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Arrival and General
Information
Face it, there's no such
thing as being "over prepared" for a trip to Indonesia. Here are
some of the essentials that will assist you in your
preparation.
- Arriving
- Plane - Most
visitors arrive at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in
Jakarta. After clearing customs, you will enter the main lobby
where you can exchange money, make arrangements for bus service
into the city, or get tourist information. Do not attempt to take
photos in the baggage area. Airport security will become quite
annoyed and may actually threaten to eject you from the terminal
(without your luggage). Yogya is approximately 650 kilometers from
Jakarta and there are several methods to reach the city, the
easiest would be a flight transit directly to the Adisucipto
airport in Yogya. Call your travel agent for further
information.
Airport Tax and Transport -
Passengers departing on international and domestic flights will
have to pay Rp25,000 and between Rp6000-10,000 of airport tax
respectively. Metered taxis are available only at Soekarno-Hatta
International Airport, Jakarta. At other major Indonesian
airports, taxis operate on a fixed-rate basis. From Jakarta
airport, all taxi fares include a surcharge of Rp2300 and road
toll of Rp4000. The surcharge does not apply on trips to the
airport. In both directions, airport taxis offer a 25 percent
discount on the toll fee.
Bus - Buses travel to all
destinations in Java, Bali, and Sumatra. Day services are crowded
and slow. Special night buses only accept reservations, are often
air-conditioned, and rather fast moving at night. Contact the bus
companies' offices or travel agents for
reservations.
Train - Many trains going to
and from Jakarta and Surabaya pass through Yogya, stopping at
either or both of the Lempuyangan and the Tugu train stations.
From there, you can connect to other trains, or catch other means
of transits to
your final destination. Going by train, however, is time
consuming. A pleasant way going to and from Jakarta is by the
Argolawu. It leaves Yogya at about 8:42 am, is fully
air-conditioned, and has sleeping cabins. For reservations contact
the station master at Yogya's Tugu train
station.
Ship - Ships generally arrive at
Jakarta, Semarang, or Surabaya. Visitors can then take a bus or
train to Yogya.
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- Children
- Indonesia is perfectly safe for those
traveling with children -- it is decidedly family-oriented. Many
museums, attractions, and some forms of transportation offer
reduced prices for children 6 - 11 years old. Those under six are
generally free of charge. Hotels often offer babysitting services,
but these can be expensive.
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- Climate
- The monsoon give Indonesia two
distinct seasons, the dry and the wet. Both are very warm.
Temperatures range from 21 to 33 degrees Celsius. Higher altitudes
enjoy cooler conditions.
Dry season begins in April and brings
only occasional rain. Sensitive skins should use protection,
either by lotion or long, loose clothing. By October there will be
an increase in rainfall and so begins the wet season. Heavy, short
rainstorms are common, afterwhich the air is fresher. Umbrellas
can protect you from rain and sun.
- Communications
- Long-distance telephone calls within
Indonesia are by direct dialling. International direct dialling
(IDD) is available in all 27 provincial capitals and in more than
320 cities throughout the country. For the business traveller,
facsimile and telex services are available in most hotels and at
service outlets.
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- Currency
- Exchange facilities for the main
foreign currencies are available in the major cities of Indonesia.
Rupiahs come in denominations of 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000,
1000, 500, and 100 in bank notes, and 1000, 500, 100, 50, and 25
in coins.
- Customs
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- Customs allow on entry a maximum of
two 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, and typewriters are admitted
provided they are taken out on departure. They must be declared to
customs. Radio/radio cassette recorders, and TV sets are not
allowed.
Do not attempt to carry drugs into the
country -- penalties are swift and harsh. Also local mores
regarding pornography prohibit the importation of materials from
outside Indonesia.
There is no restriction on import or
export of foreign currencies and travellers cheques. However, the
import and export of Indonesian currency exceeding Rp. 50,000 is
prohibited.
- Electricity
- Indonesian currents are 50Hz at
either 110 or 220 volts (mostly 220 volts), using a two pronged
plug. Generally, European-made electronics (220/50) will have no
problems with the Indonesian electrical systems. American items
will generally require conversion (although some hotels can
accomodate American electronic items). It is better to check
before using an appliance.
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- Health Care and Insurance
- No special inoculations are needed to
enter Indonesia. Most Indonesian pharmacies (here "Apotek") can
fill prescriptions; however, it is wise to have them filled at
home. Before traveling, always verify your health insurance
coverage relative to your destination. Also, verify that
possessions such as cameras are covered by home or other
insurance.
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- Holidays
- While the country has many national
holidays, the major two are Independence Day and the Month of
Fasting. During the Independence Day, August 17, most shops,
attractions, and restaurants are closed. The Month of Fasting
(Ramadhan, based on the Islamic Calendar) is a major travel period
for the Indonesian, especially toward the end of the month. This
is not a good time to travel, as reservations will have already
been booked.
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- Indonesian Tourism Promotion
Board
- The ITPB is incredibly helpful and
responsive to travelers (we contacted them at the very last minute
to get rail tickets -- they were able to assist us immediately,
directing us to a local affiliate who arranged for our rail
tickets. They also provided us with a huge package of travel
information which arrived via post from Indonesia within a week).
Contact them for maps, brochures, assistance in making
reservations, rail passes, and to answer various questions.
Contact them via telephone or email. If you contact the ITPB by
e-mail, be sure to include your postal address.
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- Office Hours
- Most government offices are open from
8am to 3pm. On Fridays, they close at 11:30am. On Saturdays, they
are open until 2pm or 3pm. Business offices open from 8am or 9am
until 4pm or 5pm. Some work half-day on Saturdays. Banks open from
8am to 3pm on weekdays. foreign banks are closed on
Saturdays.
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- Students
- Students can receive discounts at
museums and other places (although these discounts are often
limited to Indonesian students). Your school can help you obtain
an International Student ID card; show the card at the admissions
windows -- it never hurts to try!!!
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- Time
- Indonesia is divided into three time
zones. Western Indonesia Time (Sumatra, Java, West and Central
Kalimantan) is seven hours ahead of GMT, Central Indonesia Time
(Bali, South and East Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara) is
eight hours ahead, and East Indonesia Time (Maluku and Irian Jaya)
is nine hours ahead.
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- Tourist Requirements
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