Travel Info for Bali
|
How to get here
Welcome! We are delighted to help you arrange and prepare your journey. The training will take place at a gorgeous retreat location in Ubud, Bali. The name of this stylish Goddess resort is Surya Kembar. It is located in Ubud - the cultural and spiritual heart of Bali. Bali is an Indonesian island known for its forested volcanic mountains, iconic rice paddies, beaches and coral reefs. The island is home to many religious sites and is renowned for its highly developed arts, including traditional and modern dance, and music. The island is also known for its yoga, meditation retreats and conscious communities. We hope that you will enjoy the sacredness, the beautiful people and nature of this very special island. This guide will help you to make your travels and preparation as smooth as possible. If you need any help or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you! Looking forward to meeting you in paradise! |
|
Flights to Bali, Indonesia
The airport in Bali is called Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar (DPS). Usually when you search flights, you simply put "Bali".
It is recommended you arrive in Bali a few days earlier and perhaps stay in Ubud to acclimatize. The retreat center is located just outside of Ubud, and you can check-in there Sunday October 27 from 12 pm onwards, and we’ll start at 4 pm. We will arrange a free shuttle bus from a central location in Ubud, from there it is about 10 minutes drive. If you arrive on Sunday, make sure your flight is arriving early enough in Denpasar to give yourself plenty of time for taxi/shuttle bus to the retreat center and for settling in. Travel time from Denpasar Airport to Ubud is about 1.5 – 2 hours, depending on traffic.
You may decide to extend your visit after the training, if you fall in love with the tropical nature and the island life of Bali! We do strongly recommend to allow yourself at least a couple of days after the training to rest, integrate and stay in Bali before going back home or traveling towards your next destination. This is an intensive training, and some integration time together with your sisters is extremely important and beneficial for your own process.
Visa for Bali
You need to apply for the 60 Day Tourist Visa in your country ahead of time. Please arrange this before you come.
Contact the nearest Indonesian embassy or consulate to check application procedures and fees for tourist visas in your Country of residence. You do need a passport that is at least 6 months valid! Check for further requirements the nearest embassy.
Please do not mention you are coming for this course as it is not registered with the academic board of Indonesia as it is not university style course! So it will not assist you getting a visa. Best to say “tourist”.
You can extend this visa with another 30-day period. However, you have to arrange this before the training starts, as it can only be done during weekdays and you have to go to Denpasar to visit the Immigration Office!
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU ARRIVE, as you can only get 30 days on arrival, and you need 60 days for this training. You may have heard you can get 30 days on arrival and then extend, but this is a HUGE hassle and will take several days off the training as the offices operate on weekdays. So do not be tempted to this option, but get a full 60 day visa before you fly. If you are not in your home country, you can apply in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia or in Singapore.
IMPORTANT:
When applying for a visa - do not say you are going for training, unless you are going to study something else! Say "tourist going on holiday".
The airport in Bali is called Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar (DPS). Usually when you search flights, you simply put "Bali".
It is recommended you arrive in Bali a few days earlier and perhaps stay in Ubud to acclimatize. The retreat center is located just outside of Ubud, and you can check-in there Sunday October 27 from 12 pm onwards, and we’ll start at 4 pm. We will arrange a free shuttle bus from a central location in Ubud, from there it is about 10 minutes drive. If you arrive on Sunday, make sure your flight is arriving early enough in Denpasar to give yourself plenty of time for taxi/shuttle bus to the retreat center and for settling in. Travel time from Denpasar Airport to Ubud is about 1.5 – 2 hours, depending on traffic.
You may decide to extend your visit after the training, if you fall in love with the tropical nature and the island life of Bali! We do strongly recommend to allow yourself at least a couple of days after the training to rest, integrate and stay in Bali before going back home or traveling towards your next destination. This is an intensive training, and some integration time together with your sisters is extremely important and beneficial for your own process.
Visa for Bali
You need to apply for the 60 Day Tourist Visa in your country ahead of time. Please arrange this before you come.
Contact the nearest Indonesian embassy or consulate to check application procedures and fees for tourist visas in your Country of residence. You do need a passport that is at least 6 months valid! Check for further requirements the nearest embassy.
