Travel Information

Travel Information

VISAS
All travelers to Indonesia must be in possession of a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of arrival, and have proof (tickets) of onward or return passage.

Visa-on-Arrival:
The Indonesian Government extends Visa on Arrival (VoA) to nationals of 63 countries which can be obtained at designated entry airports and sea ports. Visa-on-Arrival are valid for 30 days and are extendable with another 30 days to be applied at Immigration offices in Indonesia.

Please note that starting 26 January 2010, the 7-day Visa-on-Arrival has been discontinued.

Countries extended Visa-on-Arrival facility are:

1. Algeria, 2. Australia, 3.Argentina, 4. Austria, 5. Bahrain, 6. Belgium, 7. Brazil, 8. Bulgaria, 9. Cambodia, 10. Canada, 11. Cyprus, 12. Denmark, 13. Egypt, 14. Estonia, 15.Fiji, 16. Finland, 17.France, 18. Germany, 19.Greece 20.Hungary, 21.Iceland, 22.India, 23.Iran, 24. Ireland, 25.Italy, 26. Japan, 27.Kuwait, 28. Laos PDR, 29.Latvia, 30.Libya, 31. Lithuania, 32.Liechtenstein, 33. Luxemburg, 34. Malta, 35. Maldives, 36.Monaco, 37. Mexico, 38. New Zealand, 39. the Netherlands, 40. Norway, 41. Oman, 42. Panama, 43. The People’s Republic of China, 44.Poland, 45. Portugal, 46.Qatar, 47.Rumania, 48.Russia, 49.South Africa, 50.South Korea, 51.Switzerland, 52.Saudi Arabia, 53. South Africa, 54.Spain, 55.Suriname, 56.Sweden, 57.Slovakia, 58.Slovenia, 59.Taiwan, 60. Tunisia. 61.the United Arab Emirates, 62. the United Kingdom, 63. The United States of America.

Entry Ports Where Visa-on-Arrival May Be Issued are:

Airports:

        * Soekarno-Hatta in Jakarta
        * Ngurah Rai in Bali
        * Sultan Syarif Hasim in Pekanbaru
        * Minangkabau in Padang
        * Juanda in Surabaya and
        * Sam Ratulangi in Manado
        * Polonia in Medan
        * Hang Nadim in Batam
        * Halim Perdana Kusuma in Jakarta
        * Adi Sucipto in Jogjakarta
        * Adi Sumarmo in Surakarta
        * Husein Sastranegara in Bandung
        * Ahmad Yani in Semarang
        * Selaparang in Mataram
        * Ei-Tari in Kupang
        * Hasanuddin in Makassar
        * Sam Ratulangi in Manado
        * Sepinggan in Balikpapan
        * Supadio in Pontianak

Authorized seaports are at Batam: Sekupang, Batuampar, Nongsa, Marina, and Teluk Senimba, Bandar Bintan, Talani Lagoi, Tanjung Balai Karimun, and Bandar Sri Udana Labon in the Riau archipelago, Sri Bintan Pura in Tanjung Pinang;  Belawan port and Sibolga in North Sumatra, Yos Sudarso Tanjung Perak in Surabaya; Teluk Bayur of Padang; Tanjung Priok harbor at Jakarta; Padang Bai and Benoa ports in Bali; the port of Jayapura; Bitung; Tanjung Mas in Semarang, Central Java; Tenua and Maumere in East Nusa Tenggara, Pare-Pare and Soekarno Hatta port in South Sulawesi.

Free Tourist Visa
Free Tourist short stay visas for  30 days are extended to tourists from 12 countries, namely from Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, Chile, Equador, Morocco and Peru,

VISA Application at Indonesia Embassies or Consulates

Visitors from other countries must apply for visa at Indonesia Embassies or Consulates in their home country. In addition, the visa cannot be replaced with any other immigration letters. The visa shall then be administered by Visa Officer in the presence of the applicant concerned.

You may find information on Indonesia embassies and consulates contact details at the Ministry of Foreign Affair website on the following direct link: www.deplu.go.id

Free entry visa is also provided to delegates registered in a conference that is officially convened. In addition, tourist visa can be obtained from every Indonesian Embassy or Consulate. You can visit Indonesia through certain means and gates, by air via Jakarta, Bali, Medan, Manado, Biak, Ambon, Surabaya and Batam; by sea via Semarang, Jakarta, Bali, Pontianak, Balikpapan, Tanjung Pinang and Kupang. Maximum stay in Indonesia is two months.

