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For other places with the same name, see Bali (disambiguation).

Bali is one of over 17,000 islands in the Indonesian archipelago and is located just over 2 kilometers from the eastern tip of the island of Java and west of the island of Lombok.

The island, home to approximately 4 million people, is approximately 144 kilometers from east to west and 80 kilometers north to south.

The island's varied landscape of hills and mountains, rugged coastlines and sandy beaches, lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides provide a picturesque backdrop to the colorful and deeply spiritual culture of this 'Island of The Gods'.

One of the world's most popular island destinations and one which consistently wins travel awards, Bali has something to offer for a very broad market of visitors from young back-packers right through to the super-rich.

[edit] Regions

South Bali (Kuta, Bukit Peninsula, Canggu, Denpasar, Jimbaran, Legian, Nusa Dua, Sanur, Seminyak, Tanah Lot) By far the most popular part of the island with the amazing Kuta Beach.

Central Bali (Ubud, Bedugul, Tabanan) The cultural heart of Bali and the central mountain range.

West Bali (Negara, Gilimanuk, Medewi Beach, Pemuteran, West Bali National Park) Ferries to Java and the West Bali National Park.

North Bali (Lovina, Singaraja) Quiet black sand beaches and the old capital city.

East Bali (Amed, Besakih, Candidasa, Kintamani, Klungkung, Mount Agung, Padang Bai, Tirta Gangga) Laid back coastal villages, an active volcano and the mighty Mount Agung.

Southeastern Islands (Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, Nusa Ceningan) Quiet offshore islands in the southeast, popular for diving activities.

[edit] Cities

• Denpasar — a bustling city, the administrative center and transport hub of the island but not a major tourist destination
• Candidasa — a quiet coastal town, the Bali Aga and gateway to the east coast
• Kuta — surfer central, by far the most heavily developed area in Bali. Lots of shopping and night-life and the center of lower-end party culture on Bali
• Jimbaran — sea-side resorts, a nice sheltered beach and seafood restaurants south of Kuta
• Legian — located between Kuta and Seminyak; also the name of Kuta´s main street
• Lovina — beautiful black volcanic sand beaches and coral reefs
• Sanur — sea-side resorts and beaches popular with older families
• Seminyak — quieter, more upscale beachside resorts and villas just to the north of Legian, with some fashionable upscale restaurants and trendy designer bars. Much of the better nightlife has moved into this area
• Ubud — the centre of art and dance in the foothills, with an interesting small palace, monkey forest and lots of arts and crafts shops

[edit] Other destinations

• Amed — an area of peaceful, traditional fishing villages featuring black sand beaches, coral reefs and excellent diving
• Bedugul — nice lakes in the mountains, a golf course, the botanical gardens and the famous Ulun Danu Bratan temple
• Kintamani — active volcano Mount Batur, great mountain scenery and fruit growing
• Mount Agung — highest mountain in Bali and the mother temple of Besakih
• Nusa Dua — an enclave of high-end resorts
• Nusa Lembongan — good diving, snorkeling and surfing and a great place to relax
• Tanah Lot — about 45 minutes north of Seminyak with one of Bali's important directional temple, a world renowned golf course and a sunset to die for
• Bukit Peninsula — the southernmost tip of Bali, with world class surfing, great beaches, and the can't-miss cliff-hanging Uluwatu Temple
• West Bali National Park — as off the beaten path as you will get in Bali

[edit] Understand

The word paradise is used a lot in Bali and not without reason. The combination of friendly, hospitable people, a magnificently visual culture infused with spirituality and (not least) spectacular beaches with great surfing and diving have made Bali Indonesia's unparalleled number one tourist attraction. Eighty percent of international visitors to Indonesia visit Bali and Bali alone.

The popularity is not without its flip sides — once paradisaical Kuta has degenerated into a congested warren of concrete, touts and scammers live on overcharging tourists, and the island's visibility has even drawn the unwanted attention of terrorists in 2002 and 2005 — but Bali has managed to retain its magic. Bali is a wonderful destination with something for everyone, and though heavily traveled, it is still easy to find some peace and quiet, if you like.

[edit] History

The first Hindus arrived on Bali as early as 100 BC but the unique culture which is so apparent to any current day visitor to Bali hails largely from neighbouring Java with some influence from Bali's distant animist past. The Javanese Majapahit Empire rule over Bali became complete in the 14th century when Gajah Mada, Prime Minister of the Javanese king, defeated the Balinese king at Bedulu.

The rule of the Majapahit Empire marks the strong influx of Javanese culture into Bali, most of all in architecture, dance, painting, sculpture and the wayang puppet theatre. All of this is still very apparent today.

The very few Balinese who did not adopt this Javanese Hindu culture are known today as the Bali Aga (Original Balinese) and still live in the isolated villages of Tenganan near Candidasa and Trunyan on the remote eastern shore of Lake Batur at Kintamani.

With the rise of Islam in the Indonesian archipelago the Majapahit Empire in Java fell and Bali became independent at the end of the 15th or beginning of the 16th century. The Javanese aristocracy found refuge in Bali bringing an even stronger influx of Hindu arts, literature and religion.

Divided among a number of ruling rajas, occasionally batting off invaders from now Islamic Java to the west and making forays to conquer Lombok to the east, the north of the island was finally captured by the Dutch in a series of brutal wars from 1846 to 1849. Southern Bali was not conquered until 1906 and eastern Bali did not surrender until 1908. In both 1906 and 1908, many Balinese chose death over disgrace and fought en masse until the bitter end, often walking straight into Dutch cannons and gunfire. This manner of suicidal fighting to the death is known as puputan. Victory was bittersweet as the images of the puputan highly tarnished the Dutch in the international community. Perhaps to make up for this, the Dutch did not make the Balinese enter into a forced cultivation system as had happended in Java and instead tried to promote Balinese culture through their policy of Baliseering or the "Balinisation of Bali".

Bali became part of the new republic of Indonesia in 1945. In 1965, after the failed coup d'etat which was allegedly backed by the Communist Party (PKI), state-instigated, anti-communist violence spread across Indonesia. In Bali, it has been said that the rivers ran red with the reprisal killings of suspected Communists — most estimates of the death toll say 80,000, or 5-8% of the population at the time.

The current chapter in Bali's history began in the seventies when intrepid hippies and surfers discovered Bali's beaches and waves, and tourism soon became the biggest income earner. Despite the shocks of the terrorist attacks in 2002 and 2005, the magical island continues to draw crowds and Bali's culture remains as spectacular as ever.

[edit] Culture

Unlike any other island in largely Muslim Indonesia, Bali is a pocket of Hindu religion and culture. Every aspect of Balinese life is suffused with religion, but the most visible signs are the tiny offerings (sesajen) found in every Balinese house, work place, restaurant, souvenir stall and airport check-in desk. These leaf trays are made daily and can contain an enormous range offering items: flowers, glutinous rice, cookies, salt and even cigarettes and coffee!. They are set out with burning incense sticks and sprinkled with holy water no less then three times a day, before every meal.

