In general, mobile communications are quite well developed in Indonesia, especially in popular tourist destinations and big cities.

Mobile operators in Bali (Indonesia)

There are 3 main mobile operators in Bali and throughout Indonesia: Telkomsel, Axiata and Indosat

Telkomsel in Bali

Telkomsel is the mobile branch of Telkom Indonesia. It is the most cost-effective for the usual needs of tourists. Telkomsel accounts for over 40 percent of Indonesia's mobile services market. This is the only mobile operator operating in every province of this country without exception.

Starter packages. Types of Telkosel SIM cards:

• Kartu As.

  Package for locals. 3000 minutes on the network for 58 thousand rupees and 400 minutes on all networks for 16500 rupees per month.
  

• SimPATI.

  The most popular package among tourists. This 4G package costs 10 thousand rupees, has a daily quota of 300 MB, 5000 rupees to the account for mobile calls and a validity of 30 days. ()

• Loop

  The package is aimed primarily at those who are in transit in the country. That is, they have a very short validity period. You can separately rent for voice communication for 60 minutes of conversation for 2000 rupees, or for 47,000 rupees for three days for 15 GB of Internet. ()

• Contract card Kartu Halo.

  Targeted at locals, of course. It has 8 tariff plans starting from 100 thousand. rupees up to 550 thousand rupees per month. They contain a lot of Internet, a lot of SMS, a lot of free minutes on the native network. ()
  

Official site - www.telkomsel.com

Find out your number, check and top up your Telkomsel balance

• Find out the balance and the end of the validity period (validity): *888#
• Balance for Internet traffic and bonuses: *889#
• Find out your number: *808#

Extension of validity period (SIM card validity period):
You can extend the validity of your SIM card for the following money:
Rp 5,000 – 7 days
Rp 10,000 – 15 days
Rp 15.000 – 20 days
Rp 20,000 – 30 days
Rp 25,000 – 30 days
Rp 50,000 – 45 days
Rp 100,000 – 60 days
Rp 150,000 – 120 days
Rp 200,000 – 150 days
Rp 300,000 – 180 days

Official mobile phone application on Android and on iOS

Axiata in Bali

Axiata is one of the most significant Malaysian telecommunications service providers in Asia. Has 90 percent coverage in Bali. There are 2 types of starter packages - with 2 MB traffic 3G and 4G/LTE.

• Official site — https://www.xl.co.id/

Find out your number, check and top up your Axiata balance

• Check your account - *123#.
• The same number will display a menu from which you can find out everything you need.

Indosat in Bali

Indosat also has reliable coverage in Bali and the other main islands of Indonesia. Freedom packages are currently in use. Previously used IM and Mentari have been collapsed.

Find out your number. Check and top up your Indosat balance

• Balance check — *555#
• Connecting Internet packages -*123# and *363# ( Rates).
• Find out your number - *123*30#
• Remaining MB - SMS “usage” to number 363

Indosat Mobile App

Convenient application for Android and for iOS. You can connect and configure everything in it.

You can call the Russian Federation from Bali from a Telkomsel mobile number by first dialing the code 01017, then the Russian number without 8. For example, if you need to call the Russian number 8999**1212, you will need to dial 01017 999**1212. Then the price of a minute of conversation will be no more than 0.2 dollars, and an SMS - about 0.05 dollars.

A call to an Indonesian number from an Indonesian SIM card costs between 5 and 10 cents. per minute, billing is per second. The cost of the first minute is higher than each subsequent one. Tariffs are the same throughout Indonesia and there is no roaming between regions. At the same time, from 11 p.m. to 6 p.m., call prices are lower than during the day.

To call from Russia or another country to an Indonesian mobile number, you need to dial +62 (Indonesia code) at the very beginning.

Calls from Bali

To call home in the Russian Federation or another country of the former USSR from an Indonesian number at a minimal price, you can use IP telephony. Each mobile operator in Indonesia has its own code. If the call is made from a Telkomsel SIM card, you should dial 01017 before the international code of your country. When calling from an Axiata SIM card, you need to dial the code 01000. For example, when calling a Russian number, you will need approximately the following set of numbers: 01000-7-XXX-XXX -XX-XX. The conversation in this case will not cost much - approximately 2,500 Indonesian rupees (about 0.02 dollars) for 1 minute. An SMS in the Russian Federation will cost about 700 Indonesian rupees (approximately 0.05 dollars).

To call home from Bali to a landline number, you will need to dial 001, then enter the country code, area code and number.

Calls home are the cheapest at Wartel Telecom points, where rates are reduced after 11 p.m. To call from a pay phone, you need to purchase an appropriate calling card, which is sold in supermarkets, Indonesian post offices and newspaper stands.

Calls to Bali from other countries

To call a Balinese number from a landline in another country, first dial 8, then 10, then 62 (Indonesia code), then 361 (Bali code), then the subscriber's number.

To call from a mobile in another country to a mobile number in Bali, you will need to dial +62 (Indonesia code), then the operator code and the subscriber number.

Calls within Indonesia

When calling from a mobile phone in Indonesia to another number in that country, a minute will cost around IDR 1,500. At night, calls are much cheaper: 1 minute costs almost half as much, and SMS is only about 150 Indonesian rupees.

To call from one Indonesian mobile number to another, you must first dial the Indonesia code +62, then the operator code and subscriber number. If the call is made to a number belonging to the same Indonesian mobile operator as your number, instead of +62 you need to dial zero.

Where to buy a SIM card in Bali

SIM cards in Bali are sold in many places: mobile phone stores, supermarkets, and the airport. There are a lot of sales points in tourist areas, you can find them without any problems. Except in critical situations, you should not rush to purchase a SIM card at the airport, as it will be too expensive. It will cost less in the shopping center.

