About Babel >> Travellers' Essentials >> General Information

General Information

  • Airport Tax
    An airport tax Rp 150,000 is imposed by the airport for travelers on international routes and Rp 40,000 for those on domestic routes.

  • Banking
    The local currency is Rupiahs (Rp). Notes come denominations of Rp 500, Rp 1,000, Rp 5,000,
    Rp 10,000, Rp 20,000, Rp 50,000, and Rp 100,000. Coins Rp 500, Rp 1,000.

  • Credit Cards
    Major cards are widely accepted by establishments in Babel, such as Visa, Master Card, etc.

  • Clothing
    Dress is normally casual and light clothing is advisable due to the hot, humid climate. Trousers or slacks and shirts are generally considered appropriate but a jacket and tie are required for formal occasions or when making official calls. For certain formal occasion's long sleeved batik shirts are acceptable. For travel to mountain areas, a light sweater or jacket is recommended. Halter tops and shorts are frowned upon in most places except around spots facilities or on the beach, proper decorum should especially be observed when visiting places or worship.

  • Drug Abuse
    Drug abuse is viewed seriously in Babel. Illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is strictly prohibited.

  • Electricity
    Babel voltage is 220-240 volts AC, 50 cycles per second. When shopping for electrical appliances, do remember to check the voltage of the item against the acceptable voltage in your home country. The power plugs used in Babel are of the two-pin.

  • Etiquette
    It is inappropriate to use the left hand to eat or to give or receive anything.

  • Gambling
    All kind of gambling activities are illegal in Babel.

  • Mobile Phones
    There are three mobile phone networks - GSM900, GSM1800, and CDMA - and five mobile telephone service providers - Telkomsel, Indosat, XL, Axis, and 3. To make international calls, the access codes are 001, 007, 008, 017. Dial 62 from outside Indonesia, then the city code and telephone number. Within Indonesia, the city code must be preceded by a zero (0) from most phones.

  • Money Changers
    Apart from banks, money can be changed wherever the sign "Licensed Money Changer" is displayed. Visitors are discouraged from changing money with unlicensed money changers.

  • Time Zones
    Western Indonesia GMT+7 (Babel)

  • Tipping
    At most hotels and restaurants service charge 21% tax and service is added to the bill. An airport or hotel porter expects Rp 5,000 per bag. It is advisable to carry small change as taxi drives are often short of change. Leaving the change is appreciated but not mandatory.

  • Useful Telephone Numbers
    Here is a list of useful telephone numbers (toll-free):

    • Information : 108

    • Police: 112

    • Ambulance: 118

    • Fire Brigade: 113

  • Customs
    Customs allow on entry a maximum of one litre of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars of 100 grams of tobacco and a reasonable amount of perfume per adult. Cameras, video cameras, portable radios, cassette recorders, binoculars and sport equipment are admitted provided they are taken out on departure. They must be declared to Customs. Prohibited are firearms, narcotics drugs, pornography, Chinese printing and medicines, transceivers and cordless telephones, films pre-recorded video tapes and laser disks must be screened by the Censor Board. There is no restriction on import or export of foreign currencies and travelers cheques, however, the import and export of Indonesian currency exceeding Rp. 100 million rupiahs is prohibited.

    Further information on customs and excise in Indonesia, log into www.beacukai.go.id


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