Balinese dance and music are also justly famous and a major attraction for visitors to the island. As on neighbouring Java, the gamelan orchestra and wayang kulit shadow puppet theatre predominate. Dances are extremely visual and dramatic and the most famous include:

• Barong or "lion dance" — a ritual dance depicting the fight between good and evil, with performers wearing fearsome lion-like masks. This dance is often staged specifically for tourists as it is one of the most visually spectacular and the storyline is relatively easy to follow. Barong dance performances are not hard to find.

• Calonarang — a spectacular dance which is a tale of combating dark magic and exorcising the evil spirits aligned with the witch-queen Rangda. The story has many variations and rarely are two Calonarang plays the same. If you can find an authentic Calonarang perofrmance, then you are in for a truly magical experience.

• Kecak or "monkey dance" — actually invented in the 1930s by resident German artist Walter Spies for a movie but a spectacle nonetheless, with up to 250 dancers in concentric circles chanting "kecak kecak", while a performer in the centre acts out a spiritual dance. An especially popular Kecak dance performance is staged daily at Uluwatu temple.

• Legong Keraton — perhaps the most famous and feted of all Balinese dances. Performed by young girls, this is a dance of divine nymphs hailing from 12th century Java. Try to find an authentic Legong Keraton with a full length performance. The short dance peformances often found in tourist restaurants and hotels are usually extracts from the Legong Keraton.

[edit] Festivals

The Day of Absolute Silence Nyepi is a very special day to the Balinese as this is the day that they have to fool all evil spirits that no one is actually on Bali - hence the need for silence. If this can be achieved, then it is believed that the evil spirits will go looking elsewhere for their prey and leave Bali island alone for another year. Balinese people are very religious and life is full of ritual - Nyepi is one of the most important days in their calendar. Police and security are on hand to make sure that everyone abides by this rule. Nyepi also serves to remind the Balinese of the need for tolerance and understanding in their everyday life. In fact, Hinduism on Bali is unique because it is woven into and around the original Balinese animistic religion. The two now have become one for the Balinese - a true sign of tolerance and acceptance! Nyepi Dates: 16th March 2010 (Caka Year 1932) 4th April 2011 (Caka Year 1933) 23rd March 2012 (Caka Year 1934)

There are an estimated 20,000 temples (pura) on the island, each of which holds festivals (odalan) at least twice yearly. With many other auspicious days throughout the year there are always festivities going on.

The large island-wide festivals are determined by two local calendars. The 210-day wuku or Pawukon calendar is completely out of sync with the western calendar, meaning that it rotates wildly throughout the year. The lunar saka (caka) calendar roughly follows the western year.

• Funerals (pitra yadnya) are another occasion of pomp and ceremony, when the deceased (often several at a time) are ritually cremated in extravagantly colorful rituals (ngaben).

• Galungan is a ten day festival which comes around every 210 days and celebrates the death of the tyrant Mayadenawa. Gods and ancestors visit earth and are greeted with gift-laden bamboo poles called penjor lining the streets. The last day of the festival is known as Kuningan.

• Nyepi, or the Hindu New Year is usually in March/April (next held on March 16, 2010). Also known as the day of absolute silence, absolutely everything on the island is shut down and tourists are confined to their hotels. If you are in Bali in the days preceding Nyepi, you will see amazing colorful giants (Ogoh Ogoh) being created by every banjar. On the eve of Nyepi, the Ogoh Ogoh are paraded through the streets, an amazing sight which is not to be missed.

All national public holidays in Indonesia apply in Bali, although Ramadan is naturally a much smaller event here than in the country's Muslim regions.

[edit] Reading

With its truly unique culture, Bali has inevitably been the subject of much attention from anthropologists, both amateur and professional. At a more informal level, much has been written about the island by interested visitors and artists in particular, some of whom made Bali their home. The following is a short list of such reading that would benefit any visitor before and during their visit to the island.

Island of Bali, (Periplus Classics Series), Miguel Covarrubias (Author), Adrian Vickers (Editor). When the Mexican artist Miguel Covarrubias wrote his outsider's impression of Balinese life and culture in 1937, he surely could not have imagined that well into the next century his work is still considered the most authoritative text on the subject. Absolutely vital reading and it is astounding how little has changed in Bali since the time this book was written. More on Covarrubias' time in Bali, including his wonderful paintings, can be found in the coffee table book Covarrubias in Bali (EDM Books) by Adrian Williams and Yu-Chee Chong.

A Short History of Bali: Indonesia's Hindu Realm (A Short History of Asia series), Robert Pringle. The history of Bali from pre-bronze age times to the start of the current millenium and an examination of Bali's importance and relevance to modern day Indonesia.

A Little Bit One O'clock: Living with a Balinese Family (Ersania Books), William Ingram. A whimsical, insightful and at times very touching account of an expat American living with a Balinese family in the 1990s.

The House of Our Ancestors (KITLV press), Thomas Reuter. Probably the most thorough (and readable) study of the Bali Aga, the pre-Majapahit indigenous Balinese.

A House in Bali (Tuttle), Colin McPhee. A classically trained musician who was spellbound when he heard a recording of Balinese gamelan music, McPhee traveled to Bali in the 1930s and wrote this superb insight into local music, life and culture. Still very relevant reading.

[edit] Climate

Day-time temperatures are pleasant varying between 20 and 33 degrees Celsius or 68 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. From December to March, the west monsoon can bring heavy showers and high humidity, but days are still often sunny with the rains starting in the late afternoon/evening and passing quickly. From June to September the humidity is low and it can be quite cool in the evenings. At this time of the year there is hardly any rain in the lowland coastal areas.

Even when it is raining across Bali you can often enjoy sunny days on the Bukit Peninsula which recieves far less rain than any other part of the island. On the other hand, in central Bali and in the mountains you should expect cloudy skies and showers throughout the year.

At higher elevations such as Bedugul or Kintamani it gets distinctly chilly and you will need either a sweater or jacket after the sun sets.

An important consideration is the tourist season, as Bali can get very crowded in July and August and again at Christmas and New Year. Australians also visit during school holidays in early April, late June and late September, while domestic tourists from elsewhere in Indonesia visit during national holidays. Outside these peak seasons, Bali can be surprisingly quiet and good discounts on accommodation are often available.

[edit] Time

Bali is in the UTC+8 time zone (known in Indonesia as WITA, Waktu Indonesia Tengah), same as Western Australia, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Hong Kong, one hour ahead of Jakarta.

[edit] Electricity

Electricity is supplied at 220V 50Hz. Outlets are the European standard CEE-7/7 "Schukostecker" or "Schuko" or the compatible, but non-grounded, CEE-7/16 "Europlug" types. Generally speaking, U.S. and Canadian travelers should pack a voltage changing adapter for these outlets, if they plan to use North American electrical equipment (although a lot of electronics with powr adapters will work on 220 volts, check your equipment first).

[edit] Tourism information centres

• Telephone: 166.
• Bali Tourism Board: Jl. Raya Puputan No. 41, Denpasar 80235, [1], tel: +62 361 235-600, fax.: +62 361 239-200.

