With all the things to do in Indonesia, I am surprised that most people who visit Indonesia usually go straight to Bali and skip other beautiful attractions located in other parts of the country. This is a real pity. I have been lucky enough to visit Java, the Komodo Islands and Bali and I can confidently say that there are many more things to do in Indonesia; there are way better places to visit in Indonesia other than Bali. In fact, I think that Bali is actually overrated, both in general terms but especially compared to the rest of the country, which has a lot more to offer in terms of natural and man-made attractions.
Read more about what I think about Bali on my post “Has Bali Lost its Magic?”
The range of things to do in Indonesia is incredible. From interesting and lively cities such as Yogyakarta to small villages where the pace of life is slower; from the pristine beaches and waters of the Komodo Islands to the volcanoes of the ring of fire; from the thick jungle to the dry landscapes; from the traditional dances to the delicious cuisine there are many beautiful places to visit in Indonesia. But before pointing out the many fun activities, here are a few facts that can help prepare a trip to Indonesia.
Essential Information To Organize A Trip To Indonesia
Deciding when to visit Indonesia
The temperatures in Indonesia vary little throughout the year. Unless in the mountainous regions, the weather in Indonesia it is always hot, at times unbearably so. There are two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. Yet, the climate changes have been such that the rainy season, which normally starts in October, is being pushed increasingly forward. Deciding when to visit Indonesia is thus rather easy: any time is good to go, but prices are significantly cheaper during the low season (which corresponds to the rainy season).
Arrival
People who visit Indonesia usually travel there by plane. Those who hold a valid passport from one of the European Union countries as well as the United States normally receive a 30 days visa which can be easily renewed. Upon entering Indonesia visitors are also generally required to show proof of onward travel – such as a plane ticket that proves they are leaving the country. I also advise to purchase travel insurance before traveling. You can get yours here.
Currency
The Indonesian currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). At the moment of writing, $1.00 USD is worth 14,000 IDR. The exchange rate is usually very convenient, which means that those who visit Indonesia generally find it more than affordable.
Safety
Despite what the media may say, people who visit Indonesia find it to be a safe country. I encountered no problems whatsoever as a western female traveler, and I must say that, other than finding crossing the street very challenging due to the terrible traffic, I did not perceive any danger. People were always kind, helpful, and friendly beyond belief.
The worst that can happen is finding some very persistent vendors or taxi drivers. In this case, one of the recommended things to do in Indonesia is saying a straightforward no or just ignore. I used minimum precaution in crowded places, just as I would do anywhere else in the world.
Transportation
The most common means of transportation in Indonesia is the bus. The quality varies depending on the price paid – more expensive buses are very comfortable, with fully reclining seats and air conditioning.
Taxis are everywhere and easily available, as well as motorbike taxis. They are fairly convenient, but it is important to negotiate the fare (as with almost everything, haggling is one of the things to do in Indonesia) before actually jumping on, as the tendency is that of charging travelers much more than they ought to be. Traffic in cities is so congested that at times I found walking would actually be faster, anyways.
Eating and drinking
One of the things to do in Indonesia is eating. The food is varied and generally quite tasty (not to mention very spicy!). White sticky rice and tofu or tempeh accompany almost every meal. My favorite thing to eat was by far gado gado, a salad made with bean sprouts, cabbage, tempeh and tofu, boiled eggs and seasoned with a delicious and mildly spicy peanut dressing. Chicken satay (skewers of chicken meat grilled and accompanied with peanut sauce) is delicious. I also enjoyed nasi goreng, a dish of rice fried with vegetables, chicken, shrimps and served with a fried egg on top.
One thing that surprised me a bit during my first meal is that only fork and spoon are used to eat – knives are only used when eating western style food. Indonesians will generally hold the fork with the left hand and use their right hand to hold the spoon, with which they chop the (very soft) meat and then scoop that with some rice.
As a country where the majority of people are Muslim (yet, very liberal), Indonesian hardly drink alcohol during their meals. The most famous local beer is Bintang, which is quite flavorful. One of the things to do in Indonesia is enjoying a sunset Bintang to cool off after a day of exploration!
Shopping
With its convenient exchange rates and the incredible markets full of beautiful fabrics and crafts, Indonesia is a shopping paradise. Markets are among the best places to visit in Indonesia – they are so full of colors and scents, packed with interesting looking people, and a good way to see a bit of local action too. Not to mention, shopping is one of the things to do in Indonesia. Don’t forget to haggle!
Toilets
Some public toilets require a small fee to be used. Toilet paper is generally available but it is good practice to carry some. Toilets are generally clean, although often flooded as it is common to have what to me seemed like small tubs with a bucket which is used to flush the toilet. In the less touristy regions the squat toilets are very common.
Fun And Interesting Things To Do In Indonesia (Other Than Visiting Bali)
Indonesia is a huge country and it would require a few months to explore it properly. There are many places to visit in Indonesia, but some are simply unmissable. Here are some of Indonesia tourist attractions that can’t be missed.
Visit Bandung and its surroundings
The fourth largest city of Indonesia, and capital of West Java, Bandung was once considered the Paris of Java. However, the uncontrolled development has turned it into a chaotic web of small streets and big suburbs. Yet, I find that visiting is one of the things to do in Indonesia. Bandung is indeed a great starting point for visiting some of Indonesia tourist attractions, and it has a restaurant scene that shouldn’t be ignored.
Here are the best places to stay in Bandung:
Go to the volcanoes around Bandung
One of the unmissable things to do in Indonesia is visiting the various volcanoes and craters that are scattered around the country. At about 30 km north of Bandung, Tangkuban Perahu is the huge crater of an active volcano that last erupted in 1969. It is still possible to see smoke coming out of it (and to smell the typical sulphur gases). Known as the “upside down perahu (boat)”, its shape is due to the fact that its walls collapsed under the weight of the ashes.
