Travel tips for Indonesia - what to prepare in advance and what to obey

1. A visa is required to enter Indonesia. You will need a passport and a couple of photos to make it. You can apply for a visa directly at the airport upon arrival if you visit the country for a maximum of 30 days.

2. It is allowed to import no more than 200 cigarettes and 2 liters of alcoholic beverages to Indonesia without paying duty. It is forbidden to import printed materials in Chinese, as well as medicines produced in this country. It is forbidden to export souvenirs and antiques carved from wood without a corresponding certificate. It is also forbidden to export some rare mammals and birds from Indonesia, as well as their stuffed animals.

3. The country has a tropical climate. There are 2 seasons here. The dry season lasts from April to October. The wet season runs from November to March. It rains often during the wet season. But most of the rains happen at night. The seawater temperature rarely falls below 25°C all year round. The tropical climate makes the tourists be sweating. Therefore, you should stock up on underwear and shirts or blouses, based on the need to change this underwear 2-3 times a day.

For active traveler - national parks, landscapes and nature of Indonesia

Virgin forests were cut down uncontrollably for many years in Indonesia. Many species of animals, including endemics, were on the verge of extinction …
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4. It is recommended to use various repellents, as well as to wear sunglasses and hats during your vacation in Indonesia. The sun is very aggressive in this country. Most of the beaches are surrounded by coral reefs. Therefore, it is better to swim in rubber slippers with all precautions. You should take into account the presence of strong currents around the Islands when you are on a beach holiday. Tides are a frequent occurrence here. Signs near beaches often show the time of their onset.

5. Indonesians are very calm and friendly people. But you should not touch their head when communicating with them. This part of the body is considered sacred in Indonesia. Touching the head will certainly be regarded as a very serious insult. You cannot sit cross-legged and point your feet in the direction of the person. The feet are considered to be a bad part of the body in Indonesia. You should wear clothing that covers your knees if you visit mosques and official institutions.

6. It is customary to consider the left hand unclean the Indonesians. So nothing is served or eaten with the left hand. It is customary to eat exclusively with the right hand in Indonesia. Cutlery is served in restaurants and cafes. But the knife is not used during meals. It is considered a symbol of aggression.

7. The crime rate is considered low in Indonesia. But there are a lot of pickpockets in the country. Tourists should be wary of them when vacationing here. You can't leave personal items in public places. It is better to leave valuables and documents in hotel room safes. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

8. Smoking is officially prohibited in the capital of Indonesia. Those who like to smoke in public places, restaurants, hotels, or on public transport should know that a 6-month prison sentence or a very large fine is provided for violating the law.

9. Indonesia is a Muslim country. Therefore, the consumption of alcoholic beverages is strongly discouraged here. Tourists can even be arrested for this in regions where the majority of the Muslim population lives.

10. It is better not to eat any street food during your vacation in Indonesia, despite its huge variety. Thus, the risk of infection with infectious diseases will be reduced. It is recommended to eat in all sorts of restaurants and cafes. Products are checked before cooking there. Don't drink tap water for the same reason. It is better to buy bottled water. If you buy fruit on the street you should wash it thoroughly.

11. There is no tipping system in Indonesia. But it is customary to leave a reward of 5-10% of the cost of services provided by the taxi driver, porter or guide.

National traditions and mentality of people in Indonesia

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12. Your clothing should be modest and must cover the knees and shoulders if you visit a temple or mosque. You must leave donations during your visit to the temple. They are included automatically in the ticket price of some major temples. You cannot stay at a level higher than the priest or gifts in the temple. It would be extremely disrespectful to stand in front of a praying person.

13. Indonesia is an island country. Therefore, the aviation mode of transport is very well developed here. It is better to use a taxi or rent a car with a driver to travel directly around the Islands. Car traffic is left-hand and very erratic on the Islands. There are very few signs on the roads.

14. Purchases are paid in cash in Indonesia. Currency exchange is performed at the exchange office, airport, and hotels. You can pay with credit cards in restaurants or large stores. Traveler's cheques are useless in Indonesia.

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Indonesia guide chapters 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Fantastic City Tours and Excursions in Indonesia

Colorful and unique places in Indonesia

Sundara Bali Pool

From the series “The Most Amazing Swimming Pools in the World”

Bali resort in Jimbaran is one of the most prestigious and expensive hotels of the island Sundara. Not surprisingly, just on the territory of this hotel, the longest beach pool is situated. The length of the pool is 57 meters. There is a pool near the coast, it is separated from the edge of the ocean only by a narrow sand strip. On the other side, the pool is bordered by a beautiful rainforest, among the trees of which there are tables of restaurants and bars.