Please do not mention you are coming for this course as it is not registered with the academic board of Indonesia as it is not university style course! So it will not assist you getting a visa. Best to say “tourist”.
You can extend this visa with another 30-day period. However, you have to arrange this before the training starts, as it can only be done during weekdays and you have to go to Denpasar to visit the Immigration Office!
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU ARRIVE, as you can only get 30 days on arrival, and you need 60 days for this training. You may have heard you can get 30 days on arrival and then extend, but this is a HUGE hassle and will take several days off the training as the offices operate on weekdays. So do not be tempted to this option, but get a full 60 day visa before you fly. If you are not in your home country, you can apply in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia or in Singapore.
IMPORTANT:
When applying for a visa - do not say you are going for training, unless you are going to study something else! Say "tourist going on holiday".
Arriving at Bali Airport International
Once you landed at the international terminal, this is how you get through the airport:
• It's not a bad idea to move reasonably quick towards the arrival hall and maybe go to toilet after the immigration check. This will avoid you being last in the queue - which can be quite long!
• Keep your passports ready (6 months valid, enough space for the sticker)
• Fill in Tax Card ready (stewardess will give them to you or pick one up in the arrival hall)
• As you have already obtained your VISA in your home country you can queue directly at the immigration counters
• After immigration, grab a trolley and collect your luggage. There are porters around that can assist you, but they expect a tip. They will get your luggage, escort you to your car, taxi or pick up service and help you load the vehicle
• Go through customs towards the exit sign and give them the tax card. Make sure you do not bring more then IDR 100,000,000 (ca. 7500 US$) and of course...no drugs. You could end up enjoying an all-inclusive holiday in Bali's Kerobokan prison for a very long time… Also make sure you do not carry bags with technical duty free items such as computers and audio equipment. Bali customs will pounce on your for customs duty and often bribes too! Best to unbox anything technical that you are bringing into Bali.
You will have to put all your luggage and hand luggage through a scanner here.
• There are official money changers (rates are OK) just when you get out, and an
ATM machine. You might need some Indonesian Rupiahs to pay the taxi. Best to get it right here
• You will see MANY drivers and hotel staff holding up name signs as they wait and page for the guests who booked a airport pick-up to be dropped to numerous hotels and villas. It is a good idea to have a driver arranged before. We can help you with this, and our driver Wayan will wait for you with a sign with your name.
• If you have not yet arranged a pick-up, no problems, walk towards the TAXI SERVICE counter.
Once you landed at the international terminal, this is how you get through the airport:
• It's not a bad idea to move reasonably quick towards the arrival hall and maybe go to toilet after the immigration check. This will avoid you being last in the queue - which can be quite long!
• Keep your passports ready (6 months valid, enough space for the sticker)
• Fill in Tax Card ready (stewardess will give them to you or pick one up in the arrival hall)
• As you have already obtained your VISA in your home country you can queue directly at the immigration counters
• After immigration, grab a trolley and collect your luggage. There are porters around that can assist you, but they expect a tip. They will get your luggage, escort you to your car, taxi or pick up service and help you load the vehicle
• Go through customs towards the exit sign and give them the tax card. Make sure you do not bring more then IDR 100,000,000 (ca. 7500 US$) and of course...no drugs. You could end up enjoying an all-inclusive holiday in Bali's Kerobokan prison for a very long time… Also make sure you do not carry bags with technical duty free items such as computers and audio equipment. Bali customs will pounce on your for customs duty and often bribes too! Best to unbox anything technical that you are bringing into Bali.
You will have to put all your luggage and hand luggage through a scanner here.
• There are official money changers (rates are OK) just when you get out, and an
ATM machine. You might need some Indonesian Rupiahs to pay the taxi. Best to get it right here
• You will see MANY drivers and hotel staff holding up name signs as they wait and page for the guests who booked a airport pick-up to be dropped to numerous hotels and villas. It is a good idea to have a driver arranged before. We can help you with this, and our driver Wayan will wait for you with a sign with your name.
• If you have not yet arranged a pick-up, no problems, walk towards the TAXI SERVICE counter.
Wayan
Taxi Driver
This is Wayan. He is more than just a driver! He once managed a retreat enter where we ran our teacher training, and so looked after 25 women for a whole month. He knows a lot about the work we do and has met many years of women from Tao Tantric Arts! If Wayan cannot make it himself, then he has several friends who come to do the collection. Or you can use your hotel's pick up service if you prefer.
