Indonesia is a vast country located off the coast of mainland Southeast Asia, with more than 17,000 islands spanning the Indian and Pacific Oceans. With its vast tropical forests, many pristine beaches and incredible hiking trails full of nature, anyone should definitely plan a trip to this region once in their life. It is home to hundreds of different linguistic and ethnic groups, incredible landscapes and a vast range of flora and fauna. Since there is so much to see, we have compiled Indonesia travel tips for you that can be very helpful in exploring the region.
10 Travel Tips for Indonesia
To plan a holiday to Indonesia, travel tips and information about the place from experienced travelers can prove to be very useful. This article highlights some of these to help make your trip memorable.
1. Packing Tips for Traveling
Apart from clothes and accessories, other travel essentials that should be packed are bug spray to avoid any insect bites while exploring nature, treatments to soothe the skin after exposure to the sun. Aloe vera gel for and sunscreen to protect the skin from the harsh rays of the sun. , A universal charger should be carried along to avoid any inconvenience. Most ATR aircraft are used for internal transfers, so it is important to keep baggage restrictions in mind as only 10 kg of check-in baggage is allowed on these aircraft.
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2. Explore beyond Bali
Most of the travelers planning a trip to Indonesia will visit Bali. While Bali is a great place to visit, you should always check out Indonesia’s other beautiful islands as well. Heritage and culture buffs can also plan a trip to Yogyakarta along with Bali. Komodo Island is a great choice for nature and wildlife lovers. The unsung gems here are Sulawesi and Gili Trawangan islands which have the best of both worlds.
3. Visa Formalities
For tourists from over 160 countries, visa on arrival is an accessible option. For this, your passport should be valid for at least 6 months. The visa issued will be valid for 30 days. Return tickets from Indonesia should be retained as passport officers may demand it on arrival while issuing visas. Airport tax is charged extra for all non-Indonesians but is usually added to the Indonesia travel cost which is included in the airline ticket purchased. Be aware of the dangers to avoid when traveling to Indonesia and do not get involved in suspected illegal activities such as drug handling etc. Make sure you have an authentic prescription for all the medicines you are taking.
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4. Local Transportation Options
On islands like Bali, distances between different tourist destinations are great. Therefore, there may be a need to book a cab to go from one place to another. “Bluebird Cabs”, a popular cab service company in the area, provides cabs within ten minutes of booking. They take cash payment by the meter. Another possible option is to rent a two-wheeler. This is the best option for smaller places in Indonesia like Labuan Bajo and Ende, where distances are not too great. These types of towns are best explored on foot or by two-wheeler.
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5. Accommodation in Indonesia
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The more popular and larger locations such as the capital Jakarta, Bali and Yogyakarta have many hotels of all budgets and amenities. However, hotel options in smaller towns like Labuan Bajo and Ende are limited. Almost all hotels have all the basic facilities and services. In Bali, the Kuta area is full of tourists all year round and is very crowded, so it is better to find hotels in Nusa Dua and Seminyak.
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6. All about Indonesian currency
Of all the Indonesia travel tips, this is the most important tip. The currency used in Indonesia is IDR, Indonesian Rupiah. Traveling and living in this country is quite cheap. As per the exchange rates, the estimated prices are given below:
1 INR = 195 IDR
1 USD = 13,000 IDR
1 Euro = 14,360 IDR
In Indonesia, locals tell the price by removing the last three digits, so if a shopkeeper is saying that something costs 30 IDR, it does not mean that it costs 30 IDR, but 30,000 IDR. Be very careful and double check before paying to avoid being fooled. In big cities, credit card transactions can be easily done but in smaller cities it is better to carry cash.
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7. Buying a local SIM card
Simpati is a SIM card brand that is known to have the best reception throughout Indonesia, even in small towns. Travel Tips in Indonesia, One can buy these SIM cards at the airport but it is better to buy them elsewhere as it is much cheaper outside Bali Denpasar Airport. Even locally, SIM cards are sold at different rates in different places. This may require bargaining to get the cheapest rate.
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8. Decoding the Language (The Basics)
This country is culturally diverse and different religions are prevalent in different regions. Hinduism is predominant in Bali, while parts of Flores are Muslim-majority areas. As visitors, one should respect their culture and be passionate about it. It’s always better to know a little about their customs Bali Indonesia Safety Tips Before visiting. Below are some common phrases that can be used to communicate with locals.
Hello Hello
thank you thank you
Yes, yes
No. No
sorry/sorry – sorry
help! – for a long time!
Where? – Where?
how much how many? – Berpa
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9. Must try dishes
There are many shops on the streets in Indonesia and also upscale restaurants that offer a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Highly recommended dishes include Gado Gado, Nasi Goreng and Missi Goreng. A local non-alcohol drink called Sirsak Fruit Juice offers a very unique taste. Their seaweed dish called Chapchay is also much loved by all the visitors.
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10. Shopping in Indonesia
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The streets of Bali Bazaar are covered with vibrant spirits and colors and offer many locally crafted creations like Ganesha idols, colorful dream catchers and dragons. Here sellers and shopkeepers usually double the price and bid so it is always better to bargain before buying anything. Shops in cultural centers can also be visited for good quality products at reasonable prices.
11. Download Offline Maps
This advice is always useful when it comes to traveling in Indonesia Indonesia travel map It is necessary. Downloading offline maps comes in handy during zero connectivity. It is easier to navigate areas and reach a specific landmark, especially in foreign lands where language is a barrier.
12. Drink only bottled water
Drinking tap water is not recommended in Indonesia, to ensure good health, always carry water bottles with you and keep it in stock. Buy a reusable water bottle and carry it with you while traveling and stay hydrated Bali Indonesia Travel Tips,
People visiting any part of Indonesia, be it Jakarta or Bali, should keep these Indonesia travel tips mentioned above in mind. If you are still confused, you can consult our tour operators when booking your trip to Indonesia, and they will be happy to help!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to travel around Indonesia?
Indonesia Trains and Buses
TransJakarta Busway is the best public transportation network in Indonesia. Buses are extremely cheap, but not as comfortable or safe as taxis.
Is it safe to travel in Indonesia?
Indonesia is quite safe compared to many places in the world. There are some troubles from greedy people, but most visitors face many dangers at home. Petty theft does occur, but it is not prevalent.
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