Although the first part of the crater line is literally invaded by vendors and their stalls, it is possible to walk around the entire crater (the walk lasts about two hours) and to get splendid views of it. In fact, it is so impressive that I find it to be one of the places to visit in Indonesia.
South of Bandung there is Kawah Putih, another of the places to visit in Indonesia. This is a beautiful crater, located at around 2300 meters above sea level. Although the crater is smaller than that of Tangkuban Perahu, in this case there is a gorgeous green lake in it, and the landscape is a bit surreal yet very beautiful.
Get involved in the cultural activities in Bandung
One of the things to do in Indonesia is learning about its diversity. A great way to do that is by experiencing the Saung Angklung Udjo show in Bandung. Mostly geared to tourists, this show is actually a lot of fun to watch and to take part in. The director, Mr Udjo, has made it a point in teaching the children and teenagers that attend the school the importance of protecting their cultural heritage, whatever that is, and to always be proud of it and to respect each other.
The students take part in the show, and turn it into a great experience. The first part is dedicated to showcasing the various traditional dances, costumes and cultures of Indonesia (in a show full of color and rhythm). The second part is more interactive: members of the public are given an angklung, which is a bamboo instruments that, shaken, produces varying sounds. The director of the school then directs the public into playing it, and the final result is that of an orchestra. I found it very entertaining, and for sure I would say that Saung Angklung Udjo school is one of the places to visit in Indonesia.
Discover the great restaurant scene of Bandung
I am not what people would call a foodie, but there is no doubt that one of the things to do in Indonesia is trying its interesting food. The surroundings of Bandung are packed with great restaurants. The fantastic locations and settings and the amazing food make the experience an overall great one.
Among my favorite restaurants in the area there is Dusun Bambu, which is located on gorgeous hills and is a favorite of locals who crowd it at weekends not only for the delicious food but also for the amusement park on the ground – it is in and of itself one of Indonesia tourist attractions and a good place to spot some local life.
Another great restaurant is The Peak – the perfect location for a special night out with its fine dining, great live music, fantastic views and huge choice of wines.
Finally, Kampung Daun is simply outstanding: surrounded by a luscious jungle and bamboo forest, there are small huts that serve as eating platforms, each completely surrounded by nature. The overall impression is that of a very relaxed place, and the food is delicious.
Go to Borobudur
Among the ultimate things to do in Indonesia, visiting Borobudur (a short distance from Magelang) deserves a special mention. This is the world’s biggest Buddhist monument, built in the 9th century and located in a gorgeous setting of hills covered in rice fields and palm trees swept by the wind. It is little wonder this gorgeous monument is considered to be one of the most amazing Indonesia tourist attractions and that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A first taste of Borobudur can actually be enjoyed from the incredible Amanjiwo, a luxury hotel in the Menoreh Hills near Magelang that offers great views of the temple and that also has a fantastic restaurant. For as expensive as it may be, if having some money to spare, eating or spending a few nights in Amanjiwo is one of the things to do in Indonesia.
As nice as seeing Borobudur from afar is, I still think that one of the most amazing things to do in Indonesia is actually admiring the sunrise from Borobudur. This implies a very early wake up call to get to the site when it is still dark, and then waiting until the sun finally rises. For as tiring as it may be, the incredible view is worth every effort. Doing a sunrise tour of Borobudur is one of the best things to do in Indonesia.
These are the best tours of Borobudur:
- Borobudur sunrise, Merapi Volcano and Prambanan tour
- Borobudur sunrise or sunset half day private tour
- Borobudur sunrise and Prambanan full day tour
- Borobudur half day private tour
And these are the best places to stay in Magelang:
Go on a day trip to Kaliurang and visit Ullent Sentalu Museum
At about 25 km north of Yogyakarta, Kaliurang is a popular weekend destination and one of the most pleasant places to visit in Indonesia thanks to its lovely climate. Indeed it is located at 900 meters above sea level and the temperatures are much milder than in the nearby Yogyakarta.
In Kaliurang, the Ullen Sentalu Museum is a pleasant surprise and deserves to be mentioned among Indonesia tourist attractions. The museum is a celebration of Javanese culture and its interesting exhibit is mostly focussed on the most influential and famous women of Java and in particular on the wives of sultans.
Explore Yogyakarta
Considered to be the soul of Indonesia and its cultural and artistic centre, Yogyakarta is the most interesting city in the country and thus visiting is one of the ultimate things to do in Indonesia. This lively, fun city is a great mixture of modern life – imagine traffic jams, scooters zipping about, advertising boards, fast food chains and posh restaurants – and expressions of ancient cultures such as the production of batik, unique rituals and traditional music. Not to mention, Yogyakarta is also a great starting point to visit a lot of other places in Indonesia, such as the temples of Prambanan and Borobudur.
Yet, what I loved the most about Yogyakarta are the great positive vibes it sends to its visitors: people are friendly beyond imagination, the city is welcoming, the range of things to do in Yogyakarta incredible. It is not surprising that those who visit Indonesia – myself included – end up falling in love with Yogyakarta.
These are some of the best tours in and from Yogyakarta:
- Yogyakarta full day city tour
- Prambanan Temple sunset tour
- Borobudur sunrise, Merapi Volcano and Prambanan tour
- Borobudur sunrise or sunset half day private tour
- Borobudur sunrise and Prambanan full day tour
- Borobudur half day private tour
And these are the best places to stay in Yogyakarta:
Discover Yogykarta history and culture
One of the things to do in Indonesia is uncovering its interesting history. Yogyakarta is one of the places to visit in Indonesia just for this purpose. Paying a visit to the Royal Palace and the Water Palace are both things to do in Yogyakarta. These historic complexes are an oasis of peace from the chaos of the city, with their tiny alleys to wander around, artists parlours, mosques, schools and markets. Life is slower there.
The Kraton, or Royal Palace, is the giant sultans’ palace of Yogyakarta and the heart of the fortified city. The innermost parts were built between 1755 and 1756 and the current sultan of Yogyakarta still lives there. Aside from the beautifully furnished buildings and great exhibits on the lives of the sultans, here it is possible to observe some of the most ancient traditions of Java.
