Practical Information
Below are some commonly asked questions about spending time in Bali with your loved ones. Please don’t hesitate to ask us if you have any other questions about life in Bali?
Where should I shop for the fresh groceries in Bali?
Frestive
Frestive – A great option for fresh vegetables! Located near LIO corner on Jalan Kerbokan. They have a good selection of vegetables and snacks as well as toiletries. Their prices are very affordable. They also have a deli with meats and seafood. There is also a frestive at Berawa corner, at the junction just up from Finns Beach Club.
Pepito Mart
Pepito Mart – There are several Pepitos in Seminyak and Canggu and they offer one of the better selections of fresh and packaged goods. The prices are fair and they often sell some toys, goggles, stationary etc if the kids are looking for extras.
Coco’s Supermarket
Coco’s Supermarket – located on Eat Street in Seminyak. They have come along was in the last year stocking more imported cheese and really fresh produce. It’s an easy place to stop in and stock up on the necessities for the trip. Sunscreen, water, beers, and more. There is also an ATM inside.
Bali Buda
Bali Buda – for health foods then look no further than Bali Buda. They sell a huge range of natural remedies, sweets and fresh bread baked daily including Gluten Free options. They also have a great cafe worth stopping in at. Located on the main road towards Canggu in Kerobokan as well as more recently in Canggu.
Canggu Station
Canggu Station – located in a prime location opposite the Finns Recreation Club and Splash Water Park/ Fresh bread is delivered daily, good selection of meats and seafood’s and they even have BBQ chicken and a bottle shop. A decent range of imported goods and fresh fruit and vegies. Next door to Starbucks.
Bintang Ubud
Bintang Ubud – stock up on accessories, clothing, shoes, suitcases, groceries, alcohol, toiletries and more. Bintang Supermarket is on Jl Raya Sanggingan No 45, Campuhan. About 5 mins or so from the Ubud market by car.
Hardy’s Sanur
Hardy’s Sanur– a popular Sanur supermarket, just 500m from the Bali Hyatt to the north is Hardy’s. Three floors of goodies however the top two are mainly tourist knick knacks including paintings, souvenirs, silvers, clothing and bags. On the ground floor you will find most of the groceries you need plus they have a wide range of imported goods.
Hardy’s Nusa Dua
Hardy’s Nusa Dua – one of the only options in Nusa Dua for local and some imported produce. Nice and easy to find as most taxi’s will know the location. Hardy’s is considered a gourmet supermarket, but from a tourist’s perspective prices are still moderately affordable; very few locals will shop here on a regular basis, and it’s very much orientated towards visitors to the area.
What about GO-JEK or villa food delivery?
If you don’t already know about Go-Jek check it out.
GO-JEK is an APP providing shopping and food delivery to your Villa. Hundreds of restaurants via a few taps on your smartphone screen. It is pretty awesome once you dial it in.
Go to the below link and select DOWNLOAD or search it in your APP STORE.
www.go-jek.com/app
The driver will need to call you to confirm your order, so its best to have a Whats App account set up which is commonly used in Bali for free calls.
You can also use GO-JEK motor bike transport on the same APP, the drivers will provide you with a helmet.
Where do I buy Gluten Free or Dairy Free foods in Bali?
You can get GF and DF foods at most cafes and restaurants in Bali. You won’t have a problem finding these items when eating out.
Our suggestions for purchasing items to have in the Villa is Bali Buda or Mighty Muncher who also deliver.
Soy milk and rice milk is available at the Pepito Supermarkets and Canggu Deli. Several Cafes specialize in healthy eating such as Peloton Paleo restaurant in Canggu and Alchemy Raw Vegan Café in Ubud.
The Earth Café & Market is also 100% plant based and located in Seminyak and Ubud. For Gluten Free breads we suggest Made’s Bakery in Batu Bolong, Canggu or Batubelig.
Where to buy wine and alcohol in Bali?
Many travelers are shocked at the cost of alcohol when they first arrive in Bali. The Indonesian Governments places import duties on alcohol of between 90% on wines and up to a massive 150% on spirits. Beer drinkers can rest easy with Beers starting from $1 per bottle! Imported wines that are $15 at home are as high as $40 and the selection is not huge.
Duty Free
Each adult traveler can bring one liter or one standard bottle of alcohol through customs on arrival, so we advise bringing your favorite with you duty free from your departure airport. You will find the Villa staff don’t drink wine or really feel confident choosing on your behalf, so below are some bottle shops you can visit.
Red & White Seminyak
If you’re looking for a fine bottle of wine or an affordable bottle of champagne, Red & White is one of your best bets in Bali. This well stocked brand has two stores in Seminyak, with one located at the Seminyak Square shopping complex and the other at Bali Deli on Jalan Kunti.
True to its name, Red & White stocks a good selection of international wines. The champagne section is also worth checking out, as you can pick up a bottle of French bubbly for around IDR 400,000 (USD $29). Next to wine, Red & White also has a good selection of spirits.
