Travelers to Indonesia are advised to keep themselves well informed of developments. There are a number of sources on the web that provide updated information.  These include US Department of State, British Foreign & Commonwealth Office, and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

>>> Read the latest Travel Warning from the U.S. Department of State.

Tourism
Indonesia receives four million visitors per year; however, tourism has taken a severe downturn in most parts of the archipelago due to reports of political unrest.

Visas
Citizens of most countries can stay 60 days without a visa.

Time Zones
There are three time zones: Sumatra, Java and West & Central Kalimantan are seven hours ahead of UTC; Bali, Nusa Tenggara, South & East Kalimantan and Sulawesi are eight hours ahead of UTC; and Irian Jaya and Maluku are nine hours ahead of UTC.

Climate and Weather
Draped over the equator, Indonesia tends to have a fairly uniform climate — hot. It's hot and wet during the wet season (October to April) and hot and dry during the dry season (May to September).

When to Go
Though travel in the wet season is possible in most parts of Indonesia, it can be a deterrent to some activities and travel on mud-clogged roads in less developed areas is difficult. In general, the best time to visit is in the drier months between April and October.

The Christmas holiday period begins a wave of migratory Australians and there's an even bigger tourist wave during the European summer holidays. The main Indonesian holiday periods are the end of Ramadan, when some resorts are packed to overflowing and prices skyrocket.

Getting There and Getting Out
The principal gateways for entry to Indonesia are Jakarta and Bali. Air travelers arrive at Cengkareng (Soekarno-Hatta) International Airport or Halim International Airport, both in Jakarta (Java), or Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar (Bali). Jakarta is serviced by more airlines but, thanks to its tourist trade, Bali gets almost as much traffic. Airport tax on international flights varies between airports, but is approximately US$10.00. Allow plenty of time for immigration and customs.

Most sea connections are on comfortable high-speed ferries running between Malaysia and Sumatra, though there is also a service between Manado in northern Sulawesi and Davao in the Philippines.

Departure is usually a painless procedure if you are not exporting Indonesian currency or valuable artifacts. Departure tax is Rp 21,000 for international flights from Jakarta and Rp 20,000 from Bali.

Getting Around
BY AIR: Indonesia has a variety of airlines servicing domestic routes, including Garuda, Mandala, and Merpati. Each airline publishes a nationwide timetable, which can be obtained from their respective head offices in Jakarta. On more popular routes, book well in advance, especially in the peak tourist season around July and August. Airport tax on domestic flights averages Rp 5,000.

BY RAIL: Rail travel is restricted solely to Java and Sumatra. Indonesia's trains are pretty much a mixed bag: slow, miserable and cheap or comfortable and expensive. It's advisable to buy train tickets a day in advance to assure a seat.

BY FERRY: There are regular ferries between the various islands including ferry service between Merak (Java) and Padang (Sumatra), between Ujungganyar (Java) and Kamal (Madura), and between Ketapang (Java) and Gillimanuk (Bali). Extremely low fares match the lack of luxury.

ROADWAYS: Indonesia's main roads are generally excellent surfaced highways. Roads outside major cities, except for intercity connectors and toll roads, are generally in poor condition and roadside assistance is not readily available.

TAXIS are plentiful in the cities, but agree on fare in advance. Use taxis from a major hotel queue or by calling a taxi company, rather than hailing one on the street, as unofficial cabs can be dangerous. In Jakarta, it's best to use the Bluebird taxi company fleet, which has meters that work. In Bali, taxis set fixed rates.

RENTAL CARS are available in Jakarta and Bali from international companies (Avis, Hertz, National), but prices are high for chauffeured vehicles. Drivers use the left-hand side of the road in Indonesia. Driving at night outside major cities can be hazardous.

LOCAL TRANSPORT includes the ubiquitous bemo, oplet, becak, ojek, dokar, and bis; most are ridiculously cheap. The bemo is a three-wheeled motorized pedicab that follows regular routes and can be hired for individual use. The oplet (derived from the Dutch for "to flag down") is Jakarta's cheap and handy minibus that ply regular routes. The becak is a three-wheeled pedicab that operates only in Jakarta 10 PM–6 AM. Bali has no becaks. The ojek is a kind of bicycle taxi that is often motorized. The dokar, also called a tonga, delman, or sado, is a horsecart that seats one passenger next to the driver and about three behind for a minimum fare of Rp 200. Fares for these modes of transportation should be negotiated and agreed upon before the ride.

The bis, or bus, can be hopelessly overcrowded, slow, and nerve-wracking. Express buses link major towns, but expect a bouncy and adventurous ride. All major cities in Java are linked by bus services, but use the bus only for shorter distances—take the train for longer journeys.

Accommodations
Hotels have an interesting rating formula in Indonesia, the melati system for standard hotels and the bintang system for luxury hotels and resorts. A five-star hotel will cost from about Rp 250,000 a night.

Small business hotels throughout Indonesia serve admirably if all you require is something simple but efficient. If you are finding lodging as you travel, ask to see the room first and check such things as noise. Accommodations close to a mosque can be very noisy. Although most hotels have running water, showers, and Western toilets, cheaper accommodations may not.