Some major destinations in Bali have their own tourism ofices and contact details are given in the relevant destination article.

[edit] Talk

Balinese is linguistically very different from Bahasa Indonesia, although the Indonesian lingua franca is spoken by practically everybody. In tourist regions, English and some other foreign languages are widely spoken. Balinese is a difficult language and any visitor who makes an effort to speak a few words will be especially warmly recieved by the local people.

See also: Indonesian phrasebook

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Most visitors will arrive at Denpasar's Ngurah Rai international airport (IATA: DPS) [2]. Despite the misleading name, the airport is actually located between Kuta and Jimbaran, roughly 30 mins away from Denpasar.

Ngurah Rai is Indonesia's second-largest airport (second only to Jakarta) and a major hub well-connected to Australia, South-East Asia as well as the rest of Indonesia. In addition to national carrier Garuda [3], major airlines that serve Bali include Air Asia [4] (domestic, Malaysia and Singapore), Mandala [5] (domestic, Hong Kong, Taipei), Pacific Blue (Australia) and Jetstar (Australia and Singapore).

Note that if you are flying internationally into Ngurah Rai, most nationalities are now required to purchase an visa on arrival (VOA) at US$10/25 for 7/30 days; see the main Indonesia article for details. Few other currencies are accepted so it is a good idea to play safe and have the required dollars on hand. Flying internationally out of Bali, you are subject to the airport departure tax (150,000 Rupiah effective from 1st November 2007) which must be paid in Rupiah so save some bills for the trip out. The domestic airport departure tax is Rp. 30,000. All passports must be valid for a minimum of 6 (six) months from the date of entry into Indonesia.

With an ever increasing number of tourist arrivals and a double queueing system (VOA and then immigration), the arrivals hall is bursting at the seams during obvious holiday periods and throughout the top of the peak season (mid-July to end of August). Visitors at those times might want to consider organising a so-called VIP clearance whereby you are met off the plane by a representative who purchases your VOA and clears you through customs. This can save queueing for up to 2 and a half hours. Many hotels in Bali can organise this service for a charge of about US$ 30 per person. Bali Concierge [6] offers exactly the same service with the added benefit of a nice lounge to wait in, for US$ 50 per person.

The airport won't win any awards for style, but it's functional enough and has the usual complement of overpriced restaurants, duty-free shops, etc. ATMs which accept Cirrus and Plus cards for withdrawals are available in airport departure and arrival areas.

In terms of transportation, Ngurah Rai is probably the most hassle-free airport in all of south-east Asia. Some hotels organize free transfers from the airport, but there are plenty of other taxis also available: just go to the ticketing booth, on the right side just after the exit, buy a fixed-fare ticket and a driver will be assigned to you trouble-free. Approximate price for getting from Ngurah Rai to Legian is Rp. 40,000, to Ubud is a fixed Rp. 195,000. These are marginally higher than metered fares, so if you're really pinching pennies, head out to the main road and flag a cab or bemo from there.

Since the second Bali bombing, security at the airport has increased considerably and be prepared for rigorous scrutiny of luggage, including carry-on items. Arrivals are passed through customs, visas, a security checkpoint, and finally a mystery chemical puffer that sprays your body with some kind of moist and funny tasting substance. Departing, you will likely pass through a total of three security checkpoints, so be patient particularly when things are busy.

[edit] By bus

There are direct bus services to Bali from all major cities on Java as well as Lombok which link with ferries for sea crossings. These are cheap and easy, but slow. The national Perama bus company [7] is a good option for budget travellers.

[edit] By boat

Ferries cross from Gilimanuk in western Bali to Ketapang on the island of Java every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day and the crossing takes just 30 minutes (plus sometimes considerable waiting around, loading, unloading, etc).

A number of speedboats and catamarans operate from Benoa Harbour near Kuta (~2 hours) and Padangbai (80 min) to the Gili Islands of Lombok. These are expensive (~US$60 one way) but convenient. See the Gili Islands article for details.

There are also public ferries from Padangbai to Lembar (Lombok) every few hours, with the trip taking around 3.5 hours. This service has a notably poor safety record.

Cruise ships occasionally stop so that passengers can tour or shop. Some ships still anchor off-shore toward the southeast side of the island and tender guests to shore. Modest-sized ships can choose to dock at the port of Benoa not far from Denpasar, Kuta and Sanur. The dock area is basically industrial, with few amenities and no ATMs and the area nearby is somewhat rough. Masses of taxis are usually ready to whisk you to nearby destinations at a moderate cost.

[edit] Get around

Bali's a fairly big island and you'll need a method to get around, if you plan on exploring more than the hotel pool. The traffic is chaotic. There is a daily traffic jam in Denpasar, Kuta, and major tourist centers. Driving is on the left side.

For different excursions around the island sometimes, it is common to buy a trip via a hotel or at one of the street agencies (they are seen everywhere in booths marked "Tourist Information").

Once you arrive at your destination, you may encounter difficult walking conditions if you need to walk along streets. Sidewalks in much of Bali are simply the covered tops of open ditches and in many places only 2 ft wide. This makes for extremely uncomfortable single-file walking next to traffic. Often the sidewalk is blocked with a motorbike or caved-in section, necessitating dangerous darting into traffic. Many of island's conventional streets are simply not pedestrian-friendly. Beach areas and major tourist areas are easier to walk around -- Sanur in particular has a wide beachfront pathway with many cafes and bars.

[edit] By bus

The Perama[8] national bus company services the budget traveller well in Bali and beyond and there are Perama offices in all major tourist destinations on the island.

There are other scheduled shuttle buses between many of Bali's most popular destinations. These are cheap and reliable. Check locally advertised services (you cannot miss them) and book one day in advance.

[edit] By taxi

Metered taxis are very common in southern Bali up to Denpasar but not available elsewhere. The starting fee is Rp 5,000 for the first two km and the meter ticks up Rp 5,000 per kilometer afterward. Waiting time is Rp 20,000 per hour. Trips outside southern Bali will incur an extra charge of 30%, as the driver has to go back empty. If day-tripping, it is often cheaper and more convenient to arrange for your driver to wait and take you back.

You may also rent a car with a driver for half a day or for the whole day in order to travel around the island. You pay approximately Rp. 400,000 to 600,000 for the whole day depending on the class and age of car. Tell him what you want to see and fix the price before your trip starts. Do not pay until the end of the day.

[edit] By bemo

Bemos, minivans which serve as a flexible bus service, are Bali's "traditional" form of transportation, but they have largely given way to metered taxis in the south. Fares on shared bemos can be very cheap, but drivers will often insist that foreign tourists charter the entire vehicle, in which case they will usually ask for a price equiivalent to a taxi or even more.

[edit] By car or motorbike

Car and motorbike rentals are also available, but may not be safe for drivers used to more formal traffic rules. Consider hiring a car and driver as you can relax, be safe, and not get lost. If you rent a vehicle, good bargaining skills should allow you to rent a car for about Rp. 80 - 120,000 per day, depending on the length of the rental and the type of car. Newer, large cars will cost more, but are of dubious value on Bali's narrow roads.

