Page 13 - Diving Indonesia 21 November 2019

Practicalities for those Visiting Indonesia Practicalities for those Visiting Indonesia

Money
Time Zones Vaccinations
The currency in Indonesia is the American Dollars and Euros. Outside Despite the Indonesian archipelago Recommendations
Indonesian Rupiah - IDR. It is possible of resorts, payment is almost always geographically stretching across 4 times vary from time
to change money at numerous ‘money in Rupiah. Payments by credit card are zones the Indonesian government only to time so check
changers’ across Indonesia but the widely accepted but check with your recognizes 3: Indonesia Western Time, with your doctor
best rates are usually found in more operator prior to travelling. There is Indonesia Central Time and Indonesia around 2 months
popularized areas such as Bali and usually a bank charge on credit card Eastern Time. Indonesia Western Time prior to departure
Jakarta. Many operators will request payments which can range from 3% - 8%. is GMT+7 and locally known as WIB. for recommended vaccinations. Some
payment in advance or at least part ATMs are widespread but check with your WIB covers all of Sumatra and Java parts of Indonesia are considered high risk
payment and this is usually by bank bank for what charges and western and central Kalimantan. malaria areas.
transfer. Prices are quoted in various you will incur. Travelers Indonesian Central Time is GMT+8
currencies depending on the operator, Checks are generally not and known as WITA and covers all of Visas and Passports
most notably Indonesian Rupiah, accepted. Sulawesi, Bali and the Nusa Tenggara A free thirty day tourist visa on arrival is
Islands and the east of Kalimantan. available for Passport holders of over 90
Indonesia Eastern Time is GMT+9 and countries. Check online for your countries
Religious Holidays is locally known as WIT. WIT covers the status.
Indonesia recognizes multiple religions No resorts on Bali (including Nusa Maluku Islands and West Papua.
and as such there are numerous public Lembongan and Penida) will dive on this If you plan to stay for more than 30 days,
holidays for a multitude of religious day. day and hotel services will be limited. a 30 day visitor visa may be purchased
Most operators, particularly western Tipping at the airport upon entry to Indonesia
owned ones, do not close for religious Telephone Communications In some restaurants and hotels a service for US$30. This visa is extendable within
holidays but for the following holidays If you are planning to call local numbers charge is added to your bill and so tipping Indonesia for a further 30 days. NOTE:
check with your chosen operator if you in Indonesia it is by far cheaper to invest is not expected whilst in others a service If you accept the free visa on arrival you
are staying in one of the areas listed. It in a local SIM card than it is to use your charge is not included and so if you would MUST leave Indonesia within 30 days.
is also worth noting that the dates of phone overseas. Pay-as-you-go SIM cards like to tip it is always appreciated. In many
Muslim and Balinese Hindu holidays and top-up vouchers (known as pulsa) dive resorts envelopes are provided for When you enter Indonesia make sure that
change from year to year: are available from most street stalls and guests to leave tip money in you have at least one clean page in your
are very cheap. Check if your cell phone and then this is distributed passport and your passport must have at
Christmas – 25 December – In North is able to accept other networks or if it across the staff by the least 6 months validity remaining on it.
Sulawesi resorts are open but may be is ‘locked’ prior to departure. If you are management. If you are not You may also be required to show your
operating with reduced staff. planning to pick up a SIM card, check sure how the policy works ticket for onward travel leaving Indonesia.
with your dive operator which network check with your operator.
Idul Fitri – Dates change from year to year providers have the best coverage in
– Operators in Java and Lombok which are their area. When travelling to remote
predominantly Muslim may have limited parts of the archipelago or travelling by
services during this time. This is also a liveaboard, do not be surprised if there Water
time of fasting. is no network coverage – operators in Tap water in Indonesia is not drinkable – in many resorts
these areas should have satellite phones the tap water is potable but it is strongly recommended
Nyepi – Dates vary year to year – this is for emergencies but it is best to advise that you purchase bottled water. To save on plastic it is a
Balinese New Year which is deemed a friends and family that you will be ‘out of good idea to bring a refillable bottle with you and many
day of silence where everything closes reach’ for a week or so prior to travelling. places offer free refills.
(including the airport) and people are
required to stay within the bounds of their
homes or hotel.

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