Wayan’s cell number is +628123934083 and also on WhatsApp.
His facebook link to contact him at least a day in advance:
https://www.facebook.com/wayansida.laksana
Transportation to Ubud
Our retreat center is located in Ubud. Also if you arrive some days earlier before the training starts, it is a good idea to head towards Ubud. No one really stays near Denpasar area. Ubud is a good place to stay for a few days. It is quite alive and is the main “hub” in
Bali. It has many things to offer, such as events, yoga classes, spas, art, music, shopping etc. Canggu is a nice alternative, being a coastal town with a lovely surfer vibe.
From Denpasar Airport to Ubud is about 1,5 – 2 hours by car, and costs about 400.000 IDR (yes, we just have to get used to these big numbers!)
Official Airport Taxis at Bali Airport DPS work with a fixed price list and the price depends on the area you want to go to. You can find the counter after you have left the building and exited through the duty free area just outside. These days, there are many complaints about the drivers and the cars of this "official airport service". Tell the guy at the desk your destination or hotel name, then he will tell you the price and give you a ticket number. Arguing the price they quote is of no use, if you feel that the price is too expensive or if you think your hotel is not in Seminyak, but in Legian. You pay the driver at the end of the trip.
You need to pay CASH to the driver AFTER he dropped you. So if you plan to get a taxi, remember to change some money at the money changer just behind you or pull some money at the ATM. Tipping is common but not a must.
Unless you have booked your pick-up an airport transfer beforehand there is no easy alternative. You CAN NOT get a metered taxi at the airport.
It can be quite an unpleasant experience at times to arrive without an organized transfer service. You will get asked by many illegal drivers that lure around the area, if you want their service.
This is Wayan. He is more than just a driver! He once managed a retreat enter where we ran our teacher training, and so looked after 25 women for a whole month. He knows a lot about the work we do and has met many years of women from Tao Tantric Arts! If Wayan cannot make it himself, then he has several friends who come to do the collection. Or you can use your hotel's pick up service if you prefer.
Wayan’s cell number is +628123934083 and also on WhatsApp.
His facebook link to contact him at least a day in advance:
https://www.facebook.com/wayansida.laksana
Transportation to Ubud
Our retreat center is located in Ubud. Also if you arrive some days earlier before the training starts, it is a good idea to head towards Ubud. No one really stays near Denpasar area. Ubud is a good place to stay for a few days. It is quite alive and is the main “hub” in
Bali. It has many things to offer, such as events, yoga classes, spas, art, music, shopping etc. Canggu is a nice alternative, being a coastal town with a lovely surfer vibe.
From Denpasar Airport to Ubud is about 1,5 – 2 hours by car, and costs about 400.000 IDR (yes, we just have to get used to these big numbers!)
Official Airport Taxis at Bali Airport DPS work with a fixed price list and the price depends on the area you want to go to. You can find the counter after you have left the building and exited through the duty free area just outside. These days, there are many complaints about the drivers and the cars of this "official airport service". Tell the guy at the desk your destination or hotel name, then he will tell you the price and give you a ticket number. Arguing the price they quote is of no use, if you feel that the price is too expensive or if you think your hotel is not in Seminyak, but in Legian. You pay the driver at the end of the trip.
You need to pay CASH to the driver AFTER he dropped you. So if you plan to get a taxi, remember to change some money at the money changer just behind you or pull some money at the ATM. Tipping is common but not a must.
Unless you have booked your pick-up an airport transfer beforehand there is no easy alternative. You CAN NOT get a metered taxi at the airport.
It can be quite an unpleasant experience at times to arrive without an organized transfer service. You will get asked by many illegal drivers that lure around the area, if you want their service.
A short note on Taxis on Bali
Getting around by taxi is cheap in Bali, however you need to know a few rules.
• Starting Fee is IDR 7,000
• You should insist that the taxi driver switches on the meter at the beginning of the ride (some of the drivers "tend to forget" which could lead to possible negotiations that can be avoided from the start)
• Bluebird Taxi Drivers follow strict company regulations and switch on the meter immediately without you asking. With other companies you might have to insist or remind them.
