Indonesia
Scuba, Dive, Travel, Indonesia, Vacation, Diving, Holiday


Health
International health certificates for smallpox and cholera are not required, except from travellers arriving from infected areas.

Customs
Indonesian Customs allows on entry a maximum of ONE liters of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco and a reasonable amount of perfume per adult. Cars, photographic equipment, typewriters and tape recorders must be declared to Customs upon entry and must be reexported. 'prohibited from entry are TV sets, radios, narcotics, arms and ammunition, printed matter in Chinese characters and Chinese medicines.

Advance approval has to be acquired for carrying transceivers and all movie films and video cassettes must be censored by the Film Censor Board. Fresh fruit, plants and animals must have quarantine permits. There is no restriction on import or export of foreign currencies. However, the export or import of Indonesian currency exceeding Rp.50,000 is prohibited.

Transportation from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to the city V.V
Taxi fares are metered and will cost between Rp.15,000,- and Rp.20,000,- to the downtown area of the city where most large hotels are located. The air conditioned airport bus service will cost approximately Rp.3,000,- to any of the five city zones. Hotel limousine servicesare provided by some of the leading hotels in the city, offering a city-airport-city transportation service on a complimentary basis to hotel guests. At all major airport terminals, inquires about local transportation should be directed to the information counter.

Exit
The Government of Indonesia has officially abolished the exit permit required for people leaving the country, effective from August 17, 1992. Airport tax levied on passengers for international travel i Rp.100,000,- for travel within Indonesia regional variations occur. Expect to pay an average of about Rp.8,000,-.

Tipping
Major hotels usually add a 10% service charge to bills. Where it is not included a tip of between 5% to 10% of the bill would be appropriate if the service is satisfactory. Airport porters expect Rp.2,000,-for a small bag and Rp.3,000, for bags weighing more than 20 kg. Tipping taxi and hire-car drivers is not mandatory, but if service has been satisfactory a basic Rp.1,000,- tip is sufficient for a taxi driver, Hire-car drivers would normally expect a larger tip.

Clothing
Dress is normally informal in Indonesia due to the warm, humid climate and clothing of light fabrics are recommended. Travelling in highland areas is noticeably cooler, however, and carrying a light sweater may prove useful. Accepted attire for men is a shirt and long pants. A jacket and tie are required for official calls or for more formal occasions. Long sleeved batik or handwoven shirts are acceptable for evening functions. For ladies, dresses, blouses, and long pants are appropriate. Shorts, halters or tank tops should only be used at sports facilities or on the beach.

Office Hours
Business offices are usually open either from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm or 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, with a break for lunch between 12.00 noon and 1.00 pm. but on Saturday many business offices are closed. Government office hours are from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm from Monday to Friday and on Saturday many Government offices are closed.

Banking Click Here For Currency Exchange
Normal banking hours are from 8.00 am to 2.30 pm from Monday to Friday. Some bank branches in hotels, however, keep longer hours. Jakarta has several international banks but money can also be changed at hotel cashiers, and authorized money changers. Daily exchange rates are published in newspapers. The US dollar is the most readily accepted currency. Most major tourist destination areas have foreign exchange facilities, but for travel to remote areas, it is advisable to change money and travelers cheques in advance. Credit cards are acceptable only at major hotels, restaurants and travel agencies.

Shopping
Major cities in Indonesia have shopping complexes, supermarkets and department stores where prices are fixed. Shops are usually open all week including Sundays. Shopping hours are usually between 9.00 am and 9.00 pm for department stores and supermarkets in the large cities with shorter hours on Sundays. In smaller cities, shops may be closed between 1.00 pm and 5.00 pm. Bargaining is customary in small shops and markets, the art of which is to start at half the asking price and slowly increase your offer until a compromise is reached. Remember it helps to smile while bargaining.

Sports
Traditional sports in Indonesia include bull races, bull fights, rowing, and unique ram fights, all of which are held as part of special festivities. Silat, a martial art, can be performed as a dance or an exercise and is comparable to Karate or Kung Fu. However, the most popular sports in Indonesia are soccer, badminton, and table tennis. Golf is becoming more and more popular and a number of excellent golf course can be found across the archipelago. Most major hotels have their own tennis and squash courts, swimming pools, health clubs and those at seaside resorts provide equipment for sailing, surfing, scuba diving and windsurfing. There are also a growing number of dive shops which provide necessary equipment and professional services.

Time
The Indonesian archipelago is spread over three time zones. Western Indonesia Standard Time, which covers the islands of Sumatra, Java & Madura, West and Central Kalimantan is 7 hours ahead of GMT; Central Indonesia Standard Time covers East and South Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Bali and Nusa Tenggara, and is 8 hours ahead of GMT; finally Eastern Indonesia Standard Time, which covers Maluku, and Irian Jaya is 9 hours ahead of GMT.

Electricity
Power supply is usually 220 volts/250 cycles in large cities, but 110 volts is still used in some ares. Normal outlets are plugs with two rounded pins. It is advisable to check electricity supplies before using any appliances.


