Welcome to Indonesia
Indonesia is an archipelagic country of 17,508 islands (6,000 inhabited) stretching along the equator in South East Asia. The country's strategic sea-lane position fostered inter-island and international trade; trade has since fundamentally shaped Indonesian history. The area of Indonesia is populated by peoples of various migrations, creating a diversity of cultures, ethnicities, and languages. The archipelago's landforms and climate significantly influenced agriculture and trade, and the formation of states. Europeans arrived in Indonesia from the 16th century seeking to monopolise the sources of valuable nutmeg, cloves, and cubeb pepper in Maluku. In 1602 the Dutch established the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and became the dominant European power. Following bankruptcy, the VOC was formally dissolved in 1800, and the government of the Netherlands established the Dutch East Indies as a nationalised colony.
Photo ID
All airlines require the production of Photo ID when checking in with an e-ticket. Your ID must match with the name of the passenger on the ticket.
Passport
All individuals departing from their home country must be in possession of a valid passport. If your passport is due to expire within six months of your return arrival back to your home country then under normal circumstances you should obtain a new passport. Keep your passport in good condition during your trip in Indonesia.
Air Fares...Special Conditions
There are numerous rules and regulations affecting most advance purchase and other discounted air fares, which involve substantial cancellation or amendment fees, and in some instances there are no refunds whatsoever on cancelled holidays and or air tickets should you need to amend or cancel your travel plans. If you have any queries regarding these fees please do not hesitate to contact our office. You must read the Rules and check the conditions applicable to every airfare and ensure that you accept those Rules and conditions before you make a booking. If the Rules and conditions are not displayed you should contact our office. Once you confirm a booking an make payment you are bound by the Rules and conditions applicable to the relevant supplier.
Passenger Name
It is essential that you enter details of each traveler correctly and according to passport or other identification. Some suppliers will deny carriage if the traveler's name varies from your booking and may cancel automatically if the traveler's name is amended.
Visa / Customs
For most countries Indonesia allows travelers to obtain the tourist visa upon arrival. This visa is valid for 30 days only and costs around 25 usd. However this procedure can take some time at the airport of arrival, depending on the number of applicants before you. 2 hours of waiting is not an exception, therefore we advise to get your visa arranged before departure at your Indonesian Embassy. Note: 60 days tourist visa is also available, please check rules and regulations with the Indonesian Consulate or Embassy in your home country. On most international flights, attendants will hand out the necessary entry/departure cards and customs declaration forms you need to fill out. Upon arrival customs will take these forms but the departure card you will keep until you leave the country. You are allowed to bring 2 liters of wine or spirits and 200 cigarettes per person. Be aware that bringing in drugs can lead to severe penalties and even death sentence
Recently the government of Indonesia has issued a new regulation concerning the application of visa to enter Indonesia. The immigration authority will provide Free Tourist Visas for a period of 30 days to citizens of 11 countries on the basis of reciprocity. The countries are Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, Chile, Morocco, Peru and Vietnam.
Visa on Arrival (VOA) can also be issued to citizens of the following 63 countries:
Algeria, Argentine, Austria, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, India, Iran, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherland, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, People’s Republic of China, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tunisia, UAE, USA, and the United Kingdom.
The Indonesian Government has also revised the length of stay in relation to the VOA charges as follows :
A. US$10 per person for a maximum of 7 (seven) days / 6 (six) nights
B. US$25 per person for 7 to 30 (thirty) days
Note : A charge of US$20 per day will be imposed for overstaying.
Please note that the visa is not extendable and cannot be used for employment purposes.
Visitors are required to have at hand the following documents for VOA application :
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Passport with a minimum 6 (six) months remaining validity
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Arrival/departure Card
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Return or onwards journey ticket
Visitors are advised to bring with them the exact amount in US Dollars for payment of VOA fees prior to departure for Indonesia to minimize inconvenience and ensure a smooth VOA application process.
Other nationals must apply for visa at Indonesia Embassies or Consulates in their home country. The visa cannot be replaced with any other immigration letters.
Entry ports where Visa on Arrival may be issued :
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Soekarno - Hatta Airport in Jakarta
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Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali.
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Polonia Airport in Medan.
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Sultan Syarif Hasim Airport in Pekanbaru.
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Tabing Airport in Padang.
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Juanda Airport in Surabaya and
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Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado.
