Indonesia’s thousands of archipelagic islands will take a lifetime to explore with a range of flora and fauna as well as the diversity of ethnic groups, cultures, and traditions spread throughout the beautiful tropical country. Though if you’re into underwater diving landscapes, you are in a real treat as Indonesia is a bucket list for unforgettable liveaboard diving adventures.
The best times to visit Indonesia is from May to September where the days are hot and dried with no clouds at all! Perfect for scuba diving, hiking, and sunbathing at the beach. The wet season starts from October to April where the rain pours almost daily, though probably only last an hour or two, so your day won’t be ruined.
Aside from the less than perfect weather, the prices of airlines and hotel rates usually drop along with fewer crowds at favorite attractions.
Prepare for Indonesia!
Its recommended that you get to know the basics of Bahasa Indonesia (the official language in Indonesia) as the remote areas may lack English.
The currency in Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah. 1USD equivalent to about 15,000 IDR. Upscale restaurants and hotels in tourist areas are available for credit card payments. However, note that ATMs are hard to come by in remote areas, unlike popular destinations like Bali and Jakarta. So, prepare yourself to have cash with you at all times, especially if you’re planning to shop at the local markets.
Equip yourself with a universal adapter and make sure it has surge protection with a converter for hairdryers and hot tools. The plugs in Indonesia are type C.
For female solo travelers, Indonesia is one of the safest Southeast Asia destinations. Though always take extra care of your belongings. A favorite alcoholic drink in Indonesia ‘Arak’ sometimes contain poisonous methanol, so you should avoid buying these and only buy drinks from popular bars and resorts.
Here are the top tips you should be ready for before coming to Indonesia. Visit Calico Jack Liveaboard website for an adventure around the best liveaboard and diving spots in the world!