Usefull information for visiting Bali: including Visa, money and cost information
The table below showing the average distance for Bali, this will help you to decide your travelling to Bali.
VISA, MONEY & COSTS INFORMATION:
VISA
Entering Indonesia without any visa is possible only for nationals of the following 11 countries and territories: Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Citizens of the above countries will be issued on arrival a stay permit for 30 days free of charge upon presentation of a passport which is valid at least for another 6 months. This stay permit cannot be extended or converted into another type of visa.
VISA on ARRIVAL (VoA)
This facility is available for nationals of the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Maldives, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, People's Republic of China, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Citizens of these countries will be able to apply for a VoA valid for either 7 or 30 days upon arrival by air in Bali. A 7-day visa costs US$10 and a 30-day visa costs US$25.
The VoA cannot be extended or converted into any other kind of visa. Also be aware that Immigration officials calculate the 30-day period as follows: your arrival day is counted as your first day, and you must leave the country on the 30th. day!
How to Obtain the "VISA on ARRIVAL" (VoA)
Travellers from the above countries must be in possession of a passport which is valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival and the completed embarkation/disembarkation card they received from their airline. They must also be able to prove they have sufficient funds for their stay in Indonesia.
[Click the map to enlarge]
MONEY AND COSTS
Once you are in Bali, the cost of living is quite inexpensive.
Bali, being part of Indonesia, uses the Indonesian currency, the Rupiah (abbreviated, Rp.) as its monetary unit.
Banknotes come in a range of denominations, including the commonly available Rp.100,000, Rp.50,000, Rp.20,000, Rp.10,000, Rp.5,000, Rp.1,000, Rp.500 and Rp.100 notes, while useful coin denominations are Rp.100 and Rp.50.
All of the notes and coins are reasonably distinctive, but take care while you are getting used to dealing with the cash as there are a mix of old and new styles in circulation.
Exchange rates have run up to around Rp.10,000 to one U.S. dollar (see Google for current rates). Always check your local newspapers for current exchange rates, but expect a lesser rate when converting to Rupiah, as commissions will be charged on the conversion transactions.
Most major credit cards are acceptable at hotels, large restaurants, department stores, travel agencies and many businesses that cater to the tourist trade, including galleries, arts and craft sellers. Use creditcards for major expenses. It will also give you the best exchange rates. VISA and Mastercard are the most widely accepted cards.
The authorised money changer at the airport may offer lower rates than in the more popular tourist areas, so be sure to have a small note (no larger than about $10 or $20) ready to cash there, and move on an alternative location to cash larger amounts.
Ask about fees and charges. Many money changes add a service fee after calculating the rate. This is often negotiable.
Money changer's will give a slightly better rate for larger currency notes such as US Hundred dollar bills as opposed to $10's, $20's or $50's.
Try to keep small denomination notes and coins for public bus fares if you intend to use this mode of transport, for entry donations to temples, and for use in telephones or small restaurants and bars when a cooling drink is required.
Bargaining is customary at markets and small shops, but is not accepted in supermarkets, department stores and boutiques. Look for signs that indicate "fixed price" before attempting to bargain
If you make frequent phone calls, buy a phone card.
Often, you may be able to obtain a product or service for as little as one third of the initial asking price, but one half is typical. Service and craft goods are more likely to be sold at a lower cost than manufactured goods, as the seller must make some profit to earn a living, and the margins may be less depending upon the wholesale source of the goods.