You’ve just touched down in Indonesia. The overwhelming sticky heat and smell of clove cigarettes has left you dizzy and disoriented. Focus. Here’s what you need to know to make your first 24 hours in Indonesia as bagus (good) as possible.
Photo © World Nomads
- Visas
- Bahasa Phrases for Travelers
- Transport and Getting Around
- Handy Tips on Customs and Etiquette
- When to Travel Around Indonesia
- Accommodation Options
- Where to Go
Visas
Show a passport from one of 140 countries given free entry into Indonesia, and you’ll be granted 30 days on arrival without paying a Rupiah.
Keep in mind this visa is non-extendable, so if you foresee lingering longer than a month, pay US $35 for 30 days plus the option to extend, one time only, for another 30 days.
If your passport is not from one of the 140 countries listed here, you must apply for a visa before you arrive in Indonesia.
Bahasa Phrases for Travelers
Indonesians across the archipelago speak a plethora of local
From Bali to Jakarta, to Sumba or Borneo, you’ll be able to get by – or at least amuse the locals – with a few phrases.
Let’s start with good stuff. Bali is “
Be sure to mind your Ps and Qs throughout the country by saying “
Finally, while no means no in most languages, “
Transport and Getting Around
Transportation in Indonesia is as diverse as the country’s terrain, but you’re
Flying
Domestic air travel is often cheaper and much, much easier than traveling overland or by boat. For example, to get to Lombok from Bali by boat you can expect to sit in traffic for one to three hours to get to the port, to take a two-hour
If possible, chose Garuda Indonesia over budget airlines, like Lion Air or Indonesian Air Asia. Both are notoriously late and frequently cancel flights without notice. Garuda also carries surfboards for free on domestic flights!
Motorbikes and Scooters
Once at your destination, many travelers prefer to rent a self-drive motorbike or scooter to get around. Although scootering was once a favorite pastime in Bali, today
Hiring a driver with an air-conditioned vehicle for a day – or week – is definitely a good option for inexperienced bike riders, or for longer journeys – especially if you split the costs (and carbon emissions) with fellow travelers.
Driving a hire car in Bali isn’t recommended due to the traffic and confusing street layouts. If you feel comfortable on a bike, a safer (and often more enjoyable) course of action is to rent a bike to use just in your local area, say Canggu or the Bukit Peninsula, and hire a driver to go further than 20 to 30 minutes away.
Hiring a Driver
On islands other than Bali, where there is less traffic, hiring a bike or a car with
If you’re riding a scooter, always wear a helmet, and make sure you have a motorbike or scooter
Island Hopping by Boat
Boat trips are a common way to surf, dive or explore parts of Indonesia, such as the Mentawais, Komodo Islands or Nusa islands off of Bali. Don’t take the local ferries or slow boats, unless absolutely necessary.
It’s better to travel on a fast boat where possible, for safety, convenience, and to avoid sickness.
Cycling and Walking
If you’re tired of hearing the buzz of motorbikes and gridlock traffic, head to the Gili Islands where walking or cycling are the only ways to get around.
Handy Tips on Customs and Etiquette
Whether it’s your first or 40th trip to Indonesia, you’ll find that the locals love asking questions and learning about your life. Don’t be offended if they pry: “are you married
Always dress appropriately for the island and the activity. This means covering your shoulders, wearing sarongs in temples, and leaving beach attire at the beach. It also means dressing modestly when visiting predominantly Muslim islands.
When to Travel Around Indonesia
Although it varies throughout the country, monsoon season generally runs from November–March, while the dry season is April–October.
The dry season sees less rain, but more visitors. Rain during the wet season is heavy but not so torrential that the country should be avoided completely, so it’s not a bad idea to aim for shoulder season, with
Bali and Kalimantan are relatively unaffected by the seasons, but this changes as you travel further east into the Nusa
Accommodation Options from Hammock to 5-Star Villa
As far as accommodation goes, you dream it, Indonesia has it.
You can rent a hammock, a private poolside villa in the rice paddies or a bed on a catamaran out at sea. While the traditional Indonesian Losman (family-run boarding houses) is becoming scarce in Bali, you can find very cheap basic lodging nearly everywhere else. One of the best things about staying in these family-run boarding houses is an opportunity to meet the family and get a glimpse of local life.
Check for the best prices and read traveler reviews online at sites including Tripadvisor, Hostel World, or Booking.com.
Where to Go
Indonesia is made up of more than 18,000 islands – some massive, some tiny – that span 1,758mi (2,830km) across the Indian Ocean and the so-called Ring of Fire. From the lush jungles and offshore tropical atolls of Sumatra to the desert-like outposts of Lombok, Sumba
Climb volcanoes soaring more than 16,000ft (4,876m) above sea level, dive amongst one of a kind coral reefs, look out for Komodo dragons or spot the last of the orangutans.
Whether you island
Want to know more about Indonesia? Listen to the World Nomads podcast. With around 17,000 islands to choose from, where are the must visits , and if you have your surfboard, best surf breaks? Hear the tale of a man chased by headhunters, and tips for traveling the world solo.
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