Renting motorcycles or scooters can be frightening yet facinating experience. They are typically 125cc, some with automatic transmissions, rent for around Rp 50,000 per day. A proper-fitting helmet should be included, and its use is compulsory in Bali. Guide books state that Bali is no place to learn to ride a motorbike, and this is good advice. In areas outside of the tourist enclaves of south Bali, a motorbike is a wonderful way to see the island, but in south Bali, with its crush of traffic, the chances of an accident are greatly increased.

A word of warning when renting motorbikes. A sizeable number of travellers seem to leave their brains at home when visiting Bali and think it is acceptable to ride a motorbike through extremely busy streets in a foreign land without wearing a helmet. Obviously, it is not. You are both breaking the law and putting yourself at risk. When you rent a motorbike you will be given a helmet, so wear it.

An International Driving Permit is required for vehicle rental, with motorcycle endorsement if renting a motorbike. The IDP is seldom requested by the person renting you the vehicle, but will be required (along with the vehicle's registration papers) if stopped by the police (Typically a Rp 50,000 "fine" will allow you to keep driving). An IDP is easily available from motoring clubs in your home country (AAA and the American Automobile Touring Alliance in the United States provides them for around $15) and it is valid for one year.

[edit] By bicycle

Travel by bicycle is quite possible, and provides a very different cultural experience to other means of transport. You should bring your own touring bike, or buy locally – there is at least one well stocked bike shop in Denpasar, but with a racing/mountain bike focus. While traffic conditions may appear challenging at first, you can acclimatise after a few days, especially once you escape the chaotic heavy traffic of southern Bali.

[edit] By rental car

Rental car services owned by individuals or companies are easy to find in Bali. For first timers, it is better to hire a car with a driver including gasoline for the day. Using rental cars is for sure cheaper than taxis and far more efficient than using other public transportation. The drivers are usually English speakers and they can also act as a tourist guide recommending good tourist destinations and restaurants. Using rental cars from rental car companies is naturally more expensive than those offered by individuals. You can ask hotel staff to recommend you a good individually owned rental car. Price is Rp 400,000 - 600,000 for 1 day (10 hours) depending on your negotiation and the class of car. Make sure the price already includes gasoline and driver for the day. Petrol costs with the removal of some government subsidies in recent years have escalated dramatically (although still cheap internationally) and distance travelled will be a factor in total costs. Entrance tickets to tourist destinations and any parking fees will be charged to guests. To visit most of the major tourist destinations in Bali you will need about 3 days with a rental car.

If you rent a car to drive yourself, a modern Toyota Avanza or Daihatsu Xenia should cost Rp 150,000 to 170,000 per day and the tank is almost always empty. If on a tighter budget, you should be able to get an old, rough Suzuki Jimny from Rp 90,000 to 110,000 per day.

[edit][add listing] See

Bali's best-known attractions are its countless Hindu temples. Each village is required by adat (customary law) to construct and maintain at least three temples: the pura puseh (temple of orgin) located at the kaja (pure) side of the village, the pura desa (village temple) at the centre for everyday community activities and the pura dalem (temple of the dead) at the kelod (unclean) end. Wealthy villages may well have more than these three obligatory temples and additionally all family compounds have a temple of some nature.

The nine directional temples (kayangan jagat) are the largest and most prominent. These are located at strategic points across Bali and are designed to protect the island and its inhabitants from dark forces. Pura Luhur Uluwatu (Uluwatu Temple), at the southern tip of Bali, is easily accessed and hence very popular, as is Tanah Lot. However, for the Balinese themselves, the "mother temple" of Besakih on the slopes of Mount Agung is the most important of all and sits above the nine. The other seven directional temples are: Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, Pura Ulun Danu Batur, Pura Pasar Agung, Pura Lempuyang Luhur, Goa Lawah, Pura Masceti and Pura Luhur Batukaru. Each of these is located on rugged high ground or at the water's edge and this is a clear indication of the likely source of dark forces as far as the Balinese are concerned.

Balinese temple design is an involved subject and one which baffles many visitors. Local geography has a fundamental effect on design and two temples are rarely the same. Everything you see, be it decorative or structural, has a specific, well-considered function. These may be of an earthly or spiritual nature. There are elements which are common to the vast majority of temples which are split into three courtyards – jaba (outer courtyard) , jaba tengah (middle courtyard) and jeroan (inner courtyard). Each of these courtyards contains various shrines of differing levels of importance.

The temple entrance is always on the kelod axis point (facing away from Mount Agung) of the compound and is usually a gateway of a fairly simple nature. This leads into the jaba which is the domain of humans and all things earthly. The jaba contains only minor shrines, is usually where celebratory dance performances take place and during special ceremonies is where the foods stalls are set up. Non-Hindu tourists are nearly always allowed to visit this part of a temple.

The jaba tengah is the intermediary point between our earthly domain and the realm of the Gods and this is where daily offerings are prepared.

The jeroan is the sacred area which houses the most important shrines to different Hindu gods and deities and where rituals and prayer take place. Sometimes properly dressed visitors will be allowed in here and at others times not; it depends on the individual temple and the ceremonies that have been or are about to be, performed.

The most common, practical architectural feature to be found in most temples is a gazebo pavilion called a bale. This has a raised seating section and an alang-alang (thatched) roof and has a myriad of social functions. Bales can serve as a place for the gamelan orchestra to sit, as a village meeting point and as a place of rest for worshipers.

To enter any temple you must be appropriately dressed with a sarong and sash. These are always available for rental at the large temples which attract a lot of tourists but better is to buy one of each when you arrive and use them throughout your visit.

Most of the coastline of Bali is fringed by beaches of some type with the exceptions being some important areas of mangrove forest in the south east and certain parts of the Bukit Peninsula where high cliffs drop straight to the crashing waves of the Indian Ocean.

Unsuprisingly given the volcanic nature of the island, black sand is the norm but there are also some beaches in the south which have fine-grained white sand. Beaches that are especially safe for swimming include Jimbaran Bay, virtually all of the north coast and some parts of the famous Kuta to Seminyak strip. At all times though, visitors should be aware of and obey local swimming safety markers — far too many visitors to Bali drown each year through ignoring these.

Away from the coast, Bali is largely lush, green and fertile and rice paddies are the dominant agricultural feature of the island. In some areas, paddies take the form of dramatic sculpted terraces which efficiently utilise every available acre of land for cultivation. Especially beautiful examples of terraced paddies can be found in the centre of the island north of Ubud and in east Bali around Tirta Gangga. Elsewhere, gently rolling rice fields make for very pleasing rural scenery.

All of Bali's mountains are volcanoes, some long dormant and some still active. Magnificent Mount Agung at 3,142 metres dominates the landscape of east Bali and has not erupted since 1963. Much more active is Mount Batur which permanently smoulders and periodically produces a large bang and plumes of ashy smoke as pressure is released from within. Taking only 2 hours to climb, Batur is one of the most accessible active volcanoes in the whole of Indonesia.