Airport Tax
An airport tax of Rp150,000 is levied by airports on departing passengers on international flights and Rp.25,000 for those on domestic routes.

Tipping
Most hotels add a 10% service charge to the bill on top of the 10% tax. In restaurants where service charge is not added, a tip of 5 to 10% on the bill will be appropriate depending on the service and type of establishment.

Customs
Maximum items allowed by customs when you visit Indonesia:

        * 1 liter of alcoholic beverages
        * 200 cigarettes OR 50 cigars OR 100 grams of tobacco
        * Reasonable amount of perfume per adult, meaning if you arrive drenched in perfume the customs probably will not mind you carrying loads of bottles.
        * Cameras, video cameras, portable radios, cassette recorders, binoculars and sport equipments are admitted provided they are taken out on departure. They must be declared to Customs.
        * You are prohibited to carry:
        * Firearms
        * Narcotics drugs
        * Pornography materials
        * Chinese printing and medicines
        * Transceivers and cordless telephone
        * Films, pre-recorded video tapes, laser discs, VCDs, DVDs must be screened by Censor Board.
        * Import or export of foreign currencies and travelers’ checks are allowed. However, the import and export of Indonesia currency, exceeding 100 million Rupiah is prohibited.

Further information on customs and taxes in Indonesia, log into www.beacukai.go.id

Flights to Indonesia

Flights to Indonesia

Flying is often the quickest and most convenient way to get around Indonesia and with 61 international and domestic airports serving all major cities the country is well serviced by many air carriers.

A number of international airlines fly to Indonesia's main international airports in Jakarta, Denpasar, and Medan. Jakarta is serviced by the Soekarno-Hatta Airport situated 20 kilometres northwest of the city. The Soekarno-Hatta international airport is the hub of Indonesia's huge aviation network and hosts a numbers of international and domestic airlines including Indonesia's own Garuda Indonesia, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, EVA Air, Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Royal Brunei, and Thai International, KLM and Lufthansa.

Other domestic airlines flying from and to Indonesia's capital city include Lion Air, Batavia Air, Mandala Airlines, Merpati Nusantara, Sriwijaya Air, and Indonesia Air Asia and other Low Cost Carriers (LCCs).

The other major international airport of Indonesia is the Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, situated 15km from the main town of Denpasar that serves flights direct from Australia, Asia and Europe. A number of international airlines also fly direct to Medan, Padang, Bandung, Surabaya, Solo, and Manado from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.

Garuda Indonesia, Indonesia's prime national airline provides flights to the country from 24 international destinations including Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Sydney, Melbourne, Jeddah, Singapore, Shanghai, Guangzhou (Canton), Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Dubai and Amsterdam. Over the next four years Garuda intends to expand its network in Europe to include destinations such as Frankfurt, London, Paris and Rome.

Other airlines providing international flights to Indonesia include:
Air Asia; Cathay Pacific; Emirates; Etihad; Kuwait Airways; SilkAir; Tiger Airways; Transaero Airlines; Valuair; Thai Air; China Southern Airlines; Korean Air; and many more.

With so many airlines flying to Indonesia, it's worth your while to shop around for the best price for your flight.

Traditonal Cruise and/ or River Cruise: a proposal based on Historical and Cultural Background

Presented by Harry Waluyo

ASEAN Cruise Working Group in Lao PDR, 23 April 2008

Background

Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia are rooted from Austronesia language groups; Viet Nam, Thai, Khmer, Myanmar, Lao are part of Mon-Khmer language groups. Those language groups are rooted from Proto-Austronesia since 5 thousand years ago.
This article is downloadable



Files to download:

• 3862_1232-FinalTraditionalCruiseinSouthEastAsianCountries.doc (44 KB)

Source : http://www.budpar.go.id/page.php?ic=643&id=3862

Affordable Travel - How to Have a Great Vacation Without Going Broke

Affordable Travel - How to Have a Great Vacation Without Going Broke

I have two weeks of vacation each year. My goal for at least one of them is to have the kind of trip that gets me away from my life and lets me forget the password to my work computer. Travel is a bit of an obsession for me. And a potentially costly one, which is why affordability is always important. Over the years, I have picked up a few tips that have allowed me to indulge my passion without going broke.

1. Research-Thorough research is the single best money saver around. Part of what I love about my trips is the planning and plotting that goes into them ahead of time. Once the destination is chosen, I devote a few hours each week to learning everything I can about wherever I am going. Get your PhD at the University of Google.

