jimbaran seminyak ubadu Nordbali canggu Tabanan
 

Good to know

Climate

Bali has a very consistent climate with showers during the rainy season (November to March). April to October: warm and dry. Both the climate and the vegetation vary; in general, the coast is drier and warmer than Central Bali. 

 

Jan 

Feb 

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Temperature

31

31

31

31

31

30

29

29

30

31

31

31

Days with possible rain showers

6

13

10

6

5

5

4

3

3

5

8

13

Tropical living

Many of the villas we offer are tropical open-style houses which means that the architecture is open and the rooms are often only enclosed by walls on one or two sides. For many guests who come from a cooler climate, this connection with nature is a unique experience. However, this style of living also demands a certain degree of understanding and respect for nature. We are happy to advise you and help you find the ideal house for your requirements.

Entry requirements

Switzerland/Liechstenstein/Germany: Passport must be valid at least 6 months after the end of your trip. The tourist visa (valid one month) will be issued when entering the country (cost: USD 25.00 per person). Austria: Passport must be valid until at least 6 months after the end of your trip. A tourist visa must be requested from the Indonesian Embassy prior to travel. Cost: approx. Euro 35.00 per person.

Capital & airport

Denpasar. A departure fee of 100 000 Rupiah per Person will be charged at the airport when leaving the island.

Health & vaccinations

No vaccinations are necessary for Bali. If you plan to visit other islands within Indonesia or other countries in the region, we strongly advise you to contact:
Impfzentrum Zurich: Tel. 0900 57 51 31 or: www.ispmz.ch/impfzentrum.cfm
Tropeninstitut Basel: Tel. 0900 57 30 10 or: www.sti.ch. Additional medical advice on the Internet: www.safetravel.ch 

Religion

Mainly Hinduism, some Islam and Christianity.

Customs & practices 

The right hand is the ‘clean’ hand, the left hand the ‘unclean’. Therefore, never use your left hand to greet, wave or hand over a gift. Take off your shoes when entering a private house. If you sit on the floor, the soles of your feet should never be pointed towards another human. Feet have ritual significance and are general considered unclean.

Time difference

GMT: + 7 hours in summer; + 8 hours in winter

Language

Bahasa Indonesia is the official language of Indonesia. In Bali, people also speak Balinese. English is widely spoken in the parts of the island that are frequented by tourists.

Power

220 Volt

Additional costs & tipping 

Additional costs are generally low, however, in more upmarket, international restaurants and hotels, costs are mainly at the same level as in Switzerland. Normally, restaurants include a service charge, however, an additional tip is appreciated. Local guides and hotel staff expect a tip. Taxi drivers and maids appreciate one. 

Shopping

Bali is famous for its arts and crafts. It is a treasure trove for anyone looking for souvenirs. While many shops, stores and boutiques in the tourist areas sell at fixed prices, the Balinese love to haggle at local markets. Prices will often be set depending on the mood of the sales person, however, nobody should feel as if they have been swindled. Just use the bargaining as an opportunity to communicate with the locals.

Currency

Rupiah (IDR): 7470 Rupiah = approx. CHF 1.00. Credit cards are only accepted in hotels and international restaurants and stores. Swiss currency cannot be exchanged everywhere, so we suggest you use USD in cash. Larger notes (USD 100) will attract a better exchange rate. Notes should be dated no earlier than 1999. Traveller cheques are accepted in tourist areas.

Important travel information

Your welfare and security are important to us. Every journey requires careful planning and we ask you to take safety aspects into consideration. The FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (DFA) regularly publishes information on countries which might be exposed to a higher risk based on local politics. This information can be found at: www.eda.ch and www.dfae.admin.ch. 

Driving 

The rule of the road is driving on the left. An international driving licence is required to hire a car. We recommend that you hire cars with a driver. Exploring the island with a driver is normally only slightly more expensive than hiring just a car, but it is much easier as the signposting is poor.

Insurance

Whenever you travel, you are exposed to certain risks such as accidents, illness, theft or unforeseen circumstances back home. Your travel insurance will provide immediate support should you need help. We strongly recommend a combined travel policy by Elvia. For further information, please go directly to www.elvia.ch.

Travelling with small children

Children are always very welcome guests in Bali. However, please be advised that some of our villas are not ideal for small children due to the typical open style of architecture. Please see the individual description of each villa.