Indonesia

Preparing for your experience

REVIEW YOUR PASSPORT 

Your passport needs to be valid for at least six (6) months after your experience ends, and should have enough blank visa pages for entry and exit stamps from each country you visit.

COVID-19: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

JSL requires proof of full COVID-19 vaccination to travel on any JSL experience. Guests on JSL Group Experiences must comply with country entry and service provider requirements.

Be sure to review your Essential Information for country entry and service provider requirements, which may be more restrictive. JSL will arrange any required testing during your experience or for onward travel. If you are a U.S. resident or fully vaccinated Canadian returning home, there are currently no COVID-19 testing requirements for entry. Unvaccinated Canadians returning home, as well as guests continuing to other countries, should check the specific COVID19 entry requirements for those destinations. 

All requirements are subject to change, so continue to check the U.S. Department of State at travel.state.gov or the Government of Canada at travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories as your departure date approaches.

REGISTER YOUR EXPERIENCE

Be sure to register with your nearest embassy or consulate for the destinations included in your experience. U.S. citizens can register through STEP, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (step.state.gov/step). Canadian citizens can enroll in the Registration of Canadians Abroad at the Registration of Canadians Abroad.

UPDATE VACCINES & MEDICATIONS

Check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov/travel) or the World Health Organization (who.int/en) for the latest on required and recommended vaccines for your destination. You’ll want to visit your doctor or local travel clinic a couple of months before departure to allow time for any vaccinations to take effect or to fill any prescriptions.

Be sure to pack your original COVID-19 and other vaccination certificates and required health documentation in your personal carry-on baggage in case you are asked to show them on arrival.

MONEY MANAGEMENT

We recommend traveling with some cash, and at least two different major credit cards, such as Visa and Mastercard, so you have backup if your card is not accepted or lost. Contact your bank and credit card companies to let them know where and when you’ll be traveling, as well as confirm any foreign transaction fees. 

When carrying cash, try to travel only with recently issued currency in smaller denominations; many merchants overseas won’t accept wrinkled or torn bills. Only exchange currency at authorized outlets such as currency exchanges, ATMs or hotels and save receipts as they may be required for exit.

Be sure to review your credit card receipts before signing, paying special attention to currency conversion. We recommend taking items with you in lieu of shipping them whenever possible. Consult the local customs authority (cbp.gov in the U.S. and travel.gc.ca in Canada) for information on what you can bring back and duty taxes. Keep receipts and items together.

STAY CONNECTED

While most smartphones work overseas, you might need to turn on international roaming service before you travel. Contact your carrier for information on coverage and voice and data plan options while traveling abroad.

GETTING ONLINE

Many hotels and public places have Wi-Fi and you’ll usually be able to stay connected throughout your experience, although Internet access may be poor to nonexistent in remote destinations. Note that some countries block access to social media sites or otherwise impose restrictions on what content you can view or send online.

WEATHER & TIME ZONES

Many websites and smartphone apps allow you to check the forecast and time zones for specific destinations. We recommend weather.com and timeanddate.com/worldclock. Upon arrival, the time on most smartphones will automatically adjust to the local time.

STAY HEALTHY WHILE TRAVELING

Carry your prescriptions and over-the-counter medications in their original containers in your carry-on luggage. Pack a simple first-aid kit along with medicines for motion sickness and mild upset stomach. As a precaution, use only bottled water and avoid foods from street vendors. 

Take care to observe safe health practices when traveling: Wash or sanitize your hands often; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; and cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. If you begin to feel unwell at any point in your experience, please inform your guide.

SAFE TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Be sure to bring your own face masks and any other PPE you require during travel; a supply of masks will be on hand where needed. We also recommend travel-sized hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, facial tissues and disinfecting wipes or spray. 

Guests must wear a mask in accordance with local regulations and service provider requirements. Details specific to your experience are included in Essential Information. All protocols are subject to change in accordance with relevant guidelines, local regulations and conditions.

FLIGHTS

Be sure to reconfirm your international flights 24 hours prior to your departure. Tickets for any internal flights, if included on your itinerary, will be issued by JSL at your destination and presented to you as needed.

KEEP VALUABLES SECURE

We strongly recommend leaving valuables such as jewelry at home as JSL cannot be responsible. Use safes where available to secure your valuables, especially passports, money, jewelry, electronics and medications. Replacing a lost or stolen passport is much easier if you have a copy on hand. Pack a photocopy of your passport’s personal information page with your luggage, and keep a photo of it on your smartphone.

