VISA & TRAVEL INFORMATION

Entering Indonesia requires a VISA,

which will vary depending on the days you want to stay in the country and/or if your nationality is eligible or not for Visa on Arrival. 

Visa On Arrival (VOA):

Valid for 30 days

Day of arrival and day of departure count as FULL days each

VOA can be extended only ONCE for 30 more days (max. 60 days in total)

PLEASE NOTE: 

YOU CANNOT GET ANOTHER VISA AFTER YOU HAVE EXTENDED THE VOA ONCE while you are in Indonesia. You must leave the country. 

If you overstay your visa, you have to pay a fine of IDR 1.000.000 per day. If you overstayed substantially you might be detained, deported, or banned from coming back to Indonesia for a specific period.

How to apply for VOA:

Selected nationalities can purchase an electronic VOA (e-VOA) online BEFORE arriving to Indonesia, which will lessen the time queueing at the airport. In this link you can see if your nationality is eligible or not for VOA: https://molina.imigrasi.go.id/front/faq 

Only use the Official Immigration Website to purchase your VOA: https://molina.imigrasi.go.id/#e-voa 

You can apply for e-VOA 14 days before your travel. However, you are advised to create an e-VOA request at least 48 hours before your departure

If you do not purchase the e-VOA before you arrive in Indonesia, you can still purchase it at the VOA counter in the airport arrival hall, but have in mind that it might imply longer queueing time. 

The cost is IDR 500.000 (ca. USD 35) per person

Online Purchase per credit card (extra fees might apply) 

Purchase at the airport arrival hall and pay at the VOA counter in cash (EUR, GBP, AUD, USD, SGD, IDR) or by credit card

Other Requirements & Restrictions:

Single Entry only

Passport needs to be valid at least another 6 months

You can not obtain VOA with a temporary passport (emergency passport, travel document) 

You might be asked to show a return or fly-out ticket from Indonesia

Documents needed for e-VOA request:

Full biodata page of passport with at least 6 months validity from the date of your arrival to Indonesia 

Passport size photo

Email address

A valid Mastercard, Visa, or JCB credit card

Residence information in Bali / Indonesia (hotel  address, etc.)

Extension process (if needed):

We highly recommend doing the extension process using a VISA Agent service, since it will save you a substantial amount of time. You can see recommended agents in the next section. If you want to do it by yourself you will have to go 3 times to the Immigration Office in Denpasar, which will take you at least half a day each time. You have to make sure you start the extension process AT LEAST 2 WEEKS before your due date. Some agencies recommend that you submit your passport as soon as you arrive in Bali. 

Extension Cost: ca. IDR 900.000 (3-4 weeks) or ca. IDR 1.600.000 (express process 1 week). 

PLEASE NOTE that for VOA extension you must go to Immigration Office at a given scheduled date. This might mean that they call you DURING the Priestess Training, and you are expected to show up to complete the extension process.

Visit Visa B211A 

Valid for 60 days

Can be extended TWICE, each time 60 days (max. 180 days in total).

You will need to apply for this visa if:

you wish to stay longer than 60 days 

your country is not eligible for VOA 

PLEASE NOTE: We also recommend this visa for those who wish to stay in Indonesia between 30 and 60 days, because you are allowed to stay 60 days straight since your arrival date WITHOUT NEEDING TO EXTEND in between. To apply for this visa we highly recommend using an Agent Service because it will save you much time. They take care of absolute everything and provide the sponsor letter that is one of the requirements to apply for the visa. You just need to submit the required documents, pay by transfer (usually through wise) and wait for your visa which you will receive via email. Once your visa is issued you have 90 days to enter Indonesia. 

Here are some trustworthy Agents that people from our sangha have used before. You can also use their service for the VOA Extension.

BALI EXPAT CENTER

Contact Person: Mega (she), WA +62 812-3793-3073 

Prices for VISA application and issue

$350 , 3-4 business days 

$300 , 5-7 business days

$250 , 10-15 business days

Price for extension

IDR 2.700.000 per extension

Agent Dodo

Contact person: Dodo (he), WA +62 811-817-841

Prices for VISA application and issue 

IDR 3.500.000 , 10-14 business days 

IDR 4.500.000 , 5-7 business days

Price for extension

IDR 2.800.000 per extension 

Required documentation (for both options)

Passport copy 

Recent Photograph

Vaccine certificate

The exchange rate at the airport is quite bad, so if you need, just change enough to pay for the taxi driver.