2. Book Early-Most of the truly great deals disappear quickly. From airfare to hotel reservations, planning in advance can save you hundreds. For people with extra flexibility in their travel days, waiting for potential last-minute bargains may be worthwhile, but many do not have the luxury of leaving transportation and lodging plans to chance.

3. Membership Discounts-Oftentimes, professional or personal affiliations will offer discounted rates on cars, hotels, or attractions. While it may seem obvious that some car insurance companies would have deals on car rentals, you may be surprised to find that your membership in a work association or professional certification group has benefits as well. Take the time to check them out.

4. Cost Compare-Never jump on the first rate quoted. Always check the airline's website for rates on the same flights that are offered through Orbitz, Expedia, or other discount ticket site. For hotels, consider need versus want. My only requirements for a hotel are that it be clean, safe, and close to what I want to see. While spa and concierge services may be nice, if staying in a hotel that offers them means a bigger dent in my vacation budget, it is not worth it. Plus, most of the high-end hotels charge for breakfast. Why pay for that when so many offer it for free nowadays?

5. Calculate Transportation Costs-Renting a car is not always the way to go. Public transportation can often be cheaper, especially if you are staying somewhere within a short cab ride or walking distance of everything you want to see. It will also save the hassle of parking and dealing with rental return counters. Most hotels in all price ranges have shuttles that will take you to and from the airport. Spend your money enjoying your vacation instead of renting parking space.

6. Reward Programs-Airlines, hotels, credit cards. Everyone has a reward program these days. For the fiscally-disciplined, charging monthly expenses on a miles-earning visa then paying the balance in full each month is a fantastic way to earn free airfare. Most chain hotels offer free stays after a few paid nights, and programs like Southwest Airline's Rapid Rewards offer achievable and usable free flights. Always read the fine print. Good programs exist, but restrictions may apply and being informed is your best defense against unwelcome surprises.

7. Skip the Souvenirs-Easier said than done for some people, but I see every knickknack as a dent in my travel budget and lost space in my suitcase. Your friends and family do not need t-shirts from every place you visit, even if they are 3 for $10. Save your money and take pictures. Lots of pictures. Transfer to a thumb drive when you get home to view on your laptop or digital frame. Play on a loop so you can relive your adventures anytime you want. Of course there will be some things that you really cannot live without, but if you are not buying every single thing you see you will feel good about the occasional splurge.

8. Make it a Priority-Travel brings so many great things to my life that I do what I can to channel every extra penny I have in its direction. People get intimidated by what they assume will be out of control costs. Look into it and run the numbers. You may be surprised to see that something as simple as cutting down on the takeout and the Starbucks will, in time, allow you to plan a getaway to remember. All it takes is a little research and a willingness to be flexible with the extras. A simple change of scenery even a few short hours from home can do wonders. Get out there and make it happen!

Patti Gallagher is the owner of EverydayTravelCafe, a website dedicated to exploring vacations and getaway opportunities in the Pacific Northwest. http://www.everydaytravelcafe.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patti_Gallagher

Travel Information Do's and Dont's

Travel Information Do's and Dont's

Indonesia has several traditions and customs and it is best if you know them beforehand. Some of them are:

• Even though hand shaking is deemed appropriate between men and women, bear in mind that a number of Muslim women prefer to introduce themselves to men by nodding their head, smiling, and clasping their hands without any physical contact.
• Traditionally, when you greet someone, both hands are used when shaking, without grasping.
• It is considered polite to make a phone call first before visiting.
• Shoes must be taken off before entering a house or place of worship like mosques.
• Usually drinks are offered to guests. It is polite to accept.
• When eating, receiving or giving something, always use your right hand. Right index finger should not be used to point a place, items or people. Use the right hand thumb and fold the remaining fingers to be more polite.

• Taking photographs of houses of worships is allowed, however permission should be asked first whenever possible, especially if you want to take pictures of the interior.
• Most Indonesian Muslims do not consume alcoholic drinks and pork.
• Hence, the tradition of proposing a toast to honor someone is not generally known.

TRAVEL TIPS

• Plan your budget and choose your destination carefully. Indonesia is vast—each region has its own quirks and possibilities. For instance, if you plan to have some adventure in rugged terrains, it’s advisable to come on dry season for rains might make your paths muddy.
• Make sure you find as many information as possible concerning Indonesia, especially about the visa.
• Have sufficient cash ready, usually US$ is preferred. It can easily be exchanged in airports, hotels, banks or reputable money changers. Customs might ask you to show how much money you bring.
• Dress sufficiently. If you are female, make sure you dress accordingly. Skimpy clothing's in public area, save from beaches and pools, might warrant unwanted attention.

