General
Information
 The name Indonesia
has its roots in two Greek words: "Indos"
meaning Indian and "Nesos" which means
islands. It is an appropriate description of the
archipelago as there are estimated to be a total
of 17,508 islands, of which only about 6,000 are
inhabited, stretching for 5,150 km between the Australian
and Asian continental mainlands and dividing the
Pacific and Indian Oceans at the Equator.
Indonesia is in the center of the Indo-Pacific bio-sphere,
and is the largest archipelago in the world. There
are over 17,000 islands spread across 3,000 miles,
and diving conditions are exceptional. It is one
of the richest and most diverse marine habitats
on the earth. The rich diversity of marine fish
also extends to an equally rich diversity of marine
corals (over 500 varieties). In addition to reefs,
you can experience fantastic wall diving, "flying"
drift dives, and many great wrecks.
What about the marine life? How about shrimp to
whalesharks, squid to dolphins, sea horses to blue
ribbon eels, scorpion fish to turtles, manta rays
to..... well you get the picture, this place is
loaded!!
While the infrastructure in Indonesia to support
diving is still young, there are excellent dive
centers, resorts and liveaboards throughout the
area.
Climate:84 - 87F (29-31C)
Water Temp: 78 - 80F (26-27C)
U/W Visibility: 80' - 100' (24 - 30m)
Dive
Centers & Accommodations
Getting
There
Air services are available to all provincial district
capitals and other remote areas operated by Garuda
Indonesia. Merpati Nusantara, Sempati Air, Bouraq
and Mandala Airlines.
Garuda
Indonesia, the national flag carrier, operates
on both international and domestic routes. Domestically
it serves 33 cities including all the provincial capitals.
The only all-jet airline on domestic routes, it has
several daily flights from Jakarta to other tourist
destinations such as Bali, Medan, Ujung Pandang, Manado
and Yogyakarta. It also operates shuttIe flights to
Surabaya and Semarang several times a day. For visitors,
Garuda Indonesia has introduced Visit Indonesia Air
Passes which offers special fares on its domestic
flights. The passes are sold in conjunction with travel
on Garuda from Europe, USA, Australia and Japan, and
have to be purchased from Garuda Offices in these
areas. On its international network, Garuda Indonesia
serves London, Amsterdam, Brussles, Frankfurt, Paris,
Zurich, Rome, Vienna, Cairo, Abudhabi, Jeddah and
Riyadh. In Asia and to points South, destinations
are Ho Chi Min city, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Taipei, Manila,
Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Nagoya, Seoul, Singapore, Brunei,
New Zealand, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Darwin, Portheland
and Auckland. Garuda serves Honolulu and Los Angeles
as well.
Merpati Nusantara Airlines is the second national
carrier and flies to more than 100 destinations in
Indonesia and has some international flights to Australia
(Darwin), Brunei Darussalam, Davao (Philippines),
and East Malaysia (Kuching). Bouraq and Mandala also
have scheduled services. Indonesia's three main gateways
are Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta,
Polonia Airport in Medan and Ngurah Rai Airport in
Bali. Several international airlines serve Jakarta.
Medan receives direct flights from Singapore, Penang
and Kuala Lumpur operated by Singapore
Airlines, Malaysian
Airlines, Silk Air and
Garuda.
Bali is served by Garuda and Qantas
and since 1986 Garuda initiated joint services with
SIA, MAS, Cathay
Pacific, JAL, Silk
Air, China
Airlines, Thai Airways Int'l,
Continental
Airlines and Royal Brunei for direct flights to
Bali from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Brunei
Darussalam, Guatemala, Hongkong, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo,
and Taipei and other service from Amsterdam, through
Vienna and Abudhabi to Medan and Bali, offering easier
accessibility and overflying Jakarta.
Entry Requirements
Visa Free Countries
Based on the strict application of reciprocity rules,
the citizens of 11 countries whose governments extend
visa-free facility to Indonesians, will continue to
enjoy visa-free stays. The 11 countries and administrative
districts that are granted the 30-day visa-free facility
are: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam,
the Philippines, Hongkong Special Administrative Region,
Macao Special Administrative Region, Chile, Morocco,
Peru and Vietnam.