Art, both traditional and modern, is everywhere in Bali and impossible to miss. Ubud is the artistic capital of the island with several museums and a whole host of informal workshops and retail outlets. Ubud's museums showcase the works of local artists, both living and dead, as well as works by many of the foreign artists with either a strong affinity with Bali and or those who made the island their permanent home.

[edit] Monuments

A sad reminder of the modern world we live in is the Bali Bomb Memorial on Jalan Legian in Kuta which commemorates the 202 victims of the first Bali Bomb attack in October 2002. The site of the former Sari Club, obliterated in one of the blasts, lies adjacent to the monument and has not been redeveloped.

There are two major monuments commemorating the puputan (suicidal fight to the death) of the Balinese against the Dutch in the early 20th century. One is in the town centre of Klungkung in east Bali and the other in Puputan Park, Denpasar.

[edit][add listing] Do

Bali's Hindu culture and history is both extraordinary and totally unique. Many visitors get so wrapped up in shopping, partying and beach life as to miss the opportunity to understand and absorb at least some of this. Those who do take the time and effort will find their visit very rewarding.

There are several hot springs to be discovered in Bali. One of them, on the north coast of the island near Lovina, is Air Banjar where stone mouth carvings allow hot water to pass between the pools which are set in lush gardens. Another interesting choice is at Toya Bungkah on the shores of Lake Bratan high in the north eastern mountains.

Bali is a paradise for spa lovers and all sorts of treatments are widely available. The Balinese lulur body scrub with herbs and spices — traditionally performed before a wedding ceremony — is particularly popular. Balinese massage is usually done with oil and involves long, Swedish-style strokes. In steep contrast to exorbitant western massage fees, Balinese massage is incredible value and visitors should definitely avail themselves of this luxury. In local salons, a one-hour full body massage will cost between Rp 70,000 and 100,000 and the two-hour mandi lulur, which incorporates a body scrub and hydrating yogurt body mask in addition to the massage, will cost about Rp 150,000. The curiously named creambath is a relaxing scalp and shoulder massage, usually lasting 45 minutes, in which a thick conditioning cream is worked through the hair and into the scalp. A creambath typically costs about Rp 60,000. Note that these same services in an upscale hotel will cost many times more.

Weddings in Bali have become very popular in recent years. Many couples who are already legally married to each other choose Bali as the perfect place to renew their vows. Full wedding services are widely available in Bali such as: ceremony arrangements, photography, videography, flowers, musicians, dancers, caterers etc. There are about ten wedding chapels available in Bali today (largely in luxury hotels) and the number is growing. There are many professional wedding organizers to handle your wedding in Bali and these are easily found through the internet. Destination weddings, featuring all types of religious and presentation arrangements, are becoming increasingly popular with private villas being one of the island's many offerings for venues.

An excellent way to get to know and understand more of the country is to do some voluntary work. There are organizations that arrange work for international volunteers in Bali and other places in the region.

[edit] Sports

There are many interesting scuba diving sites around Bali. Particularly popular are the wreck of USAT Liberty Glo at Tulamben in the east, the serene reefs around Menjangan Island in the north-west and dramatic drift diving off Nusa Penida in the south. Bali is a major teaching centre and there are numerous, reputable PADI dive centres around the island.

Warm waters, crowds of young backpackers, cheap living and reliable waves keeps Bali near the top of world surfing destinations. The southern coast, namely Kuta, Legian and Canggu, the Bukit Peninsula and Nusa Lembongan are the primary draws. Expert surfers usually head for the big breaks off the Bukit Peninsula whilst beginners will find the gentler, sandy areas between Kuta and Legian to be ideal for learning. There is a formal surf school on Legian beach. The more adventurous might like to to try informal lessons from one of the many local self-styled surf teachers to be found hanging on any south Bali beach. Regular surf reports are provided by Baliwaves [9].

There are a number of reputable white-water rafting operators in the Ubud area and the rafting is of good quality especially in the wet season.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Whether it is simple trinkets, a nice statue or high fashion boutiques that turn you on, Bali is a shopper's paradise. A huge range of very affordable products are offered to the point that shopping can overwhelm a visit if you allow it to!

Clothing is a real draw. Popular sportswear brands are available in a multitude of stores in Kuta and Legian for prices approximately 30% to 50% lower than you would pay at home. If the mass market is not your thing, try the ever increasing number of chic boutiques in Seminyak and support young local designers. The stretch of Jalan Laksmana is a good starting point.

Arts and crafts are always popular. Try to head to the source if you can rather than buy in identikit shops in Kuta or Sanur. You will gain more satisfaction from buying an article direct from the maker and seeing the craftsman in action. Bali has a huge range of locally produced paintings, basketware, stone and wood carvings, silver and shell jewelry, ceramics, natural paper gifts, glassware and much, much more. This is an island of artisans.

Dried spices and coffee are very popular items. Most supermarkets have specially designed gift packages aimed at tourists or if you are visiting Bedugul buy at the Bukit Mungsu traditional market.

Whatever you are buying, make sure you are in your best bargaining mode as these skills will be required except in the higher end stores that specifically state that their prices are fixed. And of course, bargaining is a lot of fun.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Bali has a huge variety of cafes and restaurants, serving both Indonesian and international food; see Indonesia for a menu reader. For better or worse, some American chains have established a presence here, although almost exclusively confined to the southern tourist areas. You'll see KFC, McDonald's, Pizza Hut and Starbuck's Coffee. Interestingly, the menus are often highly adapted to the local tastes. The menu at Pizza Hut looks nothing like one you'll find in the U.S. Try the smaller local restaurants rather than touristy ones, the food is better — and cheaper. Be sure to try the ubiquitous Indonesian dishes nasi goreng (fried rice) and mie goreng (fried noodles). These dishes should rarely cost more than Rp. 25,000 (sometimes a bit more if you add chicken — ayam — or shrimp — udang), so their cost on a menu can be a good indicator of a restaurant's relative cost and value.

Some of the most authentic food can be found from roving vendors called kaki lima, which means "five legs." This comprises the three legs of the food cart and the vendor's own two legs. Go to the beaches of Seminyak at sunset and find steaming hot bakso, a delightful meatball and noodle soup, served up fresh for a very inexpensive Rp 5,000. You can season it yourself, but be forewarned: Indonesian spices can be ferociously hot. Go easy until you find your heat tolerance level!

[edit] Balinese food

Actual Balinese food is common on the island, but it has made few inroads in the rest of the country due to its emphasis on pork, which is anathema to the largely Muslim population in the rest of the country. Notable dishes include:

• babi guling — Roast suckling pig, a large ceremonial dish that must usually be ordered several days in advance, but also often available at night market stalls and restaurants. It is served with rice. One of Bali's most well known babi guling outlets is Ibu Oka's in Ubud.
• bebek betutu — Literally "darkened duck", topped with a herb paste and roasted in banana leaves. The same method can also be used for chicken, resulting in ayam betutu.
• lawar — Covers a range of Balinese salads, usually involving thinly chopped vegetables, minced meat, coconut and spices. Traditionally, blood is mixed into this dish, but it's often omitted for tourists' delicate constitutions. Green beans and chicken are a particularly common combination.
• sate lilit — Minced seafood satay, served wrapped around a twig of lemongrass.
• urutan — Balinese spicy sausage, made from pork.

