Practical Info A–Z

Medical care in Bali is above average for Southeast Asia — at least in the tourist centers. However, for serious emergencies, one must be flown to Singapore or Australia.

Hospitals & Clinics:

• BIMC Hospital Kuta — The best address for tourists. International standard, English-speaking staff, 24-hour emergency room. Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai 100X, Kuta. Tel: +62 361 761 263. Also located in Nusa Dua.
• Kasih Ibu Hospital — Good hospital in Denpasar (Jl. Teuku Umar 120) and Tabanan. Cheaper alternative to BIMC.
• Siloam Hospital — Modern hospital in Kuta with good facilities.
• RSUP Sanglah — Bali's largest public hospital in Denpasar. Affordable, but crowded and language barriers.

Pharmacies (Apotek) are everywhere. Many medications that require a prescription in Europe are available over the counter here — antibiotics, painkillers, antihistamines. Nevertheless: Always consult a doctor for serious complaints.

Vaccinations: No mandatory vaccinations, but recommended: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus, Rabies (if you spend a lot of time in rural areas — stray dogs are a real problem in Bali). Malaria is not an issue in Bali (but it is in Lombok and Flores). Dengue fever is possible year-round — mosquito protection is the best prevention.

Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). 1€ ≈ 17,000-17,500 IDR (as of 2025). The large denominations (50,000 and 100,000 IDR) may feel unreal — but get used to being a "millionaire."

ATMs: Available everywhere in tourist areas. Most accept Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro. Maximum withdrawal per transaction: usually 2,500,000 IDR (approx. 140€), some ATMs 3,000,000 IDR. Fees: Indonesian banks charge 25,000-50,000 IDR per withdrawal, plus your home bank's fee. BCA and BNI ATMs are considered the most reliable.

Credit cards: Accepted in hotels, better restaurants, and shops. In warungs, markets, and small shops: cash only. Visa is more commonly accepted than Mastercard.

Money exchange: Authorized money changers (with official sign "Authorized Money Changer") offer fair rates. The most well-known chain is BMC (Bali Maspintjinra Centra) — reliable, fair rate, no hidden fees.

On Bali's markets and in many shops, bargaining is common — and it's not a necessary evil, but a social act and part of the culture. The basic rules:

• Seller's first offer is often 3-5 times above the realistic price
• Start with 30-40% of the first offer and work your way up slowly
• Stay friendly and laugh — bargaining is a game, not a fight
• If you say "Terima kasih, tidak" (Thank you, no) and walk away, often the best offer comes
• Fixed price (harga pas) applies in supermarkets, warungs with menus, and most shops in malls

Popular purchases: Silver jewelry (Celuk), wood carvings (Mas), batik fabrics, spices, Bali coffee, essential oils (Ylang-Ylang, Frangipani), coconut oil, rattan bags, and the ubiquitous "Bintang" T-shirts.

Best markets: Ubud Art Market (morning for local prices, after 10 am for tourists), Sukawati Art Market (cheaper than Ubud), Kumbasari Market (Denpasar, most authentic market).

Bali celebrates both Indonesian national holidays and its own Hindu festivals (calculated according to different calendars and falling on different dates each year).

National holidays (fixed dates):

• January 1st — New Year
• August 17th — Independence Day (Hari Kemerdekaan). Flag ceremonies, village festivals, competitions
• December 25th — Christmas
• Plus various Islamic holidays (Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, etc.) — dates vary according to the Islamic calendar

Balinese Hindu holidays (variable dates):

• Nyepi (March/April) — The Day of Silence. Airport closed, everyone stays indoors. The most important holiday!
• Galungan & Kuningan — Every 210 days (Pawukon calendar). 10-day ancestor festival with Penjor bamboo poles
• Saraswati — Day of the Goddess of Knowledge. Books and manuscripts are blessed
• Pagerwesi — Festival of strengthening the spirit, 3 days before Galungan
• Tumpek Landep — Blessing for metal objects (yes, cars and motorcycles are also blessed!)
• Tumpek Uduh — Blessing for plants and trees

Wi-Fi: Almost every hotel, restaurant, and café in Bali has free Wi-Fi. The speed varies greatly: In Seminyak and Canggu often 20-50 Mbps, in Amed or Sidemen sometimes only 1-5 Mbps.

