Indonesia, without a doubt, is one of the most fascinating countries in Southeast Asia. From the jungles and lakes of Sumatra to the cultural heart of the nation, Java, via Bali, Flores, Sulawesi, West Papua, Ambon, the Banda Islands and West Papua: every step is a discovery.

Let me give you a few tips to help you navigate this incredibly diverse country, Indonesia.

cultural sensitivity

Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world. Although Islam is the state religion, there are parts of the country where other religions are prevalent. North Sulawesi is 90% Christian, the Balinese are predominantly Hindu, and in the Moluccas and Flores, Muslims and Christians live together, generally in peace. When visiting places of worship, whether it be a mosque, temple or church, be sure to dress conservatively. Remember to remove your shoes before entering a mosque or temple. Ladies should wear long-sleeved tops, skirts that reach below the knee, or long, baggy pants. When it comes to clothing in general, don’t take Kuta as typical of the rest of the country. If you go to a restaurant (other than in Kuta) or if you are invited to visit an Indonesian home, dressy casual is fine. Local people really appreciate if you can use a few words of Bahasa Indonesia, the language that unites Indonesia and crosses the geographical and cultural diversity in this huge archipelago.

visa regulations

To enter Indonesia, your passport must be valid for at least another 6 months from the date of entry. Immigration officials are on the lookout for passports that have less validity and have the right to deny you entry to Indonesia.

7 day visa on arrival was abolished in January 2010

30 day visa on arrival

At the time of writing, the cost of a 30-day visa on arrival for Indonesia is US$25, which you must pay in cash in US dollars, using clean, unmarked banknotes that were issued after 2001. Since January As of 2010, this visa can be extended once, for 30 days, while you were here in Indonesia. To be totally frank, the procedure is complicated, and if you think you might spend more than 30 days in Indonesia, get a 60-day tourist visa before entering Indonesia.

60 day tourist visa

You must obtain the 60-day tourist visa before entering Indonesia. The good news is that since January 2010 this visa can be extended in Indonesia. If you intend to travel to West Papua province, or are planning to extend your 60-day visa, please have 4-6 spare passport photos with you.

For more information on visa regulations, please consult the website of your nearest Indonesian Embassy or Consulate.

Money

The local currency is the Indonesian rupiah (IDR). It’s always a good idea to carry some small bills (Rp 1,000, 2,000, 5,000) with you when shopping at local stores (toko) or planning to eat at a warung (small local restaurant or food stall). The easiest way to manage money is by using a credit or debit card to withdraw cash from ATMs, which are almost everywhere except for a few really out-of-the-way places. If you intend to travel or stay for an unusual period of time, you will need to bring enough Indonesian cash with you to pay for accommodation, food and transportation. Please do not rely on being able to exchange foreign currency. With the advent of ATMs, traveler’s checks have practically gone out of style.

Health

By far the biggest health hazard for tourists is dehydration and sunburn. Please try to drink at least 2 liters of water per day. Coffee, tea, beer, juice, and other liquids don’t really count. Indonesia is in the tropics, and you’ll probably be spending a lot of time outdoors, so protect yourself and use a good quality sunscreen, as well as a hat.

In Bali there is currently a problem of rabies spread by sick dogs. If a dog scratches or bites you, he should get medical attention as quickly as possible.

Water: even the local people drink bottled water! It’s cheap, so don’t take any chances.

Alcohol: Questionable Arak is sold in Bali, and there have been more deaths this year because of it.

Sex is fun, but be sure to use condoms if you have a close encounter of the (very) personal kind while in Indonesia. All types of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, are widespread, so take precautions.

drugs

Drugs should be an absolute no-no. Don’t even think about bringing drugs into Indonesia, because you will most likely end up in jail. Don’t be tempted to get drugs while in Indonesia. If you spend any time in Kuta, Legian or Seminyak, they will probably offer you something, please say no. You may very well be dealing with a police informer, which means you won’t be using your ticket home!

Personal security

Don’t let sensational media reports stop you from visiting Indonesia. For tourists, Indonesia is as safe as other countries. Unfortunately, as things stand today, any public place in the world could be the wrong place at the wrong time. To avoid becoming a victim of petty crime, simply don’t flaunt expensive electronics, cameras, or jewelry in public. I have been visiting Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia since the mid-1970s, and have never had a problem with bag snatching or theft. Yes, it can happen, so be careful, but don’t get paranoid about it.

Don’t become a virtual traveler in your own living room, getting second-hand experiences by watching travel shows on TV – get out there and experience the magic first-hand.

Packing list

Get a pack of zip-lock bags at the nearest supermarket. They are essential if you like to snack and want to keep ants and cockroaches out of your room/bed/backpack. I always carry loads of them with me

Bring toilet paper and soap as these are NOT provided in budget accommodation. Instead of carrying soap and shampoo for my hair, I tend to use shower gel which is also fine for washing my hair.

Since digital cameras often have very specific batteries, don’t forget the charger that came with your camera.

Bring a flashlight (flashlight), as power outages are not unusual. Also the trails, if they exist, are known to be uneven and often have huge holes. So if you hike after dark and don’t want to end up breaking some bones, take one with you.

Take a couple of sarongs with you, as very often beds only have a sheet and you may want to cover up for the night. Mosquito coils or sprays and/or personal insect repellant is something you should definitely not forget about. Remember to have bottled water in your room, you can NOT drink the tap water. I use tap water to brush my teeth, but if you have a sensitive stomach I would suggest using bottled water for that as well. before

Hopefully the tips above will help you have a great time in Indonesia. Just one more thing: if possible, bring rechargeable batteries and an appropriate charger, or a spare battery and charger for your specific camera. There is no safe means of disposing of used batteries in this country, creating environmental and health hazards.

Come and take a look, but be aware that visiting Indonesia is a health hazard – it’s addictive!