Tourism visits in Indonesia can come from around the world. Most of them have no idea about what is happening in Indonesia during their vacation, includes during Ramadan season. That makes foreign tourists should be considering what should and shouldn’t do during the Ramadan season.
Ramadan season in Indonesia becomes one of the holiest months for Muslims so for some tourists, this time may not be the best time to visit Indonesia. Since Indonesia has one of the biggest Muslim community in the world, that makes the country worship the month so much.
This time, we have some of the things that are forbidden in Indonesia for tourists during Ramadhan that you should obey. Check them out below!
1. Dine Breakfast or Lunch at Public Places
Indonesian Muslims will fast the whole day, so if you having food to dine in at the restaurant or hotels you may get some disrespectful perception from most Indonesian. Even though some restaurants still open during breakfast or lunchtime.
Since most of every staff member in the restaurant or hotel get their fast as well, it is better to take away your food. Even though they make some curtains around their restaurant, the best way to avoid the wrong idea from Indonesian is to take away your food.
2. Having Alcohol
For Muslims alcohol becomes the most things that they should not drink for so many reasons. Even though in a regular month outside Ramadan some stores provide the alcohol as well, but during Ramadan, the government strictly banned them to sell it.
That is why the best respect for Indonesian Muslims is to hold to not to drink or buy alcohol during Ramadan. If is it possible, don’t ever try to find them at the store or restaurant so things go well between you and the seller through your respect.
3. Wearing Short Skirts or Pants
For some foreign tourists, Indonesia has a high temperature that makes it hot than their original country. But, if you visit Indonesia during Ramadan it is better to wear some long pants or a T-shirt. Wearing a short skirt, short pants, or even a sleeveless shirt is not respecting the Indonesian Muslim.
You will not only having trouble while you should enjoy your traveling, but Indonesian may get their bad impression on you. That is why it is better to follow some Indonesian rules to wearing a kind of proper clothes during Ramadan.
4. Speak Unfriendlily
If you visit Indonesia, you may be wondering that there are so many mosques that close to each other. Moreover, during Ramadan, these mosques can be so loud whether early in the morning or night after the tarawih prayer.
If you find these are inconvenient for you, don’t try to speak unfriendly towards people around there. You may have trouble if you dare to do that since most Indonesian have their tradition during Ramadan in the mosque. That also happens as well in most Indonesian regions such as spiritual activities in Bandung during Ramadan.
5. Reckless to Cross the Traffic
In around iftar time at the dusk, most of the areas can be so crowded. Most Muslims go out to do the Iftar together to break their fasting that known as Bukber. Not only restaurants but also hotels and streets are crowded as well as the Iftar’s food is everywhere such as Indonesian snacks for break the fast at Ramadan.
At that time, you better don’t reckless to crossed the traffic because you may get stuck in it. That’s pretty hard to cross by because everyone is busier than you think during the dusk. Moreover, if the area is located near Indonesia’s biggest mosques.
6. Choosing Bus or Car Transportation
Around the middle of Ramadan towards the Eid Fitri day, the transportation in Indonesia becomes so crowded through the Mudik culture. Train or plane has a higher price than you can imagine, but choosing the bus or car trip as your transportation also can be a bad idea.
Not only you will get stuck with the traffic, but also will get a more exhausting trip with the traffic jam experience. That is why, if you are going to trip one to other regions in Indonesia during Ramadhan it is better to book the ticket far away before Ramadan comes.
Since during the pandemic the Mudik culture is banned by the government, you need to take some research to get more updated information.
7. Having Party at NightLife
Most Indonesian do Tarawih prayer around the night then continue with reading the Quran in the mosque. Commonly it can be finished from about 10 pm to midnight, depends on the mosque that held it that becomes one of the mosques must visit in Indonesia during Ramadan.
Most regions closed the nightclub, karaoke, and pubs as well. Some of them still open start from around ten before midnight. But, there is only a few of them that operate normally such as in Bali or Raja Ampat since most of them are Hinduism in Bali and Christian in Raja Ampat.
8. Extravagant Shopping
Having some Indonesian crafts for souvenirs can be the most exciting time. That is why you go through some shopping center and get some stuff so that you bring them back to your country.
But, during Ramadan, you should notice that there is a discount everywhere such as at malls or even traditional market. You should be careful during your shopping time or you will get over buying things that you don’t need so much.
Instead of getting extravagant shopping, you need to consider again to travel to other regions since Indonesia has so many places that worth visiting. Well, shopping during Ramadan is not forbidden in Indonesia, but among Muslims, being extravagant is one of the deeds that they should avoid.
So, there are some of the glances about things are forbidden in Indonesia for tourist during Ramadhan. Take a note of those things so you can keep your travel in Indonesia going well during Ramadan.
