Rates quoted in this book include tax and are those that travellers are likely to pay during the high season. Nailing down rates is difficult, as some establishments publish the rates they actually plan to charge, while others publish rates that are pure fantasy, fully expecting to discount by 50%.
Shop online and contact hotels directly to find the best rates. There’s no one formula that works across Indonesia.
Hotels
Hotels in tourist areas can be excellent at any price range. But elsewhere in Indonesia, standards quickly fall: slack maintenance and uneven service are common, although staff are usually cheery.
Budget Hotels
The cheapest accommodation is in small places that are simple but clean and comfortable. Names usually include the word 'losmen,' 'homestay,' 'inn' or 'pondok.' Standards vary widely. Expect:
Maybe air-con
Maybe hot water
Sometimes no window
Private bathroom with shower and sometimes a Western-style toilet
Often a pool (on Bali)
Simple breakfast
Midrange Hotels
Many hotels have a range of rooms, from budget to midrange. The best may be called VIP or some other moniker. In addition to what you'll get at a budget hotel, expect:
Balcony/porch/patio
Satellite TV
Small fridge
Usually wi-fi
Top-End Hotels
Top-end hotels can range from international chains in Jakarta to beautiful resorts on Bali and lavish getaways elsewhere. Expect:
Superb service
Views – ocean, lush valleys and rice fields or private gardens
Spa
Maybe a private pool
SLEEPING PRICE RANGES
Accommodation rates are for high season (May to September and Christmas/New Year) and may drop during low season.
The following price ranges refer to a double room with bathroom. Unless otherwise stated relevant taxes are included in the price.
BALI & LOMBOK
$ less than 450,000Rp
$$ 450,000–1,400,000Rp
$$$ more than 1,400,000Rp
REST OF INDONESIA
$ less than 250,000Rp
$$ 250,000–800,000Rp
$$$ more than 800,000Rp
Camping
Camping in national parks is popular among Indonesian youth, though formal camping grounds with power and other facilities are rare. Outside of the parks, camping is unknown, and villagers will regard campers as a source of entertainment. Some Kalimantan and Papua treks may include camping as will some mountain treks such as Gunung Rinjani on Lombok. Guides usually supply gear.
Hostels
Indonesia didn't used to have many hostels, mainly because there are so many inexpensive guesthouses. But now you can find hostels in Jakarta, Bali, the Gilis and beyond, including Flores.
Staying in Villages
In many places in Indonesia you'll often be welcome to stay in the villages. If the town has no hotel, ask for the kepala desa (village head), who is generally very hospitable and friendly, offering you not only a roof over your head in a homestay, but also meals. Consider the following:
You may not get a room of your own, just a bed.
Payment is usually expected: about the same price as a cheap losmen (50,000Rp to 100,000Rp) as a rule of thumb. The kepala desa may suggest an amount, but often it is terserah (up to you), and you should always offer to pay.
While the village head's house sometimes acts as an unofficial hotel, you are a guest and often an honoured one. Elaborate meals may be prepared just for you. It's also a good idea to have a gift or two to offer – cigarettes, photographs or small souvenirs from your country are popular.
Homestays and village stays are a great way to socialise with families and neighbours, contribute to the local economy and experience life at a much closer level.
Villages on Baliem Valley trekking routes often have basic guesthouses for tourists.
DON'T FORGET TO PACK...
An emergency stash of cash for remote areas or when ATMs are down.
Sunscreen and insect repellent; both are hard to find outside tourist areas.
A set of earplugs for the rooster, mosque and traffic wake-up calls.
A torch (flashlight).
A sarong – which can be used for everything from a blanket to a beach mat, sheet, mattress cover, towel, sunshade, cover-up (for mosques) and, well, as an actual sarong.
Villas & Long-Term Accommodation
Luxury villas are popular accommodation on Bali, although they are not without their environmental costs in terms of water usage and placement amidst once pristine rice fields. Many come with pools, views, beaches and more. Often the houses are staffed and you have the services of a cook, driver etc.
Rates range from under US$200 per night for a modest villa to US$1200 per night and much more for your own tropical estate. There are often deals, especially in the low season, and several couples sharing can make something grand affordable.
Some things to keep in mind and ask about when renting a villa:
How far is the villa from the beach and nightlife?
Is a driver or car service included?
If there is a cook, is food included?
Is laundry included?
For longer stays, you can find deals easily for US$800 a month. Look in the Bali Advertiser (www.baliadvertiser.biz) or search Facebook. If your tastes are simple, you can find basic bungalows for US$300 a month.
Customs Regulations
Indonesia has the usual list of prohibited imports, including drugs, weapons, fresh fruit and anything remotely pornographic. Items allowed include the following:
200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars or 100g of tobacco)
a ‘reasonable amount’ of perfume
1L of alcohol
Surfers with more than two or three boards may be charged a 'fee', and this could apply to other items if the officials suspect that you aim to sell them in Indonesia. If you have nothing to declare, customs clearance is usually quick.
