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, Sumatra, and Sulawesi are great places for seeing exotic wildlife, while less known Sumba has white sand beaches and rolling green hills.
Java, the most populated island, has some incredible volcanic landscapes and ancient Hindu temples like Prambanan and Borobudur. Read through this complete Indonesia travel guide for more info on what to expect!
Climate
The climate of Indonesia is tropical, so the weather is hot 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 possible to visit Indonesia in the rainy season, but give yourself some extra days as a buffer in case of bad weather.
Safety
Indonesia is one of the safest countries in the world, with a very low UN violent crime rate of 0.5 per 100k inhabitants (92% lower than the global average). I’ve traveled in many parts of Indonesia and haven’t really witnessed any crime. Indonesia is a Muslim country, but terrorism is generally not an issue here and attitudes toward foreigners seem welcoming. The biggest safety risks are motorbike accidents and natural threats, like dengue fever or malaria. Mosquito spray is a good idea, especially in the rainy season.
Budget
Indonesia is a very budget friendly travel destination, with hostels available from $5 and private hotels from $10. Meals are also cheap, costing about $1 to $5 depending on location. Transportation in Indonesia 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.
Quick Tips
- Language: Indonesian; ‘Thank you’ is ‘terima kasih’
- Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
- Capital: Jakarta
- Visa: Visa free access or VOA for 160+ countries
- Climate: Tropical; hot and humid year round. Dry season is April – Nov
- Apps: Grab, Go-Jek
Destinations
Pick a destination in Indonesia and start exploring!
Bali Travel Guide
Complete tips for visiting Indonesia’s favorite island!
Posts
My latest blog posts about Indonesia
Tukad Cepung Waterfall In Tembuku, Bali – How To Visit From Ubud
The Tukad Cepung Waterfall is a unique-looking curtain waterfall hidden inside a cave in Tembuku village, east Bali. The morning sun has a way of shining into this… Read More
Goa Raja Waterfall In Bali – The King Cave Waterfall
The Goa Raja Waterfall is a recently discovered hidden gem in east Bali, just a short distance from the famous Tukad Cepung Waterfall. This spot is pretty easy… Read More
Colek Pamor Waterfall In Buleleng, North Bali
The Colek Pamor Waterfall is a hidden spot in north Bali with a nice 50-foot waterfall. It’s a good one to visit along with the more popular GitGit… Read More
Uluwatu Bali: 19 Top Things To Do In Uluwatu
Uluwatu is a scenic, hilly area in the southwest corner of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula. It’s named for the famous temple perched on the cliffs, but there’s lots more… Read More
GitGit Waterfall – Twin Waterfall In Singaraja, North Bali
GitGit Waterfall (also known as ‘Git Git’) is one of the biggest waterfalls in Bali, and it’s one of our new favorites. It’s hard to get an idea… Read More
Uluwatu Temple In Bali – Famous Cliff Sunset At Uluwatu Bali
The Pura Uluwatu Temple is an iconic seaside pagoda that sits on a cliff in the far south corner of Uluwatu Bali. This 1,000 year old temple is… Read More
Batu Jaran Hill – Sunset Cliff In Uluwatu, South Bali
Batu Jaran Hill is a huge cliff near the famous Uluwatu Temple in south Bali, but with no crowds or safety fences to block your view of the… Read More
Lae Mbilulu Waterfall In North Sumatra, Indonesia
The Lae Mbilulu Waterfall is a big twin waterfall in North Sumatra, Indonesia, not too far from the main road that winds around west Lake Toba. It’s an… Read More
Pulau Karang (Coral Island) – Hidden Gem In Barus, Sumatra
Pulau Karang (Coral Island) is a hidden gem in North Sumatra with perfect white sand and photogenic palm trees that hang over the turquoise water like a postcard.… Read More
Banyak Islands Indonesia: Travel Guide For Pulau Banyak In Sumatra
The Banyak Islands in Indonesia (also known collectively as Pulau Banyak) are a group of paradise islands northwest of Sumatra. If you’ve ever dreamed of doing the Robinson… Read More
Sipiso Piso Waterfall Hike: How To Visit From Medan & Berastagi
The Sipiso Piso Waterfall is one of the nicest falls in Sumatra, and also one of the tallest waterfalls in Indonesia. It’s a 400-foot giant that flows into… Read More
Bukit Lawang: Sumatran Orangutan Jungle Trekking By Medan, Indonesia
Bukit Lawang jungle trekking with a guide in Indonesia is one of the best places to see the Sumatran Orangutan in the wild, and it’s pretty easy to… Read More
Tangkoko National Park & Nature Reserve In Manado, Sulawesi
The Tangkoko National Park is a big natural reserve on the northeast tip of Sulawesi island in Indonesia. This park covers 21,000 acres of fantastic jungle, and there… Read More
17 Beautiful Indonesia Beaches: The Best Beaches In Indonesia
Indonesia beaches are fantastic, but they tend to be underrated because a lot of the really good ones are hiding in remote places without easy access. On the… Read More
Goa Garba – Ancient Temple Ruins In Pejeng, Bali
Goa Garba is an ancient cave temple and 12th century archaeological site in Pejeng, Bali. This is a peaceful hidden spot in the jungle where you can see… Read More
Sangeh Monkey Forest: Another Monkey Jungle Near Ubud, Bali
The Sangeh Monkey Forest is a big protected jungle area in central Bali with hundreds of friendly (but wild) monkeys to play with. This place is not nearly… Read More