So, you have booked your flight and you are heading to Bali.  

Well, the first thing you need to do, is get your travel insurance.  It is not a requirement to enter Indonesia, but we at C.Bali always recommend Travel Insurance.

We advise to get this first, even before booking hotels etc. That way if there is a need to cancel your hotel, or the airline cancels you are covered. 

Is your policy for Bali or all of Indonesia? 

Why is this important?  Well, if you are on a plane which gets diverted to say Jakarta due to bad weather, then you need to be covered in another part of Indonesia.

If you plan to go Island hopping, maybe to the Gilis then they are not in Bali. Some policies do not even cover Nusa Lembongan Island (which is actually part of Bali, but some insurers do not consider it to be).

Check you are covered for pre-existing conditions, so, if you have a bad cold, which turns worst here, and you need hospitalisation, that are you covered.

Check that you are covered for an International Hospital, the public ones here are not good for major problems

Please note that hospitals  in Bali require payment up front (or a declaration from your insurer) before treatment, so to avoid any delays in treatment, maybe bring a credit card along, just in case of an emergency.

Check you are covered for medical evacuation, sometimes they can't do certain operations here so you would need to be treated in a Western country.  Evac costs about $80,000 -$120,000.

If you plan to ride a motorbike, you will need a full motorcycle license from your home country AND an international driving permit (IDP) to be covered).

If you plan to ride a motorbike, check you are covered by your insurance, sometimes this is an extra cost to your policy.

If you plan to use a motorcycle taxi here, check you are covered in your insurance as a pillion passenger.

You will not be covered by insurance if you:

1. Do no have a motorcycle license (the bikes here are 125cc and above, so not a scooter license)
2. Are not wearing a helmet (SNI Standard)
3. Have any alcohol in your system at the time of the accident

In today's age, these are becoming a "choice". 

We can advise that we the following (low cases) here :

• Dengue
• Diphtheria
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Typhoid
• Hep A
• Hep B
• Tetanus
• Rabies
• Malaria, although not many cases recently in Bali, there have been many cases in Lombok (not part of Bali for insurance purposes)

Rabies is in Bali (only cases have been found in dogs), vaccinations are available, but hard to find and very expensive for tourists

TAXIS

Most people prefer to use taxis for short trips, they are much cheaper in Bali, however you need to find the right taxi and they all look the same.

Bluebird Taxis will put the meter on and will know where they are going. download the App

Look on the windscreen for BLUE BIRD GROUP and on the back the phone number 70 11 11.

Other taxis are also blue but they have been known to say the meter is broken and charge exorbitant prices. 

Grab Cars – download the App, great if going a short distances, however they do not have coverage all over the Island. Not recommended for long distances, better to get a private driver.

Gojek – download the App, they also have motorcycle taxis, great if going a short distance, and you have pillion passenger insurance

PRIVATE DRIVERS

For longer distances (over 30km) it is recommended to hire a licensed private driver, nowadays all drivers use new AC vehicles.

Please note: traffic jams are common in tourist areas of Bali expect long delays in the areas of Canggu, Seminyak, Ubud and Jalan Uluwatu.

GETTING FROM THE AIRPORT

Getting to your hotel from the airport can be problematic and expensive.

Taxis are available, but consider the luggage you have, as a normal sedan taxi would not suit a family of 4, so a private driver with a larger vehicle may work out cheaper.

If a sedan taxi is big enough for you, then Golden Bird - operated by Blue Bird, have a counter at the airport, you will find their prices will be cheaper than the Bali Airport Taxi Group, whom are also at the airport and very pushy.

Grabcar is now available at both domestic and International Terminals, you need to book via the GrabApp first and then you can wait in the GRAB LOUNGE for your driver to arrive

Sometimes just having your hotel collect you can be more relaxing, it may cost a few dollars more, but you know you will get to your hotel with no worries.

Airport Bus

There is a bus, however it only has 3 drop off points in Bali and you are not going to find a timetable Airport Bus Service. The bus company is called TRANSARBAGITA

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Public transport is limited on the Island, but is available for those that have plenty of time on their hands (don’t expect the bus to be on time).

Sarbagita Bus

There is a bus that goes from CENTRAL PARKIR KUTA to  NUSADUA PP. Also KUTA to GWK.   The times change, so you need to contact them to check the time and route - they do not have a website.

Call Centre WA 081337281994 IG @transsarbagita FB Angkutan Umum Sarbagita

Longer distance Bus Service

Try the following bus service over the Island, if you want to go at a very slow pace, and we mean very slow.  Try Perama Bus

Okay, the people here won’t actually scam you.  It’s just trickery and if you fall for it then they win!

So, don’t fall for it, it’s plain and simple.

Here’s some tricks they play. 

Jimbaran Seafood

This one has been going on for years and many newcomers get tricked into this one.

Your driver offers to take you for delicious seafood, he "has a friend", "you will get a cheap price".

Well, actually, he will get a huge commission and you will be left thinking, well it wasn’t that great for such an expensive meal.

You can yourself by Gojek, Grab or in a Bluebird taxi and pay 70% less, your bill won't be topped up to pay the driver his commission.

SCAMS FROM OTHER TOURISTS

Yes, you read that right.  Be careful of tourists approaching you and asking to see what the currency in your country looks like.

This one is where you get out your wallet to show them your currency and they steal your wallet (or just take the money you pull out, if a large note).  Be careful!

Money Changers
Sleight of hand at the money changer, you won’t even see it happening!

Here’s a tip, if the money changers rate is higher than everyone else and they also sell clothes or do laundry then don’t bother. 

Go to money changers that look like banks and have a security guard.

Scratchy tickets, envelopes with prizes or surveys.
Stay away from them – unless you are interested in buying timeshare

Commission is paid everywhere 
So, if you go with a driver somewhere he gets commission, so keep that in mind when you are shopping with a driver or going to restaurants, or having your driver organise tours for you etc. 

Handicrafts/ Coffee Plantations
If a driver tries hard to get you to go to a stop at a coffee plantation, or Batik, or silver making factory, or woodcarving, he is doing that as he can make a lot of money by bringing your there, 70% of your purchase. 

If he has a “friend” then be firm and say no. You may end up paying ridiculous prices for stuff you can find in the supermarkets here without the 70% mark up.

Somewhere to Eat
First Timers to Bali sometimes like to try the local food, and ask their driver to take them somewhere he would eat. Your driver will not do this, they will take you somewhere they get commission, and you could end up with serious Bali Belly.  Plan your stops, where you would like to eat.

Water

Try not to drink the tap water, don't worry too much if you get it in your mouth, not even the locals drink it, everyone drinks bottled water

Best to use bottled water for brushing your teeth

Hep A is contracted through food and water

Ice

Ice is fine to have in drinks here, so is fresh fruit and salads, ice is regulated by the government and cheap for restaurants to purchase

Cocktails
We suggest you do not drink 'cheap' cocktails or spirit shots in Bali, only ever drink bottled drinks (drink spiking and methanol poisoning has been reported in Bali and more so on the Gillies off Lombok).  Due to the price of spirits, it is impossible to have a cheap cocktail here unless bootleg alcohol is used.

Diseases

Typhoid is in Bali, contracted through food and water

80% of the sex workers have Aids and condoms are considered taboo to Indonesians

Dengue Fever is contracted through mosquitoes and cases rose in 2021/22

Keep it clean

Always wash your hands immediately after touching the money.

Remember the money is filthy, it's been handled (remember no toilet paper is used) by many people 

Here, left hand is for the toilet (without toilet paper), right hand for food

Carry a hand sanitizer at all times and use frequently