Travel Guide
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 reason able amount of perfume per adult. Cameras, video cameras, photographic equipment, and tape recorders must be declared to customs upon entry and must be re-exported. Prohibited from entry are TV sets, radios, narcotics, arms and ammunition. Advance approval has to be required 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 and travelers cheques, however, the import and export of Indonesian currency exceeding Rp. 100.000.000 is prohibited.
Airport Tax
An airport tax is levied on all departing passengers on international flights. For those flights within Indonesia, airport taxes vary depending on airport of departure. An additional sum is levied for insurance on domestic routes if tickets are purchased in Indonesia.
An airport tax of Rp100.000 for travelers on international routes and Rp30.000 for those on domestic routes.
Currency
In major centres, travellers cheques in US dollars are readily accepted and most hotels in tourist or commercial centres will accept major credit cards. In other areas, small denomination bills in Rupiah are advisable. The Rupiah comes in 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 notes.
Time Zone
The Indonesian archipelago is spread over three time zones. Western Indonesia Standard Time, which covers the islands of Sumatra, Java and 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 Papua is 9 hours ahead of GMT.
Clothing
Dress is normally casual, and light clothing is advisable due to the hot, humid climate. Trousers or slacks and shirts are generally considered appropriate but a jacket and tie are required for formal occasions, or when making official calls. For certain formal occasion’s long-sleeved batik shirts are acceptable. For travel to mountain areas, a light sweater or jacket is recommended. Halter tops and shorts are frowned upon in most places except around sport facilities or on the beach. Proper decorum should especially be observed when visiting places of worship.
Tipping
At most hotels, a service charge of 10% is added to the bill. In restaurants where service is not additional, a tip of 5-10% would be appropriate depending on the service and type of establisment. An airport or hotel porter expects to be tipped per bag. Tipping taxi drivers or leaving the changes is appreciated but not mandatory. It is advisable to carry small changes as taxi drivers are often short of charge.
Simple Etiquette
Cultural etiquette has been described as the unspoken but assumed behavior that conveys politeness. Therefore it is important that you take the time to learn about and follow “local etiquette”. In Indonesia, there are a few specific rules that visitors should be sure to know about and follow.
Never hand anything to an Indonesian with your left hand. As in most Islamic countries the left hand is considered “unclean” and thus insulting. If this makes the action somewhat cumbersome by having to change hands, take the time to do it anyway. Handshaking is customary for both men and women on introduction and greeting. Indonesians will frequently touch one or both hands to their chest after shaking hands as a sign of sincerity.
There are a few differences in the use of hands and feet for indicating actions or getting attention. The proper way to summon someone is to use one of the Indonesian words Pak, Mas, (for men) and Bu, Mbak (for women) and make a scooping motion toward you with your hand, fingers facing down. Crooking the index finger as is common in the West is not polite here.
Also, be aware of where & how you position your feet. Exposing the sole of your shoe is considered impolite as is pointing with your foot to indicate an object. Shoes should be removed when entering mosques or, usually, when entering someone’s home. If you are unsure, ask.
Be aware that emotional displays of any emotion are considered rude.
Women should avoid wearing halter tops or shorts as well as tight fitting or revealing clothes in public.
Lastly, visitors should keep in mind the importance of status in Indonesian society. In Indonesia everyone has status, but that status is situational. A street vendor or cab driver may have very high status in his home community either through leadership ability or religious training. Try to understand the different situations that arise in day to day activity and modify your personal behavior to meet those situations appropriately.
Office Hours
Business offices are usually open either from 8.00 am to 4.00pm or 9.00am to 5.00pm, with a break for lunch between 12.00 noon and 1.00pm, but on Saturday many business offices are closed. Government office hours are from 8.00am to 3.00pm from Monday to Thursday, 8.00am to 11.00am on Fridays and until 2.00pm on Saturdays.
Foreign Exchange
Euros, US Dollar and other major currencies in banknotes or travellers cheque are easily exchangeable in banks or at authorised money changers in main tourist destinations, but it is advisable to carry rupiahs in sufficient amount before travelling to outer provinces or minor towns. Daily exchange rates are posted in banks and in leading daily news papers.
Shopping
In big city shopping complexes, supermarkets and departmentn stores, prices are fixed. They stay open from 9.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. everyday and some even on Sundays. At small shops, bargaining might be necessary.
Sports
Traditional sports in Indonesia include bull races, bull fights, rowing and unique ram fights, all of which are held as part of special festive ties. 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 courses can be found across the archipelago. Most major hotels have their own tennis and squash court, 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.
Electricity
Power supply is usually 220 volts/250 cycles in large cities, but 110 volts is still used in some areas. Normal outlets are plugs with two rounded pins. It is advisable to check electricity supplies before using any appliances.
Emergency Services
Police dial 112; Ambulance dial 118; Fire Department dial 113.