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General Information

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BALI TRAVEL INFORMATION

A friendly and remarkably artistic people, living amid breathtaking panoramas, have created dynamic society with unique arts and ceremonies, making Bali an island almost unreal in today's hectic and changing world. Terrace ricefields dominate the landscape, with rivers and small irrigation streams disecting a luscious green landscape, filling the air with enchanting sounds of running water.

BY AIR...

Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport is one of Indonesia's main tourist gateways and is served by the national flag carrier, Garuda Indonesia, on its international and domestic routes as well as by a number  of international airlines on scheduled services and charters. The Airport is situated in the south of the island, not far from the resorts of Kuta, Nusa Dua and Sanur.

From Singapore 

There are daily direct flights on Indonesia's national carrier, Garuda Indonesia, and Singapore Airlines. 

From Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

Malaysian Airlines, Garuda Indonesia & Air Asia operate direct flights and similarly.

From Hong Kong

with Garuda and Cathay Pacific, British Airways.

From Bangkok 

Thai International, Qantas & Garuda Indonesia fly to Bali direct. 

From Bandar Sri Begawan

Royal Brunei flies to the island from Bandar Sri Begawan.

France

There are also direct fights from Paris with UTA.

Amsterdam

Flights from Amsterdam arrive via Medan with KLM.

Japan,Taiwan, Cina 

Travellers from Japan and Taiwan can fly in with Garuda or Japan Airlines from Japan and China from China.
From Taiwan Eva Air.

Australia

 From the Australian cities of Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Darwin and Adelaide with Garuda and Qantas. Jetstar curently flies the route from Sydney/Melbourne to Bali and plans are afoot for paradise Bali to restart service from certain Australian points in March 2007.

 

From the United States

Connecting flights are available with departure point from Los Angeles. 

Domestic Indonesian Connection

Bali also has feeder services to other eastern and northern destinations. There are daily flights to Ujung Pandang (gateway to Toraja land) and to the Western Nusa Tenggara islands of Lombok and further afield. Garuda has several flights daily connecting Bali with Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Surabaya. Merpati flies to Bali from Jakarta, Bandung, Biak, Surabaya, Makassar.

A number of budget airlines also service routes between Bali and other island of Indonesia.

 

BY LAND

Land transport from Java, both rail and road, stops at Ketapang from where a ferry service operates 24 hours a day, bringing cars and passengers across the Straits to Gilimanuk in Bali. Buses carry passengers on ferries from Gilimanuk to Denpasar. Java - Bali overland packages are available.

BY SEA

Two of Bali's four sea ports are used by international cruise ships and yachts. Benoa is a small port relatively close to the airport, while Padangbai is used by larger and luxury cruise ships. A ferry service runs from Lombok's port of Lembar to Padangbai as well as the above mentioned ferries from Java to Bali. On the north coast, the harbour of Singaraja is used by Bugis schooners and smaller craft serving the lines between Java and north Bali.

IMMIGRATION

Free Visa Facility (length of stay max. 30 days) will be issued to citizens of the following countries: Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macao, Morocco, Chile, Peru. 

Visa-On-Arrival Facility (length of stay max. 30 days, non extendable) is available to citizens of the following countries: Australia, Argentina, Austria,Brazil, Belgium, Bulgaria,Canada, Cambodia,Cyprus Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, India , Iran, Ireland,Japan, Kuwait,Laos,Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, People's Republic of Cina, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia,Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Sweden,Suriname,Taiwan, The Netherlands,United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, United States. 
Citizens of countries not stated above are required to apply for a visa at the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate in their country of domicile.

Cost for Visa on Arrival US$25.00 per person up to 30 days or 30 days, and US$10.00 up to 7 days.

Please note that Visa on Arrival for either the 7 days is not extendable.

Passport (Most Important)

Immigration laws require that all passports are valid for a minimum of 6 months BEYOND the END of proposed visit to Indonesia. Please ensure your passport is renewed if necessary, to avoid refusal of right to entry on arrival.

 OUT OF BALI

Bali is also the departure point for trips to Lombok, the neighbouring island, often termed Bali's sister island. Ferries, and shuttle flights fly this route daily.The Nusa Tenggara islands and Sulawesi are also easily accessible from Bali with boats and flights.

POLICE & THE LAW

There are police stations called Resort Polisi in every major town. The Traffic Police Office is at Jalan Seruni Denpasar and its office hours are 8.00 am to 12.00 noon from Mondays to Saturdays. A special tourist police force has been formed, to assist tourists where necessary. The Centre of Bali  tourist police number is 62 361 22411.

NARCOTICS

All narcotics are illegal in Indonesia. The use, sale or purchase of narcotics result in long terms in prison and huge fines or even the death sentence.

LOST PASSPORTS

Report loss immediately to the nearest police station and ask for a letter of reported theft/loss Without this letter, required negotiations with immigrations can be difficult. New passports or letters of travel can be obtained through consuls or embassies in either Bali or Jakarta.

