Pre-flight...
Before your departure, there are a few things either that are required and/or we highly recommend doing and having in order, no matter where you’re based or coming from.
Please ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your stay and please check if your passport requires a Visa to enter Indonesia. If so, apply for the e-Visa online for a seamless and quicker immigration process at the airport.
Download the Gojek and/or Grab app and create an account. Account registration requires a phone number for verification, so setting this up before travel will allow you to create your account.
Be sure to set up the payment method by linking your account to your Mastercard or American Express card to pay for your rides.
One isn’t any better than the other—just a matter of price differences and driver availability at busier times of the day.
Purchase and install* an e-Sim. Free wi-fi connections are few and far between—whether it be an e-Sim or physical Sim cards, it will definitely come in handy.
We love using Alosim whenever we travel internationally, but we’ve heard great things about Airalo and Holafly.
* Depending on which e-Sim you decide on, some can activate upon arrival, while some others can activate upon installation. Please be sure to read through the respective instructions.
Exchange $200 or more Canadian dollars to Indonesian rupiah, just so you have cash upon arrival.
Cash is also still heavily used throughout Indonesia, especially in local markets and waroeng-waroeng (street vendors)—so always good to have some on you at all times just in case!
Register to Wise, open an Indonesian rupiah balance account, and apply for a Wise Card. Essentially, a Visa debit card with multi-currency accounts.
This gentleman explains the card perfectly, much better than we can, and we highly recommend watching it through.