Boutique Hotels in Bali

The basic idea is to combine the conveniences of a five-star resort with the cultural richness of a Balinese private home.

Over the years this type of accommodation has increased vastly in popularity with travelers looking for something special and The difference between large hotel chains and Boutique hotels is that they don't provide 100's of rooms but instead secluded luxury in small and intimate resorts.

A "home away from home" is a bit a stressed expression, but it describes quite accurately what you may find. A really private space in a total different location, thousands of miles away from home.

All amenities are usually provided in these resorts to make you feel comfortable. Individual service with a personal touch makes all the difference, and a villa with an selection of
things you don't want to miss like sound system and satellite TV, several cozy in- and outdoor areas for relaxation, and refreshingly different styled bathrooms surely add to the
ingredients to make you enjoy your stay.

Some icing on the cake may be a private jacuzzi, plunge or
swimming pool. What would be life in the tropics without it.

A resort in Ubud was ahead of its time and has been copied by new ones a few times since then. It's the Pita Maha, build by a member of the Royal family of Ubud. The concept of a
river view resort with spa is taken from the Tjampuhan hotel and refined with adding more privacy by establishing a exclusive luxury villa concept. More about this resort later.

On the ocean side it was Four Seasons in Jimbaran who first successfully introduced the private villas concept within a hotel. Of course they also went to Ubud to build The Four
Seasons Sayan. Overlooking the Ayung river it became too small for the demand recently, new villas have been added in the second stage.

The leading resorts in this field try to accomplish a secluded setting of each villa, permitting undisturbed outdoor life with outdoor dining areas. So life within nature can be experienced in Bali style. Some of the villas have outdoor bathrooms and private plunge pools.

Many known hotels and resorts are renovating and redesigning themselves to follow this trend. Alam Kul Kul in Legian added boutique elements, The Villas in Seminyak are a good example to fully mature this concept, all villas have a private swimming pool and offer the privacy and seclusion needed.

In Jimbaran the Pansea is a strong contender, and must be booked early. The negative side of Boutique resorts is really the limited availability of rooms. It seems that a few years back the success of small high end resorts wasn't guaranteed, some of them are maybe build a bit too small.

Now the situation is very much different, travelers looking for that special place to spend a vacation, and are willing to pay for the extra luxury. The Ubud area is leading the way with resorts such as Kamandalu Resort, Kupu Kupu Barong, The Chedi or the Natura Resort, one of the latest and most convincing additions.

Pita Maha Resort, the unofficial leader of the trend is establishing a second resort to stay on top of the wave. By end of this year, Pita Maha 2 will open its gates with an increased size of about 80 villas. The reality will show if the intimacy of the original Pita Maha resort with its 24 villas can be preserved.

Religion in Bali

Many visitors who arrive in Bali do not realize that Bali is

very different religiously, to the rest of Indonesia.

Balinese people have been Hindus for eight hundred years,
since the remnants of the Majapahit empire were forced from
Java by the spread of Islam. They follow a branch of Hinduism
that owes a lot to that of India, but is quite different. The
most obvious discrepancy is that the Balinese eat cows, but
there are numerous others. 

Religion in Bali is interwoven with everyday life. Time and
time again, Balinese friends cancel appointments because they have to attend a ceremony, or take other family members to a ceremony. And, ceremonies seem, from the foreigner's
viewpoint, to be never ending. As well as the obvious ceremonies for births, deaths and marriages, and celebrating aspects of the rice harvests, there is a day for blessing machinery, one for blessing education, etc... A neighbour recently told me that he has a ceremony every fifteen days!
Many of the tourist attractions that busloads of travellers
attend have a religious origin. For instance, the Barong dance
tells a story of good versus evil, which, actually, is the
basic theme in most Balinese dances and legends. It is
performed as a part of many holy events.
Numerous visitors watch segments of the Ramayana Ballet, a
Hindu epic story about good and evil, and love, in many venues
around the island. Travellers with a little extra time should
consider a side trip to Prambanan temple in East Java.
Watching a performance of the Ramayana in the amphitheater
there, under a full moon, is truly a religious experience.
In Bali, cremations in particular, are popular with visitors.
Personally, I avoid funerals of all religions, but...
Recently, in Ubud, I observed street sellers convincing
tourists of the need to buy a sarong to watch a cremation.
Sarongs are not necessary for watching a procession, but are
mandatory when entering the grounds of the temple where the
actual cremation occurs. Because most visitors visit a temple
at some stage, the purchase of a sarong early in a trip is a
good investment.
A common occurrence in Bali is the traffic jam. Most traffic
jams are caused by a Hindu ceremony of some sort, because, as has happened in villages, since before Hinduism took root, the road is blocked off, even if it happens to be the main street
of Kuta, Sanur or Ubud! The Balinese understand priorities,
and expect non-Balinese to do likewise.
The important thing for visitors to understand, and remember,
is that cremations and other ceremonies are not tourist
attractions, but are genuine religious events. That the Balinese allow outsiders to be part of them does not detract from their religious significance.
There are many major dates in the Balinese calendar, which is
much shorter than the Western one. Late September, this
Western year, sees the arrival of Galungan, the celebration of
good fighting evil in Bali, and ends, ten days, later with
Kuningan. This period of the Balinese year sees a slow down in
some businesses, because the owners are involved in far more
important things. The morning of Kuningan sees most of Bali's
Hindu population visit the temple at Turtle Island, near
Sanur. It is a fantastic sight, if you can get near it.
Besakih temple, in East Bali, is the "mother" temple of Bali.
The other three important temples are at Uluwatu, Kintamani
and Tanah Lot. All of them are fantastic to visit. There are
other important regional temples, then, in each village there
is a temple for life at the mountain end of village, and one
for death at the end nearest the sea. Then, there are family
temples, temples in particular sacred places, and shrines
everywhere, including most houses.
Recently, near Pemuteran, in north Bali, I took a wrong turn
into the hills, and found myself at the bottom of some steps
leading up, out of sight. The 710 steps (I counted them on the
way down) lead to a small temple half-way up a mountain.
Despite being exhausted, I was exhilarated by the views across the hinterland and out to sea. The Balinese who carted the materials for building the temple, and the steps, up that path
were amazing.
An incredible experience, for me, was a trip to Tirta Empal,
the holy bathing pools in Tampaksiring. A Balinese friend said
she was going there to be "purified". I asked if I had to do
something wrong first, to accompany her, but she assured me
that all ordinary mortals can do with some occasional
purification. We were accompanied by a woman from Tabanan, who, while not a priest, is recognized as an expert in helping people carry out the ritual.
In the moonlight, we bathed under the water jets, and then
followed the old woman in carrying out the purification
rites. In the silence, punctuated only by the running water,
with the smell of incense lingering, I could sense a
"presence". It was magical.
Lastly, the daily evidence of the importance of Hinduism to
the Balinese is shown by the innumerable offerings everywhere. As well as the three main manifestations of God, Siwa, Wisnu and Brahma, there are other incarnations. Dewi Sri, the goddess of the rice harvest, is a major Balinese deity, and is still paid homage in Muslim Java. Ancestors, former kings, and guardians of sacred places are other deities. Almost every house, business, road intersection, government building, etc., has offerings to the gods and spirits of Bali placed in a shrine everyday. The small banana leaf baskets, containing flower petals, rice, and other gifts for the gods (even Oreos!) demonstrate the way that the Balinese daily live their religion.

