Bali is part of the largest Islamic country in the world. Indonesia has varying degrees of Islamic orthodoxy but in Bali, a Hindu island, is the least influenced by the codes and laws related to female dress in Islam. As a beach and tourist island, there has to be a certain laxity to female dress codes too.

Nude or topless bathing is sure to be frowned on and at best will attract unwanted attention. Be sure to be mindful of the fact that topless bathing is offensive and upsetting to locals who have otherwise seen it all. One piece swimsuits or bikinis are accepted but away from the beach t-shirts or scarves are expected.

Otherwise, women travel fairly easily in Bali. The influx of western tourists since the 1930s means that Bali is relatively modern and tolerant. Single women of all ages travel to Bali and in Ubud, where a number of solo women operate art galleries and museums. Many Australian women and girls travel to Bali alone or in groups. All relevant toiletries and medical supplies are readily available in all chemists in places like Kuta and Ubud as well as in Legian and in Seminyak.

Work opportunities for anyone in Bali are extremely limited. Since the tourist downturn that resulted from the terrorist attacks in Bali in 2002 and 2005, even locals who work as hawkers and beach vendors struggle to make ends meet. With tourism and agriculture the two top industries, tertiary business and other work opportunities are very thin on the ground.

Nevertheless, Bali is a magnet for expats who operate some of the art galleries and resorts in Ubud as well as in tourism, where employment in the top resorts in Nusa Dua as well as other parts of Bali are relatively abundant. Competition for expat jobs in Bali is fierce. Some travellers find employment in SCUBA diving or learn to surf courses if they have relevant qualifications and experience.

Beyond these areas however there are very few employment opportunities in Bali. If you do decide to give it a go, this is the visa and work permit information you may need:

RPTKA (Expatriate Placement Plan) – Any Indoensian business or company that intends to employ a foreigner needs to apply for an Expatriate Placement Plan, RPTKA. Regardless of the skills and qualifications of the foreigner, this permit is never guaranteed in the tight economic situation of present day Indonesia.If they are granted, the business or company pays US$100 per month per foreign employee to offset the training costs for locals.

If they have been issued a TA01 permit by the Indonesian government, visitors can enter Bali with a KITAS card which allows limited employment opportunities that are legitimate.

Fees
Visas
- Visa Kunjungan (60 day business visa): US$45
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The main danger to health and safety in Bali is the climate. Visitors who arrive here from winter or any time of the year in cooler Europe or the United Kingdom may be woefully underprepared for the heat and humidity that will greet them the second they arrive at the airport in Denpasar.

Bali is very hot and humid all through the year and though this makes for a tropical island party paradise it also brings substantial health risks. Sunscreen, hats and protective clothing need to be worn by all visitors to avoid sunburn which can happen only after a few minutes unprotected exposure to the hot, tropical sun.

Sunstroke is a real possibility too and the symptoms of this are headache, lethargy and fatigue. Dehydration can also result from excessive perspiration or alcohol consumption and cooling down in a swimming pool or the surf can be deceptive and waiting until thirst occurs is usually an indication that dehydration is already underway. Salts and plenty of water will help both sunstroke and dehydration but in severe cases medical attention should definitely be sought.

The notorious Bali Belly is encountered by many visitors due to spicy food or food that has been reheated improperly and as a result filled with bacteria. Anti-diarrohea medication should be carried by most visitors but it is available for purchase in all chemists in Bali.

Motorbike rental is popular all over Bali and many visitors enjoy putting around the island for a day or two. Accidents are very common and abrasions resulting from gravel rash or impact with dirt roads should be treated with antiseptic wipes and of course serious injuries or broken bones need medical attention.

There is a 24 hour emergency clinic in Kuta, at 100 Ngurah Rai 100 at the Kalan Bypass. Staff here speak English but the treatment is not free – travel insurance will need to cover things like motorbike accidents (most policies will not) and other such accidents.

Bali enjoys a sub-equatorial climate and is hot and wet most of the year. Cold weather is never experienced in Bali and temperatures usually exceed 30 degrees Celsius every day of the year.

There are two seasons in Bali, the Dry Season and the Wet Season. The Dry Season runs from May to September and the Wet Season runs from October through April. In the Wet Season rain can be expected daily and during the peak months of December to February torrential downpours are not uncommon.

In the hills of Bali cooler weather is encountered. Fogs and mists keep the very high Dry Season highs at bay but visitors should still expect very hot weather no matter which part of Bali they are staying in or travelling to. Mornings and evenings in the hills are cooled by breezes but midday temperatures soar.

Closer to the coast very hot weather is encountered and sea breezes are rare. Dipping into the water is one way to cool off while on the beach in Bali. The island of Bali enjoys a very similar climate to the rest of the Indonesian archipelago. Visitors to Bali should take care with their skin and wear sunscreen, hats and protective clothing.

New arrivals need to be especially careful of the weather in Bali since heat and sun related health problems are bound to occur especially for visitors arriving from winter in other parts of the world who will be shocked by the heat and humidity. Prickly heat and sunburn are common ailments.