Indonesia Emerald rice fields, misty volcanoes, jungle forests and reefs alive with colour

The Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) is the local currency, and its large denominations, often running into hundreds of thousands or millions for everyday purchases, take a little mental adjustment for first-time visitors. ATMs are widely available in Bali and major cities, and it’s worth requesting a mix of note sizes rather than only large bills, which smaller vendors sometimes struggle to change.

Bahasa Indonesia is the official language across the archipelago, though Indonesia is home to several hundred regional languages, including Balinese, which remains distinct from national Indonesian and central to local ceremony and daily life in Bali specifically. English is used confidently throughout Bali’s tourism industry, though less consistently on more remote islands.

Indonesia spans three time zones: Western Indonesia Time (WIB, UTC+7), covering Java and Sumatra, Central Indonesia Time (WITA, UTC+8), covering Bali and Komodo, and Eastern Indonesia Time (WIT, UTC+9), covering Papua. A trip combining Jakarta with Bali involves a genuine one-hour adjustment, which is easy to overlook when booking connecting flights or scheduling calls home.

Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Indonesia, including at Bali’s resorts. Bottled or filtered water is provided as standard at all reputable hotels and should be used for drinking and brushing teeth throughout your stay, including on more remote islands like Komodo or in the Raja Ampat archipelago.

Cards are widely accepted at Bali’s resorts, restaurants and larger shops, but local markets, smaller warungs and more remote islands typically expect cash. Rupiah in a mix of denominations covers day-to-day spending comfortably, particularly once you’re away from the main tourist areas.

Tipping isn’t a deeply rooted local tradition, and many hotels and restaurants already include a service charge on the bill, so it functions more as a genuine thank-you for excellent service than an obligation. A small cash amount for guides, drivers and spa staff is appreciated where service has stood out, rather than being an automatic expectation at every turn.

Indonesia uses Type C and Type F sockets, the two-pin European standard, running at 230V. Most Bali resorts have sockets suitable for charging in every room, though a compact adapter is worth packing for smaller guesthouses or more remote island properties where standards can vary.

Mobile coverage across Bali is strong, and a local SIM is inexpensive and easy to arrange on arrival for calls and data. Coverage becomes considerably patchier on remote islands like Komodo or in Raja Ampat, where many resorts rely on satellite connections and wifi is limited to communal areas.

Modest, breathable clothing that covers shoulders is worth packing for temple visits across Bali, alongside quick-dry gear if your itinerary includes diving or snorkelling around Komodo or Raja Ampat. A sarong is genuinely useful to have of your own, even though most temples provide one on loan at the entrance for a small donation.

Indonesia’s religious makeup varies significantly by island, with Bali predominantly Hindu while much of the rest of the country, including Java and Sumatra, is majority Muslim, so dress expectations and customs shift noticeably if your itinerary spans multiple regions. A warm, unhurried greeting before any request is valued island-wide regardless of local religion.

Yes, covering the legs, typically from the waist to below the knee, is required to enter Bali’s temples, and a sarong is almost always available to borrow or rent at the entrance for a small donation if you haven’t brought your own. Shoulders don’t always need covering at every temple, but a light scarf is worth carrying in case a specific site asks for it.

These are canang sari, daily Hindu offerings of flowers, rice and incense placed outside homes, shops and temples as part of ordinary religious practice rather than decoration or litter. Stepping on one, even accidentally, is considered disrespectful, so watching your footing on Bali’s pavements is a small but genuinely appreciated habit to get into quickly.