Electricity
Embassies & Consulates
It's important to know what your own embassy can and can't do to help you if you get into trouble. Generally speaking, it won't be much help if whatever trouble you're in is remotely your own fault. Remember that you are bound by the laws of the country you are in. In genuine emergencies you might get some assistance, but only if other channels have been exhausted.
Foreign embassies are located in Jakarta; Bali and Medan have a few consulates. There are also some in towns close to foreign borders.
Bali
Australian ConsulateCONSULATE
( GOOGLE MAP ; %0361-241 118; www.bali.indonesia.embassy.gov.au; Jl Tantular 32, Denpasar; h8am-4pm Mon-Fri)
The Australian consulate has a consular sharing agreement with Canada.
US ConsulateCONSULATE
( GOOGLE MAP ; %0361-233 605; [email protected]; Jl Hayam Wuruk 310, Renon, Denpasar; h9am-noon & 1-3.30pm Mon-Fri)
Jakarta
Australian EmbassyEMBASSY
( GOOGLE MAP ; %021-2550 5555; www.indonesia.embassy.gov.au; Jln HR Rasuna Said Kav C 15-16, Jakarta Selatan)
Brunei Darussalam EmbassyEMBASSY
( GOOGLE MAP ; %021-3190 6080; www.mofat.gov.bn; Jln Teuku Umar No 51, Menteng)
Canadian EmbassyEMBASSY
( GOOGLE MAP ; %021-2550 7800; www.jakarta.gc.ca; 6th fl, World Trade Centre, Jln Jenderal Sudirman Kav 29-31)
Dutch EmbassyEMBASSY
( GOOGLE MAP ; %021-524 8200; http://indonesia.nlembassy.org; Jln HR Rasuna Said Kav S-3)
French EmbassyEMBASSY
( GOOGLE MAP ; %021-2355 7600; www.ambafrance-id.org; Jl MH Thamrin No 20)
German EmbassyEMBASSY
( GOOGLE MAP ; %021-3985 5000; www.jakarta.diplo.de; Jl MH Thamrin No 1)
Malaysian EmbassyEMBASSY
( GOOGLE MAP ; %021-522 4974; www.kln.gov.my/web/idn_
jakarta/home; Jln HR Rasuna Said Kav X/6, No 1-3, Kuningan)
New Zealand EmbassyEMBASSY
( GOOGLE MAP ; %021-2995 5800; www.nzembassy.com; 10th fl, Sentral Senayan 2, Jl Asia Afrika No 8)
Papua New Guinea EmbassyEMBASSY
( GOOGLE MAP ; %021-725 1218; www.kundu-jakarta.com; 6th fl, Panin Bank Centre, Jl Jenderal Sudirman 1)
Singaporean EmbassyEMBASSY
( GOOGLE MAP ; %021-2995 0400; www.mfa.gov.sg/jkt; Block X/4 Kav 2, Jl HR Rasuna Said)
UK EmbassyEMBASSY
( GOOGLE MAP ; %021-2356 5200; ukinindonesia.fco.gov.uk; Jl Patra Kuningan Raya Blok L5-6)
US EmbassyEMBASSY
( GOOGLE MAP ; %021-3435 9000; jakarta.usembassy.gov; Jl Medan Merdeka Selatan, No 3-5)
Kupang
Timor-Leste ConsulateCONSULATE
( GOOGLE MAP ; %0813-3936 7558; Jl Eltari II; h8am-4pm Mon-Thu, to 2pm Fri)
The visa office for Timor-Leste.
Medan
Malaysian ConsulateCONSULATE
( GOOGLE MAP ; %061-453 1342; www.kln.gov.my/web/idn_medan; Jl Diponegoro 43)
Food
Indonesia has a vast array of culinary delights and regional specialties.
EATING PRICE RANGES
The following ranges represent the average cost of standard meals.
BALI & LOMBOK
$ less than 60,000Rp
$$ 60,000–250,000Rp
$$$ more than 250,000Rp
REST OF INDONESIA
$ less than 50,000Rp
$$ 50,000–200,000Rp
$$$ more than 200,000Rp
Insurance
A travel-insurance policy to cover theft, loss and medical problems is essential. There is a wide variety of policies, most sold online; make certain your policy will cover speedy medical evacuation from anywhere in Indonesia.
Theft is a potential problem in Indonesia, so make sure that your policy covers expensive items adequately. Many policies have restrictions on laptops and expensive camera gear, and refunds are often for depreciated value, not replacement value.
Worldwide travel insurance is available at www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-insurance. You can buy, extend and claim online anytime – even if you're already on the road.
Internet Access
Indonesia is getting wired, though speed varies from fast to painfully slow.
Wi-fi (pronounced 'wee-fee' in Indonesia) is commonly available in hotels except in rural areas. It is often free but watch out for hotels that may charge ridiculous rates by the hour or by data use.
Data through your smartphone is often the fastest way to connect to the internet. 3G service is widespread.
Legal Matters
Drugs, gambling and pornography are illegal; the executions of two Australian nationals of the so-called Bali Nine (among others) in 2015 for drug offences serve as a grim reminder.
It is an offence to engage in paid work without a formal working permit.