PHOTOGRAPHY ETIQUETTE

Be sure to ask permission before taking pictures of local people, including small children. Note photography is not permitted in some locations, which is usually clearly marked. If in doubt, ask your guide to avoid having your camera confiscated.

TIPS ON TIPPING

Tipping on JSL experiences varies depending on where and how you travel. Consult the Tipping Guidelines provided for your experience in Essential Information.

Essential Info

REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO COVID-19 

The following are the current COVID-19 screening requirements for entry into Indonesia for U.S. and Canadian residents. Visit the U.S. Department of State at travel.state.gov or the Government of Canada at travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories for up-to-date information.

For guests returning home to the U.S. or Canada, there are currently no COVID-19 testing requirements for entry. Guests continuing to other countries should check the specific COVID-19 entry requirements for those destinations. JSL will arrange any required testing during your experience or for onward travel. All requirements are subject to change.

Entry Requirements All travelers to Indonesia must meet the following requirements: 

  • Present an original COVID-19 vaccination certificate indicating full vaccination completed at least 14 days prior to arrival. The current approved vaccines are Pfizer (Comirnaty), Moderna (Spikevax) and AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) and Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S). To meet changing requirements, a booster shot is recommended. 
  • All travelers entering Indonesia must download PeduliLindungi, Indonesia's contact tracing app, and complete the e-HAC health declaration form. You can install the app on your mobile device for free from the Apple Store (Apple) or Google Play store (Android). Once you download the app, you can sign in and access the e-HAC form. 
  • Complete an online Custom Declaration form at Indonesia Custom Declaration. Proof of vaccination is not required for children under 17 years of age if traveling with vaccinated parents or guardians, but pre-arrival PCR testing and all other requirements remain.
COVID-19 testing on arrival and while traveling in Indonesia:

Travelers who present symptoms of COVID-19 or who have a temperature higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius (99.5 degrees Fahrenheit) will be required to undergo an RT-PCR test and wait for the results at their booked accommodation. If a negative result is received, travelers can continue with their travel plans. 

Travelers who tested positive for COVID-19 within 30 days prior to arrival in Indonesia are required to undergo an RT-PCR test on arrival. The traveler must present a certificate stating that they are no longer actively transmitting COVID-19, issued by the relevant health authority in the country of departure. In cases when a RT-PCR test is required on arrival, travelers must remain at their booked accommodation until a negative test result is received. 

Travelers who test positive for COVID-19 on arrival or during their stay will be required to self-isolate. Travelers with mild or no symptoms can isolate at a hotel for the period advised by a medical professional. Travelers having moderate to severe symptoms (such as high fever, cough, shortness of breath and rapid breathing) will be required to isolate at a local hospital until discharged by a medical professional (medical costs at the traveler's expense). Traveling companions who test negative can continue on their experience.

COVID-19 Testing Information JSL will arrange any required COVID-19 testing during your time in Indonesia. The current cost for local PCR and rapid antigen testing ranges USD $6-$40 (subject to change) payable by credit card or cash in local currency. 

Passports & Visas

REVIEW YOUR PASSPORT 

Your passport needs to be valid for at least six (6) months after your journey ends, and should have a minimum of two (2) blank visa pages for entry and exit stamps. 

A tourist visa is required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders for entry into Indonesia. There are currently three options available as outlined below. JSL recommends a visa exemption. All entrance procedures and fees are subject to change without notice. 

Visa Exemption: This is a no-fee stamp placed in your passport upon arrival for tourists staying less than 30 days; no extensions are allowed and no adjustment to another visa status permitted. You must enter and exit through an immigration checkpoint at major airports and seaports. You also must have a return or onward ticket to another country and have not been previously refused entry to Indonesia or blacklisted.

Visa on Arrival: travelers entering Indonesia from entry points not part of the visa exemption will be required to pay a fee of USD $35 in order to obtain their tourist visa on arrival. This fee must be paid in cash and can be paid in U.S. dollars or local currency. 

Visa in Advance: A visa stamp in your passport can be obtained either by applying directly to an Indonesian consulate or through a visa processing service. While there are additional costs involved in using a visa service, this option is available for guests who prefer assistance in the visa process. 

Citizens of other countries should contact the appropriate consular office for entry requirements pertaining to their journey.

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