Do's and Dont's
- If attending a religious ceremony or visiting a temple, always wear a sarong and sash. Do not walk in front of people praying. Do not use flash cameras or push your camera into the priest's face. Never sit higher then the priest or the offerings.
- At cremations, do not get in the way of the attendees. Women are not allowed to enter a temple whilst menstruating.
- Do not climb on the monuments.
- When attending special ceremonies or anniversary celebrations as a guest or onlooker, small donations are gratefully received.
- Try not to step on offerings in the street. Walk round them.
- Respect the slow processions when stuck behind one, i.e. don't honk the horn.
- It is impolite to point or summon someone with your inde finger.
- Do ot touch people's heads - this is very offensive to Hindus.
- Do not swim outside of designated swimming areas on the beach as the currents can be very strong.
VISA
Passport/Visa
All travelers to Indonesia must be in the possession of a passport valid for a minimum of 6 (six) months when entering the country or applying for a visa. The government of Indonesia has changed its visa policy for foreign tourist effective February 1st. 2004.
Visa Free Short Visit
11 countries and territories are eligible for a "Visa Free" facility. Those holding valid passports from the following countries will be granted a non-extendable 20-days Visa- Free Short Visit Permit upon arrival at an Indonesian gateway without charge:
| 1. Brunei Darussalam |
5. Malaysia |
9. Thailand |
| 2. Chile |
6. Morocco |
10. Vietnam |
| 3. Hong Kong SAR |
7. Peru |
11. Singapore |
| 4. Macau SAR |
8. Philippines |
|
The official entry requirements for the issuance of a visa-free short visit permit:
- Passport must be from one of the eleven countries listed above.
- Passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 (six) months from the date of entry into Indonesia
- Onward or return tickets are compulsory.
- Visitors must enter and exit through one of the 15 airports, 21 seaports or 1 overland border post officially approved as an "International Gateway" by the Indonesian Immigration department.
Visa on Arrival Facility (VOA)
Effective August 1, 2005, visitors holding valid passports from certain countries can obtain either a 7 day or 30 day non-extendable visa at any of the 15 airports and 21 seaports designated as "International Gateways" by the Indonesian Immigration Department. The fee for this visa, payable upon landing, is US$ 10 for a 7 day visa and US$ 25 for a 30-day visa.
Nationals of the following countries are eligible to purchase a "Visa on Arrival (VOA)":
| 1. Argentina |
14. Finland |
27 Liechtenstein |
40. Saudi Arabia |
| 2. Australia |
15. France |
28. Luembourg |
41. Russia |
| 3. Austria |
16. Germany |
29. Maldives |
42. South Africa |
| 4. Bahrain |
17. Greece |
30. Malta |
43. South Korea |
| 5. Belgium |
18. Hungary |
31. Mexico |
44. Spain |
| 6. Brazil |
19. Iceland |
32. Monaco |
45. Switzerland |
| 7. Bulgaria |
20. India |
33. New Zealand |
46. Sweden |
| 8. Cambodia |
21. Iran |
34. Norway |
47. Suriname |
| 9. Canada |
22. Ireland |
35. Oman |
48. Taiwan |
| 10. Cyprus |
23. Italy |
36. RRC |
49. The Netherlands |
| 11. Denmark |
24. Japan |
37. Poland |
50. United Arab Emirates |
| 12. Egypt |
25. Kuwait |
38. Portugal |
51. United Kingdom |
| 13. Estonia |
26. Laos |
39. Qatar |
52. United States of America |
The official entry requirements for the issuance of a visa-free short visit permit:
- Passport must be from one of the countries listed above.
- Passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 (six) months from the date of entry into Indonesia
- Payment of US$ 10 or US$ 25 must be paid at the gateaway, depending on the lenght of visa required.
- Onward or return tickets are compulsory.
LANGUAGE:
The national language of Indonesia is “Bahasa Indonesia” using english alphabets. Its words consist of Malay (former language of the archipelago), arabic, and english words. Tourists don’t need particular effort to develop a simple form of the Indonesian language. On the daily interaction between Balinese people they speak local language, Balinese, based in Sanskrit. There is a whole system expressions that reflect social status, and miss-use may be offending someone. In resort areas most people speak English or even Japanese.
Dress Code
At the resort’s area, there is no restriction on clothing-shorts, bare arms and shoulders are permitted quite well. But when visiting temples, someone should observe some etiquette. Any member of the temple, regardless of the place at this time of the Temple ceremony or not, must be belted girdle and dressed in Sarong. Usually, in front of the temple local people always provide belt and sarong for whom using short pan. Or you can freely bring it by yourself. Rules restricting the entrance to the temple, should be respected, even if they are in conflict with the perceptions of your faith. Women during menstruation and all persons who have on the body is open wound are very strictly forbidden to enter any temple on the island. There are other rules to be followed when visiting the temple, especially during temple festivals.
CLIMATE
The climate in Bali is tropical and almost flat for the whole year. Indonesia (including Bali) has only 2 seasons: the dry season (April-October) and the rainy season (October-April). From April to October rains are rare. From June to September the humidity is low, and it can be quite cool in the evenings. During this time of the year, you'll have hardly any rain in the coastal areas. And night in the highlands can be very cold. From mid-October to March is rainy season. The west monsoon can bring heavy showers and high humidity, but usually days are sunny and the rains start during the night and pass quickly. Even when it rains in most parts of Bali you can often enjoy sunny days on the "Bukit", the hill south of Jimbaran Beach. Highest rainfall accounted for December and January. In the area of the equator, December and January is the warmest months with high humidity reaches 90% or even 100%, and only rains can save from the heat, while in the dry season only 50% - 60%.
In Ubud and the mountains you must expect cloudy skies throughout the year (this is why the international weather reports for "Denpasar" or " Bali" mention rain and rain storms during all times of the year). In higher regions such as in Bedugul or Kintamani you'll also need either a sweater or jacket after the sun sets.
Temperatures in Bali range almost in the same limits from 24° C to 33° C year-round. On the mountain’s areas are colder than on the coast. According to the last five years, the number of rainfall varies from 893.4 mm to 2.702,6 mm per year.
ELECTRICITY
Most hotel use 220volts, 50 cycles and a round. two pronged slim plug. Bathroom shaver plugs ussualy have a transformer switch. We suggest taking an adapter for your appliance.
AT THE HOTEL
Before registration, if you want to pay cash for additional expenses in hotel, you should put deposit around US$ 100 – US$ 300. You will receive back your deposit after check out from the room. Don’t forget to keep receipt until you get back your deposit. Breakfast at the hotel usually open from 06.30 till 10.30. time to check out is 12.00 afternoon. If you want to late check out, you can contact your guide or reception at the hotel. If you want to spend time in the hotel until your leaving, you can keep your luggage in the cloak-room. For some hotels, they have waiting lounge with free facility provided for you.
TIPPING
Tipping in Indonesia is very welcome for delivering luggage to the room or for good guide. In the airport, at arrival or departure, many trolleymans offer their service. It cost not more than half dollar for one luggage. In almost all restaurants and hotels, the services usually are included in additional charged (10-21%) of total purchase. Where it is not included a tip of between 5% to 10% of the bill would be appropriate if the service is satisfactory. Tipping taxi and hire-car driver is not mandatory, but if service has been satisfactory top is sufficient for a taxi driver. Hire-car driver would normally expect a larger tip.
Street seller
Street seller can be very annoying. They offer many goods of poor quality. If you are not interested in such purchase, try to avoid eye contact and ignore them. Usually they still try to reach you, please just go ahead and leave them.
