- Tuesday, April 30, 2024
By: Eastern Eye Staff
There are many reasons for a Bali holiday, like Bali Indonesia hotels 5 star. The balmy weather, rich culture and stunning island landscapes make it an attractive destination year-round.
People from all age ranges travel to this tropical paradise to enjoy the slower pace of life that the island offers. Most people visit Bali over a weekend or over their school or business holiday, which gives them a tight timetable to fit in as much as possible during their short stay on the island.
A few essential items need to be at your fingertips before you set foot in Bali if you want your trip to go smoothly and if you want to see as much as possible while you’re there.
Every overseas visitor needs a tourist card before they can enter Indonesia. Bali is a popular holiday destination, so it can take a few days to process your tourist card before you travel. While you will be able to fly to Bali without one, having a tourist card in advance will save you from dealing with the unnecessary stress of landing in Indonesia and being told that you have to go back home or to another country because your visa isn’t ready. You can request a tourist card here.
The passport you’re currently using might not work for entering Indonesia, depending on which countries it has been used in over the past year or so. Check out this list before departing, as it contains all of the information you need regarding Indonesian visas and how long they are valid, as well as if your passport is acceptable.
When you head to the airport, have a photocopy of your passport handy just in case it gets lost or damaged during travel so that you can still get through customs and into Bali. The second form of photo identification will come in handy, too, such as an ID card from work or school.
Many hotels have their tour desks where they will happily book anything from a simple island tour to a complicated helicopter ride over the rice fields. It saves you money because tour companies often charge inflated prices when dealing with customers who haven’t made prior arrangements for tours. It’s also more convenient since most hotels are centrally located in Kuta, which reduces travel time when organising day trips.
You can hire a car and driver for the length of your stay if you want to get out of the city. A driver is always available if you need someone to find food or directions if needed. It cuts down on stress because many people are uncomfortable with driving on the opposite side of the road than they’re used to, especially when using unfamiliar sat nav systems.
However, it’s not cheap unless you’ve organised things beforehand, so be sure to check all options before making any payments. Also, note that most islands aren’t serviced by public transport, so having your mode of transport – whether it’s a car, motorbike or scooter – will give you the freedom to explore at your own pace without waiting around for the next bus or train to arrive.
Credit cards are not widely accepted in Bali, so it’s best to carry some of the local currency of Indonesian Rupiah on you at all times. You can change the currency at the airport, authorised money changers and some bank branches.
There is usually an ATM close by, but these will charge a high fee for use since they primarily cater to Indonesians who primarily use their card within Indonesia. So be sure to use your card sparingly if possible after checking that your credit card has a low daily withdrawal limit.
Be aware of the dangers of dengue fever and other mosquito-borne illnesses before departing, as tourists have been known to have some pretty unpleasant side effects from these diseases. There is no vaccination for dengue, so all you can do is use preventative measures against mosquitoes, such as wearing long sleeves and buying repellants to cover exposed skin. Indonesia isn’t cheap, so it’s best to avoid that situation if at all possible.