Internet in Bali

It is not recommended to use a SIM card from a non-Indonesian mobile operator for mobile Internet in Indonesia, since such Internet will be too expensive. The costs can be significant. It is possible to connect to roaming with your home operator so as not to go broke to such an extent, but it will still be much more expensive than when using a special tourist or Indonesian SIM card.

Although in most of the Southeast Asian countries the Internet is now developed almost flawlessly and every hotel has Wi-Fi, in Indonesia the situation is less rosy. Wi-Fi in this country is not available in every hotel, even in such popular tourist regions as Bali. Therefore, you should carefully select your hotel. However, if only mobile Internet is enough for you, you can limit yourself to purchasing a SIM card with mobile traffic. Wi-Fi is also available in some (but also not all) restaurants, cafes, and large shopping centers. There are also internet cafes in Bali.

However, in terms of mobile Internet development, Indonesia is inferior to Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. His speed here is most often not high enough. When buying an Indonesian SIM card for Internet access, you should not try to buy a card that supposedly has high speed, since in reality it will still be low.

To connect to the mobile Internet, you should buy a SIM card from one of the main operators in Indonesia - Telkomsel, Axiata or Indosat.

Internet in Bali for tourists

The most economical option is to use mobile Internet packages. Local operators offer many packages with different terms and volumes. One of the most popular packages among tourists is the Telkomsel SimPATI package. SimPATI package rates are as follows:

• 5 GB for 3 days - 28,000 Indonesian Rupiah - IDR;
• 5 GB for 7 days – 36,000 IDR
• 10 GB for 7 days – 45,000 IDR
• 6 GB for 30 days – 60,000 IDR

Cable Internet in Bali

Telkom Speedy in Bali provides cable connections based on ADSL technology. The disadvantage is the use of telephone cables, which in Bali have not been updated for a very long time, so they have low bandwidth and often break. In most cases, if you need more or less high-quality Internet, then mobile is often a better option than cable. But of course it’s better to check on the spot.

Just a couple of years ago, the Internet and mobile communications in Bali were not very developed; there were practically no providers to choose from. Now there are so many operators that it is difficult to understand them.
With the help of tips from this article, you will learn how to call Bali, how to use the Internet and how, while on this island, you can always stay in touch with the greatest benefit for yourself.

mobile connection

Mobile communications in Bali are very cheap, so it makes sense to purchase a local SIM card. Buy SIM cards in communication stores; if you do this at the airport from the hands of helpful local merchants, then it may cost you 10 times more, and besides, it may be from another region, for example, from Java. Roaming in Indonesia is not free with all companies.

The cost of a SIM card is 10,000 - 20,000 rupees (30-60 rubles), with about 5,000 already in your account.

Advice: be sure to ask to immediately activate the SIM card in front of you. Doing it on your own can sometimes be difficult, especially if you use tablets.

There are a great many telecom operators in Bali, as already mentioned. But the most popular of them are Telkomsel (Simpati tariff) and XL Axiata Tbk (or XL for short). Their coverage area covers almost all of Indonesia, and both companies have approximately the same tariffs. Except that XL has cheaper internet, but slightly worse coverage.

By the way, all Russian cellular operators provide roaming in Bali. Beeline is even a partner of Telkomsel, but purchasing local SIM cards is still more profitable.

Advice: if you come with a group, buy cards from the same operator.

The international dialing code for Indonesia is +62. If you need to make a call to Bali from abroad, then the number may look something like this +62 821 11 33 44 55. There are some peculiarities in how to call Bali from a local SIM card: “+62” in this case must be replaced to “0”. Then the number looks like this: 0821 11 33 44 55. Bali's telephone code is 361.

Mobile tariffs

Calls within the country will cost you 1000-2000 Indonesian rupees (3-6 rubles) per minute, the night rate (from 18.00 to 6.00) is almost twice as cheap. SMS - 150 rupees (50 kopecks).

Calls to Russia: a minute of conversation with Moscow will cost about 25 rubles, and an SMS message will cost 18-20 rubles. Tip: if you are calling Russia from Telkomsel, first dial the IP telephony code “01-01-177” or “01-019-7”, then the city code or operator code, then the subscriber number. This trick reduces the cost of a minute of conversation with Russia to 7.5 rubles. For XL, the IP telephony code is 01000.

To check your balance you need to dial *888# (for TELKOMSEL) and *123# (for XL). Advice: you can top up your account not only in communication shops, but also (in the evening and at night) at food kiosks. You need to approach the seller and ask: “PULSA?” If you were answered in the affirmative, it means that here you can be provided with the service of replenishing your account.
The card is valid for 365 days from the date of the last balance replenishment.

Internet

If it is important for you to always and everywhere stay in touch with the world via the Internet, then in Bali you will not have to compromise your principles.

Wi-Fi is found everywhere on the island in restaurants and cafes, sometimes access to the network is included in hotel services, and if you rent a villa, you will most likely have your own dedicated line.

Many operators offer unlimited packages of varying validity periods and USB modems. For many, having a 3G modem is seen as the optimal solution, because then the Internet will always be at hand. However, if you do not need to work on a computer, you can limit yourself to buying a SIM card and use the Internet through your phone.

Internet from the SmartFren provider took first place in terms of popularity among tourists. This company provides one of the fastest Internet in Bali. A SmartFren 3G modem can be purchased for 500,000 rupees (1,500 rubles), the price includes an unlimited Internet package for a month from the date of purchase. Speed ​​- 3.1 Mbit/sec. In the future, the same package can be activated for 90,000 (280 rubles) per month.

