Bali Travel Tips - Bali Travel Advisory
Bali Island being known as one of most favorite tourist destination
in the world now is getting better in terms of hygiene and medical
facilities. There are a lot of hospital as well as emergency clinic
with an international standard service which can handle medical
emergency with bilingual staff.
But we hope your traveling to Bali memorable. It is advised
to have medical insurance before traveling to Bali. Best to have
insurance that will evacuate you if you get terribly sick or have
a serious injury and need airlifted to Singapore or home. Here
are a couple of other common sense points that should keep you
in good shape and enjoying your visit in Bali.
Since Bali has tropical climate, please drink plenty of fluids
(water and fruit juices) to avoid dehydration. Drink bottled water
ONLY - ice in drinks, however, is not a problem. Use common sense
when choosing a place to eat. Eat in established restaurants that
are clean and well patronized.
It is advised to bring along your a sufficient medication supply
if you are using prescription drugs. Pharmacies (outlet in Indonesia
called Apotiks) often can fill a prescription but the dosage may
not be quite the same as your doctor has prescribed. (Also, while
traveling keep your vital medication with you or in your carry
on - in case your luggage is lost).
The temperature and humidity is high in Indonesia as well as
in Bali. Take prompt care of any cuts or burns - do not risk infection
in this heat and humidity. If you are sleeping in the open air,
use mosquito repellent and a mosquito net. Malaria is not a problem
in Bali. Do not forget to use sun block to protect your skin from
sun burn.
Sightseeing Around
If you are traveling to Bali Island for a week or so, you
might be tempted to
rent a car and go out driving yourself around
to explore Bali and it’s unique. Our advice: Don't - especially
if you are coming from a country where driving on the right is
the norm. When you put together pedestrians, bicycles, tour buses,
trucks, livestock and assorted immovable objects in the middle
of roads that are not well marked with traffic controls are often
ignored and little - if any - enforcement of rules that may exist
- you have yourself one of the most creative driving environments
First, forget about getting lost - that's the least of your
concerns. If you have an accident and there is an injury to a
local person you will not be able to leave until the matter is
cleared up. Better to
rent a car with a driver, enjoy the scenery
and arrive at your favorite destination relaxed. It usually costs
only about US$ 10.00 more per day to hire a driver with your rent car
vehicle than without - so you are the judge, where you want to
go the driver will escort to your destination safely.
Entering Temple and Ceremony
Bali Island is well known as island with thousand temples since
about 90% of its population is Hindus. You can find elaborate
carved temple throughout the island which interesting to explore
inside. Hindus in Bali apply strict rules regarding temples and
ceremonies. These rules mainly concern dress requirement and conditions
of ‘cuntaka’ (taboo) such as menstruation or open
wounds, bringing food into the temple, being physically or mentally
ill, being in a state of mourning (for the Balinese this last
42 days), and having given birth within the past 42 days. Other
rules need to be observed or asked for, especially during festivals.
Street Wise
The Balinese have a reputation as extremely honest people.
If you lose the way when rent car for self drive, you can ask
anybody in the street politely. Because of Bali Island live
on tourism, so most of Balinese can speak a little bit English,
so they will gladly show to you the way. Unfortunately, not
everyone on Bali is Balinese and there has been an increase
in petty crimes - especially in Kuta. Nonetheless Bali is still
far, far safer than most large cities in this world.
Pickpockets, car break-ins and drive by bag snatching seem to
be the most common complaints. To reduce your risk, use plain
common sense and take the same basic precautions you would if
you were visiting any big city. So, keep a tight grip on your
purse or camera, Never leave any bags (whether valuable or not)
unattended in your car, on the beach or by the pool, use the
hotel safety deposit box, don’t go down dark deserted
gangs (alleys) and don’t count money in the open. Not
so hard...
On the flip side don't even think of committing a crime in Indonesia.
You are a long way from home with far fewer rights than you
think. Behave yourself and be a gracious and honest guest.
Money
If you would like to enjoy your time out of hotel, please
keep a little extra money handy. Money changer can be found in
the airport or in the hotel as well as tourist destination. However
the exchange rates in the hotel lower than the others but more
secure. All tourists leaving Indonesia from Ngurah Rai International
Airport have to pay an airport tax of Rp.100, 000. That said be
advised that it is against the law to leave Indonesia with more
than Rp.10, 000,000. Departure for domestic travel is also taxed
though most of the time this has already been included
in the ticket price - but every so often you are surprised...
(And even if you're not you can always make a donation to the
local Red Cross or charity due jour).
Shopping and Bargaining
All items in Bali Island are cheap compare with other country,
so that way, most of people would like to spend their holiday
in Bali. But for high class quality service and product have reasonable
price.
