Indonesia
Last checked:
- Capital
- Jakarta
- Currency
- IDR · Indonesian rupiah
- Languages
- Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia), Balinese, Javanese and many regional languages
- Plugs
- Type C, F · 230 V
Emergency numbers
Top 5 places
- Ubud and the rice terraces · Bali
Cultural centre of Bali with temples, dance performances and Tegallalang and Jatiluwih terraces.
- Uluwatu Temple · Bali
Clifftop sea temple known for sunset Kecak fire dances.
- Borobudur · Magelang (near Yogyakarta), Java
World's largest Buddhist temple, a UNESCO site; climbing the upper levels is limited and ticketed.
- Komodo National Park · Labuan Bajo, Flores
Komodo dragons, pink beaches and world-class diving, reached by boat tours.
- Gili Islands · Lombok
Car-free islands with snorkelling and turtles, reached by fast boat from Bali or Lombok.
Getting around
Ride-hailing app
Gojek
Indonesian super-app for car and motorbike rides, food and deliveries. Very cheap motorbike rides in cities. Check plate and driver photo match.
Ride-hailing app
Grab
Works across Indonesia including Bali. Some areas of Bali (parts of Canggu, Uluwatu, Jimbaran, Ubud) have informal bans by local transport groups on app pickups; drivers may ask you to walk to another spot.
Taxi
Bluebird
The most reliable metered taxi company in Jakarta and Bali; book in the MyBluebird app or check the bird logo and exact name, as copycats exist.
Car rental
Private driver (day hire)
Common in Bali for day trips: a car and driver for 8-10 hours. Agree price, hours and fuel in advance.
Public transport
TransJakarta, MRT and LRT
Jakarta has a bus rapid transit network and an MRT line; pay with a contactless bank card or e-money card (varies by line).
Trains
KAI trains
Comfortable trains across Java (Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya); the Whoosh high-speed train links Jakarta and Bandung. Book in the Access by KAI app.
Ferries
Fast boats and ferries
Bali to Nusa Penida, Gili and Lombok. Choose established operators, check life jackets and avoid overcrowded boats or bad weather crossings.
Money and cash
Currency: IDR · Indonesian rupiah
Cash is still widely needed, especially for warungs, markets, drivers and small shops; cards work in hotels, malls and tourist restaurants (sometimes with a 2-3% surcharge). Use ATMs attached to bank branches or malls. Exchange money only at licensed changers showing the Bank Indonesia logo and QR code, never at tiny back-street booths. International visitors to Bali pay a tourist levy of Rp 150,000 (online via Love Bali or at the airport).
Tipping
Tipping is not traditional in Indonesia but is common in tourist areas, especially Bali. Many restaurants and hotels add a service charge (usually 5-10%) plus regional restaurant tax (about 10%), shown as '++'. Small tips are appreciated for good service, drivers, guides and spa staff.
| Restaurants | Warungs: no tip, or leave small change. Tourist restaurants without a service charge: 5-10%. With service charge: optional extra. |
|---|---|
| Cafés and bars | Not expected; small change is fine. |
| Taxis and ride apps | Round up the fare. Not expected with Gojek or Grab, but tipping in the app is common for good service. |
| Hotels | About Rp 10,000-20,000 per bag for porters; housekeeping tips optional. |
| Tours and guides | For a full-day driver or guide, around Rp 50,000-100,000 is common (varies). Dive and boat crews often have a shared tip box. |
| Food delivery | Small tip (a few thousand rupiah) or in the app. |
Service charge: what’s true
Restaurants and hotels in Bali and big cities often add a service charge of 5-10% and the regional restaurant or hotel tax of about 10%, adding 15-21% to menu prices ('++'). Both should be stated on the menu and appear as separate lines on the bill. The service charge is set by the business, not by law; sources say it is meant to be shared with staff, but practice varies.
Pressure tactics to watch for
Direct pressure is uncommon in restaurants. Spa and massage staff, tour guides and some drivers may ask for a tip or say it is customary; it remains optional. Ride app drivers may ask for extra cash beyond the app fare, which you can decline.
