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Indonesia Travel Guide

The latest travel Information on Indonesia, includes ideas on Things to See and Do, Local Events, Consulate & Embassy Contact Addresses and much more, all from a first-time visitors point of view.

Indonesia Information

Overview

The islands of the Indonesian archipelago are strung like beads across the equator. Clear blue seas lap pristine beaches, gentle breezes carry scents of spices and flowers, and divers are entranced by the ocean’s riches. Inland, dramatic volcanic ranges tower above a green mantle of terraced hillsides and lush rainforest.

Bali offers an image of paradise: stunning scenery, gentle sarong-clad people and sunsets of legendary glory. On peaceful Lombok, life moves at a slower pace, while bustling Jakarta exhibits Indonesia’s cosmopolitan, modern face. Komodo Island’s ‘living dinosaurs’ and the entrancing ‘sea gardens’ of Suwalesi invite exploration, as do Borobudur’s architectural treasures, which include 5km (3 miles) of Buddhist relief carvings. Adventure-seekers head for Kalimantan’s remote jungle interior or explore Sumatra, with its teeming wildlife and wealth of tribal groups.

Yet these fabled isles of sunshine and spices have long been stalked by security issues, fired up by governmental corruption. The powerful Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) almost won a coup in 1965, but was defeated by an army led by General Suharto, wielding Western support. Between 400,000 and 1 million were massacred by that army in the aftermath of the coup. Sukarno, politically crippled, was replaced by Suharto, who remained president until his (forced) resignation in May 1998. Under the Suharto government, the army always held ultimate political power while a technocrat class was left to run the country day-to-day.

Since then, militant Islam has been threatening to tear the archipelago apart. Examples of inter-fighting include the Moluccan Islands, one of the few parts of Indonesia with a majority Christian population: since the beginning of 1999, they have been engaged in an increasingly violent struggle with Muslim militants that has claimed thousands of lives. Suicide bombing has occurred in Bali, most recently on 1 October 2005, and there remains a high threat from terrorism in Indonesia. The cataclysmic tsunami that occurred on 26 December 2004 further hampered Indonesia’s economic and touristic progress.

However, from such a devastating tsunami also came a much-needed glimmer of hope: a peace agreement with separatist rebels was reached just as 2006 dawned, resulting in the withdrawal of state security forces from the Aceh province. In return, Free Aceh Movement rebels began disarmament and vowed to abolish their armed wing. Such withdrawal effectively ended a 29-year conflict that had claimed thousands upon thousands of lives.

However, until such a catalogue of problems are fully resolved, many tourists will be deterred from travelling to Indonesia and will therefore miss out on its myriad marvels; and many of its residents will remain living amidst poverty, corruption and peril.

Author

Lucy Moss

Top Things To See

See the modern Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Java – it is one of the largest in the world (website: www.jakarta-tourism.go.id).

Witness puppet shows staged throughout Java, in which traditional wayang golakand wayang kulit marionettes act out stories based on well-known legends; performances can sometimes last all night.

Visit the Prambanan temple complex, built in honour of the Hindu gods Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu. Do not miss Borobudur, probably the largest Buddhist sanctuary in the world, which contains more than 5km (3 miles) of relief carvings (website: www.central-java-tourism.com).

Wallow in the beauty of Sulawesi, unofficially known as ‘Orchid Island’. Sulawesi is a land of high mountains, misty valleys and lakes. In the south is Bantimurung Nature Reserve, which has thousands of exotic butterflies. The island has geysers and hot springs at Karumengan, Kinilow, Lahendong, Leilem and Makule (website: www.north-sulawesi.org).

Go to Torajaland , known as the ‘Land of the Heavenly Kings’, on Sulawesi, and note the inhabitants' richly ornamented houses and custom of burying the dead in vertical cliffside tombs.

Be surprised to see an inhabited island in the middle of Lake Toba, which was once a volcanic crater, 900m (3,000ft) above sea level in Sumatra.

Luxuriate on the beach and soak up the scene as well as the sea water on Bali or Sumatra.

Admire the chain of volcanic mountains on Bali, stretching from east to west across the island, dominated by the mighty Gunung Agung (Holy Mountain), whose conical peak soars more than 3,170m (10,400ft) into the sky (website: www.balitourismauthority.net).