• There is also Uber and Grab – two very popular services and in general a lot cheaper. However, don’t use them for Airport pickups as the Uber and Grab cars cannot get into the airport taxi area. And you need a local sim with internet on it, and have to download the app.
• In Ubud quite often the local community manages the taxi services, "private cars" without meters. And you always can ask Wayan, he is our favorite and very reliable and friendly taxi driver for longer rides outside of Ubud.
Getting around by taxi is cheap in Bali, however you need to know a few rules.
• Starting Fee is IDR 7,000
• You should insist that the taxi driver switches on the meter at the beginning of the ride (some of the drivers "tend to forget" which could lead to possible negotiations that can be avoided from the start)
• Bluebird Taxi Drivers follow strict company regulations and switch on the meter immediately without you asking. With other companies you might have to insist or remind them.
• There is also Uber and Grab – two very popular services and in general a lot cheaper. However, don’t use them for Airport pickups as the Uber and Grab cars cannot get into the airport taxi area. And you need a local sim with internet on it, and have to download the app.
• In Ubud quite often the local community manages the taxi services, "private cars" without meters. And you always can ask Wayan, he is our favorite and very reliable and friendly taxi driver for longer rides outside of Ubud.
Ubud
If you stay in central Ubud, a good way to get around is walking. Everything is very nearby. Central Ubud is considered the two main streets Hanuman Street and Monkey Forest Road. If your accommodation is nearby one of those two streets, you are in the center and can easily get around by foot.
Ubud offers a lot of accommodation options, in all budget ranges. Best way to find accommodation is to use one of the websites like Agoda or Booking.com.
Recommended if you have no experience! Traffic is very busy, as you will notice. If you feel comfortable getting around by motorbike, you can easily rent one per day. Make sure you wear a helmet and have a driver’s license, as this is obligatory (and checked often by the police).
It is recommended to join the FB group ‘Bali Conscious Community’ as many events are posted here. Very popular is the Yoga Barn, for great yoga classes, lovely food and a very popular Ecstatic Dance on Sunday morning. Other recommended places are Paradiso & neighboring Earth Café (great events, movie screenings, a store and lovely healthy food).
For food, recommended is Clear Café, Kafe (both on Hanuman Road) and Bali Buddha.
In Penestanan you’ll find Zest and Alchemy for amazing raw and vegan food or just hanging out.
For Spa lovers, Bali is a total paradise. Recommended is Cantika Zest Spa (just outside of Ubud, close to Penestanan) and an absolutely beautiful experience is Tjampuhan Spa. This is a gorgeous spa where you feel surrounded by stone carvings and Balinese statues – a great afternoon visit. And there are many opportunities to have a great and affordable massage, everywhere in Ubud!
If you stay in central Ubud, a good way to get around is walking. Everything is very nearby. Central Ubud is considered the two main streets Hanuman Street and Monkey Forest Road. If your accommodation is nearby one of those two streets, you are in the center and can easily get around by foot.
Ubud offers a lot of accommodation options, in all budget ranges. Best way to find accommodation is to use one of the websites like Agoda or Booking.com.
Recommended if you have no experience! Traffic is very busy, as you will notice. If you feel comfortable getting around by motorbike, you can easily rent one per day. Make sure you wear a helmet and have a driver’s license, as this is obligatory (and checked often by the police).
It is recommended to join the FB group ‘Bali Conscious Community’ as many events are posted here. Very popular is the Yoga Barn, for great yoga classes, lovely food and a very popular Ecstatic Dance on Sunday morning. Other recommended places are Paradiso & neighboring Earth Café (great events, movie screenings, a store and lovely healthy food).
For food, recommended is Clear Café, Kafe (both on Hanuman Road) and Bali Buddha.
In Penestanan you’ll find Zest and Alchemy for amazing raw and vegan food or just hanging out.
For Spa lovers, Bali is a total paradise. Recommended is Cantika Zest Spa (just outside of Ubud, close to Penestanan) and an absolutely beautiful experience is Tjampuhan Spa. This is a gorgeous spa where you feel surrounded by stone carvings and Balinese statues – a great afternoon visit. And there are many opportunities to have a great and affordable massage, everywhere in Ubud!