Source : http://www.indonesia.travel/en/travel-information/do-dont

Ministry to Monitor Merapi and Mentawai Disaster

Ministry of Culture and Tourism continuous to monitor the natural disaster happened, Mentawai Tsunami in the Mentawai islands, West Sumatera, and Merapis volcanic eruption in Sleman, Yogyakarta.

Head of Information and PR Center, I Gusti Ngurah Putra said, from the reliable information being gained from each location, indicated that until this time there is no foreign tourists victim in the two disasters.

When tsunami struck Mentawai islands, there were about 15 foreign tourists in Makaronis Resort, located at South Pagai Bay, Mentawai, the epicenter of the tsunami. They were right away rescued by surfing boat, that was in the location, so there were no casualties claimed I Gusti Ngurah Putra at recently meeting with journalists at the Sapta Pesona Building, Thursday (28/10).

I Gusti Ngurah Putra said, one of surfing operator in Mentawai resort, reported when tsunami struck, there were two foreign flagged surfing vessels, Freedom and Mydas, in front of Makaronis Resort, at South Pagai bay. Both vessels were collided led to Mydas burnt out. On that accident, there were no casualties, except the unsaved Mydas vessel.

Meanwhile, Merapis disaster caused the Kaliadem tourist area, at Cangkringan, Sleman severely damaged, while Kaliurang tourist area is currently closed. The reports indicated, there are no foreign tourists killed or injured in the disaster.

As we know, Mentawai Islands is tourist destination which is known as world class surfing site, while Mount Merapi is the most active volcanic Mountain the world, attracting many trackers and Volcanic Mountain climbers. Both Mentawai Islands and Merapi are enthused by those special interest tourists. 

Sources : http://www.budpar.go.id/page.php?ic=612&id=5721

Countries Granted with Visa on Arrival

1. Argentine
2. Australia
3. Austria
4. Bahrain
5. Belgium

6. Bulgary
7. Brazilia
8. Cambodia9. Canada
10. Cyprus
11. Denmark
12. Egypt
13. Estonia
14. Finland
15. France
16. Germany
17. Greek
18. Hungary
19. India
20. Iran
21. Ireland
22. Islandia
23. Italy
24. Japan
25. Lao PDR
26. Liechtenstein
27. Luxemburg
28. Maldives
29. Malta
30. Mexico
31. Monaco
32. Nederland

33. New Zealand
34. Norway
35. Oman
36. People's Republic of China
37. Poland
38. Portugal
39. Qatar

40. Quwait
41. Russia
42. Saudi Arabia

43. South Africa
44. South Korea
45. Spain
46. Suriname
47. Swedia
48. Switzerland
49. Taiwan
50. United Arab Emirates
51. United Kingdom
52. United States of America
53. Aljazair
54. Tunisia
55. Romania
56. Lithuania
57. Panama
58. Libya
59. Latvia
60. Czech Republic
61. Slovakia
62. Fiji
63. Slovenia

Rate:

• 7 days : US$ 10
• 30 days : US$ 25

Indonesia Travel Tips

Indonesia Travel Tips
Immigration Weather Transports Communication and Electricity Shopping & Tipping Hospitals
Food and Health Banks and Money Changers Embassies and Consulates Clothing and Manners
Office Hours Foreign Exchange

Immigration

Visas are required except for the nationals of 48 countries namely Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Hong Kong SAR, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom (Great Britain), United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Venezuela, Yugoslavia and Taiwanese holding MFA//M passports. The visa requirement is also waived for other nationals from friendly countries, attending a conference which has received official approval.

Visa free entry is for maximum of 60 days and is not extendable. Entry and departure must be through the airports of Polonia (Medan), Simpang Tiga (Pekanbaru), Hang Nadim (Batam), Tabing (Padang), Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta), Husein Sastranegara (Bandung), Juanda (Surabaya), Adisumarmo (Solo), Ngurah Rai (Denpasar), Eltari (Kupang), Supadio (Pontianak), Sepingan (Balikpapan), Sam Ratulangi (Manado), Pattimura (Ambon), Hasanuddin (Makassar), Selaparang (Mataram), and Frans Kaisiepo (Biak), and the seaports of Belawan (Medan), Batu Ampar and Sekupang (Batam), Tanjung Priok (Jakarta), Tanjung Mas (Semarang), Tanjung Perak (Surabaya), Benoa and Padangbai (Bali), Bitung (North Sulawesi), Ambon (Maluku), and Tanjung Pinang (Bintan). There is only one land gateway, Entikong in West Kalimantan.

