Indonesia & Bali Travel Notes
AIRLINES
From North America, the most direct routing arrives into Denpasar via Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok. From London, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur are also ideal transit hubs. Contact us for other routing and fare quotes.
VISAS
No Visa is required for entry to Indonesia or Bali, but ensure your passport is valid for 6 months from your return date.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Trip delay and cancellation insurance is highly recommended. In recent years, the cost of this insurance has dropped while coverage has expanded. Please contact is for a competitive quote.
WEATHER & CLIMATE
"Weather is what we expect, climate is what we get" — Mark Twain
May to July is considered the best time to visit Bali (July and August see the least rainfall), but Bali is still hot — year-round — with an average temperature of nearly 90 degrees. Humidity also can pack a punch. Cotton fabrics, kaftans and open-toe shoes. Be mindful of Bali’s rainy season (January to April and October to November) when planning your trip. Discounts can be great, but if you end up spending your vacation cooped up indoors, you may be left wondering if making the trip was worth it. Fortunately, the rains are often limited to brief afternoon downpours, so your holiday isn't likely to be a total write-off.
PACKING AND DRESS
Carry a sarong and a sash handy, which will make your visits to temples, some unplanned, far easier (both men and women need to cover their legs below the knee for which a sarong is a perfect and easy solution).
HEALTH & MEDICAL
Summary of vaccinations below is for reference only: All travelers should visit either their personal physician or a travel health clinic 4-8 weeks before departure.
Vaccinations:
Hepatitis A
- Recommended for all travelers. It should be given at least two weeks (preferably four weeks or more) before departure. A booster should be given 6-12 months later to confer long-term immunity.
Typhoid
- For travelers who may eat or drink outside major restaurants and hotels
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
- Two doses recommended for all travelers born after 1956, if not previously given
Tetanus-diphtheria
- Revaccination recommended every 10 years
Medications
- Travelers' diarrhea is the most common travel-related ailment. The cornerstone of prevention is food and water precautions, as outlined below. Most cases of travelers' diarrhea are mild and do not require either antibiotics or anti-diarrheal drugs. Adequate fluid intake is essential.
If diarrhea is severe or bloody, or if fever occurs with shaking chills, or if abdominal pain becomes marked, or if diarrhea persists for more than 72 hours, medical attention should be sought.
Food and water precautions
Malaria Risk in Indonesia
Malaria risk varies in Indonesia from low no no risk (Bali) to low (Lombok and Sumatra). Compliment these malaria risk maps with your own research and consultation with your physician or medical clinic to assess whether you should receive a malarial prophylaxis.
FOOD AND WATER PRECAUTIONS
Avoid tap water unless it has been boiled, filtered, or chemically disinfected. Do not drink unbottled beverages or drinks with ice. Do not eat fruits or vegetables unless they have been peeled or cooked. Avoid cooked foods that are no longer piping hot. Cooked foods that have been left at room temperature are particularly hazardous. Avoid unpasteurized milk and any products that might have been made from unpasteurized milk, such as ice cream. Avoid food and beverages obtained from street vendors. Do not eat raw or undercooked meat or fish. Some types of fish may contain poisonous biotoxins even when cooked. Barracuda in particular should never be eaten. Other fish that may contain toxins include red snapper, grouper, amberjack, sea bass, and a large number of tropical reef fish.
Emergency
24-hour Accident & Emergency Centers in Bali (including ambulance and air evacuation)
BIMC HOSPITAL KUTA
Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai No 100X
Kuta 80361, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: (+62 361) 761 263 / 3003 911
Fax: (+62 361) 764 345
BIMC HOSPITAL NUSA DUA
Kawasan ITDC Blok D
Nusa Dua 80363, Bali, Indonesia
Tel: (+62 361) 3000 911
Fax: (+62 361) 3001 150
Email : nusadua@bimcbali.com
http://bimcbali.com/
MONEY MATTERS
There are money changes everywhere (ask your hotel for a reputable one) and you can get money out at ATMs on your credit card, but be careful. Mine was swallowed up in a local convenience store and when I got home multiple things had been charged to my card.SHOPPING AND BARGAINING
Expect attention, even when not shopping in Bali. Vendors can be very "friendly" following you and even places items on you, such as bracelets to sell you. Markets are a treat fun for first time visitors and haggling is customary. Surprising to new visitors is that shopping in Bali is sophisticated, particularly in Seminyak, Legian, Canggu and Ubud. High-end boutiques, home design shopss, silver jewelery, and antiques are featured yet may cost what they do back home, so you will need to hunt around for a bargain.TIPPING
The Balinese people are lowly paid, and yet extremely generous and hospitable. If you receive good service, a small tip goes a long way. If you're with a group throw in a couple of bucks each, and learn to say thank you: "terima kasih". The locals appreciate you learning a few Indonesian words. A guide tipping rate is roughly $25 per day and higher depending on staisfaction and number in your party with about half for drivers.
