Bali

Currency

Exchange at authorized money changers (BMC, Central Kuta) — avoid random street changers who use sleight of hand. Airport rates are bad.

ATMs & cards

BCA and Mandiri ATMs are the most reliable. Max withdrawal usually Rp 3,000,000 (∼€175). Use ATMs inside banks (safer, less skimming). Fee is Rp 30,000-50,000.

Card skimming has been a recurring problem. Use machines inside a bank branch or a guarded mall, and cover the keypad.

Wherever you are: if the machine offers to charge you in your home currency, decline. That is dynamic currency conversion and the rate is set by the ATM's operator, not your bank.

Safety

Crime against visitors is rare and the island feels relaxed day and night. The real risks are practical: scooters are how most people get hurt, so ride only if you already can and always with a helmet. Watch the monkeys at Monkey Forest, who take glasses and phones, and drink bottled water.

Our own assessment, not a sourced index.

Entry & visa

Health & emergencies

Required to enter

No vaccinations are required for entry from Europe or North America.

Worth having

• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid
• Tetanus up to date
• Rabies — Bali has an active dog and monkey rabies problem
• Japanese encephalitis for long rural stays

Getting treated

Bali has good international clinics (BIMC, Siloam) used to treating tourists, but they are expensive and anything major means evacuation to Singapore or Australia. Insurance with evacuation cover is not optional here. Public hospitals are cheap and variable.

Rabies is the serious one — any monkey or dog bite means immediate treatment. Dengue is common. Malaria is not a risk in Bali or Jakarta but is in Papua and parts of eastern Indonesia.

Orientation, not medical advice. Entry rules change and what you need depends on your own history and where you have been — check with a travel clinic or your national health service four to six weeks before you go.

Food tip

Eat at warungs (local eateries) for Rp 25,000-40,000 per meal. Try nasi goreng, babi guling (roast pig), and lawar.

Getting around

• Grab/Gojek moto — the fastest and cheapest way to move, a few euros across town and it slips past the traffic
• Grab/Gojek car — same apps, still cheap, but slower than the moto on Bali’s narrow roads
• Scooter rental — ∼Rp 70,000/day if you already ride. Needs an international driving permit
• Private driver — ∼Rp 600,000/day (∼€35) for a full day with car, very common
• Walking — only practical in Ubud center and Seminyak main streets
• Airport: Grab to Seminyak ∼Rp 120,000 (30 min)

Must-see

Things to do

• Visit Ubud rice terraces and Monkey Forest
• Watch sunset at Uluwatu Temple
• Surf at Canggu or Kuta
• Snorkel in Nusa Penida
• Visit Tirta Empul water temple
• Take a cooking class

Nearby day trips

Say a few words

Indonesian

• HelloHalo / Selamat pagiHA-lo / se-LA-mat PA-gee
• PleaseTolongTO-long
• Thank youTerima kasihtuh-REE-ma KA-see
• Yes / NoYa / Tidakya / TEE-dak
• Excuse mePermisiper-MEE-see
• How much is it?Berapa harganya?buh-RA-pa har-GA-nya
• The bill, pleaseMinta bonMIN-ta bon
• Cheers!Bersulang!ber-SOO-lang

Religion

Muslim nationally, Hindu on Bali

Indonesia is the largest Muslim-majority country on earth, but Bali is the exception and is around 87% Hindu. The daily canang sari offerings on the pavement are religious — do not step on them.

Do's and don'ts

Do

• Give and receive with the right hand, or both hands for respect
• Wear a sarong at temples — they are provided at the entrance
• Step around the small daily offerings on Balinese pavements
• Dress modestly away from the beach; Indonesia is a Muslim-majority country and Bali a Hindu one

Don't

• Do not use the left hand to eat, give or receive; it is the toilet hand
• Do not touch anyone’s head, or point with a single finger — use the whole hand
• Do not enter temples if bleeding, including menstruating, which is a stated rule at many
• Do not lose your temper in public; it causes serious loss of face on both sides