Balivayatravel.com - Travellertips #2

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Money & Costs

Currency: Rupiah (rp) (IDR)
Exchange rate: US$1 = approx 9500 rp (IDR); for actual Rate see OANDA.COM
Relative costs: Things are in flux at the moment, due to the Asian currency crisis and new IMF regulations. Any list of relative costs would be no more than a wild guess. As soon as things settle down, we'll give some estimates. Rest assured: if you have US dollars, they'll go a long way.

Travellers cheques and cash (preferably US dollars) are the way to go in Indonesia. Credit cards are accepted by expensive hotels, restaurants and shops, but not for day-to-day expenses. In major centres, you can always find a bank that will advance cash on Visa or MasterCard. Credit card advances through ATMs are possible, but limited outside Bali and Jakarta(other mayor cities).

Tipping is not a normal practice in Indonesia but is often expected for special service. Someone who carries your bag or guides you around a tourist attraction will expect a tip. Jakarta taxi drivers expect you to round the fare up to the next 500 rp. Hotel porters expect a few hundred rupiah per bag. Many everyday purchases normally require bargaining but in the current economic turmoil you'd do well to look to your conscience before applying this too stringently. Tourism has taken a severe downturn in most parts of the archipelago and, despite price hikes, hotel rooms are liable to be discounted.

Time: There are three time zones: Sumatra, Java and West & Central Kalimantan are seven hours ahead of UTC; Bali, Nusa Tenggara, South & East Kalimantan and Sulawesi are eight hours ahead of UTC; and Irian Jaya and Maluku are nine hours ahead of UTC
Electricity: 220V, 50 Hz
Weights & Measures: Metric

American Express: There is a branch in the Bali Beach Hotel in Sanur (tel. 361-288449).

Business Hours: Most places keep "daylight hours," which on the equator pretty much means 6 a.m. to

6 p.m.. (Or a little later.)

Doctors & Dentists: Ask your hotel for a referral--many have a doctor on call. In Kuta, try the Bali

International Medical Center (Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai No. 100X, tel. 361-761263). It's open daily

from 8 am to midnight and sometimes will send someone to your hotel. There is a general hospital in Denpasar, but for any serious problems, go home as soon as possible for treatment. For dentists, ask

your hotel for a referral.

Emergencies: The number for the police is 110, ambulance 118, fire 113.

Hospitals: There is a main hospital in Denpasar, but for any serious ailment, get back to your own country as soon as you can or evacuate to Hong Kong, Singapore, KL, or Bangkok.

Police: The phone number for the police is 110.

Safety/Crime: Bali is by and large a safe place to be, even after dark. Violent crime is rare. However, pickpockets are not, so you should exercise considerable caution by using a money belt, particularly in crowded tourist areas, and be careful not to flash large wads of cash (it's rude, besides). Many hotels offer safety deposit boxes, and it would be best to keep extra cash and other valuables in them. If nothing else, make sure your suitcase has a good lock on it. Even the best hotel can't always guarantee security for valuables left lying in plain sight.

Drug Laws: Though you may be offered hash and marijuana at every turn, Indonesia officially takes

drug offenses very seriously, and you run the risk of getting busted readily (because, as a tourist, they rather assume you are using drugs) and languishing in jail for nine or more years.