Archipelago Adventures: An In-depth Travel Guide to Indonesia

Discover Indonesia

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Indonesia offers a tapestry of diverse cultures, traditions, landscapes, wildlife, and history. Each island possesses its own unique identity, shaped over time, promising you an entirely fresh experience at every destination.

We’ve created this ultimate guide to Indonesia to share with you everything that this unique country has to offer.

Is Indonesia worth visiting?

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Indonesia’s diversity is astonishing, offering everything from pristine white sand beaches to rice fields as far as the eye can see, to 127 active volcanoes. It’s a biodiversity hotspot, home to over 17% of the world’s wildlife and boasting a staggering 300,000 species.

Prepare to encounter some of the planet’s most extraordinary creatures, including Komodo dragons, tigers, orangutans, rhinoceroses, dolphins, and manta rays.

And all of this sits alongside the rich history and culture of the country which can be seen in the countless temples, religious, and historical sites.

As if that wasn’t enough to already convince you to visit Indonesia, it’s the ideal place to learn to surf, live life as a digital nomad or eat your way through delicious cuisine. 

Is Indonesia safe?

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Indonesia is one of the safest Southeast Asian countries to travel and the people of Indonesia are extremely friendly and will go out of their way to offer a helping hand. 

That being said, like with pretty much every country in the world, petty theft and pickpocketing do occur, so make sure to keep an eye on your belongings.

Best destinations in Indonesia

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Top 3 places to visit in Indonesia

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To provide some extra help with planning your trip, we’ve collated our top three favourite destinations in Indonesia:

Bali — the island paradise everyone wants to visit

Known as “The Land of Gods”, Bali is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. The stunning beaches are the perfect place to take in colourful sunsets, watch local surfers and soak up the sun. The lush jungles of Ubud will leave you in awe and the chilled vibes of Canggu will make you feel at home. 

It’s a place where you can witness manta rays leaping from the water, climb a volcano for sunrise and then end your day eating amazing food in the local warung. And of course, as you’ve probably seen from Instagram, Bali is now home to extravagant villas and luxurious beach clubs.

But if that’s not your vibe, it’s still not hard to find your happy place on this magical island. 

Visit our page about travelling from Yogyakarta to Bali to find your best travel options.

Flores  — home to the last dragons

Ready for a more adventurous trip? Make your way to Flores and take a boat tour to Komodo National Park to enjoy the pristine beaches, superb hiking, and unforgettable diving and snorkelling. 

Within this park, you’ll find Komodo Island, also referred to as the “Home of the Last Dragons”. The island is home to over 4,000 Komodo Dragons, the largest lizards on the planet with some growing up to 3 metres long. 

To travel here, check out our page on how to travel from Bali to Komodo.

Yogyakarta  — bursting with rich culture, history and art

Yogyakarta can be found on Indonesia’s most populous island, Java. It’s one of Indonesia’s cultural hearts being home to the huge, magnificent temples of Borobudur and Prambanan Temple, built in the 8th and 9th centuries. Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world and one of the most remarkable structures you’ll ever witness.

The city itself is filled with history, culture and religious sites unlike anywhere else. Yogyakarta boasts a vibrant vibe created by the friendly locals, unique art and a lively music scene.

Taking the day train from Jakarta to Yogyakarta will present some of the country’s most amazing rice terraces, small villages, and local life. Find out how to get from Jakarta to Yogyakarta.

Bonus: the Gili Islands

We know it says top 3, but we couldn’t go without mentioning the Gili Islands. These three little islands off the coast of Lombok, all offer gorgeous beaches and warm, blue waters. Gili Trawangan, the largest of the three islands, is the most visited with a busy nightlife, and countless restaurants and bars. 

Gili Air is a little smaller with a much more mellow vibe. Gili Meno, the smallest of the islands offers a strong local character. You won’t find as many tourists or amenities, but it’s the perfect place to escape it all. See our route from Bali to the Gili Islands for more info.

When is the best time to travel to Indonesia?

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Indonesia has just two seasons, wet and dry. The tropical temperatures average 28°C during the day, throughout the year. The dry season is from May to October and the wet season begins in November/December and ends in March/April.

