maintain lists of hotels, tours and attractions
together with regular updates on island news on their
websites:
Insurance
Insurance coverage against illness
and accident is highly recommended.
Several reputable providers offer
medical evacuation and repatriation,
travel accident and outpatient
expenses insurance.
Language
Indonesian and Balinese are the
common languages of Bali. English is
widely used in tourist areas. Qualified
foreign-language-speaking personnel
including guides and simultaneous
interpreters are available.
Medical Facilities
Many hotels maintain clinics and
offer the services of in-house
doctors. Several well-equipped and
professionally staffed international medical and emergency assistance
outpatient facilities, such as BIMC,
operate on a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week
basis. Bali also has a number of
privately run hospitals in addition
to Denpasar’s main general public
hospital (RSUP) at Sanglah in
Denpasar with its modern trauma and
blood donor facilities.
Meeting & Conference Permits
Hotels and DMCs can readily arrange
any required permits.
Newspapers
The English-language dailies, Jakarta
Post and International Herald Tribune,
are both printed in Bali. International
magazines and newspapers are also
available at many hotels, bookstores
and newsstands. Hotel and villa
guests now have the option of realtime
satellite printing of more than 200
newspapers from around the world.
Pharmacy
Most pharmaceuticals are stocked
in Bali’s many pharmacies. It is
recommended that you bring with
you copies of optical and medical
prescriptions. Also consider bringing
details of any significant medical
history should a sudden need for local
medical treatment arise.
Places of Worship
Many religious denominations are
represented in Bali. Schedules of
services and locations are maintained
at your hotel reception. The Puja
Mandala complex near Nusa Dua
houses Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist,
Roman Catholic, and Protestant places
of worship in a single shared locale.
Population
Bali’s population of over three and
a half million is concentrated in the
island’s southern regencies.
Postal Services
The Indonesian postal service has
a complete range of mail and parcel
services, including Express Mail
Service (EMS). Major national and
international courier services, such as
DHL, operate in Bali.
Pre- and Post- Programmes
Lombok – only 30 minutes by air
or a two-hour ferry ride from Bali, this sister island,
with its different flora, fauna and culture, is well
worth a visit.
Yogyakarta - a 45-minute flight from
Bali, the cultural hub of Java’s royal court society
with easy access to the fabled Borobudur Buddhist temple
complex.
MT. Bromo - the haunting volcanic moonscapes
of eastern Java are accessible via Surabaya, a 30-minute
flight from Bali.
Komodo National Park - this world
heritage site, and home to the world’s
largest lizard, is accessible by charter
flight or several days’ voyage via a
number of affordable, small passenger
yachts based in Bali.
Religion
Hinduism is the predominant religion
of Bali with minorities of Moslems,
Christians and Buddhists. In Bali, as in
all of Indonesia, the practice of religion
is free and open.
Sea Access
Regular car and passenger ferry
services operate between Ketapang
(East Java) and Gilimanuk (West Bali),
as well as to adjacent Lombok Island
from Padangbai on Bali’s east coast.
Cruise ships call at Padangbai or
Benoa, depending on their size.
Size and Topography
The Island of Bali covers an area of
5,623 square kilometres. At its widest
point, the island measures 90 by
150 kilometres. The highest point on
the island is Mount Agung at 3,142
metres.
Smoking
Public smoking is widely accepted
and many Indonesians enjoy
smoking. There is, however, a growing
sensitivity to the dangers of passive
smoke and it’s polite to always check
before you light up in public. Major
brands of imported tobacco products
are available. Many hotels also offer
non-smoking rooms. Those who enjoy
smoking should not leave Bali without
sampling the aromatic clove cigarettes
(kretek) loved by Indonesian smokers
or the fine cigars produced in Lombok
and Central Java.
Tax and Service Charges
An 11% development tax plus a 10%
service charge is added to most hotel
and restaurant bills.
Taxis & Transportation
Public transportation is widely
available, including several reputable
metered taxi companies. Insist that
taxis use their meters, or be sure to
agree on the fare before you get in.
Public transport, in the form of small local vans (bemo) and intercity buses,
operates at very reasonable rates.
Television
Indonesia has numerous national
television networks, many
broadcasting some entertainment
and news programmes in English.