Advice: promptly renew the package at the end of the month by calling the company or using a combination of numbers, otherwise the money after the month may be written off at absolute rates, and not as part of the package.

The same Simpati tariff from Telkomsel, described above, provides access to the Internet for 50,000 rupees (150 rubles) for 2 weeks or 100,000 (300 rubles) for a month. The speed fluctuates around 2 Mbit/sec. The monthly package is positioned as unlimited, but in fact, once it reaches 1 GB, the speed drops significantly. But fortunately, you can always update it by depositing additional funds into your account.

In addition to these two providers, at least 15 more companies offer their Internet packages. On average, a month of active use of the network, depending on the operator, will cost approximately from 600 to 1,500 rubles.

Advice: Internet work that requires a stable 3G connection speed is best completed before 19.00, after which it is rush hour in Bali and only the most patient can work.

Don't forget about the Internet cafe. The cost is about 4000-5000 rupees per hour. I will also add that there are quite a lot of Internet cafes where you can pay 4-5 thousand rupees per hour (about 15 rubles), the speed is unpredictable.

Stay connected and on the wave!

You can hardly imagine your vacation without a smartphone and Facebook. Of course, it’s great to take a break from everything that comes with work and life “outside vacation.” But let's not deceive ourselves - only a few do it. And how, in the end, can you post cool photos straight from the beach? There is no need to wait until you get Wi-Fi - there is mobile Internet in Bali too. And very good.

You won’t find our usual “unlimited” with good internet here - you’ll have to separately buy additional internet “packages” with a certain validity period. And it is necessary - otherwise it will be very expensive, and then bitter and painful for the money spent. Please note: if the package runs out, the Internet does not turn off, but continues to work, but is considered at an expensive rate - keep this in mind. Which operators should I pay attention to?

Telkomsel (also known as Simpati)

Supports GSM/EDGE/3G/4G standards. You can buy a SIM card at any roadside stall. The SIM card itself costs about 20 thousand IDR, and a package for 30 days with 3-4 GB of Internet costs another 60 thousand IDR. Need more internet? Get ready to fork out some money - a 20 GB package costs 800 thousand IDR. Coverage is almost all over the island, but not the most stable. Speed ​​- up to several megabits - depending on your location. To connect to an Internet package, monitor its status, and top up your account from a card, use your personal account from your phone: http://mobi.telkomsel.com/. If you plan to move around a lot and are not going to download and diligently check your work email, then this is the best option.

XL

SIM cards can also be bought almost everywhere. The Internet is more stable and fast (up to 10 megabits), but the geographic coverage is less than that of Telkomsel. The most “hit” tariff is a night tariff for 12 GB for 50 thousand IDR - for those who like to download TV series and work after a whole day of rest. Personal account from your phone: http://123.xl.co.id. Also used to connect new Internet packages, track recent transactions, etc.

Tri/Three (3)

One of the highest quality operators in terms of mobile Internet - if you plan to work, then this is the best choice! The speed is consistently about 4-7 megabits, which is a good indicator. Personal account from your phone: http://internet.tri.co.id. There is a trick for Internet packages: it is more profitable to buy new SIM cards and “pick up” an Internet package (available from 1 to 30 GB) than to top up an old one - this is relevant if you do not need a permanent phone number. The only sad thing is that SIM cards are rarely found in roadside shops; you will have to look for them in large supermarkets and operator offices. Here, for example, is the address in the office in Denpasar: https://clck.ru/A2ErK.

Indosat

Last on our list - but far from the least in quality - is the ubiquitous Indosat. Its coverage is almost as good as Simpati's, and its speed is even better! In places with LTE coverage, it literally flies at speeds of up to 30 megabits. For the Internet, they most often use a SIM card with prepaid 3 GB - costing 50 thousand IDR - not a bad price, pay attention! You can save money if you buy an additional one for the first Internet package - this is the most profitable way with this operator. Personal account for connecting tariffs and tracking current information.

Communication is accessible and simple these days. And the Island of the Gods is no exception. Cellular communications, mobile Internet, Wi-Fi - all the benefits of civilization are available to tourists, inexpensively and conveniently. You just need to understand the nuances. We will help you with this - we will tell you how and where to buy a SIM card, how much to deposit into your account, how to call your homeland and the Salvation Army, where to find Wi-Fi or an Internet modem.

1. ROAMING
First of all, if you are not going to buy a local SIM card, check the roaming conditions with your mobile operator. Most often, it is cheaper to connect additional services for those traveling abroad. Contact representatives of your mobile operator in advance to find out about possible conditions and tariffs.

2. CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS IN BALI
There are 2 main Indonesian operators that are most popular on the island: XL And TELKOMSEL. They are distinguished by good prices for local and international calls and quality of reception. You can purchase the coveted piece of plastic in shops located along the main roads of populated areas, with large posters advertising cellular communications. No documents are required to purchase the treasured piece of plastic. The price of a SIM card is on average about 15-20 thousand rupees (about $2), but in tourist areas, the price can be inflated indefinitely. Bargain and don't let crooks cheat you. The card usually only has a starting 5 thousand rupees - this amount is not enough for you to stay in touch. When purchasing, deposit 50-100 thousand rupees ($5-10) into your account; this money may be enough for a week, or even more.
You can top up your balance in the same shops and at store checkouts IndoMaret, CircleK, AlfaMart. You can check the balance of a TELKOMSEL subscriber using the combination *888# , to XL subscriber - *123# .