Treasure Island of Lembongan

Perhaps there has been much information about Bali Island as a travellers destination. But information about its " sister

islands" is still very limited. Bali has four sister islands,
three of them are located on the southeast of Bali (Nusa
Penida, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan) and another on the west near Gilimanuk harbor called Menjangan Island. Nusa means, "island " in Balinese words. For this month's edition we will choose Lembongan Island as the topic.  

Lembongan and Bali Island are separated by Badung strait and can be reached by traditional motorized-jukungs via Sanur, Kusamba or Padangbai. Due to the current development of tourist resorts in Lembongan, some daily regular cruise lines that are based in Benoa Harbor with the capacity of some 300 passengers now visits it regularly.
Lembongan Island belongs to the territory of Klungkung
regency. As its neighboring island, Penida and Ceningan, it
has low rainfall all the year round. And moreover the land is
consisting of barren limestone highlands covered by cacti and
shrubs. Consequently only limited crops can be grown here such as beans, cassava, maize and tobacco.
In keeping the growth of tourism industry, Lembongan Island
has developed as a new seaside resort outside Bali Island,
owing beautiful coral beaches and transparent blue-green
waters. Many marine activities are centered on this beaches
such as snorkeling; banana boat rides et cetera. This
situation has given many new jobs and opportunity to the local
people.
One activity at this destination worth visiting is seaweed
farming. It is widely cultivated by the local people on
suspended media on the salt water. Each root is fastened on
the single rope that is stretching among two bamboo poles.
There are two varieties of seaweed that is generally
cultivated here, the large one called green kotoni and the
smaller one called red pinusun. After harvesting, the farmers
dry the seaweed on their yard under the sunlight. Seaweed is
becoming reliable export commodity of this island to Hong Kong for use in the cosmetic industry.
Another interesting destination is the Underground House that
was dug by a puppeteer inspired by the great epic story of
Mahabrata. In the story it is called Gala-Gala cave where
Pandava passed through when they saved themselves since the Korava family intended to burn them. The cave's replica itself was prepared and constructed for some eight years. By digging a layer of solid white limestone in his yard, he succeeded to build a sleeping room, kitchen and guests room. It is also completed with some ventilation for the airflow. This house is not inhabited and tends to be an expression of art. Visitors are allowed to visit this house by stepping down the ladder to get there. Such a house is the only one of its own on the island and even on the main island of Bali. In terms of its simple construction, it will remind us of the ancient time where people still inhabit the caves for their settlement.

BALI WEDDINGS

Everything You Need to Know About Getting Married in Bali

MARRIAGE LAWS, LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Bali is part of the Republic of Indonesia and is subject to Indonesian Laws. Every couple considering getting married in Bali must comply with these Laws.

In accordance with Law No. 1 of 1974 concerning marriages in Indonesia (Article 2 (1): "a marriage is legitimate if it has been performed according to the laws of the respective religious beliefs of the parties concerned."

All couples who marry in Indonesia must declare a religion. Agnosticism and Atheism are not recognized. The Civil Registry Office can record marriages of persons of Islam, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian-Protestant and Christian-Catholic faiths. Marriage partners must have the same religion, otherwise one partner must make a written declaration of change of religion.

The Religious Marriage under Islam is performed by the Office of Religious Affairs (Kantor Urusan Agama) in a ceremony at a mosque, the home, a restaurant, or any other place chosen by the couple and is legal immediately after the ceremony.

A Christian, Hindu or Buddhist marriage is usually performed first in a church or temple ceremony. After the religious ceremony, every non-Islamic marriage must be recorded with the Civil Registry (Kantor Catatan Sipil). Without the registration by the Civil Registry these marriages are not legal. Recording by Civil Registry officials can be performed directly at the religious ceremony for an additional fee.

Persons of non-Islamic faith are required to file with the Civil Registry Office in the Regency where they are staying first a 'Notice of Intention to Marry' as well as a 'Letter of No Impediment' obtained from their consular representatives.

For the issue of the Letter of No Impediment to Marriage by your Consular Representative you will need to present for youself and your fiance(e) your Passport(s) valid for more than 6 months and Certified Divorce Decrees (absolute/final) and/or Death Certificates regarding the termination of all previous marriages. Please contact the Consular Representative of your country for details well before your intended date of marriage.

