Aceh (pronounced "ah-chey", full name: Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam; various spellings include Acheh, Atjeh and Achin) is a province and special territory (daerah istimewa) of Indonesia, located in the northern part of the island of Sumatra, the largest island in the Indonesian archipelago. Population 4.2 million.

Regions

Cities

• Banda Aceh - capital city of the region

Other destinations

• Meulaboh

Understand

For many years, travel in this part of Indonesia had been restricted by the Government due to separatist rebel activities. More recently, on 26 December 2004, the coastal portions of the area were devastated by a huge earthquake triggering a tsunami, which is estimated to have killed up over 130.000 people and completely devastated coastal infrastructure (including the capital city of Banda Aceh), and made about 500.000 people homeless.

Since the peace agreement was signed in Helsinki on 15 August 2005, the Indonesian Government, in cooperation with the European Union, has been working with the local militia to disarm weapons, with great success. After the tsunami, the UN and numerous international aid agencies moved in, in a quest to reconstruct the area. By December 2005, Banda Aceh had been completely rebuilt.

The largest portion of Leuser National Park is in Aceh Province, and provides habitat for many endangered species, including the Sumatran Tiger and forest Rhinoceros.

Talk

Get in

Road conditions are still quite poor heading from Medan to Banda Aceh, in addition to any other concerns over safety. It is recommended to use regular flights either from Jakarta or from Medan.

Get around

Regulations have been relaxed, but travel permits (surat jalan) may be required for travel to some parts of Aceh. Enquire at Banda Aceh before setting off.

See

Itineraries

Do

Fantastic diving on Pulau Weh (called "Sabang" by the locals, the name of the city on the island). If you're certified, expect to pay 25 Euros for your first dive, 20 Euros for every dive afterward.

Eat

Drink

Stay safe

Get out