Attendants pass on their profession to their sons. They wear the traditional javanese costumes and and take care of the palace. Another one of the things to do in Indonesia that can be enjoyed in Yogyakarta is attending a gamelan (traditional instrument) concert at the Royal Palace.
The Taman Sari, or Water Palace, is a beautiful park with palaces, pools and canals that was once used by the sultans, his wives and his court to entertain themselves. It is a pleasant place to walk around and therefore paying a visit is one of the things to do in Indonesia.
Do a workshop in traditional crafts
One of the things to do in Indonesia is taking part in workshops to learn its traditional crafts. Kota Gede is a district of Yogyakarta which is famous for its silver factories. I had the opportunity to visit and observe the art and technique in making silver jewelry. However, I fully appreciateD how difficult a job that is when I was given all the necessary equipment and invited to decorate a brooch myself. I was quite hopeless at that – yet, I must say that among the things to do in Yogyakarta this one was a lot of fun.
Learning how to make batik and… shopping!
One of the things to do in Indonesia is shopping for batik. There is no better place than Yogyakarta to do that: it is shopping paradise! Yet, another of the things to do in Indonesia is actually learning how to make batik: there are several workshops where it is possible to observe the batik making process and where patient teachers will try to pass on some of their incredible skills to their visitors. I gave it a try myself, but holding that hot wax pen and drawing on a piece of fabric was no easy task (although a lot of fun!).
Speaking of shopping, one of the things to do in Yogyakarta is going on a walk along Jl Malioboro, a shopping street packed with souvenir shops as well as clothing stores, although the most interesting thing is actually observing the very busy local life and befriending the lovely locals who gladly pose for pictures.
Visiting the archeological sites of Kraton Ratu Boko and Prambanan
As I have already said, Yogyakarta is a perfect starting point to explore some of the archeological sites and temples nearby. One of the things to do in Indonesia is visiting the many unique archeological sites. Kraton Ratu Boko is not far from Yogyakarta. It is divided in various levels or terraces and whose exact functions are still uncertain. Walking around there is very pleasant, despite the heat!
Prambanan – a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991 – is a fascinating site, not to mention the largest Hindu temple in Java, and visiting is one of the things to do in Indonesia. The overall site is quite spread out in a beautiful park where it is pleasant to go for a stroll. Yet the main attractions are the eight central buildings. The best time to do a tour of Prambanan is right before sunset, when the light makes the temples glow.
The best sunset views can actually be caught a bit far off from the central structure.
Admire Prambanan at night
Yet, seeing Prambanan at night is one of the nicest things to do in Indonesia! This amazing view can be enjoyed at its best from the nearby restaurant which, although mostly geared to tourists, has really tasty food.
Attend a show in Yogyakarta
Among the interesting things to do in Indonesia there is seeing the Ramayana Ballet Show and there is no better place to do it than Yogyakarta. This takes place in an open air theatre right next to the Prambanan temple and its lasts around two hours. The pace of the show is quite slow, but the choreography and the special effects incredible. My best advice is to actually read the Ramayana story before attending the show, so to get a better understanding of the developments and to appreciate the show fully.
Watch the sun rise over Mount Bromo
Considered one of the bucket list destinations of Java, Mount Bromo definitely is one of the places to visit in Indonesia. Part of the Bromo Tengger National Park, this spectacular volcano may not be the highest one compared to others nearby, yet it is the most impressive one. Seeing the sunrise on Mount Bromo is one of the things to do in Indonesia.
These are the best tours of Mount Bromo:
- Mount Bromo 2-day sunrise and trekking tour from Surabaya
- Mount Bromo, Ijen and Blue Flames 3 day tour from Surabaya
And these are the best places to stay in the vicinity of Mount Bromo:
However, for as gorgeous as it is, Mount Bromo is seriously mismanaged and receives many more tourists than it can accommodate, thus often turning the experience of visiting into an unpleasant one – this is what happened to me.
My recommendation is to plan to visit Mount Bromo on week days to avoid the masses of tourists that go during the weekend. It is also important to pick a good tour operator and guide that work in a responsible way that is respectful to the environment, the people and the animals such as the horses that work on the site.
Hike to the crater of Mount Bromo
After seeing the sun rise over Mount Bromo, one of the nicest things to do in Indonesia is hiking all the way to the crater. In order to do that, it’s necessary to drive through the sea of sand and then walk up for another hour or so. Longer hikes can also be organized. Once again, let me stress the importance of not riding the horses to the crater, and to only employ responsible tour operators for guided tours.
For more information on how to organize a trip to Mount Bromo, read my post “Everything You Need To Know To Visit Mount Bromo, Indonesia.”
Visit the Komodo Islands
One of the top things to do in Indonesia and visiting the Komodo Islands. These are the most incredible places to visit in Indonesia, and they are simply unmissable. I must admit that the Komodo Islands were indeed the highlight of my trip, I thought I had found heaven on earth and I would have gladly spent a bit more time there. Compared to the rest of the country, these islands felt way quieter. There are less people living there, and this means that the traffic is not nearly as bad as in the rest of the country; and the pollution levels are significantly lower.
These are some of the best tours of Komodo Islands:
There are some excellent accommodation options in Labuan Bajo. These are some of the best places to stay:
- La Prima Hotel Flores has a private beach, a gorgeous pool and stunning views of the bay.
- Sunset Hill Hotel
- Dragon Dive Komodo Hotel
Read more about my experience on the Komodo Islands on my post “How to find Heaven on Earth”.
Discover the local culture of Flores Archipelago
One of the best things to do in Indonesia is meeting the locals. Flores is the perfect place to get to know the culture of one of the many ethnic groups that live in Indonesia. In Melo village it is possible to experience a Caci traditional dance performance. Yet, even a simple walk around the village will allow visitors to meet the friendly local community: everybody is interesting in sharing a bit of their daily life and curious about the visitors.
