
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning a journey across the world always arouses a lot of questions. What’s the best season to visit Indonesia? Is it possible to pay with dollars inside the country? What kind of clothes should I bring? We’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions by travellers about to depart for Indonesia.
Photo © club4traveler via ShutterstockIn general, it is impossible to pay with anything but Indonesian rupiah. You won’t be able to pay for your daily expenses with euros or dollars. If you want to change money upon your arrival, try not to do it at the airport because the exchange fee is very high. Wait until you reach the city and look for an official money changer. Never change money in small shops or along the beach or the sidewalk, especially if the exchange rate seems appealing. In Bali, we recommend BMC money changer, it has branches in Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Ubud and even in Lombok.
The easiest thing to do is to withdraw money with your bank card rather than searching around the city. ATM cash machines accepting Visa and Mastercard can be found in airports and in every town, small or big. They’re easy to identify with the logos Visa and Mastercard on them.
Do I need a visa to come to Indonesia?
As per June 2015, you don’t need a visa to visit Indonesia for a maximum of 30 days. In most international airports (including Jakarta, Bali, Lombok, Surabaya and Yogyakarta), you can enter the country without any prior administrative formality or cost. If you plan to stay between 30 and 60 days, you must apply for a VOA, Visa On Arrival. It costs 35USD and is extendable once for an additional 30 days. You have to go to an immigration office before your first 30-day visa expires, at least one week before. The procedure takes more than a working day. You first bring your passport and submit the extension request to an immigration office. After a few days, you must go again to be photographed and collect your passport. You will need to settle for several days in the same city to arrange this visa extension.About money… Is it possible to pay with euros or dollars in Indonesia? Do we need to exchange money and where? Is there any ATM in Indonesia?
What kind of electric plug do I need in Indonesia?
For French travellers, the plug, the voltage and the frequency are the same as in France (230 V, 50 Hz). You can use all your electric appliances safely without an adapter. Canadian travellers, beware! You’ll need an adapter because the Indonesian socket is not compatible with your plug. And, the voltage in Indonesia is 230 volts, rather than 110 volts in Canada while the frequency is 50Hz in Indonesia compared to 60Hz in Canada. Small appliances like chargers for camera, handphone or laptop do not usually require voltage or frequency convertor. To be sure, check if you have this label on you device: « INPUT : 100-240 V, 50/60 Hz ». A converter is necessary if you intend to use appliances such as hairdryer or electric razor. For more information, click on the following link: https://www.francoischarron.com/adaptateur-et-convertisseur-de-voyage:-lequel-choisir/-/jxfWv1r44G/ https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/indonesia/Why aren’t all meals (with lunches & dinners) and domestic flights included in Azimuth tour packages?
The charm of travelling often comes with happy coincidences… You meet someone interesting and wish to stay longer? Or, you just found out about a restaurant you can’t miss? Azimuth programs offer you enough flexibility to make a spontaneous change at the last minute. They are designed to accommodate you in case something unexpected happens. For example; you’re still a bit tired because of jet lag or you feel exhausted after a whole day shopping around for souvenirs? No problem, you can choose to quietly dine in your hotel. We also take into consideration that travellers of a same group might have different priorities in terms of budget or comfort. By letting you choose where you eat and how you travel from one point to the other, we want to avoid unnecessary constrains that would limit your freedom. You create the kind of travel with us that suits you the best and fulfills your expectations.Which airlines are the best to fly to Indonesia?
That depends on your priorities. Some airlines and routes specialize in cheap fares while others are reserved for high standard of comfort. Please read our article on this topic. Link : https://www.voyageindonesie.com/choisir-billet-avion-indonesie/What kind of clothes do I need to take with me?
If you stay in Bali, bring the same clothes you would take for a holiday in Spain or in the south of France. Still, you should have appropriate clothing to wear in temples. They must not be too revealing. T-shirt with short sleeves rather that tank top and long skirt or pants are fine. For those travelling in Java or on other islands, you will feel more comfortable wearing adequate clothing. Javanese women, independently of their religion, don’t usually wear low-cut necklines, tank tops with thin straps or short skirts. If you wear inappropriate clothes you risk to be constantly stared at. That can be quite disturbing when all you want is to quietly walk around while exploring a city. If you go to the beach on another island than Bali or, as a matter of fact, on quiet beaches in Bali if they are rarely visited by foreign tourists, take a pair of shorts and a T-shirt with you. This will spare you from persistent stares when you swim or take a sun bath. By the way, apart from Bali, bathing in the sea is very uncommon for Indonesians. Those who do almost always keep all their clothes on, men or women.What’s the weather like in Indonesia? When is the best time to come if I want to do diving? How about hiking a volcano?
Indonesia is a tropical country with stable temperatures ranging between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius all year round. On Java island, we count theoretically two seasons: the dry season from May to October and the rainy season from November to April. That’s in theory. In reality, it is becoming more and more difficult to predict the exact length of each season due to climate changes. But, do you absolutely have to avoid the rainy season? Not necessarily. The monsoon doesn’t mean that it rains from morning to evening. Generally, the mornings are clear and the clouds move in gradually until it gets completely overcast. Then the rain starts in mid-afternoon and usually lasts from 30 minutes to 2 hours, sometimes a bit longer but rarely until late in the evening. The seasons in Bali are pretty much the same as in Java except that the rainy season is not as strong. However, it rains more in the north of the island than in the south. It is quite possible to travel during the rainy season. Some people even find it cooler as a result of its daily showers. Still, there’s an exception: if you plan to hike one or more volcanoes, for your security the dry season is the best option. If you’re expecting to go diving, it is possible all year-round but the visibility is better when it doesn’t rain. However, depending on your destination, certain species can be seen only during the rainy season, for example the manta ray in Komodo. You will find information on the various diving spots here. Link : https://blogplongee.fr/plonger/indonesie