Indonesia is raw, uncharted travel at its best. This group of 17,000 islands is largely unexplored by tourists and it has everything you could want in an adventure: volcanoes, waterfalls, jungles, underwater coral reefs, and lots of unique wildlife above and below the sea.

The most famous destination in Indonesia is the island of Bali, with its green rice paddies, luxury resorts, and local cuisine, but there are some other interesting places in Indonesia too. The islands of Komodo and Sulawesi are great places for seeing exotic wildlife, while less known Sumba has white sand beaches and natural rock arches.

Java, the most populated island, has some incredible volcanic landscapes and ancient Hindu temples like Prambanan and Borobudur.

Climate

The climate of Bali is tropical, so the weather is warm and humid year round. The rainy season runs from November to April, and the sunny/dry season runs from April to November. It’s still very possible to visit Bali in the rainy season, but give yourself some extra days as a buffer in case of bad weather.

Safety

Bali is a very safe place to travel. Violent crime is rare, and murders are almost unheard of. Drive-by phone snatchings do happen from time to time, so keep your phone put away when you’re by the road. The biggest safety risks in Bali are probably motorbike accidents and natural threats, like dengue fever. Stay away from mosquitoes. Ditto for motorbikes, unless you’re an experienced driver in Southeast Asia.

Budget

It’s really easy to travel Bali on a budget, with hostels available from $5 and private hotels from $10. Meals are also cheap, costing as little as $1 to $3 in some warungs (family owned restos). Transportation in Bali is generally by motorbike or car, and these can be rented, but hiring a driver is cheap and often preferable. I’d recommend downloading the transportation apps Grab and Go-Jek; these are great for getting around.