Indonesia
About
| The Capital of Indonesia, Jakarta is a city of contrasts, a fascinating Asian destination where on one side of the city old sailing schooners trade spices in a scenario that has not changed for centuries, while just streets away impressive new glass and steel skyscrapers create a skyline that has been transformed beyond all recognition over the last few decades. Ragunan Zoo is interesting for visitors who don't have time to head east to Komodo National Park itself, where one can see the famous dragons in the flesh, as well as the equally fearsome Java tigers. Many sightseeing trips starting off at the historic waterfront and the Kota district, and then head inland towards the Gambir and Menteng districts. Kota is home to the Jakarta History Museum, the Puppet Museum and the old port of Sunda Kelapa with its charming old schooners, which turn the clock back through the centuries and give a real flavour of old Batavia. This is the most attractive part of the city and a great place to spend time in on a hot day when there are cooling sea breezes. |
|
| Capital: | Jakarta (JKT) |
| Currency: | Indonesia Rupiah (IDR) |
| Language: | Bahasa Indonesia. Over 500 dialects are also spoken. Dutch is spoken as a second language. English is widely understood in the tourist areas. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 62 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT +7 (covering Sumatra, Java, Madura, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan) UTC / GMT +8 (covering East and South Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Bali, Nusa Tenggara) UTC / GMT +9 (covering Maluku and Irian Jaya) |
| Side of the Road: | Left. |
| Best Time to Go: | May – September (dry season) |
| Best for: | Beach Resorts, Surfing, Religious Sites. |
| Plugs: | 220volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs used are European-style with two circular metal pins. |
| Drinking Water: | All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Milk is unpasteurised. Bottled water is available. |
| Health: | Medical facilities are very limited. It is advisable to carry basic medical supplies. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended and it should include emergency air evacuation coverage. Medication is expensive: if you require any medication on your travels it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it. |
| Customs: | Muslim women prefer not to shake hands. Shoes should be removed before entering a home or place of worship. Avoid using your left hand, especially when eating. Respect to religious customs should also be shown during the month of Ramadan. Public displays of affection should be avoided. While Bali is casual, dress should be conservative in Muslim areas (such as Aceh) and when visiting religious buildings. Beachwear and revealing clothing should be reserved for the beach / poolside and resort areas. Avoid causing someone to “lose face” by insulting them or contradicting them in public, or by showing too much anger. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | Beggars, buskers and unofficial tour guides can be fined. Gambling is illegal. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | Permission should be asked before photographing the interior of mosques. Terrorist bombings occurred in 2005. Certain regions may not be safe for travel – check the local political situation before travelling. |
| Duty Free: | The following goods may be imported into Indonesia by travellers over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100g of tobacco. • 1L of alcoholic beverages. • Gifts up to a value of US$250 per person or US$1,000 per family. |
| Prohibited Imports: | Prohibited and restricted goods include narcotics, firearms and ammunition, air guns, sharp weapons, explosives, pornography, animals, fish, plants, films and video recordings. |
| Prohibited Exports: | It is forbidden to take tortoise shells, crocodile skins or ivory out of the country. |
Issuing Authorities
Embassy of Indonesia, Gauteng
949 Francis Baard Street, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0083
Tel: (012) 342 3350 /1/2/3
Consular:0900 -1200 Mon-Fri
E-mail: pretoria.kbri@kemlu.go.id
Website: www.kemlu.go.id/pretoria
Consulate-General of Indonesia, Cape Town
124 Rosmead Avenue, Kenilworth, 7708, Cape Town
Tel: (021) 761-7015
E-mail: indo.capetown@kemlu.go.id
Website: www.kemlu.go.id/capetown
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1, 27-29; Mar 28-29, 31; Apr 1-4, 7, 18, 20; May 1, 12-13; 29-30; Jun 1, 6, 9, 27; Aug 17; Sep 5; Dec 25-26
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1, 16; Feb 16-17; Mar 18-24; Apr 3, 5; May 1, 14-15, 27-28, 31; Jun 1, 16; Aug 17, 25; Dec 24-25
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by SA passport holders.
Tourist visas for stays of up to 30 days are issued on arrival. Tourists may apply for an E-VOA prior to arrival, allowing them to skip immigration queues on arrival.
Visas for other purposes must be applied for before arriving in Indonesia.
- Apply online at evisa.imigrasi.go.id or indonesiavoa.vfsevisa.id
- Passport bio page. Your passport must be valid for 6 months after departure date (format JPG/JPEG/PNG with max. size of 200 kb)
- Recent passport photo (format JPG/JPEG/PNG with max. size of 200 kb)
- Return air tickets
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- Passport with a minimum validity of 6 months;
- Transportation ticket outbound Indonesia
- The Immigration officer might request other additional information/documents (eg, proof of accommodation, proof of sufficient funds).
Visa Processing Time
E-VOA will be processed within 24 hours.
Visa Validity
Valid for 90 days from date of issuance, for a stay of 30 days. It can be extended once for a further 30 days.
Visa Cost
The cost is IDR 500,000 (ca. USD 35 / AUD 50) per person
VFS Service fees: IRD 230,000
SA Representative
South African Embassy in Indonesia
Suite 705, 7th Fl, Wisma GKBI., JI Jend. Sudirman No. 28 Jakarta, 10210
Tel: (0062) 21 2991 2500
E-mail: Jakarta.consular@dirco.gov.za
Web: dirco1.azurewebsites.net/jakarta/
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover) |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis A & B, Japanese Encephalitis (Not available in SA), Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio |
| Malaria Risk |