The following countries have Consulates or Consular Representatives in Bali. The telephone and fax numbers must be prefixed with 62-361 when calling from abroad. Australia (Consulate, also representing Canada, New Zealand and other Commonwealth countries in emergencies), Jalan Hayum Wuruk No. 88 B, Tanjung Bungak, Denpasar, Tel. 241-118, Fax 241-120;France (Consular Agency), Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai No. 35, Sanur, Tel. 285-485, Fax 285-485; Germany (Honorary Consulate), Jalan Pantai Karang 17, Sanur, Tel. 288-535, 288-826, Fax 288-826; Italy (Honorary Vice Consulate), Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai, Jimbaran, Tel. 701-005, Fax 701-005;Japan (Consulate), Jalan Raya Puputan, Renon, Denpasar, Tel. 234-808, Fax 231-308; Mexico (Honorary Consulate), Jalan Moch. Yamin 1A, Renon, Denpasar, Tel. 223-266, Fax 231-740; Netherlands (Consular Agency), Jalan Raya Kuta 99, Kuta, Tel. 751-517, Fax 752-777; Norway & Denmark(Honorary Consulate), Kawasan Bukit Permai, Jimbaran, Tel. 701-070, Fax 701-074; Spain (Honorary Consulate, currently vacant); Sweden & Finland(Honorary Consulate), Jalan Segara Ayu, Sanur, Tel. 288-407, Fax 287-242;Switzerland & Austria (Consular Agency), Kompleks Istana Kuta Galleria, Blok Valet 2 No. 12, Jalan Patih Jelantik. Kuta, Tel. 751-735, Fax 754-457;United Kingdom (Honorary Consulate), Jalan Mertasari 2, Sanur, Tel. 270-601, Fax 270-572; U.S.A. (Consular Agency), Jalan Hayam Wuruk 188, Denpasar, Tel. 233-605, Fax 222-426.

For the Notice of Intention to Marry you have to submit the following documents for both partners to the Civil Registry Office (show the original and present a photocopy):

• Certificate of the religious marriage;
• Passport for foreign citizens, or KTP (Identity card) for Indonesian citizens;
• Certified birth certificate;
• Certified divorce decree (absolute) or death certificates regarding the termination of all previous marriages;
• Four 4x6 cm photos, both partners side by side;
• Foreign citizens:
  • 'Letter of No Impediment to Marriage' issued by your Consular Representative for Bali or Indonesia;
• Indonesian citizens:
  • Never married: letter Surat Keterangan Belum Kawin from Kepala Desa or Lurah (mayor);
  • Men aged 18-21 and women aged 16-21: parental letter of consent, signed across the materai/tax stamp Rupiah 2,000.

Before the marriage, you and your fiance(e) also may wish to file with the Civil Registry a prenuptial Property Agreement (Surat Pernyataan Harta) which must be signed before a local Notary Public. This contract is necessary if you wish to hold property separately during the marriage. In the absence of such a document, Indonesian marriage law assumes joint ownership of property, and subsequent property acquisitions by the Indonesian partner will be regulated according to the laws restricting foreign property ownership.

Two witnesses over the age of 18 are required. They must show the originals and present photocopies of their passports if they are foreign citizens or KTP (identity cards) if they are Indonesian citizens. Civil Registry employees can act as witnesses.

The Civil Registry office has a Mandatory Waiting Period of 10 working days from the date of filing. This waiting period may be waived for tourists presenting a guest registration form (Form A).

Islamic Marriage Certificates (Buku Nikah) issued by the Office of Religious Affairs (Kantor Urusan Agama) are legally valid in Indonesia and do not require registration with any other agency if you are going to live in Indonesia. However, if you might move somewhere else in the future (and who knows?), get a marriage certificate issued by the Civil Registry and an officially certified translation right away (see below).

All other Marriage Certificates will be issued by the Civil Registry usually on the same or next day. A sworn English translation of the marriage certificate should be obtained for use abroad. It is not necessary for the marriage certificate or translation to be registered by your Consular Agency. However, to have the sworn translation of the marriage certificate verified or a special translation made by the Consulate of your home country or the Consulate of your country of residence might prove useful.

WEDDING ARRANGEMENTS

Please visit baliweddingplanners.com, our associated Wedding Co-ordinator, for additional Bali wedding arrangements such as more elaborate ceremonies, handling of legal formalities, rental of bridal dresses, hair styling, make-up, flowers, dancers & musicians, photo & video shooting etc.

Special Bali Honeymoon Accommodation
No matter if you want to stay at a romantic private villa, a resort on the beach or a secluded hotel, Balivillas.com can arrange just the right honeymoon accommodation to meet your needs and make your honeymoon truly special and memorable.

Bali After Dark

Night life in Bali starts late, which means around midnight. Many visitors wonder where crowds of expats suddenly come from around 1:00 in the morning – even when all of Kuta has been very quiet during the whole evening, the IN-places often become crowded after midnight.

There's a simple explanation: during the early evenings many of Bali's night owls either still work, visit friends at home, or simply sleep. Most of them visit pubs, bars, or discos only in the early morning hours. Therefore, if you plan a night out don't start your dinner too early. Between 9:00 p.m. and midnight there are not many places we can recommend.

Visitors looking for company don't need to worry. Wherever you go in Sanur and the Kuta area, there are many other single travellers with the same problem around – day and night. In Bali's discos you'll meet also many "kupu kupu malams" ("night butterflies" or working girls) and young boys who compete with the females and service all sexes. All taxi drivers know the more popular karaoke bars and massage parlours in Kuta and Denpasar, and the various "Houses of ill Repute" in Sanur's narrow back lanes.

