Balinese Adventure Tips

Bali is a generally an excellent destination for 1st time international travelers. It is safe and fairly easy to navigate. The people are friendly and willing to engage with tourists. English is widely spoken so you can communicate with your environment and the weather is a tropical heaven if you go between April and October.

Bali is a Hindu province in Indonesia, east of Java and west of Lombok. The capital is Denpasar, and this is also where the only international airport is located.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning for a trip to Bali on your own.

We suggest you add the following to your trip planning tick list.

Visas, vaccination requirements, currency and cash requirements, local SIM card options, airport transfers and local guide, tours, and temple etiquette.

Visa and Passport requirements

Make sure your passport is valid for at least another 6 months after your return date.

South African citizens travelling with a South African passport need a Visa to travel to Bali.

We can apply for a Visa on Arrival from the Visa Desk at Denpasar Airport,

Or we can apply for an electronic visa using the following link. https://molina.imigrasi.go.id/. Visa charges are about R650.00.

Electronic applications can be made anytime from 14 days to 48 hours before you depart. This visa is valid for 30 days.

Print the visa once it is ready and take it with you on your Balinese adventure. This will save you the time of having to apply for one at Denpasar airport.  

Customs requirements

A customs declaration form must be completed before you leave the baggage collection area. Your next stop is customs inspection where you need to present it along with your passport and your boarding pass.

Adventure tip: take a bathroom break on the plane before arrival to get to the customs queue as quickly as possible.

Bali supports online electronic customs declarations. The below link can be used to access and complete the form 2 days before your flight.

This cannot be completed earlier due to the system not allowing arrival dates earlier than 2 days before the flight.

https://ecd.beacukai.go.id/ 

At the end of the electronic declaration process, you are provided with a QR code which you then present to the customs officials. We recommend that you download this QR code and keep it on your phone.

From here you will be directed either directed straight to the exit or towards the X-ray screening. If you are selected for x-ray screening of your luggage you may also be selected for a personal inspection by customs officials.

Adventure tip: be polite. A bad attitude will be met with a thorough inspection of your luggage.

Vaccination requirements

Currently you do not need to be vaccinated to enter or exit Bali. A COVID-19 vaccination certificate is also no longer required.

Currency and cash requirements

Bali makes use of the Indonesian Rupiah. The exchange rate is quite favorable for South Africans at about IDR800 for R1.

It is advised to have some local currency with you when traveling because not everyone will accept cards and swiping will attract some additional charges that won’t make sense for smaller amounts.

You have several options when it comes to getting your hands on local currency.  

You can draw local currency from an ATM at Denpasar airport, but these machines have a limit to them of about IDR1 million to IDR2 million so you may need to withdraw again later.

Try use BNI ATMs and avoid any ATM that looks dodgy, old, and isolated.

Remember that you will be charged for each withdrawal so make the most of that transaction.

Adventure tip: Never use a Commonwealth ATM. These are notorious for swallowing cards and have the highest transaction fees.

You can also make use of the bank branches at the Denpasar airport if you arrive during business hours. The exchange will be slightly more expansive than using the ATM.

Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted in most places across Bali but expect to pay a 3% surcharge every time you swipe.

Local SIM Cards

Bali allows travelers to buy local SIM cards at Denpasar airport. It is advised to pick 1 up on your way out.

This way you can easily stay in touch with tour guides and google maps your way out of a wrong turn.

Transfers and Local Guides

The easiest way to get from the airport to your hotel is to pre-book your transfers to your destination before you arrive.

Once you are at your hotel you can make use of a few types of transport.

For trips around town, we suggest making use of taxis. Bluebird taxis are generally the best price to quality service. Check for the Bluebird branding on the side of the car because lots of taxis use blue cars so everyone tends to blend in.

Local trips to the beach or anything less than 5kms should not cost more than IDR50 and we suggest making use of scooter taxis for these kinds of trips. If you are going back to your hotel after a night of clubbing and you are a bit tips, expect of pay up to double that. However, in these instances the drivers will generally make sure that you are handed over to hotel security that guide you to your room. So, you’re not found spread out on the hotel lawn the next morning.

Always make sure you already know where it is that you want to go before you approach a taxi and make sure that the meter is engaged before the car starts driving. If you are not going to use the meter, agree on a price before departing or you at the mercy of the driver.

For local guides we suggest making use of Tama, our local tour guide in Bali. You can contact us for more information on him.

Temple Etiquette

The easiest way to blend in is to take a sarong with you when visiting any temple and wear a t-shirt that covers your shoulders. If you don’t have a sarong, many temples will provide one for a fee.

It goes without saying that entering a temple wearing a bikini or shirtless is quite offensive.

You will be required to take off your shoes to go inside temples. Pay attention to the way you position your feet when sitting inside a temple. They should never face the holy objects or shrines. When sitting down do so cross-legged or kneel with your feet facing backwards.

Using a flash when taking pictures degrade the artifacts of the temple.

The local customs do not allow pregnant women, women who have given birth in the previous 6 weeks, or women who are menstruating into temples. If temple hopping is high on your agenda when visiting Bali, you will need to plan around this.

Monkeys tend to inhabit areas around temples and have a tendency to steal your stuff. Be vigilant in these areas and hold onto your things. They will go for your sunglasses whilst they are on your head and your phone while you google something.

Now let the adventure begin.