Indonesia Travel Information

• Visitors from most countries travelling to Indonesia may apply for a visa in advance or visa on arrival.
• The visa on arrival is valid for 30 days and available for over 60 countries, at major airports or harbors (but not most land borders). Upon arrival, you should carry a valid passport (must-have), flight tickets, portrait photos and hotel vouchers (if any) to fill in the legal documents. Afterwards, if you wish to stay longer, you should visit the nearest immigration post for visa extension.
• Typically, visa in advance is valid for 60 days with details vary by country and the only way to obtain a 60-day visitor visa even if you are on the visa exemption You should contact your nearest Indonesian embassy or consulate to determine the application process as well as fees and times.
• For further details, please visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia or contact our journey planners.

• Luxury 5* – 6*: The luxury stays in Indonesia, ranging from US $350 – $600, are rather expensive in comparison to neighbouring countries due to the location diversity. Despite the isolated distances among islands, the deluxe services and international standard quality for example as of JW Marriot Bali or TS Suites are not much different between retreats.
• Deluxe 4*: Hotels and resorts in this category are the best values, with price range from US $150 – $300. The stays are usually decorated simple, some single platforms, tropical style but under excellent services and amenities.
• Comfort Boutique 3*: The hotels in this standard range from US $60 – $100 with basic facilities and fine comforts. However, at remote areas, the services are under some limitations due to rough locations and long approach.
• Homestay: At an attractive rate of under US $60, you may find a simple local home with minimal comforts and oriented food in Indonesia’s remote areas. This is a stunning option for those who are longing to get close with the country’s traditions and local cultures.

• Ojek: Ojeks (or ojegs) are motorcycle riders who take pillion passengers for a negotiated price. They are found at bus terminals and markets, or just hanging around at crossroads. They will take you around town and go where no other public transport exists, or along roads that are impassable in any other vehicle.
• Bus: Large buses are not used much as a means of city transport except on Java (although there is a small system on Bali). There is an extensive system of buses in Jakarta and these are universally cheap, but beware of pickpockets.
• Taxi: Metered taxis are readily available in major cities. If a taxi has a meter, make sure it is used. Where meters do not exist, you will have to bargain for the fare in advance. Offers of ‘transport’ are almost always more costly than using a metered taxi.
• Becak: These are three wheeled carts, either peddle or motor-powered. The becak is now banned from the main streets of some large cities, but you’ll still see them swarming the back streets, moving anyone and anything.
• Domestic flights: While there are ferries between Indonesia’s main islands, flying is almost always the faster and more reliable way to cover distances of any note. But be aware that as firm as ticketed itineraries may seem, plane schedules, particularly on smaller airlines and to less visited destinations can be unreliable and infrequent. Internal carriers include: Air Asia, Lion Air, Garuda, Merpati.

• Rice is an important part of the national diet for most of the archipelago, but in the eastern islands, corn, sago, cassava and sweet potatoes are more common.
• The enormous wealth of the surrounding sea, as well as fresh water fisheries, provides an abundance of sea food which can be traditionally served in a number of exciting ways, including baked in banana leaves.
• As the population of Indonesia is predominantly Muslim, pork is usually not served with the exceptions of Chinese, international restaurants, and non-Muslim regions such as Bali and Papua.
• An extensive assortment of tropical and sub-tropical fruit and vegetables can be found year round to tantalize your taste buds.
• Most water that comes out of taps in Indonesia has had very little treatment, and can contain a whole range of bacteria and viruses. Drink only bottled, boiled or sterilized water.
• Indonesian coffee is among the best in the world, and drunk with copious amounts of sugar and, occasionally, condensed milk.
• Alcohol can be a touchy subject in parts of Indonesia, where public drunkenness may incur serious trouble. There’s no need to be paranoid about this in cities, however, and the locally produced beers, Anker and Bintang Pilsners are good, and widely available at Chinese restaurants and bigger hotels.

When traveling in Indonesia, you should avoid mosquito bites to prevent malaria. You may need to take prescription medicine before, during, and after your trip to prevent malaria, depending on your travel plans, such as where you are going, when you are traveling, and if you are spending a lot of time outdoors or sleeping outside. Talk to your doctor about how you can prevent malaria while traveling.

Rabies can be found in dogs, bats, and other mammals in Indonesia, so we recommend this vaccine for the following groups:

• Travelers involved in outdoor and other activities that put them at risk for animal bites.
• People who will be working with or around animals.
• People who are taking long trips or moving to Indonesia.
• Children, because they tend to play with animals, might not report bites, and are more likely to have animal bites on their head and neck.