Location 2 : Seminyak Square, ground floor, Seminyak, Bali
Bottle Avenue Seminyak
Bottle Avenue is a small bottle shop centrally located next to the popular Motel Mexicola restaurant and just a few doors down from Vin+. Due to the shop’s small size, the selection is pretty limited, but it’s a decent place for picking up a basic bottle of wine, spirit or beer for reasonable prices. Bottle Avenue has multiple outlets across Bali, including Sanur, Ubud, Canggu, Legian and Pecatu.
Location : Jalan Kayu Jati No. 7, Seminyak, Bali
Winehouse Seminyak / Kerobokan
Winehouse is a well-stocked bottle shop located on Jalan Raya Kerobokan on the border between Seminyak and neighbouring Kerobokan. Winehouse offers a good selection of international wines from the usual suspects – Australia, New Zealand, France and Chile – and also offers the local brands, Hatten and Plaga.
Though the focus is obviously on wines, Winehouse also has a decent selection of spirits. Winehouse has regular specials, such as their Monday Madness where all wines are discounted 20% between 10am – 10pm.
Location : Jalan Raya Kerobokan No. 66, Kerobokan, Bali
Canggu Station
Canggu Station is one of the expats hotspots in hip and happening Canggu. This upscale grocery store offers fresh produce, cheese and fine meats and is a great place for picking up western groceries.
Canggu Station also has a small separate room for wines and spirits. The wine selection covers international reds and whites and you can even pick up a bottle of Moët & Chandon or Veuve Clicquot – just don’t let the IDR 2,000,000 (USD $147) price tag scare you.
Location : Jalan Pantai Berawa No. 8, Canggu, Bali
Beer & Co Canggu
Beer & Co is a one-stop shop for all your drinking needs. With locations on Canggu’s super-hip Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong and the main drag down south in Legian, Beer & Co is part bottle shop and part cosy bar. The brand offers a wide selection of wines, spirits and of course, their namesake beer.
If you’re sick of basic Bintang, you might want to stop by Beer & Co, as they also stock brands like Hoegaarden, Kilkenny and Anderson Valley.
Location : Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong No. 35A, Canggu, Bali
Divine Wine Shop Ubud
Located at the highly acclaimed Bridges Restaurant, Divine Wine Shop prides itself for offering one of the most extensive wine lists on the island. The shop has a selection of over 350 labels from over 10 grape varieties covering all the major wine growing regions across the globe. Selected spirits are also available, including single malts from Scotland. As an added bonus, Divine Wine Shop stores bottles in temperature controlled facilities.
Location : Jalan Raya Campuhan, Ubud, Bali
Bottle Avenue Sanur
Yes, Bottle Avenue has yet another location in Sanur! The store in Sanur is slightly bigger than the ones in Canggu and Seminyak, but the selection is pretty much the same. Again, this is a good place to pick up basic bottles of international and local wines, and they also stock the most popular spirit brands.
Location : Jalan Danau Poso No. 52, Sanur, Bali
Transport
Is there any public transportation in Bali?
Bali is an island, so there is no mass transportation here. Most tourists get around by car or scooter.
How much is it for a personal driver?
You can get a personal driver for a day trip (12 hours max) for around 600,000 IDR ($60) a day (not including petrol). Your Villa Manager should be able to arrange one for you and Bali Family Villas also has a network of reliable drivers which we will arrange for you on request.
Do we need car seats?
Car seats are not compulsory or common in Bali so it is ok if you choose to seat kids on your lap or without a safety chair. We provide for airport transfers and can arrange for your day trips on request as well.
What is the best taxi service to use?
Blue Bird taxi is the most reputable taxi service throughout Indonesia. The cars are light blue with a Blue Bird logo on top and special code/number on the back. They will always offer a metered fare, unlike other companies that negotiate the fare through their drivers.
To get one from your Villa, you can get the staff to order for you. To get one from the street, you can order directly by using the Blue Bird mobile app or just stop one on the street. Although, you need to be quite vigilant to spot a Blue Bird because a lot of other taxis are also blue.
We recommend go-jek for day to transport over taxis.
Why is there so much Tooting?
Honking or tooting is a polite gesture to let someone know that you are nearby or overtaking. It’s a way of communicating between drivers. After a while, you will get used to it.
Can I hire a scooter?
You are by law expected to wear a helmet. You will find that bike accidents are common. Travel insurance often doesn’t cover mopeds accidents, especially if you don’t have a license.
It’s normal to pay around 70,000 Indonesian Rupiah ($7) a day to rent a scooter short term.
Scooters can be a great way to explore Bali but please be careful and wear a helmet. The hire company will not likely have children helmets so if you are taking the kids buy one please, and give to a local child when you head back home. Wear proper shoes, long pants etc and use caution.
Can I hire a car in Bali?
Yes, if you have an International Drivers License you can hire a car in Bali. Check you have somewhere to park the car at your accommodation and be careful as road rules are not as firm as in other places.
Massage
If you would like a massage in the Villa your Villa Manager can arrange for you, often from the local spa. Some therapists bring their own massage bed and linen, oil etc so ask for this service. We recommend the below providers, but the local spas also provide In-Villa massage. The cost will vary from $10-$80. Bali has the highest density of Spas in the world, so a massage or manicure is very much on most visitors itinerary.
