Bali Travel Tips

Flight
Bali can easily be reached by air and now there are eleven International Airlines running scheduled direct flights from Europe, America, Australia and most Asian Countries to Ngurah Rai Airport. Destination to Bali will be Denpasar (DPS) instead of Bali. Domestic flights are also available to and from major cities within Indonesia.

Sea
Regular passenger ferries from Java and Lombok. International Cruise ship anchored in Benoa south of Denpasar and for larger and luxury cruiseship used to stop of at PadangBai.

Overland
By car from Java. Regular ferry service connecting Gilimanuk and Java for 24 hours.

Passports and Visas
Visitors from USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Western Europe need no visa to enter Indonesia. Provided you have a ticket out of the country and your passport has at least six months validity at the time of your arrival, you'll be issued with a tourist card which is valid for a 60-day stay. Keep the card with your passport as you'll have to hand it back when you leave the country. It is not possible to get an extension on a tourist visa, unless there is a medical emergency or you have to answer legal charges. There are visas, particularly a business visitor's visa, which may be valid for a longer period. The immigration office is in Denpasar. If you have to visit this office, make sure you wear your most respectable clothes.

UPDATE Februari 1st 2004

There is more certainty about the new Indonesia Tourist visa rules, the visa on arrival, also from the official side. Original plans to revoke the visa free travel at October 1 will in effect Ferburary 1. Indonesia will revoke visa-free travel for most foreign visitors, despite fears that the move could further dent the country's beleaguered tourism industry. Indonesia will charge foreigners US$25 for a 30-day nonrenewable visa or US$10 for a 3 day visit upon arrival. Citizens of 11 countries who offer visa-free travel to Indonesians will be exempt from the new rule; Brunei, Chile, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Macao, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Turkey. Indonesia introduced visa-free travel in 1983 to attract more foreign tourists. But officials say it has been abused by foreigners who work illegally or engage in other illegal activities in Indonesia.

Getting Arround

There are many modes of transportstion to help you around Bali. A variety of excellent half day, full day and overnight tour packages are available from your hotel desk or any of the numerous travel agents and tour operators which abound in Bali. Or you can find a car and driver who will also act as your guide. Taxis operated from all major hotels and the airport with rates vary according to destinations. The taxi companies, in Bali are Praja Taxi, Bali Taxi and Koperasi Taxi Ngurah Rai instead of those belong to travel-agencies, have metered taxis. Public minibuses or big buses are available to every corner of the island with quite inexpensive price but their stopping here and there a lot to take and drop local passengers.

It may give you the exprience of travelling with the locals. For those who prefer to travel more privately, self-drive. Rented car or motorbike may be the choice. Types of cars available are usually Jimny or Toyota Kijang (larger car with room for 6 people). The price, however, do not always include insurance and they vary depending upon the type of vehicle and the duration of hiring. An important virtue to have while on the road in Bali is patience! Although the road system in the heavily populated areas is quite reasonable (condition wise) in comparison to other developing countries, it can be heavily congested at peak periods.

Ceremonial processions often overtake the whole road so if you're caught behind a procession, enjoy the colorful experience. Roads can be quite narrow with heavily pedestrian traffic on each side. Petrol-pumps and service-stations are available at every larger towns, however in emergency there are always roadside kiosks selling fuel-out of drum at a bit dearer price. While driving yourself, please take utmost cara since the traffic rules may be somewhat different from those conducted in your own country. International Driving License is required but one can apply for a temporary permit in Denpasar and go for a test at Traffic Police Department, Jalan Seruni-Denpasar, Phone 227711. It is a compulsory to wear a crash helmet while you are on the road and it is always available at motorbike hire outlets. Bicycles are available but bear in mind heavy traffic in Kuta, Legian and Denpasar.

Bicycles are ideal in Ubud and the countryside if you're fit. A few companies offer mountain biking excursions. Small horsedrawn carts called "dokar" serve as convenient transportation off-hours and off the beaten tracks.