Bali Tourist Traps

DENPASSAR AIRPORT
Once you get through Immigration and then customs and baggage porter scams you'll need a Taxi!.. Unless you are one of the very lucky few that have someone meet you on arrival . The taxi is your only option especially arriving on a very early flight as I did.
When firstly leaving the airport you will be confronted by taxi drivers wanting your fare..ask them how much to go to ??? (keep walking) and how far it is!! as you walk past them.. This way you will get a "ballpark figure" on the cost of your fare..Then pick out the taxi that YOU want..
Taxis here will try and take you to accomodation that they reccomend as the best!! This is usually only because they get a "kick back" on the buisiness...You know..it's the same old story..
I find when getting a taxi anywhere I first ask the driver if he will take me to a certain destination..Once that is established. I ask their cost.and the approximate distance. Don't let them touch your bags until your deal is done.!!
Be very firm about the cost and explain that this is ALL that you will pay.!! BE FIRM No excess charges for baggage , road taxes, or tolls?? Write this down on a note pad...show the driver the agreed amount so there is no misunderstanding with the language. After this has been firmly established get into the Taxi and NOT before. If possible share taxis with fellow travellers if all going to the city centre. This of course will lower the chance of a "rip off" if you are not alone.

DENPASSAR AIRPORT
Upon arrival at Denpassar Airport Bali after receiving entry visa. Firstly make sure that you have the correct foreign currency for entry taxes!! Then after proceeding to to another customs baggage check BEWARE of Porters "dressed as officials" that ask you to one side and pick up your bag!!. Like myself most people I spoke with were under the impression that these were officials that wanted to do a bag search. This of course is a normal procedure in Indonesia.Then of course once they have your bag demand payment for carrying your bag..This is a SCAM..Once I realised what was happenning I took my bag and refused payment!!! The porter then got very angry and I walked away and let him complain. This of course is your first introduction to the many scams that you will come across here. Be careful in Bali ...also when you go outside then there are the Taxis!!!

Be very careful when exchanging money on the streets! Yes they may have the best rate of the day along that street, but when the money exchangers count the money, the "slip" themselves some of your money.

Unique Suggestions: Make sure when exchanging money, know exactly how much you are suppose to get (take a calculator or use the calculator on your phone) and ensure you calculate the exchange in front of them. You should also be the last person to count the money, count it loudly in front of them and don't let them touch it after you.

Fun Alternatives: Use the Kodak shops or the Seven-Elevens or hotels to exchange money if you aren't 100% confident with the Balinese money.

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BALI
Most visitors that holiday in Bali will find themselves especially around Kuta Beach and local beach areas inundated with dozens of approaches by local drug sellers that are everywhere. The majority of tourists of course refuse the offers. BUT for the foolish and unsuspecting that are sold drugs of various types and unknowingly are playing a game of entrapment set up with local police .Who will witness the sale and then arrest these buyers after the drug sale is made and the entrapment is complete.
Recent events in Kuta Beach have seen a minor caught (14 year old) in this way and is in a Bali juvenile jail awaiting his fate..Police know of these drug dealers..!!!
IF YOU ARE VERY FOOLISH AND FALL INTO THIS CATEGORY. EXPECT HARSH TREATMENT HERE AS DRUG OFFENCES CAN CARRY TYHE DEATH PENALTY

WHILE WAITING FOR OUR TRANSPORT, I OBSERVED A CURIOUS INCIDENT ACROSS THE ROAD.

A SALESMAN WAS WAITING FOR TOURIST TO PASS BY AND OFFERED A CARD, BUT THERE WERE NO TAKERS FOR A LONG TIME. SUDDENLY A MIDDLE AGED TOURIST WAS OFFERED THE CARD AND WHEN HE ASKED WHAT HE WAS SUPPOSED TO DO, THE ANSWER: SCRATCH!.

A COIN WAS PRO-OFFERED AND THE GENTLEMAN PROCEEDED WITH THE RUSE. WHEN HE WAS DONE, THE SALESMAN IMMEDIATELY ANNOUNCED THE TOURIST GOOD FORTUNE IN WINNING . AT WHICH THE MIDDLE AGED TOURIST GAVE THE CARD BACK, PATTED THE SALESMAN'S SHOULDER AND TOLD HIM THAT HE COULD TAKE THE WINNINGS WITH HIS BLESSING! AND PROCEEDED TO WALK AWAY!!

THERE ARE A LOT OF RUSE AIMED AT THE UNWARY TOURIST , SO BEWARE!

IF YOU HIRE A VEHICLE, JUST BE AWARE THAT DURING MEAL TIMES THERE IS A GENERAL TENDENCY OF THE DRIVERS/GUIDE TO STOP AT A RESTAURANT OF THEIR CHOICE WITHOUT FINDING OUT WHAT THE TOURIST WOULD LIKE OR GIVING OPTIONS. IN OUR CASE IT WAS A SEAFOOD RESTAURANT IN DENPASAR, AND WITH ONLY GREAT RELUCTANCE DID HE TAKE US TO THE RESTAURANT OF OUR CHOICE.

SO HAVE A FEW OPTIONS AT HAND FOR THE LOCALS THAT YOU ARE VISITING. AND CERTAINLY BE CAREFUL IN GOING ALONG WITH ANY 'SEAFOOD' RESTAURANT.

IF YOU ARE NOT SURE, THERE ARE MANY REASONABLE CAFE ALONG JLN LEGIAN, KUTA WHERE WE CAN CHECK THE MENU UP FRONT BEFORE WE PLACE OUR ORDERS.

HOPE THIS HELPS.

You might encounter a local giving out scratch cards for the Royal Bali Hotel. And then when you scratch them out one will be showing that you've won free t-shirts and the other one showing you that you've won the grand prize. He will offer a free taxi to the hotel to claim your prize; instead when you go there you will be ushered into a room where sales people will be pitching in their scam. don't waste your time with this as this has been going on for a long time. check out http://royal-resorts-bali-scam.com/

Unique Suggestions: Politely tell the one handing you the scratch cards that you are not interested however he begs you that he cannot eat if he doesn't get his commission

When you arrive at the airport and get a porter to take your luggage. When they have to take your luggage to a taxi they take to you a taxi counter when you exit the building. Just tell them you don`t want to go there and just go to the drop off point where there is many taxi`s. Taking a taxi here is much cheaper then paying for a taxi from the taxi counter as there is many Blue Bird Taxi`s that await`s you.