Volunteer
I have often said that I am not a big fan of voluntourism. Yet, if the organization that employs volunteers is a valid one, and the project is beneficial to the local communities, I am all in favor of it. I have found that volunteering is one of the things to do in Indonesia, and joining the program of Taman Bacaan Pelangi, an organization that has set up libraries and reading workshops in the Eastern part of Indonesia, including the Komodo Islands, is a highly recommended one. I only spent a few hours at Taman Bacaan Pelangi, and I hold great memories of the experience.
Appreciate Indonesia’s unique wildlife and nature
One of the ultimate things to do in Indonesia is enjoying its fantastic wildlife and nature. The Komodo Islands are among the places to visit in Indonesia just for this reason. There live the Komodo dragons, gigantic lizard-like creatures that can be as long as three meters and weight well over 100 kilograms. They are normally spotted on the Komodo National Park, which is a heavily protected UNESCO site, and since they are actually quite dangerous and known for having attacked humans in the past, the park can only be explored with a ranger.
Hike around Komodo National Park
One of the nicest things to do in Indonesia is hiking around Komodo National Park. There are many trails, but whichever trail one picks, the company of a ranger is required. The difficulty and length of the hiking trails vary, but the views over the bays, the surrounding hills and the sea below are always spectacular.
Go to Pink Beach
I am a spoiled girl from Sardinia. I know what beautiful sea and gorgeous beaches are supposed to look like and will hardly find anything that is up to my very high standards. I have to say, Indonesia did not fail to amaze me in this sense and it is for a good reason that one of the more recommended things to do in Indonesia is visiting Pink Beach. This is a gorgeous, secluded beach in the Komodo Islands where the sand truly is pink and the setting fantastic: hardly any people around, as it can only be reached by boat.
Snorkel
There is no doubt that one of the things to do in Indonesia is snorkeling and, for the most adventurous ones, diving. Such clear waters and the incredible variety of marine life make it an excellent country for both sports, and sure enough I enjoyed it!
Have you been to Indonesia? What were your favorite things to do in Indonesia?
Legal Disclaimer: This article was written in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia as part of the #WonderfulIndonesia campaign. All the views and opinions expressed are my own and based on my personal experience. The views expressed are honest and factual without any bias.
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My sister’s same exact words! There are so many incredible natural places in Indonesia and the cultural/religious differences, that you can emerge yourself into simply by exploring the different islands (Java, Bali, Lombok, Flores) are a whole experience in itself! // Will show this blog post to my sister 🙂
I would love to go back to visit Sumatra and Gili, and perhaps Lombok. But I will definitely stay away from Bali – there are way more things to do in Indonesia other than visiting Bali!
Eating and Drinking would definitely be at the very top of my list for Indonesia. the food looks so delicious!
Definitely! Eating is one of the best things to do in Indonesia
I am here now so this is perfect for me!! I was going to do the hike up to the volcano but I hurt my leg in a scooter accident, hopefully it heals up so I can do it before I go! I heard the hike is not an easy one!
Christine, haven’t you read my post on Mount Bromo? I think you had – you had commented on it as well. Before you go there, make sure to read it. Mount Bromo is one of the places to visit in Indonesia but SERIOUSLY mismanaged and you need to be fully prepared before you go!
I love the diversity of Indonesia. In every island you visit, looks like you are in a different country, because of their local langauages, food, culture and time zone. Lots to explore in this wonderful country! 🙂
For many years I didn’t know any better and totally dismissed Indonesia as a destination: all I heard about it was the Bali beaches and, as much as I love relaxing on white sand, I never really felt like it was worth travelling that far just for that! Now, reading posts like yours, Indonesia is quickly climbing up my list of places to see: what really attracts me are the archaeological sites and would love to do volunteering: I have heard about the travelling libraries and it’s great to see they are an actual beneficial effort. I travel with kids and I think it would be a great thing for them also to get involved into. I am hoping to go next year, budget permitting! In case, I will sure ask for your advice
Great list of things to do in Indonesia…. I personally love going to yhe beach and some gasyronomic adventire 🙂
It’s a shame that the other islands are so underrated. I need to make a beeline to Yogyakarta on my next trip to Indonesia. Although I am torn because I do want to explore the Gili islands! So many places, so little time!
I haven’t traveled to this part of Asia and I am one of those people that only knew Bali. After reading this I was amazed of he diversity of things one can do in this country and they seem less touristry than Bali. What really got my attention though was mount Bromo! So breathtaking! Thanks for sharing these great tips!
Absolutely agree – most people go to and only to Bali and skip the rest. Bali was so overrated for us (with exception of Ubud). But the real highlight was all the scuba diving around the Komodo National Park – nothing can top this from other diving experiences we’ve had in Asia!
Such a great post! I have seen a few of these places in Indonesia discussed on their own, but it was nice to see them listed and explained altogether. I am considering a trip there in 2016 and have bookmarked this post for referencing later. I also so appreciate you reminding your readers to consider responsible companies when visiting Mt. Bromo. I’ve read not so good things about how the horses are treated.
I think your article brings home just how vast and varied Indonesia is! You could spend a lifetime exploring it, and still only scratch the surface. As a bit of an archaeology fan, I love the old temples. Borobudur is amazing 🙂
Definitely a lot of things to do in Indonesia!
Please do so. But don’t go straight to Bali. I didn’t really like it. There are many more places to visit in Indonesia than just that, worth much much more!
I have missed Gili and… so wish I could go! But for sure, many things to do in Yogyakarta so go there 🙂
There are many places to visit in Indonesia. Mount Bromo is a great attraction but… before you go, read my other post ok?
Ah, the Komodo Islands. A little piece of heaven on earth!
You may have read my other posts 😉 I had a horrible experience on Mount Bromo and I wouldn’t want anybody to go through the same. Way better places to visit in Indonesia where tourism is done responsibly.
Seeing the sunrise from Borobudur is for sure one of the things to do in Indonesia. An experience I highly recommend.
