Frequently asked questions

I speak English, but unfortunately no German. My friends, the Menschel family from Germany, created this website for me.

I offer my tours in English. The first contact (email/phone) takes place with the Menschel family in Germany, in German or English. I will hand out flyers accompanying the tours in German or English, so a basic knowledge of English is no obstacle on my tours.

Before your trip and during your stay on Bali, I can always be reached by email or mobile phone. The Menschel family is also always happy to help you with questions or problems.

If you book my services for more than one day, I will give you a mobile phone with a Balinese SIM card. This ensures good communication for arrangements and planning, and you can reach me easily and cheaply with questions or problems.

Before you travel, make sure your passport is valid for at least another 6 months. Since 10 June 2015, German tourists have been granted visa-free entry for a maximum of 30 days. However, this only applies to purely tourist stays. If you plan to work on Bali, check with the responsible Indonesian embassy or consulate whether a social or business visa is required. For longer stays, the visa must be applied for before you travel. Visitors of other nationalities should check the current entry rules for their country. When leaving, a departure tax of 150,000 rupiah per person is due shortly before passport control, and 30,000 rupiah for domestic flights.

Keep away from porters at the airport — they often demand excessive tips.

The currency on Bali is the rupiah (IDR). Bank Central Asia (BCA), Bank International Indonesia (BII) and Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) are partners for VISA and Mastercard credit cards. When paying by credit card, a surcharge of 3% – 5% is common in smaller shops. Cash machines can be found in shopping centres or anywhere along streets with shops or restaurants. The Commonwealth Bank machines pay out the highest amounts in one go (3.5 million IDR). I advise you not to change money directly at the airport, as the exchange rate offered there is worse. Money changers often offer better rates than the hotel. If you book the airport transfer with us, we are happy to show you reputable money changers on the way to the hotel. Unfortunately there are some black sheep among the money changers who lure customers with unrealistically low fees.

American Express………………………001 803 61 005 (toll-free)

Mastercard…………………………001 803 18 870 623 (toll-free)

Visa…………………………… ….001 803 19 336 294 (toll-free)

Everyone on Bali appreciates a tip for good service. The service charge of 10% that is often listed is not a tip; it is shared among all the hotel staff. In restaurants, a few thousand rupiah are usual for friendly service. For room service, 20,000 – 30,000 rupiah per day is appropriate and is left on the bed each day. Porters receive 5,000 rupiah.

On day trips with satisfactory service, about five to ten US dollars for the tour guide and the driver together is appropriate, depending on the number of guests.

Beachwear such as shorts, miniskirts or low-cut T-shirts is not allowed in the temples. Shoulders must be covered, and long trousers or, for women, a long skirt are expressly requested. Some temples lend suitable clothing at the entrance. Of course, it is better to come prepared.

You do not need malaria protection, as there are only very few and small mosquitoes on Bali. Tap water on Bali is not drinking water, but it can be used for washing or brushing your teeth. Bottled drinking water is provided in the rooms of many hotels. Take something against diarrhoea with you as a precaution. To prevent diarrhoea, avoid salads washed in water, ice cubes in drinks and freshly made ice cream sold on the street. Ice cubes in hotels or good restaurants are made from drinking water and are safe. No special vaccinations are required, but you should be vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus and hepatitis A and B.

Emergency numbers:

Ambulance: 118

Directory enquiries: 108/ 147

Fire: 113

Police: 110

You can get most medicines on Bali without a prescription and inexpensively. There are pharmacies in all larger towns, and supermarkets also sell medicines. Even larger hotels have their own small clinics where you can receive medical care. All medical services must be paid for directly. Ask for a detailed invoice to submit to your health insurance.

Large hospitals are

the Bali International Medical Centre (Australian clinic with Western standards), Jln Bay Pas Ngurah Rai 100x, Kuta, phone 761263

the private clinic Kasih Ibu, jln Teuku Umar 120, Denpasar, phone 223036

the International Wing Sanglah, Jln Dipanegoro 1, Denpasar, phone 227911

The Menschel family has personally had very good experiences with the SOS Clinic

Jalan Uluwatu, Kuta Selatan, phone 361 703377

Feedback from a clinic in Germany after returning home:

“ .. many holidaymakers do not come back from Italy or Spain with such good medical care!”

Drug offences are prosecuted in Indonesia and punished very severely. Even possession of small quantities of drugs can lead to long prison sentences. Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty!

Only recently, the sentences of 6 people (not Indonesians) who had been sentenced to death were carried out and the people were shot. We therefore strongly warn against buying, possessing, distributing, importing or exporting drugs of any kind!

In the party town of Kuta, tourists are often offered all kinds of drugs on the street. Take particular care here, because Balinese police officers also sell drugs in order to catch tourists. No distinction is made between locals and tourists. Consuming so-called “magic mushrooms” is also strictly forbidden and punishable.

Crime and violent crime are rather rare compared with other holiday destinations or even Europe. The reason lies in the Balinese mentality and in the constant, but not unpleasant, presence of security staff. Bali is considered a safe holiday destination. The crime rate on Bali is among the lowest in the world. Nevertheless, keep an eye on your valuables, as the obvious wealth of tourists can invite theft. This applies above all in Kuta, Legian and Seminyak.

The Balinese mentality is full of helpfulness, friendliness and business sense.

The Balinese usually meet visitors with a smile. On Bali, a smile is an expression of dignity and respect. The Hindus are very harmony-loving and peaceful people – their highest principle is to avoid quarrels and conflicts.

Bali lies in the tropical climate zone. The average temperature is around 30°C all year round. The best time to travel is from April to October (dry season).