Travel to the Sea Temple of Tanah Lot on the west coast (a short drive from Kediri), one of the most breathtaking sights of Bali.

Do not miss Bali's Pura Besakih, a temple that dates back originally to the 10th century and stands high on the volcanic slopes of Gunung Agung. Nowadays, it is a massive complex of more than 30 temples, and the setting for great ceremonial splendour on festival days.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Top Things To Do

Surf from Bali, Flores, Java, Lombok, Sumatra, Sumba and Sumbawa. Some well-known surfing beaches, such as Ulu Watu on Bali, tend to get overcrowded, but organised trips to isolated areas are widely available.

Dive off the coastline, reputed to contain 15% of the world’s coral reefs (website: www.underwaterindonesia.com).

Probe caves on Java, including Luweng Jaran, stretching over 20km (125 miles) beneath the Gunung Seuw mountain range; Gua Barat, which has the longest underground river system in the southern hemisphere; and Gombong, whose stone towers rise spectacularly to some 40m (132ft) above sea level.

Take a tour up the great Mahakam River in Kalimantan, Borneo, which is dissected by a network of rivers running from the mountainous interior to the coasts. Starting from the port city Samarinda, such tours continue deep into the upper jungle reaches, where tribal communities have largely preserved their traditions (website: www.visitborneo.com).

Trek up an active volcano: on Java island, hike Krakatoa, Mount Bromo (the most visited of Indonesia’s volcanoes) and Kawah Ijen (website: www.central-java-tourism.com). Those preferring dormant volcanoes may head to Gunung Agung in Bali, Gunung Rinjani on Lombok island (website: www.lomboksumbawa.com), and Keli Mutu on Nusa Tenggara Barat (website: www.ntb.go.id).

Jungle trek through the Indonesian rainforest; Irian Jaya, Kalimantan and Sumatra offer the most remote and untouched terrain. The best trails include trips to Bukit Barisan National Park, a remote and beautiful peninsula in Sumatra and the Muller Mountain in Kalimantan.

Take an eco-tour (website: www.indecon.or.id). Help preserve the coral reef in the Tukangbeshi archipelago near Sulawesi, by helping to collect scientific data.

Cure any ills at the Holy Springs of Tampaksiring on Bali (website: www.balitourismauthority.net).

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Going Out

Food and Drink

The staple diet for most Indonesians is nasi (rice), which is replaced on some islands with corn, sago, cassava and sweet potatoes. Indonesia’s spices make its local cuisine unique. Indonesians like their food highly spiced – look out for the tiny and fiery hot red and green peppers often included in salads and vegetable dishes. Seafood is excellent and features highly on menus (with salt and freshwater fish, lobsters, oysters, prawns, shrimp, squid, shark and crab all available). Coconuts are often used for cooking. Vegetables and fruit, such as bananas, pineapple and oranges, are available throughout the year; some tropical fruits such as mango, watermelon and papaya are seasonal. A feature of Jakarta is the many warungs (street stalls); each specialises in its own dish or drink.

National specialities:
• Rijsttafel (a Dutch-invented smorgasbord of 12 various meat, fish, vegetable and curry dishes, sometimes served by 12 ‘maidens’).
• Sate (chunks of beef, fish, pork, chicken or lamb cooked on hot coals and dipped in peanut sauce).
• Rendang (west Sumatra; buffalo coconut curry).
• Gado-gado (Java; a salad of raw and cooked vegetables with peanut and coconut milk sauce).
• Babi guling (Bali; roast suckling pig).

National drinks:
• Es (ice drinks with syrups, fruits and jellies).
• Brem (Bali; rice wine).
• Tuak (palm-sap wine, a famously potent local brew).
• Arak (rice or palm-sap wine).
• Kelapa muda (young coconut juice).

Legal drinking age: 18 (minimum purchasing age: 16).

Tipping: 10% is normal.

Nightlife

Jakarta nightclubs feature international singers and bands and are open until 0400 during weekends. Jakarta has loads of cinemas and some English-language and subtitled films are shown. There are also casinos, and theatres providing cultural performances.