Authorized seaports are:
- Batam, Sekupang,Batuampar,Nongsa,Marina Teluk Senimba, Bandar Brintan, Talani Lagoi, Sri Bintan Pura and Bandar Sri Udana Labon in Riau Islands; Belawan Port and Sibolga in North Sumatra; Yos Sudarso Tanjung Perak in Surabaya; Teluk Bayur in Padang; Tanjung Priok in Jakarta; Padang Bai and Benoa in Bali; Jayapura; Bitung; Tanjung Balai Karimun; Tanjung Mas in Central Java; Tenua and Maumare in East Nusa Tenggara; Pare - Pare and Soekarno Hatta port in South Sulawesi.
THE CURRENCY
The local currency is the Indonesian Rupiah; please check your bank for the actual rates. Bank notes: 100.000, 50.000, 20.000, 10.000, 5000, 1000.
In 2004 new notes of 100.000, 50.000, 20.000 and 10.000 were released but the old notes are still valid. Please be aware that the new 100.000 note and the new 10.000 note are quite similar! Coins: 500, 200, 100, 50 rp.
Cash is the most common and easy way to pay your bills. Cash withdrawal from ATM machines can easily be made in the bigger and medium-sized cities. The smaller cities and villages often don’t have these facilities or they can be out off order. The most common banks giving access to Master, Cirus, Maestro or Visa are: Bank Mandiri, BCA Bank, Lippo Bank, City bank, Danamon bank and Permata bank. The maximum withdrawal each time varies between 600.000 rph and 2.500.000 rph. The maximum withdrawal per day is normally 5.000.000.
Credit cards like Master and Visa are accepted in most shopping malls, hotels and restaurants in the big cities. Normally 2% or 3% is being charged for using credit cards.
In most cities money and traveller’s cheques can be changed at authorized money changers. They normally give better rates than banks. The notes however should be in perfect state with no wrinkles or writing on it. For American dollars the best to bring is from 10 up to 100 dollar notes, euro’s are normally accepted from 10 until 500 notes.
Insurance
We advice a travel cancellation insurance and a normal travel insurance which covers loss and damage of goods and health care including emergency return transportation home. As a diver please check if your insurance covers medical treatment for diseases and/or injuries caused by diving and extra costs for emergency transportation to Australia, Singapore or home if necessary.
Health care
This is a very personal issue, the necessary precautions that you should take for travelling a tropical country like Indonesia depends on your personal health situation, and your travel destinations. Therefore please consult your private doctor or official health care centre. It is advised to do this in time for some treatments can take more than several weeks.
Diarrhea stopper like Imodium, insect repellant, sun protection and car/sea sickness medication is recommended to be part of your outfit.
Drink boiled or bottled water only, never drink water from a tap not even in the best hotels!
Bottled water is available everywhere, please check the plastic seal before using.
TRANSPORT
Airplane
The important international airports are Sukarno Hatta Jakarta and Ngurah Rai Denpasar. Through these airports you can easily connect to most destinations in Indonesia. We can issue tickets for you and send them to your home address or you can book the domestic tickets yourself but be aware that flights can be full and you might have to stay over a couple of nights. Domestic flights between big cities and most well known islands are scheduled on daily bases. Most regular flights you will find on our flight map. For domestic flights you normally have to pay airport tax at special counters after checking in.
Taxi
Most airports have special airport taxi services where you can order a taxi at a counter. They have standard rates for different zones. Especially in Jakarta people offer you there services but take the taxi who is willing to use the meter. It is normal you pay extra for airport service tax and the toll roads.
Most cities have many taxies driving around that you can stop anywhere by waving your hand. They are not expensive but make sure they turn on the meter if you use one. Enough small money in your pocket will prevent change problems.
Bemo/Mikrolet/Pete pete’s
All over Indonesia, in cities as well as in the country side, you will find Bemo’s or Pete Pete’s. Small van’s driving the same route all day and very cheap. They try to put in as much customers and luggage as possible so no comfort at all but you will find it an unforgettable experience being stuck in the back between bales of rice and sometimes even live stock. You stop them by waving your hand but make sure you know where they go.
Becak/ojek
Also cheap and more private are the Ojek’s and Becak’s. The Ojek is a small motorcycle that will take you anywhere you want to go. Sit on the back, use the plastic helmet and enjoy the ride. Make sure you agree upon the price before you take off.. They cycle you around as long as you like, their motto is; you take care of us we take care of you!
Bus
For the bus schedules between cities you better inform at local travel agencies. Normally the bus will depart from special bus terminal’s mostly located just outside the city.
