Destination Indonesia
Expectations & Preparations
Expectations
You should expect an exciting and vibrant culture, friendly and open people, with dramatic landscapes and idyllic surroundings as a backdrop to a lush tropical archipelago. In Bali you will experience a developed tourist infrastructure, world class hotels and some of the friendliest people in the world. Each part of Indonesia is different, so when you head to outlying Java to see the monumental Borobudor expect a very different experience to the beaches and rice paddies or Bali. A journey to Papua, Sulawesi or Kalimantan to visit the tribal peoples will give you a sense of adventure consummate with a more exciting style of travel where you may become an object of interest to the local people as much as they are to you! One thing is consistent across the country and that is the friendliness of a people who will react instantly to a desire to learn and experience their culture.
Preparations
Timezone
Indonesia is divided into three time zones:
- Western Indonesia Time (Sumatra, Java, West and Central Kalimantan) is 7 hours ahead of GMT (GMT+7)
- Central Indonesia Time (Bali, South and East Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara) is 8 hours ahead of GMT (GMT+8)
- East Indonesia Time (Maluku and Papua) is 9 hours ahead of GMT (GMT+9)
Business Hours
Government office hours in Bali are generally between 8am to 2pm Monday to Friday and until noon on Saturday, although this is not always the rule. Most businesses are open from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday and until noon on Saturday. Banking is generally 8am to 2pm Monday to Friday and to 11am on Saturday.
For those of you who love to shop, shops and markets in the tourist areas are usually open from around 9am until 10pm every day.
Destination Asia has 24 hour contact number to both expatriate and local guides and management, so we’re available around the clock, every day of the week.
Clothing
Light, comfortable clothing, with warmer clothes if you are traveling up-country, are recommended. Good walking shoes are also beneficial. Shorts are acceptable, however the Balinese are modest and very revealing clothing, although commonly seen, is frowned upon. Temples do not permit clothing above the knee, although sarongs and sashes are often available for a modest rental price prior to entering.
Health
Travel health is often dependant on your pre-departure preparations, your daily health care when travelling and what your actions should a health care situation develop. Please visit your local doctor should you have health concerns prior to departing and if a situation should arise whilst in Bali, please contact your guide, hotel staff or Destination Asia’s 24 hour contact numbers. Remember also that in the tropics you can get sunburnt quickly, so always take the necessary precautions to protect you and your family’s skin. For even the most dedicated ‘tanner’, a tube of sunscreen is often an invaluable ally…
Drinking water
We do not recommend drinking the tap water in Indonesia. Even the locals don’t drink it! Wherever you travel in Indonesia, bottled water is easily available.
Cash & Travelers Cheques
Indonesia’s unit of currency is the rupiah (Rp.). There are coins worth 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rupiah, and notes come in denominations of 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000. The Bank of Indonesia (BoI) has an official exchange rate, although it’s not legally set. There’s no black market as it is more or less a free market.
Changing money in Bali is very easy. Rates offered for travellers cheques are generally less than for cash, and smaller denominations often incur a lower rate than larger ones. The best rates (for US$) are in the newer design (called ‘big heads’, generally after 1996) in US$100 bills. Don’t be surprised if your dollar bills will not be accepted if they are ripped or damaged and the new US$ notes (with colour) are still not widely known in Indonesia. Other currencies are widely exchanged.
Keep in mind that rates fluctuate daily, and pay attention to whether a money changer charges commission or just a flat rate. Rates given on Sundays are usually more conservative, awaiting market conditions for the new week.
We do recommend that you take care when changing money in money changer booths. Do not let anyone touch your money after you have counted it yourself and double check the calculation if possible.
Credit Cards & ATM cards
Credit cards are accepted in all major hotels, malls and restaurants and many, but not all shops in Bali. It is always best to have cash available in case that ‘dream purchase’ isn’t available by credit card. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted cards with American Express not so common. Some places may charge a 3% merchant fee which is levied by certain banks. Cash advances are available in main cities and many regional towns have banks that accept credit cards, however we don’t recommend relying on them as your sole means of funds.
ATMs are available everywhere through out Indonesia, and this is an easy way for you to access your own money from home. You will need to check with your bank regarding charges for international withdrawals, which are all made in local currency.
Customs
Indonesia has the usual list of prohibited imports including drugs, weapons and pornography. Each adult can bring in 200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars or 100g of tobacco), a ‘reasonable amount’ of perfume and 1L of alcohol. There is currently no restriction on the amount of foreign currency, although the import or export of Rupiah in limited to Rp.5,000,000. Indonesia is also a signatory of the Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species (CITES) and bans the import or export of endangered species. It is also forbidden to export ancient artefacts and other cultural treasures, so if someone tries to sell you an ‘ancient’ bronze statue, remind them of this law and you might find it’s not so old after all!
Communications
Long-distance telephone calls within Indonesia are easily made by direct dialing. International Direct Dialing (IDD) is available in all provincial capitals and in more than 320 cities throughout the country. For business travelers, local and international phone, fax and telex services are available in most hotels and resorts. Telecommunication services can be found by looking for the WARTEL (WARung TELecommunications) sign. Internet services are also available at many cyber cafés.
When dialing international, you should dial as follows:
001, 007 or 008 followed by Country code + Area code + Local area number.
Mobile phones
If your mobile service includes roaming, you can use your own phone in Bali, although check first to see how much your service provider charges. Another option is to purchase a pre-paid SIM card to insert in your handset to use locally. These are available for around Rp.50,000 with Rp.35,000 call credit.
Film
A good variety of film is widely available in most tourist areas. 24-36 print film can cost between Rp.35-45,000 with slide film anywhere around Rp.50-60,000. It pays to shop around and always check the expiry date. Some shops offer ‘bargain’ slide film, well after it should have been tossed away. For specific items and technical support your Destination Asia guide can arrange for a visit to a professional photography outlet.
There are many shops around where you can purchase equipment for digital photography. These can be found in most shopping centres.
Internet
In the main tourist areas there are a number of internet cafes, with rates anywhere around Rp.4-500 per minute. Rates in hotels will often be more expensive, and you shouldn’t expect lightening speeds as broadband access in Indonesia is currently very limited.
Some hotels and coffee shops have internet access for clients, so if you bring your own laptop you can always head to any of those places.
Gratuities & tipping
Tipping is not expected, although if the service is good a tip is always appreciated. Some hotels and restaurants add a service charge, so tipping is then unnecessary. Porters may also expect a small tip, which is around 5000Rp per piece.
Electricity
50Hz at either 110 or 220 volts. Most plugs are set to take a two-pin plug. Purchase an international adapter or ask hotel staff to lend you one.
Language
Bahasa Indonesian (Indonesian) is the national tongue while Bahasa Bali (Balinese) and other local dialects are widely spoken amongst local communities. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, and you can get around Bali or beyond without ever using a word of Indonesian, but we feel that you will be missing out on a great experience if you do not learn at least a basic knowledge of Bahasa Indonesia.
It is often quite easy to pick up some of the local language and the rewards are worth it – whether it is in the smile of local children when you say ‘salemat pagi’ (good morning) or in the added skills in bargaining!
