Lonely Planet Indonesia

by Lonely Planet

  New notes will be introduced that are identical to the current ones, with the exception of the final three zeros missing. Long-term plans call for all-new designs.

  The government stresses that current banknotes will retain their value (eg the 100,000Rp note will be the same as the new 100Rp note), however, how this will play out is anyone’s guess. In other nations, such as Russia, there has been widespread refusal to accept old notes, even after government guarantees of their value.

  It will likely take years for price lists and computer systems to be fully updated, so it will be up to customers to make certain that they are being charged – and paying – appropriately.

  Introduction of the new denominations is likely to occur with little notice to avoid financial upheavals.

  Old notes will remain good for at least six years after introduction, the Bank of Indonesia said in 2014.

  Moneychangers

  The US dollar is the most widely accepted foreign currency in Indonesia. Australian, British, euros and Japanese currencies are exchangeable only in the most touristed areas of Bali and Jakarta.

  Outside of cities and tourist areas, banks may only be willing to exchange crisp, new US$100 bills. In many rural areas banks won't offer any exchange.

  Moneychangers range from the honest to dishonest. Signs bearing the phrases such as 'official' and 'licensed' are meaningless.

  Follow these steps to avoid getting ripped off when exchanging money:

  Find out the going exchange rate online. Know that anyone offering a better rate will need to make a profit through other means.

  Stick to banks, exchange counters in airports or large and reputable storefront operations.

  Skip any place offering too-good exchange rates and claiming to charge no fees or commissions.

  Avoid exchange stalls down alleys or in otherwise dubious locations (that sounds obvious but scores of tourists are taken in daily).

  Common exchange scams include rigged calculators, sleight of hand schemes, 'mistakes' on the posted rates and demands that you hand over your money before you have counted the money on offer.

  Use an ATM to obtain rupiah. Check with your bank about fees; if they are not outrageous you'll avoid carrying large amounts of cash and get a decent exchange rate.

  Tipping

  Tipping a set percentage is not expected in Indonesia, but if the service is good, you can leave 5000Rp or 10% or more (this is expected on Bali).

  Most midrange hotels and restaurants and all top-end hotels and restaurants add 21% to the bill for tax and service (known as ‘plus plus’). The service component is distributed among hotel staff (one hopes).

  Hand cash directly to individuals if you think they deserve recognition for their service.

  Tip good taxi drivers, porters, people giving you a massage or fetching you a beer on the beach etc; 5000Rp to 10,000Rp is generous.

  THE ART OF BARGAINING

  Many everyday purchases in Indonesia require bargaining. Accommodation has a set price, but this is usually negotiable in the low season, or if you are staying at the hotel for several days. Bargaining can be an enjoyable part of shopping, so maintain your sense of humour and keep things in perspective. Try following these steps:

  Have some idea what the item is worth.

  Establish a starting price – ask the seller for their price rather than making an initial offer.

  Your first price can be from one-third to two-thirds of the asking price – assuming that the asking price is not outrageous.

  With offers and counter-offers, move closer to an acceptable price.

  If you don’t get to an acceptable price, you’re entitled to walk – the vendor may call you back with a lower price.

  Note that when you name a price, you’re committed – you must buy if your offer is accepted.

  Opening Hours

  The following are typical opening hours found across Indonesia.

  Banks 8am to 2pm Monday to Thursday, 8am to noon Friday, 8am to 11am Saturday.

  Government offices Generally 8am to 3pm Monday to Thursday, 8am to noon Friday.

  Post offices 8am to 2pm Monday to Friday. (Note: in tourist centres, the main post offices are often open longer and/or on weekends.)

  Private business offices 8am to 4pm or 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Many open until noon on Saturday.

  Restaurants 8am to 10pm.

  Shopping 9am or 10am to 5pm; larger shops and tourist areas to 8pm. Many closed Sunday.

  Photography

  Indonesia and Indonesians can be very photogenic, but whatever you do, photograph with discretion and manners. It's always polite to ask first, and if the person says no, don't take the photo. A gesture, a smile and a nod are all that is usually necessary.

  Post

  Sending postcards and normal-sized letters (ie under 20g) by airmail is cheap but not really fast. For anything over 20g, the charge is based on weight. You can send parcels up to 20kg and have them properly wrapped and sealed at any post office.

  Every substantial town has a kantor pos (post office). In tourist centres, there are also postal agencies. They are often open long hours and provide postal services. Many will also wrap and pack parcels.

  PRACTICALITIES

  Media English-language press includes the Jakarta Post and the Jakarta Globe. Both have good websites for news. Pirated DVDs are abundant and most can be played on all-region software, although you usually get what you pay for in terms of viewability. Legitimate copies are uncommon.

  Water Tap water is never safe to drink.

  Weights & Measures Indonesia uses the international metric system for weights and measures.

  Smoking Anti-smoking rules prohibit smoking in many public places but enforcement is uncommon.

  Public Holidays

  Following are the national public holidays in Indonesia. Unless stated, they vary from year to year. Also, there are many regional holidays.

