East Bali

Visas

Citizens of another 87 countries are eligible to obtain one of the following visas:

• Electronic Visa On Arrival (e-VOA/B213)
• Electronic Visitor Visa
• Social, Tourist, or Cultural Visa (B211)
• Free Visa Stamp
• Multiple Entry Visa

Some passport holders are eligible to apply for an online e-VOA or Visitor Visa, otherwise, you must obtain a visa in advance at an Indonesian embassy or consulate. If you get the e-VOA before you arrive, you have the option to extend by simply filling out a new Indonesia eVisa application form online, but must first leave the country in order to request a new visa.

Visas issued at the airport on arrival can only be extended through an immigration office, which should be done 14-7 days before expiry.

Visitor Visa is a single-entry visa valid for a 30-day stay in Indonesia with the purpose of Tourism, Government visits, Business Meetings, Goods Purchasing, or Transit only and is not extendable.

The B211 is a 60-day visa for visiting family, friends or an employment trial and can be extended 3 times by 30-days. More hoops to jump through including being sponsored by an eligible Guarantor. Cost IDR 2,000,000.

9 neighbouring countries get a Free Visa Stamp for stays of up to 30 days maximum with no extensions permitted (Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam).

Multi Entry, investment, sport and journalist 60-day visas are available through the main portal.

The 30-day e-VOA & Visitor Visa fee is IDR 500.000. You may be asked for proof of your return flight details and proof of financial resources.

DO NOT overstay as the fines aren’t cheap (IDR 1,000,000/day) and they can stop you from re-entering for a period of time. As always, check for any updates before you book your trip, as visa policy has changed a few times in recent years.

Getting There

Many flights from Denpasar Airport (Kuta) to all corners of the world or else connect to Jakarta for more choice. National airline Garuda has recently had an EU ban lifted and plans massive expansion to include EU and US routes direct to Bali. Boards are included in baggage allowance at $5/kg excess. Ferry links from Java (Ketapang - Gilimanuk) and Lombok (Lembar - Padang Bai or Gili/Teluk Nare - Benoa). There are trains from Jakarta to Surabaya then to the ferry port at Ketapang, where the bus takes over. Noisey, slow, smoke-filled bus service runs from Jakarta (takes 24hrs) or Yogya (16hrs) to Denpasar. Lorena buses have the best reputation.

Getting Around

Getting across the island from the airport to Sanur used to be on the terrifyingly busy Ngura Rai By-Pass road which meant travelling into the Kuta congestion first. These days, the journey has been simplified and speeded up by the building of the Mandara Toll Road, which spans the waters of Benoa Harbour and also connects to the eastern Bukit, making missions to Nusa Dua far simpler and quicker. Costs 4500rp for a motorbike and 11000rp for a car, which disuades many locals from using it. If staying in a Sanur hotel, you could get away with just boating out to the reefs, but if you want to surf Keramas, a car or bike is crucial. Outer reef boat rides are available at various points along the beachfront. Pay for both ways so you get collected at the agreed time you think you will end your session. Boats to Lembongan are best taken from Benoa harbour.

International license required to drive in Indonesia. Motorbike rentals from $5/d. Board shoulder straps are essential although some bikes have racks. 4WD Suzuki rental is $23/d; air-con is worth it. Driving conditions are sketchy – expect vehicles on wrong side of road, wrong way down one way streets or even on the footpath! Bemos (local unmarked taxis) are everywhere and drivers are always asking tourists “transport?”. New bitumen roads have made break access simple, but Kuta traffic has become incredibly congested – allow extra time mid-afternoon. Pay a few thou’ rupiah to park everywhere. Cycling works quite well around Kuta/Legian. Boats to Nusa Lembongan leave from Sanur/Benoa and take 1h30 ($7).

Accommodation

A true kaleidoscope of accommodation can be found in Bali starting with sublime beach front or back-alley Kuta losmans (guest houses) that cost from $8-$25/night and finishing with the ridiculous exclusive resorts of Nusa Dua or Jimbaran for anything up to $8000 per night. There are many surf camps offering all inclusive packages (transfers, accom, board hire, lessons, transport, guiding, etc) for reasonable prices starting around $40/d (Balicamp, Kima) for room/bungalow to $70+ for self contained family houses. Villa rentals are widely available, especialy around Canggu and the Bukit. Large scale development on the Bukit has all but ended the super-cheap beach warung option and replaced it with rooms for around $10-15/n with basic amenities. Classic Indonesian dishes like nasi goreng (fried rice) and sate ayam (chicken sate) are delicious and as cheap as $2-3. Great seafood available – try the Jimbaran fish restaurants.

Activities

While Indonesia is the most populous muslim nation in the world, the Balinese practice an unusual form of Hinduism with a dash of Buddism and Animism, creating a fascinating religious culture centred on ritual ceremonies and offerings. Favourite tourist haunts include the artist village of Ubud, sunrise over Lake Batur and the lofty volcanic peak of Agung mountain, which dominates the landscape. There are also famous temples (Uluwatu, Tanah Lot, Besakih), myriad shopping opportunities and great restaurants serving international and local Indonesian meals. Kuta nightlife is a legendary, hedonistic melting pot of nightclubs and parties fuelled by cheap(ish) alcohol.

Hazards & hassles

Mosquitos carry dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and malaria (officially not present on Bali) – avoid bites. Considering the lack of sewage treatment and general sanitation levels, it’s not surprising that cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, Bali-belly and TB are prevalent. Avoid rivermouths. Don’t drink local water supply, ice or fruit/veg not freshly peeled/cooked. Dogs can carry rabies. Be careful of thieves, scammers and hustlers – drugs are a big no-no. Motorbike road-rash or shallow reef-rash are the biggest threats. If injured seriously, many recommend flying to Singapore or Darwin for hospital treatment as opposed to entering Denpasar Hospital. Private clinics and hospitals have improved treatment facilities but are expensive cash up front deals – get medical insurance!

Handy Hints

Kuta has the highest concentration of well-stocked surf shops in the world and prices may compare favourably when looking at high airline board charges. It is possible to sell your gear to local shops and giving kids your spare boards, boots, leg ropes is normal practice. Learn some basic Indonesian, which is easy to pick up. Be courteous to the local surfers who may include surfing legends Made Kasim, Wayan Suwenda, Ketut Menda, Wayan Ganti, Made Switra, Rizal Tandjung, Ismael Dooley and Made Adi Putra to name just a few.

Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.