Wow, what a great resource article. Totally shows how big Indonesia is and how many great options there really are! Thanks!
Thanks for this list Claudia – we’re hoping to get to Indonesia really soon. I know you mention the majority of people fly, though we’re actually thinking about doing a cruise. I already had Komodo Islands in my sights, the big lovers of exotic wildlife that we are, seeing the dragons is a huge thing on our list, and Borobudur looks amazing too. I’ll have to take your advice and get up early for the sunrise. Thanks for the tip!
I’m thinking I don’t really need to visit Bali, I read your article about the island being overrated and I think I’ll get there and probably end up agreeing. Thanks for helping plan my vacation!
I am one of those people who have only been to Bali. I always wanted to venture all over Indonesia but time never allowed. But wow!! what amazing places there are to see. My son is super into volcanoes, so I know he would be super into venturing around. Thanks for such beautiful inspiration to get back to Indonesia!!
This is so super awesome, what a great resource about the country! I haven’t been to this part of the world just yet, but I’ll definitely keep this post in mind for when I do! Especially love the safety info – so important!
You give such detailed and thorough information about Indonesia. I’m going to bookmark this for travel planning. I love spicy food so I should be pretty happy between that, the lovely views and shopping!
Thank you for sharing this detailed guide to Indonesia. Yes, all we hear about the country is Bali (just as all you mostly hear about Greece are the islands of Santorini and Mykonos), but there is so much more to discover.
I think any experienced traveler ends up not liking Bali in the end. Unless you spend your time in a luxury resort and never get out, that is. Or unless you are a 20 year old whose only interest is getting wasted in a club 😉 Waaaay many more things to do in Indonesia . yup, I say skip it. I have heard that Gili is fantastic. I haven’t been there but apparently it is really worth it!
Your son and I have something in common! I love volcanoes. I would love to get back to the country and explore more. But… I think I need to plan it carefully as I don’t want to go when there are too many people. Bromo was way too crowded for my taste. Yet, there are so many places to visit in Indonesia that I am sure it is easy to get out of the tourist trail.
Hahahaha watch out with spicy food. Eating is one of the things to do in Indonesia but hey, they sometimes overdo the spicy. I was in Yogyakarta once and I remember eating something REALLY spicy. As I chewed on it, my face turned different shades of red. My mouth turned numb and as I swallowed my throat turned numb too. Perhaps a good thing to do when having a sore throat lol!!
It’s the same all over the world. I say I am from Italy and people ask if I am from Milan, Florence, Rome or Venice. I say I am from Cagliari, Sardinia – and point out it is an island. Next thing I know, everyone thinks I am from Sicily. I hate it!! Sardinia is a GREAT place. Anyways – yes, way many more things to do in Indonesia that don’t involve going to Bali 🙂
Great list of things! And very helpful you put some travel essentials there too! I recognize a lot of places from pictures actually. I’ve never been to Indonesia, but it has been the first trip my parents ever made far away (and only trip). I never thought about going to Indonesia, it did not appeal to me. But lately it totally switched. How cool would it be to go after them, almost 30 years later?! 😀
I bet they wouldn’t recognize it as it is now!!
There are so many other options to Bali. When I do visit Indonesia I will go to Bali of course, but it would not be the only place I would visit. Bandung seems pretty interesting to me as well as Borobudur and the Komodo Islands. I have always wanted to see a Komodo dragon so the wildlife is also of great interest to me.
Waaaay more places to visit in Indonesia other than Bali, for sure!
Indonesia is one of the countries I really want to visit! I recently met quite a few people from Indonesia and they are all very nice, open and friendly! Would love to discover the country – this may or may not be the case because I really want to try the food (it looks sooo yummy).
Overall, this is a great and very detailed article and I’ll keep it in mind for future reference. It’s great that you talk about other places than Bali as I plan to discover as much as possible.
Many more places to visit in Indonesia other than Bali. And yes, the people are fantastic. Truly friendly. Unbelievably so!
What an extensive overall article for Indonesia, I like to read about off the beaten track ideas for future travels and those islands sound ideal. I’d love to dive in the pink beach. We found that although the media paints Colombia to be unsafe, it really wasn’t – go with what fellow travellers say!
I loved visiting Indonesia ! I lived in Singapore for a length of time and would constantly explore the nearby islands. So beautiful and remote! I agree with 100% that Indonesia is way more than Bali! Thanks for the great post!
This is an amazing post! It came at such a good time as I was just starting to research Indonesia and where to go for my honeymoon!!! My massage therapist got me off Bali and said she really was not impressed, so i really wanted to know what other places to see! Thanks so much for the great suggestions!
I agree with you. There so many things that can be done in Indonesia. Bali is not just the place to be. I have seen the view at the Prambanan temples. The sunset at Komodo Island is just breathtaking!
There’s so much to see and do in Indonesia. I’ve only been to N. Sulawesi to dive and long to return. I’ll put these tips to good use.
Many more places to visit in Indonesia indeed!
I would love to go back and visit Gili. Some people I know have been there and it really seems like the kind of place I would love. Many more places to visit in Indonesia other than Bali!
I haven’t been to Gili but apparently it is GREAT. Make sure you don’t get stuck in a place – way too many things to do in Indonesia!!
Apparently it is a great escape for those in Singapore 🙂 yup, lots of places to visit in Indonesia!
Totally! Indonesia is safe – and there are lots of things to do in Indonesia!!
Wow, what a great post. I loved Indonesia, the people were amazing and the nature was beautiful!
Ah, man! Really? I’ve been planning a trip since forever and just the other day I decided to stick to the European land for a bit and now you come up and write this?? Not fair! Very complete guide, great photos and I love your style in the photo taken on the komodo island (seriously???? that’s like my dream going there and seeing those big monsters!) Kind regards from sunny barcelona!
