BALI TOURIST INFORMATION

Overseas, you can contact the Indonesian embassy or consulate, or one of the following Indonesia Tourist Promotion Board offices:

ASEAN & Southeast Asia, 10 Collyer Quay #15-07, Ocean Building, Singapore 0104. Phone (65) 534-2837, fax: (65) 533-4287.

Australia & New Zealand, Level 10, 5 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia. Phone (612) 233-3630, fax: (612) 233-3629, 357-3478.

Europe, Wiesenhuttenstrasse 17, D-6000 Frankfurt/Main 1, Germany. Phone (49 169) 233-677, fax: (49 169) 230-840.

Japan & Korea, Sankaido Building, 2nd Floor, 1-9-13 Ahasaka, Minatoku, Tokyo 107. Phone (813) 3585-3588, fax: (813) 3582-1397.

North America, 3457 Wiltshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90010-2203. Phone (213) 387-2078, fax: (213) 380-4876.

Taiwan & Hong Kong, 66 Sung Chiang Road, 5th Floor, Taipei, Taiwan. Phone (886 2) 537-7620. Fax: (886 2) 537-7621.

United Kingdom, Ireland, Benelux & Scandinavia, 3-4 Hanover Street, London WIR 9HH. Phone (44 171) 493-0334, fax: (44 171) 493-1747.

The Directorate General of Tourism in Jakarta has brochures and maps on all Indonesian provinces: JI. Kramat Raya 81, PO Box 409, Jakarta 10450. Phone (021) 310-3117/9, fax: (021) 310-1146.

Local government tourism offices, Dinas Pariwisata, are generally only good for basic information. More useful assistance is often available from privately run (but government approved) Tourist Information Services. Be aware that many offices calling themselves "Tourist Information" are simply travel agents.

The tourist information counter at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Tuban (Phone 751001, ext. 1313) is open 24 hours. Other major offices are: Badung Government Tourist Office, JI. Surapati, Denpasar, Phone 223602, open 8am-2:30 pm Mon-Thurs, 7am-11am Fri.

Department of Tourism, Post and Telecommunication Regional Office X, JI. Raya Puputan, Niti Mandala, Renon, Denpasar 85112, Phone 225649, 233474, fax: 233475, open 7am-3pm Mon-Thurs, 7am-noon Fri.

Government Tourist Information Center, Mastapa Garden, 2nd Floor, Denpasar, Phone 751660, ext. 145, open 10am-4pm Mon-Sat.

Visas

Nationals of the following 46 countries do not need visas, and are granted visa-free entry for 60 days upon arrival.

Argentina Australia Austria Italy Belgium Brazil Brunei Canada Chile Denmark Egypt Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Saudi Arabia Japan Kuwait Liechtenstein Luxembourg Malaysia Maldives Malta

Mexico Monaco Morocco Netherlands New Zealand Norway Philippines Singapore South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Thailand Turkey United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Venezuela Yugoslavia

Be sure to check your passport before leaving for Indonesia. You must have at least one empty page to be stamped upon arrival and the passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of arrival. For visa-free entry, you must also have proof of onward journey, either a return or through ticket. Employment is strictly forbidden on tourist visas or visa-free entry.

Visa-free entry to Indonesia cannot be extended beyond two months (60 days) and can. not be converted to any other kind of visa.

A visa is required in advance for all other nationals or arrivals at minor ports.

Upon arrival you will be given a white embarkation/disembarkation card to fill out. Keep this card with your passport, as you must present it when leaving the country.

Other Visas

The 2-month, non-extendable tourist pass is the only entry permit that comes without a great deal of paperwork.

A social visa, usually valid for 4-5 weeks, can be extended for up to 6 months, but is difficult to get. You must have a good reason for being in Indonesia (relatives, language study), and you must have a sponsor who will assume financial responsibility for you. The process can take days or even weeks, and extensions are at the discretion of the immigration office where you apply.

A business visa requires a letter from a company stating that you are performing a needed service for a company in Indonesia. It is valid for up to one year, but you must leave the country every 4 months. This is not intended as an employment visa, but is for investors, consultants, or other business purposes. You are not to earn money in Indonesia on a business visa.

Two other types of passes are available: the temporary residence pass (KITAS) for research, formal study, or employment, and the permanent residence pass (KITAP). Both are difficult to get.

The Immigration Office is on JI. Panjaitan and open 8am-3pm Mon-Thurs, Fri till 11 am and Sat until 12 noon, Phone 227828. It can be reached from Sanur by the green bemo. Be on your best behavior and dress appropriately.

Customs

Narcotics, firearms and ammunition are strictly prohibited. The standard duty-free allowance is: 2 liters of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco.

There is no restriction on import and export of foreign currencies in cash or travelers checks, but there is an export limit of 50,000 Indonesian rupiah.

All narcotics are illegal in Indonesia. The use, sale or purchase of narcotics results in long prison terms, huge fines and death, in some cases. Once caught, you are immediately placed in detention until trial, and the sentences are stiff, as demonstrated by Westerners currently serving sentences as long as 30 years for possession of marijuana.