Indonesia is one of the most visited countries in the Asian continent, and no wonder. With more than 10,000 islands, 922 of which are inhabited, Indonesia has some of the most incredible scenery in the world. All thanks to its geographical location, in Southeast Asia, and its year-round warm and humid climate.
Although Bali is the most famous one, Indonesia is full of interesting places, among which are the paradisiacal Gili Islands, the interesting capital Jakarta, Komodo Island,… Read on and discover Indonesia with us, as well as some travel tips and other recommendations.
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6 Top Places to visit in Indonesia
1. Bali, the star island in Indonesia
Bali is an absolutely wonderful island with some of the best scenery in all of Indonesia. That is why it is the most visited place in the whole country. From breath-taking beaches, to absolutely amazing green rice paddies and beautiful temples, Bali concentrates the perfect Indonesian experience on one island.
Hindu temples are a treat to the eye and in Bali there are several examples you should not miss. For example, the temple Pura Besakih, considered the most important temple of Bali. It is located in the slope of the volcano Agung with the impressive stairs in the shape of a dragon. But it is not the only one, to the north of the island lies another unique temple in the world. The Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, located in a lao formed in the crater of the Bratan volcano.
If you are interested in rice paddies, you will fall in love with Jatiluwih. It’s one of the rice terraces that still uses the traditional irrigation system of the Bali region, known as “Subak”. It’s of an absolutely incomparable beauty and less crowded and “touristified” than other more famous rice fields such as Tegallalang.
Further reading at “Things to see and do in Bali, Indonesia?”
2. Ubud
It is necessary to mention one of the towns of the province of Bali: Ubud, where nature and art become one. Ubud is one of the favorite places for the visitors of Bali and of all Indonesia because of its unique places, like the Monkey Forest. This forest of dozens of species of trees and majestic temples is home to a colony of Balinese monkeys. These monkeys let visitors take pictures of them while they roam freely through the nature reserve. Entrance costs 50.000 IDR (about 3€).
Another interesting place to visit in the beautiful town of Ubud is the Royal Palace. The royal family of Ubud still lives there today. This architectural complex of great historical importance is worth visiting although the visit is limited only to the central courtyard. In addition, for art lovers, the traditional art market is located a few meters from the Royal Palace. There you’ll also find the local market and several museums such as the ARMA Museum or the Neka Gallery.
Find out more at “Things to see and do on a trip to Ubud”
3. Gili Islands
The Gili Islands are a true tropical paradise in the province of Lombok, east of Bali, Indonesia. This small archipelago formed by Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air is an ideal holiday destination to relax and reconnect with oneself and nature in a privileged environment. Far from the noise and fumes of the cities, the Gili Islands are a protected space where motorized vehicles are not allowed, a true oasis.
Among the favorite activities of visitors to the Gili Islands are some water sports such as snorkeling and scuba diving. Many companies organize snorkeling tours around the islands and take you to the best places to observe the colorful Gili seabed. From corals, fish and turtles, to sculptures on the seabed of Gili Meno, one of the best tours you can take on these islands is in the water.
Another essential recommendation in the Gili Islands is to experience one of its unrepeatable sunsets. When the sky and the sea of the island are dyed pink, providing one of the most beautiful views in the world. If you also have the chance to sit and contemplate it on one of the famous swings, such as the one at The Yoga Garden in Gili Trawangan, you will live the complete experience.
More places and things to do at “Things to see and do on a trip to the Gili Islands”
4. Lombok
A half-hour ferry ride from the Gili Islands lies Lombok, also known as “The Pearl Island.” Less touristy than Bali, but equally beautiful, Lombok is an island filled with waterfalls, pristine beaches and stunning rice paddies that are worth a visit on your trip to Indonesia
Unless you travel directly by private ferry to the Gili Islands from Bali, you will have to go first to Lombok to access them. So, if this is your case, take the opportunity to visit Lombok and fall in love with this island as well.
