10 Travel Tips to Know Before Traveling to Indonesia

Indonesia is a beautiful country that has something unique to offer to everyone. With a little of precautions and planning, you’ll get an experience of a lifetime.

1. Visa: They are not compulsory anymore (at least for 169 countries, click here for the full list) as long as you stay for one month max and you arrive AND depart from the same airport.
2. Transport: You don’t have enough money for a taxi or for a coach? No problem, just hail for a random motorbike and negotiate a price for your destination. Locals are always looking at making a few extra rupees every day. Discuss the price before taking off though.
3. Thieves: When taking public transport (bus, coach), make sure you keep all your clothes/shoes INSIDE your bag and ensure it’s all zipped shut and locked (thieves are everywhere, even getting dirty laundry and shoes hanging outside of your bag).
4. Manage your time: Public transportation only runs until 4–5pm at the latest so plan your transfer to your next bus/coach wisely to avoid being stuck in the middle of nowhere at night.
5. Best time to visit: Have a glimpse at the calendar before you book your ticket and avoid traveling during Indonesian Public Holidays (especially Hari Raya). Unlike various other SE Asian countries, Indonesians love exploring their own country during their holidays and everything is overcrowded.
6. Eating on the street: Don’t be afraid to order a “mee soto” to devour sitting on the sidewalk for under 10,000 IDR ($US 0.75). These meals are freshly made to keep your wallet fat and your belly full!
7. Bargaining is not an option but a necessity: Nothing is to be taken at face-value in Indonesia.
8. Taxi: If you’re taking a taxi, your best bet are the BlueBirds. They all have meters and will turn it on if you ask them to.
9. Visit National Parks without a guided tour: Exploring famous volcanoes and national parks on your own in Indonesia is not an easy task. Very rare are the adventurous souls who are willing to risk being refused entrance or sleeping under the stars. ONLY book the transportation to the national park via a travel agent. Don’t get fooled into getting the whole package, you’ll enjoy it more on your own for a quarter of the price.
10. Bring warm clothes: Even though you’re in the tropics, you might want to visit the mountains and volcanoes (Mount Bromo, Mount Ijen, Mount Rinjani, Mount Batur,…) and the temperature will be just above freezing. While you’ll be warm as you’re hiking, the cold will seep through to your bones once you stop, so bring those mittens and that hat for the viewpoint at the top!