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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
Alternatively, check out some of our holiday offers below.
- Destinations
- Asia
- Indonesia
- Java
Java
Java is the most populous island in Indonesia providing many
contrasts of scenery, people, religions and cultures. The island
boasts immense beauty, from peaceful villages and a beautiful,
fertile countryside to smoking volcanoes and ancient monuments.
However there is also an unattractive side visible in its dirty,
overcrowded cities, particularly the capital of Jakarta, clogged
with traffic and pollution, with evident differences in wealth and
wretched poverty between the people. Java is a mosaic of sights and
impressions. It is also Indonesia's political stage and the
cultural, educational and historical centre of the archipelago.
The island is dominated by an active volcanic mountain range
stretching along its length. To the north is the unappealing city
of Jakarta, a mixture of the modern and luxurious, with a glamorous
city centre and some fine Dutch architecture; along with the filth,
crime and squalor of a big city. South of the mountainous spine in
central Java, lies the most popular city in Indonesia, Yogyakarta,
the centre for Javanese art and culture, and nearby the astounding
Hindu complex and Buddhist monument of Prambanan and Borobudur. Mt
Bromo to the east is an active volcano amid stunning scenery.
Java offers the visitor a vivid and rewarding experience of an
intensely striking land and culture, a tapestry of religions and
historical influences, and splendid landscapes that make it the
enchanting 'Garden of the East'.
Information & Facts
Climate
Java experiences a humid and tropical climate with two distinct
seasons, the rainy season which runs from October to April, and the
dry season which runs from May to September and is the best time of
year to visit. The average daytime temperate in Java is between
66°F and 86°F (19°C and 30°C).Between monsoon season months, late
October to early May, there are usually daily spurts of heavy
rainfall often causing flooding in the city.
Language
Bahasa Indonesia is the official language, but many
dialects are spoken. English is widely understood in Jakarta and
tourist resorts.
Money
Rupiah (IDR) is the official currency and is divided into 100
sen. Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at banks, hotels and
money changers in major tourist destinations; US dollars is the
most accepted currency. Cash often yields a better exchange rate
than travellers cheques, which are not always accepted. It is
recommended that travellers cheques also be in US dollars. Most
major credit cards are accepted at hotels, restaurants and stores
catering to the tourist trade. ATMs are available in main centres.
Small change is often unavailable so keep small denomination notes
and coins for items like bus fares, temple donations and cool
drinks.
Time
Indonesia spans three time zones. GMT +7 (West, including
Java and Sumatra), GMT +8 (Central, including Bali, Sulawesi and
Lombok), GMT +9 (East, including Irian Jaya).