If you’re looking for culture, activities, wildlife or sheer adventure, Indonesia is one of the richest countries in the world. With an estimated 13,466 islands, it's a whopper too. But Indonesia beyond Bali and Lombok (and the Gili Islands) remains largely unknown to many travelers. To pick just one example, Sumatra (80 times the size of Bali) is almost a world in itself. And yet people ask the question: “Is Indonesia worth visiting?”
Of course! This chain of islands – many culturally unique – stretches west to east across more than 5000km (3110 miles), making it one of the world’s most excitingly diverse countries. From getting ready before you go to important etiquette and safety information, here are 15 things you need to know to help you plan your trip to Indonesia.
Most visitors to Bali do their best to avoid the rainy season (normally November to March), but there is really no bad time to visit Indonesia. Even at the height of the monsoon, rains are normally short and sharp and can form an unforgettably dramatic sound and light show. You will often have several bright sunny days between relatively brief storms. There are benefits too in reduced crowds (and dropped prices) since this is also low-season… but the greatest disadvantage comes with the first rains of the year that wash plastic trash (one of Indonesia’s greatest problems) down the rivers and onto the beaches.
At other extremes of the archipelago, West Papua and the Maluku Islands tend to have their dry seasons between September and March. Giant Sumatra (1000km/620 miles long) and Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) are big enough to have weather patterns all of their own. As a general rule, March to October is a good bet for avoiding the heavy rains in these areas. This can be important in jungle regions since some areas might be inaccessible during the rains.
It is possible for citizens of the UK, USA, Canada and Australia to be granted a Visa on Arrival (VOA) at some international airports, seaports or land crossings. However, it is best to apply for an e-Visa (e-VOA) at least 48 hours before departure instead. This can also be extended for a further 30 days. The initial 30-day tourist visa costs around US$35. Make sure you have at least six months before your passport expires before departure.
If you're planning to stay longer in Indonesia to work or study, there are different visa options available. For citizens of other countries, check your visa options and apply online.
It’s been said that one in 10 of all the world’s languages are spoken in Indonesia. Many islands have their own unique languages (some have hundreds), and English is spoken only in tourist areas. Fortunately for the traveler, Bahasa Indonesia (literally "Indonesia
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With its pulsing, modern cities, beautiful rural landscapes and world-renowned cuisine, Japan is one of the top stops for travelers seeking a fully immersive Asian experience. And there's good news: travelers dreaming of a long-awaited trip to Japan need wait no longer – after establishing some of the world’s strictest border control policies during COVID-19, Japan has opened visa-free travel for visitors from most countries.
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