Working in Bali Indonesia
Bali, a province of Indonesia, is made up of a group of islands in the southern part of the country. The population of Bali is now 4.2 million and the province is rated as Indonesia’s top tourist destination.
Hugely popular with Australian travelers, Bali is recognised for its beautiful coastline, warm weather and cheap shopping. The capital of Bali is Denpasar, while some of the more popular areas of the province include Kuta, Seminyak and Lombok.
- Airport
- Railway Station
- Transportation
- Cost of Living
- Accommodation
- Shopping
- Emergency
- Insurance and Healthcare
Location
Tourism Video
Airport
Bali International Airport
Indonesia’s second biggest airport is primarily used by holiday makers en route to a tropical escape. It is located about 15km from the capital, Denpasar, and provides easy access to Kuta and other nearby locations. Bali International Airport consists of two terminals for domestic and international flights, with many heading to Australia.
Public transport to and from Bali International Airport is dominated by public bus services. For travellers after something classier there are taxis, a wide range of shuttle companies and even limousines for travel to your destination. Many hotels in Kuta also offer airport transportation and it is wise to check if this is an option for you.
Railway Station
Rails services aren’t used in Bali. The best form of travel to and from the island is by plane or ferry. When in Bali look for taxis or buses to get around.
Transportation
Bali is well serviced by buses and taxis. The city’s bus service is operated by local company Perama, which provides travelers with access to all parts of Bali. Taxis are more common around the southern part of Bali and in Denpasar in particular. Taxis in Bali are reasonably cheap and a good way to get home after a night out.
Visitors can also take transportation into their own hands by hiring a car or motorbike. Facilities for both are widely available around the island. Car and bike hire is also cheap, but beware of the dangers that comes with it.
Walking is also a great option when visiting Bali. However, being a rather large island some form of transport with wheels will enable you to see more of the area and its natural beauty.
Cost of Living
The cost of living for expats in Bali is low by western standards. According to online cost of living database Numbeo (http://www.numbeo.com/), prices for typical items on current exchange rates (June 2013) are as follows:
| Food | |
| Cheap meal (inexpensive restaurant) | $3.30 |
| Three-course meal for two at mid-range restaurant | $25.50 |
| Domestic beer (500mL) | $2.70 |
| Coke (330mL) | $1.30 |
| Milk (1 litre) | $1.50 |
| Loaf of bread | $1.10 |
| Eggs | $2.00 |
| Transport | |
| One way ticket (local transport) | $0.55 |
| Petrol (1 litre) | $0.50 |
| Rent (monthly) | |
| One bedroom apartment (central area) | $430 approx |
| Accommodation | |
| Hostel bed (one night) | $15 |
| Five star hotel room (one night) | $150 |
| Average monthly salary (after tax) | $440 |
Accommodation
Bali is blessed with accommodation aimed at tourists from all over the world. Many luxury hotels are conveniently located beside Bali’s beautiful beaches and its most popular destinations. While considered high-end accommodation for Bali, these hotels are very well priced compared to western standards. For the budget traveler there is also an abundance of cheaper options to choose from. The most popular areas in Bali include: Kuta, Legian or Seminyak.
Here a few options to consider during a visit to Bali:
Budget
Hotel Puri Bambu
Legian Guest House
Mid-range
Green Garden Hotel
All Season Bali Denpasar
High-end
The Seiryu Villas
The Oberoi, Bali
Shopping
Bali is an incredible shopping experience with very affordable products offered at a number of markets. Clothing is one of Bali’s strongest points when it comes to shopping. Many popular brands are available in stores around Kuta and Legian at far lower prices than in western countries. It isn’t just about markets at Bali though. There is a growing amount of mid and high-end stores popping up in a variety of areas, including Seminyak.
Beyond clothing, Bali offers a huge range of arts and crafts, along with food items like spices and coffee. For more general shopping, Bali has many supermarkets and convenience stores catering for locals and tourists alike.
Emergency
Emergency telephone numbers
Police 110 / 112
Ambulance 118
Fire 113
Insurance and Healthcare
Indonesia has a public and private health care system. The public system is setup by the country’s government and funded by taxes. Expats in Indonesia are eligible to use both public and private facilities, but are not covered by the government scheme.
Private health care is an excellent option for expats in Indonesia. There is good range of private services available for those willing to pay for private care in Indonesia and costs are generally cheaper than those in Australia.
Be aware the air quality in major Indonesian cities, such as Jakarta, is poor, while in regional areas there is risk of disease. With the quality of health care being low in Indonesia compared to Australian standards, DFAT recommends all Australians travelling to the country take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover any overseas costs.