The practical side: what you sort before you fly — and what we sort for you
Three things need doing online before you travel — none of them take long. Everything else is our job.
Three things need doing online before you travel to Indonesia — none of them take long. Everything else, from airport pick-up to temple tickets, meals and day planning, is our job. On this page: your pre-departure checklist, how arrival works, the best months to come, and straight answers on safety and travelling with children.
Already booked? Then there's nothing to memorise — we send every reminder by WhatsApp, exactly when it matters.
What should I arrange before flying to Indonesia?
Three things: (1) a passport valid for at least 6 months on arrival, plus proof of onward or return travel, (2) your e-VOA at the official portal evisa.imigrasi.go.id, and (3) the free All Indonesia digital arrival card, no more than 3 days before you land. That's the whole list — no stack of forms, no surprises at the airport. It's an hour at the kitchen table, and Villa Tanen sends you the official links at exactly the right moment.
| To arrange | Where | When | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport valid ≥ 6 months on arrival + proof of onward travel | with your travel documents | before booking your flight | — |
| e-VOA (visa) | evisa.imigrasi.go.id (official portal) | before departure — applying online skips the airport queue | IDR 500,000 (±USD 30) |
| All Indonesia arrival card | allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id or the All Indonesia app | no more than 3 days before arrival | free |
Do I need a visa for Indonesia?
Visitors from around 97 countries — including the Netherlands — can get a Visa on Arrival for IDR 500,000 (about USD 30), valid 30 days and extendable once for another 30 days. Apply online in advance as an e-VOA at the official portal evisa.imigrasi.go.id and you'll walk straight past the visa queue when you land.
What is the All Indonesia arrival card?
Since 1 October 2025, every traveller must complete a free digital arrival card at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id (or in the All Indonesia app), no more than 3 days before arrival — it merges the immigration, customs and health forms into one.
One warning: the official card is free. Paid look-alike sites exist; use only the link above, or the one we WhatsApp you 3 days before you land.
No dates fixed yet? One message and we sort the rest — the visa and arrival card take you an hour; everything else is on us.
Booked with us? We'll remind you at the right moment. Every booking comes with a gentle WhatsApp rhythm:
- About 7 days out, we ask whether you'd like to climb Borobudur. Climb tickets usually need booking 3–7 days ahead — we arrange those for you.
- 3 days out, you get the official arrival-card link, with one quick final check: passport still valid? e-VOA in hand?
- Just before you land, we send your arrival confirmation with route and transfer details plus your private guest link.
So there's nothing for you to keep track of — we tap you on the shoulder at exactly the right moment.
How do I get from Yogyakarta airport (YIA) to Villa Tanen?
By car, the drive from Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) to the villa takes about 2 hours. The transfer isn't included in your stay, but it's easy to sort: take a taxi at the airport, or let us arrange a pick-up for you in advance (price on request) so someone is waiting the moment you land.
YIA sits in Kulon Progo, south-west of the city. Its direct international routes are Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, so most guests connect through Jakarta, KL or Singapore. Prefer rail for part of the journey? Take the train to Yogyakarta and a taxi to the villa from there — worth it only if your train leaves promptly. Tell us how you're arriving and we'll help you pick the smoothest route and arrange your pick-up if you'd like.
Distances from Villa Tanen
| From Villa Tanen to | Distance / journey time |
|---|---|
| YIA airport (Kulon Progo) | ±2 hours by car |
| Yogyakarta city centre | ±1 hour by car |
| Borobudur | ±1 hour by car |
| Prambanan | ±1 hour by car |
| Kaliurang | ±10 minutes by car |
| Merapi Volcano Museum | walking distance |
| Merapi Golf (18-hole course) | 5 km |
Do I need a driver in Yogyakarta?
In practice, yes: driving yourself isn't recommended for visitors to Java. That's why Villa Tanen provides a car with an English-speaking driver-guide — fuel and parking included — who knows Central Java inside out and helps plan your days. All you decide is where to go: start with our day-trips guide.
Like the sound of landing with nothing left to arrange? Check availability for your dates — one message does it.
When is the best time to visit Yogyakarta?
The dry season, May through October. July and August are peak season; May, June and September are dry and noticeably quieter — the months we recommend to Villa Tanen guests. In the rainy season (November–March) showers fall mostly in the afternoon, so mornings are usually fine.
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| May – October (dry season) | the best time to visit; July/August = peak (dry, busier) |
| May, June, September | dry and quieter — the smart window |
| November – March (rainy season) | mostly afternoon showers; Jomblang Cave restricted or closed; Merapi more often in cloud |
Two seasonal effects worth knowing: Jomblang Cave is restricted or closed in the rainy months, and Mount Merapi hides in cloud more often. Year-round, Yogyakarta city sits at around 28–29 °C — up at around 630 metres, Villa Tanen stays noticeably cooler, especially in the evening; in May, June and September those veranda evenings turn pleasantly cool as the garden slips into dusk. For what the season means per excursion, see our day-trips guide.
Wondering whether your week in May or September is still free? One WhatsApp message will tell you.
Is it safe to stay near Mount Merapi?
