1. All Indonesia Arrival Card - mandatory and free
A single online form now stands in for the former health form, customs form (e-CD) and immigration card. All arriving passengers must have it regardless of nationality, and children are included (a family can be filed for by one adult, and each person receives a QR code). Complete it in the 72 hours (3 days) before landing, store the QR code in your phone, and present it with your passport. There is no charge, so never hand money to a third-party website for it. Note that it is NOT a visa.
2. Visa: check which one you need
Many nationalities qualify for a Visa on Arrival (VOA), and online applications made first (e-VOA) are usually faster at the airport. Other nationalities are visa-free or must obtain a visa before travelling. Fees can change, so look up the VOA/e-VOA fee and the list of eligible countries on the official e-Visa site, which is the only place to apply. Entry is never guaranteed by a visa or an arrival card, since the immigration officer decides.
3. Customs: what you may bring in
The All Indonesia arrival card now includes your customs declaration. For adult visitors the usual allowance is about 200 cigarettes and 1 litre of alcohol. Declaration is required for large cash sums (IDR 100 million or more). Exact limits change, so consult the customs site. A strict ban applies to drugs, and the penalties are very severe. Medicines containing narcotic ingredients, large electronics and drones can need paperwork, so confirm with the customs site before flying.
4. Bali tourist levy (Bali only)
The levy for foreign visitors to Bali is one-time: IDR 150,000 for every person, adult or child, on each visit. Payment can be made at the airport, or online before flying via the app or official site of Love Bali. The voucher QR code should be kept, as it gets checked at some attractions and at the airport. Payment should go only through the official site.
Also good to know
A blank page and 6 months' validity are required in the passport for most visas. Photos of the passport, visa and return ticket should be kept on your phone. Overstaying brings a fine for each day and can end in deportation along with a ban.
Weather, earthquakes and tsunamis in Indonesia
The Pacific 'Ring of Fire' is where Indonesia lies. The official body for weather, earthquake and tsunami warnings is BMKG, which has an app and a website: get the app or follow the site while travelling, along coasts and, above all, in the rainy season (roughly November-March).
Volcanoes
Some popular areas have active volcanoes: North Sumatra, East Java, Flores, Lombok and Bali. Trails for hiking can be closed when alert levels rise, and rarely airports can be closed too. Ahead of any volcano hike, or of flying during an eruption, look at MAGMA Indonesia.
Disasters and crisis help
The national disaster agency is BNPB. If an emergency occurs, call 112 (see the Emergency numbers section of this page).
Money
Money here is the Indonesian rupiah (IDR). Larger restaurants, malls and hotels accept cards; for small warungs, markets, villages and taxis, bring cash. Cities have ATMs everywhere, and those inside banks or malls are the better choice, with your PIN covered. QRIS (QR payment) is something locals use widely, and certain apps work for visitors too. Only banks and licensed money changers (Bank Indonesia's list can be checked) should be used to change money, and street changers offering 'too good' rates are best avoided. Tips are welcome but not expected; round the bill up, or give 5-10% in restaurants where no service charge applies.
Culture and etiquette in Indonesia
Hindu Bali and Christian regions sit within a diverse country that is mostly Muslim. Away from the beach, dress modestly; at temples and mosques, shoulders and knees should be covered (Balinese temples lend sarongs). Give, receive and eat with the right hand. People's heads should not be touched. Showing affection in public is frowned upon. In Muslim areas, eating or drinking in public during the daytime in Ramadan is best avoided. In Bali, canang, the small daily offerings, lie on the pavement and should not be stepped on; Nyepi, the day of silence, must be respected, and on it the whole island shuts down, the airport as well. Punishments for drugs are extremely severe. Photographing people and ceremonies calls for asking first.
Everyday practical
Sockets take plug types C and F at 230 V. Drinking tap water is unsafe, so stick to bottled or filtered water. The time zones are WIT (Papua, UTC+9), WITA (Bali, UTC+8) and WIB (Jakarta, UTC+7). SIM cards are sold at the airport and in official phone shops, and a passport is needed to buy one. Getting around cities is easiest with ride-hailing apps (Gojek, Grab).
Emergency numbers in Indonesia
112 - general emergency (free, works from any phone where the service is live). 110 - police. 118 / 119 - ambulance and medical emergency. 113 - fire. 115 - search and rescue (BASARNAS). English is understood in the main tourist areas; elsewhere ask your hotel to call for you.
Lost passport or serious trouble
Report a lost passport to the nearest police station (get the police report), then contact your embassy or consulate for an emergency travel document. Keep a photo of your passport in your e-mail or phone - it speeds everything up. The official embassy list linked here shows where to find your country's embassy or consulate.
Hospitals
Big cities and Bali have international-standard private hospitals (e.g. Siloam, BIMC in Bali, Mayapada, RS Pondok Indah in Jakarta). Public referral hospitals are cheaper but busier. Ask your hotel or travel insurer for the nearest suitable hospital.
Official tourism sites
Domestic travel between islands
Indonesia is made up of 17,000 islands and spans three time zones. Between islands, flying is the practical option (Super Air Jet, Lion, Batik, Citilink, Garuda), while ferries and fast boats cover short hops (Labuan Bajo-Komodo, Bali-Lombok-Gili). Bad weather can cancel fast boats, so build in a buffer day ahead of any international flight. The luggage allowance on domestic flights is often smaller than on international ones.