3. CALLS TO RUSSIA
It is cheaper to call home from a local SIM card using special IP telephony codes. For TELCOMSEL this is 01017 . These numbers must be dialed before the country code and subscriber number (01017-7 (Russian code) – 000 (operator code) – 000-00-00 (telephone number)).
For XL you need to use the code 01000 (for example, 01000-7-000-000-00-00).
For calls to a landline phone, use the code 001 (international line access), followed by the country code, region code and subscriber number.

4. CALLS FROM RUSSIA TO INDONESIAN NUMBERS
To call Bali from a mobile phone, you need to dial the country code +62, followed by the operator code and subscriber number. From a landline phone, the procedure for dialing a number is slightly different: first, dial the international line access code (10), then the country code, operator and subscriber number.

5. CODES AND IMPORTANT PHONES
We hand over the remaining secrets: the island code Bali – 361, Jakarta – 21. These codes are used to call landlines. I hope that your holiday will not be overshadowed by emergencies, but it is always better to be on the safe side: write down the emergency numbers in your mobile phone memory. Information service - 108. Police - 110. Fire service - 113. Ambulance - 118.

6. MOBILE INTERNET
If the Internet on your phone is enough for you, then connect to a service package from your mobile operator. The number combinations for activating service packages are indicated on the SIM card packaging. For those who need a 3G modem, it is better to use the services of such operators as Smart And Broadband. Tariffs and terms of sale of 3G modems are constantly changing, the quality of reception is guaranteed only in tourist centers, and the speed of the Internet connection leaves much to be desired.

7.WI-FI
Everything is as usual here. The benefits of civilization have come to the Island of the Gods almost everywhere: in tourist areas, free wi-fi is available in hotels, shops, cafes and restaurants. Connection speeds vary everywhere, but it should be noted that you won’t be able to watch videos online everywhere. Island Internet – slow Internet.

Nowadays, communication is an integral part of life. Even at night we keep the phone by the bed, and during the day we check Facebook 10 times, we cannot disappear from Instagram for 2 weeks, and work documentation continues to be sent to email even on vacation. And it will be like this in Bali. Use the information collected for you, call your mom, sign up for a lesson in Endless Summer by phone, stay up to date with news and respond to work emails.

Good network signal and long holidays!

Internet in Bali is difficult. Unfortunately, this is true, although if you remember the 2000s, in Russia it was also slow and very expensive. Internet in Bali is now at approximately the same level in terms of prevalence, quality and data transfer speed. It is especially difficult for those who going to work remotely via the Internet in Bali.

Free Internet

Free internet available, and the speed is quite decent in many cafes, especially at the European level. This is a favorite way to connect to the network among tourists who do not need to always have it at hand.
It is enough to order a cup of coffee for 6-10 thousand rupees and you can safely surf the Internet.
Once upon a time we stopped at the Mak Jo cafe for a couple of minutes to quickly update our maps and check the route before our trip.

Wireless Internet in Bali (GSM and CDMA)

Thanks to the development of wireless data transfer standards, connecting to the Internet is quite simple and inexpensive through cellular operator standards
GSM: XL Axiata Bali, Telkomsel (SimPATI), Indosat (IM3)
CDMA: Smartfren

If you come to Bali for 2 weeks, then the simplest and most inexpensive solution you will have to buy a USB modem from one of the operators for 200 thousand rupees ($17 or 600 rubles).
The downside of this solution is, which is only for one computer and does not connect your phone, iPad and laptop at once via one USB modem. Although you can stick a SIM card from one device to another.
Alternative option! Often telephones incl. IPhones allow you to work as a wi-fi router, which can also be useful if you don’t want to spend extra money on buying modems from local operators; besides, you can connect any device.

Tariffs for cellular communications and Internet in Bali

Normal SIM card cost 10-15 thousand rupees. Sometimes tourists are sold 50 and even 100 thousand, although this is an outright scam. Inexpensive SIM cards can be purchased from stalls near the Jimbaran fish market. There are of course many other places.

Telkomsel website with tariffs (English available) GSM
The operator is also known as SimPATI, tariffs for cellular communications are good, good coverage throughout the island, the Internet is expensive, it is possible to call inexpensively abroad using the prefix 01017
01017 7 (area code) or if on a cell phone (subscriber number without 7 or 8)
For example: 01017 7 915 989 0000

XL website with tariffs (English available) GSM
Cellular tariffs are good, the Internet is a little cheaper than Telkomsel, the quality of the Internet according to reviews is a little better, although the coverage area is not good everywhere. You can also call Russia via IP telephony with the prefix 01000
01000 7 (area code) or if on a cell phone (subscriber number without 7 or 8)
For example 01000 7 915 989 0000

Smartfren website with tariffs (in Indonesian, translated via Google translate) CDMA
Used Internet only because the operator works in the CDMA standard and classic phones from Russia of the GSM standard will not work with it, the best tariffs for internet in Bali, good coverage, although there are black holes when the signal is not enough for good speed.
6 GB for 100 thousand rupees ($10)
12 GB for 150 thousand rupees ($15)
Good Internet, the best choice if you plan to use the Internet for a long time and not only for viewing mail. There are also cheap modems, and there are also normal routers for 700 thousand ($65, 2100 rubles) that allow you to connect up to 8 devices via Wi-Fi. That's what we did and purchased router Huawei EC5321 EVDO Rev.B (up to 14 Mbit). It is better not to take Rev.A routers and modems, because... As practice shows, it will not accelerate up to 3 Mbit and the speed is not enough.

It was also important that this router has an output to an external antenna and a battery, which allows you to take it with you on trips and there is no need to plug a SIM card into each phone and iPad or combine cheap calls with expensive Internet.

Where to buy a Wi-Fi router or USB modem?

