Updated · On BootsnAll since 1999 · History
Overview and Things to Consider
Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous nation spread across seventeen thousand islands in Southeast Asia. Bali is the iconic image but represents a small fraction of Indonesia's diversity. The country encompasses Hindu temples, Islamic mosques and traditions, Buddhist sites, and indigenous spiritual practices. Volcanic landscapes and tropical rainforests support extraordinary biodiversity. Ancient kingdoms left archaeological treasures. Villages maintain traditional crafts and ceremonies. Jakarta pulses with urban energy. Beach islands attract surfers and divers. Indonesia's welcome spirit and affordability make it perpetually popular with backpackers and travelers. Extended time reveals a country of genuine richness beyond beach stereotypes.
Getting There and Around
International flights arrive in Jakarta, Denpasar (Bali), and other major hubs. Domestic flights connect islands affordably through budget and full-service airlines. Ferries link islands with varying speed and comfort. Long-distance buses connect cities on Java with varied quality. Local minibuses (bemos) provide budget transportation. Motorcycles and scooters can be rented for independent exploration. Taxis and ride-sharing apps operate in major cities. Trains operate on Java with multiple classes. Boats and outriggers access remote islands. Road conditions vary from highways to rough village roads.
What's Changed Since 2016
Infrastructure development has accelerated with new airports, highways, and accommodations. Ride-sharing apps have transformed urban transportation. Digital payments and mobile internet have become ubiquitous. Environmental concerns including marine pollution and coral bleaching have intensified. Deforestation and palm oil production continue despite conservation efforts. Plastic pollution in oceans has become increasingly visible. Bali's tourism infrastructure has expanded dramatically changing island character. Accommodation costs have increased substantially in popular areas. Eco-tourism initiatives have developed in several regions. International environmental awareness about Indonesia's biodiversity challenges has grown.
Ideas to Consider for Your Visit
Respect Hindu and Islamic customs and sacred sites. Engage respectfully with local communities, particularly in villages. Hire guides from local organizations for cultural context and fair wages. Avoid activities that exploit animals or engage in unethical tourism. Explore beyond Bali to discover Indonesia's true diversity. Try local cuisines and street food from established vendors. Support small businesses and artisans. Participate in ceremonies and cultural events when invited and welcomed. Ask permission before photographing people, especially during rituals. Snorkel or dive ethically without damaging coral ecosystems.
Realities to Be Aware Of
Air and water pollution affect some regions, particularly Java. Traffic accidents are common with chaotic driving patterns. Petty theft targets tourists in crowded areas and on public transportation. Sexual harassment of female travelers occurs in some areas. Volcanic and seismic activity creates occasional natural disasters. Earthquakes and tsunamis pose risks, particularly in western regions. Sanitation varies widely, and waterborne illnesses affect some travelers. Healthcare quality is excellent in major cities but basic in rural areas. Tropical diseases including dengue fever and malaria exist. Corruption affects official interactions occasionally. Islamic conservatism in some regions affects entertainment and alcohol availability.
If Indonesia Is Part of a Longer Trip
Indonesia fits naturally into Southeast Asian circuits with Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. The archipelago can serve as a standalone destination for weeks of exploration. Overland and sea routes connect Indonesia to Malaysia and the Philippines. Flights from Jakarta connect throughout Asia. The country's size and diversity warrant extended stays of several weeks or months. Indonesia complements trips to Australia. The extensive island network enables slow travel and island-hopping. Indonesia works as both a primary focus and as a component of broader regional journeys.
Yearly Things to Consider
Dry season (April to October) offers the best weather for most islands with lower rainfall. Wet season (November to March) brings rain and higher humidity but lush vegetation. Monsoon patterns vary by island creating some year-round dry seasons. Typhoon season may affect eastern islands. Peak tourism season coincides with Northern Hemisphere holidays and dry season. Ramadan affects restaurant hours and social rhythms in Muslim-majority Indonesia. Nyepi (Balinese New Year) in March brings celebrations and temporary closures. Chinese New Year affects business hours. Local festivals vary by region throughout the year. Altitude sickness can affect mountain trekking.
Ideas for Itineraries
3 Days
Spend time in Bali exploring temples, beaches, rice terraces, and the Ubud arts community. This brief visit introduces Bali's character and beauty.
5 Days
Explore Bali and nearby Lombok for island contrasts, including temples, volcanic landscapes, and beaches. This journey shows Indonesia's regional diversity within neighboring islands.
1 Week
Journey through Bali, neighboring islands like the Gili Islands or Lombok, and experience both beach and cultural sites. Include volcano trekking and village experiences. This duration enables more meaningful engagement with Balinese culture beyond tourist centers.
