Here's a list of a few things you need to know and do or not to do while enjoying your holiday on this island of paradise...

General Info

Climate
Although Bali is hot and humid throughout the year, the official wet season runs from October to April and is marked by heavy, short rainstorms after which the air is fresher. Temperature range from 21 to 33° Celsius in the lowlands. Higher altitudes enjoy cooler conditions.

Customs
On entry to Bali (Indonesia), each adult is allowed to bring in tax-free a maximum of one liter of alcoholic beverages and 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco. There is no restriction on the movement of foreign currencies in and out of the country. On entry or departure, however, you are allowed to carry no more than 50.000 Indonesian Rupiah.

Airport Tax and Transport
Passengers departing on international flights have to pay an airport tax of Rp.100.000. For domestic flights, airport taxes vary from Rp.6.000 to Rp.11.000 (payable after check-in) depending on the airports. Metered taxis are available only at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Jakarta. At Ngurah Rai International Airport, taxis operate on a fixed-rate basis, usually between Rp. 50.000,- to Rp. 60.000,- into town.

Currency
Exchange facilities for the main foreign currencies are available in the major cities of Indonesia including Bali.
Rupiah come in denominations of 100.000, 50.000, 20.000, 10.000, 5000, 1000, 500 and 100 in bank notes, and 1000, 500, 100, 50, 25,10 and 5 in coins.

Communications
Long-distance telephone calls within Indonesia are by direct dialing. International Direct Dialing (IDD) is available in all provincial capitals and in more than 320 cities throughout the country. For the business traveler, local and international phone, facsimile and telex services are available in most hotels and resorts. In public places, telecommunication services can be found by look for a sign of WARTEL. Internet services are also available at many cyber cafés and places with a sign of WARNET.

Time
Indonesia is divided into three time zones. Western Indonesia Time (Sumatra, Java, West and Central Kalimantan) is 7 hours ahead of GMT, Central Indonesia Time (Bali, South and East Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara) is 8 hours ahead of GMT, and East Indonesia Time (Maluku and Papua) is 9 hours ahead of GMT.

Electricity
50Hz at either 110 or 220 volts.

Office Hours
Most government offices are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Fridays, they close at 11.30 p.m. On Saturdays, they are open until 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. Business offices open from 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. Some work half-day on Saturdays. Banks open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. Foreign banks are closed on Saturdays.

Visa Information & Immigration

Until February 2004 most visitors to Indonesia did not require a visa if staying for 2 months or less. 

On February 1, 2004 Indonesia introduced significant changes to their "visa on arrival" policies.

In the past the citizens of 48 countries were permitted to stay in Indonesia for up to 60 days without needing a visa. This policy now only applies to the nationals of 11 countries - Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Hong Kong, Macao, Malaysia, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - and for a period of only 30 days, as long as they have a passport that is valid for 6 months or more. Further, this visa free facility cannot be converted into any other type of visa nor can it be extended.

The citizens of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungry, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, and the United States need to pay for a 'visa on arrival'. This can be purchased upon arrival at an international port or airport in Indonesia (Initially this is only available at Medan, Pekanbaru, Padang, Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali and Manado airports, and at the Batam, Bintan, Medan, Sumatra, Padang - Sumatra, Padang Bai-Bali, and Jayapura- Papua seaports ) as long as applicants hold a current passport that is valid for 6 months or more. This must be presented along with an airline disembarkation card. If requested, proof may also be required that an applicant has the means to live while in Indonesia.

Those individuals not on the visa-free list of countries or on the "visa on arrival" list must apply for a visa overseas before arrival in Indonesia.

A 3 day "visa on arrival" costs US$ 10.00, while a 30-day "visa on arrival" costs US$ 25.00

Those visitors who overstay this visa on arrival can leave Indonesia by paying US$ 20.00 for every day they overstay their 30-day visa. Further, airlines that have their flights delayed for any reason can have their passengers exempted from paying any overstaying penalties.

For more detailed information regarding visa information & immigration, please contact:

Immigration Head Office
Jalan D.I. Panjaitan, Niti Mandala,
Renon, Denpasar.
Tel. 227 828