Indonesia is made up of 17,800 huge islands — something that will take you a lifetime to discover! It is also home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, as well as countless languages and peoples, cultures, and incredible landscapes. With incredibly cheap local food and reasonably priced accommodation, it’s no wonder Indonesia is a popular destination for so many travelers. Use the Indonesia travel guide in this article to plan a great trip there, and learn about times, means, and travel tips when visiting this country!
Table of Contents
When to go to Indonesia
Indonesia has only two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. May through September is the dry season, and October through April is the rainy season. The year-round average daily temperature is 80°F (28°C). Overall, the best time to travel to Indonesia is during the dry season, when it’s dry and sunny. You’ll be able to enjoy reef diving, hiking and even lounging all day on the beach in great weather.
Don’t worry if you travel to Indonesia during the rainy season; there are still great places to see. Despite the frequent tropical downpours, they only last a few hours and won’t ruin your day. The rainy season has a greater impact on the Nusa Tenggara region, and this can occasionally cause flooding. If you’re driving in Indonesia during the rainy season, the muddy roads can occasionally make it impossible for you to proceed.
However, if you don’t mind less-than-perfect weather, you’ll find the advantages of this holiday season are cheaper hotel prices, frequent airline discounts, and top attractions. less frequent thunderstorms. As with any large country, the climate may not be the same in different regions, so always do your research before you start your trip! This is the Indonesia travel guide about the weather you should know before your trip.
Means of transportation in Indonesia
Buses are the main means of transport for locals and tourists to travel around Indonesia. It is recommended to book long-distance tickets in advance, especially if you want to ride an air-conditioned vehicle. You can buy tickets from a travel agent or go to the bus station. The majority of people use a betel nut, a tricycle, or a motorized trolley, to go around if they are not using a bus. Prior to boarding, try haggling the rate, although $0.36 per kilometer is a reasonable price to demand.
Taxis are also reasonably priced and often used in big cities. The majority of locations have Bluebird Taxis, which is the most dependable provider of metered taxis and English-speaking drivers. A smartphone software exists that makes ordering a taxi quite simple. Starting at about $0.50, the cost per kilometer is $0.30.
For a ticket from East Java to West Bali, the ferry fare is roughly $0.50 USD (and higher), and the fare rises from there for additional itineraries. It costs about $5 to travel from Bali (Padang Bai) to Lombok, whereas a speedboat ride to the Gili Islands from Bali costs $30. While reservations are not required, it is advised to make them during the busiest travel times or on more traveled routes. Tickets can be purchased directly from the ferry company’s website or from a third party like 12go.Asia.
Garuda Indonesia is the country’s main airline providing international services as well as domestic flights. Lion Air and AirAsia are two other Indonesian airlines that also offer many domestic routes. Flights between Jakarta and Bali start at around $50 each way, while Jakarta to Lombok starts at around $60. Lombok to Bali starts from just $18 USD. However, flying is not a cheap solution when traveling. You should only choose this type of vehicle to move if your time is quite limited. Otherwise, choose a cheaper vehicle and spend money to explore more places and eat more delicious food.
Numerous Javan cities in Indonesia, including Banyuwangi, Bandung, Surabaya, and Probolinggo, are reachable by train. A 15-hour journey in economy class from Jakarta to Surabaya costs about $7, while a 9-hour excursion in first-class can cost up to $90. It takes two to three hours to travel from Surabaya to Probolinggo (to reach Mount Bromo) and costs $2 for economy class or $11 for first class. It takes 6-7 hours to get from Surabaya to Banyuwangi (for Bali) and costs as little as $4 for economy class or $13.50 for premium. It’s the Indonesia travel guide about transportation that we want to recommend to you.
Some essential Indonesia travel guide
Currency
The Rupiah (“Rp”) is Indonesia’s monetary unit. Banknotes are available in the following values: 500 (very uncommon), 1000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, and one hundred thousand. Coins are available in the following values: Rp25 (rare), Rp50, Rp100, Rp500, and Rp1000. At upscale eateries and hotels in popular districts, credit cards are accepted for payment. However, the vendors only accept payment if you shop at the neighborhood markets. While there are lots of ATMs in well-known locations like Bali and Jakarta, it will be difficult to find them in more rural places. So, prepare Indonesian money before traveling here.