SIM Card: For mobile data, it's best to buy a local prepaid SIM at the airport or in a mobile phone shop. Providers:

• Telkomsel (Simpati/AS) — Best network coverage, even in rural areas. Recommended!
• XL Axiata — Good coverage in tourist areas, affordable data packages
• Indosat (IM3) — Cheap, but patchy coverage in rural areas

Price: 50,000-100,000 IDR (3-6€) for a SIM with 10-30 GB data volume and 30 days validity. A bit more expensive at the airport, but convenient.

Registration: Since 2018, every SIM card must be registered with a passport number. At the airport, the seller does this for you. In shops, sometimes cumbersome — best to bring your passport.

Bali has a tropical humid climate with two seasons:

Dry season (April–October): The best time to travel. Sunny, little rain, temperatures 27-30°C on the coast, 20-25°C in the highlands (Ubud, Kintamani). Relative humidity: 60-70%. July and August are the peak months (driest, coolest air) — but also the most touristy and expensive.

Rainy season (November–March): Hot and humid (30-33°C, humidity 80-90%). Daily showers, mostly in the afternoon for 1-3 hours — often followed by sunshine. The rainy season is not consistently bad: There are many sunny mornings, the landscape is at its greenest, prices are significantly lower, and there are fewer tourists.

Water temperature: Year-round 27-29°C — perfect for swimming and diving.

Elevations: In Kintamani (1,500 m) and on Mount Agung, it can cool down to 10-15°C at night — a jacket is advisable!

Within Indonesia, Bali is the most liberal place for LGBTQ+ travelers — but that doesn't mean it's without issues. Homosexuality is not punishable in Indonesia (except in the province of Aceh), but it is heavily stigmatized socially. In recent years, the political climate has tightened: Anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric is increasing, and there have been raids on gay bars.

On Bali itself, the atmosphere is much more open than in the rest of Indonesia. Seminyak has a small but vibrant gay scene with bars and clubs (which do not openly advertise as such). In Ubud and Canggu, there is a tolerant expat community. Same-sex couples in hotels are usually accepted without problems.

Recommendations:

• Avoid public displays of affection (holding hands, kissing) — this applies to all couples, even heterosexual ones, in the conservative Balinese culture
• Be cautious on dating apps (Grindr, etc.) — there are reports of extortion attempts
• Seminyak is the most LGBTQ+-friendly place in Bali
• Exercise greater discretion in rural areas

Emergency numbers:

• Police: 110
• Fire department: 113
• Ambulance: 118 or 119
• Tourist Police Bali: +62 361 224 111 (English-speaking, specifically for tourists)
• BIMC Hospital (24h): +62 361 761 263
• Search & Rescue: 115

German Embassy Jakarta: +62 21 3985 5000 (on-call service outside office hours). Honorary Consulate in Sanur: +62 361 288 535.

Austrian Embassy Jakarta: +62 21 2355 3270

Swiss Embassy Jakarta: +62 21 525 6061

In case of passport loss: Immediately report the loss to the police (surat kehilangan), then with this and a passport photo to the honorary consulate/embassy for an emergency passport.

Banks: Mon–Fri 8:00–15:00 (some until 16:00). Saturday occasionally 8:00–12:00. ATMs 24/7.

Shops: Tourist areas 9:00/10:00–21:00/22:00, often 7 days a week. Local shops shorter.

Warungs: Often from 7:00 or 8:00 AM until afternoon (when the prepared dishes are sold out — sometimes as early as 13:00!). Evening warungs from 17:00.

Temples: Most large temples 8:00–17:00 or 18:00. Smaller village temples have no fixed opening hours — they "open" only during ceremonies.

Authorities (Immigration etc.): Mon–Fri 8:00–12:00 and 13:00–16:00. Often closed Friday noon (Friday prayers of the Muslim officials).

