Frequently asked questions about Bali

Which vaccinations do I need for a trip to Bali?
In general there are no obligatory vaccinations for coming to Bali. Recommended are an upgrade of Tetanus and Polio shots and perhaps a Hepatitis A and B immunization. People being concerned often find medical advice tends to be a little more eager to sell as many vaccinations as possible, which can have the effect of weakening the immune system even before the trip commences. Should one really require more immunizations against other diseases to allow for intended travel beyond Bali, it would be advisable to deal with this well before departure, so as not to be compounded by symptoms from a long flight and the change of climate.

Is there any Malaria on Bali?
In the last years there have been no cases reported.

How do I communicate there?
English is spoken and understood quite well in all tourist situations.

How is it to travel as a woman alone in Bali?
Generally very safe. Very seldom one hears of real harassment, but the behavior of the so called “beach cowboys“, (especially in Kuta, the center of Lovina and unfortunately also in other areas of Bali) with their sometimes very disrespectful and tasteless comments in broken English can be annoying.
 

Are there many mosquitoes? In the coastal areas generally only at dusk, inland a bit more. Best protection is a mosquito net while sleeping, at dusk using a skin protection or make use of the widely available mosquito coils. Mosquitos don't enjoy flying in the breeze of a fan.

Are there poisonous snakes or any other dangerous animals?
There are poisonous snakes, just as there are at home, but the likelihood of encountering one is fairly small. Since the Balinese tiger disappeared long time ago, there are no more carnivores on the island, that could threaten a human. Reportedly there are scorpions as well, but we've never seen them in Kubu Lalang.

Entrance and Visa
Passport with a validity of at least 6 months from time of entry, and at least one empty page for stamping is required. Children need their own passport. The movement of foreign currencies is unlimited.
Despite massive protests from tourism businesses starting in February 2004 new Visa regulations have been issued.
Entering Indonesia without any visa is possible now only for nationals of the following 11 countries and territories: Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Citizens of the above countries will be issued on arrival a stay permit for 30 days free of charge upon presentation of a passport which is valid at least for another 6 months. This stay permit cannot be extended or converted into another type of visa.

Visa on Arrival
This facility is available for nationals of the following countries:
Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Libya, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, People's Republic of China, Poland, Portugal, Quatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Citizens of these countries will be able to apply for a VoA valid for either 7 or 30 days upon arrival by air in Bali, Jakarta and a few other international airports or by ship at a limited number of Indonesian sea ports. A 7-day visa costs US$10 and a 30-day visa costs US$25. The VoA can not be extended or converted into any other kind of visa. Also be aware that immigration officials calculate the 30-day period as follows: your arrival day is counted as your first day, and you must leave the country on the 30th day!
Arriving travelers with Visa-On-Arrival status have to go first to one of the 'VoA Counters' to pay the appropriate fee and have their passports stamped with the VoA before proceeding to the Immigration Clearance Desk. An official bank is part of the VoA service counters. Payment of visa fees can be made in all major currencies or by Visa or MasterCard.

Citizens of countries neither on the VoA nor Visa-Free lists are required to apply for a visa overseas before traveling to Indonesia. Nationals of ALL countries planning to stay for more than 30 days in Indonesia also have to apply for the appropriate visa (tourist, business, social-cultural, etc.) at an overseas Indonesian Consulate or Foreign Mission before departing for Indonesia.

Money The currency of Indonesia is the Rupiah, being a floating currency. Currently the rate for 1 US $ is roughly Rp 9.000.-, for 1 EURO about Rp 12.000.-. For the actual rate please refer to a currency converter such as http://www.xe.com/ucc/ The most common credit cards are Visa and MasterCard and are accepted in all bigger banks and can be used at the numerous ATM machines. For shopping and restaurants they are useful in the bigger tourist centers south of the island. Local moneychangers tend to offer the best exchange rates, but check for the sign “authorized moneychanger“and ask about any commissions beforehand. When arriving on Ngurah Rai airport there are banks and bureau de change, but you would get a more favorable rate in the towns, so just change as much as you need. The foreign currency – in particular US$ should be in big, new notes – starting 2001 - and in good condition. Smaller notes get a lower rate and notes with even only small cuts or ball pen writings on them are hard to change. In exchange for that one receives generally rather dirty, used Rupiah notes but one has become an instant millionaire.