  Tahun Baru Masehi (New Year's Day) 1 January.

  Tahun Baru Imlek (Chinese New Year) Falls late January to early February.

  Wafat Yesus Kristus (Good Friday) Late March or early April.

  Nyepi (Balinese New Year) The island of Bali closes down for one day, usually in March, sometimes in April; it's a cultural marvel, albeit a quiet one.

  Hari Buruh (Labour Day) 1 May.

  Hari Waisak Marks the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death. Falls in May.

  Kenaikan Yesus Kristus (Ascension of Christ) May.

  Hari Proklamasi Kemerdekaan (Independence Day) 17 August.

  Hari Natal (Christmas Day) 25 December.

  The following Islamic holidays have dates that change each year.

  Muharram Islamic New Year.

  Maulud Nabi Muhammad Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.

  Isra Miraj Nabi Muhammad Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad.

  Idul Fitri Also known as Lebaran, this two-day national public holiday marks the end of Ramadan; avoid travel due to crowds.

  Idul Adha Islamic feast of the sacrifice.

  Safe Travel

  It's important to note that, compared with many places in the world, Indonesia is fairly safe. There are some hassles from the avaricious, but most visitors face many more dangers at home. Petty theft occurs, but it is not prevalent.

  Alcohol Poisoning

  Outside of reputable bars and resorts, it's best to avoid buying arak, the locally produced fermented booze made from rice or palm. Deaths and injuries happen – especially on Bali and the Gilis – when unscrupulous vendors stretch stocks with poisonous chemicals.

  Drugs

  Indonesia has demonstrated its zero-tolerance policy towards drugs with a spate of high-profile arrests and convictions. The execution by firing squad in 2015 of two Australians convicted of drug offences as part of the 'Bali Nine' should serve as a stark warning.

  Random raids of nightclubs in Jakarta and Bali and mandatory urine tests for anyone found with drugs occur regularly (entrapment schemes
are not unknown, that dealer may be a cop).

  Private parties on Bali have been raided, and hotel owners are required by law to report offenders.

  The law does not provide for differentiation of substance types or amounts, whether a full bag of heroin or a few specks of marijuana dust in your pocket.

  Pollution

  Avoid beaches in built-up areas, especially after storms flush sewage out to the surf. This is especially true of many beaches in south Bali.

  Air quality can be terrible in heavily populated areas and across Sumatra during annual land clearances for palm oil plantations.

  Safety

  Security in touristed areas increased after the 2002 and 2005 Bali bombings but has since been relaxed. The odds you will be caught up in such a tragedy are low. Large luxury hotels that are part of international chains tend to have the best security, though they also make the most tempting targets, as shown in Jakarta in 2003 and 2009.

  Security issues in Indonesia are often exaggerated by the foreign media, who portray rambunctious protest rallies and minor incidents of civil unrest as nationwide pandemonium. Foreign governments add to the hype with heavy-handed, blanket travel warnings. While it's true that small sections of Indonesia experience flashes of conflict, overall the archipelago is safe.

  GOVERNMENT TRAVEL ADVICE

  It is always worthwhile to check with official government sources before visiting Indonesia in order to check current travel conditions and the overall safety situation. But bear in mind that government sources generally take a conservative and over-cautious view. Follow news sources in order to get a more realistic picture.

  Government travel advisories:

  Australia www.smartraveller.gov.au

  Canada travel.gc.ca

  New Zealand www.safetravel.govt.nz

  UK www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

  US www.travel.state.gov

  Scams

  As in most poor countries, plenty of people are out to relieve you of your money in one way or another. It's really hard to say when an 'accepted' practice like overcharging becomes an unacceptable rip-off, but plenty of instances of practised deceit occur.

  Con artists exist. Some are smooth-talking guides seeking to lead you to a shop or hotel where they receive commission.

  Bali is the home of many scams. And there are continuing reports of short-changing moneychangers. As always, trust your common sense.

  Beggers (including children) are usually part of organised groups. Most Indonesians suffer in silence and would never ask for money; consider giving to aid programs if you want to help.

  Touts and hawkers are common in tourist areas. Completely ignore them.

  Theft

  Violent crime is uncommon, but bag-snatching from motorbikes, pickpocketing and theft from rooms and parked cars occurs. Take the same precautions you would in any urban area. Other commonsense tips:

  Secure money before leaving an ATM (and don't forget your card!).

  Don't leave valuables on a beach while swimming.

  Use front desk/in-room safes.

  Telephone

  Cheap SIM cards and internet calling make it easy to call from Indonesia at reasonable prices.

  Internet Calling

  Most hotel wi-fi will allow at least some form of internet calling such as Skype to work. Mobile carriers often have an access code so you can make international calls over the internet for about US$0.03 per minute. Ask when you buy your SIM card.

  Mobile Phones

  SIM cards for mobile phones cost only 5000Rp. They come with cheap rates for calling other countries, starting at US$0.20 per minute.

