Visa Information

International travelers are required a valid visa or e-Visa to enter Indonesia. Some citizens can apply for Visa on Arrival (VOA) and citizens from ASEAN countries can enter Indonesia without visas. Eligibility for VOA includes passport holders of Australia, the USA, Canada, the UK and European Union countries.

Citizens eligible for a VOA can obtain the B211A (Tourist Visa) at select international airports or seaports. It is valid for 30 days and is extendable. The cost per person is USD 35 (IDR 500,000) and can be paid in cash or by credit or debit card. Please be sure to obtain a multiple entry visa if you plan to leave and re-enter Indonesia within the validity period.

While we do our best to provide the most up-to-date information, visa requirements may change at short notice. Obtaining the correct visa is the responsibility of each passenger and Abercrombie & Kent will not be held accountable for any refusal upon entry. Therefore, we recommend that you check with your consulate or embassy for current visa information before leaving home.

 

Arrival and Departure Formalities

Proof of onward travel or a return air ticket is required on arrival or at the time of boarding the flight to Indonesia. Travelers are required to fill out the Electronic Customs Declaration Form through the website, https://ecd.beacukai.go.id/ upon arrival at the airport. A departure tax is usually included in the price of your air ticket.

Starting 14 February 2024, all foreign visitors landing in Bali will be required to pay a tourist entry fee of USD 10 (IDR 150,000) per person. The new fee will be collected in cash or by credit card on arrival and is applicable to all travelers, including children. The new entry fee will be charged in addition to the existing VOA fee.

Prohibited Goods

Weapons, illegal drugs and pornography are strictly prohibited under Indonesian law. The penalty for carrying those goods can be severe and may include the death penalty. It is also forbidden to import alcohol in excess of one liter per person over 18 years of age.

Weather

The climate of Indonesia is generally warm and humid throughout the year as the archipelago straddles the equator. There are only two seasons: rainy and dry. While there is significant regional variation, the dry season is April to October in most parts of the country, including Java and Bali, while the wet season is November to March.

The islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan in Borneo are humid year-round, while the islands that trail east from Bali, such as Lombok, Sumba, Flores and Timor, become progressively drier. In the highlands, temperatures are generally cooler, particularly at night and in the high mountain areas of Irian Jaya.

 

What to Pack

• Light, comfortable clothing made from natural, “breathable” fabrics such as cotton is recommended for general touring
• A lightweight jacket, sweater or cardigan is recommended for cooler days, particularly if traveling to mountainous areas where temperatures can drop considerably in the evenings
• Conservative dress is required for visiting religious sites; avoid sheer clothing and pack long-sleeved shirts and long skirts or trousers as it is often a requirement to cover the shoulders and knees
• Good walking shoes or sandals; keep in mind that you may be required to remove footwear when visiting religious sites
• Smart-casual wear for dining at more established restaurants
• A sunhat or umbrella, water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellent
• Universal travel adaptor; Indonesia uses 230V 50Hz with sockets fit for plug types C or F

 

Money Matters

Currency

The national currency in Indonesia is the Rupiah (IDR). Notes are issued in denominations of 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, 500 and 100.

It is recommended to use authorized outlets such as those found at banks and hotels to exchange currency and save all receipts as you may be asked to produce them when you exit the country or when converting local currency.

Credit Cards

Major credit cards can be used for transactions in hotels and larger shops that are frequented by tourists. Generally, credit cards cannot be used to obtain cash advances in Indonesia. It is recommended to carry cash in small denominations when traveling to remote areas.

Traveler's Checks

Traveler's checks are not widely accepted, but can be exchanged at some banks and larger hotels.

Banks & ATMs

Normal banking hours are Monday to Friday 08:00–15:00 and Saturday 08:00-13:00.  Some banks may not exchange money in the afternoons or on weekends. ATMs are found in all major cities.

 

Tipping

Tipping is not compulsory but is often expected in Indonesia. You are traveling on an independent itinerary and the cost of your program does not include gratuities. Tipping is a very personal matter and should you feel you would like to acknowledge the service provided, please consider the following as a rough guide, per person per day.

Type of Service / USD ($)	Group Size (Number of People)
	1	2	3	4	5-9	10+
Guide (or Tour Leader)	15.00	12.00	10.00	8.00	6.00	5.00
Driver (or Tour Assistant)	8.00	6.00	5.00	4.00	3.00	3.00
Airport Transfer Drivers	5.00	5.00	5.00	5.00	5.00	5.00
Hotel Porters	2.00	2.00	2.00	2.00	2.00	2.00

The above tipping guidelines are recommendations only and are not compulsory. Please use your own discretion in tipping, based on quality of service.

