Did you know?
Trees have spiritual significance in Bali and you'll often see them decorated with scarves and pieces of check cloth.
Language
Mostly Bahasa Indonesia. English is spoken in most resorts.
Visas
None required for
UK nationals.
Getting there
There are flights from
London via
Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore to Denpasar, the Balinese capital, some requiring a change of plane.
Getting around
The main way to get around is by Bemo, a minibus or van with a row of seats down each side. There are also tourist shuttle buses. You can rent a car, bike or moped but the roads can be hazardous because of potholes, people and animals. In the resorts, you can get around on foot. If you want to visit different parts of the island, an organised tour can be more convenient than taking public transport.
Currency
Indonesian Rupiah
Costs
A local beer is from 50p and a restaurant meal from £3 - more in resort hotels. Taxis are cheap and charge 4,000 rupiah (about 30p) plus 2,000 rupiah (about 15p) per kilometre but rates go up at night when drivers may refuse to use the meter.
Weather
In this tropical climate, temperatures are in the 80s all year. May to October are the driest months with almost no rainfall.
Time difference
Eight hours ahead of GMT.
International dialling code from the
UK 00 62 361
Voltage
220-240v (mostly with European-style, two-roundpin plugs, so take an adaptor). Some smaller villages still use 110v.
Opening hours
Most shops open 8am to 4pm Mon-Fri and also on Saturday mornings but supermarkets open longer. Banks open 8am to 2pm Mon-Fri and 8am to around 11am on Saturdays. Museums are shut on Mondays.
Health - Before you go
There are no compulsory vaccinations but hepatitis A, polio and typhoid jabs are recommended. The malaria risk is very low on Bali and is most common just after the rainy season but is only likely to affect people trekking in the north and west of the island - check with your GP for the latest updates. Good travel insurance is recommended.
Health - When you are there
Stick to bottled water. It's easy to get sunburnt so slap on plenty of sunscreen.
Warnings
Since it was the target for a major terrorist attack in October 2002, the Government has been cautious in its advice to travellers to Bali Visitors should consult the Foreign Office website for the latest information at
http://www.fco.gov.uk Emergency
Police 110, fire 113, ambulance 118.
Customs
When visiting temples, show due respect by covering up. You may be asked to wear a temple scarf around your waist and if you're planning to visit several temples, it might be worth bringing your own. Be aware that pregnant women may not be allowed into temples. Pointing or summoning someone with your finger is considered impolite.
Pets
Indonesia is not part of the Pet Travel Scheme so leave your cats and dogs at home.
Tipping
Resort hotels and restaurants add service charges and although Bali does not have a culture of tipping, rounding up the bill or leaving loose change in a bar is appreciated as wages are low.
Tourist office
Indonesian Embassy, 38 Grosvenor Square,
London W1K 2HW. Tel 020 7499 7661. Visa information line (£1 a minute) 0906 550 8962.