Indonesia

Indonesia Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Discover the magic of Indonesia in our handy travel guide. Learn about Indonesia's weather patterns and the best times to visit this tropical paradise. Find tips on transportation options to navigate between islands and cities with ease. Explore top destinations like Bali and Jakarta, plus savor must-try dishes such as nasi goreng and satay. Uncover hidden gems off the tourist path that will make your Indonesian adventure truly unforgettable.

Weather and Best Time To Visit

Bali & Lombok: May to September has dry, sunny weather with lower humidity, making it perfect for beach activities. Be aware that July-August sees the highest number of tourists.

Java: April to October (dry season) is best for visiting Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and hiking volcanoes like Mt. Bromo.

Sumatra: May to September offers drier conditions for jungle treks and orangutan watching. Note that northern regions remain wet throughout the year.

Sulawesi: July to October provides the best diving conditions around Bunaken and Lembeh with excellent underwater visibility.

Maluku & Raja Ampat: October to April has calm seas and ideal conditions for experiencing the area's rich marine biodiversity.

Kalimantan: June to September has less rain, making river travel and wildlife spotting in Borneo's rainforests more accessible.

Flores & Komodo: April to December stays dry for Komodo dragon viewing and hiking, while April to August offers the best diving conditions.

How to Get to Indonesia

Indonesia's 17,000+ islands are connected by a network of airports that link the archipelago internally and to international destinations. Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta stands as the country's busiest aviation hub, operating continuously with high passenger traffic throughout the day and night.

In Bali, Ngurah Rai International Airport serves as the main entry point for visitors coming to explore the island's natural and cultural attractions.

Juanda International Airport provides essential air connections for Surabaya, while Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar plays a crucial role in connecting eastern and western Indonesia. Smaller destinations, including Nusa Lembongan, Lombok, and Medan, also maintain their own airports, each reflecting the specific character of their region.

These airports serve as gateways to Indonesia's diverse landscapes, from rainforests and volcanoes to coral reefs and cultural sites that travelers can access once they arrive.

How to Get Around

Scattered across more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia presents a puzzle of connections waiting to be solved by travelers. When island-hopping becomes necessary, airlines like Garuda Indonesia and Lion Air serve as aerial bridges between distant shores. Meanwhile, the waters between islands host everything from massive passenger ships to nimble speedboats, carrying people between neighboring lands as they have for generations.

Thrifty explorers often discover the practical wisdom of combination journeys, boarding a bus that eventually rolls onto a ferry, continuing its route across water before returning to land again. On Java and Sumatra, trains click-clack through rice paddies and jungle fringes, offering windows to landscapes inaccessible by other means.

Cities pulse with transportation options:

• -Colorful buses connect towns across the larger islands
• -Smaller "angkot" minivans weave through neighborhood streets, stopping wherever passengers raise a hand
• -Many travelers find peace in hiring cars with local drivers who navigate the sometimes challenging terrain with practiced ease
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When streets narrow and traffic thickens:

• -The ojek motorcycle taxis slip through impossibly tight spaces
• -Human-powered becaks pedal passengers through historic districts
• -Jakarta's streets buzz with bajajs, three-wheeled taxis darting between larger vehicles
• -Bali's distinctive bemos carry both people and their packages
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The digital age has touched Indonesian transportation too; apps like GoJek and Grab now connect passengers to drivers with a few taps. For those looking to reach Nusa Penida and neighboring islands, boat services like Angel Billabong Fast Cruise and Semaya One Fast Cruise carry travelers across blue waters to shores less visited.

Each mode of transport offers its own story; try them all to truly understand how Indonesia moves.

Local Food Scene

When hunger strikes in Indonesia, their kitchens are ready. In Jakarta, the aroma of nasi goreng wafts from Café Batavia, where the fried rice comes with a side of colonial architecture. Meanwhile, along Yogyakarta's Malioboro Street, smoke rises from charcoal grills as vendors thread tiny pieces of meat onto skewers for sate, cooking them until the edges crisp and caramelize.

Morning light streams through Pasar Baru market in Jakarta, where piles of green chilies sit next to mountains of turmeric and ginger. The calls of vendors mix with the scent of cloves. When evening falls in Bali, Gianyar Night Market comes alive with cooks hunched over portable stoves, their faces illuminated by cooking flames.

Each region tells its story through food:

• -In Padang, rendang simmers for hours until beef surrenders into tender shreds coated with coconut and spices
• -Yogyakarta's gudeg transforms young jackfruit into a sweet-savory stew that locals line up for at dawn
• -In Bali, babi guling (suckling pig) turns slowly over fire until its skin crackles like glass
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Those seeking restaurant experiences find Locavore in Ubud, where local ingredients appear on plates in ways grandma would never recognize but somehow still approve. At Kaum in Jakarta, traditional recipes return from history books to modern tables.