Changing money is very easy in Ubud center and most of the shops have the same rate. Please only withdraw money from the ATMs that are within a Bank territory, which always have a guard, and not from isolated ATMs. Cards can get cloned easily. BCA, BNI and Mandiri banks do not charge an extra fee per withdrawal, but others like Permata do charge around 50K. Usually the maximum amount you can cash out are 2.5 million rupias. 

The value of Indonesian rupias is quite low and the biggest banknote is of 100.000 rupias. So be mindful of where you keep your cash, because usually involves having a big amount of bank notes! Many places accept debit/credit cards, but have in mind that many of them also charge an extra 2-3% fee. 

It is very usual in Bali that western-style cafes and restaurants do not include the tax and service fees in their menu prices. So keep in mind that you will be charged up to 15-20% extra depending on the place.

Before going to a temple:

• Make sure you are wearing the balinese clothes (sarong, kebaya, belt)
• You have to bring balinese offerings called “canang”. These you can find in most local shops (warungs). If you say that you go to a temple they will give you incense and matches too. It is possible to buy them inside the temple as well, but the price is much higher. They might sell you just one for the same price that you buy a package of 10 in a warung 😀.
• If you go to a water temple make sure to bring change clothes and some snacks 
• Have in mind that temples and waterfalls tend to be more crowded during the weekend, especially if it is a holiday, because local people go with their families. 

Jukut Paku Cliff Temple (in Ubud)

This is a beautiful little temple, located close to Swasti Eco, that is rarely visited by tourists. It is where Sharada did the video shooting for the Devi Temple! It has access to the river and there is a path with a sort of waterfall where you can go under the water. You can go by yourself, no guide needed.

Taman Beji Griya Waterfall - Water Temple (west of Ubud)

This is a water temple for doing yatra (pilgrimage) and melukat (balinese water cleansing ceremony). It contains two huge waterfalls and a cave within the temple. There are local people there who guide the yatra and show you where to put the offerings, but they speak limited English in case you want to understand more about the experience (not sure if one should tip them). You can do it by yourself if you go with a balinese friend who knows what to do.

Durga Kutri Temple

Pura Mengening - Water Temple in Tampaksiring (north of Ubud) 

This is another beautiful water temple that you can go to by yourself. It is close to the most famous water temple of Bali, Tirta Empul, but it is way less touristic and the place itself has something special to it. The pools used to be separate for men and women, but recently I have seen pictures where everybody goes in together. The rules might have changed, but sometimes people are not being mindful. Please ask if you are not sure, to honor the Balinese customs :) 

Pura Dalem Pingit - Water Temple in Sebatu (north of Ubud)

Powerful water temple, further north of Ubud, for doing melukat. It is where Paula Devi went last year for her Earth Day! (Sylwia Devi was there too!) Not sure if one can go by itself, or if a guide is needed.

Les Waterfall - Tejakula, north of Bali

One of the most magical places in Bali (in my perception). There are homestays that offer simple but clean rooms if you want to spend a night and soak in the magic and sacredness of the Les Valley. There is no wifi, no hot water, and limited artificial lights. Delicious nourishing food provided by the local people.

Homestay contact: Made (she) +62 813-3821-2635

 If the jungle is not for you, you can stay by the beach and visit the waterfall during the day. Gaia Oasis is a beautiful resort, where Sama Yoga used to hold their Yoga TTs (if I am not mistaken). Paula and Sylwia Devis went there last year for the Balinese New Year! Gaia’s contact: +62 812-3853-350 

Yatra Tours

Our dear Ingela Devi offers breathtaking tours (trekking, melukat, bicycle) to very secluded places and waterfalls of Bali. A minimum number of people is required, so if some of you feel inspired you could go together! More info on her website: http://www.yatra-tours.com/?fbclid=IwAR3tC1XiaxJ3lLSGHWtjDVo3GCvezTS-tFLqdBx0pWH5pT4iTUEudZmMRW4

Ubud - Penestanan area 

• Alchemy (european prices) 

Delicious breakfast smoothie bowls, juices, coffee and raw/vegan chocolates and cakes! They also serve cacao now, but I haven’t tried it. This is mainly a raw (and cold dishes) restaurant!  