As reported in the BALI travel FORUM: "Prostitution is illegal in Bali. However, like in many countries, everyone turns a blind eye. Many girls can be found in nightclubs and bars in most areas. They look usually just like the girl next door, albeit with a bit more make up on, and they usually dress to please the eye. For the most part, they are gentle, easy to be with, and a lot of fun if you want to dance, drink and have a little fun with. Most will be yours for the whole night for about 500,000 Rupiah although prices range from 200,000 Rupiah to 1,500,000 Rupiah and more – depending on the season, the time of night and the situation".

SANUR & NUSA DUA

Some quite popular places in Sanur are the BORNEO PUB on Jalan Danau Tamblingan and the TROPHY PUB in front of the Sanur Beach Hotel. Both, however, close around 1:00 a.m.

The discos and pubs in Nusa Dua's 5-star hotels are often rather empty. They are mostly frequented by those visitors who stay in-house and are too tired to make the 30 minutes drive to Kuta.

THE "KUTA" AREA

Everybody looking for some action and fun in the evening goes to "Kuta" which nowadays means the area extending about 4 miles or 7 kilometers North from the original village of Kuta and includes now Legian, Seminyak and even Basangkasa. Here are most of the better entertainment places offering EVERYTHING single male or female visitors as well as couples might be looking for.

There are several places such as CASABLANCA etc. – down-market open-air pubs and very noisy discos full of stoned Aussies courting Javanese "Kupu Kupu Malams". PEANUTS Discotheque on Jalan Raya Legian at the Jalan Melasti corner (about the border between Kuta and Legian) has been re-opened very soon after it was gutted by a fire. The huge (air-conditioned) dance floor is often crowded, guests are a mix of locals and younger foreign visitors.

Closer to the center of Kuta you find the BOUNTY SHIP with a noisy, over-air-conditioned disco in the basement and the re-built PADDY'S not far from the original PADDY'S. Much more "IN" nowadays is the newer M-BAR-GOwhich features really good music and a better crowd than most other places.SKY GARDEN is also on the main road and an interesting place to go. The bar is on the top floor, the three storeys below feature all different lounge areas. The menu is huge but the food is often disappointing. When most places close around 2.00 or 3.00 in the morning, night owls of all kinds continue drinking at nearby MAMA'S until sunrise.

For a somewhat more civilized evening out, you can have dinner and a couple of drinks at the bar at either TJ's or KORI in Kuta, at the open street side bar at NERO Bali right opposite AROMAS Restaurant in Kuta, at the re-builtMACCARONI CLUB in Kuta, at MADE'S WARUNG in Basangkasa (see BALI - Restaurants to Enjoy), or at the trendy HU'U Bar & Lounge near the Petitenget temple, LA LUCIOLA and THE LIVING ROOM.

One of the most "in" venues in Bali is KU DE TA right on the beach adjacent to the Oberoi hotel. This is the place to see and be seen, and from late afternoon there is a DJ providing rather noisy entertainment for Bali's beautiful people. This is a great place to watch Bali's famous sunsets, but expect to pay for a cocktail around US$10 and more.

Something more outrageous and only for open-minded people are the HULU CAFE shows in Garlic Lane between Jalan Padma and Jalan Melasti in Kuta/Legian, a place which called itself the "only real gay bar in all of Bali"with drag shows starting at 11:00 p.m. three times per week. The performances are actually kind of funny! Since the original HULU CAFE burnt down in 2008, the shows are now performed at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at the BALI BEACH SHACK in the same lane

You'll find a large and quite popular HARD ROCK CAFE right at the beginning of Kuta's beach road with live music from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Expect to find many singles of all kinds here looking for company. If you think this is too noisy, too crowded, or the air-conditioning too cold for you, try the CENTER STAGE at the HARD ROCK RESORT located in the back of the CAFE. As the name implies, the band performs on a raised stage in the middle of the huge round lobby bar until 11:00 p.m. Both HARD ROCK outlets are expensive by Bali standards.

The JAYA PUB on the main road in Seminyak features also live music and attracts many Indonesian customers who don't mind the chilling air-conditioning and the sometimes horrible bands and singers. MANNEKEPIS, a pleasant Belgian pub/restaurant right opposite the QUEEN'S TANDOOR in Seminyak, features live Jazz on Thurdays, Fridays and Saturdays and serves good meals at reasonable prices.

Seminyak's best place to have a drink and some fun after 11 p.m. are nowadays probably OBSESSION World Music Bar and SANTA FEE Bar & Grill, Jalan Abimanyu (also known as Gado Gado Road or Jalan Dhyana Pura). Life music, reasonably priced cocktails and the friendly girls attract many visitors until the early hours. Other popular night spots nearby in the same street are SPY BAR, LIQUID, Q BAR and MIXWELL ("for the alternative lifestyle"), SPACE and THE GLOBE. New bars and "Chill-Out Lounges" are opening all the time, and most of them feature DJ's and/or live music on certain nights. Just walk down the road and check them out !

Later, from 2:00 a.m., it's party time at the SYNDICATE, BACIO andDOUBLE SIX, a large open-air disco with several bars, big dance floor, and many tables. All three are located next to each other on the beach in Seminyak and charge an entrance fee of 30,000 to 100,000 Rupiah (depending on the day) for which you get a voucher for a free drink. Here and in nearby DEJA VU and LA VITA LOCA you'll find most of Bali's night owls drinking and dancing the night away until 4:30 a.m. or so. (The legendaryGADO GADO Disco has been re-converted into a restaurant.)

Also, watch out for notices and small posters in Kuta and Seminyak announcing special events such as Full Moon Parties, House Warming Parties, Body Painting Parties, etc, etc. If these "parties" are announced to the public (even if only by word-of-mouth), they are open for everybody. You'll have to pay for your drinks, therefore, don't be shy.

