Passport, visa and customs
Swedish citizens receive a visa on arrival in Indonesia. However, there is a requirement that the passport must be valid for 6 months upon entry into Indonesia and that you can present an outbound ticket. You need to bring a photo. The visa is valid for 30 days and costs 25USD (May-13). When traveling with Phoenix Group Travel, this is included in the price. The authorities occasionally carry out visa and residence permit checks. It should be enough to be able to present a copy of these documents, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Vaccinations and health
We recommend that you review your basic protection against diphtheria, polio and tetanus. Feel free to consult a doctor or local health center for advice at least one month before your trip to Indonesia. Indonesian health care has varying quality and a comprehensive travel insurance is recommended. Check if you have insurance that covers health care in Indonesia and also what it covers in that case. For example, home transport in the event of a more serious accident / illness can be extremely costly. Feel free to bring a small set of “first aid” with patches, headache tablets, etc. Be aware that the water you drink is either boiled or bottled. Skip the ice for drinks / drinks. Eat only fruit that you peel yourself. The raw salad has to wait until you get home! Avoid raw seafood and raw fish. Wash your hands often – especially before meals. The pharmacy sells over-the-counter medicines for “tourist stomach” that you can take with you. Remember to drink a lot in the heat. Bring sunscreen, sun hat and mosquito repellent. Rabies still occurs in Indonesia, so avoid contact with stray animals.
Weather and clothing The
country has a warm and occasionally humid climate and therefore it fits best with light cotton clothing. Remember to bring a sun hat and sunscreen with a high sun protection factor. Do not forget the swimwear! The rainy season is between October and April. The rest of the year is counted as a dry period.
Currency and exchange rate
Indonesia’s currency is called Rupiah and is abbreviated IDR. These can be exchanged in Sweden before departure. It is possible to pay with cards such as VISA and MasterCard in large stores, hotels and more expensive restaurants, but it is not appropriate to leave the card out of sight. Therefore, try to bring cash as much as possible. ATMs are available in several places in the cities. Changing Swedish kronor gives a bad exchange rate, in which case it is better to bring US dollars (USD). The banknotes should be in good condition to be approved for exchange. If you go to an exchange office in Indonesia, choose an authorized one. Although others attract with better course.
Transport and communications
Traffic in Indonesia is one of the biggest safety risks in the country. The existing traffic rules are not always followed, which leads to a large number of fatal accidents each year. If you still choose to drive yourself and should also have a puncture, continue driving. Arranged puncture is a common way for road pirates to make you stop. If you take a taxi, use reputable companies and preferably ask the hotel or restaurant to arrange one for you. Do not take a taxi alone at night! Internet cafes are available almost everywhere and most Swedish mobiles work to make calls. Check with your telephone operator before traveling for information on incoming and outgoing call costs.
Food and drinks
Nasi Goreng, which in Indonesian means “fried rice”, is often called Indonesia’s national dish. It consists of fried rice but can then be varied endlessly. It is most common with shrimp and eggs. Barbecue skewers, satay, made from either meat or soy-based tofu are also a popular dish that is found everywhere. These are served with various tasty and sometimes strong sauces. The one that we Swedes perhaps know best from the restaurants here at home is probably the peanut sauce.
Shopping and gifts
Indonesian batik, woven or painted textiles in bright colors and refined patterns, is one of the unique treasures you can buy to take home from India. Crafts in the form of carved wood are also popular and occur in all forms, from jewelry to large statues. Vendors can be intrusive in some places. It is best to ignore them if you are not interested in buying something.
General and mixed
Local time: Indonesia is 7 hours ahead of us in winter and 6 hours before summer.
Baggage: It sometimes happens that the checked baggage gets lost. Therefore, pack important medicines with a certificate from your doctor in your hand luggage. The same goes for valuables. Label all your luggage carefully with the luggage tags you receive with the tickets. This is important as these notes are our identification at the airport and at our hotels. It is good to have a proper, lockable suitcase because the bags are not treated very carefully.
Electricity: 220 volts, 50 Hz, ie the same as in Sweden. The sockets are sometimes the same as we have in Sweden, but this varies, so we recommend that you bring an adapter. These are available for purchase in most electricity stores in Sweden.
Language: The official language is Bahasa Indonesia but there are about 300 regional languages on the islands.
Travel insurance: Can be purchased through the travel agency. First, check what your home insurance policy covers.