Indonesia

Indonesia is a captivating blend of natural wonders and cultural riches. Whether exploring the coral reefs of Raja Ampat, hiking Mount Bromo, or relaxing on the beaches of the Gili Islands, every corner of Indonesia offers something unique.

Some facts about Indonesia:

• Indonesia's ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity varies from more than 500 languages and dialects, depending on their location in the country.
• Indonesia islands archipelago spreads over 5200km between Asia and Australia and is the home to over 270 million citizens.
• The island has 139 volcanoes, and some of them you can climb.
• Indonesia's biological variety is incredible and considered one of the best countries for diving. It's the home to most of Earth's plant and animal species.
• Indonesia has Southeast Asia's biggest economy, and it's one of the world's leading suppliers of rubber, coffee, cocoa, and palm oil.

Reasons to visit

Due to its nature of multi-culture, there are several things you should never do when traveling to Indonesia:

• Never joke about race, religion, and ethnicity - the people of Indonesia come from diverse ethnicities, cultures, and beliefs. Therefore, avoid talking or insulting a particular race or religion.
• Do not rely too much on credit cards - you can easily manage shopping in stores and restaurants with a credit card. But, when going to more remote places and different attractions, always have cash on you, including smaller bills for tips, pay for parking, or purchase small things or souvenirs.
• Spicy means hot! - when you the word spicy next to a dish on the menu, be sure that meal will burn.
• Do not drink tap water - you can feel free to use tap water to shower and cook but stick to bottled water daily drinking.
• Do not drink alcohol or play card games in public places - as a country with Muslims as the majority, alcohol drinking is prohibited by law. There is an exception in tourist places with many international visitors like Bali, but in most other areas in Indonesia, you should avoid drinking alcohol and playing card games.
• Never do drugs - drugs are considered a severe crime. Possession and distribution of drugs are punishable up to the death penalty.
• Be polite - Smile, Thank people and generally be polite. They appreciate friendly people.
• Learning a few local words would be highly appreciated by your driver or guide. For example: ‘terima kasih‘ means ‘thank you’.

Accessibility Level: Medium

• Many tourist areas have good accessibility, but infrastructure can be limited in rural and remote regions. Wheelchair accessibility is improving, especially in large cities like Jakarta and Bali.