Indonesia Travel Guide

Highlights

Yogyakarta: the launching point for trips to Borobudur and Prambanan, this cultural centre has some decent attractions.

Bali: culture-rich as well as possessing large amounts of natural beauty, this top tourist hotspot continues to draw the crowds despite recent terrorist bombings.

Lombok: a pleasant alternative to Bali, this nearby island offers similar treats but fewer crowds.

Lake Toba (Danau Toba): this stunning lake in North Sumatra was formed through volcanic activity, with some interestingly shaped land masses and plenty of beach activities.

Bukit Lawang: this Sumatran national park is perfect for those searching for adventure activities and close-up experiences with orangutans.

The lakes of Kelimutu: volcanic craters that are filled with water create a multicoloured kaleidoscope effect which is unique.

Recommended Itinerary

Comprising of more than 17,000 islands, it is not realistic to tour the entire nation in just one trip. A more feasible itinerary is to choose one or two regions to explore, with three weeks being sufficient to get your bearings.

The brave hearted can battle with Jakarta’s dense population to get a four-day feel for this chaotic city.
Spend three days discovering Yogyakarta’s ancient sites, with Borobudur and Prambanan being popular favourites.
Five days on Sumatra to explore Bukit Lawang, Danau, Toba or Bukit Tinggi, where you can come face-to-face with an orangutan.
Seven days soaking up the sun, temples and party atmosphere on Bali.

Additional time
Spend an additional week cruising Lombok’s islands.
Explore Sulawesi’s little-known beaches and hidden treasures.

Health and Safety

With the very real risk of terrorism here, it pays to be cautious about where you go and to heed local advice. However, despite Westerners having been the target of recent bombings, there is a visible appreciation and a hospitable welcome for those who continue to patronise their favourite Indonesian hideouts. Never drive a motorbike without a helmet, always protect yourself from the suns rays and do not drink the tap water unless you are looking for a way to get sick.

Indonesia Travel

Most international visitors fly into the international airports at Jakarta or Denpasar (Bali), with domestic flights from both these hubs being surprisingly affordable. If you want to cover ground quickly, the best way to travel is to fly, while connecting ferries are available between Sumatra, Java, Bali and Lombok. Overland travel can be done by bus, but they are often unreliable and mostly uncomfortable, while there is a rail service on Java. Be wary of overloaded ferries if you aren’t a strong swimmer.

Why Indonesia?

What’s cool: Hitting Bali’s beaches despite recent terrorism, Lombok’s crystal clear waters and idyllic beaches, Sumatra’s orangutans, Yogyakarta’s ancient architecture and the jungles of the east.

What’s not: Jakarta’s dense population, anti-western sentiment, Islamic insurgents, terrorism, corruption, tsunami-devastated Aceh or getting attacked by a komodo dragon!

When To Go?

Boasting a tropical and climate, things can get pretty hot and humid here, making travelling at the right time of year crucial.

The hot dry season (May and September) is the best time to visit, when the warm weather is perfect for beach activity.

The arrival of the rainy season is dependent on location, with rains arriving latest the farther southeast you go. While temperatures drop when the rains arrive, the rains cause flooding and massive disruptions to transport, making it a better bet not to come at this time.

Main festivals

With such a large land mass, it is no wonder that there are regional variations when it comes to festivals here. However, there are a few prominent ones that should not be missed.

March: Pasola celebrations in Sumba are always fun and feature lively mock horse battles.
June: Yogyakarta’s Arts Festival is in keeping with Indonesian traditions, showcasing centuries-old dance and song.
July: the month-long Bali Arts Festival is a great way to get to grips with local culture, with demonstrations of traditional song, dance and games.
August: celebrating national unity, National Day on 17 August is a public holiday. Expect to encounter parades, marches, dance performances, fireworks and parties.
November: Yogyakarta is host to Gerebeg Syawal celebrations, where visitors can witness palace guards in processions, along with performers in ceremonial costumes and large floats.
September: Ramadan is a month-long period of fasting, the date of which varies each year according to the Islamic calendar. Many restaurants shut during this time, and eating and smoking in public are prohibited until after sundown.

Activities

Trekking: Ujung Kulon National Park, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Maluku among other destinations offer excellent trekking opportunities, where you can see the natural beauty for yourself.

Temple-hopping: explore Bali’s exquisite religious sites, while those on Lombok are equally beautiful.

Scuba diving: hit Bunaken for some of the best scuba diving in Asia, with pristine reefs and abundant marine life.

Feeding the komodo dragons: highly dangerous reptiles when attacked, these delightfully scary creatures can be seen at Nusa Tengara.

Partying: having long been a party spot, Kutu Beach on Bali offers discos and bars within meters of the beach.

Exploring new landscapes: East Java’s Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is home to Mount Bromo as well as many other active volcanoes, which together form some of the most terrifying volcanic scenery you are ever likely to see.

Food and Hospitality

With a more subtle set of flavours on offer then in neighbouring countries, Indonesian cuisine is often sweet, featuring peanuts and chillies. The staple, rice, comes in all forms and at all meals – including breakfast. Curries, noodles and satays are also common, making for cheap and delicious hawker food. Be prepared to eat with your hand at some places, but make sure you know which hand is strictly for cleaning your backside before you eat! Accommodation facilities vary greatly depending on location and price, with a jungle hut in Sumatra unlikely to provide you with much more than a mattress and a squat toilet.