Indonesia is a vast country located off the coast of mainland Southeast Asia with more than 17,000 islands that stretch into the Indian and Pacific oceans. With its large tropical forests, many pristine beaches, and amazing hiking trails covered in nature, one should definitely plan a trip to this region once in their lifetime. It is home to hundreds of distinct language and ethnic groups, gorgeous landscapes, and a huge variety of flora and fauna. Since there is so much to see, we have brought you Indonesia travel tips that can be very helpful in exploring this region.
10 travel tips for Indonesia
For planning a vacation in Indonesia, travel tips and information about the place from experienced travelers can be very helpful. This article highlights a few of them to help make your trip memorable.
1. Packing tips for the trip
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Other than clothing and accessories, other travel essentials to pack are bug spray to avoid bug bites while exploring nature, aloe vera gel for a soothing post-sun skin treatment and sunscreen to protect skin from the harsh rays of the sun. . A universal charger should be taken to avoid any inconvenience. ATR aircraft are mostly used for domestic transfers, so it is important to consider baggage restrictions as only 10kg check-in baggage is allowed on these aircraft.
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2. Explore beyond Bali
All travelers who are planning a trip to Indonesia will visit Bali most of the time only. While Bali is a great place to visit, one should always explore other beautiful islands of Indonesia as well. Heritage and culture buffs can plan a visit to Yogyakarta besides Bali. For nature and wildlife lovers, Komodo Island is a great choice. There are unexplored gems on the islands of Sulawesi and Gili Trawangan that have the best of both worlds.
3. Visa procedures
For tourists from more than 160 countries, visa on arrival is an affordable option. For this, you will need your passport valid for at least 6 months. The visa issued will be valid for 30 days. The return ticket from Indonesia must be kept on hand as passport officials may request it upon arrival while issuing the visa. Airport tax is charged additionally to all non-Indonesians but is generally added to the cost of travel in Indonesia which is included in the airline ticket purchased. Be aware of the risks to avoid while traveling to Indonesia and do not get involved in suspicious illegal activities such as drug dealing etc. Make sure you have an original prescription for all the medicines you carry.
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4. Local transportation options
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On islands like Bali, the distances between different tourist destinations are huge. Therefore, one may need to book a taxi to move from one place to another. One of the popular taxi service companies in this area, Bluebird Cabs, provides a taxi within ten minutes of booking. They take cash payments by the meter. Another possible option is to rent a two-wheeler. This is the best option for slightly smaller places in Indonesia such as Labuan Bajo and Indi where the distances are not that much. These types of cities are best explored on foot or two wheels.
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5. Residence in Indonesia
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The most famous and largest places like the capital Jakarta, Bali and Yogyakarta have many hotels of all budgets and facilities. However, there are limited hotel options in smaller towns like Labuan Bajo and Indi. Almost all hotels have all basic amenities and services. In Bali, the Kuta area is filled with tourists all year round and is very crowded, so it is best to look for hotels in Nusa Dua and Seminyak.
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6. It’s all about the Indonesian currency
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This is the most important piece of advice out of all the tips for traveling to Indonesia. The currency used in Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Exploration and stay in this country is fairly inexpensive. According to exchange rates, here are the approximate values:
1 Indian rupee = 195 Indonesian rupees
1 USD = 13,000 Indonesian Rupiahs
1 euro = 14,360 Indonesian rupiahs
In Indonesia, locals quote the price after omitting the last three digits, so if he tells a shopkeeper that something costs IDR 30, it doesn’t mean that it costs IDR 30, but 30,000 IDR. Be very careful and double check before paying to avoid being scammed. In big cities credit card transactions can be done easily but in small towns it is better to carry cash.
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7. Buying local SIM cards
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Simpati is a sim card brand that has the best reception in all of Indonesia, even in small towns it is the best Indonesia travel advice. One can buy these sim cards at the airport but it is better to buy them elsewhere, as they are much cheaper outside NBD. Even locally, the sim card is sold at different prices in different places. One may have to bargain to get the cheapest price for it.
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8. Decoding Language (Basics)
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This country is culturally diverse with different religions being practiced in different regions. Hinduism is prominent in Bali, while parts of Flores are a predominantly Muslim region. As visitors, one must respect its culture and be affectionate towards it. It is always best to get to know a little bit about their habits and also about them Bali Indonesia safety tips before visiting. Here are some common phrases that can be used to communicate with the locals.
Hello – Hello
Thanks – Terema Kasih
Yes – oh
No – tedac
Sorry/Excuse me – Muff
Help! – Tolong!
where? – Di mana?
How much is the value? – Beraba
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9. Must try dishes
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Indonesia has many street shops as well as upscale restaurants that serve a variety of mouth-watering vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes from different cuisines. Highly recommended dishes include Gado Gado, Nasi Goreng and Misi Goreng. A local non-alcoholic drink called Sirsak fruit juice offers a very unique taste. Chapchay, a seaweed dish, is also enjoyed by all visitors.
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10. Shopping in Indonesia
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The streets of Bali Market are covered in lively spirits and colors and offer many locally made creations such as Ganesha idols, colorful dream catchers and dragons. The sellers and shopkeepers here generally double the price and quote so it is always best to bargain before buying anything. Shops in cultural centers can also be visited to get quality products at reasonable prices.
11. Download offline maps
This tip is always usable as it is when it comes to traveling in Indonesia Indonesia travel map necessary. Downloading offline maps is useful while you are not connected. It’s easy to navigate areas and get to a specific milestone, especially in a foreign land where language is a barrier.
12. Drink only bottled water
It is not recommended to drink tap water in Indonesia. For health safety, always carry water bottles and keep them in stock with you. Buy a reusable water bottle and keep it with you throughout the trip and stay hydrated Bali Indonesia travel advice.
People visiting any part of Indonesia, be it Jakarta or Bali, should keep in mind the above Indonesia travel tips. If you are still confused, you can consult our tour operators while booking your trip to Indonesia, and they will be more than happy to help you out!
read more: 12 Indonesian islands that will take your breath away
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please note: Any information posted by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended as a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one should not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of his or her choice.
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 very affordable, but not as comfortable or safe as taxis.
Is it safe to travel in Indonesia?
Indonesia is fairly safe compared to many places in the world. There is some trouble from greed, but most visitors face many dangers at home. Petty theft does happen, but is not widespread.
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