Health and Safety
IMMUNIZATION: All standard immunizations should be current including MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) and DT (diphtheria and tetanus). In addition, immunization against the following are recommended: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies (depending on location), Adult polio booster, Japanese B encephalitis (if traveling to certain remote areas), Malaria prophylaxis (if traveling outside urban areas.)

INSECT-BORNE ILLNESSES: When traveling outside of urban areas, take appropriate precaution against the following insect-borne illnesses: Dengue fever, Filariasis in (some) rural areas, Malaria, Typhus

FOOD AND WATER: The traveler needs to take great care and personal responsibility for maintaining a supply of safe food and drink due to risk of common bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases. In resort areas, the hotels and restaurants generally serve reliable food and drinkable water. Elsewhere, travelers should strictly observe food and drink safety precautions. Always avoid ice, salads, (uncooked) seafood and peeled fruit.

Drink several bottles of sealed water per day to stay sufficiently hydrated. Drink only water known to be safe - in some cases even bottled water may not have been prepared to the necessary minimum standards to be safe. Be sure the safety-seal on the bottle cap is intact.

MEDICAL CARE: Most doctors and medical facilities will expect immediate payment for their services, perhaps suspecting that most transient patients will be poor payers of invoices sent after their departure from the country. Service providers in this country do not accept a guarantee of payment from an overseas insurance or medical assistance company, unless perhaps the company has an office in the same city, so it is necessary to have immediate access to sufficient funds in cash to meet the expenses.

NATURAL DISASTERS: Natural hazards include occasional floods, severe droughts, tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanoes.

HAZARDOUS ANIMALS AND INSECTS: Animal hazards are rare, and are not a concern in urban areas. In more remote areas, be mindful of snakes (kraits, cobras, and pit vipers), spiders, scorpions, crocodiles, panthers, bears, wild pigs, and wild cattle. Stingrays, jellyfish, sea wasps, poisonous fish of multiple species, and the Indo-Pacific man-of-war are common in the country's coastal waters, including areas around resorts.

POLLUTION: Environmental concerns include water pollution from industrial wastes and sewage, air pollution in urban areas, and smoke and haze from massive forest fires.

CRIME: The crime rate in Indonesia is moderate, but credit card fraud is a growing problem. Minor crimes, such as pickpocketing and thefts, occur in popular tourist sites throughout the country. Incidents of robbery have been on the increase since the economic crisis. Thefts and robberies from cars stopped at traffic lights have been reported on occasion. Travelers are advised to keep car doors locked and windows rolled up. Poachers and illegal loggers operating in Indonesian parks and nature preserves have threatened researchers, tourists and others in order to discourage foreign presence in those areas

Money Tips
The rupiah, Indonesia's official monetary unit, has been in flux due to the Asian currency crisis and new IMF regulations. The exchange rate went from Rp 2,450/US $1.00 in July 1997 to Rp 14,500/US $1.00 in July 1998, and averaged Rp 10,000/US $1.00 in 1999 and 2000. US dollars go a long way anywhere in Indonesia. The costs quoted below are ballpark figures based on the current Rp 10,000/US $1.00 average exchange rate.

Meals - Budget: US$0.25-2.00; Mid-range: US$2.00-5.00; Top-end: US$5.00 and upwards.

Lodging - Budget: US$2.00-5.00; Mid-range: US$5.00-20.00; Top-end: US$20.00 and upwards

Travelers cheques and cash (preferably US dollars) are the way to go in Indonesia. Credit cards are accepted by expensive hotels, restaurants and shops, but not for day-to-day expenses. In major centers, you can always find a bank that will advance cash on Visa or MasterCard. Money changers are found in areas where tourists congregate: in malls, hotels, near concentrations of budget accommodations and in major business districts. US dollars are easily exchanged ONLY IF they are without any mark, fold or imperfection of any kind. You will soon find that no one will exchange "used" bills.

Tipping is not a normal practice in Indonesia but is often expected for special service. Someone who carries your bag or guides you around a tourist attraction are normally tipped. Jakarta taxi drivers expect you to round the fare up to the next Rp 500. Hotel porters expect a few hundred rupiah per bag.

Many everyday purchases normally require bargaining but in the current economic turmoil, look to your conscience before applying this too stringently.

Activities
There is good diving and snorkeling off Bali (Nusa Dua, Sanur, Padangbai), between Komodo and Labuhanbajo in Flores, and around the Banda Islands. The sea gardens of Sulawesi, particularly around Manado, are legendary. Renowned surf spots include Ulu Watu in Bali, Grajagan in Java and Nias off Sumatra, but there is surf along the southern coast of virtually all the islands in Nusa Tenggara. Windsurfing enthusiasts are well catered for in the southern resorts of Bali. Rafting is a new activity now offered on Bali's Ayung River.

Sumatra has good jungle treks, particularly in Gunung Leuser National Park. Berastagi and Bukit Lawang are also popular trekking centers in Sumatra. For those who want to reach for the skies, Gunung Bromo in East Java and Gunung Agung in Bali are day climbs; Gunung Rinjani, the volcano that dominates Lombok, is a strenuous but worthwhile three-day jaunt.