Travel Indonesia – Beyond cheap flights, hotels and discounts

After more than 10 years, my family was finally able to go on vacation together. Considering our limited resources, we decided to go to Indonesia, our main destinations are Jakarta and Bandung, both on the island of Java. Here I would like to share several observations that I hope will help anyone planning to visit the republic, in the areas of money.

1) Wise choice of luggage

We were surprised to find out how willing the locals at the airports were to help load our luggage into the van. However, my father was quick to point out to all of us NOT to let them do it. These helpers have a cost. They are not helpful for no reason, and will persistently pressure you to pay after helping you with your luggage, insisting that it is not adequate with the weight they had lifted.

Therefore, it is highly recommended to use a suitcase with wheels when traveling. They are much more comfortable to transport and therefore eliminate the need for assistance.

2) Know your currency conversion factor

First of all, it is very important to look for the best conversion rate whenever you get your Rupee. Personal Money in its November 2007 issue highlighted several Exchange office who offers the best rates and how to get the most bang for your buck for your reading.

Second, now that you have your Rupee, identify the conversion factor. When we exchanged our RM for Rp, Rp 1,000,000 = RM 364. Therefore, the conversion factor was 1,000,000/364, which is approximately 2,747.25. Let’s round it up to 2750. So whenever you go shopping and need a quick check on how much the item is worth in Malaysia, just open your calculator and divide X amount of rupees by the conversion factor, which in this box is 2750.

For example, a shirt priced at Rs 89,500. Divide that by 2,750, and you know it’s around RM 32.55.

3) Be nice to your tour guide and miscellaneous expenses

We were traveling in a group of nine, and had a tour guide/driver to take us from town to town. I didn’t know what to make of his suggestions of various places we should visit, considering how familiar my parents are with the republic. Turns out the tour agency/guide has an arrangement with those places.

It turns out that this is how the tour guide makes a living. You receive, or to be more exact, you can claim some rewards from the stores we buy from the restaurants we dine at.

Another miscellaneous expense to consider when planning your trip to Indonesia is the tolls/unofficial street vendors you may have to pay. Sometimes, to avoid traffic jams, the driver would take us to the villages and the locals would stand every 30 meters or so, asking for ‘donations’. For the sake of your family, pay up!

However, when you are in the city and stuck in traffic, it is not mandatory to pay artists or street vendors. Some would be more persistent than the rest because they can smell tourists from a distance.

4) Location and price

The prices of things vary from place to place, especially food. The price of Nasi Padang, famous for its varieties, would vary if you dine in central Jakarta compared to Cengkareng.

So keep that in mind, huh?

5) Haggle like there’s no tomorrow

NEVER, EVER utter words like so cheap! If so, you are at their mercy. Be tough, don’t be afraid to walk away if you think the item is too expensive… two things will happen most of the time:

a) the merchant would finally agree to lower the price in accordance with yours.

b) you will find the same item in the store next door or in one of the nearby stores.

Also, if you find a good enough bargain, grab it! Don’t expect to get a better deal in Jakarta or any other city you stop at afterwards. You can’t win all the time. At least minimize your losses. Trust me, when you discover that the same item costs more, or twice as much in the next city, you will start to reject that missed opportunity.

6) Cash is king

Remember that not all outlets in Indonesia accept credit cards. There have been numerous stories where tourists, often well off and not so fond of carrying too much cash, went to Indonesia and enjoyed a great meal at Puncak (which includes 17 dishes or so). Unfortunately, when it comes to paying time, the restaurant back then doesn’t take credit card payments. . . .

Indonesian companies prefer to be paid instantly. This reduces the need to deal with the bank when it comes to credit payment. So unless you’re staying at a five-star hotel with very little movement outside the city, bring enough cash for your reading.

I hope these six tips help you.