MONEY MATTERS

The Indonesian Rupiah is the local currency, normally abbreviated to Rp followed by the value. Denominations of Rp.50 and 100 are in the form of coins, Rp.100, 500 and 1,000 are in either coins or bills, and Rp.5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 are only available in bills. Values below Rp.50 are rarely seen except as change and are often substituted by sellers with sweets in lieu of change.

In Bali, carry a handful of Rp.10,000 to Rp.100,000 notes for your daily expenses. Backing this up with a credit card for major purchases is a good idea. Take note though, most mid-range hotels, all top-end hotels and some tourist attractions, car rental agencies and tour companies list their prices in US dollar. The Rupiah is still acceptable in these establishments but the exchange rate is usually more advantageous to the vendor than the tourist.

Changing Money

Foreign currency, whether in banknotes or traveler's checks, should be exchanged at major banks or authorized money changers (PT. Central Kuta is highly recommended).

The US dollar is the preferred foreign currency in Bali; bring always new, clean bank notes which are not damaged in any way. If for instance a corner is missing or someone scribbled something on an otherwise perfect bill, hardly anybody will accept it at full value.

Exchange rates offered by money changers are generally better than by the banks, they stay open longer and transactions are faster. For US$100 notes better exchange rates are offered than for US$10 or US$20 bills.

Avoid hole-in-the-wall operators by all means, and always ask about any commission imposed before the exchange as many money changers advertising better rates charge a commission. Count the money you receive carefully (Rp.10,000 and Rp.100,000 notes look similar), and never ever hand it back to the money changer after you counted it!

Some of these guys are magicians, and the million you just counted suddenly is less than 700,000 Rupiah after the seller touched the bank notes again!

Plastic Money

Many shops accept credit cards and charge cards but often add 3-5 percent to your bill. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are accepted by most of the bigger businesses. The amount signed for and charged is in Rupiah and the bill is then converted by the clearing banks to your domestic currency.

Automatic Teller Machines are mushrooming all over the island, especially at shopping centers and bank branches. Most of them are connected to international banking networks thus making it possible to look for machines that are affiliated with your own ATM network.

Banks

Most major banks have branches in the main tourist centers and provincial capitals. Banking hours are generally from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday and until 11 a.m. on Saturdays.

