Indonesia travel checklist: what to do before you go

The long-lead items are the ones that cost money to fix late: passport, visa, flights and the first two nights of accommodation. Everything else can wait.

This is the health and paperwork window. Some vaccines need more than one dose or several weeks to take effect, so book a travel clinic appointment now rather than the week you fly.

Insurance is the other item to lock in. Make sure the policy covers medical treatment and evacuation in Indonesia, and that it covers whatever you plan to do — scooter riding, diving and trekking are often excluded by default.

The last week is about money, connectivity and copies. Indonesia runs on cash in small places: warungs, markets, rural homestays and scooter rentals. Cards work in hotels and malls in Bali, Jakarta and Yogyakarta, but not everywhere else.

Download offline maps and a translation app before you fly. Buy an eSIM or plan to pick up a local SIM at the airport; coverage is good on Java and Bali and patchy on smaller islands.

Carry the documents you may be asked for at check-in and on arrival: passport, visa or e-VOA confirmation, onward or return ticket, and proof of your first accommodation. Airlines sometimes ask for the onward ticket before boarding.

On the plane, set your watch to the arrival time zone. Indonesia has three: UTC+7 for Java and Sumatra, UTC+8 for Bali, Lombok and Sulawesi, UTC+9 for Maluku and Papua. Jet lag from the US is worst in the +7 zone.

Passport first. Most visitors need a passport valid for at least six months beyond arrival, with blank pages for stamps. Renew early if yours is close — a renewal can take weeks and cannot be rushed at the airport.

Visa rules depend on your passport. Many nationalities can get a visa on arrival or an e-VOA online before flying; others need a visa in advance. Confirm the current rule for your passport on the official immigration site, not on a blog, and check whether your entry point accepts the visa type you have.

Indonesia uses the rupiah (IDR, Rp), roughly Rp16,000–17,000 per US$. Prices in Bali and Jakarta are higher than in Java's smaller cities and the outer islands.

ATMs are common in cities and tourist areas and rare elsewhere. Withdraw larger amounts less often, use bank-branded ATMs inside branches or malls where you can, and keep a cash backup. Cards are accepted at hotels, mid-range restaurants and malls; small warungs, markets and rural stays are cash only.

Tipping is not expected. Rounding up, or leaving Rp10,000–50,000 for a driver or guide, is a normal courtesy.

Book a travel clinic appointment at least a month out. Routine vaccines should be up to date, and your clinician will advise on any Indonesia-specific ones based on your itinerary and how long you are staying. Some courses need more than one dose.

Check malaria and dengue advice for the specific regions you are visiting — risk varies a lot between Bali, Java, Sumatra and eastern Indonesia. Mosquito avoidance is the main defence: repellent, long sleeves at dusk, and a room with screens or air conditioning.

Bring prescription medicine in its original packaging with a copy of the prescription. Pharmacies are widespread in cities; smaller islands have less. Tap water is not for drinking — bottled, filtered or boiled water only.

Pack for heat, humidity and sudden rain, plus one modest outfit for temples. A light rain shell beats an umbrella on a scooter, and quick-dry fabrics beat cotton in the wet season.

Voltage is 230 V at 50 Hz with type C and F plugs, so most US, UK and Australian devices need an adapter. Check that your charger handles 230 V; most phone and laptop chargers do.

Leave space. Sarongs, wood carvings and coffee are the usual souvenirs, and domestic flights charge for checked bags on some fares.