The longest swimming pool in Bali is distinguished by its exquisite design, its bottom and walls are laid with skillful mosaics in blue tones. On the terraces near the pool there is beautiful upholstered furniture, here you can relax all day long. During the water procedures, vacationers can enjoy a luxurious panoramic view of the … Read all

Ubud Hanging Gardens Pool

From the series “The Most Amazing Swimming Pools in the World”

In Bali, there is a hotel, among the notable features of which is a chic pool - Ubud Hanging Gardens. It should be specified that this hotel is equipped with not only one, but 38 swimming pools. They were designed in a such way that they fit in the surrounding natural landscape maximum harmoniously. The hotel is located on the territory of a fabulously beautiful rainforest. It is surrounded by sprawling trees. All the pools in the hotel are located on different levels. Special terraces are equipped for each of them.

Each of the hotel rooms has its own individual outdoor pool with a wooden terrace, in some rooms the pools are literally in contact with huge trees. They are designed in a such way that the sides are practically invisible, that's why the holidaymakers have a pleasant feeling … Read all

Cemoro Lawang Town

From the series “Small Flamboyant Towns Painted with Van Gogh Colors”

One of the smallest and most beautiful towns in Indonesia is Cemoro Lawang. The town is located close to the volcano Bromo, to which it owes its fame. Tourists visit the town in the framework of sightseeing tours across the surrounding area. Many travelers stay here for a night to start for a walk along mountains and enjoy the majestic volcanoes after dawn.

The town does not have first-class hotels. Almost all inns are designed to ensure that tourists will spend in them only one or two nights. Besides volcanoes, this picturesque town has many interesting attractions. There are several ancient Hindu temples. It’s possible to walk to the reserved places and see the local fauna. Cemoro Lawang is the closest settlement to the volcano Bromo. The town is situated at an altitude of 2 217 … Read all

All unique sightseeing Indonesia

Advices for popular cities of Indonesia

Jakarta

1. While walking around the city, travelers are recommended to monitor their belongings closely. Do not take large sums of money without any particular need. Pickpockets are one of the main problems of Jakarta. There are plenty of them in public places and public transport. 2. It is better not to use tap water for drinking. Despite the fact that the local water is not dangerous for health, it can worsen the process of acclimatization. Bottled water is always available at all grocery stores. … Read more

Bandung

1. In addition to the native language, a large part of the city’s population speaks decent Chinese. As a rule, young people can also speak English pretty well, therefore It won’t be hard to communicate with the local people. 2. The best place to exchange currency is in the local banks as they usually offer the most favorable rates. Vast majority of banks are open on weekdays from 7:00 - 8:00 to 15:00. Friday is often considered a short working day. Specialized exchangers offices can … Read more

Surabaya

1. Travelers arriving to Surabaya airport can get to the city center by taxi. The cost of trip wouldn’t be more than 10 USD; you can also drive to the southern area of the city by bus, but it goes pretty seldom. 2. The rainy season is from November to April, this time there are heavy rains literally every day, and it is often a strong wind. Throughout the year hot weather reigns in Surabaya; the average daily temperature is about 30-32°C. 3. The main form of public transport is a … Read more

Denpasar

1. Locals are very friendly and tolerant of tourists who can always ask them for help. Travelers are expected to show respect for the local culture and follow all the local rules. To make it easier to get in good with the locals, be sure to learn a couple of phrases in their native language. 2. Be sure to follow elementary safety rules on vacation. Despite the fact that the resort is a pretty calm place, pickpockets and fraudsters can be met everywhere. One should not leave personal … Read more

Bali

1. Taxi is considered the most widespread and popular type of transportation on the island. As a rule, taxi cabs are painted in different colors that show their belonging to a particular taxi company. Rates in different companies can vary slightly, but tourists are surely recommended to discuss the cost of a ride beforehand. 2. Bemo microbuses are known as the main form of public transport. These buses can easily take you to all interesting sights of the island. The cost of travel in the … Read more

Java

1. The most popular souvenirs are made of gold and silver; it’s recommended to buy them only at large shopping malls and specialty stores. It’s better to visit jewelry markets with an experienced guide, as locals can sell products of mediocre quality. 2. Buses represent the cheapest and the most common form of public transport in Java. You can travel by them to all major cities, as well as between settlements, but remote areas of the island can be reached only by car. 3. Vacationers who … Read more

Sumatra

1. The best time to stay is late spring and early autumn, as at this time the weather is favorable and hotel prices are appropriate. Most travelers visit the island in summer; during this period hotels are always crowded and prices can rise up to two times. 2. Mains voltage is 220 V, so certain appliances may require special adapters. Some hotels provide them on demand. However, you can buy adapters in any specialized shop. 3. Payphones are common on the island, they remain the best option … Read more

Gili Islands

1. If you want to have a diverse holiday and are planning to enjoy nighlife of the islands, choose to stop on Trawangan. There are more hotels, nightclubs and even a market. 2.The other two Islands, Meno and Air, have significantly fewer accommodation options, so you should better book everything in advance, especially during the high season. 3.There is a seasonality on Gili, high season is from April to September, during this period there is sunny and hot on the Islands. The … Read more