Most hotels offer satellite-delivered,
international TV broadcasts in a
number of languages.
Time Zone
Bali time is +8 hours from Greenwich Mean Time / UTC.
Tipping
Most hotel and restaurant bills include
a 10% service charge. An additional
gratuity for excellent service and a 10-
15% tip to drivers and guides is always
appreciated. Airport porters are entitled
to Rp3,000 for each bag carried.
Visas
Indonesia’s visa policy changed significantly
in 2004 and again in 2005. Refer to the adjoining sidebar
for the policy as of the end of 2005. Changes are posted
to http://www.micebali.com/
as they occur.
A VISA OR FREE-STAY PERMIT IS REQUIRED OF EVERY VISITOR
ENTRY CONDITIONS - Every visitor must be in possession of a passport
which is valid for at least 6 months at the time of arrival; be able to demonstrate
sufficient means to live during his or her stay in Indonesia; not be prohibited
from entry; and have proof of onward passage in the form of return or onward
tickets.
VISA ON ARRIVAL FACILITY (VOA)
Visitors holding valid passports from
the 36 countries listed below can
obtain either a 7-day or a 30-day nonextendable
visa at any Indonesian
international gateway. The fee for this
visa, payable upon landing, is US$10
for a 7-day visa and US$25 for a 30-
day visa.
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Argentina |
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Australia |
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Austria |
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Belgium |
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Brazil |
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Canada |
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Denmark |
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Egypt |
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Finland |
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France |
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Germany |
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Hungary |
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India |
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Ireland |
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Italy |
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Japan |
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Kuwait |
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Luxembourg |
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Maldives |
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New Zealand |
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Norway |
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Oman |
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People's Republic of China |
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Poland |
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Portugal |
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Qatar |
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Russia |
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Saudi Arabia |
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South Africa |
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South Korea |
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Spain |
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Switzerland |
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Taiwan |
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United Arab Emirates |
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United Kingdom |
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United States of America |
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Visas issued on arrival are non-extendable and non-convertible
to another class of visa. Overstays are charged at US$20
per day for the first 60 days. Persons overstaying more
than 60 days are liable to 5 years’ imprisonment
or face a fine of 25 million rupiah (approximately US$2500).
FREE 30-DAY STAY PERMITS
Visitors holding valid passports from the 11 countries
and territories listed below are eligible for a 30-day
non-extendable visa-free short visit permit, granted free
of charge upon arrival at an Indonesian international
gateway.
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Brunei Darussalam |
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Chile |
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Hong Kong SAR |
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Macau SAR |
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Malaysia |
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Morocco |
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Peru |
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Philippines |
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Singapore |
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Thailand |
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Vietnam |
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TOURIST VISAS
Persons not eligible for a free 30-day stay permit or
a VOA can apply for a tourist visa at the closest Indonesian
embassy abroad. Tourist visas are normally valid for a
60-day visit.
BUSINESS VISAS
A sponsoring party in Indonesia must make an application
to the Indonesian department of immigration for the issuance
of this visa by an Indonesian embassy abroad to applicants
visiting Indonesia for normal business activities (including
attending a conference/seminar) which do not involve taking
up employment or receiving any form of payment whilst
in Indonesia. This visa, valid for a stay of 60 days,
can be for a single or for multiple visits.
SPECIAL
HANDLING
DMCs can arrange group desks and express immigration handling
for meetings and conferences.
CHANGES
IN POLICY AND REGULATIONS
These can occur at any time with little notice. Consult
a DMC or an Indonesian embassy or consulate prior to departure.
Water
Water is generally not potable. Most hotels provide bottled
water in each room, often at no additional charge. Bottled
water is available cheaply everywhere in Bali.
Weather
Bali enjoys a warm tropical climate averaging 25-34 degrees
Celsius (77-91 degrees Fahrenheit), depending on the season
and altitude. Due to its proximity to the equator, Bali
escapes the typhoons found 15 degrees north or south of
the equator. The rainy season from approximately November-April,
which often brings brief late afternoon showers, is not
likely to disrupt scheduled events.
Weights
and Measures
Indonesia and Bali operate on the metric system. |
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