• Grilled Chicken with Sliced Shallot Chilie and Lime (Ayam Panggang bumbu bawang mentah)
• Grilled Chicken with Red Chili and Shrimp Paste Sauce (Ayam Panggang bumbu merah)
• Steam Chicken Cooked with Balinese Herb and Spicy (Ayam Tutu - Ala Kak Man Restaurant)
• Steam Duck Cooked with Balinese Herb and Spicy (Bebek Tutu - Ala Kak Man Restaurant)
• Minced Chicken with Shredded Rind combine with Spicy Sauce (Lawar Ayam, Klungah, Buah Kacang)
• Sliced Chicken mixed with Herbs and Spices Steam in Banana Leaf (Tum Ayam / Ketopot)
• Grilled Snapper (Ikan Bakar Bumbu Terasi)
• Special Balinese Salted Dry Fish (Sudang Lepet)
• Sliced Fish mixed with Herbs and Spices Wrap in Banana Leaf (Pepes Ikan Laut)
• Special Mixed Vegetables from Klungkung (Serombotan ala Klungkung)
• Water Convolvus with Shrimp Paste and Lime (Pelecing Kangkung)
• Fern Tip Vegetables with Shrimp Paste and Lime (Pelecing Paku)

[edit] Vegetarian

There are plenty of options for vegetarians in Bali - from indigenous Indonesian fare to international cuisine. A word of caution: the Indonesian spice paste "Sambal" is a hot paste of ground red chillies, spices and shrimp paste. Always check to see if the Sambal being served to you contains shrimp paste. You can even get Sambal without the shrimp paste at a few places. Additionally, kerupuk crackers with a spongy appearance, including those always served with nasi goreng, contain shrimp or fish. Instead, ask for emping which is a delicious cracker made from a bean paste - it resembles a potato chip in appearence.

[edit] Budget

A meal in a basic tourist-oriented restaurant will be around Rp. 20,000 to 50,0000 per person. In a local restoran the same meal might be about Rp. 15,000 or less. Simple warungs sell nasi bungkus (a pyramid shaped parcel of about 400gm of rice with several tasty extras for as little as Rp. 3,000 to 5,000. One very reliable option is nasi campur (rice with several options, chosen by the purchaser) for about Rp. 10,000 to 15,000. Note that rice is often served at ambient temperature with the accompanying food much hotter.

[edit][add listing] Drink

The Balinese have nothing against a drink and alcohol is widely available.

Indonesia's most popular beer Bintang is ubiquitous, but the local brand Bali Hai is nearly as popular. Bintang is a fairly highly regarded classic light Asian beer, but Bali Hai is a rather bland lager. Also available is the Bali-brewed microbrew Storm, available in several different flavors. The other local beer is Anker and both Carlsberg and San Miguel are brewed locally under licence. A wide range of more expensive imported beers are available. Beer is relatively expensive in local terms though still cheap by Western standards: at Rp. 10,000 and up, a small bottle costs at least the same as a full meal in a “local” eatery. In tourist centres, happy hours are widely available before and after sunset, with regular bottles of beer going for Rp. 7,000 to 15,000 and the giant sizes for around Rp. 12,000 to 30,000.

Bali produces its own wines, with Hatten being the most popular brand, available in white, red, rose (most popular) and sparkling varieties. Quality can be inconsistent but the red is usually OK and massively cheaper than imported wines, which can easily top Rp. 250,000 per bottle. Wine aficionados are better off bringing their own bottle in with them. Imported wines are readily available but are very expensive relative to everything else. Nicer restaurants will let you bring your own bottle; some will charge a modest corkage fee. Smaller establishments likely won't mind but neither will they have a corkscrew!

Bali also produces its own liqueurs and spirits, with Bali Moon Liqueurs being the most popular. They produce a wide range of flavours: Banana, Blackcurrant, Butterscotch, Coconut, Hazelnut, Lychee, Honeydew Melon, Peppermint, Triple Sec, Blue Curacao, Pineapple and Coffee. Vodka and other spirits are also produced locally with Mansion House being the most popular brand. Be aware though that many of these are little more than flavoured rice liquor. Cocktails in Bali range from Rp 30,000 in small bars to Rp 100,000 in high end establishments. Bali Moon cocktails are available in almost every bar, restaurant and hotel in Bali. Liqueurs are available in many retail outlets, just enquire within if you wish to have fun making your own cocktails!

Bali's traditional drinks are arak, a clear distilled spirit that packs a 40° punch, brem, a fermented rice wine sold in gift shops in attractive clay bottles that are much nicer than the taste of the stuff inside and tuak, a palm 'wine' which is often served at traditional festivities. Visitors should be extremely careful about where they purchase arak as there have been a number of serious poisoning cases and deaths involving tainted arak.

Tap water on Bali is not drinkable, but bottled water is universally available and extremely inexpensive (Rp. 3000 or so per 1.5L bottle) and restaurants usually use purified water for cooking. The most popular brand is Aqua and that name is often used generically for bottled water. "Filtered" water shops are also common, providing on-site treatment of the mains water to a potable standard. These shops are much cheaper than retail outlets, selling water for about Rp 5,000 per 11 liter reusable container and they avoid the waste created by plastic bottles. (See note under "Stay Healthy")

Very cheap (Rp. 10,000) are fresh juices or their mixes (it can be watermelon, melon, papaya, orange, lime, banana or any other possible juice). In Bali, avocado (alpukat) is used as a dessert fruit. Blended with sugar and ice — and sometimes chocolate — this is a beverage you can rarely get in any other locales! If you do not consume alcohol, Bali's fresh juices and creative combinations of fruits will please you to no end. Almost all restaurant menus have a section devoted to various non alcoholic fruit based beverages.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Bali has, without a doubt, the best range of accommodation in Indonesia, from $3-a-night losmens to $4,000 per night super-homes. Backpackers tend to head for Kuta, which has the cheapest (and dingiest) digs on the island, while many five-star resorts are clustered in Nusa Dua, Seminyak and Ubud. Sanur and Jimbaran offer a fairly happy compromise if you want beaches, nightlife and some quiet. Ubud's hotels and resorts cater to those who prefer spas and cultural pursuits over surfing and booze. Legian is situated between Kuta and Seminyak and offers a good range of accommodation. The newest area to start offering a wide range of accommodation is Uluwatu which now boasts everything from surfer bungalows to the opulent Bvlgari Hotel. Further north on the west coast is the district of Canggu, which offers many traditional villages set among undulating ricefields and a good range of accomodation. For rest and revitalisation visit Amed, a peaceful fishing village on the east coast with some good hotels and restaurants or head for the sparsely populated areas of West Bali.

