Top 70 Insider tips for Bukit Lawang

TOP 70 TIPS BEFORE COME TO BUKIT LAWANG

To know a few facts about Bukit Lawang before arriving can really make a difference, particularly when you are arriving for the first time. Although Bukit Lawang is pretty safe and easy to travel, a lot of things simply don't work the way you are used to. Well, that's part of the fun, isn't it.

You can have the best time of the experince your life in Bukit Lawang (most of you will) or experience a really bad time (some of you will). It all depends on knowing a few facts about this unique natural places that you wish to visit, and understanding what you can expect where and when, and respecting some basic rules. How to behave in certain situations and what to avoid. Take your time and read up on the information, which will help you to enjoy a fantastic holiday on Bukit Lawang, like thousand  before you.  It will take you probably few  minutes to run through this list. But it will save you valuable time, money and hassle. Bukit Lawang is a wonderful Places one of paradise in the world, Bukit Lawang  is unpredictable. This is the beauty and fascination that attracts so many people who come here regularly and fell in love with this natural place. It's a vibrant and dynamic Places that is home to more than 1.300 Indonesians  who live and work here. Bukit lawang is ever-changing. Knowing some tricks will make things easier for you, Know what's coming.

VISA & PASSPORT

1. Free Entry stamp and Visa On Arrival both valid 30 days, Remember: day of arrival and departure day count as full days each 2. Your passport must be valid for 6 months when arriving. Otherwise you won't be allowed to enter Bali (happens to quite a few)! There are NO EXPECPTIONS
3. One page must be empty for the visa stamp.
4. Keep your boarding pass when you arrive, you MIGHT have to show it to the immigration officer.
5. Free Entry stamp is valid 30 days and CANNOT be extended.
6. Visa on Arrival is not needed for most travelers, but if you wish to stay longer and extend, you can apply and pay for one at the immigration office.

ACCOMMODATION & RESTAURANT COST

7. For 3-5 Euros one can have a decent meal in most Restaurant.
8. Bamboo Restaurant Ecolodge are gettig more popular, for good reasons. And the Local resturant of Yusri caffe is the best option to taste the local food.
9. One can still stay for 5 -10 Euro per night in homestays.
10. New budget hotels offer clean rooms for 15 Euro/Night.
11.Price for hotel room in Best and Popular  With Ac for 30 Euro.
12. Room Payment: Even if prices are quoted in Euro, the bill will be converted into Rp. first

 

TRANSPORT

13. Motor Bike or Scooter  Rent, start in 8-10 Euro per day, drive by your self.
14. Ojek – Motor bike rent a Day trip to Tangkahan 15 – 20 Euro for (arround trip),
15. Keep the mobile no. of the motor bike rental Owner  with you. You might need it.
16. Car with Driver for Private Transport Airport 35 – 40 Euro for one way. Enough for 4 person in 1 car.
17. Tourist bus Medan to Bukit Lawang 8 – 10 Euro/person. One way trip with Happy Track Transport
18. Public Bus Medan to Bukit Lawang 2 – 3 Euro/person, Be awerness in Public Station in Pinang Baris or Binjai, There is some of people will push you and charge more price to get bus ticket.
19. Yes, there is UBER and Grabtaxi on Bali. But in many areas drivers are afraid to go because the local communities are against it. Legal situation still unclear in Indonesia.
20. Motorbike Taxis Rent can be arranged in Bukit Lawang for Village tours to Kampung Bukit, arround 10 – 15 Euro/Person for 4 4 hour trip.
21. Public bus station is 1 km from bukit lawang village, You can Walking or Used  Motorbike Taxis 1- 2 Euro/Person

  

COMMUNICATION & INTERNET

22. Get a SIMCard in one of the mobile shops for your smart phone (2-4Euro).
23. Mobile Surfing Internet. Get a SIMcard and ask for internet package /4GB, 1 month (8 Euros).
24. Many restaurants have free wifi.
25. At the Kualanamu  international airport just when you exit, you can buy a simcard or in the bukit lawang village there is some shop selling a simcard.
26. Prepaid Credit is called pulsa.
27. Hardly anybody is using phones in hotel rooms anymore. Whatsapp, Skype, and Facetime are the best and cheapest way to stay in touch with your loved ones at home.
28. Most hotels offer free wifi. Better check before you book and make sure it is available in your room and not only in the lobby and restaurant.
29. Internet connections are still slow. Don't expect to be able to stream easily or transfer huge amounts of data