Visas and Immigration


Visa-Free Short Visit

11 countries and territories are eligible for a "Visa Free" facility. Those holding valid passports from the following countries will be granted a non-extendable 30-day Visa-Free Short Visit Permit upon arrival at an Indonesian international gateway without charge: The official entry requirements for the issuance of a visa-free short visit permit:
  1. Passport must be from one of the eleven countries listed above.
  2. Passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 (six) months from the date of entry into Indonesia.
  3. Onward or return tickets are compulsory.
  4. Visitors must enter and exit through one of the 15 airports, 21 seaports or 1 overland border post officially approved as an “international gateway” by the Indonesian Immigration department.


Visa on Arrival Facility (VOA)

Effective Jan 26, 2010, visitors holding valid passports from certain countries can now only obtain a 30-days visa on arrival (VOA). The previous 7-day visa at US$10 has been abolished, hence this 30-days US$25 visa (renewable for an additional 30 days, cost for this extension has not been revealed yet) being the only visa that can be issued to eligible tourists. This VOA can be obtained at any of the 15 airports and 21 seaports designated as "international gateways" by the Indonesian Immigration department.
Nationals of the following countries are eligible to purchase a VOA (Updated Feb 17, 2010): The official entry requirements for the issuance of this 30-days visa-on arrival:
  1. Passport must be from one of the countries listed above.
  2. Passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 (six) months from the expected date of departure from Indonesia.
  3. Payment of US$25 must be paid at the gateway.
  4. Onward or return tickets are compulsory.
  5. Visitors must enter and exit through one of the 15 airports or 21 seaports officially approved as an "international gateway" by the Indonesian Immigration department.
  6. Please make sure that you have one (1) entire blank page for the placement of your visa. If there is no page available, you run the risk of being turned away from Indonesia.
Visas-on-arrival are non-extendable and non-convertible to another class of visa. Overstays are charged US$20 per day for over stays up to 60 days. Overstay violations over 60 days are liable to 5 years imprisonment or a fine of Rp. 25 million.

It seems that a 60 day visa can be issued on request in most Asian countries for all nationalities within 2 days. You may check with your local Indonesian Embassy as well, where you will probably need to give a viable reason why you need a 60 day visa vs a 30 day visa.

The visa on arrival facility will only be available at the following international gateways:

Airports: Medan, Pekanbaru, Padang, Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta), Halim Perdana Kusuma (Jakarta), Surabaya, Bali, Manado, Yogyakarta, Solo, Mataram (Lombok), Balikpapan, Makassar, Kupang.

Seaports: Batam, Tanjung Uban (Bintan), Belawan (Medan), Sibolga (Sumatra), Dumai, Teluk Bayar (Padang, Sumatra), Padang Bai (Bali), Jayapura (Papua), Padang (Sumatra), Bitung (North Sulawesi), Tanjung Balaikarimun, Tanjung Mas (Semarang), Kupang, Pare Pare (South Sulawesi), Makassar (South Sulawesi).



Tourist Visa

Individuals not holding a passport from among those nations listed above and eligible either for a visa-free short visit or a purchasable visa-on-arrival (VOA) can apply for a tourist visa at an Indonesian Embassy aboard. Tourist visa are normally granted for a 60 day stay in Indonesia.

Visa Issued on Approval
All visa applications for Business, Tourist and Social Visits from nationals of the following countries need prior approval from an Immigration Office in Indonesia before traveling. The requirements vary depending on the propose visit to Indonesia.

Other Classes of Visas for Temporary Visitors

There are several other classes of visas available to visitors to Indonesia.

Business Visa - This visa is given by an Indonesian Embassies abroad to applicants visiting Indonesia for normal business activities (including attending a conference/seminar) which do not involve taking up employment or receiving any payments whilst in Indonesia. This visa, valid for a stay of 60 days, can be for a single or multiple visits. This visa is obtainable after application by a sponsoring party in Indonesia to the Department of Immigration.

Social-Cultural Visa - This visa is issued by as Indonesian Embassy abroad to applicants who are going to Indonesia for a social/cultural visit, such as visiting relatives/friends; social organizations; exchange visits between educational institutions; undertaking research and attending training programs in Indonesia. The validity of this visa is for a 60 day stay, but can be extended upon application in Indonesia. This visa is obtainable after application by a sponsoring party in Indonesia to the Department of Immigration.

Employment Visa - This visa is given to applicants whose purpose of visit is to take up employment and require sponsorship by a company or organization in Indonesia.

Limited Stay Permit (KITAS) - This visa is a Temporary Stay Permit (KITAS) and is issued to applicants whose purpose of visit is to stay in Indonesia for a limited period.

NOTICE: The information supplied was believed correct and current at the time of publication. When in doubt or if you have questions, we strongly suggest that you contact the travel company making your travel arrangement or your nearest Indonesian Embassy.

Source: www.balidiscovery.com