The largest selection of routers and modems in Bali is at the RTC electronics shopping center near the Viking Hotel in Denpasar.
The simplest USB modem can be bought in numerous stalls selling SIM cards and all sorts of things for phones.

When purchasing a SIM card, ask to activate it. After activation, the account will usually have 2-3 thousand rupees. In the same tent you can deposit money into your account. Usually 50 thousand rupees is enough for 1-2 weeks. The commission for replenishing an account is on average 2 thousand rupees.

Wired Internet in Bali

With wired Internet in Bali, the question is still open. Many cheap accommodations are not connected to a telephone line, much less to the Internet. If you find a house with internet, rejoice (although it's worth checking it out and finding out the cost), because... in inexpensive houses this is very rare, and even if the Internet is connected, it can be very expensive. Often the Balinese scam tourists and charge a lot for the Internet, the cost of new tariffs from Speedy (Telkomsel trademark) is 1 Mbit for 645 thousand rupees ($57), 2 Mbit for 995 thousand rupees($80), which is considered very expensive for Russia.
It is worth noting, for those who work remotely, that Speedy’s unlimited tariffs have a lower upload speed to the Internet UPLOAD.
For tariff DOWNLOAD 1 Mbit/s - UPLOAD 256 Kbit/s. Those. For those who, for example, upload large amounts of data (movies) to the network, a speed of 256 Kbps will most likely be insufficient.

Let's hope that competition will correct this situation in the near future. internet in Bali for the better.

How to top up your internet operator account

The easiest way to top up your Internet operator account is in numerous tents selling all sorts of telephone sundries, as well as in payment terminals that are available in Nirmala. Although we have been replenishing our Samartfren account from a card for several months now. And there is one peculiarity here! Many stalls cannot top up your account with 150 thousand rupees, which makes it impossible to activate the package for 150 thousand rupees. If you deposit money in parts of 100 + 50, the package for 100 thousand is automatically activated and the traffic of the package for 50 thousand is added.

To get started, you need to register, then log in and follow the instructions of the system.

Bali island and what it is eaten with

Bali... bustling, picturesque, colorful, lively and enchanting island is one of the best island paradises in the world.

During your holiday in Bali, you will learn what luxurious tropical nature is, enjoy the warm azure waters of the Indian Ocean and secluded exotic beaches, discover such unusual, but at the same time delicious Balinese cuisine, get great pleasure from Balinese massage and SPA in Bali .

Bali is different for everyone, but at the same time, every traveler will feel “like in paradise” when arriving in this fabulous corner of the globe. Among travelers, it has acquired the names “Bounty Island”, “Island of the Gods”, “Island of a Thousand Temples”, “Treasure of the Indonesian Archipelago”, “Pearl of Indonesia”.

Geography of Bali (Indonesia)

The island of Bali is part of the Indonesian (Malay) archipelago located in Southeast Asia. Bali is under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Indonesia (Bali Province).

From the south, the island of Bali is washed by the Indian Ocean, from the north by the Bali Sea of ​​the Pacific Ocean.

From the west, Bali is separated by the Bali Strait from the island of Java, from the east by the Lombok Strait from the island of Lombok.

Bali is a secluded tropical island. Bali's area is 5,780 km², its length is 150 km from east to west and 80 km from north to south.

A mountain range stretches from west to east of Bali. There is a zone of high volcanic activity here. In the northeastern part of the island there are two great Volcanoes, Gunung Agung (3142 m) and Gunung Batur (1717 m).

The mountain range divides the island into two parts. North Bali has a relatively dry climate that is favorable for growing coffee crops. The southern region consists of terraces stretching from north to south on which rice is grown. Numerous rivers flow through gorges with lush vegetation.

Capital Bali

Denpasar city (population approximately 500,000 inhabitants)

Bali Resorts

Bali resorts - Kuta, Semenyak, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran.

Time in Bali

is 4 hours ahead of Moscow (there is no daylight saving time)

Climate of Bali (Indonesia)

Thanks to the equatorial monsoon climate in Bali, the “season in Bali” lasts all year round.

However, in Bali there are 2 seasons: dry (April - October) and wet (November - March), the greatest amount of precipitation falls in January-February. In some areas of Bali, the difference between seasons is almost invisible.

During the dry season, the sky is cloudless and the weather is clear almost every day.

During the wet season, precipitation falls locally, usually at night in the form of short-term tropical showers (1-2 hours), the rest of the time the sun shines.

Average annual air temperature on the island of Bali

26-30 degrees, ocean water temperature not lower than 26 degrees

Population of Bali

In total, about 4 million people live in Bali (according to 2010 data). The population of Bali is the result of a mixture of nationalities such as Malays, Melanesians, Indians, and Chinese. The bulk of Bali's population is concentrated in the south of the island.

The Balinese are very hospitable, cheerful, welcoming and charming people.

Religion of Bali

Bali is called the “Island of the Gods” and the “Island of a Thousand Temples”. Each traditional Balinese house has a small temple with an altar and everything necessary for performing rituals.

The ancient temples of Bali are unique in their location and have gained popularity throughout the world.

The vast majority of Balinese (more than 90%) profess “Hindu” - this is a unique worldview that arose as a result of many years of fusion of Hinduism, Buddhism and ancient primitive beliefs. "About 5% of the population is Muslim. They live mainly in Denpasar, Singaraja and small coastal towns.

It should be noted that the Balinese are tolerant people; they treat adherents of any religion with respect and understanding.

Language in Bali (Indonesia)

The official state language in Bali is Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia), but Bali also speaks Balinese (Bahasa Bali), which is the national language of the island of Bali. In tourist areas, many locals speak English. All guides in Bali of the OstrovBaliTour team speak Russian.