2 Weeks or More
Explore multiple islands including Bali, Java with Yogyakarta and Borobudur temple, Sumatra for rainforests, and eastern islands. Include diving, trekking, and community-based tourism experiences. Longer stays enable discovery of Indonesia beyond Bali, understanding the archipelago's cultural richness and environmental challenges.
From the BootsnAll archive
19 stories and articles about Indonesia, 2000 to 2017
- Strange Days in Nias - Nias, Indonesia
Article
- The Tsunami 5 Years On: My Visit to Aceh, Indonesia
Article · Amanda George
- Orangutans at Tanjung Puting (1 of 2)
Article · Graydon Hazenberg
- How to Travel Like a Local in Indonesia
Article · Zoë Smith
- Exploring Indonesia by Motorbike
Article · 2017 · Chelsea Perino
- Attending a Local Funeral: A Day in the Life of a Long-Term Traveler
Article · 2016 · Jennifer Sutherland-Miller
- Java Journey - Indonesia, Asia
Article · 2008 · John M. Edwards
- Running with the Bulls in Sumatra - Indonesia
Article · 2008 · Graydon Hazenberg
Show all 19
- Orangutans at Tanjung Puting (1 of 2) - Indonesia
Article · 2008 · Graydon Hazenberg
- Life and Death in Tanah Toraja - Tanah Toraja, Indonesia, Asia
Article · 2007 · Paul Dixon
- Tsunami Up Close and Personal - Bande Ache, Sumatra, Indonesia
Article · 2005 · Jamie Kohler
- After The Crisis: Indonesia in 1998, Part 1 - Indonesia
Article · 2004 · Gregory McElwain
- Mahakam: Into the Heart of Borneo (1 of 4) - Indonesia
Story · 2000 · Graydon Hazenberg
- Travel Slogans for Bali - Bali, Indonesia, Asia
Article · Sherry Ott · Bali
- Lessons from Jakarta
Article · 2016 · Jennifer Sutherland-Miller · Jakarta
- The Irrigation - Bali, Indonesia
Article · 2010 · C. Noah Pelletier · Bali
- Parangtritis, a Beach Not Too Far - Java, Indonesia
Article · 2008 · Barrie Lie-Birchall · Yogyakarta
- The Art of Cockfighting - Bali, Indonesia
Article · 2004 · Josh Grillo · Bali
- The Train from Jakarta to Yogyakarta (2/2)
Article · 2000 · David Phillips · Yogyakarta
Cities in Indonesia
FAQ
Most nationalities receive visa-free entry for 30 days or can obtain visas on arrival. Visas on arrival and e-visas are available for many nationalities. Overstaying has penalties.
Dry season (April to October) offers the best weather. Wet season (November to March) brings rain but lush vegetation. Weather varies by island, with some having year-round dry seasons.
Indonesia is very affordable, with daily costs from $15-40 for budget travelers to $60-100+ for mid-range experiences. Bali is more expensive than other islands.
Most areas are safe with low violent crime. Exercise precautions with valuables and avoid crowded areas at night. Petty theft and occasional scams target tourists.
Bahasa Indonesia is the official language. English is widely spoken in tourist areas and among younger people. Regional languages vary by island.
Bali's temples and beaches, Borobudur and Prambanan temples in Java, Gili Islands diving, Mount Bromo volcano, Yogyakarta arts, Komodo dragons, and diverse island experiences.
Rice is the staple. Try satay, rendang, nasi goreng, and gado-gado. Spices are prominent. Street food is delicious and affordable from established vendors.
The right vaccinations for Indonesia depend on your exact route, how long you're staying, what you'll be doing, and your own medical history, so we don't publish a fixed shot list here. Requirements and disease risk also change from year to year. Check the CDC's destination guidance and the WHO, then see a travel-health clinic four to six weeks before you go so they can match vaccines and any malaria precautions to your specific trip.
