To enjoy the lush tropical island of Bali, which is part of the country of Indonesia, U.S. travelers need to make a few simple preparations. Most importantly, you need to have your basic documents in order, which means more than just carrying a passport. There are also some special considerations in taking and using money -- that essential travel ingredient -- in Indonesia. Besides that, it's a wise idea to pack carefully for the trip, as you would to any tropical destination, with appropriate clothes and protection from the elements.
In terms of documents, every American needs two basic ones to enter Indonesia, whether traveling by air or water. The first is a valid passport with at least six months left before it expires. That's an important point. "Indonesian authorities regularly deny entry to all foreign nationals who arrive with less than six months validity on their passports," warns the U.S. Department of State on its travel web page. "The U.S. Embassy cannot obtain entry permission for Americans in this situation."
U.S. citizens must also have an Indonesian visa -- a special stamp on one of the passport pages -- to enter Indonesia, whether for pleasure, business or employment. Tourist visas are relatively easy to obtain, either at an Indonesian consulate in the United States before leaving (allow several weeks for processing) or on the spot at the airport in Bali. Fees vary according to the length of the visa, with 30 days being typical. Passports that do not have at least one blank page will be denied an Indonesian visa. Detailed information about applying for a visa is available at the Indonesian Embassy web site.
Indonesian customs officials may require proof that a traveler has (1) a return or onward ticket and (2) evidence that the traveler has sufficient funds for his or her stay in the country, especially for those going to a highly desirable location such as Bali.
Credit and debit cards are useful in Bali and all of Indonesia, but travelers must be careful about their use, since credit-card fraud by unscrupulous merchants is a possibility. Buying a moderate amount of the local currency before arrival is generally a good idea, in Indonesia or most countries. The Indonesian currency is called the rupiah.
Once in country, consider cashing your personal check for rupiah at an American Express office in Bali if you are a card member, or using your credit card for a rupiah cash advance at a reputable bank in Bali, though the latter option can involve stiff fees. Check with your card issuer before you go.
Finally, travelers need enough rupiah to pay an exit tax upon leaving Indonesia, which is collected by the airline before departure. Ask your airline how much the tax is, and remember that it's charged for each member of your party, including kids.
Before going, find out if your U.S. health insurance covers illness or injury in Indonesia. Also consider buying travel insurance that will pay the cost of a medical emergency evacuation back home, which most regular health policies will not cover.
In most cases, no vaccinations are required when traveling from the United States to Indonesia. The country is a little more careful when it comes to yellow fever, however. "Inoculation is recommended but not mandatory, and is required only if applicant had previously traveled to areas/countries infected by yellow fever," says the Consular and Visa Section of the Indonesian Embassy on its web site.
Finally, remember that you are packing for the tropics. Take any medicine you need (with a copy of the prescription), sensible clothes for the heat, a hat, and a good pair of walking shoes.