  SIM cards are widely available and easily refilled with credit.

  Watch out for vendors who sell SIM cards to visitors for 50,000Rp or more. If they don't come with at least 45,000Rp in credit you are being ripped off.

  Reasonably fast 3G data networks are found across the nation.

  Data plans average about 200,000Rp for 3.5GB of data.

  Mobile numbers start with a four-digit prefix that begins with 08 and has a total of 10 to 12 digits.

  Phone Codes

  Directory assistance: 108

  Indonesia country code: 62

  International call prefix: 001

  International operator: 102

  Time

  There are three time zones in Indonesia.

  Java, Sumatra, and West and Central Kalimantan are on Western Indonesian Time, which is seven hours ahead of GMT/UTC.

  Bali, Nusa Tenggara, South and East Kalimantan, and Sulawesi are on Central Indonesian Time, which is eight hours ahead of GMT/UTC.

  Papua and Maluku are on Eastern Indonesian Time, nine hours ahead of GMT/UTC.

  In a country straddling the equator, there is of course no daylight-saving time.

  Allowing for variations due to summer or daylight-saving time, when it is noon in Jakarta it is 9pm the previous day in San Francisco, midnight in New York, 5am in London, 1pm in Singapore, Bali and Makassar, 2pm in Jayapura and 3pm in Melbourne and Sydney.

  Toilets

  In most of Indonesia, the bathroom features a large water tank and a plastic scoop. Kamar mandi means bathroom and mandi means to bathe or wash.

  Don't go climbing into the water tank – it's your water supply and it's also the supply for every other guest that comes after you. Scoop water out of the tank and pour it over yourself.

  Most tourist hotels have showers, many have hot water.

  Indonesian toilets are basically holes in the ground with footrests on either side, although Western-style toilets are common in tourist areas. To flush the toilet, reach for the plastic scoop, take water from the tank and pour. Public toilets are rare; find a cafe and smile.

  Toilet paper is seldom supplied in public places, though you can easily buy it. Many Indonesians instead use their left hand and copious quantities of water – again, keep that scoop handy. Often there is a wastebasket next to the toilet where the toilet paper should go, as opposed to the easily clogged toilet.

  Kamar kecil is Bahasa Indonesia for toilet, but people usually understand 'way-say' (WC). Wanita means women and pria means men.

  Tourist Information

  Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism has a website (www.indonesia.travel) with decent, basic information.

  Most tourist offices in Indonesia offer little of value. Notable exceptions are noted in the text, including tourist offices in Ubud, Bali; Yogyakarta, Java; and the Raja Ampat Tourism Management Office in Sorong, Papua.

  Travellers with Disabilities

  Indonesia has very little supportive legislation or special programs for people with disabilities, and it's a difficult destination for those with limited mobility.

  Very few buildings have disabled access, and even international chain hotels often don't have proper facilities.

  Pavements are riddled with potholes, loose manholes, parked motorcycles and all sorts of street life, and are very rarely level for long until the next set of steps. Even the able bodied walk on roads rather than negotiate the hassle of the pavement (sidewalk).

  Public transport is difficult; cars with a driver can be hired readily at cheap rates. Guides are found readily in tourist areas and, though not usual, they could be hired as helpers if needed.

  Bali, with its wide range of tourist services and facilities, is the most favourable destination for travellers with disabilities although this does not mean it is easy.

  Visas

  Visas are the biggest headache many travellers face in their Indonesian trip. They are not hard to obtain, but the most common – 30 days – is very short for such a big place. Many travellers find even the 60-day visa restrictive.

  The visa situation is constantly in flux. It is essential that you confirm current formalities before you arrive. Failure to meet all the entrance requirements can see you on the first flight out or subject to heavy fines.

  No matter what type of visa you are going to use, your passport must
be valid for at least six months from the date of your arrival.

  At the time of research, the main visa options for visitors to Indonesia are:

  Visa in Advance Visitors can apply for a visa before they arrive in Indonesia. Typically this is a visitor's visa, which comes in two flavours: 30 or 60 days. Details vary by country; contact your nearest Indonesian embassy or consulate to determine processing fees and times. Note: this is the only way to obtain a 60-day visitor visa, even if you qualify for Visa on Arrival.

  Visa on Arrival Citizens of over 65 countries may apply for a 30-day visa when they arrive at major airports and harbours (but not most land borders). The cost is US$35; be sure to have the exact amount in US currency. Eligible countries include Australia, Canada, much – but not all – of the EU including France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and the UK, plus New Zealand and the USA. VOA renewals for 30 days are possible. If you don't qualify for VOA, you must get a visa in advance.

  Visa Free Citizens of dozens of countries can receive a 30-day visa for free upon arrival. But note that this visa cannot be extended and you may be limited to which airports and ports you can use to exit the country, eg the Timor-Leste visa run may not work with this visa.

  If you have obtained one of the coveted 60-day visas in advance, be sure the immigration official at the airport gives you a 60-day tourist card.