Travel Tips in Bali

TIME
Indonesia is divided into three time zones with Bali on central Indonesia standard time which is Greenwich Mean Time plus eight hours.
CURRENCY
There is no restriction on import or export of foreign currencies, however, it is prohibited to import or export Indonesian currency exceeding Rp. 5.000.000,- The unit of currency is Rupiah (Rp), consists of : 
Coins : 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000
Notes : 1000, 2000, 5000, 10. 000, 50.000 and 100.000 
Note : Always check your change at the money changers, use your own calculator and always be the last to count your money
VISA/PASSPORT VALIDITY
Visa requirements differ for each country, kindly check with your local embassy if you may require a visa to enter Indonesia, but please ensure that your passport has a minimum of six months validity from the date of departure.
CUSTOM
Dress properly, wear sarong and sash on your waist when entering the Hindu temple, do not walk in front of the congregations who are still praying. It is considered impolite to wear miniskirt, short, and beach wear in the villages, towns, or public facilities and government offices.
SEASON AND CLIMATE
Bali has two seasons only i.e. dry season, from April to October, while rainy season is from November to March with the heavy rain in the end of December and in the beginning of January. Bali has such a mild and agreeable climate the whole year round, the temperature in the coastal area varies from 28 degrees celcius to 32 degrees celcius, while in the mountains it drops 6 degrees celcius.
CLOTHING
Bali lies just 8 degrees south of the equator, therefore light and loose cotton attire is more advisable for the day time, meanwhile a cotton sweater and trousers may be useful in the mountains.
HEALTH
There are mosquitoes in Bali but no malaria or rabies cases reported for the last decade, still the most certain way to avoid it is not to get bitten so bring mosquito repellent along and use it when it is getting dark. Hospital and health centers staffed by well trained doctors and medical assistants are available in major tourist resorts. Medicine can be obtained from the local chemist shops called "Apotik" in conformity with the doctor's prescription.
ELECTRICITY
220 volts 50 cycles throughout the country and major hotels have only two-round plug sockets. Check your appliance for a 100V/220V switch, if not you will need a voltage converter.
WATER
It is not recommended to drink from the tap of the hotel or outside function venue. Some hotels usually provided free bottled water in the room, if not you can buy it from the supermarket nearby.
TIPPING
A 10% service charge is added to the bill at hotels and restaurants but some places never ask it, for this, a small gratuity will be appreciated.
DEPARTURE TAX
On leaving Bali, every person is obliged to pay a passenger facility service charge Rp. 150.000 for international flight departure and Rp. 40.000 for domestic flight departure.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
Bali is linked via satellite to all major countries in the world and to make an international call can be made from any private house, business center, hotel, or any telecommunication center. Dial 001 or 008 then your country code and the telephone number. Internet services can be done in a place called "Warnet" that exist in all major tourist resorts or towns.
BUSINESS HOURS
Government offices open from 07.00hrs-14.00 hrs on Monday-Thusday, while on Friday they are open from 07.00 hrs -11.00 hrs, for Saturday and Sunday are closed. Local shops are open seven days a week from 09.00 hrs - 18.00 hrs while big store, department stores and supermarkets open from 09.00 hrs - 21.00 hrs.
SHOPPING
Bali is known as a treasure house of interesting goods, splendid local hand-woven materials, silver and gold works, woodcarvings, paintings, garments. But be careful because you have two options to buy things here, the good and real one and the fake one, don't pay for the fake one with the good and real thing price.
DANGERS AND ANNOYANCES
Theft is not an enormous problem, but visitors do lose things from unlocked hotel rooms or fro the beach. Always lock your room, even at night. Valuable items should be checked with reception or, if not needed, left in a security box. There are also some pickpockets and snatch thieves, so hang on to your bag and keep your money belt under your shirt.
WATER SAFETY
The surf can be very dangerous, with a strong current on some tides, lifeguards patrol swimming area of the beach, indicated by red-and-yellow flags. If they say the water is too rough or unsafe to swim, they mean it
DON'T........
Don't swim outside designated area on the beach, current can be very strong, swim between the red and yellow flags only
Don't do drugs, it can be carry the death penalty, and there are many foreigners residing in Bali courtesy of the government prison service.
Don't touch people's head, it is impolite to the Balinese.
Don't enter a temple during menstruation. Sorry ladies!
Don't forget to look and listen the while you cross the road, cars may stop but motorbikes may not.
Don't walk in front of the people praying.
Don't sit higher than the priest or the offerings.
