Inspiration for your holiday in Bali

Bali has always been a huge attraction for tourist from all over the world. at the crossroads of the modern and the ancient, Bali is a land stepped in tradition and culture white at the same time boosting many of the world finest five-star luxury hotels and resorts. in addition to the balmy tropical climate and some of the best white-sand and black-sand beaches on the planet, Bali is also home to a vibrant contemporary arts scene and also features excellent local cuisine.

Practical Bali Travel tips are always useful when planning a trip to this tropical island. Hopefully with the tips listed below you will not be in for any unhappy surprises during your Bali vacations... - See more at: http://www.bali-travel-life.com/bali-travel-tips.html#sthash.jS85Sc87.dpuf

Practical Bali travel tips are always useful when planning a trip to this tropical island. Hopefully with the tips listed below you will not be in for any unhappy surprises during your Bali vacations.

When to go to Bali:  
With its location just south of the equator Bali can be considered a real tropical island with an average temperature of 22ºC in the mountain regions and up to 30ºC along the coast and inland.


Peak Season: June to September & December
These months see sunshine, low humidity, and surf-friendly western shore winds. The downside to this period are the many travelers who arrive en masse (August, September, and the December holidays are the busiest). Expect premium rates

Off Season: January to March
These months are the hottest, with high humidity and almost daily tropical downpours. The Japanese traditionally descend in droves for Golden Week vacation during February; otherwise, hotels and villas can be had at a discount.

Sweet Spot: April to May & November
These months, on the tail ends of the rainy season, typically see nice weather, fewer crowds and attractive discounts throughout Bali. 

What to wear
Since you will be heading for the tropics the most comfortable things to wear will be loose fitted clothing, preferable made from cotton. Balinese show respect by dressing neatly and modestly. Informal dress is prohibited in temples, but shorts, sandals, and T-shirts are can be used during daylight hours.




Local currency
The local currency in Bali is the Indonesian Rupiah, however many places also accept US Dollars and Euros. If you are paying with Rupiahs for the first time, it might be wise to have a look at the bills first since the notes have a lot of zeros on them.The Rupiah has fluctuated a lot these last couple of years. In general you can say that Rp. 10.000 is about USD 1. But to be more precise, always check the current currency rate on http://www.bi.go.id/web/en/Moneter/Kurs+Bank+Indonesia/Kurs+Transaksi.

Rupiah bills come in 1.000, 2.000, 5.000, 10.000, 20.000, 50.000 and 100.000 notes. As you can imagine, you will be carrying a big bundle of notes when traveling in Bali considering that a Rp 50.000 note is about USD 5.

It is for instance convenient to have some Rupiahs for the airport taxi and when you want to go to a restaurant upon arrival. Except in areas of small villages, in most tourist places in Bali there are ATM's available. Here you can use your VISA card, Master card or debit card with a Cirrus network. Check first what the maximum amount is you can get from an ATM machine, because each withdrawal will cost you.

Many hotels, restaurants and big shops also accept credit cards, so this is also a convenient way to pay. Make sure though to inform your bank that you are planning to use your card in Bali. If you don't, chances are that their security system will block your transactions for safety reasons. Believe it's no fun at all. Also make sure that you keep your receipts and that you check your bank statements regularly when you are back home.

Another option is of course to go to the money changer. Here you have to be more careful about the rate exchange and commission. As mentioned before, the notes have allot of zeros so the amount you will receive can be quite confusing. On top of that the Rp.10.000 note has almost the same red color as the Rp. 100.000. And the seller at the money changers knows this and will take advantage of it. Don't make them feel you need to rush things, take your time to count what you have received. Or to be more safe, change at your hotel.