Post: Mon–Fri 8:00–14:00, Sat 8:00–12:00. For postcards, a mailbox in the hotel is sufficient.

The scooter (simply called "motor" in Bali) is the main mode of transport on the island — and for tourists, the most flexible way to explore Bali. But be careful: Traffic in Bali is chaotic and dangerous, and the accident statistics for tourists on scooters are alarming.

Rental prices: 60,000-80,000 IDR per day (€3.40-4.50) for a 110-125cc scooter (Honda Vario, Scoopy, or Beat). Weekly price: 350,000-500,000 IDR. Monthly rental: 1,000,000-1,500,000 IDR. Helmet is included (but bring your own, better one — rental helmets often do not provide adequate protection).

Driver's license: Officially, you need an International Driver's License with a motorcycle category (Class A) — you can get it in Germany at the driver's license authority for about €15. Without an international license, fines of 500,000-1,000,000 IDR may be imposed during police checks. The insurance does not cover accidents without a valid license — this is the crucial point.

Insurance: Most travel insurance policies cover scooter accidents only if you have a valid license and wear a helmet. Check this before your trip!

Bali is relatively safe for Southeast Asia — violent crimes against tourists are rare. The biggest risks are theft, scams, and traffic accidents.

Common scams:

• Money exchange scam: See section "Banks & Money"
• Taximeter scam: Only use Blue Bird Taxis (blue cars, always with a taximeter). "Metered" does not mean the meter is running — insist on it, or get out. Alternatively: Grab or Gojek (ride-hailing apps, similar to Uber)
• Temple "guides": Especially in Besakih, Uluwatu, and Tanah Lot, self-proclaimed guides claim you can only enter the temple with them. This is never true — politely say no.
• Bag snatching on motorcycles: Handbags are snatched by passing motorcycles, especially in Kuta and on lonely roads at night. Carry valuables in a waist bag or backpack on the side away from the street.
• ATM skimming: Use ATMs in banks (not on the street) and cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
• Drugs: Indonesia has extremely strict drug laws. Possession of small amounts can lead to 4-15 years in prison, drug trafficking is punishable by the death penalty. There is no "relaxed drug scene" in Bali — even if some beach bars suggest otherwise.

Indonesia uses 230 V alternating current, 50 Hz — like in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

The sockets are Type C (Europlug, two-pin) and Type F (Schuko with grounding). Travelers from the DACH region usually do not need an adapter.

In budget accommodations and older buildings, the sockets can sometimes be loose — a travel plug adapter with a firm fit can be useful.

Power outages are not uncommon in rural areas (Amed, Sidemen, Munduk) — a flashlight or power bank for the phone is recommended.

Tipping is not obligatory but very welcome on Bali — and with the low wages, it makes a real difference.

Guidelines:

• Restaurant: 5-10% of the bill if no service charge is listed. Many tourist restaurants already charge 10% service + 11% tax (indicated by "++"). In warungs, rounding up is sufficient.
• Day driver: 50,000-100,000 IDR per day
• Guide (temple, volcano): 50,000-100,000 IDR
• Spa/Massage: 20,000-50,000 IDR (especially important — massage therapists often earn only the minimum wage)
• Hotel maid: 10,000-20,000 IDR per day
• Dive instructor: 100,000-200,000 IDR per dive day
• Porter: 10,000-20,000 IDR

Germans, Austrians, and Swiss can obtain a Visa on Arrival (VoA) at Ngurah Rai Airport:

• Cost: 500,000 IDR (approx. 30€), payable in cash (IDR or USD) or by credit card
• Validity: 30 days
• Extension: Can be extended once for 30 days (at the Immigration Office in Denpasar or Jimbaran, cost: 500,000 IDR, 5-7 working days)
• Requirement: Passport with at least 6 months validity, return/onward flight ticket

Since 2023, there is also the e-Visa on Arrival — can be applied for online before the trip via molina.imigrasi.go.id. Same principle, same price, but faster processing at the airport (separate queue).