Dancing is considered an art, encouraged and practised from very early childhood. The extensive repertoire is based on ancient legends and stories from religious epics. Performances are given in village halls and squares, and also in many of the leading hotels by professional touring groups. The dances vary enormously, both in style and number of performers. Some of the more notable are the Legong, a slow, graceful dance of divine nymphs; the Baris, a fast moving, noisy demonstration of male, warlike behaviour; and the Jauk, a riveting solo offering by a masked and richly costumed demon. Many consider the most dramatic of all to be the famous Cecak (Monkey Dance) which calls for 100 or more very agile participants. Many of the larger hotels, particularly in Bali, put on dance shows accompanied by the uniquely Indonesian Gamelan Orchestras.

Throughout the year, many local moonlight festivals occur; tourists should check locally. Indonesian puppets are world famous and shows for visitors are staged in various locations.

Shopping

Favourite buys are batik cloth, woodcarvings and sculpture, silverwork, woven baskets and hats, bamboo articles, krises (small daggers), paintings and woven cloth. At stalls and small shops, bartering might be necessary.

Shopping hours: Mon-Sun 0900-2100. Most local markets open either very early in the morning or at dusk. In the smaller towns, shops may close between 1300 and 1700.

Climate

Tropical climate varying from area to area. The eastern monsoon brings the driest weather (June to September), while the western monsoon brings the main rains (December to March). Rainstorms occur all year. Higher regions are cooler.

Required Clothing

Lightweights with rainwear. Warmer clothes are needed for cool evenings and upland areas. Smart clothes such as jackets are required for formal occasions, and it is regarded inappropriate to wear brief clothes anywhere other than the beach or at sports facilities. Women should observe the Muslim dress code that requires shoulders and legs to be kept covered.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
10 Jan Muharram (Islamic New Year).
7 Feb Chinese New Year.
7 Mar Nyepi (Hindu New Year).
20 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).
21 Mar Good Friday.
20 May Waisak Day (Buddha’s Birthday).
1 May Ascension.
17 Aug Indonesian Independence Day.
30 Jul Lailat al Miraj (Ascension of the Prophet).
2 Oct Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
9 Dec Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25/26 Dec Christmas Day/Boxing Day.
29 Dec Islamic New Year.

2009
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
20 Jan Muharram (Islamic New Year).
26 Jan Chinese New Year.
Mar* Nyepi (Hindu New Year).
9 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).
10 Apr Good Friday.
May* Waisak Day (Buddha’s Birthday).
21 May Ascension.
17 Aug Indonesian Independence Day.
20 Jul Lailat al Miraj (Ascension of the Prophet).
21 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
28 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25/26 Dec Christmas Day/Boxing Day.
29 Dec Islamic New Year.

* Dates to be confirmed.

Note

(a) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and so if dates are given above, they are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region. (b) Buddhist festivals are also timed according to phases of the moon and variations may occur.

Health

Diphtheria

Special Precaution: Yes

Hepatitis A

Special Precaution: Yes

Malaria

Special Precaution: Sometimes*

Rabies

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Tetanus

Special Precaution: Yes

Typhoid

Special Precaution: Yes

Yellow Fever

Special Precaution: No**

Health Care

Health insurance to include emergency repatriation cover is strongly advised. Adequate routine medical care is available in all major cities, but emergency services are generally inadequate outside major cities. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payments before any treatment is given. Although medical costs are relatively cheap, drugs can be expensive.

Note

* The risk of malaria varies according to area - check before travel.

**A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas.

Further Health Information

We advise you to check health requirements for the country you are traveling to with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic as health requirements and vaccinations can change at short notice.

Money

Currency

Rupiah (IDR; symbol Rp). Notes are in denominations of Rp100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of Rp1,000, 500, 100, 50 and 25.

Currency Exchange

Although there should be no difficulty exchanging major currencies in the main tourist centres, problems may occur elsewhere. The easiest currency to exchange is the US Dollar.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club and Eurocard are widely accepted in Jakarta and the main tourist areas. In more remote areas, it is best to carry cash in small denominations. ATMs are available in towns.

Traveller's Cheques

Limited merchant acceptance but can be easily exchanged at banks and larger hotels. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. American Express are more widely accepted.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0830-1530/1730; Sat 0930-1230.

Passport/Visa

British