Visa-On Arrivals for 20 Countries
The nationals of 20 countries will be able to apply
for a visa-on-arrival valid for either 3 or 30 days
upon arrival in Indonesia. A visa for a 3 day visit
costing US$ 10 or US$ 25 for a 30 day visit. The nations
and districts eligible to purchase a visa-on-arrival
are: the Arab Emirates, Argentina, Australia, Brazil,
Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary,
Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Africa,
South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom,
and the United States.
Citizens of countries not on the visa-on-arrival or
visa-free lists will be required to apply for a visa
at an Indonesian Embassy before entering Indonesia.
Entry and exit must be made through certain specified
gateways: By air through Jakarta, Bali, Medan, Manado,
Biak, Ambon, Surabaya and Batam; By sea through Semarang,
Jakarta, Bali, Pontianak, Balikpapan, Tanjung Pinang
and Kupang. For other ports of entry and exit special
visas are required. The maximum stay permitted is
two months and is not extendible.
Health
International health certificates for smallpox and
cholera are not required, except from travellers arriving
from infected areas.
Customs
Indonesian Customs allows on entry a maximum of two
liters of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes or 50
cigars or 100 grams of tobacco and a reasonable amount
of perfume per adult. Cars, photographic equipment,
typewriters and tape recorders must be declared to
Customs upon entry and must be reexported. 'prohibited
from entry are TV sets, radios, narcotics, arms and
ammunition, printed matter in Chinese characters and
Chinese medicines.
Advance approval has to be acquired for carrying transceivers
and all movie films and video cassettes must be censored
by the Film Censor Board. Fresh fruit, plants and
animals must have quarantine permits.
There is no restriction on import or export of foreign
currencies. However, the export or import of Indonesian
currency exceeding Rp.50,000 is prohibited.
Exit
The Government of Indonesia has officially abolished
the exit permit required for people leaving the country,
effective from August 17, 1992.
Airport tax levied on passengers for international
travel i Rp.21,000,- for travel within Indonesia regional
variations occur. Expect to pay an average of about
Rp.8,000,-.
Travel Tips
When you are not diving and snorkeling, there are
many activities to enjoy throughout Indonesia.
Indonesia is a sportsman’s playground, particularly
so, for the water or beach enthusiast. There is good
diving and snorkelling off Bali (Nusa Dua, Sanur,
Padangbai), between Komodo and Labuhanbajo in Flores,
around the Banda Islands and off Pulau Biak off the
north coast of Irian Jaya. The sea gardens of Sulawesi,
particularly around Manado, are legendary. Renowned
surf spots include Ulu Watu in Bali, Grajagan in Java
and Nias off Sumatra, but there is surf along the
southern coast of virtually all the islands in Nusa
Tenggara. Windsurfing enthusiasts are well catered
for in the southern resorts of Bali. Rafting is a
new activity now offered on Bali's Ayung River.
Sumatra has good jungle treks, particularly in Gunung
Leuser National Park. Berastagi and Bukit Lawang are
also popular trekking centres in Sumatra. More adventurous
jungle trekking opportunities are available in Kalimantan
and Irian Jaya. For those who want to scramble up
mountain sides, Mt Bromo in Java and Agung in Bali
are perfect climbing venues; Gunung Rinjani, the volcano
that dominates Lombok, is a strenuous but worthwhile
three-day jaunt.
For those who like to really be above the rest of
the world, take a helicopter ride or try hang gliding
or parachuting. Soar above the islands, feel the warm
tropical wind in your hair and be as free as a bird
as you view the splendour of the land and her beaches
and outlying reefs below. Or look down into the eye
of a volcano and be in awe of the power that simmers
beneath, the surface.
If this is all a bit much for you and you prefer a
more relaxed visit, cycling or horseback rides are
available, play tennis, golf or volley ball or watch
some entertaining ethnic entertainment. Whatever you
want, be it strenuous exercise or a quiet stroll down
a sandy beach, there’s something for everyone in Indonesia.
Dining
Eating out is an integral part of life in Indonesia
and visitors are pleasantly surprised by the variety
and selection of dishes on offer at the numerous eateries
around the country There is so much to choose from
that you are sure to find something to tempt your
palette.
