Practical informations

Here you will find all informations needed before your arrival in Sumatra such visa, currency, internet or customs and traditions.

Practical informations

Since may 2022 you need Visa on Arrival (VOA) to enter Indonesia.

The validity is 30 days, extendable for 30 more days.

The cost is 25€ or 28$ and you can get it at the airport (the visa need to be paid in cash in euros, dollars or Indonesia rupiah, except in Bali where you can pay by credit card).

All travelers must complete an electronic arrival card (ALL INDONESIA) within 72 hours before entering Indonesia.

This process is FREE OF CHARGE (beware of fraudulent websites that request payment) and allows travelers to obtain their e-Visa, which is usually issued within a few minutes after completing the arrival card.

You can’t get this visa from the Indonesian embassy in your country anymore, only on arrival.

Passport: You must have a valid passport that remains so for at least 6 months after your return date, and it should be in good condition (not torn or damaged).

Health: No vaccines are mandatory. The vaccines recommended are DTP, typhoid, Hepatitis A and B.

Antimalarial treatment is recommended for stays in jungles or remote areas.

Covid Annulation Bleu Fr

Health insurance covering hospitalization cost is recommended to enter Indonesia.

We offer “Cap explorer” insurance, with our partner Chapka insurance.

You can choose the formula that best fits your travel:

  • Explorer multirisk
  • Explorer cancellation
  • Explorer assistance only
  • Explorer supplementary bank card

You have maximum 48h after the payment or the down payment to subscribe (except formula “assistance only).

Click HERE to get your quote and see the options that best fits your trip.

Currency is Indonesian rupiah. 1 euros = around 20 000 rupiah (XE Currency converter)

We easily can find ATM in Sumatra as well as money changer in touristic places.

Don’t forget to change your dollars or euros in rupiahs, many places only accept rupiah. You will also get better rate if you pay in rupiah.

You can be online almost everywhere in Indonesia. Many internet cafe and most of the hotels/guest house provide wifi.

You can also buy a local SIM card (SIMPATI/TELKOMSEL is good for Sumatra).

Many guest house/hotels are reachable by Whatsapp.

Indonesia has 6 recognized religions : Islam (around 85%), Christian (around 10%) (Protestantism and Catholicism), Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism.

Since november 2017, Indonesia officially recognises native faiths, such as animism. That’s a good news for all the tribes in Indonesia.

Sumatran people are mostly Muslim. Islam is moderate.

In order to respect local beliefs, specially in remoted villages, we suggest our female travelers to wearing appropriated clothes, not too short skirt or hotpants, no tank top and low neckline.

To swim, expect in very touristic places, better to do not swim with bikini. Indonesian people never swim in bikini, they keep their clothes on.

For couples, do not show up in public places. Indonesian people are very shy and their privacy stay at home.

If you enter a mosque, keep in mind to always cover up your shoulders.

Greetings in Indonesia is » salam », with right hand.

If someone invites you to his home, please put your shoes off before enter the house.

If someone invites you to eat, do not start eating before your host starts first. You can try eating with your hands but never use your left hands. The left hand is impure for Muslim. Always use your right hand.

Try to keep calm in every situation. Indonesian people dont get angry but try to solve a problem by speaking. Getting angry will not help you to get out from the situation, but at the contrary, it will make all more complicated.

Dont give money to children, better bring clothes or school supplies. Shoes are also greatly prized.

Indonesian people are smiling and welcoming, and they like to ask many private questions. Don’t feel offended, its their way to break the ice and start a conversation. Its not incursive, but rather kind.

And dont forget to smile.

  • Small first aid kit
  • Sunscreen
  • Headlamp
  • Rain jacket or rainwear
  • Sunglasses/cap or hat
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Flip-flops/sandals and walking shoes
  • Water bottle (to reduce plastic bottle consumption)
  • Canvas bag for shopping/markets (to reduce plastic bag usage)
  • Earplugs
  • Power strip