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FAQ / Visiting Indonesia

These FAQ should help to answer the most common questions. It is not going to replace an e-mail chat with us or a travel guide where you find more in depth information. Some items like prices, times, may change without notice. Please don't take it as gospel and double check before you travel. Should you find information here that is outdated or wrong, please e-mail us and let us know.

Is Indonesia a safe place to travel?
Indonesia has suffered a lot of bad press since 1998. The situation in Indonesia is often exaggerated by the Western media, who make it seem like the whole nation is in turmoil. At the time of writing, our major areas of Northern Sulawesi, Bali & Komodo are perfectly safe with no trouble being experienced at all.

It pays to keep abreast of the news if travelling extensively beyond our major dive regions in Indonesia, especially relating to the volatile situation in Aceh in Northern Sumatra. Keep an eye on media reports, and check the safety situation with embassies in Jakarta, or the travel advisory on their websites.

Foreign Affairs departments of all major nations offer "official travel advice". We don't always agree with them, but please judge for yourself:

Do I need a Passport or Visa?
A valid passport (with at least 6 months validity! ) is required.

Visa Prior to Arrival
Citizens of some countries need to get a visa from their nearest Indonesian embassy prior to arriving in Indonesia. This includes Belgian, Dutch, Swedish and Spanish passport holders.

Visa on Arrival
Citizens of the following 21 countries can obtain a visa on arrival:

United States of America, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom

These visas can only be obtained at the following international airports:
Polonia, Medan; Sultan Syarif Kasim II, Pekan Baru; Tabing, Padang; Soekarno-Hatta, Jakarta: Juanda, Surabaya; Ngurah Rai, Bali and Sam Ratulangi, Manado.

The Visa on Arrival fee for a stay of up to three days is $US 10, and for up to thirty days $US 25. This should be paid in US$ notes.

Visa free entry
Citizens of the following 11 countries can enter Indonesia without a visa for a stay of no more than 30 days, but they must hold a passport with at least 6 months validity!
Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Philippines, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, Chile, Morocco, Peru and Vietnam.

Important. Should you hold a passport of a country which is not mentioned, or if you intend to enter Indonesia other than by international flight, or at an international airport not mentioned above, please contact your nearest Indonesian embassy before departure. Also, since visa regulations change quite frequently, we strongly suggest that you check the above requirements with your travel agent, or with the airline you intend flying with.

Although many taxes and security fees will be included in the cost of your air ticket, Indonesia levies an international departure tax of Indonesian Rupiah 75.000 (approx AU$15.00, US$10.00). Please ensure that you have enough Indonesian currency available to pay this fee on the day of departure from Indonesia.

When is the best weather to visit and dive in Indonesia ?

Like other regions in SE Asia, Indonesia has a typical equatorial climate with two seasons: rainy and dry. Starting in September, cool Northwesterly winds pick up moisture while crossing the South China Sea and arrive in the Sulawesi Sea about November. The wet season lasts from about November to March in this area.

Mean temperatures at sea level are uniform,varying by only a few degrees throughout the region, and throughout the year (25°- 28°C). However, temperatures are decreasing 1°C for every 200 metres of altitude, which provides a cool pleasant climate in upland communities.
Strong cyclones and typhoons, which normally occur in higher latitudes, are absent in Indonesia, but afternoon thunderstorms are common throughout the year.

If planning a trip to Bali, Komodo or Sulawesi, diving conditions are at their best March to November of each year.

Do I need vaccinations before I travel to Indonesia ?
With all travels into tropical climate you should have an active immunisation against tetanus and a current polio protection. Many parts of Indonesia are in a malaria zone. Please check with your physician or medical centre on the type of prophylactic you should use and ask:

  • Is it compatible with diving?
  • What are the known side effects? Make sure you take the appropriate medications in time before you start the trip. Medications which have proven to be problematic include LARIAM. Medications which are popular: Doxycycline, sometimes in combination with Maloprin

What do I need to know about the currency?
TThe currency in Indonesia is the rupiah, which comes from the Sanskrit word for wrought silver, rupya. Indonesian banknotes come in denominations of Rp 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, and 50,000. And … giving new meaning to the term "plastic money" … the most recent denomination bill (issued in 1999) is the Rp 100,000 bill. It is made from plastic, not paper.

Coins in circulation include the Rp 1,000 (gold and silver colored), Rp 500, 100, 50 and 25 coins. The last three were all minted in aluminum in the late 90s. To confuse us all … old issue and recent issue coins are still in circulation. There are two kinds (each) of the Rp 500, 100, 50 and 25 coins currently in circulation. The Rp 50 and Rp 25 coins are mostly used outside large urban centers where prices of goods are lower. Occasionally one sees old Rp 100 notes, although there are very few left in circulation.

In towns & dive resorts, major credit cards (MasterCard and Visa) are widely accepted. AMEX and Diners cards are not accepted in some places. Traveller cheques are the next best thing, changeable at banks & money changers.

Will my electrical appliances/computer/chargers etc. work in Indonesia?
Voltage in Indonesia is 220V. You have to bring a special adapter for the 2-pronged sockets used in Indonesia. Some operators provide special 110 Volt facilities for American clients. Please check with us for details.

Can I use my drivers licence to hire a car?
Indonesians drive their cars on the left hand side of the road. If you are used to driving on the right hand side then exercising a little caution at the beginning should get used to the left hand side quickly. To hire a car a valid national car drivers licence (in English) or a international drivers licence is needed. Car hire is relatively expensive in Indonesia. In most cases you will be better advised to find a local guide to take you around and show you aroundor use the cheap, frequent public transport, rather then driving yourself.

Should I bring any special clothing?
Bring casual, light and comfortable clothes. The evenings can get relatively cool with a sea breeze so something warm for the evening is recommended. Bring some very light clothing which offers sun protection for trips ashore to some of the villages. If you plan to stay overnight in Jakarta, Makassar or Denpasar, dress is relaxed and casual, with a shirt with collar, long pants and shoes for men and the women dress equally tasteful. Bring:

  • Slacks or other informal dress
  • Long sleeved shirt
  • Sweatshirt or jacket or windbreaker
  • Walking shoes or sandals
  • T-shirts
  • Shorts
  • Swim suits
  • Sun hat

How much tips do I need to give ?
No one in Indonesia expects tips for services. Tips have never been part of the culture. This is not to say that people don't like to be rewarded for very good service. Tipping is a very personal decision, for tips are your ways of expressing satisfaction. Our operators have a system in place where all tips are shared equally between the staff.

What is the time difference to Indonesia ?
Indonesia has 3 distinct Time Zones :

1. GMT +7 hours (Sumatra, Java and West & Central Kalimantan).

2. GMT +8 hours (Bali, Nusa Tenggara, South & East Kalimantan and Sulawesi),

3. GMT +9 hours (Papua and Maluku)

Are airport transfers included?
Most hotels, cruises or tour operators offer complimentary pick up services from the airport. This will be marked clearly on the product description.

 
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