I'm hoping to get some answers from people who have already traveled to bali and just to get some ideas on somethings as I've never travelled there

1. Entry Requirements - from what I read I have to get a tourist visa to enter indonesia but many websites say a visa on arrival can be obtained at the airport. I am a US citizen. My question is though is it very difficult to get a visa on arrival or not recommended. Would it be better to go to the Indonesia embassy in bangkok and apply for one. Keep in mind I don't live in bangkok though.

2. Transportation - I heard riding a motorbike in bali is dangerous just like thailand so a motorbike is out of the issue, if I hire a taxi do I face similiar bargining like in phuket

3. Are there similiar scams just like you see in phuket all the time if so what kind

4. I've heard kuta beach is very similiar to patong beach in phuket is this true?

5. Anything in particular a first time visitor there should go experience or try

I look forward to all replies and information

I'm hoping to get some answers from people who have already traveled to bali and just to get some ideas on somethings as I've never travelled there

1. Entry Requirements - from what I read I have to get a tourist visa to enter indonesia but many websites say a visa on arrival can be obtained at the airport. I am a US citizen. My question is though is it very difficult to get a visa on arrival or not recommended. Would it be better to go to the Indonesia embassy in bangkok and apply for one. Keep in mind I don't live in bangkok though.

- Entry on arrival is easy and quick. No need to go to the embassy.

2. Transportation - I heard riding a motorbike in bali is dangerous just like thailand so a motorbike is out of the issue, if I hire a taxi do I face similiar bargining like in phuket

- You can negotiate a full day for $30 - $50 a day, or use the meter.

3. Are there similiar scams just like you see in phuket all the time if so what kind

- Never been to Phuket and didn't run into any scams while in Bali. The people selling handicrafts/etc are bit more persistant, but not really bad. Also will remember you names for days....

4. I've heard kuta beach is very similiar to patong beach in phuket is this true?

- Never been to Patong, but Kuta is a nice beach, very touristy though.

5. Anything in particular a first time visitor there should go experience or try

- Exit fee at the airport. It is not included in you ticket and you will need to have local currency to pay.

I look forward to all replies and information

The cost of the visa is US $25. The departure tax 150,000 Rupiah . The Balianese people are hindu and are a very lovely people. Beware of the Javanese. They are totally different. You will soon realise the difference. Here is another thread re Bali http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/568061-bali-trip-report/

I travelled around Bali using the local buses and vans which I think were called Bemos? Not recommended for tall people though!

I'm hoping to get some answers from people who have already traveled to bali and just to get some ideas on somethings as I've never travelled there

1. Entry Requirements - from what I read I have to get a tourist visa to enter indonesia but many websites say a visa on arrival can be obtained at the airport. I am a US citizen. My question is though is it very difficult to get a visa on arrival or not recommended. Would it be better to go to the Indonesia embassy in bangkok and apply for one. Keep in mind I don't live in bangkok though.

- Entry on arrival is easy and quick. No need to go to the embassy.

2. Transportation - I heard riding a motorbike in bali is dangerous just like thailand so a motorbike is out of the issue, if I hire a taxi do I face similiar bargining like in phuket

- You can negotiate a full day for $30 - $50 a day, or use the meter.

meter is fine for around Kuta area, negotiate for longer distances

3. Are there similiar scams just like you see in phuket all the time if so what kind

- Never been to Phuket and didn't run into any scams while in Bali. The people selling handicrafts/etc are bit more persistant, but not really bad. Also will remember you names for days....

Be careful with currency exchange booths, use the banks, as some will attempt to scam, as happened to me. otherwise fairly honest, but have to negotiate. The more up market retail outlets not interested in discounting. Usual warning, do not buy any drugs. if you're into shopping better quality than Phuket. Go to Legian or Seminyak, not to far from Kuta.

4. I've heard kuta beach is very similiar to patong beach in phuket is this true?

- Never been to Patong, but Kuta is a nice beach, very touristy though.

No bar beers as in Thailand. better beaches than Kuta to go to without so many tourists/hawkers. Ask the locals if you want to go to a good surf beach. Great bar at Seminak beach called Ku De ta - not cheap. personally I think the bars are a lot better than Thailand as you're not hassled by bar girls and a more sophisticated environment, if that what your looking for. You can of course just go to party bars.

5. Anything in particular a first time visitor there should go experience or try

For a day out go inland to Ubud, but not on a packaged tour. On the way there some really interesting privately owned ceramics manufacturing/design places if you want to buy something different

- Exit fee at the airport. It is not included in you ticket and you will need to have local currency to pay.

I look forward to all replies and information

Edited August 6, 201213 yr by simple1

1. Entry Requirements - from what I read I have to get a tourist visa to enter indonesia but many websites say a visa on arrival can be obtained at the airport. I am a US citizen. My question is though is it very difficult to get a visa on arrival or not recommended. Would it be better to go to the Indonesia embassy in bangkok and apply for one. Keep in mind I don't live in bangkok though.

You can get a visa upon arrival for US$25. Exchange your money before you travel.

2. Transportation - I heard riding a motorbike in bali is dangerous just like thailand so a motorbike is out of the issue, if I hire a taxi do I face similiar bargining like in phuket

I rented a motorbike for one day during my 8-days stay and didn't really go far from the hotel. Maps are very unreliable and some local people can't understand English well enough to tell directions. Taxi starting fare is pretty cheap like 20 Thai baht but then again they don't like using their meter. One actually said his meter was broken and wanted to go on a fixed rate. I told him off and magically his meter was working again!

3. Are there similiar scams just like you see in phuket all the time if so what kind

Not really, pretty much like Thailand.

4. I've heard kuta beach is very similiar to patong beach in phuket is this true?

Really, really dirty and very crowded! Seminyak is way better!

5. Anything in particular a first time visitor there should go experience or try

I found Waterbom water park at Kuta very fun with a lot of slides and water activities galore! Well, if you're travelling with a friend or not afraid to make yourself silly to get on them BIG slides! Entry fee is a bit steep, don't remember how much but absolutely worth it!

CMSteve is correct about paying departure fee of 150,000 rupiah. It's a bit bitter but you can't leave if you don't pay! Don't forget to prepare your currency before going to the checkpoint.

Edited August 6, 201213 yr by MissOriental

Re the entry the visa process is really efficient, one page passport sticker. Pay US$25 or euros or Indonesia rupiah only.

Airport very nice, beats HKT. Change to rupiahs at airport for taxi etc.

Found it overall more enjoyable than HKT.

In Bali there seems to be only one rule of the road - He who is largest has the right of way. I don't think that I would want ride a moto very far out of the tourist areas.