For other ports of arrival or departure, visitors must have visas, For others, tourist visas for thirty days can be obtained form any Indonesian embassy or consulate. Two photographs are required and a small fee is charged. Possession of passports is a must to all visitors to Indonesia valid for at least six months with proof of onward passage, either return or through tickets.


Transports
There are metered taxis in Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Solo, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Bali and Lampung. For air-conditioned taxis flag falls are Rp.2,000 (Rp. 900 for each additional kilometer) and Rp. 3,000 (Rp. 1,300 for each additional kilometer). For Silverbird flagfall is Rp. 3,500 and Rp. 1,500 for each additional km. Hire cars are available and rates differ form area to area and it is best to ask the transportation desk of your hotel for information concerning rates and distances.

From Soekarno-Hatta airport to Jakarta city, taxis add a surcharge ranging from Rp. 7,500/Rp. 9,000/Rp. 10,000 depending on the destination and the road tolls of Rp. 7,000. There are also Soekarno-Hatta International Airport buses which run every 20 minutes to five different points in the city. For those heading for the major hotels in the city center, take the bus to Gambir, a railway station, which is five to ten minutes away by taxi from the hotels. Bus fare is Rp, 5,000 per person plus luggage. At other airports there are transport counters with fixed fares for taxis.

Other forms of transport in Indonesia are bajaj for two passengers, small buses which ply regular routes, the man-driven pedicab "becak," all of which need advanced bargaining to come to a mutually accepted fare. Buses are very crowded, particularly in the cities and routes need to be identified. Trains traverse the island of Java and part of Sumatra. Fares are comparatively cheap but higher on air-conditioned express trains running between major cities.
Garuda Indonesia has an extensive network throughout the country. To all major cities on the archipelago, Garuda had daily services. Garuda services are supplemented by those of Merpati Nusantara, Bouraq, and Mandala, Lion Air, Awair and Pelita.


Communication and Electricity

Long distance calls within Indonesia are by direct dial. International Direct Dial (IDD) is available from major cities and hotels to 240 countries. Long Distance, IDD and facsimile services are also available at the telecommunications offices (Wartel) in major cities and hotels. Internet service is not a difficult things to find in big cities public internet services (Warnet). Most hotels in big cities use 220 volts 50 cycles and a two-pronged plug. However, some hotels in the provinces may still be using 110 volts. It is better to check before using an appliance.

Weather
Indonesia has two seasons, the dry season from June to October and the rainy season from November to March. There are occasional showers during the transitional periods and the general maximum temperature is 33°C (62°F) and the general minimum 21°C (41°F). Humidity is high at all times.

Customer

Customs allow on entry a maximum of one liter of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco and a reasonable amount of perfume per adult. Cameras, video cameras, portable radios, cassette recorders, binoculars and sport equipment are admitted provided they are taken out on departure. They must be declared to Customs. Prohibited are firearms, narcotics drugs, pornography, Chinese printing and medicines, transceivers and cordless telephones. Films, pre-recorded video tapes and laser disks must be screened by the Censor Board.

There is no restriction on import or export of foreign currencies and travelers checks, however, the import and export of Indonesian currency exceeding Rp. 5 million is prohibited. Airport authority levies an airport tax of Rp. 50.000 for travelers on international routes and Rp. 11,000 for those on domestic routes.

Shopping and Tipping

At most hotels a service charge of 10% is added to the bill. In restaurants where a service charge is not additional, a tip of 5 to 10% would be appropriate depending on the service and type of establishment. An airport or hotel porter expects Rp. 5,000 per bag.

Tipping taxi drivers Rp. 1,000 or leaving the change is appreciated but not mandatory. It is advisable to carry small change as taxi drivers are often short of change. The big cities have shopping complexes, supermarkets and department stores where prices are fixed. They stay open from 8.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. everyday and some even on Sunday. At small shops bargaining might be necessary.

Food and Health
The Indonesian staple food is rice steamed boiled or fried. Some accompanying dishes can be pepper hot - big red pepper or small green ones - so it is advisable to ask before ordering. Please be inform to also ask the price before ordering. There are many restaurants specializing in European, American and Oriental cuisine including the fast food restaurants.

A variety of beverages (both imported or locals) are available everywhere including very good Indonesian beer. Keep to bottled drinks if doubtful of water served in restaurants. Travelers coming from infected areas are required to submit International certificates of valid smallpox, cholera and yellow vaccinations.