January 02, 2008

Homestay for Backpackers

Limited budget?
No problem!

Here's some tips for you to find cheap accomodations in Bali.

  • When you come to Bali in off-season (I think from February until May), you even can get great offer from star hotel.. just try!
  • But if you come to Bali in a peak seasons (arround July to September and December till New Year), you'd be lucky if you even can find a room in a star hotels. Try to find any guesthouse or homestay. In many tourist sites you'll find any guesthouse easily. There's a lot of choice there, from 2 persons/ room till 6 persons / room. The prices is started from 50,000 rupiah per nite. How about food prices? There's also a lot of low prices restaurant or cafe there. Well, I'll suggest you to find poppies street near Kuta Beach. Poppies are famoust among backpackers from arround the world. You'll find all of backpacker needs there. Just ask your taxy driver to poppies street. It's about 10 mins from Ngurah Rai International Airport (depends on traffic jam).
  • After find some places to stay, try to find rent car. I suggest you to rent a car than ride a taxy. The cost is far cheaper than ride a taxy. The cost is about 250,000 rupiah per day (24hrs). If you want something cheaper than rent car, I recommend to rent a motorcycle. It's about 100,000 Rupiah per day. I guess it will be a special experiences discovering Bali by motorcycles.

Flight to Bali

After searching and compiles on internet, here's some airlines who flight to Bali :

AdamAir - (0361) 227-999

Air Asia - (021) 8089-9000

Air France - (0361) 288-511

Air Paradise - (0361) 756-666

Australian Airlines - (0361) 758-686

Batavia Air - (0361) 254-951

Bouraq Indonesia - (0361) 241-397

British Airways - (0361) 288-511

Cathay Pacific - (0361) 766-931

China Airlines - (0361) 754-856

Continental Airlines - (0361) 768-358

Eva Air - (0361) 759-773

Garuda Indonesia - (0361) 270-535

Japan Airlines - (0361) 757-077

Korean Air

Lion Air - (0361) 236-666

Malaysian Airlines - (0361) 764-995

Mandala Airlines - (0361) 499-402

Merpati Nusantara - (0361) 235-358

Qantas - (0361) 288-331

Royal Brunei Airlines - (0361) 757-292

Singapore Airlines - (0361) 768-388

Star Air - (0361) 753-775

Thai Air - (0361) 288-141

I want white sandy beach please...

Don't worry dude!!!
Bali has many beach. And here is some of them :

Kuta Beach
Kuta is Bali's most famoust and popular beach. One of its primary attractions is its long stretch of white sand along its picturesque bay. The famous Kuta sunset is stunning, and there is a wide selection of hotels and bungalows to choose from. Kuta is also known for its lively nightlife, its wide variety of international restaurants, and its many recreational activities. It's near the Ngurah Rai International Airport.

Sanur Beach
On the Eastern coastline and sheltered by a coral reef, the waves in Sanur are much gentler than in other areas of Bali. Fisherman still wander the beach, and the colorful outrigger canoes can be hired for sailing trips along the coast and to outlying islands. In the last two decades, the once sleepy village of Sanur has become an international resort area, with numerous hotel complexes offering accommodations to suit every budget.

Tanjung Benoa Beach
Tanjung Benoa Located north of Nusa Dua, this is a beautiful white sand beach area where visitors can enjoy many types of water recreation and sports such as snorkeling, parasailing, diving, boating, sailing, and more. This area is an extension of Nusa Dua, with easy access to its luxurious hotels and other tourism facilities.

Geger Beach
Only 5 minutes from the Nusa Dua golf course, Geger Beach is often referred to by tourists 'in the know' as ?a hidden paradise?. The especially clear water makes this beach particularly suitable for swimming as well as surfing. For me it's a high reccommended beach, don't miss it!

Jimbaran Beach
Jimbaran Beach Jimbaran Beach is just south of Kedonganan Beach and has very beautiful white sand suitable for recreation and relaxation. It is quieter than its neighboring beaches, and one will find nice hotels and many seafood restaurants. Jimbaran is, in fact, known for its delicious fresh seafood.

Kedonganan Beach
About 3 kilometers south of Bali's international airport, the fishing village of Kedonganan boasts a traditional fish market and a great number of traditional fishing boats that can be engaged to sail around the gulf for a picturesque view of the cresent beach.


Lovina Beach
Situated on the north coast of Bali about 10 kilometers west of Singaraja, Lovina has black sand beaches safe for swimming and snorkeling. Dawn charter trips with local fishing boats can be arranged and can yield hours of spectacular dolphin watching. For a little extra time and money, the boats can also take you to Menjangan Island and Labuan Lalang for great diving and snorkeling along some of the most beautiful coral reefs in Bali.

Medewi Beach
Located about 72 kilometers west of Denpasar, the beach of Medewi is flat and stony and has long, rolling waves, making it very suitable for surfing and sunset watching.


Visa Guide for Bali and Indonesia

Visa-Free Short Visit
11 countries and territories are eligible for a "Visa Free" facility. Those holding valid passports from the following countries will be granted a non-extendable 30-day Visa-Free Short Visit Permit upon arrival at an Indonesian international gateway without charge:

  1. Brunei Darussalam
  2. Chile
  3. Hong Kong SAR
  4. Macau SAR
  5. Malaysia
  6. Morocco
  7. Peru
  8. Philippines
  9. Thailand
  10. Vietnam
  11. Singapore

The official entry requirements for the issuance of a visa-free short visit permit:

  1. Passport must be from one of the eleven countries listed above.
  2. Passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 (six) months from the date of entry into Indonesia.
  3. Onward or return tickets are compulsory.
  4. Visitors must enter and exit through one of the 15 airports, 21 seaports or 1 overland border post officially approved as an “international gateway” by the Indonesian Immigration department

Visa on Arrival Facility (VOA) Effective August 1, 2005, visitors holding valid passports from certain countries can obtain either a 7 day or 30 day non-extendable visa at any of the 15 airports and 21 seaports designated as “international gateways” by the Indonesian Immigration department. The fee for this visa, payable upon landing, is US$10 for a 7 day visa and US$25 for a 30-day visa.

Nationals of the following countries are eligible to purchase a “visa on arrival (VOA):”
1. Argentina ,
2. Australia,
3. Austria,
4. Bahrain,
5. Belgium ,
6. Brazil,
7. Bulgaria ,
8. Cambodia,
9. Canada,
10. Cyprus
11. Denmark,
12. Egypt,
13. Estonia,
14. Finland,
15. France,
16. Germany,
17. Greece,
18. Hungary,
19. Iceland,
20. India,
21. Iran ,
22. Ireland,
23. Italy,
24. Japan,
25. Kuwait,
26. Laos,
27. Liechtenstein
28. Luxembourg
29. Maldives
30. Malta
31. Mexico
32. Monaco
33. New Zealand,
34. Norway
35. Oman
36. RRC
37. Poland
38. Portugal
39. Qatar
40. Saudi Arabia
41. Russia
42. South Africa
43.South Korea
44. Spain
45. Switzerland
46. Sweden
47. Suriname
48. Taiwan
49. The Netherlands
50. United Arab Emirates
51. United Kingdom
52. United States of America

The official entry requirements for the issuance of a 30 or 7 days day visa-on arrival:

  • Passport must be from one of the countries listed above.
  • Passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 (six) months from the date of entry into Indonesia.
  • Payment of US$10 or US$25 must be paid at the gateway, depending on the length of visa required.
  • Onward or return tickets are compulsory.
  • Visitors must enter and exit through one of the 15 airports or 21 seaports officially approved as an “international gateway” by the Indonesian Immigration department.

Visas-on-arrival are non-extendable and non-convertible to another class of visa. Overstays are charged US$20 per day for over stays up to 60 days. Overstay violations over 60 days are liable to 5 years imprisonment or a fine of Rp. 25 million

Tourist Visa
Individuals not holding a passport from among those nations listed above and eligible either for a visa-free short visit or a purchasable visa-on-arrival (VOA) can apply for a tourist visa at an Indonesian Embassy aboard. Tourist visa are normally granted for a 60 day stay in Indonesia.

Visa Issued on Approval
All visa applications for Business, Tourist and Social Visits from nationals of the following countries need prior approval from an Immigration Office in Indonesia before traveling. The requirements vary depending on the propose visit to Indonesia.
  1. Afghanistan
  2. Albania
  3. Angola
  4. Bangladesh
  5. Cameroon
  6. Cuba
  7. EtiopĂ­a
  8. Ghana
  9. Iraq
  10. Israel
  11. Nigeria
  12. North Korea
  13. Pakistan
  14. Somalia
  15. Sri Lanka
  16. Tanzania
Other Classes of Visas for Temporary Visitors
There are several other classes of visas available to visitors to Indonesia. If you are making your travel arrangements with www.balidiscovery.com we will be happy to provide you additional information and assistance regarding the following visa classes:

Business Visa
- This visa is given by an Indonesian Embassies abroad to applicants visiting Indonesia for normal business activities (including attending a conference/seminar) which do not involve taking up employment or receiving any payments whilst in Indonesia. This visa, valid for a stay of 60 days, can be for a single or multiple visits. This visa is obtainable after application by a sponsoring party in Indonesia to the Department of Immigration.

Social-Cultural Visa
- This visa is issued by as Indonesian Embassy abroad to applicants who are going to Indonesia for a social/cultural visit, such as visiting relatives/friends; social organizations; exchange visits between educational institutions; undertaking research and attending training programs in Indonesia. The validity of this visa is for a 60 day stay, but can be extended upon application in Indonesia. This visa is obtainable after application by a sponsoring party in Indonesia to the Department of Immigration.

Employment Visa
- This visa is given to applicants whose purpose of visit is to take up employment and require sponsorship by a company or organization in Indonesia.
Limited Stay Permit (KITAS) - This visa is a Temporary Stay Permit (KITAS) and is issued to applicants whose purpose of visit is to stay in Indonesia for a limited period.