Indonesia travel guide
Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago, stretching across the equator from Sumatra to Papua, with volcanoes, rainforest, coral reefs and hundreds of distinct cultures. Bali is the best-known island, but Java's temples, Komodo's dragons and the reefs of Raja Ampat give very different trips. It suits divers, surfers, hikers and culture lovers alike.
Places worth the trip
Bali
Ubud's rice terraces, craft villages and dance performances, clifftop temples such as Uluwatu and Tanah Lot, surf beaches in the south and quieter diving and snorkelling in the north and east. Daily Hindu offerings and temple ceremonies are part of everyday life.
Borobudur and Prambanan
Near Yogyakarta in Central Java, Borobudur is a vast ninth-century Buddhist monument decorated with relief panels, and Prambanan is a complex of soaring Hindu temples. Yogyakarta itself is a centre of Javanese arts, batik and the Sultan's palace.
Komodo National Park
Islands in East Nusa Tenggara where Komodo dragons, the world's largest lizards, live in the wild. Boat trips from Labuan Bajo combine ranger-guided walks with snorkelling and diving among manta rays and coral.
Raja Ampat
An island group off West Papua with some of the richest marine biodiversity on earth. It is remote and takes time to reach, but the reefs, karst islands and lagoons are exceptional.
Mount Bromo
An active volcano in East Java rising from a vast caldera called the Sea of Sand. Sunrise from the viewpoints on the rim is the classic visit; check activity levels before going.
Lombok and the Gili Islands
Lombok has quieter beaches than Bali and Mount Rinjani, a challenging multi-day volcano trek. The three small Gili Islands nearby have no motorised traffic and are known for snorkelling with turtles.
Orangutans in Sumatra and Borneo
Wild and semi-wild orangutans can be seen on jungle treks from Bukit Lawang in North Sumatra and on river-boat trips into Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan.
Tana Toraja
Highlands in South Sulawesi where the Toraja people build houses with sweeping boat-shaped roofs and hold elaborate funeral ceremonies; visit respectfully with a local guide.
Interesting facts about Indonesia
- Indonesia is made up of more than 17,000 islands, of which only a few thousand are inhabited.
- Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world.
- Indonesia has more people than any other Muslim-majority country, but Bali is predominantly Hindu and there are large Christian communities in places such as North Sulawesi and Papua.
- On Nyepi, the Balinese day of silence, the whole island shuts down for 24 hours, including the airport, and visitors must stay in their hotels.
- More than 700 languages are spoken in Indonesia, with Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) as the shared national language.
Best time to visit Indonesia
For Bali, Java, Lombok and the islands east of them, the dry season from roughly April to October is the best time to visit, with July and August the busiest months. The wet season, from about November to March, brings heavy afternoon downpours, but travel is still possible and prices are lower. Weather patterns differ across this huge country: parts of Sumatra and Maluku have different rainy seasons, and Raja Ampat is generally best from about October to April, when seas are calmer.
Getting around
Domestic flights connect the main islands and are the only practical way to cover long distances. Ferries and fast boats link nearby islands such as Bali, Lombok and the Gilis, but check the operator's safety record and avoid rough seas. On Java, trains are comfortable and link Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta and Surabaya. Within towns, ride-hailing apps offer cars and motorbike taxis at fixed prices. Many visitors hire a car with a driver for day trips in Bali. Traffic in Jakarta and southern Bali can be very slow.
Practical details
- Capital
- Jakarta (a new capital, Nusantara, is being developed in East Kalimantan)
- Currency
- Indonesian rupiah (IDR)
- Languages
- Indonesian
- Plug types
- C, F
- Voltage
- 230 V, 50 Hz
- Emergency
- 112 for all emergencies; also 110 police, 113 fire, 118 or 119 ambulance
- Driving side
- left
- Tipping
- Not obligatory. Many restaurants add a service charge; otherwise rounding up or leaving 5 to 10 percent for good service is appreciated, as are tips for drivers and guides.
Staying online in Indonesia
4G coverage is good in Jakarta, Bali, Yogyakarta and other cities and popular areas, with 5G in some places. Coverage gets patchy or disappears on remote islands, in the interiors of Borneo, Sulawesi and Papua, on volcano treks and at sea, including much of Komodo and Raja Ampat. Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafés and co-working spaces in Bali. Ride-hailing, food delivery and payments rely on mobile data. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
Indonesia eSIM plans
1 GB
1GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Indonesia, V2
Ilimitado
Unlimited eSIM Data for 1 Day for Indonesia, V2
Ilimitado
Unlimited Plus eSIM Data for 1 Day for Indonesia, V2
3 GB
3GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Indonesia, V2
Useful apps
- Grab: Ride-hailing for cars and motorbike taxis, plus food delivery, across most Indonesian cities.
- Gojek: Indonesia's own super-app for rides, food delivery and courier services.
- Traveloka: Booking domestic flights, trains and hotels, widely used in Indonesia.
- Google Maps: Navigation and finding places; download offline maps for islands and rural areas.
Indonesia travel FAQs
Bali is the easiest introduction, with good infrastructure and flights. Combine it with Lombok, the Gilis or Komodo for nature, or with Yogyakarta for temples and Javanese culture. Allow plenty of time, as distances are large.
Yes. Coverage is good in cities and tourist areas but limited on remote islands and at sea. A travel eSIM gives you data from arrival, so ride-hailing and maps work straight away.
Cover your shoulders and knees. Balinese temples usually require a sarong and sash, often lent or rented at the entrance. Remove your shoes where asked and do not climb on temple structures.
Yes, for small shops, markets, warungs and rural areas. Cards are accepted in larger hotels and restaurants. ATMs are common in towns but rare on small islands, so withdraw enough before travelling there.