While you can visit this country year-round, between the months of May and October, you will find the best weather. If you choose to visit Indonesia during January and February, be prepared for the wet season and expect cloudy days and several hours a day of rain. If you don’t mind putting your plans on hold for a couple of hours each day, it’s still a decent time to visit.

How to get around in Indonesia

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Indonesia is located in Southeast Asia between the Indian and Pacific Oceans and spans 1,904,569 square kilometres. While some of the larger islands are easily travelled by bus, car or train, the majority of travel throughout Indonesia is by boat or ferry.

Here are the best ways to get around Indonesia:

By boat

Indonesia is a nation made up of islands, so boats are an essential way to hop between the islands. There are two main types of boats that you’ll be using for inter-island travel; fast boats and ferries. 

Fast boats are used mainly by tourists. As the name suggests, they are faster than ferries and are usually similar to speedboats. They also tend to be more expensive than the ferry. Some popular journeys that you’ll find fast boats running between are Bali to the Gili islands and Bali to Lombok. 

Ferries are much larger boats that tend to go a lot slower and are most commonly used if someone is travelling with a vehicle. Most of the popular routes also have a ferry option, which is also normally cheaper than taking a fast boat. The ferries vary in comfort level, ranging from basic to more luxurious options.

Many of the fast boats can be booked online in advance via Bookaway. 

By train

Train travel is only available in Java and Sumatra. On the island of Java, train travel is one of the most popular forms of transport as it offers excellent scenery, comfort, and reliability. 

To learn everything you need to know about train travel, check out our guide for travelling by train in Indonesia.

By bus 

Unlike most countries, bus travel isn’t the most popular way of getting around. Buses are available in Java between major destinations, but the train is often the more comfortable and faster option. 

There are also buses in Bali and Lombok, which are a cheap way of getting around the island, although they’re not always the easiest to navigate. You can check out bus routes and book tickets online via 12Go.Asia. 

By plane

If you are travelling long distances between islands that host airports, flying can be a good option to save time. There are a few budget airlines in Indonesia that offer domestic flights at a low cost. However, many of the islands do not have airports, so you’ll need to take local ferries or boats to reach your next destination.

Also, keep in mind that taking a short-haul flight can be up to 10 times more polluting than taking a more environmentally-friendly option like a ferry.

By taxi 

The great thing about Indonesia is that there is nearly always a taxi around when you need it, whether it’s in the form of a car, tuk-tuk or moto taxi. And if there’s not, many popular destinations in Indonesia now support cab-hailing apps like Gojek or Grab. 

These apps work similarly to Uber, allowing you to hail bikes and taxis via an app. No haggling and you can pay with card. 

By private driver

Hiring a private driver for the day is a popular way for travellers to get around. You can normally hire one online on websites like Bookaway, through your accommodation or from a tour agency. The cost for a day can range between $35-100. 

If there are a lot of spots that you want to hit in one day, it can be a cost-efficient, comfortable and easy way to explore. 

By scooter

Another popular way of getting around, especially on islands like Bali and Lombok is to rent your own scooter. They are extremely cheap to rent, costing less than $5 a day or between $30-50 for the month. 

Whilst it looks super fun zooming along next to rice paddies, there are some things that you need to consider before hopping on a bike: 

• Make sure that you’re a confident driver. There are so many bikes on the road that it’s easy to get into an accident. 
• Wear a helmet. 
• Have an international driver’s license. 
• In places like Bali, there are scooter-driving schools. So if you don’t feel confident enough, maybe check out one of these before hitting the roads.

Entry requirements and visa for Indonesia

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Entry into Indonesia has recently been made significantly easier. The government have introduced a visa on arrival that you can apply and pay for beforehand online. This saves you a lot of time having to do the visa when you arrive.

It costs 500,000 IND ($35) for a 30-day visa. You’ll receive the visa as a PDF. Make sure to have this downloaded or take a screenshot so that you’re not relying on the airport Wi-Fi to load it.

If you want to stay longer than 30 days in Indonesia (who doesn’t?) then you can extend the visa for another 30 days for $35.

Make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months after your departure.