How much money is there in Bali?

Bali's currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (RP).

In circulation you will find banknotes in denominations of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 rupees.

There are also coins in circulation in denominations of 100, 200, 500 and 1000 rupees.

Currency exchange in Bali. Well

The exchange rate for currencies in Bali is unstable and ranges from 9,000 - 11,200 rupees per dollar.

That is, on average, 1000 rupees is 30 rubles.

Bills in denominations of $10, $20 and $50, as well as old-style bills (for example, 1997 dollars) are exchanged at a reduced rate.

Therefore, in Bali, it is most profitable to take new-style dollars with a face value of $100.

Where to change money in Bali?

The exchange rate at the airport is not favorable, but you can change a small amount (no more than $100). This money is quite enough for dinner and small expenses on the day of arrival.

Be careful when exchanging money. Here are some simple tips to avoid being scammed:

• Change money only in banks and exchange offices at banks
• Do not change money in souvenir shops with a suspiciously high exchange rate
• Be sure to recalculate how much money they should give you (it’s best to use a calculator on your phone)
• Count the money yourself without leaving the cash register, as they say (be careful with the number of zeros!)

Telephone communication in Bali or how to call Bali (from Bali)

What cellular operators exist in Bali and what SIM card to buy is of interest to any person who has decided to travel to Indonesia.

For the modern world, having the ability to communicate (without depending on distance) has long been a proven and necessary thing. The main thing is to know the rules and mobile communication options that exist in a particular location.

mobile connection

Living without a phone, especially in a foreign country, is now impossible. Most often, for its normal functioning, the option of connecting to roaming services is used. This is done before departure using your existing SIM card. The main thing is to remember that a positive balance, taking into account the cost of a call home, is up to 100 rubles. for a minute conversation, there should always be.

The second option (popular among tourists) is to purchase a local SIM card. It is not difficult to purchase a SIM card here. No passport or other document is required. Almost every store has special departments for selling them, a network of cellular communication stores, and ordinary local merchants. You need to know that the cost of purchasing at the airport will be much higher (sometimes 10 times). The average price of a SIM card is 15,000 Indonesian rupees ($1.5). It must be activated in your presence immediately after purchase. Top up your account in mobile phone stores, shops, kiosks. They say the word “PULSA” and after answering “yes” they start depositing money. or with a group of friends, it is recommended to purchase a SIM card from the same operators, of which there are a lot on the island. Popular cellular operators in Bali are PT Smart Telecom and Telkomsel (convenient Simpati tariff).

Call rules:

1. The cost of domestic calls within Indonesia is determined from 1 to 2 thousand rupees (3.6 rubles per minute). At night the call costs significantly less.
2. A minute of conversation with Moscow and St. Petersburg costs 25 rubles. An SMS message will cost 20 rubles. The cheapest option for calls to Moscow is made from Wartel Telecom points (after 23:00 call prices are significantly reduced). To talk from a pay phone, you need to purchase (at a supermarket, post office, newsstand) a telephone card.
3. A little advice. When you call Russia using Telkomsel, you first need to dial one of the codes (01-01-177 or 01-019-7), then the city code (sometimes the operator), and the subscriber number. If, for example, the subscriber has the number +7 903 111 11 11. Instead of the “plus”, you need to dial a code. It turns out 01017 7 903 111 11 11 (two sevens are next to each other). This clever combination reduces the cost of talking to Russia. It is equal to 7.5 rubles. in a minute. The XL Axiata card code is a set of numbers 01000.
4. The country code in the International system is +62. Bali's code is digit order 361. They are dialed when calling the island from any other country. For internal calls, “0” is dialed instead of +62.
5. Emergency phone numbers: medical assistance 118, police 110, fire service 113, information 108.
6. To check your balance, dial *888# (TELKOMSEL), *123# (XL).
7. There are universal SIM cards for inexpensive communication without a monthly fee and limiting the life of the card. They are considered convenient for frequent trips to the island. An example is the “Whole World” international SIM card, covering over 100 countries. Its cost is 1000 rubles.

Internet services have recently appeared on the island. The quality of communication in each area is different and is determined by the capabilities of the provider and its coverage map. Having chosen a place to live, you need to find out in detail all the information about Internet speed and payment rates for it. In general, the service is not expensive and costs $5 for 2-5 gigabytes. For stays of up to a month, a monthly tariff for a SIM card is most often used, costing from 20,000 to 50,000 rupees ($2-4). Payment for the Internet package is 60,000 rupees ($5) for 30 days. It is better to buy a package for 2 GB by paying 100,000 rupees. Part of the traffic will be used for calls and SMS messages. This helps to avoid the unpleasant fact when, after the end of the money, debits begin at other, more expensive rates.

Many operators can connect several Internet options with different quotas at once. Telkomsel sells 1GB Internet 4G with 4G/LTE + 1.3Gb Data Local options for 50,000 rupees. In Bukit + 200Mb Flash (3G). If the phone catches 4G, the first quota is spent, if edge/3G works, then the last quota is used. Sometimes it’s difficult to understand everything at once, so it is recommended to often check to see if there is still balance left for the Internet or to pay more. The availability of the Internet and its speed are checked when choosing a place of residence.

There are about 50 Wi-Fi hotspots in Bali. If you have a laptop, it is easy to connect and use in cafes, hotels, and restaurants. In any region covered by cellular communications (EGDE/3G), you can use a modem purchased here. A SIM card from a local operator will allow you to work with the Internet for the required time.

Unlimited Internet using a 3G modem is provided by several mobile operators. Smart and Broadband are considered the most popular. The average cost of their services is $33 per month.