Update history (33)▸
· Fix
Replaced templated vaccination advice in the FAQ that was wrong or unsafe
· Rewrite
Updated for modern frameworks, with content updates and changes
· Contributors
1 member blog post from 1 blogger
- 2023: 1 post from 1 traveler on BootsnAll Travel Blogs (source)
· Contributors
3 member blog posts from 1 blogger
- 2018: 3 posts from 1 traveler on BootsnAll Travel Blogs (source)
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Contributors
4 member blog posts from 1 blogger
- 2017: 4 posts from 1 traveler on BootsnAll Travel Blogs (source)
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Contributors
12 member blog posts from 1 blogger
- 2016: 12 posts from 1 traveler on BootsnAll Travel Blogs (source)
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Contributors
17 member blog posts from 2 bloggers
- 2015: 17 posts from 2 travelers on BootsnAll Travel Blogs (source)
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Contributors
18 member blog posts from 1 blogger
- 2014: 18 posts from 1 traveler on BootsnAll Travel Blogs (source)
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees: all content and prices updated August 2013
· Contributors
4 message-board posts from 4 travelers and 3 member blog posts from 1 blogger
· Contributors
19 message-board posts from 12 travelers and 3 member blog posts from 2 bloggers
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Contributors
30 message-board posts from 26 travelers and 20 member blog posts from 5 bloggers
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Contributors
1 article, by C. Noah Pelletier, plus 96 message-board posts from 43 travelers and 31 member blog posts from 5 bloggers
· Contributors
55 message-board posts from 32 travelers and 24 member blog posts from 10 bloggers
· Archive
Travel guide on BootsnAll, at a new address
Archived copy of /Asia-Indonesia· Contributors
4 articles, by Graydon Hazenberg, Barrie Lie-Birchall and John M. Edwards, plus 234 message-board posts from 113 travelers and 54 member blog posts from 13 bloggers
- August 2008: Orangutans at Tanjung Puting (1 of 2) - Indonesia - Graydon Hazenberg (article) (source)
- August 2008: Parangtritis, a Beach Not Too Far - Java, Indonesia - Barrie Lie-Birchall (article) (source)
- August 2008: Running with the Bulls in Sumatra - Indonesia - Graydon Hazenberg (article) (source)
- November 2008: Java Journey - Indonesia, Asia - John M. Edwards (article) (source)
- 2008: 54 posts from 13 travelers on BootsnAll Travel Blogs (source)
- 2008: 234 posts from 113 travelers in the Bali Travel Forum forum (source)
· Contributors
1 article, by Paul Dixon, plus 658 message-board posts from 158 travelers and 32 member blog posts from 13 bloggers
· Contributors
Nick O'Neill, BootsnAll co-founder, contributed to this guide from 1999 through 2007
· Contributors
435 message-board posts from 102 travelers and 72 member blog posts from 17 bloggers
· Contributors
1 article, by Jamie Kohler, plus 629 message-board posts from 182 travelers and 74 member blog posts from 13 bloggers
· Contributors
2 articles, by Josh Grillo and Gregory McElwain, plus 445 message-board posts from 102 travelers and 4 member blog posts from 2 bloggers
- March 2004: The Art of Cockfighting - Bali, Indonesia - Josh Grillo (article) (source)
- April 2004: After The Crisis: Indonesia in 1998, Part 1 - Indonesia - Gregory McElwain (article) (source)
- 2004: 4 posts from 2 travelers on BootsnAll Travel Blogs (source)
- 2004: 445 posts from 102 travelers in the Bali Travel Forum forum (source)
· Contributors
1 message-board post from 1 traveler
- 2003: 1 post from 1 traveler in the Bali Travel Forum forum (source)
· Contributors
2 Insider dispatches, by Barrie Lie-Birchall and Lee Arnold
· Contributors
8 Insider dispatches, 1 story, by Mastepe, David Hanney and Graydon Hazenberg, plus 1 message-board post from 1 traveler
- January 2000: Yogyakarta, Indonesia - January 2000 - Mastepe (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- February 2000: Yogyakarta, Indonesia - February 2000 - Mastepe (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- March 2000: Yogyakarta, Indonesia - March 2000 - Mastepe (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- November 2000: Bali Travel Guide - Arrival - David Hanney (Insider dispatch) (source)
- November 2000: Bali Travel Guide - Health and Money Exchange - David Hanney (Insider dispatch) (source)
- November 2000: Bali Travel Guide - Shopping - David Hanney (Insider dispatch) (source)
- November 2000: Bali Travel Guide - The People - David Hanney (Insider dispatch) (source)
- November 2000: Bali Travel Guide - Things to Do - David Hanney (Insider dispatch) (source)
- December 2000: Mahakam: Into the Heart of Borneo (1 of 4) - Indonesia - Graydon Hazenberg (story) (source)
- 2000: 1 post from 1 traveler in the Bali Travel Forum forum (source)
· Contributors
1 Insider dispatch, by Patti Redd
- May 1999: Bali, Indonesia - Patti Redd (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
· Contributors
Chris Heidrich, BootsnAll co-founder, has contributed to this guide since 1999, including dispatches from BootsnAll and AirTreks travelers