Great and informative piece. We will be heading over some time next year so it’s great to have all this at hand. We will be saving this post to help us plan our visit. 🙂
An epic write-up on Indonesia! Makes me remember my trips to Jakarta and wonder how I missed all these remarkable places: Borobodue, Prambalang, Mount Bromi, Komodo Islands. Those were times I did not know how to travel!: And the Jakarta airpoet…the only one I gave,seen so far that is indigenous in design! Thanks fir this comprehensive article on Indonesia!
Unfortunately I didn’t have enough time to visit any of the other islands in Indonesia besides Bali. I still had a wonderful time though. Some places like Kuta Beach are obviously more crowded, but I thought Ubud was great and I was still able to observe and learn from many cultural experiences.
I LOVE all the detail in this post–there’s so much helpful information in here! We definitely didn’t know as much as you do about this country so if we ever visit again we’ll be coming back to this article for sure!
Hahahahahaha. You want to know something funny? I live in Sardinia. I keep thinking it is time to explore a bit more of Europe and every single time I just end up in other continents.
Yup – Komodo Islands are great!
I was so tired when I landed in Jakarta that I didn’t notice at all. Ahhh yes, too many places to visit in Indonesia!
Oh that is too bad! There are way many more places to visit in Indonesia other than Bali!
Thanks Dariece!
Wow, that’s really a comprehensive guide. It seems that you spent amazing time in Indonesia. In the past I collected postcards from different countries and the best of them was from Indonesia. 🙂
Wow! That was an amazing post!
We always wanted to visit Borobudur but you opened our minds to the bunch of things that Indonesia has to show us! And gosh, what a view from Parambanan Temples at night! We need to go there!
We will definitely check your post when going to Indonesia! Thank you!!!!
Well, with so many things to do in Indonesia… it was easy!
So many places to visit in Indonesia. Make sure to pick wisely when you go!
Couldn’t agree more. Bali is so overrated and the Komodo islands definitely a must go. We had such a fantastic time. The food however isn’t as great as other parts of Asia we thought
The Komodo Islands were my favorite! And… I wouldn’t know about the food, I haven’t been to other countries in Asia 🙂 Soon though!
Ooh, I love that you focused on places other than Bali! It looks like you had an amazing trip, thanks for the recommendations!
You bet. Bali is way overrated and there’s many more places to visit in Indonesia!
Now that was a fun to red post about Indonesia!
babe, awesome post.. loved every minute of reading it.. btw that photo is not “walking in Komodo Island” i think? we were only on Komodo briefly… remember.. LOL
True, that was in Flores when we went to Melo Village 🙂
Seems very nice to know about the Indonesia. Photos are amazing. Got a lot of fun seeing the driver sleeping on the rider. Is this taxi is running by engine or human itself.
Seems very nice to know about the Indonesia. Photos are amazing. Got a lot of fun seeing the driver sleeping on the rider. Is this taxi is running by engine or pulling by the driver.
It’s like a bike. No wonder he was tired 😉
A good stat for you. Around 40% of Indonesia’s c10 million annual foreign tourists visit Bali alone, which represents just 0.3% of Indonesia’s total land area …
… Bali remains a beautiful island, but my favourite parts were the north and out-lying islands such as Nusa Lembongan, away from the overly urban chaos of the southern tip. It’s a pity that you didn’t have a chance to experience these. But there’s more to Indonesia than even Java, Komodo and Flores … there’s great stuff on just about every island (West Papua, Sulawesi, Sumatra amongst them), with some amazing wildlife and some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. It’s increasingly easy to visit some of the far-flung islands with the recent increase in the domestic airline industry and, for now, there are relatively few tourists with all the advantages and disadvantages this brings.
I did find the best food in Indonesia in Bali so development does have its advantages!
“away from the overly urban chaos of the southern tip” – that just is my kind of place. I really don’t like chaos. We were meant to go to Borneo but the haze was a huge issue so we didn’t get to go in the end. Too bad for us, as tourists. But really my main concern is that Borneo is burning, with all the consequences this has on the environment, the animals and the people 🙁
Hey Claudia – I have only been to Bali and absolutely loved it. The people, the culture and the landscapes. What you say about Bali is certainly true when it comes to the touristy beaches in the south, but there is so much more to explore in Bali itself, including great diving 🙂
Then perhaps I should head back!!
Hi, I’m Indonesian 🙂
I think you missed these places :
1. Raja Ampat Islands, a Piece of Heaven that Fall to Western Papua, Indonesia with Guaranteed Manta Rays.
2. Wakatobi, also nice for marine tourism.
3. Bunaken Marine National Park, Here, you can meet The Indonesian Coelacanth. The Living Fossil Fish that Live in Indonesian Sea of Northern Sulawesi
4. Baluran Savanna in Baluran National Park, East Java. The Africa Van Java. Feels like in Africa. The miniature of Africa in Indonesia
5. Lake Toba The Largest Caldera Lake on Earth, Located in North Sumatra Province. It also famous as the prehistoric mega eruption of the Mount Toba. One of the largest eruption on earth. The lake also has a big island in the center of it called Samosir Island.
6. Mentawai Islands, Best For Surfing. Feel the Wild wave live from Hindian Ocean 🙂
7. Nias Island and Its Rock Jumping Culture, called Fahombo.
8. Weh Island and The Sabang City in Aceh Province.The Gate of Western Indonesia
9. Kakaban Island and The Lake Kakaban in Derawan Islands, East Kalimantan Province… Lets Swim with Thousands of Stingless Jellyfish.
10. Mount Semeru, The Most Romantic Volcano in Java
11. Green Canyon, Pangandaran, West Java, The Miniature of Grand Canyon in USA but very green and fresh
12. Kawah Ijen, East Java province. a Volcanic crater that has a rare phenomenon on this earth, The Night Blue Fire. That only exist in two different place, in Iceland and Indonesia.
13. Way Kambas, Lampung province, lets play and have fun with many friendly Elephant there! 😀
14. Kampar River. This River has a fantastic waves that challenging for any surfers that wanna try surfing on a wild river. The Waves called as Bono by the locals and also known as “The Seven Ghost” Wave. Kampar RIver located in Riau Province.
