Credit cards are widely accepted in Yogyakarta. Cards accepted by merchants are usually displayed on the front door or near the cashier.

You are well advised to use your credit cards very selectively. Also it’s a good idea to keep all receipts for verification.

Unfortunately Indonesia and Yogya in particular is a source of a great deal of credit card fraud. Thieves insert small memory chips into those devices used to swipe the card, then return to ’service’ the device, take out the chip and then start making illegal cards. Many times you will be long gone before fraudulent charges start showing up on your statement.

Most expats living in Indonesia use their credit cards in ATMs to get cash and then pay cash for all of their purchases - a good habit to get into while in Indonesia.

In addition, it is common practice to add 3% to the cost of your purchase for the privilege of using plastic. You do not have to accept this, but arguing with the shop keeper is not going to help. If you want to get this 3% back make sure the retailer or restaurant writes this surcharge down as an extra charge for using the card and then claim it from your month end billing.

original image from http://www.batikdesigns.org/yogyakarta/parang-barong.php

Batik has been a very popular in Indonesia as a form of art and also popular souvenir among tourist. In Yogyakarta, Batik is widely sold as souvenirs to tourists. Sadly, as it’s popularity is rising, it is became commercialize and gradually fake Batiks are getting more and more too.

Many fellow travelers have come across various scams regarding this issue. Some were offered fake Batik that they claimed to be original and some came across Batik shops that claimed to be Government funded Batik Research Centre. Other than that, sometimes they were diverted to certain Batik store by anonymous person. This especially happens nearby Kraton Palace.

Read these links to know more:
- http://java.uluwatu.org/html/keraton/pagelaran.shtml
- http://realtravel.com/yogyakarta-journals-j6700020.html
- http://www.talesofasia.com/indonesia-yogyakarta.htm

How to avoid all these scams? I think the best way is to learn to distinguish Fake and Genuine Batik. Or maybe buy only when you get to see them making the Batik in front of you.

Does anyone know how to distinguish between fake and genuine Batik? Do feel free to share with us your experience, tips, or somewhere you can get genuine Batik.

Like many other tourism places, while travelling in Yogyakarta, beware of petty crimes especially pick-pocketing in local buses. Always be alert of such unlucky incident, contact the embassy or local police if necessary.

Here are some of the important numbers in case of any emergency:

• Ambulance: 118
• Police: 110
• Yogyakarta Police headquarters (Jalan Ringroad Utara): +62 274 563494
• Yogyakarta Police station (Jalan Reksobayan 1): +62 274 512511, +62 274 512940

Hospital with 24 hours emergency room:

• RSUP Dr. Sardjito, Jalan Kesehatan 1 Yogyakarta 55284: +62 274 587333, +62 274 547783.
• RSUD Kota Jogyakarta, Jalan Wirosaban 1: +62 274 371195.
• RS Bethesda, Jalan Jendral Sudirman 70: +62 274 586688, +62 274 562246.
• RS Panti Rapih, Jalan Cik Ditiro 30: +62 274 514845