Restaurants: Some restaurants add an 11% service charge to your bill. It is customary to add about 5-10% to the bill to show appreciation for the service

Taxis: Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped but they appreciate the fare being rounded up.

 

Language

The official language in Indonesia is Bahasa Indonesian. However, there are over 250 recognized languages spoken throughout the country, including Javanese. A few people speak Dutch from Indonesia's colonial days, and the substantial resident Chinese community speaks a variety of Chinese dialects. English is the most widely used foreign language for business and tourism, and many people in the more remote areas have a basic command of English.

English	Indonesian
Hello / Welcome	Selamat datang
Goodbye	Selamat tinggal
Thank you	Terima kasih
How are you?	Apa kabar?
Excuse me	Maaf
How much?	Berapa harganya?
I don’t understand	Saya tidak mengerti
Beautiful	Indah

 

Time Zone

Jakarta: GMT+7

Bali: GMT+8 

Eastern Indonesia: GMT+9

 

Health

Please consult your doctor for specific advice about your personal medical requirements and note the following advisories:

• COVID-19 vaccination proof, PCR tests or quarantine periods are no longer required to enter Indonesia.
• A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers over nine months old coming from areas at risk of yellow fever transmission (including parts of South America and Africa).
• Getting immunized against hepatitis A and B, tetanus and diphtheria is recommended.

Drinking Water

Do not drink tap water in Indonesia and avoid ice in your drinks unless it is made from mineral water. A&K supplies clean bottled drinking water when you travel by private vehicle. Use bottled water to clean your teeth and avoid using water from open containers. Exercise caution when eating and drinking outside reputable hotels and restaurants and avoid eating fruit and vegetables if they have been peeled already. When consuming milk or milk products, check if it is pasteurized. Unpasteurized milk should be boiled. Alternatively, powdered or tinned milk is available and is preferable.

Special Requirements

If you are on prescribed medication, ensure that you take a copy of your prescriptions in case of loss of supply. Be sure to pack enough medication in your hand luggage for the duration of your trip as it may not be available locally. It is important to keep it in its original packaging. Check with the relevant embassy or consulate that your medication is legal in the countries you plan to visit and find out whether you need to take a doctor's letter with you.

Please advise your travel professional of any special dietary requirements or allergies at least six weeks prior to departure. Every effort will be made to comply with your request. Travelers with physical disabilities and those who require frequent or on-going medical attention should advise their travel professional of their situation at the time of booking or at the earliest possible opportunity.

 

Religion and Etiquette

Religion

In Indonesia, approximately 88% of the population is Muslim and 10% are Christian, while the remainder are Hindu or Buddhist. Animist beliefs are still practiced in some remote areas. Ramadan is observed in the ninth month of the lunar calendar. During this time, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. If visiting the country during this time, it is recommended to refrain from smoking, eating and drinking in public. Many restaurants are closed during the Ramadan period, although food and beverages can be obtained at hotels.

Cultural Etiquette

The head is considered the most sacred part of the body, so it is offensive to touch the head of another person, including children. Use only your right hand to shake hands with people or to give or receive items as the left hand is perceived as unclean.

Social Interaction

Public displays of affection between men and women are not socially accepted. Sitting with crossed legs, pointing fingers at another person or standing with hands on hips is considered impolite.

Bargaining

Bargaining is common practice when shopping at local markets in Indonesia, although it is not practiced in major department stores and shopping malls. Bargaining should be an enjoyable experience for both buyers and sellers. Remember to keep it light-hearted, be reasonable in your offer and meet the seller somewhere in the middle.

Photography

Please ask permission before photographing local people, including young children. Photography is not permitted in some locations, such as museums and art galleries. Avoid taking photographs of government buildings and military personnel. If in doubt, ask your guide.

Waste Disposal

Please help to keep the environment clean and dispose of any waste appropriately. Avoid littering and separate recyclables where possible.

Animal Welfare

We do not offer activities that are harmful to animals, such as riding on the backs of elephants. We work hard to ensure that the experiences we offer are positive and enriching for all involved. If you would like to engage in experiences with animals, please consult your guide for our socially responsible recommendations that do not put any animals at risk.

Child Safety Awareness

We are an advocate of the Friends International ChildSafe Movement. We believe that children from any background deserve an opportunity to learn and grow and should be protected from harmful or exploitative situations. We do not encourage giving money to beggars or children selling souvenirs as these activities incentivize the children to stop going to school. We also do not encourage visits to schools or orphanages, unless the activity has been adequately vetted and does not cause disruption to the children’s education or daily life.

If you encounter a situation where you believe a child is at risk, please inform your guide who will be able to contact the relevant authorities or child safe organizations.

