Top 50 Bali Insider Facts You Need to Know

Visa and Passport

1. Visa on Arrival valid for 30 days. Day of arrival and departure day are counted as full days each.
2. Your passport must be valid for 6 months when entering any cities in Indonesia, including Bali.
3. One page must be empty for the visa stamp.
4. Keep your boarding pass when you arrive, you might have to show it to the Immigration officer when needed.
   

   Accommodation & Going Out

   

5. Ice cubes in restaurants are safe and government controlled.
6. For 2-5 US$ one can have a decent meal in most restaurants in Bali, you just need to know where to look!
7. One can still stay for as cheap as 15 US$ per night in home stays.
8.  New budget hotels offer clean rooms with AC in larger hotel complexes for 20 US$
9. Most prices are subject to tax (10%) and service charge (6-11%).
10. Vegetarian and healthy food are on the rise and you can find vegetarian options in most restaurants in Bali.
11. Price for hotel room in 4 star hotels or resorts 70-120 US$.
12. Private, serviced Villas are a great alternative during your stay in Bali.
    

    Traffic & Transport

    

13. Traffic in Bali is on the left-hand side, and it can get really crazy!
14. Scooter costs around 4 US$ per day. Always check brakes and lights when you rent one and keep the mobile no. of the rental shop with you. You might need it.
15. Car with driver for 8-10 hours costs 40-70 US$ per day. Make sure they have a driver’s license and the permission to be a driver (permit, insurance issues)
16. Taxis are safe and cheap, but ask them to switch on the meter
17. In Ubud no meter taxis are available; transport is organized by licensed drivers from the village.
18. Want to rent a scooter or car? Bring your international driving license with you.
    

    Communication

    

19. To surf the internet anytime anywhere, Get a SIM card, preferably from a legit mobile shop, and ask for internet package. It is really affordable!
20. Many restaurants have free WI-FI.
21. Prepaid top up credit is called “PULSA”
    

    Activities

    

22. Bali is a scuba diving paradise. There are more than 100 dive centers and great dive spots around the island.
23. Full body massage starts 7 US$ per hour
24. There are tons of spots for surfing for beginners at Kuta, Legian and Seminyak Beach
25. Top Temples: Uluwatu, Tanah Lot, Besakih
26. Shopping Paradise art work, handicrafts, oils and essence, clothes, shoes, furniture, accessories
27. In the Day of Silence or Nyepi, no check-in or check-out from hotel is allowed. Entire island including the airport, will be shut down
28. Manta Rays and Mola Mola fish Nusa Penida and Lembongan
29. Getting married in Bali is easy; wedding companies offer full services.
30. Don’t smile at the monkey in the monkeyforest or temples, showing teeth is a sign of aggression for them
31. Water sport activities can be found at Benoa (jet ski, para gliding, water ski etc.)
    

    Safety & Manners
    

32. Be careful where you step! When it’s raining, the sidewalks can be extremely slippery, and
33. Sidewalks can have large and deep potholes, that are not visible at night
34. Driving a scooter. Never go too fast. Accidents happen daily. Loose chippings are everywhere. Cats, dogs, chickens…anything can cross your way. And any vehicle can come towards you from any direction, anytime.
35. Currents in the sea can be dangerous, and change depending on the weather and wind conditions; also good swimmers have drown on Bali
36. Don’t do drugs – it’s not worth it, especially when you get caught! Even for petty drug related crimes, death sentence might be your gamble.
37. People do lose their lives in Bali, often because of swimming or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (or both).
38. There is crime on Bali, (although not much compared to many other destinations), so stay alert
39. Prostitution is illegal in Bali
40. Magic Mushrooms have recently became illegal.
41. HIV/AIDS is widespread among prostitutes. Practice safe sex all the time!
42. Being topless on the beach is not allowed.
43. Balinese are open minded but they don’t like: people using their streets as toilets, topless guys in restaurants and shops, disrespectful and loud behavior, somebody touching their head!
    

    Bali by Area
    

44. Kuta is always wild at night
45. Seminyak has the most clubs and beach clubs that are more upper class
46. Ubud is laid back, art, small shops, great food, healthy life style, and yoga. Think new age!
47. Lembongan Island is easy to get to and is like Bali 40 years ago. Paradise!
48. Sanur is more quiet, a bit upper class in general, with calm beaches, great restaurants at the beach side (Pantai Sindhu), and lots of live music.
49. Indonesian clove cigarettes are called Kretek and are smoked everywhere. (you will smell it too!)
50. Rainy season is from October to February, Dry season is from March to September
51. Bali (incl. Lembongan) are one of the best surf destinations in the world
52. Amed is the place where most scuba divers stay and where you find the wrecks
53. Nusa Dua, 5 star resort area
54. Jimbaran – seafood restaurants and BBQ directly on the beach, every night (busy, fresh seafood, tasty)
55. Bukit Penisula in the south, it is surfer’s paradise and still a little bit off the beaten track. Padang Padang Beach, Bingin Beach, Dreamland, Uluwatu, Balangan.