When Will Bali Reopen For Foreign Visitors In 2022 part 1 – that will be the topic of today’s article.
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Introduction
With COVID-19 in place, Bali will once again welcome paradise-seeking tourists soon. Bali will allow international tourists to visit starting February 4, according to Reuters. Visitors must quarantine for five to seven days. However, international visitors will be permitted.
According to the US Embassy & Consulates in Indonesia, U.S. citizens are only allowed into Indonesia with a valid residence permit or a specific visa. Following the opening of Bali to foreign visitors from several countries in mid-October, including China, New Zealand, and Japan, but direct flights have been limited. Singapore Airlines will resume flights to Bali from Singapore on Feb. 16.
The increased access will undoubtedly be a boon to Bali’s tourism sector. In 2019, according to the report, the destination welcomed 6.2 million foreign tourists, accounting for more than half of its GDP. Bali initially intended to welcome international tourists in the summer of 2021. However, it was forced to postpone its plans owing to an increase in COVID-19 infections.
Indonesia has seen a surge in new cases, with over 8,000 recorded on January 27th, according to the World Health Organization. The rise is likely linked to the omicron variant, according to reports. Have you been surfing the internet to get the right information about moving to Bali as an expat?
Well, worry less! Or what exactly makes Bali special today? Not to worry, as we’ve got you covered on this platform. Today, we’ll revisit the pros and cons of moving to this city and the best destinations it has for expatriates.
Why Is Bali So Special To Expats
Is it the white sand beaches, the sun-kissed skies, or the lush green rice terraces that have made Bali a top destination for aspiring expats? Whatever your reasons are for moving to Bali – diving, surfing, yoga, meditation – there’s something special about this island paradise alluring aspiring expat communities from near and far.
In fact, Bali has been ranked as one of the best places to live in Indonesia, according to a survey by InternationalLiving. Bali’s ideal climate and geography make it popular with expats worldwide looking for an exotic locale with a slower pace of life.
It certainly isn’t hard to see why – white sand beaches stretch for miles while lush jungle-clad hills spill down to the coast. The clear waters of the Indian Ocean attract divers and snorkelers who come for Bali’s vibrant marine life, including dolphins, sea turtles, mackerel, and barracuda.
The highlights of any trip to this island are visiting its ancient Hindu temples. The most important temple in Bali is the Pura Besakih, located in the mountains near the city of Karangasem. It consists of twenty separate temples and shrines, which are built to honor various Hindu deities, including Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Indra, and Agastya. Not to talk much, below are the top 5 reasons Bali is so unique.
Bali Has a Stable Economy
Bali’s economy is service-based mainly, with the majority of residents working in tourism or agriculture. Tourism provides many expats with employment opportunities as chefs, hotel managers, drivers, and mentors for surf schools.
Education Opportunities
There are many international schools on the island of Bali, such as Saint Mary’s Catholic School, established in 1987 and using an American curriculum. Many expats choose to send their children to these private language centers while exploring other employment opportunities in the area.
The Cost Of Living Is Low
The average annual income for a family in Bali is Rp. 400 million, equivalent to about USD 35,000 per year. Housing prices are low compared to other major cities in the region. Expats living in Bali typically spend only 30% of their annual income on housing. Also, you can buy many health products vitamins supplements in Bali, which are cheaper than in Jakarta.
Bali Is Safe and Peaceful
Bali was even ranked as one of the safest places in the world by Business Insider, which cites its low crime rates and relaxed regulations. It is located far from any major terrorist activity and has a well-established safety infrastructure for tourists.
Bali Has an Exotic, Exciting Culture
Bali’s museums, art galleries, and other cultural institutions are designed to preserve the Balinese way of life for future generations while promoting appreciation among tourists. Also, Bali has many unique traditions that expats can enjoy participating in, such as the Hindu Fire Dance.
7 Things to Know About Bali Culture
Bali is a beautiful island situated in the southern part of Indonesia. The culture and traditions of Balinese people living on this island are equally as impressive as the town itself. Here are seven things you should know about Bali culture.
