It has been 223 days since we posted the very first travel article of Turisku.com – Bunaken Marine Paradise. Time sure flies. Out of our busy schedules, we’ve tried our best to provide you with great Indonesian travel articles, tips & tricks and information. Many things have been improved and much more are coming! Simply said, we are excited to move forward in 2010.

In 2010, Indonesia is aiming to attract 7 million tourists, targeting to increase 8.5% from 2009. With the development of many beautiful and hidden gems places in Indonesia, we personally believe Indonesia is going to surpass the prediction as Indonesia has achieved and go beyond it’s 2009 target.

In the past 3 months, we have received questions about “what’s needed to travel to Indonesia?” Many travelers are concerned with traveling to Indonesia due to its current condition and what to expect. Well, to answer these questions, we are providing you with the following checklist:

1. Going to a new country can be a remarkable experience. You see something new, you smell something new, you taste something new and you get to meet with new people. However, before you start interacting with the locals, make sure you at least know some basic phrases.

   Of course, going to a famous tourist place, such as Bali, most likely the locals can speak English, the widely spoken language. There’s still no harm to learn some Indonesian basic phrases though. Who knows, you decide to visit other remotely beautiful places in Indonesia.

   Learn Indonesian Basic Phrases

2. It is NOT fun at all when you have arrived at a port of entry in Indonesia only to find that you cannot enter the country because you don’t have the required visa. If you are a citizen of the listed 11 countries, you are eligible for a Visa-Free Short Visit Permit. On the other hand, if you are a citizen of the listed 63 countries, you are eligible to apply for a Visa on Arrival. Make sure your passport is valid for six months from the date of entry.

   Indonesia Complete Visa Information

3. Due to the 1997 Asian financial crisis and 1998 riot in Indonesia that brought the fall of Suharto (the 32 years Indonesia’s authoritarianism ruler), traveling and shopping in Indonesia are relatively cheap for many of the developed countries citizens. Rupiah (Indonesia’s currency) fluctuates in the range of Rp. 9,200 – Rp. 9,500 per USD $1.

   Make sure you have enough cash before coming into Indonesia and be careful when you exchange money at famous tourists’ places in Indonesia. There are reported incidents where travelers didn’t get what they are supposed to get. Always double check and count your money before you leave the money exchanger.

4. Indonesia is a tropical country and with a tropical country, there are tropical diseases. Get your vaccinations before going to Indonesia to avoid any delay in your travel. Here is the list of recommended vaccinations:
   • Hepatitis A – recommended for all travelers (10 days before travel)
   • Hepatitis B – recommended for all travelers (2 months before travel)
   • Typhoid – 10 days before travel
   • Diphtheria -3 months before travel
   • Tuberculosis – 3 months before travel
   • Rabies – 1 month before travel
   • Cholera – 2 weeks before travel
   • Yellow fever – 10 days before travel
   • Japanese B encephalitis – 1 month before travel
   • Malaria – recommended for traveler to rural areas of Sumatra, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua and Maluku

   Source: Netdoctor

   One of the most common travel-related ailments is diarrhea. Bring an antibiotic and an antidiarrheal drug for your use when you feel uneasy.

5. Now that you’ve taken the recommended vaccinations, learned some basic phrases and have gotten your visitor visa done, it is time to decide which beautiful places in Indonesia you’re going to visit.

   Indonesia is home to 17,508 islands, 237 million people, 300 distinct native ethnicities and 742 different language and dialects. Indonesia is the Ultimate in Diversity and going to Indonesia goes beyond your wildest imaginations.

   Use our interactive Indonesia map for destinations in Indonesia you can visit.

6. Traveling solo to Indonesia? That is one question that has always been asked in many travel forums. Adventurous travelers are enticed with the notion of exploring new places by themselves, make new acquaintances along the way and going for a budget travel. Indonesia is completely safe to travel solo, as long as you respect Indonesia’s traditions and religious practices.

   Cover up (shoulders and knees) and don’t intentionally show your “package” when you travel – unless you’re asking for a hook up. Know when to say NO is also an important skill you have to learn in all your traveling experiences. Get in contact with your foreign embassies in Indonesia and tell them where you’re traveling.

We hope the above list answer many of your questions about traveling to Indonesia. We are also putting up together a specialized tour to hidden gem places in Indonesia in 2010. Subscribe or join us on Facebook to get updates.

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