ACTIVITIES & WELLNESS

30.Jungle Trekking is one of Primary activity in Bukit Lawang ...CHECK JUNGLE TREKKING COST
31. Night Walks 3 Hours arround Plantation and Caves, for Amphibian & Reftile (35 Euro/person).
32. River Tubing after Jungle Trekking (10-15 Euro/Person).
33. River Tubing from Bukit Lawang to Village Bahorok 7 Km (15 – 17Euro/Person)
34. Jungle Kayak in the Landak River Day Tours.
35. Explore the Bat cave is 2 Euro/person, Get the ticket in the front of cave with the local owner.
36. Full body massage starts 10-15 Euro an hour.
37. Mountain Bike Village Tours (20-25 Euro/person).
38. Bird Watching Tour, Start 30 – 35 Euro/person.
39. Swiming in Landak River and Bbq Includes visit the bat cave( 15 - 20 Euro/person)
40. It's a Shopping Paradise; art work, handicrafts, clothes, shoes, furniture, accessoires 

SAFETY & MANNERS

41. When it’s raining the sidewalks can be extremely slippery.
42. Sidewalks can have large and deep holes, that can’t be seen at night.
43. Driving a scooter. Never go too fast. Fatal accidents happen daily.
44. Loose chippings are everywhere on the road. Expect cats, dogs, chicken...anything can cross your way. And any vehicle can come towards you from any direction, anytime.
45. Never drink and drive, if you want to leave Bukit Lawang in one piece.
46. Currents in the river can be dangerous, and change depending on the weather and wind conditions; have a check before you go to swimming in the river
47. Night swimming (under the influence of alcohol and drugs) seems like fun, but will most likely lead to Bukit lawang being your last destination.
48. The river. Nature is unpredictable. Watch rip currents, undertows, and big waves in general.Watch your kids at all times.
49. Don’t do drugs - it's not worth it, when you get caught.
50. Maybe there is crime on Bukit Lawang although not much compared to many other destinations, so stay alert.
51. Use mosquito net and repellent when possible. Because you near a Jungle.

 

ENVIRONMENT & PEOPLE

52. Bukit Lawang people are super friendly and welcoming. They are also proud and are happy if you respect their customs.
53. Being angry and shouting is not appreciated. If you have a complaint, be polite, calm and insist on a solution in a friendly manner if you wish to get any result.
54. Bukit Lawang Living a Few Etnic (Bataknese, Karo, Javanese and Malay)
55. Mostly Kids arround the Village say ‘Hello” if the meet tourist

 

AREAS

56. Every area is easy in Bukit Lawang. All the Accomodation and restaurant Mostly near the River,
57. Bukit Lawang is peacefull  at night and Amazing in the day.
58. Some Restaurant and Bar with live music every Saturday Night (Thomas Reatret, Terima Kasih Reagge Bar, Ricky’s Bar & Indra Valley Live Music).
59. Farina 53 is one of local Discotique in Bukit Lawang.
60. Indonesian Glove cigarettes are called Kretek and are smoked everywhere.
61. Raining Season, October to February, Dry Season March to September
62. Bukit Lawang is one of the best Jungle Trekking  in the world, because of the quality and quyntity of Trekking  spots and their easy access.

 

MONEY

63. Atm Machine is 10 km away from Bukit Lawang in distric bahorok.
64. Visa and Master Card are some hotel is accepted. Mosty Cash payment for the hotels and  restaurants.
65. US$, AUS$, EUR will be accepted changed in Some money changer in Bukit Lawang, Tobali Edu, Expediton KARIM, Valentine Membot and some Other Hotel.
66. Payment is done in IDR (Indonesian Rupiah). Even if many hotels publish their prices in US$, the actual payment will be done in IDR and the exchange rate will usually not be very good.
67. Bring some cash, your credit card and a normal bank card.
68. Max amount you can withdraw in one go at an ATM is either 1.250.000 - 1.500.000 You will be charged a fee between 2 and 5 US$ depending on the bank. Bring Cash Money Much Better.
69. During a Jungle Trekking activity, You can leave your money in the safety box at the Hotel..
70. If you like to get cash with Credit Card at Money Changer its will be charge 7%.

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Thanks.