Villa Tanen sits at around 630 m in Tanen village, outside Merapi's exclusion zones, which cover 3–7 km around the summit. Tourism in Kaliurang runs as normal, and our staff know the situation day by day.
Merapi is Indonesia's most active volcano and is monitored around the clock by the Indonesian authorities. That status changes — which is exactly why we don't print a snapshot here. Check the official channels before any Merapi excursion, or simply ask our staff what's possible that day.
Are mosquitoes a problem at the villa?
Less than in the city — at around 630 m the air around Villa Tanen is cooler, and there are noticeably fewer insects than in the hot, busy lowland towns.
How safe and private are the villa's own grounds?
Someone is always around: Villa Tanen's staff are on site 24/7. The 3,000 m² grounds are fully walled and the pool can't be seen from the road. The round pool has a shallow children's and paddling section that slopes gently into the deep middle (up to 2 m), and it's cleaned daily — please supervise young children yourself. For how the villa works with kids, read on below.
Reassured? Check whether your week is still free — one message and you'll know.
Is Villa Tanen good for kids?
Yes — Villa Tanen has a fully walled 3,000 m² tropical garden where children can roam free while you have breakfast on the veranda. There are garden games (badminton, table tennis, basketball, pétanque and two golf sets with practice balls), a round pool with a shallow children's and paddling section, and 6 double rooms — enough for three families travelling together.
A straight answer on the pool: it's round, with a shallow children's and paddling section that slopes gently into the deep middle (up to 2 m). So the little ones have their own safe corner while the older swimmers do lengths. The pool is cleaned daily; young children swim under your own supervision — there's no lifeguard.
Family outings are on the doorstep: Merapi Park "The World Landmarks" (miniature world monuments) and Agrowisata Bhumi Merapi (a petting farm with photo villages) are close to the villa, the Kaliurang leisure area is well suited to children, and the Merapi Volcano Museum is within walking distance.
Doing Yogyakarta — or all of Java — with kids? The villa works as a family base: Borobudur, Prambanan and Merapi are day trips with our driver, and after every outing the garden and pool are waiting — no dragging suitcases between hotels. See which room setup fits your family on the rooms-and-rates page.
Want to know if your week is free for the whole family? One WhatsApp message is all it takes.
What do the staff take care of during your stay?
Almost everything: Villa Tanen's staff are on site 24/7 and look after the house, garden, pool and meals — and on request they book your outings, from the Merapi jeep tour to a Javanese cooking class. In short: you won't want for anything.
Food & drink. Breakfast is ready every morning — Indonesian or European, your choice — with fruit from our own garden; water, tea and coffee are there all day. Lunch and dinner can be added, as can beer, soft drinks and fresh juices. You're welcome to cook for yourself too. Dietary needs or special requests? Tell us in advance — a lot is possible by arrangement.
Free to use:
- free Wi-Fi
- 2 mountain bikes
- 2 sets of golf clubs with plastic practice balls (the 18-hole Merapi Golf course is 5 km away)
- badminton with rackets and shuttles, table tennis with gear, a basketball hoop and pétanque
- 3 gazebos, 2 hammocks, sun loungers by the pool
- books, travel guides and board games
On request, via the staff:
- car with English-speaking driver-guide — fuel and parking included
- Merapi jeep tour
- Javanese cooking class, starting with a market visit
- guided cycling tour
- massage, pedicure, manicure and hairdresser — all at the villa
- laundry and ironing service
- photo shoot in traditional Javanese dress
Wondering what these extras cost? You'll find all current rates with the extras overview on the rooms-and-rates page.
Good to know (house rules in brief). Book a room or a floor and the other rooms on your floor stay empty — the bathroom is yours. You share the living room, veranda, garden and pool with any guests on the other floor; with studio guests you share only the garden and pool. There's ample space for everyone. Check-in and check-out times and the full house rules are confirmed with your booking.
This is the heart of our guest information folder. The same folder sits in the villa, extended with walking and cycling routes and the staff's current tips. Book with us and your confirmation also includes a private guest link with everything guest-specific: the Wi-Fi code, the staff's phone numbers and the current menus.
Like the idea of arriving to find all this already sorted? Check whether your week is still free — one message and you'll know.
| What | Traditional wooden holiday villa with private pool |
|---|---|
| Where | Tanen village (Hargobinangun, Pakem, Sleman) — about 21 km north of Yogyakarta, at ±630 m elevation |
| Sleeps | Up to 12 guests in 6 double rooms, plus a free-standing garden studio for 2 |
| Grounds | 3,000 m² fully walled tropical garden; pool up to 2 m deep, cleaned daily |
| Included | Daily breakfast (Indonesian or European), 24/7 staff, daily housekeeping, free Wi-Fi |
| Service | English-speaking driver-guide available; airport pick-up arranged |
| Booking | Direct with the Dutch owner — via WhatsApp or a short enquiry form |
Not booked yet? Here's how easy it is.
Direct with the owner · a personal reply within 24 hours · no account needed
Already booked? WhatsApp is your direct line to the villa — for any question, right up to the day you leave.
Question not covered here? You'll find all frequently asked questions in one place. Prefer e-mail or a call? All ways to reach us are on the contact page.