|
|
|
Java Indonesia Travel Guide
Java is the most populous island in
Indonesia providing many contrasts of scenery, people, religions and
cultures. The island boasts immense beauty, from peaceful villages and a
beautiful, fertile countryside to smoking volcanoes and ancient monuments.
However there is also an unattractive side visible in its dirty,
overcrowded cities, particularly the capital of Jakarta, clogged with
traffic and pollution, with evident differences in wealth and wretched
poverty between the people. Java is a mosaic of sights and impressions. It
is also Indonesia's political stage and the cultural, educational and
historical centre of the archipelago.
Climate
Java experiences a humid and tropical climate with two distinct seasons,
the rainy season which runs from October to April, and the dry season
which runs from May to September and is the best time of year to visit.
The average daytime temperate in Java is between 66F and 86F (19C and
30C).Between monsoon season months, late October to early May, there are
usually daily spurts of heavy rainfall often causing flooding in the city.
Java General Information
Time: Indonesia spans three time zones. GMT
+7 (West, including Java and Sumatra), GMT +8 (Central, including Bali,
Sulawesi and Lombok), GMT +9 (East, including Irian Jaya).
Electricity: Electrical current is 120/230 volts, 50 Hz. A variety of
plugs are in use including the European two-pin and UK-style three-pin.
Money: Rupiah (IDR) is the official currency and is divided into 100 sen.
Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at banks, hotels and money
changers in major tourist destinations; US dollars is the most accepted
currency. Cash often yields a better exchange rate than travellers cheques,
which are not always accepted. It is recommended that travellers cheques
also be in US dollars. Most major credit cards are accepted at hotels,
restaurants and stores catering to the tourist trade. ATMs are available
in main centres. Small change is often unavailable so keep small
denomination notes and coins for items like bus fares, temple donations
and cool drinks.
Currency Exchange Rates
IDR 1.00 = A$ 0.12 C$ 0.11 € 0.08 NZ$ 0.16 £ 0.07 US$ 0.11 R 0.80
Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be
used as a guideline only.
Language: Bahasa Indonesia is the official language, but many dialects are
spoken. English is widely understood in Jakarta and tourist resorts.
Entry requirements:
Entry requirements for Americans: United States citizens require a
passport and a visa.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British citizens require a passport
and a visa.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians require a passport and a visa.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australians require a passport and a
visa.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans require a passport
and a visa.
Entry requirements for New Zealand nationals: New Zealand citizens require
a passport and a visa.
Passport/Visa Note: All passports must be valid for six months from date
of entry. Return tickets, documentation for onward travel and proof of
sufficient funds (US$1,000 or valid credit card) is essential to be
considered for a visa on arrival. Most nationalities can obtain a visa on
arrival for a fee of US$10 for seven days or US$25 for a stay of up to 30
days, provided the passport contains at least one unused visa page for the
visa-on-arrival sticker. A visa can also be purchased prior to arrival.
Passengers holding an APEC Business Travel Card do not need a visa
provided the back of the card affirms that it is valid for travel to
Indonesia.
Travel Health: There are a number of health risks associated with travel
to Indonesia and medical advice should be taken at least three weeks
before departing. Malaria is a year round risk except in Jakarta, other
large cities and the tourist resorts of Java and Bali. The dengue fever
mosquito is found throughout Indonesia and visitors should be aware of a
significant increase in reported cases of dengue fever throughout all the
country's provinces during the rainy season. Outbreaks of chikungunya
fever, also from mosquitoes, have occurred regularly in Indonesia in
recent years. Visitors to Java and Sumatra are advised to ensure all polio
inoculations are up to date before travel.
Outbreaks of bird flu have also occurred and many people have died from
the disease; Indonesia has the world's highest death toll from the virus.
Travellers are not at risk but are advised to avoid close contact with
caged, domestic and wild birds, and ensure that all eggs or poultry dishes
are thoroughly cooked as a precaution. Outbreaks of Anthrax and leprosy
occur. Travellers' diarrhoea is a major risk; visitors should only drink
sealed bottled water and avoid dairy products, uncooked meat, salads and
unpeeled fruit. Poor sanitation and eating contaminated food can increase
the risk of cholera, typhoid and other diseases. The standard of local
medical care is poor and very expensive. It is essential that you take out
full medical and travel insurance covering all eventualities. A yellow
fever certificate is required from those travelling from infected areas.