WHERE TO STAY IN BALI, INDONESIA

The Most Popular Hotel, Villa & Resort Areas in Bali Click here to see more details BALI ACCOMMODATION LOCATOR Nusa Dua & Tanjung Benoa & the Bukit (Southern peninsula) Bali's southern peninsula is where you find today most of the island's international 4- and 5-star Bali Hotels and Resorts - set in Nusa Dua's manicured and not very Balinese garden environment. Nice beach with shallow water, no high waves. All kinds of water sports, 18-hole golf course. Nusa Dua Galleria center with a variety of rather expensive restaurants, shops, and department stores. Some more reasonably priced restaurants are located in adjacent Tanjung Benoa and Bualu village. No night life to speak of. About 12 km/7.5 miles from the airport. An increasing number of private villas is being built on the Bukit, the hill South of the airport. Many of these offer spectacular views of the sea, Kuta, Denpasar, Sanur and Bali's mountains. The climate is much cooler and much more dry – even if it rains in most parts of Bali you can expect sunny days here. Recommended Accommodation: Aston Bali Resort 5*, Ayodya Resort 5*, Grand Mirage Resort 5*, Inna Putri Bali 5*, Nikko Bali Hotel 5*, The Bale 4*, St. Regis Bali Resort 5*, and an increasing number of beautiful, fully staffedPrivate Villas. Jimbaran Beach (West coast, South of the airport) Probably Bali's best beach with decent hotels and accommodation: nearly white sand, waves not too high for swimming, wind surfing, and sailing (no motorized water sports activities); not too many tourists, and no beach vendors (yet). A few up-market hotels and resorts, and a fast increasing number of unpretentious but good seafood restaurants right on the water front. Highly recommended for watching Bali's famous sunsets. Located just a few miles south of the airport. Recommended Accommodation: Bali Inter-Continental Resort 5*, Four Seasons Resort 5*, Ritz Carlton 5*, Bvlgari Bali 5*, Tuban, Kuta (West coast, North of the airport) An increasingly busy area with many hotels and resorts of all categories right on or near the beach (powerful waves, strong currents). Many restaurants and shops along the main road. Located between Kuta and Bali's international airport. Recommended Accommodation: Discovery Kartika Plaza 5*, Ramada Bintang Bali 5*. Kuta Beach & Legian (West coast, South Bali) Crowded beach (many vendors, masseuses, beach boys, etc, high waves, strong currents) lined by numerous hotels and resorts, mostly in the 2- to 4-star categories. In early 2000 the beach road from the Hard Rock Resort to the Bali Intan Hotel has been extended to the "DOUBLE SIX" disco, and many hotels such as the Legian Beach, Bali Mandira, Bali Padma, Jayakarta Hotel and others have lost their direct beach access and a large part of their garden. Kuta and Legian (grown into one township during the past decade and spreading further north every month) are the centers of Bali's night life with a great number of restaurants, pubs, open bars, discos, and all kinds of super markets, department stores, and shops selling casual wear and beach fashions, antiques, handicrafts and souvenirs. Daily traffic jams and many, sometimes quite insistent hawkers have made this very untypical and rather ugly part of Bali a nightmare for many visitors. Recommended if you are looking for action, excitement, or just for a night out, but certainly not for a family vacation or romantic honeymoon. Recommended Accommodation: Bali Padma Hotel 5*, Hard Rock 5*, Inna Kuta Beach 4*, Mercure Bali 4*. Seminyak to Batubelig and Tanah Lot (West coast, South Bali) Until recently this used to be a rather rural, mostly residential area, stretching a few miles north from Legian. Good, off-white, sandy beach with powerful waves and some strong currents, and getting less crowded the further you move to the North. Fast increasing number of hotels and villas, good but reasonably priced restaurants and Bali's most interesting pubs and discos as well as shops selling casual wear, furniture, antiques, decorative items and handicrafts. Recommended for visitors who wish to be somewhat away from the tourist crowds but appreciate easy access to the restaurants and shops of Seminyak, Legian, and Kuta. Access to other parts of the island is equally good as you don't have to pass through crowded Kuta. Between Seminyak and Batubelig, and in the beautiful, still rural area stretching further North to Canggu and up to Tanah Lot you'll also find some of Bali's most attractive vacation villas. Recommended Accommodation: Resor Seminyak 5*, Sofitel Seminyak 5*, The Legian 5*, The Samaya Bali, The Oberoi 5*, Le Meridien 5*, and a good choice of fully staffed Private Vacation Villas. Sanur Beach (East coast, South Bali) This is where you'd find 25 years ago all of Bali's international standard hotels although the beach was never outstanding. Today the beach has further deteriorated, and Sanur has become rather quiet compared to Kuta and Nusa Dua but is still popular with old-time visitors and some foreign residents. Recommended Accommodation: Bali Hyatt 5*, Inna Grand Bali Beach 5*, Inna Shindu Beach 3*, Sanur Paradise Plaza 4*, and some Private Vacation Villas. Ubud and Surroundings, Central Bali The town of Ubud is to Bali what Jogyakarta is to Java - culturally speaking. Ubud is where most accomplished painters, dancers, musicians, carvers and weavers live and work, and there are a number of very good museums and art galleries. Because of its location at the base of the mountains (about 19 miles or 30 kilometers north of Denpasar) temperatures are slightly lower than in the lowlands, and year-round rain showers help to grow lush tropical vegetation. The town itself has developed rapidly during the past decade, and today the main roads are lined with art shops, handicraft and souvenir shops, as well as many restaurants and cafes. Until late afternoon tourist groups and other day-visitors are roaming shops and eateries. After sunset, Ubud becomes more quiet. Accommodation ranges from very cheap, very basic "losmens", quite expensive but equally basic "losmens", to some of Bali's best-known and most expensive boutique hotels and beautiful private villas. Most of these are located in Sayan a few miles away overlooking the picturesque Ayung river valley. Recommended Accommodation: Alila Ubud 4*, Four Seasons Sayan 5*, Kori Ubud Resort & Spa 1*, The Viceroy Bali, and a few very attractivePrivate Vacation Villas. Candidasa & Lovina, East & North Bali These two tourist centers in the East and North of Bali have become popular meeting places for all those visitors wanting to get away from the tourists. Both offer a number of often quite simple but adequate hotels and restaurants. Beaches around Candi Dasa, however, have kind of disappeared during the last decade after most coral reefs in the area were destroyed, and many visitors do not like the black sand covering most beaches in the North of Bali. Recommended Accommodation: Kubu Bali, Mimpi Resort Tulamben 5*, Puri Bagus Candidasa 5*, Mimpi Resort Menjangan 5*, Sol Inn Lovina 5*. BALI HOTEL & RESORT BARGAIN FINDER   Find the GUARANTEED lowest rates at luxury resorts and budget hotels in all parts of Bali, Indonesia. Reserve on-line to save 70% and more on your hotel accommodation. PRIVATE VACATION VILLAS IN BALI   Renting a fully staffed private villa (two to seven bedrooms, tropical garden and swimming pool, all amenities) in Bali, Indonesia, is an attractive alternative to spending your vacation in a hotel or resort. CRUISING THE SPICE ISLANDS   Join a scheduled cruise or charter your own traditional schooner with 3 to 16 cabins and expert crew from Bali to visit fierce dragons which have survived from the Jurassic age on Komodo, and to experience ancient tribes and cultures in the Lesser Sunda Islands.

BALI HOLIDAYS FOR FAMILIES

Bali is a perfect place to take your kids. They'll love the natural surroundings, and there is no problem whatsoever to find a baby-sitter or somebody to take care of them wherever you go. All Balinese adore kids !

Here you will find information about everything that you need to know about a Bali holiday for your family: where to stay, what to do and where to eat.

WHERE TO STAY IN BALI, INDONESIA, FOR FAMILIES

A Bali holiday for families begins and ends with suitable accommodation. There are variety of Bali hotels, resorts and villas to choose from, when planning your Bali holiday.Things to consider in selecting your Bali accommodation for a family group are:

• Location - try to choose a location that is popular and close to family oriented attractions i.e. near the beach, shops, restaurants and amusements.
• Facilities - make sure your accommodation choice is suitable for kids, it has a children's pool, connecting doors, play ground etc. Some venues are unsuitable for family groups.
• Pricing - does your accommodation choice offer discounts for children under a certain age?
• Transport - when you travel with a family in Bali, it will be much more convenient if you use private transport. Check with your accommodation venue if they provide private transport as part of the holiday package.

Below you will find links to a variety of Bali hotels, resorts, villas and Bali holiday packages

	Bali Hotel & Resort Bargain Finder
	Many Bali hotels and resorts offer family rooms or children discounts. Find the GUARANTEED lowest rates for famous luxury resorts and budget hotels in all parts of Bali, Indonesia. Reserve on-line to save 70% and more.
	Private Vacation Villas in Bali
	Many families choose to spend a Bali holiday in a private villa. You can rent a private villa with two to seven bedrooms, tropical garden and swimming pool, all amenities, private car and driver and trained house staff. This is an attractive alternative to spending your vacation in a hotel or resort for many families.

BALI TOURS - WHAT YOU CAN SEE AND DO IN BALI

Bali is a paradise for children. Just about every attraction on the island is children "friendly" - which makes Bali an ideal destination for parents as well.