DRIVER LICENCES

You may drive your car or rent a car if you have an international driving licence or driving licence of one of the ASEAN countries. To obtain an Indonesian motor bike or car licence, an application is made through the POLDA Bali ( Bali Traffic Police) in Jalan Seruni. A driving test is compulsory. Be warned however, that there are no existing road rules and road conditions can be very chaotic. and dangerous -We do not recommend motor cycle driving.

SHOPPING

Bali's extraordinary range of merchandise makes it a shopper's paradise and a treasure trove of exciting purchases just waiting to be made. As well as tourist handicrafts,designer goods and well made upmarket products are available.  

The innovative Balinese are continually coming up with wonderful new collections to tempt the serious shopper. Even those with little spare cash will find plenty to indulge themselves Modern and traditional batiks and brightly coloured woven cloth are cheap and make wonderful gifts for friends back home. Silver jewellery is another Balinese speciality. Rings, ear-rings, brooches, pins bangles and bracelets are of a high quality at great prices.

An island of artists, Bali produces great stone and wood carvings, superbly carved wooden masks, finely painted and beautiful enough to decorate any wall. Woven blankets from Bali and other nearby islands where traditional crafts are still practised make distinctive wallhangings, tasteful pottery and ceramic wares are available in studio shops in Sanur and Kuta.

Bargaining is a traditional trading method, and many places still expect one to bargain, especially in roadside stalls or beach markets. A number of stores these days however, now have fixed prices, which cannot be bargained, and normally display signs to this effect. If no sign is evident, ask if you can bargain.

ENTERTAINMENT

Bali offers a wide range of entertainment from traditional Balinese dances, which are staged by many of the larger hotels, to discos and pubs. Kuta has the liveliest nightlife, with watering holes and discos all along Jalan Legian and Jalan Buni Sari, some of which stay open till dawn. While Kuta was previously the “in place” to be, Seminyak and Legian now top the popularity polls, and provide a wide variety of great eateries and entertainment. 

Traditional Balinese dance performances are staged regularly, and another great way to see traditional dances, wayang kulit (shadow puppet theatre) and gamelan orchestras, is to attend a village temple festival. These festivals and a variety of religious ceremonies such as tooth filings, weddings, baby’s 6months ceremonies, temple anniversaries or cremations,  play a large part in the lives of Balinese people, and there is usually something on somewhere reasonably close, if one makes enquiries.

DINING OUT

Hotel restaurants in Bali generally offer guests a wide variety of excellent dishes to satisfy every taste - Indonesian, European and even "Nouvelle-Bali". If you feel like venturing out for a meal, there are dozens of good, reasonably priced restaurants to be found in Sanur, Kuta, Seminyak, Legian and Ubud, many of them offering menus that mix Indonesian, Chinese and European dishes. A number of new Fine Dining venues have developed, and in some places internationally renowned chefs conjure up great cuisine for discerning guests in several areas.

TRANSPORTATION

We  offer visitors to Bali our tour guides and tour company vehicles, for predesigned tours, or visitors may design their own trips, with our tour guides to accompany them. We can also provide a microbus or private car with driver, to go wherever visitors choose.  Whatever the choice, Bali is at your fingertips.

Those looking for adventure may wish to try the local "bemos" for getting round the town. You never know who will end up sharing the vehicle with you, but it could be ducks, chickens, women off to the market to sell their produce or a group of boys going to perform at a dance. Bemos run certain routes frequently, and are  cheap, but do be careful to hold bags firmly as there are some instances of pick pocketing on this public transport. This is not recommended transport for long distances, as they are non air-conditioned and mostly very crowded.

For a change of pace, negotiate a 'dokar' the local horse and carriage that can carry three or four passengers. In Kuta and Singaraja the carts ply up and down the streets taking passengers to market and around town. Their harness bells jingle as they make their colourful way through the streets. The tiny horses seem to be amazingly strong for their size.

An alternative (but most dangerous) way to get about in Bali is by motor cycle. Cheap, but do be warned. Many westerners are not prepared for the chaos of Balinese roads and drivers need to be constantly aware, in the undisciplined traffic. Valid International Diver's Licences are required, although local licenses can be obtained through the Bali Traffic Police, and helmets are compulsory. Insurance cover is not normally included. In view of the number of accidents on motor cycles we do not   recommend this as a transportation method.

A great way to get about is by bicycle. The friendly Balinese love to stop for a chat, and a bicycle is just the right speed. We like to recommend cycling tours, which originate in the highlands so that cycling is downhill or on the flat. Trips are taken through fascinating villages and rice fields, with qualified cycling guides leading the way.

OFFICE HOURS

Business offices are open either from 8.00am to 4.00pm or 9.00am to 5.00pm. Government offices are from 8.00am to 3.00pm from Mondays to Thursday, 8.00am to 11.30am on Fridays.

TIME

Bali is on Central Indonesia Time, the same as Singapore, 8 hours ahead of GMT and 2 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard time.

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