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Immigration |
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Visas are required except
for the nationals of 48 countries namely Argentina, Australia,
Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Hong Kong SAR, 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 (Great Britain), United Arab Emirates, United States of
America, Venezuela, Yugoslavia and Taiwanese holding MFA//M passports.
The visa requirement is also waived for other nationals from friendly
countries, attending a conference which has received official
approval.
Visa free entry is for maximum of 60 days and is not extendable. Entry
and departure must be through the airports of Polonia (Medan), Simpang
Tiga (Pekanbaru), Hang Nadim (Batam), Tabing (Padang), Soekarno-Hatta
(Jakarta), Husein Sastranegara (Bandung), Juanda (Surabaya),
Adisumarmo (Solo), Ngurah Rai (Denpasar), Eltari (Kupang), Supadio (Pontianak),
Sepingan (Balikpapan), Sam Ratulangi (Manado), Pattimura (Ambon),
Hasanuddin (Makassar), Selaparang (Mataram), and Frans Kaisiepo (Biak),
and the seaports of Belawan (Medan), Batu Ampar and Sekupang (Batam),
Tanjung Priok (Jakarta), Tanjung Mas (Semarang), Tanjung Perak
(Surabaya), Benoa and Padangbai (Bali), Bitung (North Sulawesi), Ambon
(Maluku), and Tanjung Pinang (Bintan). There is only one land gateway,
Entikong in West Kalimantan.
For other ports of arrival or departure, visitors must have visas, For
others, tourist visas for thirty days can be obtained form any
Indonesian embassy or consulate. Two photographs are required and a
small fee is charged. Possession of passports is a must to all
visitors to Indonesia valid for at least six months with proof of
onward passage, either return or through tickets. |
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Transports |
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There are metered taxis in
Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Solo, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Bali and
Lampung. For air-conditioned taxis flag falls are Rp.2,000 (Rp. 900
for each additional kilometer) and Rp. 3,000 (Rp. 1,300 for each
additional kilometer). For Silverbird flagfall is Rp. 3,500 and Rp.
1,500 for each additional km. Hire cars are available and rates differ
form area to area and it is best to ask the transportation desk of
your hotel for information concerning rates and distances.
From Soekarno-Hatta airport to Jakarta city, taxis add a surcharge
ranging from Rp. 7,500/Rp. 9,000/Rp. 10,000 depending on the
destination and the road tolls of Rp. 7,000. There are also
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport buses which run every 20 minutes
to five different points in the city. For those heading for the major
hotels in the city center, take the bus to Gambir, a railway station,
which is five to ten minutes away by taxi from the hotels. Bus fare is
Rp, 5,000 per person plus luggage. At other airports there are
transport counters with fixed fares for taxis.
Other forms of transport in Indonesia are bajaj for two passengers,
small buses which ply regular routes, the man-driven pedicab "becak,"
all of which need advanced bargaining to come to a mutually accepted
fare. Buses are very crowded, particularly in the cities and routes
need to be identified. Trains traverse the island of Java and part of
Sumatra. Fares are comparatively cheap but higher on air-conditioned
express trains running between major cities.
7
Garuda Indonesia has an extensive network throughout the country. To
all major cities on the archipelago, Garuda had daily services. Garuda
services are supplemented by those of Merpati Nusantara, Bouraq, and
Mandala, Lion Air, Awair and Pelita. |
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Communication and
Electricity |
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Long distance calls within
Indonesia are by direct dial. International Direct Dial (IDD) is
available from major cities and hotels to 240 countries. Long
Distance, IDD and facsimile services are also available at the
telecommunications offices (Wartel) in major cities and hotels.
Internet service is not a difficult things to find in big cities
public internet services (Warnet). 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. It is better to check before
using an appliance. |
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Weather |
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Indonesia has two seasons,
the dry season from June to October and the rainy season from November
to March. There are occasional showers during the transitional periods
and the general maximum temperature is 33°C (62°F) and the general
minimum 21°C (41°F). Humidity is high at all times. |
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Customer |
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Customs allow on entry a
maximum 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 equipment are admitted provided they are 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 disks must be screened by the Censor Board.
There is no restriction on import or export of foreign currencies and
travelers checks, however, the import and export of Indonesian
currency exceeding Rp. 5 million is prohibited. Airport authority
levies an airport tax of Rp. 50.000 for travelers on international
routes and Rp. 11,000 for those on domestic routes. |
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Shopping and Tipping |
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At most hotels a service
charge of 10% is added to the bill. In restaurants where a service
charge is not additional, a tip of 5 to 10% would be appropriate
depending on the service and type of establishment. An airport or
hotel porter expects Rp. 5,000 per bag.
Tipping taxi drivers Rp. 1,000 or leaving the change is appreciated
but not mandatory. It is advisable to carry small change as taxi
drivers are often short of change. The big cities have shopping
complexes, supermarkets and department stores where prices are fixed.
They stay open from 8.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. everyday and some even on
Sunday. At small shops bargaining might be necessary. |
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Food and Health |
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The Indonesian staple food
is rice steamed boiled or fried. Some accompanying dishes can be
pepper hot - big red pepper or small green ones - so it is advisable
to ask before ordering. Please be inform to also ask the price before
ordering. There are many restaurants specializing in European,
American and Oriental cuisine including the fast food restaurants.
A variety of beverages (both imported or locals) are available
everywhere including very good Indonesian beer. Keep to bottled drinks
if doubtful of water served in restaurants. Travelers coming from
infected areas are required to submit International certificates of
valid smallpox, cholera and yellow vaccinations. |
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Information
provided by
Department of Tourism. Government of Indonesia. |
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