1. Hinduism Is an Official Religion
Hinduism became the state’s official religion in 1999 when the government granted it constitutional recognition. The majority of the population follows Hinduism, with a few Christians, Buddhists, and Confucianists living on the island. Moreover, some Balinese Muslims are even; however, they were converted in the 19th century by Dutch missionary work.
2. Every Household Has a Temple
A typical Bali family will have one or more temples in their house with altars dedicated to Hindu gods and goddesses. Temples are considered sacred places where only certain family members can enter inside. It is believed that temples play an important role in maintaining harmony within the family.
3. There Are Three Major Caste Groups
According to traditional Balinese socio-political organization, there are three big castes on the island – Brahmana, Wesia, and Sudra. Balinese Hindus believe they were born into their position in society based on the deeds of their previous lives.
Wesia is merchants, traders, and craftsmen who usually live in small towns near the beach. The lower caste Sudras are farmers who live mostly in rural areas. The Brahmana caste includes royalty, aristocrats, priests, government officers, teachers, etc.
4. Every House Has a Deity to Worship
Every house on the island has an altar dedicated to a particular deity. For example, an altar for Durga is usually found in houses of Brahmana caste members, while one for Shiva appears in Sudra’s homes. Meanwhile, a Ganesha altar can be found in Wesia’s houses. Every Balinese person worships their deity as part of daily rituals such as praying and offering food.
5. Most People Work In the Tourism Industry
Most Balinese people, especially the youth, work for the tourism industry, which has rapidly developed on the island since the 1980s. Bali has become a popular tourist destination with many hotels and resorts built in the province. Consequently, many people from low-income families have been able to rise from poverty and improve their living standards.
6. Aga Dance Is Performed For Special Ceremonies
The Aga dance is a traditional Balinese performance that combines drama, music, and stylized hands and feet. This unique dance was developed to tell how Dewi Sri – the rice goddess saved her father’s life by sacrificing herself. Therefore, it is only performed during ceremonies associated with rice production.
7. Nelumbo Nucifera – A Sacred Flower
Nelumbo nucifera is a sacred flower that has been part of religion and culture for over 3,000 years. In Hinduism, it represents the fourth state of consciousness called turiya, which means pure consciousness without thoughts or dreams.
Additionally, the Balinese believe that this flower helps them to communicate with their ancestors. At the same time, it is believed that Nelumbo nucifera can purify water and help people recover from illness.
Overview of Bali Reopening 2022
Professor Gusti suggested that Indonesia should phase out quarantine for fully immunized international travelers who test negative before departure and upon arrival. However, just before the WHO discovered Omicron as a variant of concern, he threw a radioactive wrench in the long-awaited restart of global travel.
Indonesia, like the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States, has banned non-resident arrivals from South Africa or any of eight other African countries. It also prohibited visitors from Hong Kong, which had its fourth Omicron variant case.
The UK, on the other hand, was not restricted; where there had been 246 cases of the strain as of Sunday, 30th of January, 2022 – the type of knee-jerk policy UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called “travel apartheid.”
Bali’s reopening date was postponed until February 2022 after Indonesia lengthened quarantine for arrivals from all other nations from three to seven days. It was subsequently prolonged for a week, bringing the total quarantine time to ten days, the longest period of isolation imposed by Indonesia since the start of the epidemic.
The stringent new policy compelled Garuda, the country’s major airline, to cancel its first international flight in 20 months from Haneda Airport in Japan on December 5, 2021. The airline’s website now no longer offers any weekly flights.
Nonetheless, the developments have put a damper on Bali’s plans to revitalize tourism this year, which accounted for an estimated 60% of economic activity before the epidemic. In the third quarter, Bali’s gross domestic product (GDP) shrank by less than three percent, dropping nearly ten percent in 2020.
According to management consultancy firm McKinsey & Company, the worldwide tourism behemoth that once fueled Bali will not return to 2019 levels until 2024 due to various scenarios examining the impact of virus containment.
