PASSPORTS
All visitors to Indonesia must be in possession of passports valid for at least six months with proof of onward passage, with either return or through tickets.

IMPORTANT - Please note that Passports must be valid with an expiry date at least SIX MONTHS beyond the expected date of departure from Indonesia. Otherwise entry may be refused.

This is always checked carefully by immigration, so make sure your expiry date on your passport is a minimum of 6 months after your scheduled departure FROM Indonesia.

VISAS
As of Feb 2, 2004 Indonesia revised its visa system for leisure (holiday) visitors and countries are now divided into three different categories.

Please check these lists carefully as for a significant number of countries, this new policy means potential visitors have to obtain a visa in advance at an Indonesian Embassy and cannot obtain a visa on arrival as they previously did.

1. Eleven countries whose citizens are eligible for free visas on arrival Brunei, Chile, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, & Vietnam
2. Twenty-one countries whose citizens can obtain visas on arrival but must pay a modest fee. Current rates are: US$10 for a 3-day visa, US$25 for a 30-day visa. Argentine, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, USA, & UK
   • Best to have exact change US$ CASH ready for this per person – otherwise it will take longer – to line up to change money with other passengers, then another line to obtain visa etc.
3. All other countries must obtain a visa from an Indonesian Embassy Passport holders of all other countries not listed above are NOT eligible for visas on arrival (either free or fee-based) and will be refused entry on arrival at an Indonesian gateway (airport or seaport). Therefore, potential visitors from these countries must apply for and receive a visa from the nearest Indonesian Embassy before departure.

• In general, customs are speedy and very easy going with foreign visitors and rarely ask them to open their checked bags. But they always check hand-carried items through an X-Ray machine.

• Ensure your normal shots such as tetanus for international travel anywhere are current.
• Drinking water: Like many tropical countries, in Indonesia always stick to bottled or boiled water in all circumstances, including even in the hotel when you brush your teeth to avoid potential stomach problems. Avoid ice in drinks unless you are eating in a higher standard restaurant outside or in your hotel. Same at our house in Brayut, but ice is always prepared with boiled water.
• Food preparation: High standards of food preparation and hygiene are observed in all good quality hotels and at official functions, so it is generally safe to eat anything. If however, you are allergic to any foods (e.g. shellfish) do check carefully in advance what dishes may contain.
• If outdoors in the evening or if travelling in the countryside during the daytime, it is always wise to wear anti-mosquito repellant, which is widely available for sale. Mosquitoes can carry unpleasant things besides malaria so best to avoid being bitten.
• All smart travellers buy international health insurance before departure in case of unexpected illness or accident in other countries.
• For peace of mind, also buy cancellation insurance in case you are forced to cancel your trip – this usually has a baggage loss option which is also a good idea.

• US$1=9,200 Indonesian rupiah (rps)
• That is average cash exchange, withdrawing your money from an ATM you may get a better exchange rate. There are hundreds of ATMs all over the city, almost all with international access.
• Rupiah comes in bills of 100,000 rp, 50,000 rp, 20,000 rp, 10,000 rp, 5,000 rp, 1000 rp, 500 rp, and 100 rp notes. Coins are 50 rps, 100 rps, and 500 rps.
• Avoid 100,000 rp notes when you change money, as they are relatively new and difficult to use in most circumstances outside of hotels or large department stores. Even 50,000 rps (US$6) will be difficult with some small vendors, taxis and so forth. Always try to get lots of 20,000 (US$2.20) and 10,000 rp (US$1.10) bills

• There are no restrictions on bringing in any amount of currency under US$10,000 into Indonesia or exchanging Indonesian rupiah before leaving the country.
• In general, US dollars are the most widely accepted foreign currency everywhere in Indonesia and the one everyone is familiar with but most major international currencies such as pounds or euros can be exchanged at banks or moneychangers.
• In large stores or art galleries, US dollars and travellers checks are the most widely accepted currency. Most major credit cards (VISA, MC, AMEX) are accepted at hotels, large stores, and major restaurants but there is often a surcharge added.
• ATM machines are also widely available throughout Yogyakarta, Jakarta and Bali for most international symbols – VISA, CIRRUS, etc. MASTERCARD and VISA advances can also be obtained from the appropriate bank outlets in the city – see your credit card dealer for details of local availability.
• When you change money, always make sure to ask for smaller notes of 500 rupiah and 1000 rupiah (rps) for tipping (1000 rp = 11 cents (US) at current 9200 rps/ US$1 exchange rates). You will find many smaller shops, taxis and so forth do not have change for what is for local people larger bills.

