The islands of the Indonesian archipelago are strung like beads across the equator. Clear blue seas lap pristine beaches, gentle breezes carry scents of spices and flowers, and divers are entranced by the ocean’s riches. Inland, dramatic volcanic ranges tower above a green mantle of terraced hillsides and lush rainforest.

Bali offers an image of paradise: stunning scenery, gentle sarong-clad people and sunsets of legendary glory. On peaceful Lombok, life moves at a slower pace, while bustling Jakarta exhibits Indonesia’s cosmopolitan, modern face. Komodo Island’s ‘living dinosaurs’ and the entrancing ‘sea gardens’ of Suwalesi invite exploration, as do Borobudur’s architectural treasures, which include 5km (3 miles) of Buddhist relief carvings. Adventure-seekers head for Kalimantan’s remote jungle interior or explore Sumatra, with its teeming wildlife and wealth of tribal groups.

Yet these fabled isles of sunshine and spices have long been stalked by security issues, fired up by governmental corruption. The powerful Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) almost won a coup in 1965, but was defeated by an army led by General Suharto, wielding Western support. Between 400,000 and 1 million were massacred by that army in the aftermath of the coup. Sukarno, politically crippled, was replaced by Suharto, who remained president until his (forced) resignation in May 1998. Under the Suharto government, the army always held ultimate political power while a technocrat class was left to run the country day-to-day.

Since then, militant Islam has been threatening to tear the archipelago apart. Examples of inter-fighting include the Moluccan Islands, one of the few parts of Indonesia with a majority Christian population: since the beginning of 1999, they have been engaged in an increasingly violent struggle with Muslim militants that has claimed thousands of lives. Suicide bombing has occurred in Bali, most recently on 1 October 2005, and there remains a high threat from terrorism in Indonesia. The cataclysmic tsunami that occurred on 26 December 2004 further hampered Indonesia's economic and touristic progress.

However, from such a devastating tsunami also came a much-needed glimmer of hope: a peace agreement with separatist rebels was reached just as 2006 dawned, resulting in the withdrawal of state security forces from the Aceh province. In return, Free Aceh Movement rebels began disarmament and vowed to abolish their armed wing. Such withdrawal effectively ended a 29-year conflict that had claimed thousands upon thousands of lives.

However, until such a catalogue of problems are fully resolved, many tourists will be deterred from travelling to Indonesia and will therefore miss out on its myriad marvels; and many of its residents will remain living amidst poverty, corruption and peril.

Passport/Visa

Passports

Passport valid for at least six months from date of entry required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Visa Note

All nationals referred to in the chart are eligible for a 30-day visa on arrival; visas on arrival are not extendable; for stays longer than 30 days or for non-touristic stays nationals should apply for a visa in advance. To apply in advance nationals must:
(a) have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry;
(b) enter Indonesia through one of the main ports listed below: 
Airports: Adi Juanda (Surabaya), Adisutjipto (Yogyakarta), Adi Sumarno (Solo), El Tari (Kupang), Halim Perdanakusuma (Jakarta), Hassanudin (Makasar), Ngurah Rai (Denpasar), Polonia (Medan), Sam Ratulangi (Manado), Selaparang (Mataram), Sepinggan (Balik Papan), Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta), Sulta Syarif Kasim II (Pekan Baru) and Tabing (Padang).
Seaports: Bandar Bintan, Selani Lagoi and Bandar Sri Udana Lobam (Tanjung Uban, Bintan), Batu Ampar, Marina Teluk Senimba, Nongsa, Sekupang and Batam Centre (Batam Island), Belawan (North Sumatera), Benoa (Island of Bali) Bitung (Sulawesi), Bitung (Sulawsi), Jayapura (Irian Jaya), Maumere (East Nusa Tenggara), Padang Bai (Bali), Pare-Pare (South Sulawesi), Sibolga (North Sumatera), Soekarno-Hatta (Makasar), Sri Bintan Pura (Riau), Tanjung Balai Karimun (Sumatera), Tanjung Mas (Semarang), Tanjung Priok (Jakarta), Teluk Bayur (Padang), Tenau (Kupang), Yos Sudarso (Dumai, Sumatra).

Visitors who exceed their 30-day stay will be given severe fines and possibly deported or imprisoned.

Journalists should apply for a visa through the information department of the Indonesian embasy.

Types of Visa and Cost

Single-entry: £35. Multiple-entry: £125 (business only). Transit: £15. Tourist visas issued on arrival: minimum US$25, depending on port of entry. Fees are non-refundable.

Validity

Single-entry: Three months from date of issue for a maximum stay of 60 days. Multiple-entry: One year, with each stay lasting no longer than 60 days. The first entry must be within three months of date of issue. Transit: Three months from the date of issue for a maximum stay of seven days.

Applications to:

Consular section at embassy; see Contact Addresses. All visitors are advised to process their visas at the visa section at the embassy before entry to Indonesia.

