About Bali & Indonesia Travel | Climate in Bali

CLIMATE IN BALI

The climate in this archipelago on the equator is tropical. In the lowlands, temperatures average between 21°C and 33°C, but in the mountains it can go as low as 5°C. Humidity varies but is always high, between 60 % and 100 %.

In general, Indonesia experiences two yearly seasons of monsoon winds: the southeast monsoon, bringing dry weather (musim panas - dry season), and the northwest monsoon, bringing rain (musim hujan- rainy season). Often the changing seasons can bring the time of high waves (musim ombak).

The rainy season is normally November to April, with a peak around January/February, when it rains for several hours each day. The rain is predictable, however, and always stops for a time, when the sun may come out. Before it rains, the air gets very sticky; afterwards it is refreshingly cool.

The dry season, May to October, is a better time to come, and especially June to August. This is the time to climb mountains or visit nature reserves; when wild bulls go in search of water and sea turtles lay eggs more often.

TIME ZONES IN BALI

Bali is on Central Indonesian Standard Time, the middle of Indonesia's three time zones, which is Greenwich mean time + 8 hours. It is the same time in Bali as Singapore, Hong Kong and western Australia.

MONEY

Prices quoted in this book (in US dollars) are intended as a general indication. Since the rupiah's freefall beginning in July 1997 until the printing of this edition, the financial situation is unstable and prices change daily. The rate used in this edition is Rp9,400 / US$1.

Standard currency is the Indonesian rupiah: Notes come in 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, 500 and 100 denominations. Coins come in denominations of 1,000, 500, 100, 50, and 25 rupiah. Both old and new issues are circulating. Unfortunately, the new coins are very similar in size, so look carefully. Rp25 are rarely available. In stores small change is often replaced by candies.

Banking
Moneychangers and banks accepting foreign currency are found in most tourist areas. Both private and state banks are open from 8 am-3 pm, Monday to Friday and on Saturday until 11 am.

The bank counters at major airports offer competitive rates. Bank lines in town can be long and slow; the best way around it is to arrive promptly at opening time. Bank of Central Asia (BCA), one of Indonesia's oldest and largest banks, has reliable service with branches and ATMs dotted right across the island.

Moneychangers in Bali generally give better rates than banks, are much more numerous, and keep more convenient hours. Get a supply of Rpl000 and Rp500 notes when you change money, as taxi drivers and vendors often have or claim to have-no change for big bills. When traveling in the countryside, Rp100 notes are also useful.

Carrying cash (US$) can be a handy safety precaution as it is still exchangeable should you lose your passport, but Indonesian banks only accept foreign currency that is crisp and clean.

Major credit cards are accepted in a wide variety of shops and hotels. But they often add a 3% surcharge. Most cities have at least one bank at which cash advances can be made-look for Bank Duta, BCA and Danamon. Visa and MasterCard are the most frequently accepted.

Automated Teller Machines (ATM) for Cirrus are now at major banks in most tourist centers.

There are no exchange controls and excess rupiah (bills only) can be freely reconverted at the airport.

Most larger hotels and restaurants charge 21% tax and service on top of your bill. Tipping is not a custom here, but it is appreciated for special services. USD$1 or Rp10.000 per bag is considered a good tip for room boys and porters. Taxi drivers will want to round up to the nearest Rp3000.

When tipping the driver of your rental car or a housekeeper of the house in which you've been a guest, fold the money, put it in an envelope and present it with the right hand only.

Government offices (except those in Jakarta which run on a five-day work week) are officially open Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 3 pm, Friday until 11 am and Saturdays until 1 pm, but if you want to get anything done, be there by 11 am. In large cities most private businesses are open 9 am to 5 pm. Shops from 9 am to 9 pm. In smaller towns shops close for a siesta at 1 pm and re-open at 6 pm.

Indonesia's postal service is reliable, if not terribly fast. Kilat (express) service is only slightly more expensive and much faster. Kilat khusus (domestic special delivery) will get there overnight. International express mail gets postcards and letters to North America or Europe in about 7 days from most cities.

Kantor pos (post offices) are found in every little village in Bali, open 8 am-2 pm every day except Sunday. The main post office in Denpasar (JI. Raya Puputan, Renon) remains open until 8 pm. Most close from noon to 1 pm for lunch.

Post offices are often busy and it can be a tedious process to line up at one window for weighing, another window for stamps, etc. Hotels will normally sell stamps and post letters for you, or you can use private postal agents to avoid hassles. Look for the orange Agen Kantor Pos (postal agency) signs.

Poste Restante service is usually reliable, but it is advisable to choose more important towns such as Kuta or Ubud. Some post offices ask for ID and may also charge a fee before handing over your letters.

Long distance phone calls, both within Indonesia and international, are handled by satellite. Domestic long distance calls can be dialed from most phones. To dial your own international calls, find an IDD (International Direct Dial) phone and dial "001" or "008, " otherwise you must go via the operator, which is far more expensive.

A magnetic debit (kartu telpon) phone card can be purchased at hotels, post offices and many other outlets. This is used on card phones, which are increasing in popularity, eliminating the need for small change.

If your hotel has no IDD link you have to go to the main telephone office (kantor telepon), use a silver card phone (kartu telpon) and pay an uninflected rate or use a private postal and telephone service: Wartel (warung telekommunikasi) warpostel / warparpostel. These small "telkom shops" are all over Indonesia and the most convenient way to call international (you avoid hotel price hikes). They are often run by well-trained, efficient staff and offer fast I DID services at near standard rates. Open daily 8 am -10 pm or 11 pm; some open 24 hours. Rates per minute are about $2.30 to the Americas and $3.10 to most European countries. Night rates are slightly lower.

International calls via MCI, Sprint, ATF, and the like can be made from IDD phones using the access code for your calling card company. Recently, special telephones have been installed in some airports with pre-programmed buttons to connect you via these companies to various countries.

E-mail and internet services are available at many wartel, the main post office and an increasingly number of cyber cafes.

Some of the big international courier outfits operate in Indonesia, along with some domestic ones. TNT Express Worldwide and Elteha International are probably the most reliable in Indonesia. Bali offices include:

Most of Indonesia has converted to 220 volts and 50 cycles, though a few places are still on the old 110 lines. Ask before you plug in if your are uncertain. Power failures are common in smaller cities and towns. Voltage can fluctuate considerably so use a stabilizer for computers and similar equipment. Plugs are of the European two-pronged variety.