Travel Guide Indonesia

INSURANCE

Make sure your travel insurance matches what you are going to do during your holiday. Keep in mind that you are insured ‘while traveling outside Europe’. We recommend taking supplementary health insurance with world coverage. Take your health card and proof of insurance with you when you travel and also give a copy to a person back home.

HOLIDAY CALENDAR

• January 1, 2024: New Year 2024
• February 8, 2024: Isra Mi’raj of Prophet Muhammad SAW
• February 10, 2024: Chinese New Year 2575
• March 11, 2024: Nyepi Holy Day, Saka New Year 1946
• March 29, 2024: The Passaway of Jesus Almasih
• March 31, 2024: The Easter Day
• April 10-11, 2024: Eid al-Fitr 1445 Hijriah
• May 1, 2024: International Labor Day
• May 9, 2024: Ascension of Jesus Christ
• May 23, 2024: Vesak Day 2568
• June 1, 2024: Birth of Pancasila
• June 17, 2024: Eid al-Adha 1445 AH
• July 7, 2024: Islamic New Year 1446 Hijri
• August 17, 2024: Indonesian Independence Day
• September 16, 2024: Prophet Muhammad’s Maulid (birthday)
• December 25, 2024: Christmas Days

Please note that some holidays might vary depending on regional regulations or cultural observances. It’s always a good idea to double-check with local authorities for any updates or changes to the holiday calendar.

SIGNATURE INGRIDIENTS

Kecap Manis: A sweet and thick soy sauce made from fermented soybeans, palm sugar, and spices, kecap manis adds depth and richness to many Indonesian dishes, including nasi goreng and satay.

Coconut Milk: A staple ingredient in Indonesian cooking, coconut milk lends a creamy texture and subtle sweetness to curries, soups, and desserts like rendang and es cendol (a sweet and refreshing drink).

Sambal: A spicy chili paste made from a blend of fresh chilies, garlic, shallots, and shrimp paste, sambal is a quintessential condiment in Indonesian cuisine. Whether used as a dipping sauce for satay or stirred into noodles and rice dishes, sambal adds a fiery kick to any meal.

Tempeh: A traditional Indonesian ingredient made from fermented soybeans, tempeh is prized for its nutty flavor and firm texture. It’s often used in vegetarian dishes like gado-gado and tempeh goreng (fried tempeh), as well as in soups and stews.

Turmeric: A bright yellow spice with earthy and slightly bitter notes, turmeric is widely used in Indonesian cuisine for its vibrant color and medicinal properties. It’s often added to curries, marinades, and rice dishes to impart flavor and aroma.

OTHER HEALTH MATTER

Do you have skin type 1 or 2 and does your skin burn easily? Then we advise you to bring sunscreen with a high protection factor from the house and to apply it regularly. In Indonesia, sunscreen is available up to a factor of 30. You can also consider going out with a cap or hat during the day.

We also recommend setting the air conditioning to a pleasant temperature in the car and in the hotel room, not too cold. This can prevent you from getting throat complaints and catching a cold due to the large temperature differences when you leave the car or your room. Also, don’t aim the AC directly at your body or chest when you feel clammy and damp from the heat.

Make sure you drink enough water to prevent dehydration. Pay extra attention with ice cubes in drinks, we advise to order cold drinks without ice. Our guides know the local restaurants and eateries, here you don’t have to worry.  When choosing a location to grab a bite to eat, choose a restaurant or eatery where it’s busy with local people.

FASTBOAT BALI – LOMBOK

When you choose to use the fast boat, keep in mind that this is not recommended for pregnant women and children up to 2 years. If you  want to stay a few days at Nusa Lembongan, you are cheaper with an Island-Hopping ticket. This only applies to a stopover at Nusa Lembongan. The maximum weight allowance for baggage is 20 kg per person. For more information about routes, boarding points, departure and arrival times, travel duration and prices, please contact us.

PASSPORT

Make sure that your passport has not expired and is valid for at least six months after the end of the trip. Make a copy of the main page with your passport photo and keep it separate from your passport. Leave another copy at someone’s home.

TRANSPORTATIONS

Do you have skin type 1 or 2 and does your skin burn easily? Then we advise you to bring sunscreen with a high protection factor from the house and to apply it regularly. In Indonesia, sunscreen is available up to a factor of 30. You can also consider going out with a cap or hat during the day. We also recommend setting the air conditioning to a pleasant temperature in the car and in the hotel room, not too cold. This can prevent you from getting throat complaints and catching a cold due to the large temperature differences when you leave the car or your room. Also, don’t aim the AC directly at your body or chest when you feel clammy and damp from the heat.

