Indonesia travel guide
Indonesia Tourism | Indonesia Guide
You're Going to Love Indonesia
Made up of an archipelago of over 18,000 islands that are located around the equator within both the Pacific and Indian Oceans, this beautiful country holds many attractions, both cultural and natural.
What to do in Indonesia
1. Discover Bali
Bali offers visitors a mixture of surf spots, parties and trips to climb volcanoes that are hidden in the jungle of the island.
2. Discover the Nature and Wildlife
Bunaken National Marine Park in Northern Sulawesi is just one of the places to visit to see the countless varieties of coral and marine life in the clear waters around the islands.
3. Learn to Surf
Surfing is definitely a reason to visit Indonesia. Boasting some of the best surf spots in the world, the Mentawai Islands off the coast of Sumatra are a good place to start, while Bali and Lombok also offer the perfect surfing waves.
4. Go on an Adventure Hike
Spend some time trekking through the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra, which covers 6.5 million acres and is home to around 580 bird species and over 10,000 plant species.
5. Explore Hindu Temples
Visit some temples. One of the largest Hindu temple sites in Indonesia is in the Special Region of Yogyakarta in Central Java. In Central Java, you can also see the 9th century Buddhist temple, Borobudur, with walls that are covered with over a thousand narrative panels.
When to visit Indonesia
A tropical country, Indonesia benefits from fairly even temperatures throughout the year, ranging from 79-82°F. There are traditionally two monsoon seasons, one from December to March, and the other from June to September.
How to Get to Indonesia
Entry Requirements
Nationals from EU, Canada, UK, USA and Australia will need to hold a passport that is valid for at least six months from date of entry into Indonesia and a valid return or onward ticket. With this in place, it is not necessary to obtain a visa to stay in Indonesia for up to 30 days.
Plane
The most popular international airports in Indonesia are in Jakarta and Bali and they receive flights from international carriers such as Emirates, Etihad Airways and Singapore Airlines.
Boat
Indonesia is connected to Malaysia and Singapore by ferry. It is possible to take ferries to Bitan and Batam Islands from Singapore while Belawan and Dumai ports have ferry links to Malaysia. There are also cruise lines that stop in Indonesian ports.
Popular airports in Indonesia
Popular airlines serving Indonesia
Where to stay in Indonesia
The main islands of Bali and Jakarta offer the best selection, from budget to luxury hotels. There are also guest houses and cottages that are more local and add to the Indonesian experience. Jakarta, Bali and Gili islands also cater for backpacking travelers with dormitory-style hostels.
Where to stay in popular areas of Indonesia
Most booked hotels in Indonesia
How to Get Around Indonesia
Public Transportation
Within Indonesian cities, the main form of public transport is bus. The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is the most commonly used form of transport in bigger cities, such as Jakarta, Bogor, Bandung, Bandar Lampung and Jogia. Mini buses (Angkots) and motorcycle taxis (ojek) are also frequently used. For a more authentic feel, use a tuk-tuk or a pedi-cab to get around.
Trains
The train network links the north and south parts of Sumatra and there is a well-developed network of railways on the island of Java.
Car
It is possible to rent cars in the bigger cities and you will need to have an international driving license to drive in Indonesia.
Boat
The main way to travel between the islands in Indonesia is via the ferries that run a regular timetable between neighbouring islands. There are a number of different ferry companies that run these trips, including Pelni, which has the furthest reaching network.
Plane
The quickest way to travel long distances between the islands is by plane, using domestic airlines such as AirAsia, Garuda Indonesia and Lion Air.
The Cost of Living in Indonesia
It is relatively cheap to live in Indonesia. For grocery shopping, you could expect to pay around 36,417 IDR (2.50 USD) for a 0.2 gallon of milk and a dozen eggs. Eating at restaurants can often be cheaper than cooking at home with prices of less than 25,000 IDR (1.80 USD) per person to eat in a slightly cheaper restaurant. It is a good idea to use cash when shopping on these islands as credit cards tend to incur charges, especially with purchases of small amounts. Visa and Mastercard are accepted in the bigger cities and it is acceptable to use these for hotels or car rentals.