How to get there?
How can I get a cheap flight?
Unfortunately there are no direct flights from Europe to Indonesia, you have to reckon with at least one change. Cheaper flights can only be had by booking well in advance (min. 5 months beforehand). If you fill in the flight offer form (website) you’ll get non-committal offers per e-mail from a travel agent we trust.
What airport do I head for on Bali?
Your destination will be “Ngurah Rai“ International Airport in Denpasar (DPS), Bali.
Can I take my own surfboard with me?
Some obliging airlines transport surfboards free of charge provided your total baggage weight is under 20 kg (plus 5 kg hand luggage) (e.g. Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, China Airlines). But please check out with your airline beforehand since they do seem to take things as they come and decide as they like (make sure they know it is a ‘real’ surfboard, to avoid mix-ups with wind surfboards).
Visa for Indonesia
How do I get a visa (up to 30 days)?
For almost all European and North American states (exception: Netherlands) it’s a case of visa-on-arrival. You can pay for a visa when you arrive at the airport. This visa cannot be extended and can be obtained at:
- Denpasar (Bali)
- Jakarta (Java)
- Padang (Sumatra)
- Kupang (Rote)
- Mataram (Lombok).
Price
- for up to 10 days: 10 US$;
- up to 30 days: 25 US$.
It’s a good idea to have the right amount of dollars in cash, otherwise horrendous exchange rates may well make a hole in your holiday funds, before you start.
N.B.: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months upon entry to Indonesia!
What kind of visa do I need if I want to stay longer than 30 days?
If you want to stay longer than 30 days in Indonesia, then you can apply for a tourist visa from the Indonesian Embassy in your country. This visa costs around 40 EUR, is valid for 60 days and can be extended up to four times by 30 days each time. However, this extension regulation does not apply for all 60-day tourist visas, so be sure to ask at your Embassy.
To get this 60-day visa you have to provide the Embassy with your passport (valid for at least six months) plus the completed application form, a copy of your flight tickets, two passport photos and maybe proof of sufficient finances (bank statement). Reckon with anything between 3 days and 6 weeks !!!
Finances
What’s the currency on Bali?
The local currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). The fluctuating exchange rate is approx. 14,000 Rupiah for 1 EUR.
How and where can I change money?
Lots of money changers will try and bait you with good exchange rates. But to avoid any rip-offs you should only change your cash at official P.T. Moneychangers or in your hotel. Make sure you get your changed money in large bills (50,000 or 100,000) then you know you’re with the right money changer.
Can I get money from a cashpoint?
There are lots of automated cashpoints on Bali where you can get Rupiahs with your credit card or bank card (international creditor, e.g. Maestro). The maximum amount per transaction varies depending on the cashpoint, but the absolute maximum per transaction is 3 million Rupiah (approx. 215 EUR). Several transactions can be effected one after another.
What about direct money transfers to Indonesia?
Any transfers to Indonesia entail charges which the instructing party has to pay. These fees, depending on the bank, can be up to 5% of the transfer sum. You also have to reckon with an administration duration of 14 days
Cars
Can I drive myself?
During the day our cars are used for the guided surf tours. You can use them in the evenings – just check with us (an international driving licence is necessary). Groups of at least 4 can also use the cars during the day (no charge, but please refuel).
Are the cars insured for the surf camp?
Our cars are insured for third party liability, fire and theft with an own share of 300 EUR. In the case of self-drive, driver and passengers share the costs for any possible damages.
Surfing & Weather
What kind of surfboards?
Our surfboards are all made of high-quality polyester resin. On the one hand this means the best possible performance on the water, but on the other hand, if they’re not handled properly, they’re easily damaged. Repairs have to be paid for by the user. So be careful with the boards. For 25 € you can “insure” your hire board for 1-3 weeks.
Here’s a rough guide to repair costs (always depends on the extent and severity of the ding):
- Small ding: approx. 20,000 Rp.
- Medium-sized ding: approx. 40,000 Rp.
- Large ding: max. 100,000 Rp.
- Fin broken: 60,000 Rp.
- Snap: 600,000 Rp. !!
Do I need a wetsuit on Bali?
With water temperatures between 27 and 30°C you can easily leave your wetsuit at home.
What’s the weather like on Bali?
April to November is the dry season on Bali, with an air temperature of approx. 30°C and 2-3 days’ rain a month.
November to April is the humid season on Bali. That means it rains more often than in the previous months, but mostly in the morning or evening, at sunrise or sundown. In between the sun always shines and everything’s budding and blooming. The rain seldom lasts longer than half an hour, but it does pour down.
The rainiest months are January and February, when it often rains during the day, too. But it’s always a bit of gamble. Sometimes it won’t rain the whole week long and then a few days in a row...who knows?
What’s the temperature like on Bali?
All year round the temperature is always around 30°C. At night during the European summer months it can cool down to as little as 24°C.
What’s the water temperature on Bali?
The water temperature on Bali is between 27°C (July/August) and 30°C (December/January). Leave your wetsuit at home.
Lifestyle
What kind of food is there on Bali?
There is no end of variations. From tiny tasty Indonesian (mobile) street stands and mini-restaurants to Indian, Italian or even fondue, steak houses or McDonalds. In and around Kuta you can eat something different every day.
What’s the nightlife like in Kuta and Seminyak?
Depends what you want: you can either sip a quiet cocktail in Seminyak, or go dancing to house music or a live band in Kuta. Any amount of clubs, bars and discos mean you can party into the wee small hours.
What kind of clothes should I take with me?
As a rule, during the day, you can go around in a bikini or board shorts and flip flops. In the evening when you go out to eat a T-shirt, shirt and long trousers are a good idea, they also help against the mossies.
Illness, Vaccinations, Insurance
What vaccinations do I need?
We recommend a tetanus boost (1 jab in your rear end), hepatitis A (2-3 jabs, starting 6 weeks before your trip), typhoid (oral vaccination, 3 weeks before) and if you want to be on the safe side, a malaria prophylaxis. Bali and Nusa Lembongan are classified as malaria-free! However, there are always isolated cases of infection now and again. But the prophylaxis is hard stuff and, with its side effects on internals organs and the psyche, not to be taken lightly.
If you act wisely (repellents, mosquito net, protective/covering clothing), you can keep the risk to a minimum. If you want to travel further you should find out what the situation is like on the islands of your choice.
What’s medical care like on Bali?
What you need for your own personal use you should take with you; all kinds of antiseptic creams, lotions, bandaids etc. can be had very cheaply at the local pharmacy. Medical care in the tourist regions of Bali is good and up to western standards (hygiene, disinfection, educational standards of the medics, etc.).
What insurance should I take out?
Everyone should have travel health insurance. Apart from treatment expenses and drugs on location, this also covers possible return transport by an emergency service (Malteserhilfsdienst / Lear Jet) . This costs about 20 €, and can be had from the Automobile Associations (e.g. ADAC) or most insurance companies or banks. A must for everyone and valid for a whole year!
Apart from a travel health insurance, you can also take out a casualty insurance (hospital daily benefits or even a pension in a worst case scenario) and baggage insurance.
