Bali

Hardly any other region has developed as much tourism as Bali in recent years. Instagram and YouTube are no longer imaginable without photos and videos from Bali, and blogs and forums are also full of information. That‘s why we did not want to go to Bali for a long time. We prefer quieter and unknown areas. But now we are drawn to the island with the endless rice terraces. And for a very special occasion - our honeymoon. Here you can unite everything. A week in an Airbnb in Canggu, surrounded by positive vibes, cool cafés and young people. In the middle of the action, not far from other hotspots.

The second week in an all inclusive hotel, just to relax. Just as different as our two weeks vacation is Bali. In one place there are many cafes, a little further away beautiful sandy beaches and even further inside the island rice terraces. Temples and Hindu statues can be found scattered all over the island. And traffic jam. We want to be honest with you and this is unfortunately a crucial fact, why we were not as enthusiastic about Bali as other countries. Bali has become very touristy and the streets are not built for that many people. With „attractions“ you have to queue for a long time, you have to wait in cafés and the beaches are partly very crowded. So if you are looking for a quiet place, Bali is not the right for you.

In order to enter Bali you need a passport that is valid for at least six months. You do not need a visa if you don‘t stay longer than 30 days. The extension of the visa-free stay beyond 30 days is excluded. The Indonesian authorities no longer tolerate the previous practice of leaving the country for a short time (e.g. leaving for Singapore or Kuala Lumpur) and then entering again for up to 30 days without a visa. For long-term stays, you should therefore apply for a residence permit from the local immigration office in Indonesia.

Germans who intend to stay in Indonesia for more than 30 days, but no more than 60 days, and who are not planning to take up employment or stay in Indonesia permanently, can present a return or onward flight ticket for a fee of US $ 35 receive a visa valid for 30 days („Visa on Arrival“) upon arrival. A one-time extension of this visa for another 30 days is possible, costs at least $ 30, and must be applied for at least seven working days before the first 30-day visa expires.

A visa issued before entry is required if you want to stay longer than 60 days or have a temporary passport. The visa can be obtained from any diplomatic mission of the Republic of Indonesia regardless of where you live. The processing time can be several weeks. Failure to comply with Indonesian entry requirements could result in severe fines and imprisonment for up to five years.

If you travel to the Bali, you must definitely be vaccinated against measles. WHO has declared that omitting the vaccine as a „threat to global health“. However, no vaccinations are required when entering from Germany. The standard vaccinations are definitely always recommended. It is also recommended to vaccinate against hepatitis A and B, rabies and typhoid. Bali is warning about the Zika virus and dengue fever. If you want to go to the monkey forest I would really recommend to vaccinate against rabies.

You should wear mostly light colored clothing to protect you from mosquitoes. At night you should sleep under a mosquito net. You should always have sun protection with you. If you need medication, bring it with you from your hometown, as they are usually very expensive abroad. Watch out for water from the faucet. You should also be careful with food. During your trip you should carry a copy of you travel health insurance with you. Inform yourself before your trip about current warnings. The medical care in Bali is not that good, in rural areas travel time can be expected.

The typical Balinese dishes are hard to describe. There are that many cool modern cafés so you can say that this is kinda typical Balinese. There are smoothie bowls, healthy wraps, matcha latte or Buddha bowls. You can find these all over the island. But the real traditional Balinese food is much more than these instagrammable cafes. You can find satay, soto ayam, spring rolls and all kinds of curry and rice. The taste is amazing. If you want to eat totally traditional, you have to go to a warung. There you can choose between many dishes, just like a buffet. It is really worth a visit.

The transport infrastructure in Indonesia is not of a European level. Road, sea and air traffic are prone to accidents. Traffic routes are additionally affected in many parts of the country after natural disasters and increasing problems with flooding in the rainy season. There is left-hand traffic. Motorways hardly exist. The international driver‘s license is required and only valid in conjunction with the national German driver‘s license.

In Bali you can rent a motorbike but the streets are really chaotic. If you do not feel comfortable on the motorbike I would recommend to take a taxi. Hiring a taxi for the whole day is a really good choice. So you get a tour guide on top.

The climate is tropical and humid. Large parts of the country are particularly affected by heavy rain, floods and landslides during the rainy season, which usually lasts from November to March. Indonesia is in a seismically very active zone, the Pacific ring of fire, so there are frequent volcanic activities, earthquakes, seaquakes and tsunamis.

The national currency is Rupiah (IDR). Credit card payment is common. Cash can be withdrawn in many places using bank and common credit cards. For more remote areas, cash is recommended.