Bali Travel Tips

our BALI TRAVEL TIPS

Getting to Bali

• VISA:  Australian Passport holders don't require a VISA
• Your passport must be valid for 6 months when arriving. Otherwise you won't be allowed to enter Bali. 
• WEATHER:  Wet season: October-April  Dry season: May-September Best time to go: May-August. 3) 

Getting Around

• RENTALS: International drivers' license required to drive and rent cars and motorbikes.
• TAXIS: We recommend Blue Bird Taxi (+62 (0)361 701 111) is most popular and reliable.​​
• When using taxis always make sure the driver has a meter in the taxi and make sure they turn it on, or arrange a price before you get in the cab. Taxi from kuta to seminyak is about $30,000 rupiah / $3AUD, i would generally give them a tip and pay $50,000 rupiah/$5AUD. 
• Recommend you take a card from the villa/hotel with the address on it so you can get taxis back, just show the driver the card much easier.
• Driver for the day: It generally shouldn’t cost anymore than $40/$60 AUD for the whole day (8hrs). Don’t pay the driver until the end of the day or you can pay them half up front if required. 
• Yes, there is UBER and Grabtaxi in Bali. But in many areas drivers are afraid to go because the local communities are against it. Legal situation still unclear in Indonesia.

Money

• CURRENCY: AUD 1 = IDR 10,000 Change some money to rupiah – approximately $100 AUD, although it’s better to wait until you get to Bali it comes in handy once you arrive.
• ATMs: ATM dispense IDR 50,000 or 100,000 bills withdrawal fees using foreign bank cards, Visa or Mastercard vary and can be high. Beware of skimmers and rigged units, and remember to take your money and card after each transaction.
• MONEY EXCHANGE: Trust only money changers that have been recognized by Bank Indonesia, these establishments advertise their status as Pedagang Valuta Asing Berizin or PVA Berizin (Indonesian for "Authorized Money Changer") with a green PVA Berizin shield where it can be seen by customers .Get them to count the money in front of you. They will work it out on the calculator and show you what you get back for your money. They never give you the loose coins, you will only get the notes and a receipt, Please note once you have counted the money never give it back for them to recount as I have witness some to drop the money and give you back less.
• SHOPPING: Bartering with street vendors is a must. But it's also nice to respect and value their work, effort, and services, and to pay fair prices always have a smile on your face.

Staying Connected

• SIM CARDS: SIM cards are widely available at kiosks and convenient stores $8AUD. The shop keeper generally will install it for you, I recommend getting a SIM if you want to use your mobile while you’re there it’s much cheaper.  Otherwise turn roaming off.  Most hotels, villas and shops around Bali have free WIFI, just ask for the password when you arrive.
• ELECTRICITY: You will need a power adapter so you can charge your phones ect.  Sometimes the hotels will supply them or you can buy at the airport or in Bali in most of the shops.  (220 Volts, 50Hz. Electrical plugs are two-pronged ‘Europlug’ type.)

Customs and Etiquette

• What to wear on temple visits: Before entering the temple you'll some times be given a Sarong (Traditional Balinese lower garment)  This is a must for you to wear to show respect and honor of the sacredness of the temple
• Temples are generally free to visit, although most keepers will show visitors to a 'donation box'. Always use right hand for gesturing never left hand or feet.​

Safety

• WATER: Tap water is not drinkable (even the locals don't, not without boiling it first) Avoid drinking the water or brushing teeth with it. Ice in drinks at established bars, hotels and reputable restaurants are usually safe and government controlled. Bottled water is about 7000RP ($0.70 AUD) for 500ml.
• When it’s raining the sidewalks can be extremely slippery
• Sunscreen / Insect repellent is expensive in Bali we recommend buying in befor going.
• DRUGS: The penalty for drug is death. Take it seriously.
• MONKEYS: Wear minimum accessories when visiting monkey forests, don't feed or approach the monkeys – they are wild animals not pets.
• Click HERE for Vaccinations for Bali
• EMERGENCIES: In case of emergencies, dial 110 for police and 118 for ambulance.​

Helpful Links

• Currency converter table print outs available for wallet size print outs in link below, We found these handy when shopping  (example below)​ www.oanda.com/currency/travel-exchange-rates​ 

These tips are quite basic and easy to follow and will make a huge difference to your first experience of Bali.

Everybody has their favourite places to shop here is a list of the ones that we love

Places we highly recommend:

• Massage & beauty- Carla spa , Poppies lane 2 opposite Warung Nusantara
• Tours or driver hire hits Bali Ninik 081 547 216 965 email : ninik.hitsbali.np.np@gmail.com
• Clothing: Julia shop Poppies lane 2, No.33, Kuta phone: 087 760 063 389

Taxi: I know i may sound like a broken record and have mentioned Blue bird heaps of times but they are the best!, I suggest that you down load their App (my bluebird) prior to arrival it was a life saver for me. You can book a taxi and cancel it at any time without having to add you location which is great if you have no idea where you are. They only take a few minutes to come and get you. It also give you an estimated price.

Money exchange: if you need to change money ensure you do it at a proper exchange place. The smaller ones that are hidden within other shops are not always 100% trust worthy. There is one at the corner of Poppies lane 1 that is fantastic. Just ensure that you recount your money before leaving any exchange place.

Did you buy too many clothes? I always do, I used to just go and get another suitcase except this time I discovered a fabulous company called 'We suck Bali' who will come to your hotel room with vacuum bags and for only $6.50 AUD (65,000IDR) each bag. It was the best $6.50 I have ever spent. You can contact him
via his Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/wesuckbali/ )

Washing service: For just $3 a kilo Nikki spa & laundry will come and collect your washing in the morning and return it at night contact her via her face book page ( https://www.facebook.com/nikki.spa.laundry/ )

Tattoo: There is a fantastic parlor called Leon's Holiday ink in Legian they are fantastic, Clean and reasonably priced. Address: JL Benasari No.22 Kuta, kebupaten Badung,

There are a few discount supermarkets that locals buy their goods that they sell on the streets that are pretty cheap here are a couple that I went to: Krishna, Bagus, batahari, nurmala, Gelael, Batubalan.

Other bits and bobs:

Also on a quick note don't bother taking any drinks to the airport, as soon as you arrive it gets confiscated then once you are in the main food area you can purchase a drink but ensure that you drink it because prior to sitting at your gate there is another security check and drinks will be confiscated then again.

Flights: If you are flying Jetstar please note that some of the aircraft do not accept cash you can only purchase using a credit or debit card.

Do not leave Australia without at least 2 bottles of sunscreen and 2 bottles of insect repellent if you buy it in Bali it will set you back around $25AUD each, I learnt the hard way the first time.

Don't be scared to barter, they always say the first price quite high because they are expecting you to barter. My trick is to tell them a price a few dollars under what you want to spend eventually you should get it for what you really want to spend, if they don't budge don't be afraid to walk away you will find the exact same thing elsewhere.

Ensure that the day you arrive in Bali your passport is still valid for at least 6 months or you will be rejected entry. For example if you arrive on January 1st your passport must be valid until 1st of July.