Visa length of stay is strictly enforced; many a careless tourist has seen the inside of an immigration detention facility or paid large fines.
Corruption remains a fact of life. If you are pulled over for a dubious traffic infringement, be polite and respectful as the officer lectures you and then suggests an alternative to a trip to the police station and a courthouse date. Generally, 50,000Rp is plenty, but 100,000Rp is more the norm on Bali.
In the case of an accident involving serious injury or death, drive straight to the nearest police station as 'mob rule' can prevail, with blame falling on the foreigner.
If you need to report a crime, head to a police station in respectable dress with an Indonesian friend or interpreter in tow but don't expect much.
If you find yourself in serious trouble with the law, contact your embassy or consulate immediately. They will not be able to arrange bail but will be able to provide you with an interpreter and may be able to suggest legal counsel.
STOPPING CHILD SEX-TOURISM
Indonesia has become a destination for foreigners seeking to sexually exploit local children. A range of socio-economic factors render many children and young people vulnerable to such abuse and some individuals prey upon this vulnerability. The sexual abuse and exploitation of children has serious, life-long and even life-threatening consequences for the victims. Strong laws exist in Indonesia to prosecute offenders and many countries also have extraterritorial legislation which allows nationals to be prosecuted in their own country for these crimes.
Travellers can help stop child sex-tourism by reporting suspicious behaviour. Reports can be made to the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (021 721 8098) of the Indonesian police. If you know the nationality of the individual, you can contact their embassy directly.
For more information, contact the following organisations:
ECPAT (www.ecpat.net) A global network working on these issues, with over 70 affiliate organisations around the world. Child Wise (www.childwise.org.au) is the Australian member of ECPAT.
Humantrafficking.org International group with numerous links to groups working to prevent human exploitation in Indonesia.
LGBT Travellers
Gay travellers in Indonesia should follow the same precautions as straight travellers: avoid public displays of affection. This is especially important in conservative areas such as Aceh, where two women hugging were sent for 'reeducation' by religious police in 2015.
Gay men in Indonesia are referred to as homo or gay; lesbians are lesbi.
Indonesia's community of transvestite/transsexual waria – from the words wanita (woman) and pria (man) – has always had a very public profile; also known by the less polite term banci.
Islamic groups proscribe homosexuality, but queer-bashing is rare.
Bali is especially LGBT-friendly, with a large community of expats and people from elsewhere in Indonesia. Although even here, there was controversy when a gay wedding was held at a resort in 2015.
Indonesian LGBT organisations include:
GAYa Nusantara (www.gayanusantara.or.id) publishes the monthly magazine GAYa Nusantara.
Gaya Dewata (YGD, www.gayadewata.com) is Bali's oldest and only community-run LGBT organisation.
Maps
Locally produced maps are often inaccurate. Periplus produces useful maps of most of the archipelago and the major cities, although the data for fast-changing areas such as Bali can be very out of date. Google maps is making quick progress around the nation.
Hikers will have little chance of finding accurate maps of remote areas. It's far more useful (and wise) to employ the services of a local guide, who will be able to navigate seemingly uncharted territory.
Money
The unit of currency used in Indonesia is the rupiah (Rp). Coins of 50Rp, 100Rp, 200Rp, 500Rp and 1000Rp are in circulation. Notes come in 2000Rp, 5000Rp, 10,000Rp, 20,000Rp, 50,000Rp and 100,000Rp denominations. For change in amounts below 50Rp, expect to receive a few sweets.
Try to carry a fair amount of money in bills 20,000Rp and under as getting change for larger bills is often a problem.
By government decree, all businesses are required to price goods and services in Rupiah. Many tourist outfits such as hotels and dive shops try to price in dollars or euros to avoid currency fluctuations.
ATMs
ATMs are common across Indonesia except in rural areas; most now accept cards affiliated with international networks. Bank BNI, with ATMs across the nation, is reliable.
ATMs in Indonesia have a maximum limit for withdrawals; sometimes it is 2,000,000Rp, but it can be as low as 500,000Rp, which is not much in foreign-currency terms.
Many ATMs have a sticker that specifies whether the machine dispenses 50,000Rp or 100,000Rp notes.
Always carry a sizeable amount of rupiah when you are travelling outside of cities and tourist areas as ATM networks go down and/or you can be on an island where the only ATM is broken or non-existent.
Credit Cards
In cities and touristed areas (eg Bali), cre
dit cards will be accepted at midrange and better hotels and resorts. More expensive shops as well as travel agents will also accept them but often there will be a surcharge of around 3%.
MasterCard and Visa are the most widely accepted credit cards. Cash advances are possible at many ATMs or banks.
Before leaving home, inform your credit card issuer that you will be travelling in Indonesia, otherwise your account may be frozen for suspected fraud the first time you try to use it.
RUPIAH REDENOMINATION
Indonesia has plans to redenominate the rupiah by removing three digits from the currency, although the timing of this has been debated for years. For example, the 20,000Rp note would become the 20Rp note. Changing the national currency is likely to be a very complex process, with many implications for travellers. These include:
Lonely Planet Indonesia Page 149