Thanks to Bali's balmy climate, many hotels, bungalows and villas offer open-air bathrooms, often set in a lush garden. They look amazing and are definitely a very Balinese experience but may also shelter little uninvited guests and are best avoided if you have low tolerance for critters.

It is important to understand the tax and service charge which hotels are obliged to levy by Indonesian law. All high-end and mid-range (and a fair proportion of budget) hotels will levy a 21% tax and service charge on the room rate (the so-called "plus plus"). When you make a booking you should always ask whether the rate quoted includes or excludes this. Simple budget homestays/losmen and informal accommodation are not obliged to levy these charges. The 21% consists of 11% sales tax which goes to the government and 10% service charge which goes into a pool and is then shared between the staff.

[edit] Private villas

One accommodation option for which the island is becoming increasingly famous is private villas, complete with staff. Indonesia's low labor costs result in single villas boasting staff teams of up to 30 people at the really high end. A private villa rental an be a great option for a visit to Bali but it pays to be aware of the potential pitfalls.

Not every place sold as a "villa" actually fits the bill. Prices vary widely and some operators claim to go as low as US$30/night (which usually means a standalone bungalow in hotel grounds). Realistically you will be looking at upwards of US$200/night for anything with a decent location and a private pool. At the top of the range nightly rents can easily go north of US$1,000/night. The general rule of you get what you pay for applies here. There are of course exceptions, but a four bedroom villa offered for US$400 and one for US$800 per night will be different in many ways - quality of maintenance, facilities, number of staff, English ability, etc.

Look carefully as to who is running the villa (run by the owner or a local company or a western company or local staff who answer to an overseas owner?) and who you are renting through (directly from the owner? a management company? a established villa agent? one who just opened a month ago after his friend Nyoman told him how easy it was...?). Each path has its pros and cons. If it is an agency, see if it has been reviewed in the foreign press. Ask for how long the villa has been taking commercial guests. Villas normally take a year or so to get to best service levels. In the first 6-12 months of operation, great villas may offer introductory rates that are priced below market to gain market awareness.

Private villas are found mostly in the greater Seminyak area - (Seminyak, Umalas, Canggu), in the south around Jimbaran and Uluwatu, in Sanur and around the hill town of Ubud. They are rare in heavily built-up areas like Kuta.

[edit] Long-term

For long stays it is worth considering a long-term rental, which can be as low as US$ 4,000 per year. Restaurants, shops and bars frequented by Bali's sizable expatriate community, particularly in Seminyak, Sanur and Ubud, are good places to find information about long-term rentals. Look for a bulletin board with property advertisements tacked up or pick up a copy of the local expat biweekly publication, The Bali Advertiser [10]. Remember with a year round tourism trade villas that have everything right are usually available for more lucrative short term rental only. Long term rental houses tend to be older and not as well maintained. If you are willing to be flexible though you can find nice house options over a wide range of budgets.

[edit] Stay safe

Bali is essentially a safe destination and few tourists encounter any real problems.

Bali was the scene of lethal terrorist bombings in 2002 and 2005 with both waves of attacks targeting nightclubs and restaurants popular among foreign visitors. Security is consequently tight at obvious targets but it is of course impossible to protect oneself fully against terrorism. If it is any reassurance, the Balinese themselves — who depend on tourism for their livelihood — deplore the bombings and the terrorists behind them for the terrible suffering they have caused on this peaceful island. As a visitor, it is important to put the risk in perspective: the sad fact is that Bali's roads are, statistically, far more dangerous than even the deadliest bomb. It is still prudent to avoid high profile western hang-outs, especially those without security measures and the paranoid or just security-conscious may wish to head out of the tourist enclaves of south Bali to elsewhere on the island.

Bali is increasingly enforcing Indonesia's harsh penalties against the import, export, trafficking and possession of illegal drugs, including marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin. Several high profile arrests of foreigners have taken place in Bali since 2004 and a number have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms or (rarely) execution. Even the possession of a small amount of drugs for personal use puts you at risk of a trial and prison sentence, if searched. Watch out for seemingly harmless street vendors looking to sell you drugs (marijuana, cocaine, etc.). More often than not, they are working with undercover police and will try to sell you drugs so that they can then get uniformed officers onto you who (if you are lucky) will demand a smallish bribe for your release or more likely look for a far larger payday by taking you into custody. Just avoid Bali's drug scene at all costs.

The unfortunate people who are caught and processed will find there is little distinction between personal use and dealing in the eyes of the Indonesian legal system. 'Expedition Fees', monies paid to shorten jail or prison time, can easily run from US$ 20,000 and 70,000.

There is a fair chance that you will offered magic mushrooms especially if you are young and find yourself in Kuta. Indonesian law is a little unclear in this area but with the whole country in the midst of a drug crackdown since 2004, it is not worth taking the risk.

Bali is officially a malaria-free zone but dengue fever is a problem and all sensible precautions should be taken against being bitten by mosquitos.

In Bali, if you see a red flag planted in the sand, do not swim there: they are a warning for dangerous rip currents. These currents can pull you out to sea with alarming speed, and even the strongest swimmers cannot swim against them — the thing to do is to stay calm and swim sideways (along the shore) until out of it, then head for the shore. The ocean is not to be trifled with in Bali and hundreds of people, some experienced some not, die by drowning every year.

Petty scams are not uncommon, although they can usually be avoided with a modicum of common sense. If approached on the street by anybody offering a deal on souvenirs, transport, etc, you can rest assured that you will pay more if you follow your new found friend. Guard your bags, especially at transport terminals and ferry terminals. In addition to the risk of them being stolen, self-appointed porters like to grab them without warning and then insist on ridiculous prices for their "services".

Timeshare scams are common in Bali with several high profile, apparently legitimate operators. If you are approached by a very friendly street canvasser asking you to complete a survey and then attend a holiday resort presentation to claim your 'prize' (this is inevitably a 'free' holiday which you end up paying for anyway), politely refuse and walk away. If you fall for this scam you will be subjected to a very long high pressure sales presentation and if you actually buy the 'holiday club' product, you will certainly regret it. Timeshare is a completely unregulated industry in Indonesia and you have no recourse.

The rule is simple: change money at only authorised money changers with proper offices and always ask for a receipt. The largest is called PT Central Kuta and they have several outlets. If you are especially nervous, then use a formal bank. You will get a better rate at an authorised money changer though.

Avoid changing money in smaller currency exchange offices located within shops as they more often then not will try and steal money by utilising very creative and 'magician' like methods. Often the rate advertised on the street is nowhere near the rate that they will give you in the end. Many times the rate is set higher to lure you in so that they can con you out of a banknote or two and when this is not possible they will give you a shoddy rate and state that the difference is due to commission. This even applies to the places which clearly state that there is no commission.

Last but not least be wary around the monkeys that occupy many temples (most notably Uluwatu and Ubud's Monkey Forest). They are experts at stealing possessions like glasses, small cameras and even handbags, and have been known to attack people carrying food. Feeding them is just asking for trouble.