Difficult for many first timers but once you get the hang of it
you’ll never pay retail again! However, not everybody wants
to bargain anymore. Many of Bali's finer retailers now refuse
(price tags generally signify a fixed price) but bargaining is
still the norm in the art markets, trinket and T-shirt shops.
But don’t get cheesy. Nothing is more irritating nowadays
than watching a well clad tourist trying to squeeze the last 1,000
Rupiah (about 10 US cents) out of a shopkeeper. Just remember
how much it cost to get to Bali. So what is the value in not taking
home that beautiful wood statue? Negotiate a good price and take
home a good story.
Service and Tipping
Tipping is normal in tourism or service industry. Most large
hotels and restaurants will automatically add a service charge
of between 5 & 10 percent to your bill which is quite sufficient.
Smaller restaurants generally don't add anything extra but considering
that the waiter's wage may well is less than $10.00 a day - a tip
of 10 percent is very much appreciated.
Other, Bellmen generally get Rp.10,000 - Rp.50.000 for a small
to medium sized luggage and at least Rp.20,000 for those house
trailers some people carry around. For taxi drivers, rounding
up to the nearest Rp.50, 000 or depending on the length of trip
is the norm. If you
rent a car in Bali for an entire day it is good form
to give the driver Rp.50, 000 - 100,000 for each meal and tips,
(say Rp.50, 000) at the end of the day. With tour guides (split
between the guide and driver will be more acceptable) up to you.
Salaries are low in Bali and tips are an important means of earning
a living. In Bali, tourism workers live on tipping.
Telecommunication
Telecommunication in Indonesia as well as in Bali rapidly growth
well over the last few years but patience is the keyword when
trying to dial overseas from Indonesia - especially during office
hours. Most better to use hotel’s International Direct Dialing
(IDD) and Home Country Direct (HCD) services. Overseas calls can
also be made at state-run telephone offices known as a wartel
(warung telephone).Now days, there are no any more wartel available.
All telephone numbers listed herein are local numbers. To reach
any number in Bali dial: International access code + 62 + 361+
(local number). Wherein "62" is Indonesia country code
and "361" is the most common area code for Bali. Be
advised most Bali telephone numbers are 6 digits some are still
5. Cellular service in Indonesia is GSM and CDMA. If you bring
your own hand phone you may purchase a prepaid calling chip from
any telephone operator’s distributor (cheaper than using
your home country service). Most of the visitor can buy local sim card at phone shop that easy to be found. If you want to buy local sim card or data, you can ask assistance of your driver.
Need to get online? Both AT&T Global net & AOL have
local access numbers on Bali. AT&T is 256-737 / AOL is 289-652.
If you plan to be on Bali for a while and need to be connected
there are several ISPs. The local phone company allows anyone
access to its network without having to establish a user account
or pay any set fees (the telecommunication operator makes its
money by adding a 50% surcharge to its normal per minute tariff)
making it easy to check your internet email (i.e.; Yahoo mail)
on your laptop. To access dial 0809-89999 / username: telkomnet@instan
/ password : telkom.
But now a lot of hotel provides their service with Wifi which
can be connected from your room. Check with your hotel staff for
inquiry and assistance.
Indonesia applies GM (global Service for Mobiles) and CDMA. You
can purchase prepaid calling cards at lower cost than calling
on your home card. Major services are Telkomsel, Indosat, Pro
XL. Look for outlet signs or banners with product variants and
brand markings.
Food
Rice is the staple food in Bali as well as the other part of
Indonesia. It is often included in accompanying dishes and sometimes
in soups. Chicken, beef and seafood are either steamed, braised
stir and deep fried and even grilled over coconut husks. Chilly,
coconut, garlic, ginger, saffron, lemon grass and several kinds
of shrimp paste are just some of the ingredients that give Indonesian
food its unique flavor. Lunch and dinner are served with a choice
of main courses and vegetables, usually well spiced and aromatic,
but do not too hot.
If you want to have an experience to enjoy Balinese food, please
try a little bit until your stomach used to. Most of Balinese
foods are spicy and hot.
Travel Insurance
Holidays, like everything else in life, occasionally take a
wrong turn. It is highly recommended that all visitors ensure
that they are covered in terms of travel insurance. We shall under
no circumstances have any liability to hirer, any other occupier,
licensee, or guest on the property for any loss of or damage to
the personal belongings, car and its contents of the hirer or
any member of the party during the holiday.
Have a plan and solution for yourself, your family and you’re
traveling companions in case you get sick in Bali. Know how and
who to call for help and Basic First Aid. Make yourself aware
of the local medical facilities, i.e.: which are appropriate,
how to get there and when to get there. If you are required medical
evacuation knows how to activate this, who call, what to say and
what to expect. Always travel with valid Travel Insurance and
bring along your travel insurance representative office detail
contact.