Surya Kembar Villas
Nestled on sacred lands, Surya Kembar Luxury Villas sits along the Titibatu River, offering beautiful rice field views, a close connection to village life, and the peace of natural surroundings. And at the same time, it is just 5 minutes from the heart of Ubud.
Surya Kembar Luxury Villas are custom designed featuring recycled wood, natural stone, and vertical orchid gardens, and our private swimming pools, restaurant and yoga studio, make Surya Kembar a magical place to reflect, rejuvenate, and relax. It is absolutely stunning! If you want a sneak peak, have a look here: www.suryakembar.com
Address
Jl. Cempaka
Kumbuh, Mas, Ubud,
Bali, Indonesia 80571
How to get there
Surya Kembar is located 5 min by taxi from Ubud center. You can take a taxi, and they also offer a free shuttle three times per day to and from Ubud center. In the weekend time, you can also use this free shuttle service to visit Ubud or have dinner or lunch outside of the retreat center.
Nestled on sacred lands, Surya Kembar Luxury Villas sits along the Titibatu River, offering beautiful rice field views, a close connection to village life, and the peace of natural surroundings. And at the same time, it is just 5 minutes from the heart of Ubud.
Surya Kembar Luxury Villas are custom designed featuring recycled wood, natural stone, and vertical orchid gardens, and our private swimming pools, restaurant and yoga studio, make Surya Kembar a magical place to reflect, rejuvenate, and relax. It is absolutely stunning! If you want a sneak peak, have a look here: www.suryakembar.com
Address
Jl. Cempaka
Kumbuh, Mas, Ubud,
Bali, Indonesia 80571
How to get there
Surya Kembar is located 5 min by taxi from Ubud center. You can take a taxi, and they also offer a free shuttle three times per day to and from Ubud center. In the weekend time, you can also use this free shuttle service to visit Ubud or have dinner or lunch outside of the retreat center.
Meals & Drinking Water
Meals are set in all-inclusive package. Meals are healthy and vegetarian, and we serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. All meals are buffet style. There will always be options for people having a vegan diet. If you have dietary requirements or allergies, let me know latest one week before we start and the kitchen will take care of it!
In the weekends, all meals are included as well. However, you can also go out to Ubud to explore the great vibe and restaurant options there. But this will be at own costs. If you want to go on a trip on weekend days, you can always ask the resort to give you a packed lunch.
Drinking water, tea, and fruits are available during the day. The tap water is not drinkable anywhere on Bali. Brush your teeth with drinking water. Bring your re-usable bottle and you can refill it. Many places offer a refill service (for a small fee) and we always have drinking water available in the yoga hall and dining area, as well as in every villa complex.
Health & Safety
Bali is a safe place to be. We do recommend general awareness, like not wandering around by yourself late at night and be especially careful in traffic.
Restaurants are well catered for western visitors so the food hygiene and quality is very good in general. Occasionally people get "Bali Belly"...so be careful with salads and raw foods in venues that do not feel very modern. If you do get Bali Belly, it passes soon, and we recommend Charcoal tablets to absorb the toxins from your system, and a natural anti bacterial supplement such as Oregano Oil capsules. You may of course have your own preferences, but these we have good results with.
There are some mosquitos, so we recommend to use insect repellent and to sleep under a mosquito net (mosquito nets are available). The general risk to catch malaria in Bali is very small indeed. In the main resorts area the risk is close to zero. Beside traffic accidents - the most imminent health hazard to Balinese and visitors is most likely Dengue fever. There is no vaccine against it, therefore the best way to prevent Dengue is like with Malaria not to get bitten by mosquitoes. Dengue fever isa flu-like illness and is transmitted by mosquitoes although a different type. Cases of Dengue are reported so some caution is needed. Also caution is needed regarding avoidance to get bitten by dogs or monkeys. Rare cases of rabies have been reported. Regarding vaccinations, only Hepatitis A is possibly recommended.
When medical attention is needed, we do have a medical first aid kit available.
For more serious / urgent medical issues, there are various hospitals on the island that can deal, diagnose or treat medical problems. Every participant must have a full insurance covering medical expenses. Bali is much more developed than most regions in Indonesia and the main tourism areas match international standards when it comes to hygiene. If you plan to travel to other areas in Indonesia or venture out for a longer period into the more remote areas of Bali, then a more careful approach is recommended.
An important thing to be aware of is infections. With open wounds or cuts, don't take any chances in tropical climates as wounds take longer to heal here and infections can happen very easily – don’t swim in the sea or river if you have an open wound and visit the hospital when you get any sign of infection. And, we cannot stress this enough: be careful in traffic and especially when riding a motorbike! This is the no.1 cause for accidents and main health hazard!
Health & Travel Insurance
Make sure you have medical (travel) insurance that covers medical costs and emergency costs!
IMPORTANT: It is obligatory if you participate on our training to have Medical
(Travel) Insurance!
Make sure that you have your documents with you or at least a screenshot of these on your mobile or tablet. One thing to check on your insurance documents is that most insurers will either not allow any payout if you have a motorbike accident or will only allow you to ride a certain maximum CC motorbike like a 100cc -125cc. Check this before arrival!
Make sure you have a scan of your documents and your passport accessible in your email.
In case of Emergency
It is good, to have a name and number of people you want us to inform in case of an emergency. You can make a list and carry it for example in your wallet, or email / give it
to the onsite manager before the training. In case of emergency, you or your family members / significant other can always call the onsite manager (number will be given).
Internet
Wifi is available, in the rooms and the common areas in Surya Kembar. However, we encourage you to limit the use of internet during retreat time. Internet is not as good as in Western countries, so please don't rely on it!
Plugs and Sockets in Indonesia and Bali
In Bali and Indonesia you can expect the 2 pin socket and plug as used in larger parts of
Europe. Whether you are staying in a hotel or in a private villa you should be able to get an adapter if you ask for one. The pins are round, not flat or rectangular.
If you come from Australia, Japan, USA, Malaysia, UK, Canada, Singapore, and some countries in Africa you will most likely simply need a plug adapter otherwise the plugs for your electrical appliances will not fit into the "Bali Socket", although the voltage should be o.k.
The standard used in Bali is a two-pin plug (round):
Voltage: 230 V
Frequency: 50 Hz
Power sockets: type C / F
Cell phones
It is advised to bring an unlocked phone and get a sim card here. The sim cards for internet / data are very cheap, you just have to pay for usage. However, getting a sim card that allows you to make regular calls is almost impossible for non-citizens. You have to go to Denpasar, register, give your fingerprints, fill in multiple forms, and then wait and pray… But data coverage is pretty good all over Bali, so in general you will get around with just a data sim card. Also many taxi drivers use Whatsapp, messenger and facetime so you will get around easily with 3G. There are phone packages available at the airport which can be topped up at Familymart.
Below we have listed the two most popular providers:
Telkomsel (simPATI)
Telkomsel’s most popular SIM card is called simPATI and although slightly more expensive than SIM cards from other providers, it is currently said to offer the highest internet speed. Other SIM cards from Telkomsel are called Kartu As and Kartu Halo, and Loop. SsimPati Flash is the name for the prepaid internet packages. A 4 GB quota package starts at 7 USD, a 8 GB package is 12 USD. Telkomsel can provide 4G LTE and 3G connections, But of course not everywhere.
XL Axiata
XL most popular SIM card is called ‘XL Baru’. It provides cheap domestic calls combined with internet access. The prepaid internet package called Kartu Perdana Super Hot Rod
4G is the latest and most popular package and starts at 8 USD for a quota at 4 GB. XL also offers a 8 GB quota for around 16 USD.
Coverage
Telkomsel is considered the most-stable and widest signal coverage provider. XL is a bit limited in areas as Ubud etc. but is stronger in the Denpasar and Badung area. Internet coverage is not the same as your old-fashioned phone calls coverage. 3G internet is available in the more populated areas but can drop to the slower GPRS or even Edge in remote areas.
Again - we encourage you to limit use of the internet and cell phones, so you can focus as much as possible on the training.
Money & Cash
You want to be a millionaire? You instantly become one when you withdraw or change money in Bali. Do not be fooled by the many zeros of the Indonesian Rupiah. It might look as if you are holding enough cash to buy yourself a private island but it is probably just enough for a cold kambucha.
