TRAVEL TIPS
Immigration
You must have a minimum of six months validity in you passport upon entry into Indonesia and have ticket to go out of Indonesia.
Visas are not required for nationals of:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Morocco, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom (Great Britain), United States of America, United Emirate Arab, Yugoslavia, Venezuela.
The maximum stay permitted 60 days and is not extendible.
Customs
Indonesian Customs allows on entry a maximum of ;
one liter of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes or 50 Cigars or 100 grams of tobacco reasonable amount perfume per adult. The following need to be declared when entering the country;
Cars, photographic equipment, typewriters, tape recorders, Prohibited from entry are;
TV sets, radios, narcotics, guns, ammunition or any kind of dangerous and prohibited materials.
Also note:
the Film Censor Board must censor all movie films and videocassettes.
Fresh fruits, plants and animals must have quarantine permits.
There is no restriction on import or export of foreign currencies. However, the export or import of Indonesian currency exceeding Rp.50, 000 is prohibited.
Departure Tax
There's a departure tax on domestic (Rp. 11,000) and international (Rp. 75.000) flights. Only children under two years of age are exempt.
Medical Insurance
Make sue you have medical insurance before you leave your country. Medical bills can be quite costly and having medical insurance could save your life. Contract your travel agent to get information on recommended medical insurance plans. Don't forget, if you extend your travel in Bali, you should also extend your insurance cover.
Health
Travelers should be aware that the Blood Bank in Bali normally carries no stock of Rhesus (Rh) Negative blood.
Personal Security
Keep your valuables (passport, airline ticket, credit cards, travelers cheques and cash) in a safe deposit box at your hotel, or at a bank.
Water Activities Safety
Check your travel insurance does it cover water sports?
Bali's beaches have strong 'rips'. Only swim between the lifesavers' flags. Don't swim in the sea at night or when the beach is unpatrolled.
'Jet-ski' accidents are common because of the speed these craft travel at. Be careful.
Don't 'para-sail' with cheap, unlicensed amateurs. Only use major companies that are insured.
Don't allow drugs to spoil your holiday in Padang. Driving....
- To drive legally in Indonesia you must have a current Indonesian or International Driver's License that is valid for the type of vehicle you are driving.
- Rent car or motorcycle is relatively easy.
- Helmet is required when you drive a motorcycle.Characteristics of driving in Bali.
- Get used to bikes and cars swerving into your lane without indicating.
- Watch out for large holes in the road or obstacles such as small trees to indicate where holes are.
- Many food carts and salespeople operate off the side of the road- beware.
- Merging traffic only give way if they are smaller than you.
- There are many one-lane roads and you may have to go quite a distance to return to the same location.
- Watch out for drivers, including trucks and buses overtaking on busy roads.
- Most of money changer only accepted bank note (US$) issued after 1990.
- Be carefull with money changer. Count with your own calculator before leaving the cashier.
- Visa & Mastercard are accepted widely. There is normally 3% - 5% additional charge at some shop for payment by credit card.
- Alto Cirrus ATMs are also available at some places.
- This is not a general practice in Padang, but it will be appreciated.
- Most of the larger hotels and restaurants add a service charge and tax, which on average is around 20%.
Indonesia
Indonesia has suffered drastically reduced arrival numbers in the past few years. There have been forest and other fires, and triggered by the Asian economic crisis, the era of President Suharto has come to an end. However, the year 2000 marks the dawn of democracy.
There is a lively free press now, the old military power block has lost its grip on society, and there is a much greater sense of freedom than the country has ever felt since the end of the Dutch colonial period. Clearly, there is no way back. The country has not finished all of its difficulties yet. As the American Ambassador recently said when asked what the real problem of Indonesia was right now: "It's the economy, stupid!" Tourism plays a key role in the economic and social rebirth of the country.
Indonesia is a mind-boggling destination. No Asian country knows a larger diversity in natural and cultural points of interest. Let's start with Bali. It is no chance that this island is called a paradise. It simply is. Of all Indonesia islands, Bali receives the most travelers. However it continues to surprise all visitors and there are still many undiscovered spots. Well known in the south are Sanur with its peaceful and shallow sea, Kuta with its nightlife and surfing waves and Nusa Dua, center of top class accommodation. But there is a lot more to discover. Ubud for example, the cultural and art capital of the island and perhaps of the whole country. The empty beaches of the north, the hidden paradises in the east. One who travels the island will be astonished by the endless varieties on the color green.
The mainly Hindu lifestyle of the Balinese creates a laid back atmosphere that will stick on any visitor long after going home. Lombok is challenging its neighbor island. A step behind in development, it is often mentioned as the Bali of twenty years ago. Another excellent spot to stay. Further down east lie the islands known a Nusa Tenggara, the true undiscovered part of the country and a paradise for the adventurous traveler.
There is a trail to the famous Komodo Island, inhabited by the Komodo Dragon, one of the last descendants of the dinosaurs. Sulawesi is another fascinating destination for those interested in rugged nature and remarkable cultures, the mountainous area of Tanah Toraja being the undisputed highlight. The rituals of life and death of people who were isolated from the rest of the world since earliest history, have attracted travelers for many centuries. The Mollucas, the 'spice islands' scattered in the Banda Sea, have been suffering most from the political turmoil of the past years. Unfortunately, at this moment we do not recommend traveling there, despite the historical interests. These were the islands that attracted Portuguese, English and Dutch traders in search for essential spices in the 15th and 16th century.
Java has since long been the cultural and political heart of the country. Jakarta, itself worth a half day city tour, is the best start for a classic Java Trail, going Eastward, and still one of the most fascinating routes one can follow. Java offers a view on the true of Indonesian life, lush beaches in Pangandaran and amazing views over rice fields. One finds Java's cultural heritage at the world famous Buddhist complex Borobudur, its Hindu counterpart Prambanan, both near the old Middle Javanese capital city of Yogyakarta, just to name a few. In East Java, an early morning visit to view the sunrise over the holy mountain Bromo, East Java, is one other excursion not to miss. The moonscape around the crater in the early morning offers one of the most surrealistic views on our planet.
Sumatera is yet another story. Its breathtaking scenery perhaps comparable with Sulawesi, it's a country in itself. Lake Toba is popular destination since the Dutch colonial days, but don't miss the matriarchal lifestyle of the Minangkabau in the west. Aceh in the very north is like the Moluccas a place to skip. Not a real problem since most trails start in the old Plantation Capital of the island, Medan. As we said : Indonesia is a mind-boggling destination, impossible to see all in visit. It attracts travelers back again and continues to exercise an inexplicable magnetism to people from all around the world.