Basic information

1. Exit

An exit permit is required only for residents or visitors staying over a period of six months. Airport tax levied for passengers on international travel is Rp 100.000 while for travel within Indonesia they vary from Rp 15.000 to Rp 30.000 depending on airport of departure.

2. Travelers checks, money changers and banks

Traveler's checks can be exchanged for cash in many places, especially in the big cities and at most big hotels, restaurants, stores, shopping centers, travel bureaus, or in any other place where signs indicate that such checks are accepted.

Moneychangers can be found in most cities and around tourist resorts, in shopping centers, at airports and certain offices. Many banks also act as moneychangers.

3. Tipping

Tipping has been known for a long time in Indonesia. The local term is "persenan." Traditionally, however, such tips were given only as a token of appreciation for really valuable services rendered, and on an entirely voluntary basis. In its recent development, the custom of tipping has become commercialized in the sense that it is often considered compulsory in certain places.

Even so, there is no standard rule on tipping as is practiced today. The size of the tip is usually left to the discretion of the person who gives it.

4. Shopping

For many visitors, shopping is an important part of the travel itinerary. For those who like the experience of shopping or simply browsing in an Asian market place but have in the past been discouraged by the rubbish, it will be good to know that in many towns and city market places have been extensively renovated and cleaned up.

Much-visited markets in Jakarta are Pasar Blok-M in South Jakarta for textile and consumer goods; Glodok in the Chinatown district in North Jakarta for electronic goods;Pasar Ikan (fish market) in the old Sunda Kelapa harbor; ITC Manggadua is a shopping complex considered as heaven for popular cheap merchandises; Pasar Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta for textile; Pasar Cipulir in South Jakarta for garment and jeans; and the famous Jalan Surabaya in Central Jakarta for antiquity hunters.

In Bandung, West Java, popular market are Jalan Cihampelas for good quality of garment and Cibaduyut for leather shoes or jackets. In Surabaya, popular markets are Pasar Tunjungan, Pasar Turi and Blauran. In Medan, there is the Pasar Mercu Buana market, and in Makassar the Somba Opu market place. Banjarmasin and Pontianak on the island of Kalimantan boast floating markets and semarang its Pasar Johar.
Tough bargaining is the name of the game when shopping in market places around Indonesia.

5. Souvenirs

Indonesian craftsmen and artisans are highly skilled in making good use of the abundance of materials, which their tropical natural environment provides.

Handicraft in a range of shapes, colors, patterns, sizes and modern designs are on sale in the art shops and shopping centers that litter towns and cities throughout the country.

Hand-woven and embroidered textiles, besides batik, are in great demand among visitors, judging by the sales which the art shops and department stores make. Statues and carved panels and objects are also much sought after as souvenirs, as are semi-precious stones and plaited- work.

6. Attire

The range of ethnic costumes in Indonesia is wide and colorful. In daily life, however, the modern work uniform is more and more becoming the accepted mode of dressing among people in the various professions and occupations.

The armed forces aside, there are the different uniforms worn by tax, customs, immigration, public health, and office security personnel.

Outside the work place, batik shirts are popular and accepted for men, even as formal eveningwear. Women, of course, have much wider range to choose from. No longer is the wear of a particular ethnic costume restricted to members of that exclusive group. Nowadays, the modern Indonesian women, when traditional dress, choose her costume on the basis of taste and decorum solely.

Modern Indonesian designers are making good use of the very diverse ethnic textile motifs and materials available to fashion modern dresses that have not only local, but also international appeal.

In general, Indonesians are very casual in their daily dressing tastes and habits. Barring formal occasions, it is perfectly acceptable to wear shirt sleeves to go dining or attend shows or other regular gatherings, but standard procedures for visiting office to gain service is no limit, no score means, no services.

7. Cuisine

The main staple of the majority of the population is rice, though in the more arid island the traditional staple is corn, sweet potatoes and sago.

Coconut milk and hot chili peppers are popular ingredients nationwide as these grow in hot tropical climates. Dried salted fish and soybeans provide the basic protein needed.

Tastes range from very spicy (hot) dishes of meat, vegetables and fish to those that are sweetish, due to the use of sugar in cooking.

The most popular dishes are "nasi goreng" (fried rice) which can be served for breakfast, lunch or dinner though steamed rice is more usual with side dishes of meat, poultry, fish eggs and vegetables. "Sate" (barbequed skewered meat or sashlik) is a universal popular dish, also "Gado-gado" a vegetable salad with peanut sauce and hot chilli. All which are acceptable to the Western palate.

The seas and rivers of the archipelago abound in seafood, from small shrimps to sharks (the fins which make excellent soup). However, due to the hot climate and lack of freezing facilities, the traditional ways is to salt and dry fish or preserve it in a paste, which is used extensively in cooking.

Fruits are tropical and sub-tropical. They include papaya, bananas, pineapple, apples, oranges and mandarins, jack fruit, the thorny strong smelling "durian", several varieties of mangoes, mangosteens, the hairy-skinned but sweet-tasting "rambutans", watermelons, passion fruit, etc.

Beverages are fruit juices, coffee and tea. Native wines brewed from rice and palm are not widespread. However, locally produced beer is available throughout the country. A refreshing drink is water from a fresh young coconut fruit.

"Rijsttafel" derived from the Dutch words meaning "rice table" actually means rice with a large number of side dishes. These can be found in many restaurants catering to the tourist trade.

In the main tourist destination areas, restaurants catering to international tourist are many, from fine Continental grill-rooms to Japanese specialty restaurants. Chinese restaurants are found in all towns throughout the country.

Native style stalls are many, and though the traditional way of eating is with fingers-only the tips of the right hand should be used-spoons and forks are always available.

8. Health services

Medical doctors are available in almost any town or city. All one has to do when they are needed is ask at the hotel information counter or any other place one happens to be in.

Most big hotels have their own medical doctors, who are on call around the clock. In the big cities, in addition, clinics and hospitals run by either the government and private enterprise offer similar services.

In city neighborhoods and district town Public Health Centers, called Puskemas, offer basic health services and first aid at very low fees for health service and consultation.

9. Police assistance

Police are on 24-hour standby to assist travelers in difficulty. Do not hesitate to call for their assistance whenever the need arises. Individuals carrying large amounts of money, such as to and from banks, free of charge can also request police escorts.

Special police officers are on round-the clock duty in the major tourist destination to assist visitors. Even the newly introduced Special Tourism Service Unit is on guard around certain area, mostly in big cities.

To call the police, dial the number 110 in most towns and cities throughout Indonesia, or 510- 110.

10. Office hours

Government offices:
Monday through Thursday: 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Saturday: 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
(Valid for Jakarta).

Banks & Private Business:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Valid for Jakarta).
Monday through Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.