The Rinjani Volcano National Park is one of its biggest attractions and the site of Mount Rinjani, Indonesia’s second highest volcano. Walking the many hiking trails in the park, you can find waterfalls such as Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep. And you’ll see the fascinating rice fields, such as those of the village of Senaru, nestled on the green slope of the park.
More information at “Things to see and do in Lombok”
5 Mount Bromo, an imposing active volcano in Indonesia
On the island of Java, where major cities such as Jakarta and Yogyakarta are located, lies one of the most impressive natural environments in all of Indonesia. We are talking about the Bromo National Park in the east of Java Island. It’s one of the most visited spots in the country for its breathtaking beauty.
Its main attraction is the Bromo volcano. It’s an active volcano located on the Tengger Sand Sea, a protected area since 1919. The volcano can be visited and even have enabled stairs to reach the crater. One of the most popular activities in Bromo National Park is watching the sunrise over the Bromo volcano.
But this volcano and the sea of sand are not the only interesting thing to see in the park. The Semeru volcano is another essential attraction. It is the highest volcano on the island of Java and its last eruption was in 2021. So, you have to ask for a special permit to climb it.
6. Jakarta
A sometimes forgotten capital, but with a lot to say: in modern Jakarta you can experience an Indonesia completely different from what the country’s more touristy destinations show.
Koa Tua is its historic center where you can still find the Dutch influence in its buildings with European-style facades. In Koa Tua the square of Fatahillah stands out, where colorful houses contrast with modern buildings and parked bicycles make you think of Amsterdam. In this square you can also find the city’s Museum of History.
Another must-see stop in Jakarta is the building the Monas, Indonesia’s National Monument. It’s a giant 132-meter-high tower with a flame at its tip, which towers above many of the city’s main landmarks.
Finally, it is worth mentioning two important religious temples in the city: the Istiqlal Mosque and the Jakarta Cathedral. The Istiqlal Mosque is the third largest mosque in the world after Mecca and the Medina. The cathedral was built by the Dutch during the time they ruled Jakarta and is one of the best-preserved monuments in the whole city.
Learn about Indonesia’s capital in “Things to see and do on a trip to Jakarta Indonesia”
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What should I keep in mind when traveling to Indonesia?
- The official currency of Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah.
- We recommend to carry cash for small stores.
- Cards are accepted at most tourist sites.
- Bring your valid passport in good condition with at least 6 months validity.
- Lombok is one of the malaria areas of Indonesia. Carry mosquito repellent and mosquito netting as a precautionary measure and consult with your doctor for other possible vaccinations before your trip to Indonesia.
- Be respectful of the environment, fauna and flora of the country. Do not throw garbage into nature and opt for sustainable tourism.
- It is best not to drink tap water, although boiled water is okay for cooking.
- The official language of the country is Bahasa Indonesia, but in the more touristy areas you can communicate in English without any problems.
- Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
- Indonesia is a safe country, but just in case be careful with your belongings, especially in the most touristy and crowded places.
How to organize what to see in Indonesia
Register on the website or download the free Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
- Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes we present in the post).
- There are restaurants where only cards are accepted.
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travelers the things to do and see on your trip to Indonesia.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Indonesia
Temperatures in Indonesia are very stable all year round, with highs of about 33°C and lows of 21°C and fairly high humidity. It has two seasons: the dry season, from May to October; and the rainy season, from November to April, with the Monsoon.
The best months to travel to Indonesia are from May to October. This time corresponds to the dry season, so the chances of rainfall are much lower than the rest of the year.
The most common way to get to Indonesia is by plane arriving at the airports of Jakarta or Bali. Some of the airlines operating in Indonesia are: Air Asia, Garuda, Lion, Sriwijaya, Jetstar, Batik and Scoot among others.
As you know, Indonesia is a country of more than 10,000 islands, with a total area of 1.905 million km². Therefore, the answer to this question will depend a lot on the routes you are going to take. Since it is an archipelago, in many cases the best alternative is to travel by boat. Many of the small islands, as the Gili, for example, are very well connected by sea through ferries with other bigger islands, in this case Lombok. However, if you want to travel longer distances, it would be best to travel directly by plane to save time and not lose travel days.
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