[edit] Stay healthy

The midday sun in Bali will fry the unwary traveler to a crisp, so slap on plenty of high factor sun-protection and drink lots of fluids. However there is no need to carry litres of water as you can buy a bottle virtually anywhere. The locals tend to stay away from the beaches until about two hours before sunset, when most of the ferocity has gone out of the sun.

Take care in restaurants and bars; although it is very rare nowadays, some may use untreated/unsafe tap water to make ice for drinks otherwise made with clean ingredients. Tap water in hotels should not be used for drinking or brushing teeth unless explicitly labeled as safe.

Bali is host to some of the finest yoga and well-being centres and retreats in the world. You can find an abundance of amazing yoga classes to suit all levels in most of the tourist areas. Look for the best yoga centres in Ubud and Seminyak.

The HIV infection rate in Bali is increasing, mainly amongst sex workers of both genders and intravenous drugs users. If you engage in any risky activity, always protect yourself.

[edit] Contact

International phone operators: 101. International Direct Dialing prefix: 001, 007, or 008.

Directory inquires

• 108 (if using a cell phone locally dial 0361-108)

Immigration office:

• Niti Mandala, Renon, Denpasar. Tel.: +62 361 227-828.
• I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport. Tel.: +62 361 751-038.

[edit] Emergency

• Ambulance: 118.
• Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) Free Ambulance Service:+62 361 480282.
• Police: 110.
• Search & Rescue team: 115 or 151. Tel.: +62 361 751-111.
• Tourist Police: +62 361 754599 or 763753
• Bali Police HQ: Jl WR Supratman, Denpasar. Tel.: +62 361 227-711 .
• Badung Police HQ: Jl. Gunung Sanghyang, Denpasar Tel.: +62 361 424-245.
• Police stations:
  • Denpasar: Jl. Ahmad Yani, Tel.: +62 361 225-456.
  • Sanur: Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai. Tel.: +62 361 288-597.
  • Kuta: Jl. Raya Tuban. Tel.: +62 361 751-598.
  • Nusa Dua: Jl. By Pass Nusa Dua, Tel.: +62 361 772-110.

Hospitals with 24 hours emergency room (ER):

• RS Umum Sanglah. Jl. Kesehatan No. 1, Denpasar. Tel.: +62 361 243-307, 227-911, 225-483, 265-064.
• RS Umum Badung. Jl Raya Kapal Mengwi, Denpasar 80351. Tel.: +62 361 742-1880.
• RS Umum Dharma Usadha. Jl Jend Sudirman 50, Denpasar. Tel.: +62 361 227-560, 233-786, 233-787.
• RS Umum Manuaba. Jl HOS Cokroaminoto 28. * Tel.: +62 361 426-393, 226-393.
• RS Umum Surya Husadha [11]. Jl Pulau Serangan 1-3, Denpasar. Tel.: +62 361 233-787.
• RS Umum Wangaya. Jl. RA Kartini 133, Denpasar. Tel.: +62 361 222-141.

Medical Clinics:

• Bali Medical Center, Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai 100 X. Tel.: +62 361 761-263.
• Manuaba. Jl. Raya Kuta Nusa Indah Plaza Bl IX. Tel.: +62 361 754-748.
• Nusa Dua Medical. Hotel Nusa Dua Beach. Tel.: +62 361 772-118.
• Surya Husadha. Jl D Buyan 47, Sanur, Denpasar 80228. Tel.: +62 361 285-236. Jl. Kartika Plaza 9-X. Tel.: +62 361 752-947.
• SOS, Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai 505. Tel.: +62 361 710-505.

[edit] Embassies and Consulates

Some countries have set up consulates in Bali, and these are their addresses:

• Australian Consulate General in Denpasar, Bali, Jl. Hayam Wuruk No. 88 B, Tanjung Bungkuk, Denpasar, Bali (P.O.BOX 3243), ☎ +62 361 241-118.  edit
• Austrian Representative Consular Affairs in Denpasar, Bali, Kompleks Istana Kuta Galeria Blok Valet 2 No 12 Jl. Patih Jelantik, ☎ +62 361 751-735; Fax +62 36 175 44 57. Email : swisscon@telkom.net  edit
• Royal Danish Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali, Mimpi Resorts Jimbaran, Kawasan Bukit Permai Jimbaran, Kuta, Denpasar 80361, Bali, Indonesia, ☎ +62 361 701-070.  edit
• Finnish Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali, Segara Village Hotel, Jl. Segara, Sanur, Bali, Indonesia (P.O.BOX 91 Denpasar), ☎ +62 361 288-407, 288-231.  edit
• French Consular Agency in Denpasar, Bali, Jl. Mertasari Gang 2 No. 8, Banjang Tanjung, Sanur Kauh, Denpasar 80227, ☎ +62 361 285-485.  edit
• German Consulate General in Denpasar, Bali, Jl. Pantai Karang No. 17, Batujimbar, Sanur, Bali, ☎ +62 361 288-535.  edit
• Japanese Consulate General Branch Office in Denpasar, Bali, Jl. Raya Puputan No. 170, Renon, Denpasar, ☎ +62 361 227-628.  edit
• Royal Dutch Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali, Jl. Raya Kuta 127 (P. O. Box 3337), Denpasar 80001, Bali, ☎ +62 361 751-517.  edit
• Royal Norwegian Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali, Mimpi Resort Jimbaran, Kawasan Bukit Permai, Jimbaran, Kuta, Bali, ☎ +62 361 701-070.  edit
• Royal Swedish Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali, Segara Village Hotel, Jl. Segara, Sanur, Bali, Indonesia (P.O.BOX 91 Denpasar), ☎ +62 361 288-407, 288-231.  edit
• Swiss Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali, Kompleks Istana Kuta Galleria, Blok Valet 2 No. 12, Jl. Patih Jelantik/Kuta, Denpasar (P.O. Box 2035, Kuta 80361), Bali, ☎ +62 361 751-735.  edit
• Great Britain Honorary Consulate in Denpasar, Bali, Jl. Mertasari No. 2, Sanur, Denpasar, Bali, ☎ +62 361 270-601.  edit
• United States General Consulate in Denpasar, Bali, Jl. Hayam Wuruk 188 Denpasar - Bali, ☎ +62 361 233-605.  edit

[edit] Get out

Boat services run regularly to Lombok, Flores and islands further east. Combined bus and ferry services will take you to destinations in Java such as Yogyakarta.

• Gili Islands — three tiny islands off Lombok. A backpacker favorite fast going upmarket and easily accessed by direct boat services.

• Komodo is an island and national park in East Nusa Tenggara. The island is famous for the komodo dragon.

• Lombok is an unspoiled island east of Bali with beaches, waterfalls and volcanoes. Direct boat services or 20 minutes by air.

• Yogyakarta has convenient air service from Bali on Garuda with scheduled service early in the morning and late in the evening, making it possible to have a full day of sightseeing in Prambanan and Borobudur and still make it back to your hotel in Bali in time for bed.

This is a guide article. It has well developed information throughout the entire article, and throughout all of the articles on destinations within the region. Plunge forward and help us make it a star!