The main ways to access the Internet in Bali are:

1. Via ADSL telephone cable.
2. Using fiber optics. This applies to densely populated areas of Bali such as Kuta and Seminyak. Connection is expensive.
3. Through a radio channel. A common method is by installing an antenna. Cable network connections are currently used the least on the island.

To choose a method for connecting to the Internet, it is useful to compare information about several providers:

1. Offer from a Russian-speaking company with high wireless tariffs. Provides stable Internet access during long periods of work. Very good service by company operators.
2. Jetcoms is a wireless operator. The contract lasts for one and a half years. The price of a megabit is 1.25 million rupees.
3. Costs about 1 million. for 2 megabits, 2.2 million for 5 megabits. There are many positive reviews about the operator's work.
4. Telkom Speedy. Cable connection using ADSL technology. The average cost is $180 for 3Mb/sec.
5. XL (GSM).

Modern communication options operating in Indonesia can be studied in detail on numerous provider websites. You won’t be bored here without communicating with your family. Those wishing to spend a long time on the island, such as winter, have excellent accommodations.

Today it is difficult to imagine your life without the Internet, including during your holiday in Bali. There are no problems with him on the island. You can use mobile Internet, find wi-fi in hotels and rented houses. In this article I will talk about the best mobile operators and Internet providers, as well as which Internet is best to use while on vacation.

Wi-fi is available in almost every hotel. It generally works quite well by local standards. If you are going to rent a house in Bali, then check in advance whether there is internet. I always rent houses with Internet, checking its speed in advance.

If you like the house, but there is no Internet, then you can connect it yourself or ask the owner to do it. To connect to home Internet, you must take into account the location of your home. There are more than enough Internet providers on the island, but not all of them can boast of good Internet speed in the place where you need it.

Home Internet on the island is not the cheapest, so it is recommended to connect it if you decide to spend at least six months in Bali. The cheapest monthly tariff will cost $20, a more or less high-quality one can cost from $80 to $100 (1 megabit speed). For comparison, in our countries a package with a speed of 20 megabits costs 10-15 dollars, but for Bali such efficiency is not yet available.

Main providers on the island:

1. Smartfren is considered the most affordable, so you will hear about it everywhere. It catches almost everywhere, it works from a regular SIM card, so you don’t have to tie it to a specific house, but use it anywhere. Among the disadvantages is the unstable speed, which in the evening and on weekends is generally reduced to a minimum. Traffic is limited, so it is not suitable for watching movies or videos.
2. Speedy from Telkom has proven itself on the positive side. The only drawback is that to connect it you must have a telephone in the house. In Bali, connecting to a telephone line is quite rare, plus there is a restriction on the availability of free lines. In general, if you have a telephone in your home, then you are truly lucky. The provider is famous for its more or less stable speed and relatively low tariffs for Bali.
3. Biznet/Max3 has won many positive reviews, but, unfortunately, does not cover the entire island. For example, in Bukit you will not be able to connect to a provider. Offers good speed at an attractive price.
4. CBN works from an antenna that is installed on the roof of the house and distributes a signal. It works stably and has a wide coverage area. To connect, just leave a request on the website. The technical service responds quickly.
5. Global Extreme connects both using an antenna and a dedicated cable. Despite the fact that the package is paid for monthly, the provider obliges you to conclude a contract for a year.

Mobile Internet

For tourists, mobile Internet is an ideal solution. Firstly, you will not be tied to a specific location, secondly, you can always stay in touch, thirdly, you do not need to pay for its installation, plus maintenance is inexpensive. There are several operators on the island that offer good coverage and attractive prices.

Before choosing one or another operator, you need to carefully study the tariff conditions, since some of them may distribute part of the traffic at night.

Note! You won't find good unlimited Internet tariffs in Bali. Some companies set a speed limit after a certain volume has been exhausted. Some people immediately set the speed to low.

Almost all cellular operators in Bali, as well as throughout Indonesia, work on the principle: you need to purchase an Internet package, which is connected additionally. The validity period of such packages can be from several days to several months. If you don’t buy the Internet, then its tariffs will cost you a large sum; you will have to deposit money into your account regularly. When the validity period expires, the package is purchased again.

Which operator should you choose?

In order to choose a mobile operator for yourself, you need to know what they generally exist in Bali.

1. Telkomsel is the most popular operator on the island and offers competitive rates. His SIM cards are sold everywhere. The card itself costs about 20 thousand rupees, a monthly Internet package for 3-4 GB will cost 50-60 thousand. If this volume is not enough for you, then you can purchase a 20 GB package, but its cost is about 800 thousand rupees. The operator has coverage throughout the island, but internet speeds may vary depending on your location. A capacity of 3-4 GB is enough for a month, unless, of course, you plan to spend days on YouTube or download movies from the Internet. You can monitor your traffic and balance using your personal account, which can be accessed even from a mobile phone.
2. XL is another well-known operator, it offers faster Internet, but its coverage area is much smaller. One of the most profitable is the night tariff, which provides 12 GB of Internet for 50 thousand rupees. This is a good choice for those who like to spend time on the phone after an active day or prefer watching movies. The operator also creates a personal account where you can track the status of your package or change it to more favorable rates.
3. Tri/Three– this operator provides the most stable Internet speed, it is beneficial to use it, for example, if you work on the Internet. The speed is about 4-7 megabits, which is pretty good for an island. The operator offers many Internet packages ranging from 1 to 30 GB. As practice shows, it is most profitable to purchase a new SIM card each time and connect an Internet package to it than to regularly top up the old one. But this scheme is only suitable for those who do not need a specific phone number. Another drawback of the operator is that SIM cards are not sold everywhere. They are difficult to find in regular market stalls. But they can easily be bought in a large supermarket or operator’s office, one of which is located in Denpasar.
4. Indosat– its coverage is practically no different from Telkomsel, but the operator offers an order of magnitude better speed. In places where there is LTE coverage, its speed can reach up to 30 megabits/second. The most popular Internet package costs about 50 thousand rupees, and 3 GB is provided for use. And if you purchase an additional package to the main package, you can even save a little. Cards from this operator are also not sold everywhere; it is best to contact the office. A nice bonus of the Internet package is an unlimited extensive Wi-Fi network with speeds of up to 20 megabits.