Ph +62 361 2149911
Numbers we hope you don’t need :
Bali’s health care system has improved in recent years. If you must visit a hospital during your stay the main ones are Siloam and BIMC. If you need advise on a home visit doctor for children during your stay you can also contact us to help. PLEASE HAVE COMPREHENSIVE TRAVEL
INSURANCE.
Siloam Hospital Sunset Road
www.siloamhospitals.com
Emergency Call Ph: +62 361 779911
Doctor Clinic Ph: +62 361 779900
Siloam Hospital Raya Canggu, Canggu
Emergency Call Ph: +62 8113991134
If you need advise on a home visit doctor for children during your stay you can also contact us to help.
BIMC Bali
bimcbali.com
BIMC have hospitals in Nusa Dua, Ubud and Kuta.
Call Ph : +62 811-3896-113
Tourist Police
Ph +62 361 224 111
Bali Airport
Ph +62 361 9351011
Australian Consulate General Bali
Ph +62 361 24118
Money & Currency
What is the best way to get local currency?
The local currency is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). There are two options for cash, ATMs or money changers.
Some of the more official changers such as Central Kuta Money Exchange and BMC are amongst the more entrusted. Withdrawing cash through ATM’s is also possible but many people will be charged fees from their home bank for this. You may like to bring cash currency from your home country and exchange at a money changer for the best rate (not at the airport).
The maximum amount you can withdraw in one go at an ATM is either 1.250.000 – 1.500.000 (machine with a 50.000 sticker) or 2.500.000 – 3.000.000 (machines with a 100.000 sticker). There are several ATMs in the main areas of Bali.
Many shops and restaurants offer credit card payments but EFTPOS using your savings or cheque account is not always possible. A surcharge of 2 – 4% is applied when using credit cards. Using tap on your phone for payment is only occasionally compatible with payment systems in Bali.
Is tipping customary?
It is not a requirement but a small tip can go a long way for a lot of Balinese, especially for cleaners, drivers, helpers etc.
Food & Drinks
Can I drink tap water in Bali?
Definitely not, the tap water in Bali hasn’t been processed for drinking; only for washing your body / clothes / other items.
Is it safe to have drinks with ice?
Long has it been preached to be weary of ice in Bali. In the last decade or more however, the standards have improved greatly. Most places have drinking ice delivered. So YES, it is safe to have a drink with ice in most venues.
How can I prevent Bali belly?
Bali Belly is very common. Be cautious by using hand sanitiser frequently, never use tap water to brush your teeth and be careful not to get water in your mouth when showering and swimming. Street food in Bali often doesn’t agree with Westerners, so if you want to sample the local food it’s best to go to a clean looking ‘warung’ (Indonesian term for small cafe). Charcoal pills are the best remedy; you can get them at chemists around Bali.
Are local spirits safe?
Many of the cheaper bars use local spirits. These can cause bad hangovers and in some cases alcohol poisoning. If the prices are too good to be true, they probably are.
Communication
Should I get a local SIM card?
Prepaid sims cost very little and 150,000 IDR ($15) of credit should last you at least a week or two. This way you can use transport apps, google maps, and refer online guides while out and about and not on WiFi. Pre Paid Credit is called Pulsa. Ask for a data only package or data plus calls. Some phone sellers will not be able to issue a local SIM for a phone that was not purchased in Indonesia.
Luckily WiFi is readily available, it is almost everywhere in the main areas!
As most of the cafes / restaurants / hotels will have WIFI WHATS APP is the best way to message with drivers, each other, or Balinese suppliers during your stay. You keep your Australian / or home country phone number and make calls / messages for free using WHATS APP.
Weather
What will the weather be like for my trip?
Bali experiences a tropical rainy season from around October/November through to March/April. Rainy season can still be fun, usually the sun will shine for a few good hours on most days. But yes, it is hot all year round.
What about the Volcano on Bali?
Mount Agung in central Bali is an active volcano and from time to time lets of Ash during an eruption. This can effect the airport schedule as airlines may decide not to fly due to visibility. Occasionally the airport temporarily closes. Generally speaking there is no safety concerns in relation to the Volcano. The evacuation zone is a 5 km radius from Mount Agung and Seminyak and Canggu are 70 km away.
If you have severe asthma or respiratory issues you may like to speak to your doctor about air quality issues.
Visa and Passport
- Visa On Arrival is valid 30 days. Remember: day of arrival and departure day count as full days each. It can be extended one time for an additional 30 days.
- Purchase in person at the airport (VoA) or prior to travel online via the link below (E-VoA).
- Your passport must be valid for 6 months when arriving. Otherwise you won’t be allowed to enter Bali (happens to quite a few!) There are NO EXCEPTIONS.
- One page must be empty for the visa stamp.
- Keep your boarding pass when you arrive, you MIGHT have to show it to the immigration officer.
Please note Bali is a fragile island. Trash, Water and Traffic are big problems, like in any
other part of the developing world. Help by being a conscious consumer. Provide your own
reusable shopping bags and please say no to plastic and straws.
