Practical information Indonesia

European citizens are required to have a visa. It allows you to stay in the country for up to 60 days. The visa is issued at the embassy of Indonesia. Your passport has to be valid for six months after your return date. The government decided to broaden its visa delivery services, and now issues it at the point of arrival of tourists coming from 33 countries (until 2005, there were only 20). Visa delivery services have thus been created in Indonesian airports and seaports.

The national currency is the Indonesian Rupee, or Rupiah (IDR). £1 Sterling = 13,675 IDR.

Cash (in Dollars or Euros) and travellers cheques can easily be exchanged at most banks. The use of credit cards is more common here than elsewhere, as Bali is one of the archipelago's largest tourist hotspots, and these, along with Dollars, are accepted without any problems in the major hotels and restaurants. For small expenses, though, you will need to pay in cash. In Denpasar, Kuta, Nusa Dua, Sanur and Ubud, you will find ATM machines and will be able to withdraw money over the counter at the major banks using the most common bank cards. Banks are generally open from Monday to Friday, from 8:00am to 2:00pm.

No particular vaccineis required to enter Bali. The island is not a risky destination on a sanitary level, however it is recommended to be vaccinated against tetanus, typhoid and hepatitises A and B.

Be careful of mosquitoes: An anti-malaria treatment is also recommended, especially if you are travelling during the rainy season. An upsurge ofmalariahas been reported in the eastern area of Java Island. Denguefeveris becomming also more and more frequent. It is thererfore recommended in case of a headache (knowing that the incubation period is 10 days) that you see a doctor, and that you do not take any aspirin.

In terms of food, only drinkbeverages closed with a cap, easily found everywhere, and avoid eating raw vegetables and unpeeled fruit.

Avian fludisease(source: Ministry of foreign affairs). No recent cases have been reported. However, be prudent: avoid raw or half-cooked products (eggs, meat), wash your hands and disinfect them several times a day.