In the past the only tourists visiting Indonesia were either global nomads, or eccentric artists. Today everyone from honeymooners to families are booking flights to Indonesia to discover what they've been missing out on all these years. And their first stop is usually the capital, Jakarta. Like most big, overpopulated cities Jakarta can be exhausting so a couple of days here is more than enough.
Made up of thousands of islands, Indonesia is a large and varied archipelago. Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, New Guinea and Sulawesi are the largest of the islands. Java, where Jakarta is situated, is the most developed of the islands and boasts some awe-inspiring volcanoes. Adventure seeking travellers booking flights to Indonesia should plan a climb up Gunung Bromo, the active volcano. Most of the tourism is concentrated in the tiny island of Bali, which has some of the best beaches and resorts in the country. Its cultural capital, Ubud, is renowned for its art galleries and festivals. Further east Lombok’s beaches and temples are becoming increasingly popular with travellers looking to get away from the crowds that Bali draws. For a real off-the-beaten-track holiday travellers should head to Sumba, where the annual pasola (ritual war) takes place and outsiders are encouraged to partake in a rite of passage-style ritual of sharing betel nut (a euphoric stimulant) with the village headman and his hosts.
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The country is hot and humid all year round, but cooler inland than along the coastal regions, the monsoon from December to March brings the heavy rains. The dry season from April to October is the best time to visit as some activities and road travel can be difficult during the rainy season.
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Peak Season:
The peak season for flights to Indonesia is its dry period, lasting from June to September. However, the beaches and coastline in the South have high temperatures year-round, so as long as you don’t mind a spot of afternoon rain, it’s possible to visit at any time.
Off Season:
If visiting the northern parts, the wet season can be prone to flooding and is best avoided.
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There are a number of airlines that offer domestic flights, primarily between Jakarta, Bali, Yogyakarta and Surabaya.
Ferries operate between the islands and standards are high.
Three types of bus service operate on the main islands – ekonomi, express and luxury. The luxury buses are the only ones fitted with air-conditioning and with adequate space for rucksacks and bags, however, a trip on the ekonomi buses is an unmissable experience.
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- Jakarta, the country’s capital city, on the island of Java has a host of things to do: museums, shops, restaurants and bars… Many of the backpackers' hostels and hotels are in Jalan Jaksa, a cheap and cheerful road in the downtown area. Similar to the Khao San Road in Bangkok, this is where people come to stay for bargain rates and meet other travellers.
- Yokyakarta is the name of both a province and its capital city on the island of Java. The city is known as the centre of culture and the arts. Batik, fine art, music and dance are specialities. To see dancers performing to the traditional gamelan music, head to Bangsal Srimanganti in Kraton on a Sunday or Thursday morning.
- Until the recent bombings, Bali was the favoured island to visit. As well as the stunning beaches and warm sea, the island has a backdrop of forests, volcanoes and rice paddies. It has seen a decrease in tourism, but this can work in the favour of travellers who want a bit more peace and quiet, and a bigger stretch of sand to themselves.
- Visit Borobodur, the Buddhist monument in central Java. The best times to see the amazing monument and its many statues of Buddha are at sunrise or sunset. Many tours head here from Jakarta, and you can join one of them or hire a car and drive there.
- The island of Lombok is east of Bali and boasts similarly beautiful beaches. Snorkelling and diving are very popular here, but there are also various attractions inland away from the beach, such as the floating palaces of justice.
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All passports must be valid for six months from date of entry. Return ticket or documentation for onward travel, and proof of sufficient funds (US$1,000 or valid credit card), is essential. A visa is required by all nationalities. This can be obtained on arrival, for a stay of up to 30 days, provided the passport contains at least one unused visa page for the visa-on-arrival sticker which covers an entire passport page. A visa can also be purchased prior to arrival. No visa is required for transit passengers, except for South African passport holders who require a visa at all times.
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