All foreigners wishing to enter Indonesia must have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of arrival along with proof (tickets) of onward or return passage. Please contact the Indonesian Embassy/ Consulate in your country well before the Symposium in order to check if you require any immigration documents necessary to visit Indonesia. Please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia at http://www.kemlu.go.id.

Non-extendable visa-free entry to Indonesia for 30 days is available to passport holders of Brunei, Chile, Hongkong SAR, Macau SAR, Malaysia, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The Visa’s on arrival’s fee are classified into : USD 10 for 1-7 day and USD 25 for maximum stay of 30 days. Visa on arrival maybe provided to nationals from 65 countries, i.e Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Chinese Taipei, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, People’s Republic of China, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Timor Leste, Tunisia, United Arab Emirate, United Kingdom and United States of America. Passport holders of all other countries and non-tourists of the aforementioned countries must obtain a valid Indonesia visa at an Indonesian Embassies or Consulates in their home country prior to departure to Indonesia.

The 21st International Seaweed Symposium Secretariat can provide invitation letters to those who require it for visas or other necessary procedures. However this letter aims to assist participants for their travel to Indonesia and does not imply any commitment by the Organizing Committee to provide financial support. Please get in touch as early as possible with the 21stInternational Seaweed Symposium Secretariat if you need an invitation.

Customs allows on entry a maximum of one liter of alcoholic liquor, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco and reasonable amount of perfume per adult. Wine and liquor are available only in hotels in Bali (and other cities in Indonesia). Beer on the other hand is produced locally, is widely available in restaurants, grocery stores and street kiosks, is of good quality and sold at reasonable prices.

Cameras, video cameras, portable radio, cassette recorders, binoculars, and sports equipment are admitted provided for personal use and taken out on departure. Prohibited items include firearms, illegal drugs, pornography, and transceivers. The Censor Board of Indonesia should screen any films, pre-recorded videotapes, VCD or DVD’s before importing. Penalties for drug smuggling are severe.

There is no restriction on import or export for foreign currencies and travelerer’s cheques, however, the import and export of Indonesian currency exceeding IDR 100,000,000.- is prohibited.

Air transport is the easiest and comfortable means of travel to Bali, Indonesia. A number of carriers offer international direct flights to Bali and many of the world’s major carriers connect Bali via regional air hubs in Jakarta, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Japan, Seoul, Sydney, Guam and Taipei.

International airlines serving Bali include Garuda Indonesia, the national flag carrier (Jakarta, Darwin, Melbourne/Sydney, Perth, Osaka, Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore), Air Asia (Kuala Lumpur), Singapore Airlines, Malaysian Airlines (Kuala Lumpur), Royal Brunei (Bandar Sri Begawan), Korean Airlines (Seoul), Thai Airways (Bangkok), Japan Airlines (Tokyo, Osaka), Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong), China Airlines (Taipei), Qantas Airways (Darwin, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Singapore), Continental Micronesia (Guam).

Many domestic airlines to Bali on a daily basis include Garuda Indonesia (the most frequent), Lion Air, Batavia Air, Merpati Nusantara, Mandala Airlines and many more. International airlines representative available in Bali are Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific Airlines, China Airlines, Continental Micronesia, Eva Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Merpati Nusantara, Qantas Airways, Royal Brunei, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways International. Most of these airlines offices are located in Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport and Denpasar.

An airport tax of IDR 150,000.- (equiv. USD 16) is imposed on travelers for international routes and Rp. 40.000 for domestic routes. Airport tax is payable after check-in at airport.

Transportation in Bali is always cheap by any standard. From airport to the conference venue in Nusa Dua, will cost around IDR 80,000.- (equiv. USD 9). It is advisable to carry small change as taxi drivers are often short of change Taxis are operated from all major hotels and the airport with rates varying according to distance. Some of the airport taxis area Golden Bird, Ngurah Rai Taxi, Kowinu, etc. At all major airport terminals, inquiries about local transportation should be directed to the information counter. Furthermore, car and motorcycle rentals are also available in Bali at negotiable rates.

Bali has a tropical climate appropriate to its proximity to the equator. Year round temperatures averaging 31 degrees Celsius. High humidity can be expected during the wet season between the months of October - April. The wet season brings daily rain and quiet overcast days with the most rain recorded between December - February. Occasionally rainfall can also be expected during the dry season but usually at night or very early morning.

The official language of the conference is English. Should there be any necessities for SIS (Simultaneous Interpreter System), a written notification 1 month prior to event must be sent to the Organizing Committee.

Only Rupiah (Indonesian currency) is acceptable at regular stores and restaurants. Most hotels, restaurants an souvenirs shops accept certain foreign currencies and credit cards. The Indonesia Rupiah is available in note, denominations of 100,000.-, 50,000.-, 20,000.-, 10,000.-, 5,000.-, 2,000.-, and 1,000.-. Coins are available in denomination of 1,000.-, 500.-, 200.-, 100.-.

Travelers’ checks are accepted by leading banks and hotels in principal cities, including Bali. The use of travelers’ checks in Indonesia is as popular as in other countries. Diners Club and American Express, Visa and Master Card are widely accepted at hotels, department stores, shops, restaurants and pubs. According to Indonesian banking regulations, payment by credit cards will be charged in local currency.

The electric current in use throughout Indonesia is 220 volt at 50 cycles. In hotels, though, you may find two sockets for 110 and 220 volt each; or a converter may be obtained through the housekeeping.

The major cities have shopping complexes, supermarkets and departments stores where prices are fixed. They open from 09.00 am to 09.00 pm everyday and even in Sunday. At small shops bargaining might be necessary. Bali has various shopping spots. Main tourist roads are often lined with shops and stalls selling crafts of all types. Ubud (25 km North to Denpasar) and the surrounding villages of Pengosekan, Mas and Batuan are breeding grounds for arts, ranging from ‘wayang style’ paintings, polished woodcarving and antiques to traditional Balinese carvings made from volcanic purnice. For those who do not like to wander too much from the beach, Kuta and Legian have more modern shopping areas.

Strict security measures will be provided at the conference venue and all designated hotels. Security is provided at places outside the conference venue and hotels where official activities are held.