WHAT TO EXPECT
MEDIOCRE BEACHES
Bali's beaches have not much on Hawaii or Australia, and the first time you do wander into the ocean can be disappointing with water at many popular beaches not very clear, and you may not see much while snorkelling. There are exceptions of course, such as Ungasun, which looks like the Amalfi Coast. Plan off shore water activities and time at your resort pool accordingly.
CULTURAL MECCA
The true Bali, with its rituals, festivals and ancient culture, is everywhere you look from small offerings sitting outside shops to thousands of temples that reside everywhere from hotels and resorts to by the roadside. Everywhere you look, you will see ceremony, ritual and sacred offerings. The Balinese carry out their religious obligations with pride and everyone takes part from the youngest child, through to grandparents, all dressed immaculately for the temple.
KUTA IS WORTH A PASS
Kuta can be seedy, tasteless and full of tourists who find that sort of thing appealing and we recommend you skip altogetehr, if only to preserve the great memories you'll have of Bali iverall.
Bali's Smith & Jones
All Balinese share the same four names - Wayan, Made, Nyoman or Ketut – whether they're male or female, and are named by order of birth. If a family has a fifth child, they will start again and call him or her Wayan.
SMOKER'S PARADISE
Both the locals (mostly men) and every second tourist seemingly smokes in the Garden of the Gods, so it'll be a shock for those who love our tobacco-free public spaces. It's not surprising to see young boys smoking and small children selling cigarettes either.CUISINE
Bali is yet another example of island paradise and good cuisine don't go together (except of course, in southern Thailand). Balinese cuisine is not exceptional, but it's tasty and inexpensive. You should at least try the babi guling (suckling pig), nasi goreng (Indonesian fried rice) and sate lembat. For international fare, Bali's restaurant scene is world class, with some of the most incredible food you'll find anywhere in the world.BALI BELLY
Drink bottled water only, and brush your teeth in it too. Bottled water is cheap and many hotels and resorts provide complimentary water. It's advisable not to have ice in your drinks either, unless it's a reputable hotel, restaurant or bar. Better be safe than suffer Bali belly, which unfortunately does happen – particularly to first timers.
Don’t worry too much about 'Bali belly' Strict dietary habits are no longer required to prevent spending your Bali break within two steps of a toilet. Once upon a time, salads, cut fruit, ice cubes and most meats were on the danger list, but hygiene standards have improved markedly across the island, and many kitchens offer good quality organic produce. While dodgy prawns will always be out there, by staying hydrated, avoiding notorious local liquor arak and consuming street food with a degree of caution, the dreaded Bali belly should be kept at bay.
Dress for the occasion Beachwear doesn’t always cut it in Bali – many higher-end bars, restaurants and clubs enforce a dress code. If you’re unsure, call ahead to save the potential embarrassment of being turned away.
In the Garden of the Gods
Religious customs
Religion rules the roost in Bali. Don’t get your knickers in a knot when a street is blocked off for a ceremony or your driver pulls over mid-trip to make a blessing – this is all part of the magic of the island. Plan accordingly if your travel dates fall on Nyepi when everything in Bali (even the airport) shuts down for the day, and always dress modestly (covering the shoulders and knees) and conduct yourself appropriately when visiting temples and holy sites.
Wild Animals
Give wild and stray animals a wide berth. They may look cute, but rabies and other diseases are serious risks in Bali and monkeys are notorious for their thieving ways. Bali’s stray dogs are numerous, and often in pretty bad shape. If you’re keen to make a difference, consider making a ‘doggy donation’ to Bali Dog Refuge (balidogrefuge.com) which helps to rescue and rehabilitate the island’s stray pups.
Avoid plastic
Bali’s heat and humidity calls for constant hydration, but consider the environment before purchasing another bottled drink. An estimated three million plastic bottles are discarded in Bali each month; help reduce this figure by investing in a stainless steel bottle that you can refill; most good cafes and restaurants have a water filter available that you can use for free or for a small fee. Earth Café in Seminyak has stainless steel bottles available for purchase.
Learn some local lingo
A few basic words of Bahasa Indonesia will take you a long way in Bali. Try selamat pagi (good morning), tolong (please) and terima kasih (thank you), for starters.
Bargaining
You can bargain for many items and services in Bali, but do so respectfully and with a smile on your face. You’ll know when the vendor has reached their limit, and at that point don’t push it. When in doubt, walk away – if the seller doesn’t come after you, you can be sure they aren’t prepared to drop their price any lower.
Respect the Ocean
Even if you’re an avid beach-goer and surf worshipper, Bali's powerful waves, strong currents and exposed rocks can be treacherous, so take care, and don't swim alone unless you are completely confident in doing so. Show equal respect for the beach by not leaving any garbage (including cigarette butts) behind – when the tide comes in, it'll be sucked into the ocean at great cost to the marine ecosystem.
Don’t stress Bali is generally safer than the headlines suggest, but with close to four million tourists hitting its shores every year, it’s statistically natural that some travellers may have problems. Party safe, always wear a helmet when riding a bike or scooter, be respectful, and don’t do anything you wouldn’t do in your home country, and you're on track for the holiday of a lifetime.
Indochina Travel Company