Practical Information

Customs and Duty Free

According to custom regulation, one adult is allowed to bring into Indonesia a maximum of one liter of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 1000 grams of tobacco and reasonable amount perfume. Photographic, video and fi lming equipment radios, typewriters and cars are admitted provided they are recorded in your passport on entry and taken out of the country on departure. Narcotics, firearms and ammunition, TV sets, and Chinese medicines are strictly prohibited to import or export Indonesian currency exceeding Rp. 50.000.000,-
Source: www.tourism.baliprov.go.id

Driving in Bali

An International driving license is a must. If you do not process it, a Tourist Driving License in Bali can be applied at Poltabes (Police Office) Jl. Gunung Sanghyang, Denpasar. Requirements: one copy of passport (photo and identification pages and entry visa page) and one copy of valid home country driving license. A car or motorcycles license will cost about Rp.100.000 each and are valid for one month. Obtain and complete the application form, pay the fee and have your photograph taken on the spot. Contact Foreign License Service.

What to do and not to do

• In many places cattle’s e.g. cows and dogs are often crossing the street, just speed down and be careful.
• Religious ceremonies and cultural festivals may occupy the road - if you are caught behind it, enjoy the experience and do not horn.
• As developing country, during peak hours, roads especially in the towns are quite busy, please be patient.
• It is not unusual for cars and motorbikes to swerve into your lane especially in around traffic light or where obstacles on the sides of the road exist e.g. parked cars or trolley procession.
• Drivers (often motorbike) from side streets sometimes do not look the situation when joining the main road, please be aware.
• There are several places where traffic in the left lane may turn or continue straight through while the light is red with a sign "Belok kiri jalan terus" or "Lurus Jalan terus"
• Remember to "toot" your horn when going around curves on mountainous roads as drivers sometimes drive in the middle of the road, especially when they think it is quite.
• There are a lot of one way roads in Bali (meant to help traffic flow but it has not really turned out that way). If you miss your turn off, you may have drive quite a distance before being able to turn back. This has resulted in motorbike riders riding a few hundred meters in the wrong direction, as a shortcut rather than following traffic flow. Be alert!
  Source: http://www.rentcarinbali.com/bali_driving_tips.html

Law Enforcement
Penalties for drug offences are severe and include the death penalty. Penalties for possession of even small amounts of recreational drugs include heavy fines and imprisonment. Police target illegal drug use and possession across Indonesia, in particular popular places and venues in Bali and Jakarta.
Serious crimes, such as murder and piracy, may attract the death penalty.

Gambling is illegal. Tourists have fallen victim to organized gambling gangs, particularly in Bali, resulting in the loss of large sums of money and threats of violence if travelers are unable to pay the debt.
Source: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/advice/Indonesia

Time Zone
Standard Time Zone: GMT/UTC + 08:00 hour

Weather
Bali has a climate that is tropical all year. The average temperature hovers around 30 degrees Celsius year-round. There are dry and wet seasons - dry from April to September and wet from October to March - but it can rain at any time of year and even during the wet season rain is likely to pass quickly. In general May to August are the best months in Bali. At that time of year the climate is likely to be cooler and the rains lightest.
Source: www.tourism.baliprov.go.id

Local Language
Balinese and Indonesian are the most widely spoken languages in Bali, and like most Indonesians, the vast majority of Balinese people are bilingual or trilingual. There are several indigenous Balinese languages, but most Balinese can also use the most widely spoken option: modern common Balinese. English is a common third language and the primary foreign language of many Balinese.
Source: www.tourism.baliprov.go.id

FAQ
Electricity
Voltage is 220 - 240 volts AC at 50 cycles per second.
Standard 3-pin square plugs and sockets.

Weights and Measures
Indonesia follows the metric system in weights and measures.

Telephones
Local calls can be made from public phones using coins or pre-paid cards. International calls can be made from public phones with card phone facilities or at any Telkom office.

Banking Hours
Most states: Mon - Fri: 8.00am to 5.00pm. Sat & Sun: Closed (Selected banks and branches are open on Sat).

Post Offices
Open from 8.00am to 5.00pm daily except the Saturday Open from 8.00am to 1.00pm, Sundays and public holidays

Major Holidays
Galungan, Kuningan, Nyepi, Saraswati, Pagerwesi
Source: www.tourism.baliprov.go.id