The pilgrimage to Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka in Ubud rewards travelers with the island's most talked-about suckling pig, served on banana leaves with no pretense. Branches of Sate Khas Senayan throughout cities offer satay on raised platforms rather than street corners. Meanwhile, Mozaic in Ubud marries Indonesian ingredients with French techniques in a courtyard garden where servers explain each dish as if introducing old friends.

Hidden Gems to Visit

Hidden among Papua's highlands, Baliem Valley tells a story of Indonesia few travelers ever hear. Here, mountain slopes give way to carefully tended fields while circular huts dot the landscape. Dani people walk paths their ancestors created centuries ago, keeping traditions alive that elsewhere have faded into history.

What makes it special: In the valley, men wear koteka (penis gourds) as they have for generations. Villages function much as they always have, with gardens producing sweet potatoes and pigs roaming nearby. Hiking paths lead through morning fog and alongside clear streams. Each August, the Baliem Valley Festival brings communities together, where mock battle demonstrations show off fighting skills and cultural knowledge passed down through generations.

Best time to visit: The months from June through August bring clear skies and comfortable temperatures, perfect for exploring on foot. This timing also lets you join the festival celebrations if you plan carefully.

How to get there: The journey requires a flight to Jayapura, then a 50-minute connection to Wamena. No roads lead into this highland world; only planes connect it to the outside, which has helped protect its character. Remember to arrange permits before your trip, as this region requires special authorization papers.

Scenic Routes

Indonesia's islands tell a thousand stories through their volcanic ridges, clear waters, and dense forests. These five routes reveal the country in ways guidebooks can't capture:

• 1. Jakarta to Bandung: The train climbs steadily from Jakarta's bustle into cooler mountain air. Outside the windows, tea plantations carpet the hillsides like geometric patterns on a quilt. Farmers work between neat rows while mist clings to distant valleys. Come between May and September when clear skies make the mountains seem close enough to touch.

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• 2. Labuan Bajo to Komodo Island: The boat pushes through waters so clear you'll count fish from the deck. Islands rise from the sea—green humps against a blue backdrop. Then Komodo appears, where dragons have ruled for millions of years. Visit April through June when the water settles like glass and smaller boats can reach secluded beaches where few footprints mark the sand.

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• 3. Medan to Lake Toba: The road winds higher as Medan fades behind. Rainforest crowds the windows while waterfalls appear between gaps in the trees. Then Lake Toba comes into view—a massive crater filled with water that stretches to the horizon. June through August brings sunshine that makes the lake sparkle like scattered coins.

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• 4. Makassar to Toraja: The bus crawls upward past limestone formations that jut from the earth like nature's skyscrapers. Villages appear—homes with curved roofs that point to the sky. Children wave from rice fields. Travel between May and October when cool air flows through open windows as the road curves around mountain corners.

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• 5. Lombok to Gili Islands: The boat skims across the water while Rinjani Volcano watches from shore. Dolphins sometimes race alongside, leaping through the wake. The Gilis appear as three perfect circles of sand and palms. Between April and October, the sea lies calm, letting boats stop for passengers to slip into the water where fish dart around coral gardens.

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Events, Festivals and Local Markets

The morning fog hangs over Banjarmasin's Pasar Terapung Lok Baintan as wooden boats gently bump against each other. Locals paddle through narrow channels, calling out their prices as they have for generations. You'll need to arrive before sunrise, but watching traders exchange bananas for fish from their boats shows you a way of life that continues despite modern developments.

In August, the highlands of Wamena come alive during the Baliem Valley Festival. Warriors from different Papua tribes gather in traditional dress, complete with boar-tusk necklaces and feathered headdresses. They stomp the earth during ceremonial dances and recreate battle techniques passed down through the centuries. The smell of pork roasting in earthen pits fills the air as visitors watch centuries-old traditions unfold.

The sounds of gongs, drums, and singing voices echo through the trees at the Rainforest World Music Festival in Samarinda. Musicians from local tribes share stages with performers from across the world, creating music that connects people across languages. Between performances, you can learn to play traditional instruments and join impromptu dance circles that form under the forest canopy.

Each of these experiences reveals a different piece of Indonesian life, whether it's daily commerce conducted entirely on water, ancient tribal gatherings in mountain valleys, or the sounds that bring people together from across the archipelago.

Best Places to Visit

1. Bali

Ancient temples stand among rice fields that cascade down hillsides in shades of green. Mornings begin with offerings of flower petals and incense at doorsteps. Afternoons bring waves that curl perfectly for surfers at Uluwatu, while evenings fill with the sounds of gamelan music.

April to October brings sunshine and clear skies. Choose May, June, or September to walk the beaches without crowds and enjoy warm days without the humidity.