Must-try Indonesian food

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You may not hear people shouting about Indonesian food as much as Thai or Vietnamese, but Indonesia has some incredible specialities that have also influenced a number of popular dishes throughout Asia. Here are some foods that you shouldn’t leave Indonesia without trying:

• Gado-gado — is an Indonesian salad made up of a variety of vegetables like carrots, potatoes and green beans, often served with tempeh and an egg. Sounds okay so far…but what makes this dish amazing is the peanut sauce that you smoother it all in. 
• Nasi goreng/Mie goreng — you will find both nasi goreng and mie goreng in almost every local establishment in Indonesia. ‘Goreng’ stands for fried, whilst ‘nasi’ means rice and ‘mie’ is noodles. Essentially these dishes are fried rice and noodles served with an array of vegetables and usually a fried egg on top. 
• Beef rendang — is an Indonesian curry that melts in your mouth. The meat is left to cook for hours in coconut milk and a ton of spices. It’s usually served with white rice. 
• Sate — is essentially skewered chunks of meat that taste exceptionally good. It can be anything from chicken, pork, beef, and mutton to fish or seafood. The meat is grilled over charcoal and served with an array of tasty sauces.

Essential travel tips for Indonesia

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Here’s a selection of the best tips and pieces of information that may make your trip to Indonesia that bit easier:

Paying with Indonesian Rupiah in Indonesia

The currency used in Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). As of June 2023, $1 is equivalent to 15,000 IDR. 

More places are starting to accept debit and credit cards, but it’s always good to have cash on you, especially for local spots and markets. Plus, some restaurants still charge around 3% extra when paying by card.

ATMs

ATMs are easy to find in popular destinations like Bali, Jakarta and Yogyakarta. If you venture out to other islands, it can be a lot harder to find one.

On smaller islands like Gili Islands or Nusa Penida, you’ll often find ATMs around the harbour, but to be on the safe side, always bring enough cash when travelling to smaller islands or the less touristic areas of Indonesia.

Withdrawing money from ATMs is mostly free of charge, but your own bank will likely charge a fee. The maximum withdrawal is mostly between 1,500,000 and 2,500,000 IDR. A few trusted ATMs are Mandiri, BCA, BNI and City Bank.

Buying a sim card in Indonesia

While a lot of cafes, restaurants and hotels offer free Wi-Fi, it’s likely that you’re going to want internet whilst out and about. We recommend getting a local sim card. The plans are extremely cheap.

The four main mobile providers in Indonesia are Telkomsel, IM3 Ooredoo (soon Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison), XL Axiata and Smartfren. You’ll be able to buy a sim card from one of these providers at most international airports in Indonesia or at a mobile provider’s store. 

You’ll need to make sure that your phone is ‘unlocked’ which means that you can put any sim card in your phone, rather than being locked to a specific provider. 

Indonesian language cheat sheet

The language spoken in Indonesia is Indonesian.

It’s always good to know a few essential words before travelling to a place, so here are a few to get you started:

• Hello – Selamat/Halo
• Thank you – Terima kasih
• Please – Tolong
• Sorry – Maaf
• Beer – Bir

The perfect packing list for Indonesia

Indonesia is a hot country all year round, averaging around 28 °C and can get pretty humid!

It’s best to bring loose-fitting, cool clothes and of course, your swimsuit if you’re heading to one of Indonesia’s tropical islands or beaches. 

If you’re planning on tackling one of Indonesia’s volcanoes, don’t forget some suitable hiking shoes and a jacket. It can get cold at altitude. 

Aside from the essential travel gear, here are some that have become permanent fixtures on our packing list: 

• Reusable water bottle – they’re better for the environment and can save you money on water.
• A portable charger – there’s probably going to be a time when your phone’s battery is on red, at a time that you desperately need it.
• An adaptor – Indonesia uses the same plugs as Europe (C&F). A universal travel adaptor is a great buy if you’re travelling between different continents.

Check out our full packing list for Southeast Asia.

Favourite accommodations

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Le Pirate Island – Komodo Island

While you can’t stay directly on Komodo Island, you can stay nearby and enjoy the luxury of the outdoor huts at Le Pirate Island. Each hut comes with a private terrace and beds above offering stunning ocean views. There is a restaurant and bar on-site and all huts are beachfront. After exploring Komodo Island, this is the perfect private island to return to enjoy relaxing and taking in the sights.

• Private island
• Beachfront huts
• Restaurant and bar on-site
• Excellent service

Rooms start at $43 per night

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