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Hotel Discounts :
Sriti Hotel (10% discount)
Trio Hotel (20% discount)
The Oxalis Regency Hotel (30% discount)

Bank and Money Changer

Banking hours are from 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon Mondays to Friday, and from 8.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. on Saturdays. Banks in hotels usually stay open longer hours while Moneychangers are generally open till evening.

Foreign Exchange

US dollars and other major currencies in banknotes or travelers checks are easily exchangeable in banks or at authorized moneychangers in main tourist destinations but it is advisable to carry rupiahs in sufficient amount before traveling to outer provinces or minor towns. Daily rates are posted in banks and in leading daily newspapers.

Office Hours

Government offices open from 8.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. from Monday to Friday in Jakarta and close on Saturday and Sunday. In the provinces they close around 3.00 p.m. and open on Saturday till 1.00 p.m. Business offices have staggered hours. Some open for 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. or 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Some stay open for half day on Saturday. Banks are open from either 8.00 or 8.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. Banks in hotels stay open longer hours, and moneychangers till the evening.

Transportation

There are metered taxis Solo, Semarang, and Yogyakarta. Hire cars are available and rates differ from area to area and it is best to ask the transportation desk of your hotel for information concerning rates and distances.

The man driven pedicab, “becak” is also available in Central Java. It needs 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 other airlines, such as Mandala, Lion etc.

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 thing 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.

Clothing and Manners

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 or worship. Indonesians are very polite people. Handshaking is customary both for men and women on introduction and greeting, and smiling is a national characteristic.

The use of the left hand to give or receive is taboo, also crooking your finger to call someone is considered impolite. Pork is forbidden for the Muslim population and beef for the Balinese Hindus but they are available at many restaurants and markets.


Provided by Department of Tourism Government of Indonesia
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