Indonesia fits perfectly into the description of the dream of a tropical and adventurous paradise. Here you will find turquoise sea, chalk white beaches, deep rainforest, exotic food and a welcoming colorful population that is close to a smile. Indonesia is, in addition to the world’s largest archipelago, a nation with a large number of wonderful and exciting cultures.
On this page you will find practical information and facts about Indonesia.
PRACTICAL INFO ABOUT TRAVELING IN INDONESIA
Climate and best travel time
Indonesia has two seasons. The rainy season from November to March and the dry season from April / May to October. Most travelers prefer the dry season when the weather is most stable, although you can still expect a rain shower from time to time. Indonesia has a constant temperature of 28-32 degrees all year round and the humidity is high. Please note that it may be difficult to travel around certain parts of Indonesia during the rainy season, as roads and bridges may have been washed away. But you can travel to Bali all year round. Visit rrrjewelry.com for sunny Indonesia.
Our recommendations on when it is best to travel in Indonesia are based on how the climate has been in previous years. The weather in Indonesia can be very changeable and unpredictable, therefore our recommendations on travel time should only be seen as an indication. Especially in Sumatra, it rains a lot all year round
Money
Bring traveler’s checks and some USD or euros in reserve cash and Visa cards. The Visa card can be used as a debit card in major Indonesian cities as well as in finer hotels / shops and for the purchase of airline tickets. Remember to exchange a lot of rupiah in banknotes before you leave the usual tourist routes, where there are often no exchange options. Please note that in most ATMs you can only withdraw around SEK 750 at a time. Higher amounts can be withdrawn at the cashier at the BCA banks. It is also possible to withdraw approximately SEK 1,500 per day at the Permata banks’ ATMs.
Visa
conditions NOTE! The visa rules can be changed at short notice, so We recommend that you check the current conditions at the country’s embassy. The following information may change.
Swedish citizens do not need a visa in advance to visit Indonesia. A 30-day tourist visa is issued free of charge on arrival at all international airports in Indonesia. This type of visa cannot be extended. If you want to stay longer, it is possible to apply for a 60-day visa in advance at the Indonesian Embassy. Please note that it is a requirement from the authorities that you have a plane ticket out of the country again to get in. It is very difficult to extend a tourist visa. The only option is usually to leave Indonesia and then get a new visa when you re-enter. Check current information on the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ website.
When you land at Denpasar Airport, it may be appropriate to bring your visa money in advance, as the ATMs inside the airport do not accept Visa cards. You can be sent to withdraw money.
Transport
Bus
In Indonesia, there are all conceivable variants of vehicles. Bemoes, oplets, pitchers, minibuses and buses that create chaos and make the roads unsafe. For long distances, the transports are handled by the buses. In the past, the buses were old scrap heaps that howled and rattled together the Indonesian cities, but today several buses have been replaced with newer, albeit not new variants. One thing is for sure, the buses run fast and ruthlessly and are often packed to the brim with bethel-chewing men and women, goods from the market and breastfeeding women and usually it quickly gets both hot and starts to smell bad. On the other hand, you get the chance to meet the Indonesians on the road and a 16-hour bus ride is a great opportunity to get to know new people. On some islands you can also take minibuses for tourists. The prices are significantly higher than on the local buses, but you save time and it is a more convenient means of transport. On shorter distances, minibuses and oplets drive that stop when you knock on the roof and take passengers, many passengers, where they wait along the road. In the cities, there are also bemoers and becaker (bicycle taxis) that cross through traffic at high or low speeds. Always fully loaded, always an experience and always cheap.
Boat
Indonesia is an archipelago and therefore has a solid network of ferry connections. The state ferry company Pelni has ferry connections between most of the larger islands and it can be an exciting means of transport as boats run on routes with many different stop options. Boats can also be a good option and often the only option if you want to get to more remote islands or coastal areas on Kalimantan or Irian Jaya. However, the ferry connections in the archipelago are only recommended for those who have plenty of time, as they are extremely slow and the frequency on some lines is quite sparse.
Train
Not many people travel by train, but in southern Sumatra and especially in Java, it is one of the best means of transport. The night trains are efficient and on the day trains you can enjoy the landscape along the road.
Flights
Indonesia has several domestic airlines; Garuda, Mandala, Merpati and Bouraq. If you have limited time or want to visit the outer islands, flights may be the only solution.
Tip
In most countries, tips are part of the salaries of employees in the service industry. Therefore, it is good practice (and sometimes directly necessary) to give tips to, for example, cleaning staff, waiters, guides, drivers, etc. depending on the country you are visiting. Therefore, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with how much is normally given in tips and to whom before you embark on your journey. Find information on tips in Lonely Planet’s guidebooks.
Links
www.tourismindonesia.com – comprehensive website about Indonesia with travel information and news.
FACTS
CAPITAL: JAKARTA
LANGUAGE: BAHASA INDONESIA AND LOCAL LANGUAGES AND DIALECTS
CLIMATE: TROPICAL
CURRENCY: RUPIAH
RELIGION: SUNNI MUSLIMS, CHRISTIANS, HINDUS, BUDDHISTS AND OTHER MINORITIES
INSPIRATION INDONESIA
Indonesia’s unique feeling for the sea
Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago and surprisingly the world’s 16th largest country. If you ask an Indonesian, he often talks about Tanah Air Kita – our homeland and sea. The Indonesians count the sea as part of the Indonesian homeland and they live by the sea. Early in the morning, before the sun reaches over the horizon, you see the fishermen go out to sea in their small fragile sailboats, prahus, to get food.
Indonesia’s multicultural population
The diversity of Indonesia’s people is striking. From the inhabitants of Java’s glittering skyscrapers to the Indians in the treetops of Irian Jaya, from the fundamentalist Muslims of Aceh to the Hindus of Bali and from the neatly dressed businessmen of Ujung Pandang to the hunters and gatherers of Ceram. The culture has a wide spectrum and is extremely lively in Indonesia and a trip in the country is truly an overwhelming journey in exciting and varied cultures.
A living adventure
Indonesia is probably the country in the world with the largest proportion of unexplored areas – some are not even listed on a map. The many untrodden paths and the unspoilt landscape of Indonesia make the adventure even more vivid. Indonesia also has a phenomenal and unique wildlife on the many islands in the rainforests and between the beautiful craters of the volcanoes. Here you will find, for example, tigers, orangutans, komodo dragons and the rare javanese rhinos. The sea that surrounds Indonesia is not only important for the Indonesians, but also for the traveler. Here you can meet playful dolphins, colorful coral reefs, the finest sandy beaches – and for surfers, Indonesia is one of the world’s best places. Both in Bali and the rest of Indonesia, there are also good opportunities to explore the surrounding waters by snorkel or boat.
