crossing from png (vanimo) to indonesia (jayapura)

i just wanted to share some updated info for people planing on crossing the border from png (vanimo) to indonesia (jayapura).
i crossed the border last week and it was so easy!
first, you need a visa.
i went to the indonesian embassy at 9am and picked up my visa the same day at 3pm.
it is 70 kina for 30 days or 135 for 60 days.
if you apply after 12 noon, you can pick up your passport only the next day.
if applying on friday, you get it only on monday...
from vanimo it is very easy. you get a bus to the border (10 kina) and after 30-40 minutes your there!
it is possible to ask the bus driver to come pick you up from the indo embassy.
once stamped your passport out of png, you walk 200m to the indo imigration office, and your set!

this information is updated as of april 12th 2012.

hope it will help...

It is also useful advice to have a number of passport photos on your person when doing something like this. I didn't. This meant that I had to attempt to get one printed. I had to go to the only guy in Vanimo with a color printer. He took a picture of me with his camera phone and printed it. It is a rather angry picture. A most difficult morning!

In 2011 the other way around (from Indonesia into PNG) was quite difficult. There were no visas issued for foreigners at the PNG-consulate in Jayapura! Moreelse you couldn´t get out there with a Indonesian visa on entry (without paying v e r y good tip). All this not confirming to suggestions in Lonely Planet for PNG 2008.

Hi all !

Wich is the best way to go from Jayapura to Vanimo, and later come back ?

Go there with a Visa made before in my country and later go to Jayapura Indonesian Immigration to stamp the passport ? or wich are the steps ?

Thanks at advance,

From Vanimo to Jayapura - usually travellers have no problems.

Its more difficult to get PNG visa in Jayapura (in case if u havent get it before, for example, in Kuala Lumpur). Ive seen Italian and American travellers applying for visas in PNG Consulate in Jayapura in July 2011.

Probably you can try travel agencies to apply for PNG visa if Consulate doesnt wanna make it straight for you.

Thanks for the advise! Any updates? Also, there are agencies in Jayapura? How do you get from there to the border? How long does it take? How much would the "Tip" be?