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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 Should you find information here that is outdated or wrong,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:
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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)
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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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