15. Oro-oro Ombo, The hidden paradise area in mount semeru that crowded by many Verbena flower that looks like Lavender field in France but it still in Indonesia ^_^
16. Mount Rinjani, Lombok Island, its near Bali. But Different Province. I always Speecless if i want to describe the Mount Rinjani.
17. Karimunjawa Islands. Here you can swim with many reef sharks. Don’t worry, the sharks are friendly and safe ^_^”
18. Lake Kelimutu, The Three Coloured Volcanic Lakes in Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province. The Colours could changed.
19. Lake Labuan Cermin, East Kalimantan Province… Oh sorry i’m speechless again >_<
20. Hawang Cave, Kei Islands, Souther Maluku (Molucca). The fusion of exotic cave and crystal sea water make this cave different than another caves
21. Pindul Cave, Yogyakarta, Lets Cave Tubbing here
22. Masigit Cliff, Padalarang, West Java Province. If you love extreme destination and love playing with adrenalin, go to play extreme hammocking there!
23. Sukuh Temple, The Most Unique Historical Temple in Indonesia that looks like Chichen Itza building in Mexico but in a different size and architecture.
24. Leang-leang Cave in Sulawesi, Indonesia.. There prehistoric cave that has the oldest prehistoric cave paintings on the world.
25. Sangiran, an archaeological site and park in Indonesia. Where the oldest Homo erectus discovered.
26. Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi Province, rich with cultures of Toraja. Also famous with their Death Ritual like Ma'nene, the Indonesian Mummy ritual, and also the Toraja Coffee.
27. Tangkoko Batuangus Nature Reserve in North Sulawesi, Here, you can meet the Tarsiers, one of smallest primate species on the world that endemic to Indonesia. Also the beautiful Hornbill birds and cute Cuscus.
28. Ternate city, North Maluku province, an exotic city that close to Gamalama volcano and you can see its beautiful when you fly on it.
29. Palembang city, Ampera bridge, and Musi River, South Sumatra. don't forget this city and its iconic bridge if you travel to Sumatra ^_^
30. Lake Maninjau. The Best Paragliding Spot in Indonesia and also in Asia.
31. Cendrawasih Bay, Papua, Indonesia. Lets play with many friendly Whale Sharks!
32. Nusa Penida Island, Southern Bali province, here you can meet the Giant Mola-mola Fish
33. Bukit Barisan National Park, in Sumatra. Here you can find the rare, and the tallest Flower on earth,Titan Arum flower, (Amorphophallus titanum) and can reach over 3 metres. And also the Rafflesia arnoldi. The largest flower on the world.
34. Jayawijaya mountains, Papua province, and the highest point in Indonesia (4884 M) The only place in Indonesia that covered by Snow. The scenery looks like himalaya or switzerland. But you still in Indonesia.
35. Wasur National Park, lets play with many cute Wallabies there! A dwarf Kangaroo species. Not Only Australia that has Marsupial animal but Indonesia also has. Marsupials in Indonesia are : Wallaby, Tree Kangaroo, Cuscus, Possums, Sugar Glider, and Ect. Indonesia also the home of the Bird of Paradise. Mostly live in the virgin forest of Papua.
36. Parangkusumo Sand Dune.. Yogyakarta. Feels like in Sahara.
37. Gunung Palung National Park. The Heart of Indonesian Borneo. Thanks to Mr.Tim Laman and his team for showing to the world about the Wildlife of Indonesian Borneo and Indonesian Papua on Instagram 😀 🙂
38. Lake Cinta, a natural love shaped lake in Papua province, Indonesia
39. Lake Sentani, a unique lake in Papua with 21 islands in it.
40. Lore Lindu National Park in Central Sulawesi that has Prehistoric statues that Looks like Easter Island statues
And Many More Interesting Places in Indonesia. It could be a very long lists. Those list are not including the Diversity of Cultures from the 1340 Ethnics in Indonesia from 17.504 Islands, more than 700 Local Languages and Local Dialects, Hundreds of Traditional Dress, Thousands of Traditional Dance, Thousands of Diverse Culinary, Hundreds of Diverse Traditional Musical Instruments, Long history and many folklores, and different characteristic from each ethnics and diverse religions but we still together by our Motto : Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) (^_^)
WOW, what can I say? Thanks for this!!
This is amazing, thank you!
Fantastic post!
I backpacked in Indonesia for 3 weeks, hitting many of these spots plus some other awesome ones. I would definitely recommend adding Kelimutu and Gili to your Indonesia itinerary.
Gili (and Lombok) is definitely in my plans. I hope to go back soon!
I love your post so much.
Thanks for coming to my beloved Country. So when will you visit Indonesia again?
Hope we can meet each other and share any experience about Attractons in Indonesia 😀
Best Regards,
Donie Hulalata
Hi Donie! I was actually hoping to go back in August but I am unable to at the moment. I will try to go back again in October 🙂
Amazing blog with great info! Thanks for sharing with us and keep it up.
Glad you find it useful!
Hi, Claudia. I follow your Twitter account and end up on this article 🙂
Thank you for writing about Indonesia. I was born and raised in Yogyakarta, then went college in Bandung until now as an employee. Yes, I agreed that Bali is so overrated, touristy, and crowded. Indonesia has too many treasures to explore that you will need a year to visit them all. If you love tranquil places, you might be interested in Bangka Belitung, Anambas Islands, Derawan Islands, small towns in Central Java, East Nusa Tenggara, or Papua. Eastern Indonesia is great for white sandy beaches and volunteering.
And, yes, once more I agreed that Indonesia is a safe place to travel. People here are friendly and helpful, like, when you ask directions, you will have more than directions. That people will stand up, pointing out the finger, and even walk with you a few meters to ensure that you understand the directions.