Children's attractions in Bali vary from surf, sand and beach activities; cultural activities such as dancing, temple visits, and traditional Balinese life style experiences; adventure activities such as rafting, cycling, bungee jumping and elephant rides; and theme parks such as Bali Bird Park, Waterbom, Butterfly Park, etc.

	Popular Bali Tours
	A full list of the most popular Bali tours, ranging from volcano tours to handicraft tours.
	Balinese Dances
	Balinese Dances are vivid and stylized performances. Most Balinese dances are dramatizations of stories and legends from the Hindu "Ramayana" and "Mahabaratha" or Balinese historical events. Here is an excerpt from the International Herald Tribune, April 26th, 1996 on Balinese Dances: "Dancing The Night Away Balinese culture is almost ready made for kids, especially the traditional dances with their colorful costumes and lively music. Girls tend to like the graceful movements of the Legong, which is often performed by young Balinese dancers. Boys are attracted to theRamayana epic, with its dashing warriors or the famous Barong & Kris dance that features a mortal duel between the forces of good and evil. Most of the big hotels feature dance performances each evening, often on outdoor stages adjacent to the pool. The new Galleria Nusa Dua shopping center features a different dance performance each night. Farther afield is the village of Batubulan, where the Barong & Kris dance is performed several times each day in an outdoor venue reminiscent of a Balinese temple." If you wish your family to experience any of the above dances during your Bali holiday, find the full listing of all the above Balinese dances, and many more, with locations and times, by clicking here.
	Popular Bali Activities
	Every popular family activity you can imagine can be found in Bali; from the water to the sky, there is something for everyone.Another excerpt from the International Herald Tribune, April 26th, 1996 on adventure activities: "Young Adventurers Adventure sports activities have become increasingly popular in Bali in recent years, and many of these are also ideal for children. Anyone seven years of age and older can raft along the Ayung river, a two-hour journey through rain forests and rice terraces along a churning white water course that tumbles down 25 rapids. Mountain bike excursions (including a volcano trip), jungle treks and open-ocean kayak journeys are offered by the same adventure outfitters. Another adrenaline pumper is bungee jumping on the beach at Kuta under the auspices of A.J. Hackett, the New Zealand company that invented the sport. Bali is also fertile ground for special theme attractions like Waterbom Park in Kuta and the new Taman Burung Bird Park in Batubulan. Waterbom features numerous swimming pools and water slides in a lush tropical setting with restaurants, bars and shops. Taman Burung showcases the fabulous tropical birds of Indonesia, with more than 250 species, including birds of paradise, kingfishers, hornbills, parrots and pheasants." If you wish your family to experience any of the above activities during your Bali holiday, please see the full listing at Bali Activities.

EATING OUT IN BALI

One of the greatest experiences of a Bali holiday for many families is eating out. Bali is simply like no other place in the world for the many different restaurants and cuisines on offer, the low cost for meals, the quality of food, and the exotic or romantic settings.

You should note that Hotel Restaurants are more expensive than local restaurants. The standard of hygiene is usually high, but always tell the restaurant staff to not make the food spicy hot when ordering for children.

	What you should know about eating in Bali
	There is a lot to know about eating out in Bali for families. There is a wide variety of cuisines to choose from with many restaurants specializing in simple dishes suitable for children. Also find out where the most popular Western fast food outlets are in case your children experience withdrawal symptoms.
	Where to eat in Bali
	We have listed what we consider to be the best restaurants in Bali. These restaurants range from cheap eateries to restaurants serving excellent cuisine. We have listed all restaurants by area so you can easily find the best restaurants closest to your accommodation. Bon Appetite!

BALI FLIGHT INFORMATION

Don't look for "Bali" in airline time tables. It's listed as "Denpasar" (DPS) which is the name of the island's capital. However, from Bali's internationalNgurah Rai Airport it takes you just 15 to 30 minutes by car to Kuta, Legian, Sanur and Nusa Dua, and in about 50 to 60 minutes you can be in Ubud.

Today there is an increasing number of direct flight connections between Bali and Adelaide, Amsterdam, Auckland, Bangkok, Brunei, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Frankfurt, Fukuoka, Guam, Honolulu, Kaohsiung, Kuala Lumpur, London, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Munich, Nagoya, Osaka, Paris, Perth, Rome, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo, Vienna, and Zurich.

To check the Flight Schedules of the World's Major Airlines (not only flights to Bali but wherever you want to go), please click here. You might even wish to bookmark this page for all your air travel and flight information needs.

PRIVATE FLIGHTS TO BALI

Private Aircraft Charters, i.e. all non-scheduled commercial air transportation, is certainly not cheap but can be under certain circumstances the most economical means of travel. Look at the information for flights to Bali, check the airfares for different aircraft, and make your reservations on-line.

BALI TRAVEL BOOKS AND GUIDES - RECOMMENDED READINGS

Bali Handbook, by Bill Dalton. Very detailed and well-researched travel information for everybody seriously interested in Bali, its people, and all things Balinese. However, not much help for those looking for fine dining or luxury accommodation. Second edition revised in 1997.

Knopf Guide Bali. Beautiful layout of photography and artworks complement short essays on everything from detailed explanations of complex Hindu ceremonies to food preparation. The information here is amazingly accurate, and well presented with cross references to basic travel information.

Bali: The Island of the Gods, Periplus Editions (June 2005). In our opinion the best all-round Bali travel book with up-to-date information, detailed maps and beautiful photographs.

Insight Guide Bali, 16th. edition (June 2009) of this popular coffee table book with many beautiful photographs.

Bali & Lombok, Lonely Planet Guides, 12th. edition (April 2009) of this popular guide for the budget traveler.

East of Bali: From Lombok to Timor, by Kal Muller (photographs) and David Pickell, Passport Books. This travel book covers most islands between Bali and Australia.

