Information

Visas and Departure tax

For most foreign guests it will be necessary to purchase a ‘visa on arrival’.

The cost is $10.00USD/person for 7 days or less and $25.00USD/person for 8 days up to 28 days. It is easiest to have the correct money in USD.

On leaving you will need to pay a Departure Tax. Currently the tax is 150,000 rupiah/person. Variations can occur with little or no notice. Ask our staff to check the current rate prior to you departing the house to ensure you have sufficient money.

Staff

The house has two staff, Wayan Legit and Wayan Suri, who live on site with their three children, Putu,  Kadek  and Komang. They keep the house, garden and pools in good shape. Inside, they make the beds and wash the floors. Additionally, they sweep the garden and paths every day.

They prepare fruit, eggs/toast type breakfast every day (included in the rate). A larger amount of Indonesian food can be cooked at breakfast time, which can be eaten later in the day, if that appeals. However, guests will need to fund this, as standard fare is eggs/toast, fruit!

They will run errands (like shopping, laundry), can organise babysitting, hiring of a car, visiting local music nights, visiting local temple, ordering and picking up takeaway food.

Food

Excellent food is available in Bali from Local to International.

Do not drink the tap water anywhere, bottled water all the way.

At the house are a number of menus from recommended restaurants that prepare takeaway food. Staff can order and pick up. Average main course $5 - $10(AUD).

Alcohol

Because Bali is in Indonesia, and Indonesia is a Muslim country, imported alcohol is VERY EXPENSIVE (at least the same price as at home, with wine being more than that.)

Local beer (Bintang), local rice wine (a bit like sherry) and rice spirit (arak - great with lime and ice, or honey lime and ice) are very cheap.

It’s a good idea to bring in a bottle of your favourite spirits with you (one bottle per adult allowed duty free) for drinks around the pool. Mixers are available at the local supermarkets

Shopping

While some shops are fixed price, many places, and always at the Bazaars (Pasars) you can expect some negotiation as part of the shopping experience. Once you start to negotiate, be prepared to complete the transaction. It is considered ‘bad form’ to get half way through and walk away.

Ubud Pasar (bazaar) is right in the middle of the town, and is regarded as a good Bali market. Reasonable rule of thumb is to open at 20% of asking price and expect to end at about 50%.

General shops are in Jl Raya Ubud, Jl Monkey Forest and Jl Hanoman, with a large range of wonderful gifts and memories. Always try to negotiate: in shops offer 50% of opening price, and if you can get it to 70% of opening price you can congratulate yourself!!

Always stay calm, polite and in good humour!
Couple of excellent supermarkets: Bintang and Delta Dewata.
Just ask Wayan to direct you or ask your driver to take you there.

Getting around

Castello Jasper can organise a car, or a car and driver for you. You just need to ask the staff. Rates maybe negotiable, but probably a car will cost about 100,000 to 200,000 rupiah per day.

With a driver, add probably another 100,000 rupiah.

Ubud has no metered taxis, but plenty of people offering their services, all up and down every street. Always negotiate the price before you start, and be prepared to find another driver if the price seems too high.

It is very easy to drive yourself in Bali. You must have an international drivers licence. Driving is on the left hand side of the road. The main rules are to drive slowly, and give way to everyone!

Plenty of tours can be booked in Ubud to places all over the island.
Local buses are very cheap, if you are feeling adventurous.

Money

Local currency is Rupiah. There is no need to bring anything other than your own currency to Bali. Money Changers are everywhere and quote rates in all major currencies.

Rule of thumb for conversion in 2010:

1 Australian Dollar = 8500 rupiah
1 United States Dollar = 9500 rupiah

When changing money make sure the sign outside the exchange office says 'NO COMMISSION', or you will find you lose about 10% of the quoted exchange or more!

Take undamaged large denomination notes with you, as you get the best exchange rate on those. Check for damage, as they will not take a note with any damage to it at all, and it is surprising how many notes are damaged.
Have a hunt around for the best price.

ALWAYS count your money once you receive it, before you leave the counter. Its just sound practice, and the locals expect it. Once you have counted it, do not let the local person touch it again.

There are ATMs everywhere. We find the main BCA bank in Jl Raya Ubud, east from the Market a great one, as it dispenses 100,000 rupiah notes, which make your handbag and wallet more manageable. There is another BCA ATM in Jl Monkey Forest just 50 metres from the Ubud Market but it dispenses 50,000 rupiah notes. The maximum number of notes that can be withdrawn in any one transaction is 24 notes. Accordingly, a 100,000 rupiah machine will give you 2,400,000 rupiah and a 50,000 rupiah machine will give you 1,200,000 rupiah.

Tipping

Restaurants

Most restaurants will have a 10% tax charge on your bill and restaurants vary between 0% to 11% tip on the bill. That money will usually go to the MANAGEMENT, not the waiter on your table.

House staff:

Many hotels and other commercial establishments will add between 5-10% of accommodation/food cost to your bill as a tip to the staff. The staff rarely sees any of this money.

We have not included any staff gratuities in the rates at Castello Jasper. It is usual practice to tip the house staff when you leave. A guide would be 50,000 rupiah/person/week, more if you believe they have provided exceptional service.

Massages and other treats

Bali is a great place to indulge the body. One hour massages in local facilities cost as little as 70,000 rupiah, manicures and pedicures for around 50,000 rupiah (take about an hour also) hair cuts, facials, what ever you care to have done. Refer to Information Guide for recommendations.

Music

A number of restaurants have live music some nights of the week, as part of the atmosphere. Jazz and reggae are popular. Refer to Information Guide for recommendations.

Health

It is a good idea to carry some medication with you from home. Something for 'Bali Belly' is always a good idea, plus something for headaches, pain, itches and infections.

Your local doctor will know what shots you should have before you leave home.

If you want to consult with a western quality doctor or dentist, ask the staff to contact Castello Jasper's villa management, and speak to Krystal Adams, a New Zealander who has lived in Bali for 10 years.

Travelling On

Ubud can be just the start to understanding the life and culture of Bali. Certainly Ubud is considered to be the Artistic and Cultural capital but Bali has other delights in store for those who wish to explore.

We have enjoyed our stays at ‘Seraya Shores’, a small resort on the beach in East Bali near Amlapura/Candi Dasa. Owned by Australians, Jamie and Amanda, the setting is stunning and Sasa, their cook, uses local product to great effect.
Look them up at www.serayashores.com