Make sure you drink enough water to prevent dehydration. Pay extra attention with ice cubes in drinks, we advise to order cold drinks without ice. Our guides know the local restaurants and eateries, here you don’t have to worry.  When choosing a location to grab a bite to eat, choose a restaurant or eatery where it’s busy with local people.

ESSENTIL DISHES

• Nasi Goreng:Indonesia’s iconic fried rice dish, nasi goreng is a flavorful medley of rice, shallots, garlic, kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), and a variety of spices. Served with a fried egg on top and accompanied by crispy shallots and prawn crackers, nasi goreng is a staple of Indonesian cuisine.

Satay: These delicious skewered and grilled meats (usually chicken, beef, or lamb) are marinated in a fragrant blend of spices, then cooked over charcoal until tender and smoky. Served with a side of peanut sauce and rice cakes, satay is a popular street food snack enjoyed throughout Indonesia.

Rendang: Hailing from the island of Sumatra, rendang is a slow-cooked beef dish simmered in a rich and aromatic coconut milk sauce. Infused with a blend of spices such as lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, and chili, rendang boasts a complex flavor profile and tender texture that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds.

Soto Ayam: This comforting chicken soup is a beloved Indonesian dish, consisting of shredded chicken, vermicelli noodles, hard-boiled eggs, and bean sprouts, all simmered in a fragrant broth flavored with turmeric, lemongrass, and lime leaves. Served with a side of rice and crispy shallots, soto ayam is a popular choice for breakfast or lunch.

Gado-Gado: A refreshing salad of blanched vegetables, tofu, tempeh, and hard-boiled eggs, gado-gado is dressed in a creamy peanut sauce and garnished with crispy shallots and prawn crackers. This nutritious and satisfying dish is a favorite among vegetarians and omnivores alike.

ACCOMMODATIONS

As described in article ‘extra tips and advice’ under mentality, the maintenance of interior and buildings falls rather short. We advise that when you choose to book a room online, pay close attention to recent reviews. A review that was posted a year ago most likely no longer relates to its current state. Photos of the accommodation and the rooms in new condition are also shown. So pay attention to this!

Be aware that a 3-star hotel does not always match a 3-star hotel in Europe, although this will be less common in Java and Bali. However, there are certain places on Java and Bali where the standard is lower, for example in the vicinity of Wonosobo, Lumajang  and Bromo on Java and Kintamani on Bali. On the other islands there is sometimes no luxury hotel at all and there is a chance that if you choose a low-budget guesthouse, there are no hot water supplies.   Hot water is also generally considered a luxury.<p?

VISA ON ARRIVAL (VOA)

Upon arrival in Indonesia, you need to buy a VOA that authorizes you to stay for up to 30 days. The price is Rp 500.000, about € 30,-. Please note that the day of arrival is counted as the first day. This type of visa requires you to present an exit ticket and it can be extended once at an immigration office for another 30 days.

BANKING

Don’t forget to activate your bank card for world withdrawal, you can change this at your bank, via online banking or in your mobile bank app. Also ask your bank about the cost of debit card transactions in Indonesia, this varies by bank and payment package. The ATM’s withdrawal limit is Rp 3.000.000 at Maybank and OCBC. For BCA, Mandiri, BNI and others, the limit is Rp 2.500.000. Also keep in mind that debit cards with a credit card incur additional costs. Especially in Bali you have to be careful with withdrawals, first check that there are no loose parts before you insert your bank card into the ATM, this is because of spam. We therefore advise you to only withdraw money at ATM’s where a security guard is located or to choose machines in an enclosed room with camera surveillance. If you suspect that an ATM is not safe or that your bank card has been spammed, report this immediately to the nearby police station.

Some islands do not have ATM’s, including the Komodo Islands, the Secret Gili’s and Sumba. You must bring enough cash with you when you travel to these islands. Please contact us when you need more information about the payment options on the islands of Indonesia.

MENTALITY

The mentality of the Indonesian people is incomparable to the European mentality. Especially when we talk about hygiene and maintaining interiors, facility spaces, infrastructure, etc. This is partly because the local people live largely outdoors. Most of it is cleaned and washed with cold water and this means that grease residues do not always dissolve completely. Also, the tables in restaurants are often wiped clean with a dry cloth, so dirt is often spread instead of removed.