 

Local Handicrafts

Souvenirs can be a great way of keeping memories alive and staying connected with a special place that you visited. However, please think carefully about what you buy and consider the supply chain ethics of your purchases. Here are our tips for responsible travel shopping.

• Purchase Selectively - Purchasing local crafts is a great way of showing support for local artisans. Some sellers, however, resort to importing mass-produced items from foreign countries. Therefore, we recommend that you inspect your purchases carefully, be selective and ask questions about where the items came from.
• Purchase Locally - We recommend dining at locally-run establishments rather than at international franchise restaurants when you have the opportunity. Choosing restaurants that use locally grown ingredients instead of imported products helps to reduce your carbon footprint and is also a great way to immerse in the local food culture.
• Purchase Responsibly - Avoid buying counterfeit items and ensure that the item you are purchasing is not stolen or taken without permission from a historical site. Insist on documentation to support the legitimacy of the item and its history.

Ethical Souvenirs

We do not encourage the trade of culturally sensitive souvenirs that may result in negative impacts to the community, culture or nature. To help you make more informed decisions, here is a guide to souvenirs to look out for in Indonesia as well as items you may want to avoid.

What to Buy

• Handcrafted batks and textiles
• Locally-made crafts such as traditional masks, puppets, woodcarvings and paintings
• Silver and precious gems
• Organic coffee and tea
• Indonesian food and spices

What Not to Buy

• Indonesia prohibits the export of national treasures, which includes cultural relics, folk artifacts and items with significant artistic, historic or archaeological value
• Items made from coral, shark teeth, turtle shells and seashells
• Elephant tusks (ivory) and other animal products such as tiger skin or snakeskin
• Sulphur collected from volcanic craters such as Kawah Ijen in East Java should be avoided as the poisonous fumes create significant risks for the miners

Useful Tips:

• Take your purchases home with you wherever possible to avoid complications with additional shipping fees, customs duties and regulations. Airfreight and shipments can sometimes take several months to arrive.
• Avoid purchasing expensive items unless you are certain of its quality and value. Some vendors may overstate the value of their goods. While our guides will try to assist wherever possible, they are not authorities on antiques or rare items.
• Take the time to read credit card slips and calculate the exchange rate before signing.
• Retain receipts of your purchases as you may be asked to provide proof of purchase to local officials when exiting the country. You may also need to present it to customs on your return home.

If you are looking for a specific item, your guide may help refer you to a vendor that carries the item. However, this should not be taken as an endorsement of the vendor. All purchases are your own responsibility and we do not accept liability for products that are found to be faulty or not as advertised. We do not take responsibility for any loss or damage during shipment.

 

Local Food

A typical Indonesian meal starts with rice, or nasi in Indonesian. This is served alongside a variety of dishes featuring meat or vegetables seasoned with different types of pastes and sauces. Popular dishes include gado gado – a combination of vegetables such as bean sprouts, cabbage and potatoes served with a rich peanut sauce, satay – grilled meats served on skewers, soto – noodles with coconut soup, and nasi goreng – fried rice topped with a fried egg.

Tropical fruits are also widely available in Indonesia, including pineapples, bananas, papayas, mangoes, rambutans and mangosteens. Durian is also popular amongst local people.

The local brand of beer in Indonesia is Bintang beer. Javanese tea is served hot or cold, with or without sugar, and is similar to Chinese tea in flavor. Coffee lovers should try a traditional Javanese coffee, which is served in a similar way to Turkish coffee - thick with the grounds at the bottom of the glass.

If you have any special dietary requirements, please advise Abercrombie & Kent at least six weeks prior to departure. Every effort is made to accommodate your request, but please be aware that this may not always be possible, particularly in remote areas.

 

Responsible Travel

Consider these simple tips to enhance your experience and have a more positive impact when traveling:

• Find out as much as possible about your destination; learning about the site’s history, culture and environment can enhance the experience when you are there
• Learn a few words of the local language
• Pack light and limit excess trash
• Select accommodations, restaurants and activities that have clear goals and policies in relation to environmental impact, employment practices and sustainability objectives
• Buy local products and services
• Minimize your carbon footprint by using alternative transportation options or offsetting your carbon emissions
• Engage in local culture by eating local food, shopping at local markets and taking part in cultural festivals
• Connect with locals who can provide unique insights into the destination
• Leave the places you visit the way you found them; follow designated walking trails and do not remove archaeological or biological treasures from sites
• Bring your own fabric bag, washable straw, refillable water bottle or coffee mug, cutlery and reusable food container to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics; look for water refill stations at #RefillMyBottle or #RefillNotLandfill
• Share your responsible travel tips and help spread the word about best practices in sustainable travel
• Explore more and continue learning about other fascinating places to visit