< Back to homepage

Bali Travel Information:

Location and Access:

Location

The Galaxy Hotel is located on Seminyak beach, the most beautiful beach on the island, on the south west coast of Bali, Indonesia. The resort is 9 kilometers north from Bali’s Ngurah Rai international Airport and 15 kilometers from Denpasar city, the capital of Bali province.

By Air

Several international airlines fly direct to Bali (DPS) from all major Asian and Australian cities. Some of the direct international flights into Bali are operated by Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas Airways, Air Paradise, Japan Airlines and China Airlines.

Indonesian domestic airlines connect Bali to Indonesia’s capital Jakarta on Java island and other international gateway cities such as Surabaya and Yogyakarta. Flying time from Surabaya is 35 minutes, from Yogyakarta is 1 hour 10 minutes, Jakarta is 1,5 hours and from Singapore is just 2 hours 15 minutes.

Daily flights from Mataram on Lombok island (flying time 25 minutes) and other islands of this sprawling Archipelago are also available.

By sea

Cruise ships dock at the deep sea port of Padang Bai which is 2.5 hours drive from the hotel. Private yacht can dock at Benoa harbour, 25 minutes by car from the hotel. Adventurous travelers can drive from Java via the vehicular ferry, which arrives at Gilimanuk, West Bali.

Discovering Bali:

Bali is one of the 17,508 islands which make up of the archipelagic Republic of Indonesia. It is easily one of Indonesia's most popular tourist destinations known throughout the world as a paradise isle set in the southern seas with its story-book setting of sun-drenched beaches, rolling surf, rustic villages, fertile plains and sculptured rice terraces.

Bali is also graced by colourful temple festivals accompanied by spritely music and dance watched by the local populace, tourists, and the unseen gods from their dwelling places perched on majestic mountains. Located near the eastern-most tip of Java island across the narrow Straits of Bali, this 'Isle of the Gods' is peopled by the friendly Balinese who are more exposed to international tourists than many people in other parts of Indonesia.

Places of Interest:

Tanah Lot

This holy and venerated temple has one of the most idyllic locations in Bali. Set on a rocky perch it offers fantastic opportunities to view incredible sunsets. It is connected to the mainland at low tide, but cuts off as the waters rise. The site is closely associated with the legendary priest Niratha, who recommended this location as a perfect site for this temple.

Located thirty minutes from The Galaxy Hotel, Bali.

Nusa Lembongan

Off the coast of Bali is the island of Nusa Lembongan. A short boat trip brings one to the beach at Jungutbatu. White sand and crystal clear waters, and the reef offers chances for snorkeling. A perfect getaway, it offers a relaxing haven.

Traveling time from The Galaxy Hotel, Bali is two hours.

Ubud

Recognised as the centre of art and culture in Bali, Ubud is located in the hills north of Denpasar. The once small village is now home to interesting museums and art galleries. The two most well known museums, Puri Lukisan Museum and Museum Neka are located on the main street of Ubud. For shopping there are a wide variety of shops and art galleries.

Traveling time from The Galaxy Hotel, Bali to Ubud is approximately one hour.

Gunung Batur

The volcanic cone of Gunung Batur and the lake, which fills half of the surrounding caldera, form one of Bali's most spectacular landscapes. Climbing Batur (1717m/5631ft) to see the sunrise is a magnificent experience. Gunung Batur is in northern Bali, approximately 35km (22mi) north of Ubud.

Pejeng

The Pejeng region around Ubud hides some of Bali's most ancient monuments and relics. Set in the bottom of a lush green valley, surrounded by terraced rice paddies are the 10 impressive rock-cut shrines of Gunung Kawi. The shrines are carved out of the rock face in imitation of actual statues. Less spectacular, but equally important, are the rock carvings at Yeh Pulu, the Pura Samuan Tiga temple and Goa Gajah (the elephant cave) - all just a couple of kilometres east of Ubud.

History

There is a legend told of an island east of Java. It was a beautiful island, but its fertile plains and palm fringed shores rocked and were unsteady. The gods conferred. They decided the answer lay in placing a mountain upon the island, to balance, calm and soothe it. And so they did.

Happiness then reigned on the island and all was at peace. The mountain was called Great Mountain - GUNUNG AGUNG and the island is BALI, a magical island full of legends and mystical tales set amid the thousands of islands that are INDONESIA.

Travel Information:

Entry

AIR: Bali is easily accessed by air. Many international airlines fly there directly. Others fly there via Jakarta. Domestic airlines operate between Bali and towns in Java and Sumatra.
SEA: Many cruise ships make scheduled trips to Bali, but opt for this mode only if you have time on your hands.

Immigration

All travellers to Indonesia must have a passport valid for 6 months. Proof of onward or return journey must be submitted. No visas are required from nationals of certain countries. (Please check with your travel agent for a complete list of these countries). Visa free entry is also allowed for registered delegates attending a conference which has received official approval
For nationals of other countries, visas can be obtained from the local Indonesian embassy or consulate.
New Visa Policy - Republic of Indonesia
Nationals of following 11 countries and territories are given visa free of charge upon arrival: Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Philippines, Vietnam, Macao, Morocco, Chile & Peru.
Nationals of following 21 countries can obtain a visa on arrival after paying US$25 visa fee: Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan,
United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and United States of America.
Nationals of countries not stated above are required to apply for visa at the Indonesian
Embassy in their country of domicile.

Customs

Duty-free allowances for visitors are limited. Cameras, typewriters, and other valuable equipment must be declared on entry and taken out on departure. Television sets, radios, narcotics, arms, pornography, printed matter in Chinese and Chinese medicine are prohibited. Advance approval is required for transceivers and movie films.

Currency

The official unit of currency in Indonesia is the Rupiah (IDR). There is a limit to the amount of Indonesian currency you can bring into or take out of the country. Major foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, exchange offices and large hotels. Credit cards are accepted, but cash transactions are often preferred.

Climate

Being an equatorial country, the climate remains hot for most part of the year. The rainy season starts in November and extends till April. December is usually the wettest month. Temperatures range from 26 to 33 degrees Celsius, while humidity hovers between 60 and 90%. Bali and Lombok can be refreshingly cool in the evenings.

Dress

The best way to dress in Bali and Lombok is to go informal. Light clothing (remember to carry plenty of spares to change into during the day) like bikinis, halter-neck tops, shorts and mini skirts are ideal for women on the beach, while shorts with singlets should suit men.
A jacket and tie are required for official calls or for more formal occasions. Long sleeved batik or handwoven shirts are acceptable for evening functions. For ladies, dresses, blouses, and long pants are appropriate. You could travel light, as there is usually a wide range of beachwear available in Bali. In the hilly regions, a sweater usually suffices. Sandals are the most comfortable form of footwear.

Language

Bahasa Indonesia, a version of Malay, is the official language in Indonesia. In Bali, however, it co-exists with Balinese. Among international languages, English and Dutch are preferred. Interestingly, the Indonesian language uses the Roman script and alphabet.

Special Dates

Indonesia has many public holidays. Shops may close and other services may not operate on these days. The most important dates are Independence Day on 17th August and Nyepi Day (travellers must stay within their hotels / resorts on Nyepi Day). In addition, many shops may close for up to five days in conjunction with this holiday.

Weather Info:

The temperatures shown in the table below are indicative and based on past weather trends. It is advisable to check current weather before making any arrangements which are dependant on weather conditions