Indonesian Restaurants featuring Indonesian cuisine
can be found all over Indonesia. Many regional dishes
are popular far from home, including spicy hot Padang
food, delicious chicken from Kalasan in Central Java,
grilled fish from Ujung Pandang and scrumptious Chinese
seafood dishes.
International Cuisine Part of the experience of living
in any large metropolitan city around the world is
the variety of international cuisine available to
the residents of the city. In this respect, Jakarta
and other main towns/cities in Indonesia are no exception
and there are diverse international culinary delights
for all to experience.
Hotels offer a good selection of international and
national fare. Major five-star hotels often have several
world-class restaurants each, with an international
cuisine coffee shop and specialized national/international
cuisine restaurants and theme bars.
Wine and drinks tend to be expensive and drinks may
in fact cost you more than the food bill! Prices in
hotel restaurants tend to be higher than other restaurants.
Shopping
Batik fabrics and clothing is good value and always
makes for a good choice as gifts for friends and relatives
back home.
Clothing
Tailoring is cheap and there are good tailors in the
major malls and other areas within the country.
Antiques
Always a popular buy. Do be aware of fakes though
and don't be disappointed when you get home, only
to find you have been conned. Look at antique buying
more as shopping for that special souvenir' then you
won't be disappointed later.
Other than that the shopping choice is extensive and
the best thing to do on arrival is go 'window shopping
for a day (or two) then buy once you know what is
available soon after. (If you leave shopping till
the last minute you may not be able to find that special
item you saw in a particular shop around a corner,
down some or other lane...)
Traveler Tips
Time Zone
Indonesia is divided into three time zones: Western
Indonesia Time (Sumatra, Java, west and central Kalimantan)
is seven hours ahead of GMT. Central Indonesia Time
(Bali, south and east Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara)
is eight hours ahead of GMT. East Indonesia Time (Maluku,
Irian Jaya) is nine hours ahead of GMT.
Currency
In major centres, travellers cheques in US dollars
are readily accepted and most hotels in tourist or
commercial centres will accept major credit cards.
In other areas, small denomination bills in Rupiah
are advisable. The Rupiah comes in 100, 500, 1000,
5000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 notes.
Currency Exchange
ATM machines are generally located in the major cities
with few to none in outlying areas. Visa card cash
advance is common, and they charge a small commission
(5000Rp) in smaller cities. Banks provide an exchange
service on weekdays between 9-00 & 15-00. No commission
is charged for traveller’s cheques. Money-changers
rates are usually slightly higher for cash. Compare
with the banks themselves as to which offers the most
competitive exchange rates amongst the banks. Better
rates are given for higher denominations (50/100US$)
of unmarked notes.
Languages
Bahasa Indonesia is the national language which is
akin to Malay, written in Roman script and based on
European orthography. In all tourist destination areas
English is the number one foreign language spoken
and written, some Dutch is still spoken and understood
in the bigger cities. French is increasing in its
popularity at the better hotels and restaurants. Generally
the older generation speaks Dutch as a second language.
Health Vaccination of Hepatitis and Malaria are recommended
especially visiting to Irian Jaya. If you are extending
your trip with a tour to the more remote parts of
the archipelago it is wise to consult a professional
for advice as to what precautionary measures maybe
necessary. Reasonable medical facilities are available
in major towns but once outside these areas, medical
services tend to be very poor. Make sure that you
have adequate health insurance that covers evacuation
and consider inoculations against typhoid, cholera,
Japanese encephalitis and hepatitis. There is a risk
of malaria in many parts of Indonesia and it is recommended
that you take advice regarding anti-malarial measures.
It is always best to check the current situation and
any vaccination requirements with your doctor when
planning your trip.
Customs and Rules
Indonesia has a high Muslim populace and it is important
to understand and respect the local beliefs, especially
during the fasting period of Ramadan. The country's
main holiday period is at the end of Ramadan, when
transport can be packed to overflowing. Prices can
soar and travelling can be difficult.
Calling people by crooking your finger is considered
impolite.
The head is sacred and should be respected.
Patting someone on the head is not done among adults
and should even be avoided with children.
In a villager's home, it is polite to be invited first
before starting to eat.
Any loud public display is frowned on.