Driving License
To be allowed to join the traffic chaos here, (left-hand driving) you need an international driving license. Rental car and motorbike businesses are found in all tourist centers. You can also rent a car with a driver by paying a little more than for the car alone and in that way avoid the stress and exhaustion of coming to terms with the relatively chaotic road rules (if existent) Besides that you provide a job.

Electricity
The voltage is 220V. Adapters are widely available.

Clothes
Light airy clothes, best made of natural materials, a pullover for the sometime quite chilly mountain regions – but remember - not too much. Hardly anyone can resist the temptation of bargain clothes here, be it colorful Batik from the local markets, stylish designer clothes from the shops in Kuta, Legian or Ubud, or custom-made clothes by local tailors.

Luggage
Generally also here – not too much! On Bali you will find an abundance of (in)expensive product options. The availability of attractive art and gift items at affordable prices is so extensive, that you will surely depart with more luggage than you brought.

Time for coming
In general there are 2 seasons here, the dry – and the monsoon season, the first one lasting roughly from March till October, the second one from October till March. There is hardly any difference in temperature, the average about 28 Celsius or 88 Fahrenheit. In climatic terms the best time to come are the months from July to September, this is the coolest time of the year. At nighttime it normally cools down to about 23 degrees, even cooler in the early morning hours and many of our guests are asking for extra blankets during this time of the year. This is also the main tourist season. The highest amount of rainfall and therefore the highest humidity is experienced in January and February. At that time you might also experience occasional storms coming in from the sea. The rest of the rainy season is more periodically wet and cloudy. Sunny hours change with short but heavy rainfalls, which bring a welcome freshness. Sun worshippers excluded, (a way to be popular with the Balinese, as here paleness is admired) most travelers will be satisfied with the amount of sun offered any way at this time of the year.

Drugs are – except the „normal course of life“ drug alcohol – strictly prohibited on Bali and selling as well as purchasing and of course importing drugs is severely punished by long jail terms (even if there are only tiny amounts of illegal substances found), in extreme cases even by capital punishment. Especially in the south of the island you might be asked on the street if you want to purchase, be clever and just ignore. There are cases where the dealers work together with the local security force who will detain you on the next street corner.

Health
Basically the medical standard is assured on Bali. Even in Singaraja, with a population of roughly 40.000 people, there are 6 hospitals. There are also reasonably well equipped pharmacies all around. For personal specifically required medication it would be advisable to take note of correct medical names or the main ingredients as the name of the medication might be different here.
Recommended for the traveler's medication kit are medicines against diarrhea, like carbon, or in more severe cases Imodium, antiseptic or antibiotic cream, as especially during the wet season even little wounds can become infected quite easily, protection against insects and some Aspirin. All of these medications are of course also available here. Should any medicine from your travel kit be unused by the time of your departure, and not intended for bringing home, it is a good idea to leave it for the benefit of others here, as the locals must pay individually for any healthcare. It is however recommended to select someone with a reasonable knowledge of the effects and uses of these.
Water, either from the well or from the tap must be boiled before drinking! Take care especially the first days that you drink enough liquids.
Despite hardly ever being talked about unfortunately nowadays acquired immunodeficiency syndrome AIDS also on Bali has become hard reality. Prostitutes are not obliged to undergo any regular health checks so should you be keen on having a little holiday romance be warned. There are a lot of so called semiprofessionals around who might not appear as such in first sight and as you only know little about the local insider facts please be careful and protect yourself by the use of condoms

Etiquette
Here the first rule is – Smile. This is a universal way of communication, or at least an icebreaker. Should something not be to your satisfaction, it makes no sense to start raising your voice and getting excited. With such behavior you will loose face. Either people could turn their back on you amused, or they could become annoyed or even worse, afraid of you. A quiet conversation will be much more helpful. Balinese appreciate quiet speaking, discipline and self-control in all discussions. But be aware, that here on Bali, as in many places in Asia, one will hardly ever receive a clear “no“, due to politeness. “Not yet“ or “maybe later“ seems to be more fitting, so don't just listen to the spoken word, but try to interpret as well the body language.
It is considered impolite to point at somebody using the fingers, and people, especially children should not be touched on the head, as this is considered to be the seat of spirit and soul.
The left hand is unclean, it is only useful in the toilet, and is never used to shake hands with somebody or to give a present.
When visiting a temple, or if you are invited to one of the countless ceremonies, make sure you are dressed appropriately. Sarong, Slendang (a scarf wrapped around ones wrist) and a blouse or shirt with at least short sleeves is obligatory. Usually Slendang and Sarong are available for hire at the entrance of the temples. Never position yourself higher than the praying people, particularly the priest.

Should you be invited to a Balinese house, remove your shoes before entering. Depending on their means, Balinese are generally very hospitable. Everywhere you will at least be offered, if not something to eat, a cup of the very sweet tea. It is polite to refrain from consuming until the “silakan minum“(equivalent to “please help yourself“). Make sure also to be dressed respectfully.
The sense of western punctuality has less importance here. “Jam karet“, rubber time is an expression used quite often, so allow yourself and others the diplomatic quarter hour, when having an appointment.
If you are bringing a present for your host, give it still wrapped and don't be surprised if it is put aside without much attention. The recipient would be considered greedy if immediately opening the present and also a later private opening avoids the possibility that embarrassing disappointment maybe sensed.
Always very helpful is the simple word “permisi“, similar in meaning to “excuse me“. Should there for example be people sitting in front of a house, and one intends to enter, one says permisi when passing. When asking various questions it is polite to start the sentence with permisi. Women are addressed as “Ibu”, men as “Bapak”.
When calling for the waitress in a restaurant one uses either the already known permisi or indicates with the outstretched arm, gently waving the hand with the palm facing down.
And if still some mistake occurs, - smile and “minta maaf“(I am sorry) will definitely soothe the very patient and tolerant Balinese.

Language
Indonesian is spoken in the whole archipelago of Indonesia, it is the official language since 1945. Every child learns it as soon as he or she goes to school. It derivates from Malay, a grammatically pretty easy but also very picturesque language. Additionally each of the countless islands has at least one local language, differing quite considerably from Indonesian. On Bali -  depending on the caste adherence - 3 quite different forms of local Balinese language are spoken.

Here a few simple phrases for a start:

Apa kabar? – How are you?
Bagus. -  Well.
Siapa nama anda? – What is your name?
Nama saya ....- My name is....
Darimana? – Where from?  Dimana? – Where    Kemana ? – Where to?
Saya dari Austria. – I am from Austria.
Saya mau....- I want
Saya mau ke pantai – I want to got to the beach.
Saya minta ....- I (kindly) ask for…
Maaf – I am sorry, excuse me
Terima kasih. - Thanks
Makan - eat, Minum – drink
Saya mau minum kopi. – I want to drink coffee.
Saya mau makan nasi. – I want to eat rice.
Saya mau jalan jalan. – I want to go for a walk.
Tidur - sleep
Ada – is there? (or –do you have?)  Tidak ada ..-  There is no…
Besar – big   Kecil – small   Dingin – cold   Panas - hot
Kamar – room
Matahari – sun (literally „the eye of the day“)
Bulan – moon
Pantai - beach

For further information and questions please contact us per email!