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)

Money& 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.9,800 to one U.S. dollar, or around Rp.12,000 to one Euro. 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.

There is no real need to convert all of your currency into travellers cheques as most foreign banknotes are accepted at banks and money changers. Often cash will yield a better exchange rate.

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.

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.

Always calculate (even if only in round figures) the amount you expect when you make a conversion transaction.

Change sums you can calculate easily, like $100. Write down the amount you expect. Always go with a friend, to check together. Check the notes you receive, to ensure Rp.1,000 notes aren't substituted for Rp.10,000 notes.

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.

If you have just made a big withdrawal go straight back to your hotel and deposit your money in a deposit box there.

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.

Try not to flash your wads of money around too much (Rp.100,000 may only be a small amount to you, but may represent a weeks salary to a reasonably well paid hotel or restaurant worker, and perhaps a months wages to a worker or farm labourer).

here are many ATM's in Bali, generally located in shopping centres, and in areas nearby to the large hotels and tourist precincts. Be careful though, as almost all banks and credit facilities charge high fees for withdrawals and cash advances from overseas ATM's. Ask your bank about their overseas withdrawal charges before deciding between travellers cheques or ATM's as your travelling money source. Some ATM's have pretty low limits (maybe Rp.400,000 - approximately USD$40-50) but you can just put your card in again and withdraw more, up to the daily limit set by your bank at home.

Using credit cards for major expenses. It will also give you the best exchange rates.

VISA and Mastercard are the most widely accepted cards.

People will ask you, "where are you staying?". If you answer honestly that you are staying in a private villa, you will pay more for everything you buy. When asked, always tell shop owners and stall holders that you are staying in a budget hotel.

There have been reports from travellers who claim to have been robbed by money changers who use a variety of tricks to short change customers during exchange transactions. The tricks include...

An idea of costs...

The prices shown above are indicative and may vary widely, and you may find better, or you may have to pay more. To gain the best price, in some instances you must bargain. 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. (Thanks to: www.werple.net.au)