Below is some Advice for a trouble-free holiday in Bali. If you do have problems don't forget to contact your nearest consulate!

Immigration

You must have a minimum of six months validity in you passport upon entry into Indonesia and have proof of onward destination.
Visas are not required for nationals of:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Morocco, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom (Great Britain), United States of America, United Emirate Arab, Yugoslavia, Venezuela.
The maximum stay permitted two months and is not extendible.

Customs

Indonesian Customs allows on entry a maximum of ;
 one liter of alcoholic beverages,
 200 cigarettes or 50 Cigars or 100 grams of tobacco
 reasonable amount perfume per adult.

The following need to be declared when entering the country;
 cars
 photographic equipment
 typewriters
 tape recorders

Prohibited from entry are;
 television sets
 radios
 narcotics
 arms and ammunition
 printed matter in Chinese characters
 chinese medicines.

Also note:
All movie films and video cassettes must be censored by the Film Censor Board.
Fresh fruits, plants and animals must have quarantine permits.

There is no restriction on import or export of foreign currencies. However, the export or import of Indonesian currency exceeding Rp.50,000 is prohibited.

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Departure Tax

There's a departure tax on domestic ( Rp. 20,000) and international (Rp. 100.000) flights. Only children under two years of age are exempt.

Medical Insurance

Make sue you have medical insurance before you leave your country. Medical bills can be quite costly and having medical insurance could save your life. Contract your travel agent to get information on recommended medical insurance plans. Don't forget, if you extend your travel in Bali , you should also extend your insurance cover.

Health

 Travelers should be aware that the Blood Bank in Bali normally carries no stock of Rhesus (Rh) Negative blood.
 Personal Security
You could be robbed at any time. Watch out for pickpockets and bag-snatchers, and always lock your hotel room and car.
 Keep your valuables (passport, airline ticket, credit cards, travellers cheques and cash) in a safe deposit box at your hotel, or at a bank.
 Secure the key in your money belt; don't leave it in your hotel room when you go out.
 Money belts are better than 'bum bags', which are an open invitation to pickpockets. Hide your money belt under your clothes.
 Carry your handbag on the side of the road furthest from the roadway.
Keep copies of your travel documents and emergency contact details on your person.
 An unattended car can be broken into within minutes. If you are touring in Indonesia, either carry everything with you when you leave the car, or find somewhere to stay first and secure items at the hotel before you go out.
 If you really need to travel with all your valuables, secure items in various places rather than lose everything if one bag is stolen.

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Driving

 To drive legally in Indonesia you must have a current Indonesian or International Driver's License that is valid for the type of vehicle you are driving.
 If you rent a vehicle and you don't have such a license, you will be driving illegally and your insurer may refuse any claim you make.
 Insist on paying for comprehensive insurance when you rent a vehicle. Negotiations with vehicle owners and families of injured parties can take at least a week to resolve. If you have organized comprehensive insurance, the rental agency is responsible.
 You wouldn't ride without a helmet in your own country; don't when overseas. Check your travel insurance does it cover motorcycle riding?
 Most companies that rent motorcycles only provide flimsy helmets. Bring a proper helmet with you or only rent from a company that supplies them.
 Wear protective clothing (not shorts and thongs).

Characteristics of driving in Bali.
 Get use to bikes and cars swerving into your lane without indicating.
 Watch out for large holes in the road or obstacles such as small trees to indicate where holes are.
 Many food carts and salespeople operate off the side of the road- beware.
 Merging traffic only give way if they are smaller than you.
 Every man for himself when entering a round-a-bout.
 There are many one lane roads and you may have to go quite a distance to return to the same location.
 Balinese are not use to drivers driving with there parking or head lights on during the daytime.
 Watch out for drivers, including trucks and buses overtaking on busy roads.

Water Sports Safety

 Check your travel insurance does it cover water sports?
 Bali's beaches have strong 'rips'. Only swim between the lifesavers' flags. Don't swim in the sea at night or when the beach is unpatrolled.
 'Jet-ski' accidents are common because of the speed these craft travel at. Be careful.
 Don't 'para-sail' with cheap, unlicensed amateurs. Only use major companies that are insured.

