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About Bali

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About Bali
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About Bali

Bali, one of the 13,000 islands that form the Republic of Indonesia, attracts thousands of tourists each year with its culture and atmosphere.

From volcanoes that dominate the landscape, to beautiful beaches, Bali offers magnificent views and endless places to explore.

As well as the breathtaking scenery, the people of Bali are steeped in culture, history and art. Ceremonies, dances and performances are regular occurrences, earning Bali its reputation as the “Island of the Gods.”

Weather

As Bali is located just south of the equator and has a tropical climate, conditions are hot and humid all year round. The average temperature is around 29 C or 85 F, although it can get considerably cooler in the more mountainous regions, where it can reach as low as 10 C during the early hours of the morning.

The island only has two seasons, wet and dry. The wet season normally extends from November to April, the dry season from May to October.

The dry season is categorised by the constant winds blowing over the island, referred to during earlier centuries as the trade winds. A local custom taking advantage of this fact is kite flying and visitors are able to view the Balinese skies hosting many colourful kites.

During the wet season, while there will be days that are almost completely rainy, the majority of the time showers are limited to an hour or two during the afternoon, with the rest of the day being cloudy or sunny.

Currency

Bali uses the currency of Indonesia, the Indonesian Rupiah. However, being a major tourist destination, it is easy to change any major currency (such as Australian Dollars, Japanese Yen, American Dollars, British Pounds, etc) at banks and authorised currency exchange centres, known as ‘Money Changers’ (of which there are many). Credit card advances from ATM’s (only in Indonesian Rupiah) are also available at the numerous banks, most of which are located in major tourist areas and towns.

Major credit cards are normally accepted at upmarket stores, hotels and restaurants. Outside of that, visitors to Bali will find that the bulk of their transactions will take place in cash. In the major towns and cities on the island, ATM machines dispensing Rupiah (supporting Plus® and Interact® systems that allow one to access one’s bank accounts from their home country) can be easily found. Money Changers can also be used for their ease and convenience. Some charge commission and their rates of exchange do vary, hence it is worth shopping around for the best overall exchange deal, especially if there are large sums involved.

Electricity

The island uses 220v electricity. The plug style is southern European, the one with two parallel rounded prongs. Adapters for other electric systems are provided at our villa and can be purchased locally, but if needed, it is advisable to bring them with you to avoid unnecessary annoyances.

Telecoms

Modern cell phone towers are dotted around Bali, and coverage is quite good. Visitors with GSM services from overseas (prevalent in most of Europe and Asia but different than those of North America and Japan) that are roaming enabled for Indonesia, will discover that coverage is fairly good.

Disposable prepaid rechargeable SIM chips with Indonesian numbers with internet service are also readily available for purchase at a reasonable price in Bali.

From overseas – The country code for the Indonesia is 62 and the area code for land lines in southern Bali is (361). To call a local Bali number from overseas, one should first call the overseas access code, followed by the country code for Indonesia, and then the area code for Bali. Mobile numbers in Indonesia are all in the (81) area code.

From within Indonesia but outside of Bali – to place a domestic call to Bali, one must first place a zero in front of the area code and local number. The same applies for a mobile number. Mobile numbers always take a zero in front of them when one is calling domestically.

Internet

At all our villas we have FREE Wi-Fi. We also have a desktop for your convenience.

Most tourist areas are dotted with Internet cafes, several with broadband connections. Some are open 24 hours a day, but most open from 10am until 10pm. Usage rates vary and are dependent on type and length of computer use.

Health

One of the most important facts about Bali is that unlike many other areas in the region, it is non malarial. Therefore any malaria prophylactics are unnecessary, unless you plan to travel into a malarial region. Bali supports a number of Western trained health professionals along with several expatriate doctors who work in some of the local clinics and hospitals. This infrastructure suffices for the majority of any health problems. In more serious cases, Singapore’s worldclass physicians and institutions are just two hours away by plane.

First time visitors to tropical locations and this part of the world are advised to first talk to their physicians about recommended immunisations before travelling. This should be done at least three weeks before your planned departure date. If you plan to bring any prescription medications with you, bring a copy of your doctor’s prescription to avoid unnecessary trouble from Indonesian customs. Traveler’s health insurance is recommended.

One key thing to remember about Bali is that it is located just 80 south of the equator and consequently, the air temperature is very hot. Visitors should be very careful in their tanning habits in order not to get burnt, especially right after arrival. Further more it is recommended to make an effort to drink more fluids than normal in order to avoid dehydration.

Tours and Activities

For the conveyance and stress free holiday, we offer various tour and activity packages for our guests. For further details please see ( link to Tour and Activities Packages).

Bali’s traffic at first view seems completely chaotic. Appearances are not deceiving, as it is essentially, a large disorganised mess. In the south end of the island, where the preponderance of the traffic is, the majority of the roads are paved. However a paved road does not always ensure that the road’s surface will be flat; maintenance in Bali leaves something to be desired. If one goes anywhere else on the island, you will discover a combination of paved and unpaved roads.

Villa Seriska’s driver/guide is recommended for visitors who are not accustomed to driving in developing countries. In addition, taxis are numerous and cheap in the urban areas.

Most forms of transportation such as motorcycles, cars, jeeps, and bicycles, are available for short term and long term hire. Villa Seriska will be able to help you organise any form of transportation you desire.

Visas

New Indonesian visa regulations introduced recently have made Bali a visa free destination.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Indonesia, and you must have proof of onward passage (either return or through tickets). If you cannot fulfil both of these requirements, you may not be allowed to enter the country

This information is correct at the time of publication, but for current and further information; we recommend that you check with your local Indonesian embassy or online before travelling to Bali.

Time Zones

Bali is on Central Indonesian Standard Time, the middle of Indonesia’s three time zones, which is Greenwich meantime plus 8 hours. This is the same time zone as Singapore, Hong Kong, and Western Australia.

Insurance

Holidays, like everything else in life, occasionally take a wrong turn. Villa Seriska shall under no circumstances have any liability to hirer, any other occupier, licensee, or guest on the property for any loss of or damage to the personal belongings, car and its contents of the hirer or any member of the party during the holiday. It is recommended that all visitors ensure that they are covered in terms of travel insurance.

Clothing

When packing, keep in mind that you will be in the tropics (the average year round temperature being 29 degrees centigrade) but that it can get cold if you plan to visit the elevated and mountainous regions. Generally, you will want to dress light and wear natural fibres that absorb perspiration.

For the most part, visitors to Bali dress fairly casually, with beachwear and sandals being the choice of many. At night, a lightweight sweater or light jacket can be useful if one is very temperature sensitive. For the many upscale restaurants and other aspects of the nightlife, the dress tends to be smart tropical casual. A long or short sleeved collared shirt and long pants (trousers) for men, with light dresses for the ladies. It should be noted that if you don’t bring everything you need with you, there are a variety of clothes suited to tropical climates and available for purchase in Bali’s many boutiques and shops.