Indonesia Travel Tips

Interested to explore Indonesian beauty ? so pack those bags and book a ticket but please take a little time to read these useful travel tips to make your journey more enjoyable in Indonesia.

Travel tips for a specific area or a place you've never been to is a very important thing to look at before you make your journey, that's because every place or country in this world including Indonesia has its own characteristic, legal rules, cultures and habits. Good travel tips can really help you to understand those important things and make you prepare your journey better.

Here are some useful travel tips if you wish to spend your holiday in Indonesia :

* The best time for visiting Indonesia is between May and October during the dry season.
* Indonesia has two seasons, the dry season from June-October and the rainy season from
November-March. The general maximum temperature is 33°C (62°F) and the general
minimum temperature is 21°C (41°F) while the humidity is high at all times.
* The people use Bahasa Indonesia as their national language to communicate, it's a very easy
language to learn if you wish, but in some tourist areas English is commonly spoken.
* You can find all kinds of hotel in Indonesia from budget hotels to expensive five star hotels.
Usually in these hotels 10% service tax is added with the bill, while at the restaurants service
tax tips are given
* Banking hours are from 8.00 am to 12.00 noon Monday-Friday an 8.00 am to 11.00 on
Saturday. But the banks in hotels usually have longer banking hours.
* US Dollars and other major currencies in banknotes or travelers checks are easily
exchangeable in banks or authorized moneychangers. But be sure you always carry Rupiahs in
cash especially in outer province or small towns as you can't always find ATM machine or use
credit cards or exchange currencies in these places easily, but be sure you put your money in
safe place because pick pocketing is a common crime in this country.
* Office hours are vary, but most of them open from 8.00 am to 4.30 pm from Monday-Friday
Some close on Saturday and some open until 1.00 pm and close on Sunday.
* Dress is normally casual and it's advisable to use light clothing due to hot weather. Trousers or
slacks and shirts are considered appropriate, but jacket and tie are considered to be a very
formal dress for only formal occasions or when making office calls. It's recommended to use
sweater or jacket if you'd like to travel to mountain areas.
* Visas are required except for the nationals of 48 countries : Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Hongkong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan Kuwait
Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Monaco,
Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, UAE, USA, Venezuela, Yugoslavia
and Taiwanese holding MFA/M Passports. The Visa requirement is also waived for other
nationals from friendly countries or attending conference which has received official approval.
Visa free entry is for maximum of 60 days and is not extendable. Possession of passport is a
must to all visitors to Indonesia valid for at least six months with proof of onward passage
either return or through tickets.
* Customs allow a maximum entry of one liter of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars
or 100 grams of tobacco and a reasonable amount of perfume per adult. Cameras, Video
cameras, portable radios, cassette recorders, binoculars and sport equipments are admitted
provided they're taken out on departure, they must be declared to customs.
Prohibited are firearms, narcotics, drugs, pornography, Chinese printing and medicines,
transceivers and cordless telephones. Films, pre-recorded video tapes and laser discs must be
screened.
There's no restriction on import or export of foreign currencies and travelers checks, but the
import and export of Indonesian currencies exceeding 5 million Rupiah is prohibited. Airport
authority levies an airport tax of Rp 50.000,- for travelers on international routes and Rp
11.000,- for domestic routes.
* For transportation there are metered taxis everywhere with vary costs and hire cars also
available with differ rates. Other forms of transportation are bajaj (like in India) for two
passengers, small buses with regular routes, the man driven pedicab called becak, buses
(usually very crowded), trains (only in Java and Sumatra).
* Most hotels in big cities use 220 volts 50 cycles and a two pronged plug. However some hotels
in the provinces may still be using 110 volts, you better check first before using it.
* There are lots of supermarkets with fix prices and also small shops and traditional markets
where you can bargain.
* The Indonesian staple food is rice steamed boiled or fried. Some accompanying dishes can be
pepper hot or extremely spicy with red or green chili so you better ask before ordering. You
can find many American, European or Asian restaurants everywhere. Pork is forbidden for
moslems and beef for Balinese Hindus but they are available in many markets and restaurants.
* The Indonesian consider the right hand as a good hand, they use it to eat or to give or receive
something from other person. Crooking your finger to call someone is considered impolite.
Handshaking is customary both for men and women on introduction and greetings and smiling
is a national characteristic.
* Proper decorum should especially be observed when visiting holy places or worship since
Indonesians are very polite people.
* A large portion of the population of Indonesia smokes, so it's pretty difficult for travelers who
don't smoke.
* Last but not least, it would be better if you have a travel insurance. Having a travel insurance can guarantee that your holiday would not end up as a disaster, so better prepare yourself before bad things come.

I hope these travel tips could really help you during your trip to this beautiful and exotic country Indonesia, bon voyage.