• In terms of tipping, service charges (10%) are only added on in hotel outlets (as is a govt tax of 11% - total 21%) such as in restaurants or for room service.
• Otherwise, it is up to you – modest tipping is gratefully accepted in almost all service situations e.g. carrying bags, hairdresser, room service etc. For instance, in a hotel or airport a 5000 rp tip per bag (only about 55 cents US) would be a reasonable tip, and 1000 rps is a reasonable tip for any small services rendered such as room service or to a porter who calls a taxi for you.
• Taxis in Yogyakarta, Jakarta, and Bali are on the meter so always ask for a metered taxi, never go with a unlicensed or non-metered taxi. There are always plenty of metered ones around so if one refuses to turn on the meter, get out politely and get the next one.
• Add a small tip usually added to round up the metered fare, not a percentage of the fare.

• Reminder: You will need enough rupiah leftover to pay both domestic airport tax and international tax per person when you leave.

• For taxis, always stick to the blue coloured “Bali taxi” part of the Bluebird group of taxis, the most reliable in Indonesia. However, you cannot expect any drivers to speak any English so unless it is something easy like the name of a hotel or mall, always have your destination written down.

• Weather: Being on the equator, Indonesia has a tropical climate, between 28-32 degrees Celsius year round. Rainy season Oct-March although the rain tends to be of a short, hard duration only an hour a day rather than all day long and it is perfectly feasible to visit Yogyakarta during this time. Dry season April-Sept. All hotel rooms, venues, and transportation will be air-conditioned. Even in dry season, there may be rain from time to time but late pm only for brief period.
• Clothing: Bring very casual clothes for daily use, containing a high percentage of natural fiber such as 100% cotton for maximum comfort. In general, clothes worn in Yogyakarta are much more conservative in dress reflecting Javanese tradition, rather than those worn by visitors in Bali, which allows beach and resort wear even on the street.
• Lots of cheap, tropical-clothes available for sale, and it is also possible to buy cloth and have clothes copied very cheaply
• Bring one warmer outfit – e.g. sweatpants with a light long-sleeved jumper both for the long plane ride here as they are often cold and for early mornings and evenings in Brayut when it gets quite cool
• Modest dress by visitors both male and female is strongly advisable in Yogyakarta whether shopping or sightseeing both to respect the local cultural mores, and not to feel very conspicuous and stared at.
• For Ecotourbiz events – smart casual will be the rule, although many people will enjoy wearing batik for the more formal Opening Ceremony and Dinner.
• Medicines and toiletries: Bring any prescription medicines and over the counter medicine (stomach, colds, travel sickness etc.), vitamins, herbal medicine (& herb tea), toiletries, cosmetics, etc you may need, as stocks of foreign medicines are few and brand names for over the counter products may be different than those you are used to. There is also little availability of many common brand name cosmetic, vitamins, herbal medicine, and over-the-counter personal items (e.g. deodorants) that you normally use in the UK. If you are transiting through Singapore airport, there is a well-stocked drug-store (pharmacy) there, which carries most international brands of the above items.
• Travel insurance: All smart travellers take out medical and travel insurance prior to going on any trip abroad in the event of loss luggage, accident or illness.
• Alcohol: It is advisable to buy any alcohol or wine for personal use from the duty-free in your departure or transit airport en route before you fly into Indonesia. Indonesia Customs allowance: Up to 1 liter per person. All spirits (whisky, gin, etc.) and wine sold in Indonesia are imported & are subject to very high duty and markup, and are therefore very expensive by international standards. However, domestic and international brand beers are widely available at reasonable prices, and the quality of the domestic brand of beer (Bintang) is quite good, and imported beers such as Bintang, Anchor, San Miguel are readily available in supermarkets.
• Sun-block: All accommodation even the most modest, will have a swimming pool – so bring your swimsuit, but don’t forget sun block and sun hat as the tropical sun is very strong. These latter items will also be very necessary for sightseeing or shopping days. You can easily buy both in Singapore and Bali.
• Cuisine: Food served Ecotourbiz events will be a variety of delicious Indonesian food which varies from plain to spicy style

• It is an unfortunate reality of the age we now live in that no country has escaped the threat of terrorist incidents. Accordingly, the travel, tour, and hospitality industries in Yogyakarta and throughout Indonesia have been working closely together with the authorities to put in place a wide series of unobtrusive but effective security measures at airports, hotels, malls and other places where large numbers of visitors may frequent to prevent any incidents occurring.
• While Indonesia actually is one of the safest countries in the world for the individual overseas traveller once here, naturally, visitors should take the normal precautions against loss of valuables that they would follow in any country, or indeed at home.
• People should always leave their valuables (cash, travellers’ checks, credit cards, jewelry) as well as their passports in the hotel safety deposit box rather than carrying them on their person or leaving them in their hotel room.
• As well, it is foolish to flash large sums of money or jewelry conspicuously when in airports, tourist sites, busy shopping areas or malls, as pickpockets exist in Jakarta, Bali and Yogyakarta as in any other country.