balicheaphotel.com

Useful information for the “Island of the Gods”.

Business Hours

Government office hours usually run from 08.00 a.m. until 05.00 p.m. Monday to Friday and half days on Saturdays. Supermarkets, department stores and shops – like similar businesses around the world maintain long opening hours for their customer’s convenience.

Museums are closed on Mondays and public holiday’s

The Indonesian Rupiah offers very favorable rates of exchange and buying power against most foreign currencies. Hotels, moneychangers, and banks provide foreign exchange services.

We strongly recommend the use of banks, whenever possible, when exchanging currency. Always insist on an official receipt at the time of the transaction and take your time to make sure the money received matches the total shown on the receipt.

Those bringing foreign currency to Indonesia should note that many banks and moneychangers refuse to accept foreign bank notes that are soiled, torn or generally poor condition.

Balinese are generally modest in their modes of dress and believe that the most basic sign of respect to another is correct attire.

While shorts and singlets are generally acceptable while shopping or just walking, long trousers for men and dresses for women are strongly suggested when visiting friends, calling on government offices, or attending places of worship.

Specific rules apply whenever visiting a Balinese Pura or temple. Your Bali Discovery guide will make sure that guests are aware of the protocols and have a sarong available to wear whenever visiting a pura.

Electrical current in Bali is 220 volts at 50 cycles.

Most electrical plugs are set to take a two-pin plug. Purchase an international adapter or ask your hotel to lend you one.

Bali has a several well-equipped hospitals providing emergency and outpatient services. There are also several very modern and efficient medical service centers on the island that have been established to cater to the needs of foreign visitors.

Health services are not socialized in Indonesia and it is therefore recommended that visitors purchase travel insurance.

All arrivals from international visitors to Indonesia after February 1, 2004, are subject to new visa regulations!

Please check the latest visa requirements by contacting the Embassy / Consulate in your country of origin before commencing your vacation.

Most major religions are represented in Bali with Catholic and Protestant denominations providing English language services.

Particularly worth a visit is the inspiring Puja Mandala complex near Nusa Dua in which places of worship for the Roman Catholic, Protestant, Hindu, Buddhist and Moslem stand side-by-side in a single complex.

Bali has a number of excellent diving and snorkeling locations – many of them offering world-class explorations below sea level.

We can design excellent dive programs in the company of experienced Dive Masters. Diving certification programs are also available for those wishing to learn how to dive. Please remember to complete your last dive 24 hours before joining any flight.

A comfortable pair of shoes for walking is highly recommended; particularly when you will be joining one of  trekking programs.

The Indonesian people are only gradually becoming aware of the dangers of smoking. As a result, prohibitions on smoking in public areas are still very rare.

Some of the international hotels in Bali do make non-smoking sections available in public dining rooms and provide non-smoking rooms. If this is your preference, please let us know when making an accommodation booking.

Smoking is now banned on all domestic flights and air-conditioned vehicles, including the busses and vehicles operated by Tours company.

Indonesian hotels serve an almost endless array of international cuisine in addition to the succulent and sometimes spicy Indonesian fare. People with specific dietary requests should advise our Tours at the time of booking so we may facilitate any special requirements into your tour program.

Indonesian telecommunications are of a high standard and generally available. Hotels offer international direct dialing, facsimile and, often, Internet connections.

The government has also established a nationwide network of small business people operating “WARTEL” or telecommunication kiosks offering international and domestic telephone communications at competitive rates.

Bali has several mobile telephone servers that, depending on agreements in place with your home service supplier, should provide roaming support for your hand phone brought from home.

Most major hotels and some restaurants include a 10% service charge in your bill. When this is the case, no additional gratuity is required or expected.

Please consider making a photocopy of your airline tickets and the identifying pages of your passport. Also make a list of all travelers’ checks and your credit card details. Store all of this data separately from your wallet. Having these details at hand will speed replacement in the event of loss.

Tap water is generally NOT potable in Indonesia. Bottled drinks including a wide range of bottled mineral waters are readily available.

The island of Bali sits ate between 5 and 10 degrees south latitude below the equator. As a result, weather is generally calm for most of the year. Daytime temperatures are in the 80’s (Fahrenheit) throughout the year with the rains traditionally falling between November and April.

Bali is spared a monsoonal season and rains, when they do come, generally last only several hours, lowering the temperatures slightly and making for greener scenery all around.

We suggest you bring the following items on your visit to Bali.

A Camera. Film and processing is available at numerous locations around the island.

Lightweight loose fitting clothing that is machine washable. Bali is a major exporter of ready-to-wear clothing and you might enjoy purchasing new items for your wardrobe during your holiday.

• A hat, swimwear and sunglasses.
• A Rain Poncho and/or umbrella.
• Sufficient supply of prescription drugs.
• Binoculars.
• A spare pair of eyeglasses.
• Comfortable pair of walking shoes.

Any important items related to your medical history and the contact information for your physician in your home country.