Hope you’ll be back here very soon 🙂
Thank you for your comment! Yes, Indonesia is fantastic and I really hope to go back to explore more of it. There are so many things to do in Indonesia that … I actually think a year is not enough!
hi Claudia, just came across your post and wanted to thank you. Great read as we are preparing our 2017 trip (it is this or a safari). We are planning to go with our two kids (14 and 11) and one question I had was whether you would advise to go with an organized, private, vacation or plan everything ourselves. Not sure how hard it is to do everything in 3 weeks and manage all transportation, hotels and tours from out of Spain. Or can you just organize tours at arrival?
thanks!
Hi Ted, thank you for your comment. What you decide to do really depends on what you are most comfortable with. Organizing a trip yourself sure requires some effort and a lot of time and research, but it can be fun. Buying an organized group tour may be convenient, as you’d have everything pre-arranged and you’d only have to worry about being punctual at the daily appointments, but it may imply that you are bound to a timetable you did not set. You can definitely organize tours on arrival, or you can rely on sites that do sell some tours. I will send you an email for more!
Hi Claudia,
Thans for your lovely article. I’m planning to gp to Indonesia in September for about 3 weekend. How die you travel to the komodo islamds? And how many days die you spant there and how many days om Java?
I was planning to go to Sumatra and Java, but after your article I really want to visit komkdo islands als well.
Hi Manon, thank you for your comment. I haven’t visited Sumatra, so I can’t comment on that. But Komodo Islands are AMAZING. You can fly to the Flores Archipelago (Labuan Bajo) and then take a boat from there. If you like diving and you don’t get sea sick, there’s also diving tours that leave from Bali!
I agree with you, there are many places to visit in Indonesia other than Bali. But less complete explore indonesia without visiting bali
You are right – Bali is a bit too crowded for my taste, but still worth visiting!
Hello, Thanks for all the info, I am going to Bali this year for few months. I am looking forward already to be in January and February to experience the life there.
Hi Amarante, thank you for your comment. When you go to Bali, make sure you stay away from Kuta – it’s really crowded and dirty. I have posts about Bali on this blog, make sure to check them out too!
Hello Claudia, Do you consider Semyniak as part of Kuta?
I haven’t been there, actually – so I wouldn’t be able to tell.
Are places which u mentioned far from each other. Whats d mode of transport to travel.
Hi! Thanks for your comment. Yes, the places are somewhat far from each other. You will need to fly from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, for example, and to Flores.
I am traveling to Bali in the end of this month. This article was a great read Claudia. It was also nice to know a bit of the country’s history.
I also have a couple of posts on Bali, make sure to check them out!
excellent post, this is a wonderful country with very friendly people and so much to see and do, not too many tourists visit here but that will change over time as word gets out
Well, some parts already have too much Tourism! But let’s see what happens
agree with you, as Indonesia I am so sad the people out side only knew Bali in Indonesia.. they don’t know, there are thousand of destination with their own characteristic in Indonesia. thanks for visiting us (Indonesia)
Definitely worth the journey is Sumatra! Enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of Lake Toba, trekking in the jungle surrounded by orangutans in Gunung Leuser National Park, swimming in the sea of Banyak-islands and going diving in Pulau Weh. Had a lovely experience with Orang 2 Utan which help organizing trips, but also are just open for tips on accommodations and how to get around.. The good thing in Sumatra is that everything is equally very affordable like Java. In Bali and the eastern areas you will spend a bit more.
All in all anywhere you go in the world it depends on your inner condition, transferring this to the outer world 🙂 stay positive and you will have an amazing time!
You are so right! My original trip was also meant to go to Sumatra and Borneo, but then the fires (to create space for palm oil plantations) were so bad we had to change plans 🙁
A very detail post about Indonesia and i can’t stop reading it till end. I am living in Indonesia from last two years now, i live in Malang city near with Mount Bromo. Yes there are much more to do and see in Indonesia other than Bali, people are friendly and the cost of living is really cheap. I think you should visit beaches in Malang as well, you will forget all Bali and Lombok beaches.
I will go for sure next time I visit Indonesia!!
Thanks alot for this post, Here you explained everything about Indonesia just like: which places is better to visit, things to do and see in Indonesia. Really once again thanks alot for your tips tricks.
What an amazing and a fascinating place to visit. I really didn’t know much about this but after reading this post I will surely visit one day. Thanks for sharing such an amazing post.
Really thanks for sharing this useful post !! indonesia is a nice place to visit for holidays and I will definitely do all these things with my friends.
you bet!
Hey,
Your feedback is great for Indonesia; thnkayou for the nice tips.
I got some queries for you if you have the time to reply!
Thinking of visiting IND with a 16months old toddler. Would you say it is safe to carry the baby in a baby carrier around the sightseeings there?
Thinking for:
2 days Jakarta (arrival), 3 nights at Bandung (volcano Java etc) 4 Days Jugyakarta (Borobudur), and then Bali for a week or so…
The Komodo ilsands is to stay overnight or you ca do this as a one-day-excursion from Bali?
Thanks in advance
Hi Dimitris, thank you for your comment. I don’t travel with children so I am unable to comment about a baby carrier, I am afraid! In general, sites may have steps and be a bit uneven so use your own judgement for that. As for the itinerary: I’d honestly get out of Jakarta as soon as possible. So, don’t spend more than one night there to rest after the long flight. After that, honestly skip Bandung (it’s nice for a day, but there are nicer places in Indonesia). Go to Yogyakarta, then go to Bali, then fly to Labuan Bajo in Flores and you can do Komodo and Rinca as a day trip from there. Also: I haven’t been to Gili, but I know they are fantastic even for families with children as there are no cars!
Fantastic post, Claudia! This is such an EPIC list of things to do while travelling to Indonesia. Very useful for all travellers. Thank you so much for sharing this. Loved the photos!
Such a beautiful country! Thank you on a detailed impressive guide! Saved your post for the future
I went to Bali and did just the routine set of things – beaches, waterfalls, temples, and rice terraces. Had no idea there was so much to do there. Next time