Planning a Trip - Fast Facts
American Express-- There is a branch in the Grand Bali Beach Hotel in Sanur (tel. 361/283970).Business Hours-- Most places keep "daylight hours," which on the equator pretty much means 6am to 6pm (or a little later).
Doctors & Dentists-- Ask your hotel for a referral -- many have a doctor on call. In Kuta, try the Bali International Medical Centre (Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai no. 100X; tel. 361/761263). It's open daily from 8am to midnight and sometimes will send someone to your hotel. There is a general hospital in Denpasar, but for any serious problems, go home as soon as possible for treatment. For dentists, ask your hotel for a referral.
Drug Laws-- Though you might be offered hash and marijuana at every turn, Indonesia officially takes drug offenses very seriously. Busts are regular and jail terms stiff.
Electricity-- Currents can be either 110 volts (50 AC); or 220 to 240 volts (50 AC).
Embassies/Consulates-- United States: Jalan Hayam Wuruk no. 188, Denpasar (tel. 361/233605). Australia (Canada, New Zealand, and Great Britain also have their representatives here): Jalan Prof. Moch, Yamin 51, Denpasar (tel. 361/235092). Or, in Jakarta: Canada: Wisma Metropolitan I, 5th floor, Jalan Jen. Sudirman, Kav. 29, Jakarta (tel. 021/510709). Great Britain: Jalan Thamrin 75, Jakarta (tel. 021/330904).
Emergencies-- The number for the police is tel. 110, ambulance is tel. 118, and fire is tel. 113. Search and rescue is tel. 111/115/151.
Hospitals-- There is a city hospital in Denpasar, but for any serious ailment, evacuate to Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Bangkok. In Bali, try the International SOS Bali (JL Bypass Ngurah Rai, Kuta; 24-hour hot line, tel. 361/710505) or Bali International Medical Centre (JL Bypass Ngurah Rai, Kuta; 24-hour hot line, tel. 361/761263).
Hot Lines-- Alcoholics Anonymous holds meetings in tourist centers all across the island. Check its website at www.aa-bali.org or call the infoline at tel. 081/8551811.
Internet/E-mail-- Internet cafes are springing up all over Bali, but the connections can still be painfully slow. Expect to pay about $1.50 per hr.
Language-- The Balinese speak both Indonesian and Balinese -- the former when out in public, the latter at home. English is widely spoken throughout Bali, particularly in the major tourist areas. While not everyone is fluent, most of the people you will be dealing with will speak enough English that you can communicate with them.
Liquor Laws-- You won't find liquor in halal restaurants catering to Muslims, but there are no restrictions elsewhere.
Police-- The phone number for the police is tel. 110.
Post Office/Mail-- Your hotel can send mail for you, or you can go to the post office in Denpasar, at Jalan Raya Puputan Renon (tel. 361/223566). Other branches are in Kuta (Jalan Raya Kuta; tel. 361/754012), Ubud, and Sanur. For big items, there are packing and shipping services in all major tourist areas, but the price of shipping from Bali is exorbitant.
Safety/Crime-- Bali is by and large a safe place to be, even after dark. Violent crime is rare. However, pickpockets are not, so you should exercise considerable caution by using a money belt, particularly in crowded tourist areas, and be careful not to flash large wads of cash. If you find yourself in need of assistance, contact the Guardian Angels Tourist Police (there are 265 of these angels dressed in blue) at tel. 361/763753 24 hours a day.
Many hotels offer safety deposit boxes, and it is best to keep extra cash and other valuables in them. If nothing else, make sure your suitcase has a good lock on it. Even the best hotel can't always guarantee security for valuables left lying in plain sight.
Telephones-- Because many hotels charge a great deal even for using your calling card, you are better off using Wartel's privately owned public phones. There's one in every tourist center, though some work better than others. Some also have Internet services.
Time-- Bali is on Greenwich Mean Time plus 8 hours, except during daylight saving time, which it does not observe. That's 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in the U.S. and 16 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time.
Tipping-- Tipping is not required and not even encouraged. Most restaurants include a service charge. Leave a small tip if you feel the need; more often than not, the recipient will be surprised.
Toilets-- Western-style toilets with seats are becoming more common than the Asian squat variety, though cheap losmen/home stays and some less touristic public places still have the latter. Always carry some toilet paper with you, or you might have to use your hand (the left one only, please) and the dip bucket.
Water-- Avoid tap water in Bali unless properly boiled. Bottled water is available everywhere, and restaurants in tourist areas seem to use it as a matter of course, but you should always ask to be sure.
Planning a Trip - Getting There
By Plane
Airport information and connection to airline reservation counters is available by calling tel. 361/651011, ext. 1454.