People’s pace is also significantly slower and being on time or arriving is also not a priority. In addition, they find it rude to say ‘no’ and they rarely do this. As a result, there is a chance that when you ask for directions, for example, you will receive a neat answer, but that you will be sent in the wrong direction. Or when you make an appointment in advance that it is not always fulfilled, because he or she agreed at the time the appointment was made, but actually did not want this. And no ‘no’ dared to say at that moment! You can prevent this somewhat by asking multiple questions and when you get the answer to each question: Yes, okay. Then you can assume that he or she actually means ‘no’.

OTHERTYPE OF VISA

Of course, there are various types of visas, such as a work visa or a multiple entry visa, but we focus on the tourist visa. This type of visa can only be issued online by an Indonesian guarantor.  If you want to use this service, we will send you a checklist with the necessary documents to apply for the Visa.  Please note that we must submit the application at least 30 days before arrival in Indonesia.  This type of visa can be extended 2 times at an immigration office with a sponsor who wants to guarantee you. With this type of visa, you can stay in Indonesia up to 180 days. It is not allowed to perform work or volunteer work with this visa. Please contact us for the price of this Visa.<p?

OTHERTYPE OF VISA

Please note that when you travel from Jakarta to Bandung by car via the Puncak Pass in Bogor, this is not scheduled during the weekend. The Puncak Pass will be closed on Friday afternoon from Bandung to Jakarta and will be a one-way street. This also takes place on Sunday afternoon, but then the road to Bandung is closed. The reason for this is to be able to continue the enormous traffic. On Friday, many people leave Jakarta for Bandung.  People who work in Jakarta and live in Bandung and people who live in Jakarta and busy Jakarta flee to the Puncak.  On Sunday, the crowd will drive back to Jakarta.  If you can avoid this, we definitely recommend it.

VACCINA AND MALARIA

Make sure you are vaccinated against Typhoid fever, Hepatitis and DTP, you must have these injected at least 2 weeks before arrival in Indonesia. It is also wise to take malaria tablets with you and/or a well-functioning mosquito spray. Although we advise to purchase mosquito repellents in Indonesia, such as Soffel and Autan. These are available everywhere in Indonesia at supermarkets, drugstores and pharmacies.

MEDICATIONS

You can also think of diarrhea inhibitors and painkillers. If you are taking medication and want to take it with you, keep it in its original package. Bring a medicine passport for your prescription medicines, which you can pick up at your own pharmacy. If you use hypodermic needles, also carry a medical certificate. Also leave a copy at home.

SAFETY

We are proud to announce that Indonesia is not known as a dangerous country where tourists have to be constantly on their guard. Nevertheless, we have some tips, as the saying goes: better to prevent than to cure!

• Don’t leave your bag/belongings unattended.
•  Carry a shoulder bag diagonally or use a belly bag.
• Never pay in advance for certain services
• Avoids dark and deserted alleys.
• Do not make eye contact with naked people on the street, they suffer from a mental disorder and may react unpredictably.
• Do not drink from a bottle that has been opened earlier or self-inserted drink, such as Arak.
• Buy and use absolutely no drugs!
• Follow orders from police and military without engaging in discussion.

And very important! DO NOT make treks to volcanoes or through the jungle where it is not recommended to do this on your own.

VISIT VISA / VISA ONLINE

Since 26 January 2023, a VISA can be applied for online at the following link: https://molina.imigrasi.go.id. The Visa will be sent to you by email and can also be extended online. The price for a Visa online with a maximum stay of 30 days is Rp 500.000 plus a charge fee of Rp 15.000. Please note that a different email address must be used for each account.

WARUNG

Warung in Indonesia is a small, family-owned business that typically functions as a simple shop or eatery. Warungs are an integral part of Indonesian culture and daily life, offering a wide range of goods and services to locals and tourists alike. They can vary significantly in what they offer, ranging from basic necessities like groceries and household items to freshly prepared meals and snacks.

DOMESTIC FLIGHT AND AIRLINE

Indonesia has a lot of international and national airports, partly because the distances are large and of course because the country is an island kingdom. For domestic flights you must be present at the airport for check-in at the very least 1 hour before departure. The check on your luggage is very nil. For example, one does not pay so much attention to foods and the liquids in the hand luggage.

We would like to draw your attention to the fact that the Lion Air and Wings Air airlines are regularly delayed, especially during the day. If you have a tight travel schedule and not much leeway interims of time, we advise you to choose another airline.