Bali Travel Guides

ATMs

- Automatic Teller Machines are quite common, especially at shopping centers and bank branches. Most of them are connected to international banking networks, thus making it possible to look for machines that are affiliated with your own ATM network.

Banks

- Most major banks have branches in the main tourist centres and provincial capitals. Banking hours are generally from 8 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday. They were closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Credit Cards

- Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are accepted by most of the bigger businesses and at hotels. Many shops that accept credit cards add a 3%-5% service fee. Cash advances can be obtained in all major tourist resorts in Denpasar, Kuta, Sanur and Ubud. The amount signed for is in rupiah and the bill is then converted to your domestic currency.

Currency

- The rupiah is the basic unit of money, normally abbreviated to Rp followed by the value. Denominations of Rp 50 and 100 are in the form of coins; Rp 100, 500 and 1,000 are in either coins or bills. Rp 5.000, 10.000, 20.000, 50.000, and 100.000 are only available in bills. Rp 100.000 is the biggest nominal in Indonesia. Values below Rp 50 are rarely seen except as change and are often substituted by sellers with sweets in lieu of change. In Bali, carry a handful of coins or Rp 100 notes and do not exchange large sums of money even if you plan to be there for a long time.

Currency Exchange

- Western currencies and traveller’s cheques are easily changed at banks and moneychangers. You can get a cash advance on credit cards as well. Foreign currency, whether in banknotes or traveller's cheques, should be exchanged at major banks or authorised moneychangers. Exchange rates offered by the moneychangers are generally better than the banks; they also stay open longer and transactions are quicker. Look around for variable exchange rates advertised on boards along the footpaths or windows outside shops. Always ask about any commission imposed before the exchange as many moneychangers with better rates often charge a small commission. Note Due to the volatility of the rupiah, most mid-range hotels, all top-end hotels, restaurants, some tourist attractions, car rental agencies and tour companies list their prices in US dollars.

Dress Code

- Dress is generally informal in Indonesia. Light fabrics are recommended due to the warm, humid climate. For men, a jacket and tie is considered appropriate when making official visits. The simplest is to follow local custom by wearing a long-sleeve batik shirt. Indonesians are accustomed to shaking hands upon meeting and greeting. It is recommended to bring a sweater or light jacket for travel to mountainous areas. Shorts and beachwear are not considered appropriate except at sports facilities and on the beaches and never appropriate for walking around town or visiting temples and other places of worship.

Electricity

- Most hotels use 220 volts 50 cycles and two-pronged plugs. However it is not uncommon to find some hotels using 110 volts, particularly in the provinces. Check before using an appliance. Some hotels supply adaptors on request.

Health

- It is advisable when travelling to any foreign destination that you check with your local hospital as to what inoculations or medications you may need for your trip. This applies even more so when travelling to tropical areas. If there’s a Tropical Diseases hospital nearby, contact it before departure for Indonesia. If not, then chat with your local doctor. "Bali Belly" as it is known, is common to newcomers in Bali. It does not necessarily mean food poisoning. It could be that your body is not used to the foreign spices and bacteria. Bali Belly may be acquired by eating anywhere from small street stalls to exclusive five star resorts. The best way to keep your belly happy is to take a daily supplement of Acidophilus and add fresh ginger to your food or tea. Also, drink bottled water only. Be sure to guard against sunburn, dehydration and heat exhaustion. Sunburn and dehydration can happen easily in Bali. Be sure to drink plenty of water and moderate your exposure to the sun.

Language

- The official language is Bahasa Indonesia. Bahasa simply means language. In the major cities and in hotels English is widely understood. A few Indonesian words are highly appreciated, but not really necessary. In the outer regions such as Nusa Tenggara, English is not spoken widely. In the main destinations many Balinese speak German, French, Italian, Spanish and Japanese