Business Attire
The traditional batik shirt is commonly worn in the office and considered proper business attire. A suit or white shirt, tie and slacks for men is also normal business attire, as is a suit or dress for women. Offering a business card is common.
Visas
Citizens from 97 nations can secure a 30-day tourist visa upon arrival. For those who wish to stay longer, a 30-day extension can be granted at immigration offices. The visa upon arrival is available at multiple entry points, including major airports and seaports. For those who prefer to arrange visas before travelling, an electronic visa upon arrival is also available.
Health
Stomach upsets and dehydration can affect visitors to Indonesia. It is recommended to drink only bottled or boiled water. Health insurance with emergency repatriation coverage is strongly advised. Adequate routine medical care is available in all major cities. However, outside of the main urban areas emergency services are generally inadequate and medicines can be expensive. Travellers who are visiting rural areas should carry plenty of repellent to protect themselves from mosquitoes, which can carry malaria and dengue virus.
Etiquette
Indonesians are friendly and outgoing.
Indonesians’ approach to both life and business is one that is reserved and restrained from extreme emotions, while being playful and humorous. As a culture that values saving face, it is more efficient to deal with any problem with a smile and patience than by raising your voice and arguing. In a business setting, a handshake is typically used for both a greeting and farewell. It is recommended that men be addressed as Pak ( pronounced “Pa”) and women as Ibu. Visitors are expected to show respect toward religious, cultural and local values, thus do not ask for meetings on Fridays, as it is a day reserved for prayer and family for Muslims, and avoid booking meetings between 12pm and 2pm, as it is prayer time. One may hear oneself being referred to as a bule – this is simply an Indonesian term for a white person or foreigner and should not be taken as an insult.
Food & Drink
Nasi (rice) remains the primary ingredient in dishes of many types. Mi or mie (noodles) is the second-most-common staple food. The spice level of dishes varies, but can often be quite hot. Using the words tidak pedas (not spicy) can solve that problem for sensitive stomachs. Gojek and Grab offer food delivery. Moreover, although the country has the largest Muslim population in the world, alcohol is readily available, particularly in hotels, restaurants and bars. However, public displays of drunkenness are frowned upon.
Transport
Flying is the fastest means of travelling medium to long distances. There are a number of lowcost carriers that allow flying at affordable prices. In Indonesia drivers use the left side of the road and an international driving licence is required to rent or drive a car. Trains run from Jakarta to Bogor and Yogyakarta. A new high-speed rail line between Jakarta and Bandung opened in October 2023. Traffic in Jakarta can be very heavy during weekdays. Public transport is available in multiple forms, such as buses (these differ from Jakarta’s bus rapid transit system and are less comfortable); the mass rapid transit underground rail network; public vans called angkutan kota, or ANGKOT; MetroMini buses and kopaja (public mini buses); bajaj (two- or three-wheeled vehicles); and ojek ( motorcycles). Fares for bajaj and ojek journeys should be agreed in advance. Taxis are affordable, and it is recommended to take registered taxis with brands such as Bluebird or Express. There are also several ride-hailing apps both for motorcycles and cars, including Gojek and Grab.
Currency
In 2023 the rupiah remained relatively stable against the dollar. It fluctuated between approximately Rp14,672:$1 and Rp15,927:$1. Exchange houses can be found in the numerous malls of Jakarta, and it is recommended to change currency there rather than at the airport. ATMs are widely accessible in cities and can be used to withdraw cash using internationally accepted bank cards. It is advised to carry dollars as they are typically accepted by banks and money changers.
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