For longer stays: The B211A visa (business visa, 60 days, extendable to 180 days) or the Second Home Visa (5 years, requires proof of 130,000 USD in the account) are options for long-term stays.

Overstay: Each day beyond the visa validity costs 1,000,000 IDR (approx. 57€) per day in fines, plus possible arrest and deportation after 60 days of overstay. Don't risk it!

Never drink tap water in Bali! The water is not drinkable and can cause severe gastrointestinal infections. This also applies to brushing your teeth — use bottled or filtered water.

Safe water:

• Bottled water (Aqua, Le Minerale): Available everywhere. 1.5-liter bottle: 4,000-6,000 IDR in minimarkets.
• Refill stations: Many accommodations and restaurants offer free refill stations for filtered water — use your own bottle. The app "RefillMyBottle" shows stations nearby.
• Ice in restaurants: In tourist restaurants and bars, ice is made from filtered water (recognizable by the cylindrical shape with a hole). Street stalls and very simple warungs sometimes use unfiltered ice — if in doubt, order "tanpa es" (without ice).

"Bali Belly": The dreaded travel gastrointestinal upset affects most first-time visitors to Bali — often less due to the water and more due to the adjustment to new bacteria, spicy food, and heat. Imodium, electrolyte powder, and charcoal tablets should be in your travel pharmacy.

Entry into Indonesia — Duty-Free Allowances:

• Cigarettes: 200 pieces or 25 cigars or 100 g of tobacco
• Alcohol: 1 liter
• Perfume: Reasonable personal use
• Goods: Up to a value of 500 USD per person duty-free
• Cash: Reportable from 100,000,000 IDR (approx. 5,700€)

Prohibited: Drugs (death penalty!), weapons, pornography, certain medications (codeine-containing drugs, sleeping pills — check beforehand!), food (fruit, meat, dairy products).

Return to Germany/EU:

• Allowance: 430€ worth of goods (airplane) per person
• 200 cigarettes, 1 liter of spirits, 4 liters of wine
• Caution with animal/plant products: Coral products, tortoiseshell, certain woods, and animal skins are subject to the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and may not be imported — not even as souvenirs

Bali is in the WITA time zone (Waktu Indonesia Tengah = Central Indonesian Time): UTC+8.

This means:

• Germany/Austria/Switzerland: Bali is 7 hours ahead (6 hours in summer due to daylight saving time)
• Example: When it is 12:00 noon in Berlin, it is 19:00 in Bali (winter) or 18:00 (summer)

Indonesia has no daylight saving time — so the time difference changes when Europe adjusts the clocks.

Attention with domestic flights: Lombok is in the same time zone as Bali, but Java (Jakarta, Yogyakarta) is one hour behind (WIB, UTC+7). Always check the local time for flights.

Bali's biggest problem after plastic waste: traffic. The roads are chronically congested, there is no public transport system (no train, no subway, practically no buses), and the infrastructure is not keeping pace with growth.

Means of transport:

• Grab/Gojek: Ride-hailing apps (like Uber). Cheapest option for point-to-point rides. Car or motorcycle available. Kuta–Ubud approx. 100,000-150,000 IDR (6-9€). Works everywhere except in the airport area (taxi mafia blocks).
• Private driver: Best option for day trips. 500,000-700,000 IDR (28-40€) for 8-10 hours including car and fuel. Your hotel can arrange a reliable driver.
• Scooter: See section "Renting a Scooter"
• Blue Bird Taxi: Reliable, with a taximeter. Only the real Blue Birds (blue car, bird logo) — there are many imitators.
• Shuttle buses: Perama and Kura-Kura run fixed routes between tourist centers (Kuta–Ubud–Sanur–Padangbai–Lovina). Cheap (50,000-100,000 IDR), but slow and infrequent.

Travel times (realistic, with traffic):

• Airport–Ubud: 1.5–2.5 hours
• Kuta–Seminyak: 15–40 minutes
• Seminyak–Canggu: 20–50 minutes
• Ubud–Amed: 2.5–3.5 hours
• Ubud–Kintamani: 1–1.5 hours