CONSULATES
Australian Consulate (Includes Canada, N.Zealand, UK, Papua New Guinea), Jl. Hayam Wuruk 88B Denpasar.P.O. Box 243, Phone (62) 0361 241118, Fax (62) 0361 241120, E-mail ausconbali@denpasar.wasantara.net.id
Consular Agent of France, Jl. Mertasari Gang II No 8 Sanur Denpasar Phone (62) 0361 285483 Fax (62) 0361 286406 E-mail consul@denpasar.centrin.net.id 
ConsularAgent of the United States of America, Jl. Hayam Wuruk No.188 (Near the Renon Roundabout) Denpasar. Phone (62) 0361 233605 Fax (62) 0361 222426, E-mail amcobali@indosat.net.id 
Consular Agent of the Netherlands , Jl. Raya Kuta 127 Kuta, P.O Box 377 Denpasar, Phone (62) 0361 751517 Fax (62) 0361 752777 E-mail purwa@denpasar.wasantara.net.id
Consular Agent of Switzerland & Austria, Swiss Restaurant, Komplek Istana Kuta Galleria Blok 2 N0 12 Phone (62) 0361 751735 Fax (62) 0361 754457, E-mail swisscon@denpasar.wasantara.net.id
Honorary Consulate of Finland & Sweden , Segara Village Hotel, Jl. Segara Ayu, 80228. Phone (62) 0361 288407-8, Fax (62) 0361 287242 Sanur E-mail segara1@denpasar.wasantara.net.id
Honorary Consulate of Germany, Jl. Pantai Karang No.17, Sanur, P.O. Box 158 Denpasar, Phone (62) 0361 288535 Fax. (62) 0361 288826, E-mail dtkonsbali@denpasar.wasantara.net.id
Honorary Consulate of Norway & Denmark, Mimpi Resort Jimbaran, Kuta-Denpasar 80361, Phone (62) 0361 701070 Fax (62) 0361 701073/4, mimpi@mimpi.com
Japanese Consulate, Jl. Raya Puputan, Renon, Denpasar. Phone (62) 0361 227628 Fax (62) 0361 231308,
Mexican Consulate, Astina Tours, Jl. Hayam Wuruk No. 8 Denpasar. Phone (62) 0361 223552, Fax (62) 0361 231740, E-mail konjpdps@indo.net.id
Italian Consulate, Lotus Enterprise Building, Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai, Jimbaran, Ph./Fax. (62) 0361 701005, italconsbali@italconsbali.com
Honorary Consulate of The Czech Republic, Jalan Pengembak 17 Sanur, phone (62) 0361 286365 E-mail bali@honorary.mzv.cz
Brazil Honorary consulate, The Tea Store Jl. Raya Legian No 186 Kuta Phone (62) 0361 757775 Fax (62) 0361 751005
Hungary Honorary Consul, Marintur, Jl I Gusti Ngurah Rai Sanur Phone (62) 0361 287701 Fax (62) 0361 287456 E-mail cristofoli@denpasar.wasantara.net.id
Spain Honorary Consul, Komplek Istana Kuta Galleria Kuta Phone (62) 0361 769286 Fax (62) 0361 769186
UK Honorary Consul, Jl. Tirtanadi No 20 Sanur Phone (62) 0361 170601 Fax (62) 0361 287804 E-mail bcbali@dps.centrin.net.id
IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Fire 113
Police 110
Indonesian Red Cross 225-465
Ambulance 118
Rescue Coordination Office 751111 
Directory Enquiries 108
International Operator 101
Telemarketing Service 
Information 162
Post Service Information 161
Time 103
Immigration Office 227828, 7510388
Public Hospital 227-911
TOURIST INFORMATIONS
The Department of Tourism (Bali) has six Information Centres where booklets and brochures can be obtained free of charge.
Addresses : Ngurah Rai International Airport, Tuban, Phone : (0361) 751011
Bina Wisata Ubud, next to the Village Head's office in Ubud., Government Tourist Information Centre, Jl. Bunisari 36B, Kuta, Bali Government Tourism Office, Jl. S. Parman Niti Mandala, Denpasar, Phone : (0362) 222387 Buleleng Government Tourism Office, Jl. Veteran 23, Singaraja, Phone : (0361) 225141, Tourist Information Centre, Kaliasem, Lovina Beach.
POST OFFICES
Denpasar Main Post Office, Jl. Raya Puputan Renon, Denpasar, Phone 223 568 Kreneng Post Office, Jl. Kamboja, Denpasar, Kuta Post Office, Jl. Raya Tuban, Kuta, Sanglah Post Office, Jl. Diponegoro, Denpasar, Sanur Post Office, Br. Taman, Jl. Danau Buyan, Sanur, Phone 754 012, Singaraja Post Office, Jl. Gajah Mada, Singaraja, Ubud Post Office, Jl. Jembawan 1, Ubud
POLICE OFFICES
Police Headquarters (Mapolda Nusra), Jl. WR. Supratman, Denpa-sar, Phone 227 711, Badung Police Office, Jl. Gn. Agung, Denpasar,Phone 234 928, Bualu Police Office, Jl. By Pass Nusa Dua, Nusa Dua, Phone 772 110, Denpasar Police Office, Jl. A. Yani, Denpasar, Phone 225 456, Kuta Police Office, Jl. Raya Tuban, Kuta, Phone 751 598, Sanur Police Office, Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai, Sanur, Phone 288 597, Ubud Police Office, Jl. Raya Ubud, Ubud, (Next to District Head's office)
AIRLINES
CATHAY PACIFIC: Wisti Sabha building Ngurah Rai Airport ph. 766931, CONTINENTAL MICRONESIA: Grand Bali Beach Hotel, Sanur, Ph. 287774, EVA AIR: Wisti Sabha Administration Building, Ground Floor, Room No.4 Ngurah Rai Airport. Ph. 751011 ext 1638; Fax. 756488, GARUDA INDONESIA: at Natour Kuta Beach. Ph. 751179, LAUDA AIR : Gedung PAJ Jln. By Pass Ngurah Rai - Tuban Ph. 758686 MALAYSIA AIRLINES : Departure terminal at Ngurah Rai Airport. Ph.756132, MERPATI NUSANTARA : Jln. Melati No. 51, Denpasar Ph. 235358, QANTAS: Grand Bali Beach Hotel, Sanur. Ph.288331-3, SINGAPORE AIRLINES: Wisti Sabha building at Ngurah Rai airport phone 768388, THAI AIRLINES: Wisti Sabha Building, 2nd Floor Room 19, Ngurah Rai Airport. Ph.754856, ROYAL BRUNEI AIRLINES : Wisti Sabha Building, Ngurah Rai Airport. Ph.757292, CHINA AIRLINES: Wisti Sabha Building, 2nd Floor Room 19, Ngurah Rai Airport. Ph. 754856, JAPAN AIRLINES : Grand Bali Beach Hotel, Ph. 287576- 28757