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Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions which are commonly asked.
Please contact us if you have further questions.
We'll be glad to respond to your inquiries.
What is the climate like?
When is the best time to go?
What time zone is Indonesia?
Are meals included in tour packages?
What type of food is typical of Indonesia?
Is the water safe to drink?
What should I pack?
Do I need an electrical adaptor?
Can I use my cell phone?
What are the tour leaders like?
Are tour dates flexible?
How far in advance should I book?
Can I extend or change my stay?
Are these trips a good choice for solo travelers?
How safe is Indonesia?
Is travel insurance recommended?
What is the best way to travel to Indonesia?
Do tour rates include international flights?
How do I get to the hotel from the airport when I arrive?
What is the local currency, exchange rate, etc.?
Should I bring cash or Traveler's checks? Are ATMs available? Can I use credit cards?
Do I need a visa/passport?
What immunizations are recommended/ required?
What is the climate like?
Almost all of Indonesia lies just south of the Equator. This means that the climate is warm and tropical all year round. And, in turn, this means that you can travel to Indonesia at any time of the year. It does get hot and humid at times, but rarely unbearably so.
When is the best time to go?
As stated above, you can travel to Indonesia during any month of the year. There is no "bad" month to go.
What time zone is Indonesia
Indonesia is 11 or 12 hours ahead (later) than EST, depending on whether or not Daylight Savings Time is in effect.
Are meals included?
Breakfast at your hotel, usually buffet-style, is included for every day of your trip. These are usually very extensive meals with wide choices.
Some of the tour packages include other meals as well and these are described within the day-by-day itineraries.
What type of food is typical of Indonesia?
Indonesia has delicious food. Some of it is similar to American-style Chinese food, but fresh salt-water seafood is found at most restaurants and it is very good. Tropical fruits such as mango, guava and jackfruit can be safely eaten at your hotels. Many of the hotels you will be staying at have wonderful pastries available. Unless you do not eat rice, noodles, seafood or Chinese-style food, you will eat very well in Indonesia. However, it may not be a good place for a strict vegetarian. In general, restaurant meals are very reasonably priced.
Is the water safe to drink?
Bottled water is readily available and is generally recommended.
What should I pack?
Pack for warm weather. Shorts, bathing suits, light clothing. Don't worry if you don't bring enough since tropical clothing, much of it very stylish, can be purchased easily and inexpensively in Indonesia.
Do I need an electrical adaptor or converter?
You will need a converter. Rather than present you here with a lot of technical advice, we suggest that you search on the internet for "Indonesia electrical converter". Many of the people offering these items for sale have 800-numbers and you can consult them on the phone.
Can I use my cell phone?
Check with your cell phone provider. Each company is different and they can give you the most up-to-date information.
What are the tour leaders like?
All of our tour leaders are fluent in English. They are among the very best guides available in each region. Our tour leaders treat our travelers like friends, showing visitors both the major highlights and the local treasures.
Are tour dates flexible?
You can travel whenever you choose to do so. This is a major advantage of a custom tour for two.
How far in advance should I book?
You can book your Indonesia tour at any time, but generally the earlier you book, the better, since not only do hotels fill up but these tours involve domestic flights within Indonesia which must be booked in advance.
Having said this, we will do our best to accomodate you whenever you decide to book.
Can I extend or change my stay?
Absolutely! Extra days can also be arranged in Bali, Java or other areas if desired. Let us know how you would like to customize your trip and we will do our best to accommodate you. Indonesia has many fascinating regions and islands not mentioned in our basic tour packages. You might decide to visit some of them and we can also arrange that for you. You might also decide to visit Australia before or after your Indonesia trip.
Are these trips a good choice for solo travelers?
Any of our tours can be taken by solo travelers. Due to the fact that you will not be sharing hotel rooms and guides, the cost will naturally be higher. Ask us about the price differential.
How safe is Indonesia?
We recommend that you look at the latest State Department information for Indonesia
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_2052.html
Although there have been a few incidents of terrorism within Indonesia, these are very rare, and Indonesia remains an extremely popular travel destination, filled with luxury hotels and resorts. It attracts more Europeans and, especially, Australians, than Americans because of the travel times. Bali is around 5 hours by air from Sydney and attracts a huge number of Australian visitors, probably the single largest tourist group.
We have made well over 30 trips to Indonesia and have never once experienced an incident of crime.
Do I need a visa for Indonesia?
You do need a visa for Indonesia and your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your arrival. There are many services online that provide visa service, or you can apply directly through the Indonesian embassy or consulates. All of this information is readily available online or we can help you with the application.
Is travel insurance recommended?
Whether or not to get travel insurance is a personal decision. We neither endorse nor not endorse doing so. In general, it certainly cannot hurt. On the other hand, travel to the parts of the world that we go to is pretty safe nowadays and most people do not see the need for the extra expense of travel insurance. Here is a good website that explores this question: http://www.travelblog.org/Travel-Guide/insurance-1.html
What is the best way to travel to Indonesia?
Indonesia is a fairly long airtrip from the United States, somewhat closer from the West Coast than from the East Coast. Most of the well-known Asian airlines fly there, such as Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, etc.
EVA Airlines through Taiwan can often be a very good choice because of their price structure for business-class type seating. Many travelers will elect to make a stopover somewhere in Asia, such as Hong Kong, Japan or Thailand on the way to Indonesia, and the choice of your stopover points might determine the airline you choose to fly. Most travel from the U.S. would cross the Pacific, but you can also travel via Europe.
Most of our tours end in Bali and it is generally easily to choose an airline that offers flights to Jakarta and return from Bali (DPS in airline code).
We will be happy to advise you on your international air travel arrangements but you must book the tickets yourself.
Do tour rates include international flights?
Tour rates do not include international flights. We find that it is usually less expensive for travelers to book these separately and this also allows you the flexibility to choose the schedule and routing that is most convenient for you. We can advise you about these flights..
How do I get to the hotel from the airport when I arrive?
You will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel. It's part of the service!
What is the local currency, exchange rate, etc.?
The local currency is the Rupiah and, at present, the rate is around 9500 Rupiah to the Dollar. Indonesia is one of the few remaining countries in the world where the Dollar still buys quite a bit.
Should I bring cash or Traveler's checks? Are ATMs available? Can I use credit cards?
Most travelers bring a small amount of US cash with them and withdraw from ATMs as they need it along they way. ATMs are readily available in the larger towns and cities. Travelers can local currency at fair exchange rates. Traveler's checks are not a problem Credit cards are accepted in the larger restaurants and stores and at just about all hotels.
What immunizations are recommended/ required?
No immunizations are currently required for visiting Indonesia. For the most current information, please consult your doctor and/or check out the Center for Disease Control web-site at www.cdc.gov.
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