Private car
If you like to rent a car and drive yourself we recommend to do this in Bali only. There you can rent cars everywhere against cheap rates. Please bring an international drivers license. For the rest of Indonesia we advise you to hire a driver if you need a private car. Hotels and Travel agencies can help you with finding a car and driver. Compared to western standards the price is relatively low however you still are able to negotiate there first offer. Make sure you know whether the fuel is included or not.
COMUNICATION
Internet
Internet café’s you can find in every big city and popular tourist places. Most 4 and 5 star hotels have these facilities in there business centers.
Phones
Depending on your provider you can use your own cell-phone in most inhabited parts of Indonesia but it probably is expensive. If you intend to call or sms frequently you better buy yourself a Indonesian mobile number and put the SIM card in your own phone. (ask your dealer if your phone is not ‘locked’ and will accept the Indonesian SIM card) New phone numbers are easy to get in every city. We advise the provider Simpati which has the best coverage over the country. A new number is around 2€. You can upgrade your calling credit by buying Simpati credit vouchers. Everywhere available for 100.000 rph, 50.000 rph or 20.000 rupiah. Alternative is using a public phone. They are called ‘WARTEL’ and you will find them everywhere. Small shops with one or more phone booths.
Shopping
Vital necessiries can be bought in the many shopping mall or traditional market which is you can find anywhere. Most of them open 7 days a week from early in the morning until early in the evening.Mind you that wine and spirits are expensive and impossible to get outside the big cities.
Manado
Has an international airport located approximately 15 Km from centre of Manado, with 480.000 people live in this city. Manado is fast develop city with slogan “ Manado world class tourism destination for 2010”, this slogan is synchronize with North Sulawesi program as a host of the international events called “World Ocean Conference 2009,”. From abroad Manado is reachable by international flights as a Silk air flights from Singapore-Manado or Davao (Philipines)-Manado by Sriwijaya Air. Domestic flights is available to connect the flights from and to Manado. Garuda Airlines ,Merpati airlines, Trigana air, Lion air, Batavia air is the airline who does the flights service between the island in Indonesia. From airport Manado is reachable by public transport called Microlet (blue minibus), or Proper taxi DIAN, or Celebrity, Pelita. Busy traffic will be peak at 06.00-08.00 in the Morning then 13.00-18.00 in the afternoon. Take one day stop over before you do the next plan in Manado. Vina transit is the closest hotel from airport. In dawn town you can find the hotel base on Melati up to 5* international standard.
You should know that few taxi drivers speak any English anywhere in Indonesia . Therefore it is strongly recommended that you have your destination written down clearly by a local person whenever you take a taxi.
Hire cars are available and rates differ from area to area and it is best to ask the transportation desk of your hotel for information concerning rates and distances. Normally the car is hired with a driver, Fuel and also Drinks, Food, accommodation (If Overnights)
Taxi is easily found in front of the international arrival, or get the ticket at the their own desk at Domestic arrival.
Quick, Useful Tips for Visitors
Weather:
Being on the equator. Indonesia has a tropical climate, between 28-32 degrees Celsius year round. Rainy season Oct-March although the rain tends to be of a short, hard duration only an hour a day rather than all day long and it is perfectly feasible to visit Makassar during this time. Dry season April-Sept. All hotel rooms, venues, and transportation will be air-conditioned.
Clothing:
Bring smart, casual clothes for daily use, containing a high percentage of natural fiber such as 100% cotton for maximum comfort. In general, clothes worn in Makassar are more conservative in dress reflecting Javanese tradition, rather than those worn by visitors in Bali , which allows beach and resort wear even on the street.
Formal outfits:
Bring one formal outfit (suit for men and smart pants suit or dress for women) if expecting to meet officials or when participating in more formal events such as
evening receptions. For men, please note that the famous batik shirts (long sleeved) can be worn with dark pants and shoes instead of a suit on formal occasions and are widely available to purchase throughout Manado , as are similar batik clothes for women.
Medicines:
Bring any prescription medicines and over the counter medicine (stomach, cold, travel sickness etc.), vitamins, herbal medicine (& herb tea), cosmetics you may need. as stocks of foreign medicines are few and brand names for over the counter products may be different than those you are used to.
There is also little availability of many common brand name cosmetic, vitamins, herbal medicine, and over-the-counter personal items (e g, deodorants) that are found everywhere,
If you are transiting through Singapore airport, there is a well-stocked drug-store (pharmacy) there, which carries most international brands of the above items.