• Zest (european prices)

Vegan and gluten free! It has delicious breakfast/brunch options, one of the best cacao, and insanely delicious sushi! There is also the Dragon Tea Temple, where many events are held on a weekly basis. 

• Moksha (european prices)  

• Yellow Flower Café (middle price) 

This cafe with views of the Volcanos (when the sky is clear) is located walking distance from Under the Banyan tree, in a mostly residential area. They have balinese and western food, and on Sundays there is a buffet style dinner for 100K. It is not pure vegetarian.  

• The Elephant (middle to high prices)

The Elephant is a classy Ubud vegetarian restaurant with a great view overlooking the Campuhan Ridge. The menu is a mix of Asian and Western dishes and I actually preferred the pasta and gnocchi here to the Italian restaurants in Ubud. 

• Prima Warung (low price)  

Prima is a very simple vegan warung run by a friendly lady. It only opens at lunch and just serves nasi campur— a bowl of pumpkin soup plus a massive plate of red rice, vegetables, tempeh, and a corn fritter.  

• Teratai Vegetarian (low price)  

Delicious vegan food (buffet style) for only 50K. Their menu varies daily. It is located in the parking area of Bintang supermarket, which makes it a little loud, but they have take away boxes. 

• Cafe Vespa

• Dharma Cafe

Ubud - north

• Muse Café and Art

Ubud center

• KAFE

• Mudra

• Seeds of Life  

• Sayuri Healing Foods 

• Dayu’s warung 

Serves healthy, organic, gluten-free meals with plenty of vegetarian options including salads, soups, and Indonesian classics. The nasi campur is one of my favorites in Ubud, but some of the other dishes can be bland, and the service is slow. They also have gluten-free and vegan desserts.

• Ganesha eks-sanskrit

Stylish restaurant with outdoor seating serving contemporary & traditional Indian dishes.

Ubud - Nyuh Kuning area

• Amrta Siddhi (middle to high prices) 

Dr. Sujatha’s ayurvedic center! The restaurant serves delicious ayurvedic and indian meals. If the center is full they might only offer take-away and delivery for outside customers. 

• Sage

Grocery Stores

Green Habit - our favorite for all kinds of groceries and has the best prices! For chocolate bars, cookies and snacks, seeds and nuts, cereals, tea, cacao, superfoods, dahl and lentils, pasta, rice, vegan milks, oils, tooth brushes/paste, and more! Has plenty of plant-base and gluten free options. 

Bali Buda Store - much bigger than Green Habit, but also more expensive. It is located next to the Ganesha Bookstore where you can find beautiful journals!

Bintang supermarket - one of the “biggest” supermarkets in town. There is a post office outside where you can get money sent if needed.

Places to buy malas

There are plenty of shops in Jl. Hanoman, Jl. Raja Ubud and Jl. Monkey Forest. Make sure you count the beads :) 

• Om Sivaloka
• Namaste 
• Bali Yoga Shop 
• Coming Beads - this shop makes malas to order, and they can also fix or re-do a mala if you bring it to them. Paula Devi has used their service many times. 

Places to buy body & hair organic products (body scrubs, soaps, lotions, shampoo, mosquito repellent, incense, etc.) 

• Angelo Store
• Utama Spice
• Sensatia Botanicals
• Nadis Herbal

 Places to pamper 

• Putri Bali

Our go-to spa for massage treatments. Nowadays it tends to be busy, so you might want to book in advance. They have beautiful open-air rooms with fan, and new AC rooms at the back of the building that are closed (and smell funny in my perception). If you prefer open-air rooms make sure to request one. Contact to make reservation: +62 819-3631-8394 

• Cantika Spa 

• Tjampuhan Spa 

• Karsa Spa 

Places to dance

• The Yoga Barn - Ecstatic Dance 

Most popular place to dance in Bali. Friday evenings and Sunday late mornings. Pre-purchase of tickets is now required, and you have to do it at least 3 or 4 days in advance if you want to get in. Without a ticket you can arrive early and see if there are walk-in tickets available. Purchase here: https://www.theyogabarn.com/ecstatic-dance-ubud 

• Paradiso

Ecstatic dance on Thursdays evening, Contract Improv on Saturday morning, and other events as well. You can check here: https://www.instagram.com/paradisoubud/

• Alchemy Yoga 

• KABANA 

• Akasha