Which mobile operator to choose depends on your goals and place of residence. I lived in Ubud and only used mobile Internet to look at Google maps, check email or access social networks, so I chose Telkomsel. I was quite satisfied with the quality of services.

Prices

Mobile Internet in Bali is inexpensive. Depending on the operator, the cost of a 3-5 GB package will cost an average of $5, which is approximately 60 thousand rupees. If you deposit 100 thousand into your account, you will still have money left for calls and messages.

The cheapest internet is offered by Telkomsel. For 50 thousand rupees you can get 2 GB. This volume will be quite enough if you need the Internet to check mail, social networks and other small operations. You can’t watch films and videos with such volume.

Where to buy a SIM card?

Buying a SIM card will not take you much time. They are sold everywhere and, most importantly, you do not need a passport or other document to purchase it. If you decide to get a SIM card during the first stages of your vacation, you can do this right at the airport.

If you decide to wait a little, then go to any store that sells mobile phones and accessories for them. Tell the seller the name of the operator. They will also help you on the spot with the activation of both the starter package and the Internet.

You can deposit money into your account in the same shops where they sell phones. You will need to say “pulsa” (balance), name your operator and show your phone number. After you top up your account, check your balance immediately to avoid any unpleasant situations.

• The average cost of a SIM card on the island varies between 20-30 thousand rupees. If you see the cost is too high, then it makes sense to look elsewhere. In tourist areas, prices are often increased, hoping for a generous tourist.
• If you replenish your balance through special kiosks, it is better to immediately check the receipt of money into your account. To top up a SIM card, you need to give your phone number, it’s better to write it down and give it to the person who will top up the balance.
• If you come to Bali for a long time, you can contact the official office to purchase a SIM card. It is better to take your passport with you so that it can be issued in your name right away. If you lose your card, you can always have it restored.
• If the SIM card is not used for several months, it will be canceled and you will have to purchase a new one.

We got acquainted with all the intricacies of the Internet in Bali. This information will help you choose the best mobile operator or Internet provider.

It doesn’t matter how long you come to Bali: for a week or six months. You really can't do without a mobile phone. The simplest and most cost-effective way to always be in touch is to activate the roaming service on your “native” SIM card while still at home. The main thing is to take care in advance of having a very positive balance on your phone. Be prepared to pay from 40 to 100 rubles per minute of a call to your homeland.

Mobile communications on the island are not at all expensive and at the same time very accessible.

We, in turn, strongly advise you to purchase a local SIM card, right here upon arrival. Moreover, this is absolutely not difficult to do: SIM cards are sold in almost any store, mobile phone store, and even at the airport by good-natured local merchants. We still recommend refraining from the last purchase option if you don’t want to overpay 5-10 times.

The cost of a SIM card ranges from IDR 5,000 to IDR 15,000 on average. (from about 0.5 - 1.5 $). Caring sellers activate the card right there on the spot. If for some reason they did not do this, we advise you to ask them to activate the SIM card in front of you. Otherwise, difficulties may arise later when trying to activate it yourself. If you speak the local language well, then it is quite possible that you will be able to complete this procedure yourself and without problems.

There is already some amount in the account. As a rule, it may not be enough for calls home. You can top up your balance right on the spot.

If you are traveling with a family or a group, we recommend purchasing SIM cards from the same operator.

There are a great variety of mobile operators. The most popular are Telkomsel (Simpati tariff) And XL Axiata Tbk, PT Smart Telecom.

How to call:

The international dialing code for Indonesia is +62.

For example, if you need to call Bali from abroad, then the number may look something like this +62 821 11 11 11 11. Moreover, if you make a call within the network, then +62 boldly replaced by " 0 " And at the same time, the phone number now looks like this: 0821 11 11 11 11

A little about tariffs and costs:

Domestic calls within the country will cost you 1000-2000 Indonesian rupees (3-6 rubles) per minute. Calling at night is even more profitable - the cost of a minute of conversation is reduced by almost half. And SMS is even cheaper - 150 rupees (50 kopecks)

Calls to Russia:

A minute of conversation, for example, with Moscow or St. Petersburg will cost you about 25 rubles, and an SMS message will cost you 18-20 rubles. However, (dammit!) there is a little trick: if you call Russia from Telkomsel, first dial the code “01-01-177” or “01-019-7”, then the city code or operator code, then the subscriber number. For example, you need to call the number +7 903 111 11 11, instead of plus you dial the code, the result will be01017 7 903 111 11 11 (two sevens next to each other). This smart combination reduces the cost of a minute of conversation with Russia to 7.5 rubles.

(For card holders from XL Axiata code 01000.)

• You can check your balance by dialing *888# (for TELKOMSEL) and *123# (for XL)
• Check how much you spent on your last call or SMS *887# (for TELKOMSEL)

Refill:

You can top up your account not only in mobile phone stores, but also in shops and kiosks. It is enough to say the incantatory “PULSA?” and if the answer is yes, you can safely proceed to payment.