Fodor's Indonesia, (1999) by Laura M. Kidder. Travel book covering the whole Indonesian archipelago Fodor style.

Island of Bali, by Miguel Covarrubias. An introduction to the traditional Balinese culture written in the 1930's by this Mexican painter. A Classic and a Must for serious readers.

Balinese Dance, Drama and Music: A Guide to the Performing Arts of Bali, by I Wayan Dibia, Rucina Ballinger and Barbara Anello. Periplus Editions (December 2004). Ideal reading for anyone interested in Balinese culture, this lavishly illustrated book fully explains the history and function of each performance genre.

Bali: Sekala and Niskala I, by Fred B. Eiseman. Essays on religion, ritual and art. A great guide to the elaborate rituals of the Balinese, written by an American scholar who clearly loves this island.

Bali: Sekala and Niskala II, by Fred B. Eiseman. Essays on society, traditional, and craft. Detailed descriptions of every aspect of daily life in Bali, from morning offerings to mask making.

BALI: a Paradise Created, by Adrian Vickers. Over three centuries the West has created the exotic image of a tropical paradise which even has been taken over by the Balinese themselves. This book provides insight in the history full of violence and magic, art and ritual, warring kingdoms, slavery, mass suicides, and colonization.

Bali - the Ultimate Island, by Leonard Lueras and Ian Lloyd. The "ultimate coffee table book" on the "Ultimate Island".

Bali Style, by Barbara Walker and Rio Helmi. Photographs and descriptions of some of the most beautiful private residences in Bali.

VISA REGULATIONS

The government of Indonesia has changed its visa policy for foreign tourists effective February 1st., 2004.

Visiting Indonesia Without Any Visa

Entering Indonesia without any visa is possible now only for nationals of the following 11 countries and territories: Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Citizens of the above countries will be issued on arrival a stay permit for 30 days free of charge upon presentation of a passport which is valid at least for another 6 months. This stay permit cannot be extended or converted into another type of visa.

VISA on ARRIVAL (VoA)

This facility is now available for nationals of the following countries: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Libya, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, People's Republic of China, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Citizens of these countries will be able to apply for a VoA valid for 30 days upon arrival by air in Bali, Jakarta and a few other international airports or by ship at a limited number of Indonesian sea ports. A 30-day visa costs US$25 and is extendable for another 30 days. Be aware that Immigration officials calculate the 30-day period as follows: your arrival day is counted as your first day, and you must leave the country on the 30th. or 60th. day!

How to Obtain the "VISA on ARRIVAL" (VoA)

Travelers from the above countries must be in possesion of a passport which is valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival and the completed embarkation/disembarkation card they received from their airline. They must also be able to prove they have sufficient funds for their stay in Indonesia.

Arriving travelers with Visa-On-Arrival status have to go first to one of the "VoA Counters" to pay the appropriate fee and have their passports stamped with the VoA before proceeding to the Immigration Clearance Desk. An official bank is part of the VoA service counters. Payment of visa fees can be made in US Dollar or Indonesia Rupiah.

Requirement and Types of Visa Before Arrival

Citizens of countries neither on the VoA nor Visa-Free lists are required to apply for a visa overseas before travelling to Indonesia. Nationals of ALL countries planning to stay for more than 30 days in Indonesia also have to apply for the appropriate visa (tourist, business, social-cultural, etc.) at an overseas Indonesian Consulate or Foreign Mission before departing for Indonesia. For details of various types of Visa, please visit the page Visa of the Republic of Indonesia.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

Prohibited Items

Weapons, narcotics and pornography are prohibited to bring into Bali. Pets are strictly banned to prevent the spread of rabies.

Alcohol & Tobacco

You are only allowed to bring a maximum of one liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 100grams of tobacco and a reasonable amount of perfume into Indonesia. Photographic equipment, typewriters, laptop computers and radios are admitted, provided that they are taken out on departure. All these should be declared via a customs declaration form that must be completed before arrival.

Currencies, Etc

Another subject is the import and export of currencies; one is not allowed to import or export Indonesian currency exceeding Rp. 5 million. I n addition, the export of national treasures is frowned upon - genuine antiques, tortoise shell, crocodile skins and ivory are not to be taken out of Indonesia.

What You Can See & Do in Bali, Indonesia

Bali's natural attractions include miles of sandy beaches (many are well-known amongst surfers), picturesque rice terraces, towering active volcanoes over 3,000 meters (10,000 ft.) high, fast flowing rivers, deep ravines, pristine crater lakes, sacred caves, and lush tropical forests full of exotic wildlife.

The island's rich cultural heritage is visible everywhere - in over 20,000 temples and palaces, in many colorful festivals and ceremonies (including tooth filings and cremations), in drama, music, and dance.

You can experience Bali on many different excursions and guided tours by coach, private car or "Big Bike", by boat or by air plane: seeing Bali's beaches and rice terraces, the famous Besakih Temple on the slopes of holy Mount Agung, Lake Batur and it's active volcano, Ubud, Legian, Kuta, Nusa Dua, and the temples of Tanah Lot and Ulu Watu from a helicopter is a really special experience. For helicopter tours and private charters (3 to 6 passengers) please contact the Balivillas.com Service Center at 703-060 as soon as you arrive.

Most full day tours by car (about 8 to 10 hours, min 2 persons) cost about US$45 to US$50 per person, half day tours US$30 to US$35. These prices include a multi-lingual guide and transport in an air-conditioned private car, all entrance fees, but no meals. Which guide and driver you choose can make or break your day: be warned that those who offer very low prices tend to waste your time by showing you hardly any more than those shops which pay them a commission on your purchases.

For suggestions what to see and do during your stay on the island of Bali, please visit the following pages:

• The Most Popular Bali Tours
• Balinese Dances, Dramas
• Bali Museums & Art Exhibitions
• Popular Bali Activities
• Shopping in Bali