From the U.S. & Canada -- Most visitors make a connection with Singapore, Bangkok, Taipei, or Japan via China Air, Eva Air, Thai Airways, and Garuda Indonesia or Singapore Air. Check with travel agents for deals and package rates, some with affordable overnight connections through Bangkok.
From the U.K. -- Bali is served from Europe by Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong; tickets can be purchased from British Air, Singapore Air, or Air France.
From Australia & New Zealand -- Flights from Australia and New Zealand can be booked through Qantas.
Remember the Departure Tax
When you leave Bali, there will be an airport departure tax of Rp50,000 ($5.50).
Getting to Your Destination from the Airport
Ngurah Rai, Bali's airport, is 13km (8 miles) southwest of Denpasar. Few travelers stop in the city, but connect directly with their resort area of choice.
It is a good idea to prearrange pickup through your hotel (the rate is comparable to the official rates at the airport); otherwise buy a ticket at the official taxi counter just outside of Customs and arrange a fixed rate ride to your destination. Avoid the temptation to go with unofficial cabs; you might get caught in a taxi scam that will leave you frustrated, overcharged, or in the wrong place.
Planning a Trip - Money
The currency of Indonesia is the rupiah, from the Sanskrit word for wrought silver, rupya. Coins are available in denominations of Rp25, 50, 100, and even occasionally 5 and 10. Notes are Rp100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000, thus the largest denomination is only about US$10.
The following bills are no longer in circulation: the 1992 pink Rp10,000, the 1992 greenish Rp20,000 bill, and the blue Rp50,000 featuring Suharto's picture.
Currency Exchange & Rates -- The rate of exchange is relatively stable. At publication time it was 9,094 Indonesian rupiahs per U.S. dollar.
Most major hotels have exchange services but offer less than favorable rates. Storefront exchange services line most streets and offer the best exchange, but it's important to be careful of scams such as counterfeit bills and damaged currency that won't be accepted anywhere. Ask first about commission, and be sure to count your bills before walking away. State-sponsored Wartel Telecommunications Service offices are the best bet.
ATMs -- In Bali, ATMs are common in all major tourist areas and trade at good rates.
Lost/Stolen Credit Cards & Traveler's Checks -- To report a lost or stolen credit card, you can call these service lines: American Express (counter at the Grand Bali Beach Hotel), tel. 361/283970; MasterCard and Visa, tel. 361/759010.
Planning a Trip - Visitor Information
The Department of Tourism operates Information Centers at a number of locations: at Ngurah Rai International Airport (tel. 361/751011); in Ubud at the crossroad of Monkey Forest Road and Jalan Raya Ubud; in Kuta at Jalan Benasari 36B, Legian (tel. 361/754090); in Denpasar at Jalan Parman Niti Mandala (tel. 362/222387); and in Singaraja at Jalan Veteran 23 (tel. 361/225141). Better still is the efficient Badung Government Tourist Office in Kuta, Jalan Raya Kuta no. 2 (tel. 361/756176).
Some good online sources include Bali Paradise Online (www.bali-paradise.com), Bali Online (www.indo.com), and Bali Guide (www.baliguide.com). Bali Echo (www.baliecho.com) is an informative art and culture magazine.
There are lots of free flyers and pamphlets with listings, information, and maps: Bali Plus has general info; The Beat (www.beatmag.com), What's Up Bali?, and Groove are free guides to nightlife, dining, and activities. The Yak is a local glossy focused on nightlife in Seminyak. For information about surfing, check www.indosurf.com.au or pick up a copy of Indo Surf Guide, published by the same folks.
Planning a Trip - When to Go
Peak Season
The high tourist season is July and August and the weeks surrounding Christmas and New Year's, when prices are higher and tourist traffic is considerably increased. Try to avoid these times as well as February and March (given the increased heat and humidity).
Climate
Bali is just below the equator (so days are a consistent 12 hr.), and the temperatures always hover in the 80s Fahrenheit (upper 20s to low 30s Celsius). The rainy season lasts from October to April; rain usually comes in short, violent bursts that last an hour or so, and the humidity is at its crushing worst during this period. The hottest months are February, March, and April; remember that it gets a bit nippy at night up in the mountains, but a light sweater will certainly be enough.
Public Holidays
Public holidays are New Year's Day (Jan 1), Idul Fitri (celebration of the end of Ramadan, in late Feb), Nyepi (a major purification ritual and a time when Balinese are supposed to sit at home, silent, in late Mar), Good Friday and Easter Sunday (late Mar/early Apr), Muslim New Year (mid-May), Indonesia Independence Day (Aug 17), Ascension Day of Mohammed (early Dec), and Christmas (Dec 25).
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