Climbing over monuments or places of worship is considered
highly disrespectful. (In Bali, waist sashes should
be worn when visiting temples.
Take off your shoes when entering a mosque or temple
Take off your sunglasses inside someone's house, unless
you have an eye disease.
Use your right hand when receiving something from
or giving something to someone. Talking with one's
hands on one's hips is considered impolite.
Scanty clothing is not advisable in public places
in deference to local customs. Shorts are not allowed
in mosques and women should have their arms and head
covered.
Greeting people Indonesians are a polite people and
very tolerant towards foreigners and their manners.
Handshaking is customary for men and women alike on
introduction and greeting, accompanied with the usual
smile.
Pork is forbidden for Moslems, but is often available
in many international restaurants and the international
hotels and resorts.
Additional Traveler Tips
Don't flaunt your wealth: jewellery and heavy photographic
bags don't belong in the streets of Jakarta. Keep
them for your travels in Bali and Borobudur.
Travel light in Jakarta: it's hot, crowded and it
wouldn't be nice to meet its worst citizens.
Tipping
Major hotels usually add a 10% service charge to bills.
Where it is not included a tip of between 5% to 10%
of the bill would be appropriate if the service is
satisfactory.
Airport porters expect Rp.2,000,-for a small bag and
Rp.3,000, for bags weighing more than 20 kg.
Tipping taxi and hire-car drivers is not mandatory,
but if service has been satisfactory a basic Rp.1,000,-
tip is sufficient for a taxi driver, Hire-car drivers
would normally expect a larger tip.
Dress Code
In business circles, wearing a suit is the norm for
both men and women. For formal occasions, either a
suit or a long-sleeved, good quality, batik shirt
are recommended for men, whilst evening or cocktail
dresses are suitable for women. As Indonesia is primarily
a Muslim country, modesty in dress is advised; remember
to cover up if you intend visiting a mosque.
Taxes
11% government tax is levied on all bills. Restaurants
may levy a tax of up to 21%
Business Hours
Banks and Government offices are open 8 a.m. to 2
p.m. Monday to Friday and some are open 8 a.m. to
12 noon on Saturday.
Offices
Most government offices are open from 8 a.m. to 4
p.m. Monday through Friday. Commercial offices and
businesses are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through
Friday, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Saturdays. Hours
for businesses and commercial offices are staggered.
Shops (Hours vary)
While shopping malls are open from 9 a.m. or 10 a.m.
seven days a week, individual shops often close at
6 p.m.
Electricity
Cities run on 220 volts, 50 cycle's AC system. Rural
areas may only be able to provide 110 volts.
Telephone
The international dial-up code for Indonesia is 62
When making international telephone calls from Indonesia,
first dial 001 + country code + area code + telephone
number
Public phones are available in coins, cards, chips
and (in some tourist areas) credit card operated machines.
There are also some wartel or Telecommunication kiosks
where you can make IDD or long distance calls or send
a fax, etc., in the bigger cities, one can find internet
kiosks.
Water
Tap water is not safe to drink and ice cubes should
be avoided. Bottled water is widely available but
not always safe as there are some illicit brands of
(claimed-to-be) mineral water from street vendors
with no-guarantee that they are any better than tap
water. Some approved and safe to drink brands include
Aqua, Ades, Vit and Oasis. Ice cubes/bits from street
vendors or small restaurants are sometimes made from
un-boiled water, or crushed from ice blocks used for
coolers. Those with weak stomachs are better off sticking
with cold drinks from fridge.
Taxi Warnings
Calling for a taxi ensures safe travels, especially
at night. Shop around to see which companies provide
better service. In Jakarta the Blue Bird Group taxis
have an ANI bid radio system (Automatic Number Identification),
which enables the taxi nearest to your location to
take your order. This cuts the time needed for the
driver to reach you at your hotel.
If you are hailing a taxi on the street, try to spot
a taxi from a well known and reliable taxi company.
Look for the company name on the side of the vehicle
and the crown light. When you get into the taxi, always
make note of the taxi firm and the code number displayed
on the dashboard or passenger doors. Check the driver’s
name, ID and photograph on the dashboard. You would
need this information to report problems to the taxi
company.
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