Useful phrases
- Minta bon, ya. The bill, please.
- Sudah termasuk service? Is the service charge included?
- Ambil saja kembaliannya. Keep the change.
Etiquette
- Wear a sarong and sash at Balinese temples (often lent or rented at the entrance); cover shoulders and knees at all religious sites.
- Traditional rules ask women who are menstruating not to enter Balinese temples; respect posted signs.
- Do not step on or move the small offerings (canang sari) placed on pavements and in doorways.
- Use your right hand to give, receive and eat; do not touch people's heads.
- Remove shoes when entering homes and mosques.
- Respect Nyepi (Balinese Day of Silence, usually March): no going out, lights or noise for 24 hours, and the airport closes.
- Bargaining is normal at markets and with souvenir sellers; smile and stay friendly.
Scams and how to handle them
Money changer sleight of hand
Where: Small exchange booths in Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu and Ubud
How it works: Very good advertised rates; the cashier counts the money, then palms or folds away notes, leaving you short.
How to avoid it: Use bank ATMs or authorised changers with the Bank Indonesia logo and QR code. Count the money yourself before you hand over yours.
Fake Gojek/Grab drivers
Where: Bali airport, tourist streets
How it works: Drivers wear branded jackets but are not on the app, then demand a high cash fare.
How to avoid it: Only ride with the driver and plate shown in the app.
Taxi meter 'broken' and copycat Bluebird taxis
Where: Bali and Jakarta
How it works: Drivers refuse the meter or use a look-alike taxi brand, then charge many times the normal fare.
How to avoid it: Book Bluebird in the app or check the logo carefully; agree any fixed fare before getting in.
Local transport 'no app' zones
Where: Parts of Canggu, Uluwatu, Jimbaran and Ubud
How it works: Local driver cooperatives block app pickups and charge high fixed fares.
How to avoid it: Walk a little away from the zone and order again, or arrange a hotel driver at a known price.
Scooter rental damage
Where: Bali, Lombok, Gili
How it works: Rental shops claim damage on return and keep your passport until you pay.
How to avoid it: Photograph the scooter, do not leave your passport as a deposit, and only ride with a valid licence and helmet.
Tattoo and spa overcharging
Where: Bali tourist areas
How it works: Prices change after the service, or extras are added.
How to avoid it: Agree the total price before starting and use reputable providers.
ATM and card fraud
Where: Standalone ATMs and some shops
How it works: Skimmers copy cards, or fake helpline numbers stuck on ATMs collect card details.
How to avoid it: Use ATMs inside banks or malls, cover your PIN and do not lose sight of your card.
Safety
- Bag snatching (often from motorbikes) and pickpocketing are common in busy tourist areas; carry bags away from the road.
- Methanol poisoning from fake or bootleg spirits has killed tourists in Bali and Lombok. Avoid cheap cocktails and arak of unknown origin.
- Drink spiking linked to sexual assault has been reported in Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands; watch your drink being made.
- Scooter accidents are a leading cause of tourist injuries. Wear a helmet and do not ride without a licence (insurance may not cover you).
- Check sea conditions: strong currents and big waves at many Bali beaches. Swim between flags where present.
- Drug laws are extremely strict, including the death penalty for trafficking.
- Indonesia sits on an active seismic zone; know tsunami evacuation routes near beaches.
How widely English is spoken
Good in Bali's tourist areas, upscale hotels and with tour operators; limited elsewhere, including much of Java and the outer islands. A few Indonesian words go a long way.
Sources
- GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: Indonesia, safety and security
- Wikivoyage: Bali
- Prep Time: How Bali menu prices work (tax, service and ++)
- Travelfish: Money-changing scams in Bali
- Guide Your Travel: How to use Grab and Gojek in Bali
We check these guides against official and well-known sources, but rules and prices change. Spot something out of date? Email support@tourits.app.