Working Days Required

Two to four. Applications for multiple-entry business visas and applications from nationals of certain countries will need to be referred to the authorities in Indonesia and may take two months or more. There is an additional £5 fee in this case.

Money

Currency

Rupiah (IDR; symbol Rp). Notes are in denominations of Rp100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of Rp1,000, 500, 100, 50 and 25.

Currency Exchange

Although there should be no difficulty exchanging major currencies in the main tourist centres, problems may occur elsewhere. The easiest currency to exchange is the US Dollar.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club and Eurocard are widely accepted in Jakarta and the main tourist areas. In more remote areas, it is best to carry cash in small denominations. ATMs are available in towns.

Traveller's Cheques

Limited merchant acceptance but can be easily exchanged at banks and larger hotels. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. American Express are more widely accepted.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0830-1530/1730; Sat 0930-1230.

Exchange Rate Indicators

Health

Vaccinations

* The risk of malaria varies according to area - check before travel.

**A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas.

Food and Drink

Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid dairy products that are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other Risks

Vaccinations for tuberculosis, Japanese B encephalitis, and hepatitis B are sometimes recommended.

Health Care

Health insurance to include emergency repatriation cover is strongly advised. Adequate routine medical care is available in all major cities, but emergency services are generally inadequate outside major cities. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payments before any treatment is given. Although medical costs are relatively cheap, drugs can be expensive.

Getting There

Getting There by Air

The national airlines are Garuda Indonesia (GA) (website: www.garuda-indonesia.com) and Merpati Nusantara Airlines (MZ) (website: www.merpati.co.id).

Approximate Flight Times

There are no direct flights from Europe and the USA – most transit Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). From London to Jakarta, Java is about 20 hours and to Denpasar, Bali is about 22 hours (including approximate stopover time).

Main Airports

Java: Jakarta (CGK) (Soekarno-Hatta) is 20km (13 miles) northwest of Jakarta city centre (journey time – 45 minutes). To/from the airport: A bus goes to the city every 30 to 60 minutes. Buses leave Jakarta from Gambir railway station and from Rawamangun, Blok M and Pasar Minguu bus stations. Taxis are also available to the city centre. Facilities: Banks/bureaux de change, a post office, duty-free shops, gift shops, restaurants, snack bars, car hire and medical/vaccination facilities.

Bali: Denpasar (DPS) (Ngurah Rai), 13km (8 miles) southwest of Denpasar city centre, is the main airport on Bali (journey time – 30 minutes). To/from the airport: A bus goes to the city centre. Taxis are available to the city and to Kuta, Urud, Nusadua and Sanur. Facilities: Restaurant/bar, newsagent, bank, post office and car hire.

Note: For a full list of the air- and seaports which may be used to enter and exit Indonesia, see the website of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in the UK (see Contact Addresses).

Departure Tax

Rp100,000 from Jakarta and Denpasar; Rp75,000 from other airports; transit passengers continuing their journey on the same day, and infants under the age of 2 are exempt.

Getting There by Water

Main ports: Belawan (Medan), Dumai, and Padang on Sumatra.

High-speed ferries run between Sumatra and Malaysia. The most popular route is Belawan (Medan)–Penang (journey time – 4 hours), operated by Langkawi Ferry (tel: (61) 452 1111; website: www.langkawi-ferry.com). There are also services between Dumai–Malacca, Mandalo (Sulawesi), and The Philippines.

Many cruise lines serve Indonesia.

Getting There by Rail

There is a daily sea and rail service between Belawan and Penang (west Malaysia) operated by National Railroad of Indonesia.

Getting There by Road

Indonesia’s international land borders are between Kalimantan and the Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah on the island of Borneo, and Papua and Papua New Guinea. There are no road links with Sabah and the few (poorly maintained) roads to Sarawak are not recognised as gateways to Indonesia.

Climate

Tropical climate varying from area to area. The eastern monsoon brings the driest weather (June to September), while the western monsoon brings the main rains (December to March). Rainstorms occur all year. Higher regions are cooler.

Required Clothing

Lightweights with rainwear. Warmer clothes are needed for cool evenings and upland areas. Smart clothes such as jackets are required for formal occasions, and it is regarded inappropriate to wear brief clothes anywhere other than the beach or at sports facilities. Women should observe the Muslim dress code that requires shoulders and legs to be kept covered.

Contacts

Ministry Of Culture And Tourism, Republic Of Indonesia

Sapta Pesona Building, Jalal Medan Merdeka Barat 17, Jakarta 10110, Indonesia
Tel: (21) 383 8167.
Website: www.my-indonesia.info

Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in the UK

38 Grosvenor Square, London W1K 2HW, UK
Consular section: 38A Adam's Row, London W1X 9AD, UK
All post should be addressed to 38 Grosvenor Square.
Tel: (020) 7499 7661.
Website: www.indonesianembassy.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700 (general and tourist enquiries); 1030-1300 (visa applications) and 1430-1600 (visa collections).

Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in the USA

2020 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Tel: (202) 775 5200.
Website: www.embassyofindonesia.org