Safety
Indonesia is one of the safest destinations in Southeast Asia for solo female travelers. But you should take extra precautions and keep an eye on your belongings. Petty theft is a crime that occurs everywhere, especially in crowded tourist areas. The advice is to avoid carrying expensive jewelry when going out and also watch out for pickpockets when using public transport. Especially don’t buy arak, a locally produced alcohol. It may contain toxic methanol so the drink should only be purchased from reputable bars and resorts.
Travel visa requirements
As of 2016, people from 169 nations, including the entirety of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States, can enter Indonesia without a visa and remain for up to 30 days. However, Indonesia’s travel regulations are infamously erratic, so it’s a good idea to double-check before you arrive. If you intend to remain for more than thirty days, you must obtain a visa in advance from the Indonesian consulate or for $35, which can then be extended for another thirty days at the immigration office. Once you have arrived visa-free, you are unable to extend your stay. If you overstay your visa, a cost of Rp 300,000 will be assessed each additional day.
Accommodation
Some popular hotel booking websites in Indonesia we can recommend for you such as:
- Hostelworld: The greatest hostel website, which also has the most options and the simplest search interface.
- Agoda: is the finest hotel booking website in Asia, excluding Hostelworld.
- Booking.com: The greatest booking website available now, consistently has the lowest prices. They offer the most affordable lodging options overall. Among all the booking websites, they consistently offer the lowest prices.
- Intrepid Travel: Choose Intrepid if you wish to do group excursions. They use neighborhood guides to provide small-group tours.
- SafetyWing: For long-term travelers, Safety Wing offers practical and reasonably priced solutions. People on the go will love their affordable monthly rates, excellent customer service, and simple claim procedures.
If you are traveling to rural areas of Indonesia, you should ask to stay in the homes of locals. Of course, the amenities here will not be equal to the motels or high-class hotels in the central areas, but you will have a memorable experience when you live together and understand more about the cultural life of the Indonesian people. . Before staying you must get permission from the local police or the village chief and the landlord. In exchange for accommodation and meals, you should give cash or useful gifts, such as rice, salt, cigarettes, or food, at least about $2 worth.
Food
The last Indonesia travel guide today is food. Due to the 13,000 islands that make up the topography, which stretches from West to East, Indonesia is known for its diversity and beauty. Its true sound is a blend of various nations, including Europe, China, and India. The meals are renowned for their many distinctive spices, which are a blend of spices from India, China, and Arabia. These spices include nutmeg, cloves, and pepper. Sambal, a spicy concoction of chili and spices, is typically eaten with meals. If you’re unsure whether sambal contains fermented shrimp or fish, give it a sniff before eating.
Chopsticks are rarely used as utensils in Indonesia. Usually, meals are eaten with a spoon in the right hand and a fork in the left. Indonesians often eat with a spoon and with their hands. When entering restaurants, try eating with your hands like a real local. People will usually prepare a bowl of water with lime on the table for you, dip your right hand in the bowl of water to wash it before eating.
There are certain dishes you must taste when coming to this island nation:
- Nasi Goreng Fried Rice: Like most neighboring countries, Indonesia’s main ingredient is rice, which is either cooked or fried with spices. The pungent flavor, adding a bit of vegetable and sauce makes the fried rice dish bring a typical taste here.
- Satay: In a place where the majority of the population is Muslim, pork is uncommon, hence dishes created with rabbit, chicken, etc. will gain popularity. Grilled skewers called satay are served with affordable and delectably excellent sauces. This is one of the most common foods you will encounter while walking on the streets in Indonesia. Typically, sambal or peanut sauce is served with satay.
- Bakso: Beef is cut into pellets the size of two knuckles or larger, served with noodles, veggies, and a small amount of broth, plus a dash of chili sauce to intensify the broth’s spicy and sweet flavor.
To sum up, the above is a summary of Indonesia travel guide for those who are intending to enjoy their vacation in this country. The above guide includes what time to go, what type of transport you’ll mainly use to get around the places, and some information about your food, shelter, or safety. Hope this article is useful to everyone. We will be back in many more articles. let’s go with newsworldvn.com!
Read more: