Flights to Indonesia: The cost, length of time and choice of airlines for a flight to Indonesia will depend on your point of departure. It is recommended that you do research or work with a travel agent to find the best airline to suit your needs. While some flights may appear cheaper than others, that is often due to the length of the flights and lay overs, so time vs. money is a personal choice when deciding on a flight. It is recommended that you buy your flight well in advance as to have more options to choose from.

Flights to Indonesia can be long so while traveling remember to keep hydrated, avoid alcohol and get up to walk around often while traveling. If your feet tend to swell during long periods of sitting or you have any concerns about DVT, a pair of compression socks may be a good idea.

Visas: When landing in Indonesia it is easy to get a Visa if you are from one of the 97 countries that are part of Indonesia's Visa on Arrival (VOA) program. A visa for 30 days costs $35 US or IDR500,000. This fee can be paid by cash or credit card. There may be additional fees added for using a credit card. The visa electronic visa can be obtained prior to departure or in the airport. This can be extended at any local immigration office. You may come across information online about Indonesia's' No Need Visa program for many countries for stays up to 30 days. This is no longer true, as that program has been suspended. Currently only the ASEA countries are included in that program.

Airport Transport: When flying into Bali, you want to look for flights into Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar. Denpasar is the capital city of the province of Bali. The Bali airport is a very modern and easy place for foreign visitors to navigate. If you are looking to independently find transportation from the airport to another location in Bali, it is recommended that you seek out one of taxi vendors inside of the airport. There you will find it quite easy and safe to pay for your taxi inside and be escorted out to your driver. There is a stand with a few competing companies close to the exit, including Blue Bird, a national taxi company. You may find that the taxis require cash payment so be sure to stop at the money changer, on your way toward the exit. If you miss these taxi vendors you may find yourself mobbed by lots of competing drivers outside looking for business. If you are arriving for one of our tours, we would be happy to arrange an airport pick up for you with our private driver.

Money in Indonesia: The exchange rate between the Indonesian Rupiah and the US Dollar generally stays around $1: IDR15,000. Most establishments in Bali take credit cards, though it is recommended that you keep some cash when traveling in Indonesia for drivers, small shops, and open markets. There are few things that are more more disappointing than finding that perfect batik or piece of Balinese art and having to leave it behind because you aren't carrying cash!

Telephone SIM cards: If you want to stay connected while in Indonesia it is very easy to obtain an Indonesian SIM card. One can be purchased in the Jakarta or Denpasar airports or at one of the many telephone kiosks around the country. There are SIM for phone or for internet or both all available. Keep in mind that in order to change out your SIM card you will need to have your phone unlocked by your provider prior to arriving in Indonesia and the time that takes may vary. Most providers can make it happen in under a week but there may be some that take longer. Even most dual SIM phones require the phone to be unlocked and your phone company likely won't unlock your phone if the phone is not yet completely paid for. Some carriers have free texting available internationally or reasonable rates for international packages so check with your carrier. When you are in the retreat house you will have Wi-fi.

Staying Healthy in Indonesia: It is recommended that you consult with your health care provider about any immunizations that may be recommended for travel in Indonesia. If you are traveling to Islands outside of Bali while in Indonesia be sure to mention that when receiving consultation as some of the other Islands may carry disease risks that are not present in Bali.

Malaria and Dengue fever are present in many Indonesian islands. While Bali is considered low risk for malaria, it is known to have cases of Dengue fever, so it is recommended that you apply mosquito repellent and cover to avoid mosquito bites. Bali is 8 degrees south of the equator so the sun is very strong. It is important to protect oneself. Sun glasses, sun hats and a strong water proof sunscreen are very important. If you are a person with dark skin and have never been in equatorial sun before please be aware that you can still burn in this climate.

We recommend that you do not drink or brush your teeth with the tap water in Bali. Most cafe's and restaurants that cater to foreign tourists do use boiled or distilled water in food preparation, but it is recommended that you avoid drinks with ice and fresh salads in small local establishments. We do not recommend eating raw fish dishes such as sushi in Bali, as there have been issues with outbreaks of Hepatitis from sushi in Bali in the past.

If you have any known allergies which require an EpiPen it is suggested that you carry that on your person at all times when traveling. In addition be sure to bring enough of any prescription medicines that you will need because the particular medicine you need may not be available.

Traveling to Indonesia