Tipping: Major hotels add a 10% service charge to bills in Indonesia and,
where it is not included, a tip of between 5% to 10% of the bill, would be
appreciated. Airport porters usually receive around Rp 2,000 per small
bag. Tipping taxi and rental car drivers is not mandatory, but if you do
choose to tip, Rp 1,000 is sufficient for taxi drivers and a little more
for rental car drivers.
Safety Information: Following the bombings in Bali in October 2005, there
remains a high risk of terrorism directed against foreigners throughout
the country and reports indicate that terrorists are planning further
attacks on Westerners and western interests and are likely to be carried
out at locations frequented by tourists. Extreme caution is advised in
public places, including transport terminals, shopping malls and public
buildings, and especially in restaurants, hotels and places of
entertainment in tourist areas. The security situation remains unsettled
in Sulawesi and foreigners are advised to avoid parts of Maluku,
particularly Ambon, and Central Sulawesi.
Visitors are also advised to be cautious if travelling to Aceh. Religious
violence between Christians and Muslims and unstable politics has also
made many parts of Indonesia unsafe for travellers; there is continued
risk of harassment of Westerners by fundamentalists. Indonesia has a high
crime rate and theft and petty crime is common in tourist areas and on
public transport. Credit card fraud is on the increase. It is strongly
recommended that visitors contact their foreign office for the latest
travel advice before travelling to Indonesia. Flooding and landslides
occur frequently during the rainy season between December and March. The
safety of air travel in Indonesia has come under the spotlight following a
series of fatal airline accidents; six of its airlines have failed to meet
international safety standards, including the national carrier, Garuda,
and in June 2007 the EU announced that all Indonesian airlines have been
banned from entering the EU.
Local Customs: Indonesian people are generally friendly and polite and
while they understand that western culture is different to their own, it
will be appreciated if their customs are respected. Religious customs
should also be respected, particularly during the month of Ramadan when
eating, drinking and smoking during daylight hours should be discreet as
it is forbidden by the Muslim culture. Visitors should always be polite
and avoid public displays of affection. It is considered impolite to use
the left hand for passing or accepting things. Appropriate dress is
important in places of worship and women should dress conservatively,
covering the shoulders and legs, especially in Muslim areas. The concept
of 'saving face' is very important and public displays of anger, and
personal ridicule and blame are considered extremely vulgar and bad
mannered. In Jakarta a new law bans people from giving money to beggars,
buskers and unofficial traffic guides in an attempt to 'bring order' to
the city. Offenders could face up to six months in jail and $5,000 fines.
Gambling is illegal.
Business: Due to the hot and tropical climate, when conducting business in
Indonesia, formal business attire in a light, cool material is the best
option. Indonesia is largely Muslim so dress should be conservative,
especially for women. Business cards are often exchanged and it is
customary to shake hands with a slight bow when greeting and leaving. Some
Indonesian names can be long and hard to pronounce and making an effort to
get it right when greeting someone will be appreciated. It is best to use
formal titles such as Doctor, or 'Bapak' for Mr. and 'Ibu' for Madam.
Business hours vary, government offices are usually open from 7am to 3pm
and small businesses from 8am or 9am to 4pm or 5pm.
Communications: The international access code for Indonesia is +62. The
outgoing code is 001 or 007 followed by the relevant country code (e.g.
00144 for the United Kingdom). When using Voice Over Internet Protocol,
the outgoing code is 017. It is not necessary to dial the first zero of
the area code. City/area codes are in use, e.g. 36 for Bali and 21 for
Jakarta. For operator-assisted international calls, phone 101. The local
mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with
most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main
towns and resorts.
Duty free: Travellers to Indonesia over 18 years do not have to pay duty
on 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes or 100g tobacco; alcohol up to 1 litre;
perfume for personal use; and personal goods to the value of US$250 per
passenger or US$1,000 per family. Travellers not entering on a tourist
visa will have to pay duties for photo and film cameras unless these have
been registered in their passport by Indonesian Customs. Electronic
equipment may not be imported to the country. Prohibited items include
Chinese medicines and prints, narcotics, firearms and ammunition,
pornography, cordless telephones, fresh fruit or goods to be used for
commercial gain.
|
|
Indonesia Tours |
|
Komodo
Tour
We will take
you to the island of the giant lizard of Komodo and get
close with this animal in their own habitat in 3days
at USD 350. Experience and explorer the remote islands in
East of Indonesia. |
|
|
|