Every sunset at Uluwatu Temple, locals perform the kecak dance, telling stories through synchronized chants. In Jimbaran, fishermen grill the day's catch on the sand as the sun disappears. Each evening in Ubud, dancers in gold headdresses move to traditional music at the town palace.

How to get to Bali:

• -Fly directly to Ngurah Rai International Airport from major Asian hubs.
• -Take a ferry from neighboring islands like Java or Lombok.
• -Cruise ships regularly dock at Benoa Harbor during Southeast Asian voyages.
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2. Nusa Penida

Limestone cliffs drop 200 meters to turquoise waters. The island feels like Bali did decades ago — roads wind through villages where children wave as visitors pass. At Kelingking Beach, the rock formation resembles a dinosaur drinking from the ocean.

May through September brings clear skies and calm waters. The sea becomes transparent, revealing coral gardens below.

Every morning, boats leave for Manta Point where massive rays glide beneath swimmers like underwater birds. At Crystal Bay, tropical fish dart around snorkelers in waters clear as glass. Local guides lead adventurous visitors to secret cliff-jumping spots where they can leap into deep blue pools.

How to get to Nusa Penida:

• -Take a fast boat from Sanur or Padang Bai in Bali (30-45 minutes)
• -Fly to Bali, then arrange transportation to Nusa Penida
• -Join organized day tours from Bali that include transportation
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3. Sanur 

Morning light streams across the water as fishermen return with their catches. The town moves at a walking pace. A 5-kilometer seaside path connects small restaurants, quiet beaches, and gardens. Children fly kites that look like dragons against the blue sky.

April to October brings sunny days when the sea lies calm against the shore. May and September offer perfect beach days without crowds.

Each sunrise, yoga practitioners gather on the sand for morning sessions. Weekends bring local artists who spread their paintings and carvings along the beachfront path. When darkness falls, restaurants set tables on the sand where diners listen to acoustic guitars while eating grilled fish caught that morning.

How to get to Sanur:

• -Direct shuttle buses run from Ngurah Rai Airport (30-45 minutes)
• -Taxi services are widely available from other parts of Bali
• -Public boats connect Sanur Harbor to the nearby Nusa islands
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4. Gili Trawangan

Bicycle bells replace car horns. Horse carts clip-clop along sandy paths. The island measures just 3 kilometers end to end, small enough to walk in an afternoon. Beneath the water, turtles swim among coral gardens.

From May to October, the skies stay clear and the sea calm. June and September offer perfect weather without the July crowds.

As night falls, divers slip into dark waters to witness plankton that glows blue with each movement. Wooden boats strung with lights carry sunset-watchers around the island each evening. Once a week, travelers join locals to clean the beaches, collecting trash while exchanging stories.

How to get to Gili T:

• -Fast boats depart regularly from Bali's Padang Bai harbor (2 hours)
• -Fly to Lombok International Airport, then take a taxi and boat transfer
• -Public ferries operate from Bangsal Harbor in Lombok (30-minute boat ride)
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5. Lombok 

Empty beaches stretch for kilometers without a footprint. The island lives in the shadow of Mount Rinjani, where clouds gather around its 3,726-meter peak. In villages, women weave colorful fabrics on wooden looms as they have for centuries.

Between May and September, sunshine warms the days. The forests look their greenest and waterfalls flow.

Every morning, guides lead small groups through the jungle to waterfalls that pour into swimming holes. In Sasak villages, potters shape clay into vessels, teaching visitors techniques passed through generations. At Kuta Beach (not to be confused with Bali's), instructors help newcomers stand on surfboards for the first time in gentle waves.

How to get to Lombok:

• -Direct flights arrive at Lombok International Airport from Jakarta and Singapore
• -Fast boats connect Bali to Lombok in approximately 2-3 hours
• -Public ferries operate between Padang Bai (Bali) and Lembar Harbor (Lombok)
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Tips for Traveling in Indonesia

VISA & ENTRY

• Most visitors get a 30-day visa-on-arrival ($35 USD)
• E-visa available for longer stays via evisa.imigrasi.go.id
• Passport must be valid 6+ months beyond entry
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CULTURAL ETIQUETTE

• Remove shoes before entering homes/temples
• Use the right hand for eating/giving
• Dress modestly at religious sites
• Basic greetings: "Terima kasih" (thank you)
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MONEY MATTERS

• Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
• ATMs are widely available in tourist areas
• Carry cash for small vendors/rural areas
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HEALTH & SAFETY

• Emergency: 112
• Recommended vaccines: Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid
• Travel insurance with evacuation coverage is essential
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TRANSPORTATION

• Ride-hailing apps (Gojek/Grab) are reliable in cities
• Bemos (minivans) for local travel
• Ferries connect islands