Emergency Contact Details

 Remember, friends and relatives may need to contact you in an emergency. Here are some tips:
 Leave copies of your itinerary, passport and insurance policy with friends or relatives.
 If you don't have any firm plans, make a schedule to call home regularly and stick to it.
 Update your contact details through the airline you are traveling with (sometimes messages are left with the airline for forwarding).

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Money

 Lost of stolen travellers cheques can be replaced - stolen cash is gone! By the way, the old paper banknotes can be difficult to exchange.
 Ask you bank about drawing cash from you account anywhere in the world via your ATM keycard and the CIRRUS system. It may be best to have a credit card available just for emergencies?
 Be careful with you money at money changers. Some money changers have 'adjusted calculators, as well as forget to tell you they have deduct unadvertised commissions and use many other magical tricks to take your money.
 Try to reputable authorized moneychangers that do no t charge a commission. Always count your Rupiah yourself before leaving the premises.

Drugs

 Don't allow drugs to spoil your holiday in Bali.
 Like many popular tourist destinations around the world, the drug penalties in Indonesia are severe.

Tipping

This in not a general practise in Bali. Most of the larger hotels and restaurants add a service charge and tax which on average is around 20%. In smaller establishments tips are not expected but appreciated!

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HAVE A GREAT AND SAFE TRIP!

NB: While every care has been taken in preparing this information, neither bali-hotels-network.com. nor its agents or employees can accept liability for any injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained herein.

Lomban Festival
January 2006

An annual festival held by fishermen giving thanks to the seas for what they have caught throughout the year and also for good fortune in the coming year.

Saraswati Festival
18th February 2006

A day devoted to Dewi Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge, Art       & Literature, with blessings and special offerings.

Pagerwesi Festival
22nd February 2006

The name `Pagerwesi' literally means `iron fence', a day of ceremonies and prayers to create mental and spiritual defense against all kinds of bad elements, held to welcome in the Galungan holiday.

Tumpek Landep
4th March 2006

A day devoted to Sanghyang Pasupati, Lord of all heirlooms, weapons and tools made of metal for proper function and magical power, held at every family compound, smith's workshop and temple, with temple celebrations all over the island.

Nyepi (The Day of Silence)
30th March 2006

A celebration of Balinese New Year, also known as `Icaka New Year', observed by total silence and stillness throughout the island.

Galungan Festival
3rd May & 29th November 2006

The most important festival for Balinese, symbolizing the victory of Dharma (Virtue) upon Adharma (Evil), filled with cultural rites and ceremonies.

Kuningan Festival
13th May & 9th December 2006

This festival is held ten days after the Galungan Festival, signifying the closing of the new year holiday.

Wesak Festival
13th May 2006.

A celebration of the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.

Bali Arts Festival
1st June - 31st July 2006

A month-long annual festival featuring an amazing display of the many facets of Bali's culture with performances and processions.

Kite Festival
12th- 15th August 2006

A festival showcasing hundreds of kites in a myriad of shapes, sizes and colours, from all over the world, with competitions and demonstrations.

Negara Bull Races
July - October 2006

Gaily-decorated water buffalos are used to pull tiny carts at high speed down the race track, in an occasion to celebrate the end of the rice harvesting season.

Nusa Dua Festival
September 2006

This week-long festival showcases the rich and vibrant culture of Bali, with performances, exhibitions and a grand procession.

New Year's Day

1st January 2006

Eid-ul Adha

10th January 2006

Chinese New Year

29th January 2006

Islamic New Year (Awal Muharam)

31st January 2006

Nyepi Day (Hindu Lunar New Year)

30th March 2006

The Prophet's Birthday

10th April 2006.

Good Friday

14th April 2006

Easter

16th April 2006

Wesak Day

13th May 2006

Ascension Day

25th May 2006

Independence Day

17th August 2006

The Prophet's Ascension

21st August 2006

Eid-ul Fitr

23rd - 25th October 2006

Christmas Day

25th December 2006

Eid-ul Adha

31st December 2006