HEALTH IN PAPUA
For entering Indonesia and Papua, vaccinations are not mandatory. However, you should have the common vaccinations. Additional vaccinations against rabies or encephalitis are recommended, but not necessary.

The medical care in Papua is not comparable to our standards. Especially in remote areas there is little or no medical care. If you need to take medications on a regular basis, please bring a sufficient supply with you. For acute illnesses a small travel pharmacy is recommended.

MALARIA IN PAPUA
The islands and the lowlands of Papua are malaria areas. When travelling to these areas you should consider taking prophylaxis. There are never many mosquitoes, but as you know one bite is enough. Malarone is the most common malaria prophylaxis nowadays. It is usually well tolerated and is also already available as inexpensive generic medication.

The best way to avoid malaria in Papua and other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes is to wear long clothes, especially in the evening. If you additionally spray the uncovered skin areas on the hands and neck with anti-mosquito spray, you are very well protected, and prophylaxis is then usually no longer necessary.

MONEY AND PAYMENTS IN PAPUA
Papua and West Papua are Indonesian provinces and as such the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) is the currency here. In Papua and West Papua it is usually not possible to pay with foreign currency or credit card. Exceptions are some resorts in Raja Ampat and hotels in the larger coastal towns. Expect to have to make most of your payments in cash in local currency and take enough cash with you. In larger towns there are ATMs where you can withdraw money in local currency with a credit card.  There are limits per withdrawal and a daily limit. This method is therefore unsuitable for larger expenses.

PASSPORT AND TRAVEL PERMITS FOR PAPUA
You need an Indonesian visa to enter the Papua and West Papua provinces. Most nationalities receive a visa on arrival with a validity of 30 days. The visa on arrival costs IDR 500.000 and can be extended once by additional 30 days at any Immigration office in the country. If the 30 days are exceeded and no extension has been applied for before, a penalty fee of IDR 1,000,000 for each additional day is to be paid when leaving the country.
The visa on arrival is available at all international airports. These include the airports of Jakarta and Denpasar (Bali). There are no international airports in Papua and West Papua! You must therefore travel to Papua on a domestic flight after you have obtained your visa.

Surat Jalan – Travel Permit
The “Surat Jalan” is a travel permit required for travel to remote areas in Papua. Since 2020, the Surat Jalan can only be applied for at Polda in Jayapura. You will need your passport, two passport photos and your Indonesian entry visa. You will also need to declare your occupation and pay a fee for the permit (around IDR 100,000). The permit is usually issued on the same day. However, note that the police office is not open on weekends, so the permit can only be issued on weekdays! Reputable travel agencies will apply for the permit on your behalf, so you do not have to do this yourself. Of course, the above-mentioned documents are required for this and will be requested from you.

When do I need to apply for a permit for my trip to Papua?
As a rule of thumb: for less visited areas a surat jalan is usually required.
Jayapura and surrounding areas, as well as Raja Ampat, can be visited without a travel permit. For Baliem Valley and all other destinations, a Surat Jalan is required. If you are in doubt, ask your tour operator or hotel.
The conservation fee is a special tax for Raja Ampat. It is comparable to an entrance fee. Every visitor to Raja Ampat must register on arrival. Individual travellers usually do the registration after arrival at the pier of Wasai and then pay the conservation fee. The fee is IDR 1,000,000 but has changed frequently in the past.