Please allow extra money for food if you want to eat out in weekends, extra accommodation before and after the training, and shopping. Ubud has great shopping opportunities! Local currency is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). You can use ATMs, or exchange USD, Euros or GBP. It can be wise to bring a little cash as well as a card, as a back-up for your card.
Cash is still an important form of payment in Bali. So make sure you carry enough with you to pay for your small shopping, tips, transportation and food & drinks.
Most resorts and hotels accept credit cards but most times smaller places like guesthouses or homestays do not.
Major currencies like the USD, Australian dollar and Euro can easily be exchanged in banks, hotels and money changers. Keep in mind that the rates fluctuate every day – it is worth shopping around a bit to find the best rate - and not all notes are accepted. Old, folded, damaged and dirty notes are often rejected or exchanged at a lower rate than a clean crisp bill. Particularly the USD notes.
Go to http://www.xe.com to check current currency exchange.
ATM Machines
ATMs are easily found in Bali’s most populated areas and most accept nonlocal ATM cards and credit cards for cash withdrawals. Debit cards are accepted by some ATMs on the Maestro and Cirrus networks.
ATMs dispense either 50,000 or 100,000 notes. A sticker will clearly indicate which one.
Most ATMs in Bali allow a maximum withdrawal of 1,250,000 (50,000 bill machines) to
3,000,000 rupiah (100,000 bill machines) per transaction with a total maximum of 6,000,000 rupiah withdrawal a day.
Be aware that often machines will hand out the money first before returning your card.
Make sure you do not walk away without taking your card!
Rates and transaction fees depend on your bank back home. You may like to check the charges with your bank before withdrawing money. Do double check if your card can be used overseas and inform your bank of your travel destination as it has happened on a few occasions that travelers find their card blocked by their bank as their sudden overseas spending was seen as suspected fraudulent use.
WARNING!!!! There have been many cases of digital pad skimming devices found in ATMs. It is always wise to use ATMs placed in banks, shopping malls and places with security camera. ATMs in front of supermarkets are problematic. It is highly advised to get a card just for travelling, in which you can put the right amount of money before withdrawal. That way, if someone copies your card data, there is no cash for them to steal. Transferwise and Revolut offer excellent travel cash cards and you can lock the card using your phone after withdrawal (also they have great rates).
More and more restaurants and shops do accept credit cards nowadays - particularly in the touristic areas. But do not rely on your credit card as you would in a western country. Cash is in many cases the only acceptable way of payment. Particularly in remote areas a credit card will be of little use to you.
Visa and MasterCard are the most accepted credit cards in Bali. Keep in mind that very often there will be a 3- 5% surcharge on credit card transactions.
Always bring some cash with you in case card machines are not working. Only having a card is risky in Indonesia! We recommend $500 cash as a back up.
Weather
Bali's is located very near to the equator, therefore it has a warm, tropical climate. Average year-round temperature stands at around 26-27°C with a humidity level of about 85-90%. Water temperatures are always pleasant. The two seasons are not clear cut and fully predictable. In general they say rainy season starts late October. Although the average numbers are based on many decades of data recording, today it seems less and less possible to count on those stats and give a solid prediction. November 2014 and 2015 where really dry and hot, while those are the months we expect the most rainfall.
So in a way it's a bit of luck too and you can expect either way.
Ubud has a very pleasant climate, although during the hottest time of the day it is recommended to stay out of the sun. Bali's central mountain area is typically cooler than the lower coastal areas. Especially at night temperatures can drop significantly – so if you want to travel after the training, do bring some long-sleeved shirts and warmer clothes.
Bali's is located very near to the equator, therefore it has a warm, tropical climate. Average year-round temperature stands at around 26-27°C with a humidity level of about 85-90%. Water temperatures are always pleasant. The two seasons are not clear cut and fully predictable. In general they say rainy season starts late October. Although the average numbers are based on many decades of data recording, today it seems less and less possible to count on those stats and give a solid prediction. November 2014 and 2015 where really dry and hot, while those are the months we expect the most rainfall.
So in a way it's a bit of luck too and you can expect either way.
Ubud has a very pleasant climate, although during the hottest time of the day it is recommended to stay out of the sun. Bali's central mountain area is typically cooler than the lower coastal areas. Especially at night temperatures can drop significantly – so if you want to travel after the training, do bring some long-sleeved shirts and warmer clothes.
|
|
|