Indonesia was our dream vacation and we went for our honeymoon. There are lots to do there, so use this post as a guide.
Visiting Indonesia is a blessing and a curse because there are so many things to do! For those of us with limited time off, prioritizing can be hard, but the adventures are endless. This list includes activities and sights for people who love food, adventure, history, and nature.
Below I’ve included typical activities and highlights in Indonesia you might have seen on Pinterest and Instagram, and I’ve included more information to plan your trip. In deciding where to go for our trip, I quickly realized we had to miss out on seeing some things because they were on a totally different island. This post will reference the nearest city.
I want to note that popular tourist sights, many on this list, are getting very crowded. You have to have a bit of understanding and patience to enjoy them. There will be plenty of tourists crowding sights and waiting to take photos. The best bet for fewer people is to get there very early.
Here are the best things to do in Indonesia!
Get Close to Monkeys
One of the most recognizable activities of Indonesia is monkeys! Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud, Bali is the one most people go to. It is a park where more than 700 Balinese long-tailed monkeys roam. They’re not enclosed and are free to leave, but they are fed by the park, so they stay close. If you get close enough, they may jump on you!
The other monkey to see is the native and endangered orangutan, which has two species. The Sumatran Orangutan and the Bornean Orangutan are located on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, respectively.
Scuba Dive or Snorkel
Diving in Indonesia is a dream! Here are some of the most popular dives and dive areas in Indonesia:
- Crystal Bay, Nusa Penida, Bali
- Manta Point, Nusa Penida, Bali
- Komodo Island
- Raja Ampat
- Liberty Wreck, Tulamben, Bali
Surf
Ready to paddle out and get stoked? Areas of Bali are known for their surfing, including Canggu, Kuta, and Uluwatu. There are plenty of surf camp options, including Padang Padang Surf Camp, Lapoint, Wave House, and Rapture.
Relax at the Beach
Listen to the waves, jump in the water, and relax! Here are some popular beaches:
- Batu Balong Beach, Canggu, Bali
- Echo Beach, Canggu, Bali
- Pink Beach (Komodo Island)
- Crystal Bay, Nusa Penida, Bali
- Suluban Beach Cave, Uluwatu, Bali
Dine at Amazing Restaurants + Take a Food Tour
Out of all the cities in Indonesia we visited, we enjoyed our meals in Ubud, Bali the most. For the budget-friendly option, some of our favorite bites were snacks from a vendor at the Ubud Art Market and the low-key places we visited on our Good Indonesian Food Tour. We also enjoyed our fine dining meals at Room4Dessert and Locavore (click the names to see our experience).
For more about Indonesian food and restaurant recommendations, see this post.
See the World’s Largest Buddhist Temple – Borobudur
One of the coolest sights in Indonesia would be the Borobudur Temple, a Buddhist temple from the 9th century. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s located in Central Java, about an hour and a half from Yogyakarta. Go before sunrise since it looks really cool but also because there will be lots and lots of tourists as the sun rises.
Marvel the Prambanan Temple
If you’re in the Yogyakarta area, the 9th century Hindu temple complex is a sight to see. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia.
Visit these Other Temples
While the majority of Indonesia is Muslim, the predominant religion in Bali is Hinduism. That’s why Tirta Empul Temple (known for the holy spring water baths) and Saraswati Temple (known as the Ubud Water Temple or the Lotus Temple), both in/near Ubud, are Balinese Hindu temples. Their popularity is probably also because of the influx of tourists in Bali.
Visit the Ubud Palace
Around the corner from the Saraswati Temple is the Ubud Palace, a quick attraction that shows some of the old architecture.
See the Rice Terraces
One top of mind sight in Indonesia is a rice terrace. You’ll likely find the tourist versions near Central Ubud and they all look similar. Tegalalang Rice Terrace is the most popular and Jatiluwih Rice Terrace, the UNESCO World Heritage site, is about an hour outside of Ubud.
Visit An Active Volcano – Mount Bromo or Mount Batur
There are more than 100 volcanoes in Indonesia and yes, you can hike to see an active volcano.
Mount Bromo is located in East Java. The trip is typically from Surabaya, about four hours away from the start of the trek. The trek up takes about 30-45 minutes and you’ll want to wear layers. Go for the sunrise during dry season.
For another sunrise trek, consider Mount Batur on Bali. This active volcano is about an hour drive from Ubud and a two to three hours trek. This hike is more strenuous than Mount Bromo and you’ll definitely want a guide.
Chase Waterfalls
When you think of outdoor adventures in Indonesia, you’ve likely thought of waterfalls. We went to Tengenungan near Ubud and there’s a short trek to it. Here are a few of the many options:
- Tegenungan Waterfall, Ubud, Bali
- Tibumana Waterfall, Bangli, Bali
- Aling-Aling Waterfall, Gitgit, Bali
- Sekumpul Waterfall, Gitgit, Bali
Go on an Adventure Tour
Want an outdoor adventure? Consider biking through rice fields and canyoning down waterfalls. These tours in Bali can give you the thrill:
Watch the Flying Foxes of Kalong Island Take Flight
Kalong Island, near Labuan Bajo’s port and in Komodo National Park is home to thousands of nocturnal flying foxes that leave their nests to feed every night around sunset. These megabats are also known as fruit bats and can get up to four feet in wingspan and up to four pounds in weight. Seeing them take off reminded me exactly of Austin’s Congress Avenue bats that do the same, but when you look at these, you can tell they are huge!
Take the Gate of Heaven Photo
You’ve seen the famous photo, but this shot is actually an illusion. The glassy water is actually a reflective paper the photographer puts underneath the camera and I’ve also heard there is usually a long line for your turn at this photo. This is located outside Denpasar on Bali.
Take a Tour of Nusa Penida’s Most Famous Sights
Whether you take a day trip from Bali or you spend a few days on Nusa Penida, the largest of the three islands off Bali, you’ll likely want to see its most famous sights.
Because there are mostly narrow, winding, steep, and unpaved roads on Nusa Penida, getting around the island to these sites take more time than you think. The West Coast Tour will take about five hours, depending on how much time you spend at each place. Renting a driver is recommended unless you are brave enough to drive a scooter and it costs about $60 per car, so try to gather a group to split the cost.
On the West Coast Tour, you can see:
- Kelingking Beach
- Broken Beach
- Crystal Bay
- Angel’s Billabong
On the East Coast Tour, you can see:
- Diamond Beach
- Suwehan Beach
- Atuh Beach
- Pura Goa Giri Putri Cave
- Teletubby Hills
Visit a Craft Chocolate Factory – Pod Chocolate Factory
Enjoy Indonesian craft chocolate by visiting the Pod Chocolate Factory outside Central Ubud. They have a storefront in Sanur and they sell the chocolate at the airport.
Visit the World’s Best Batik Museum – House of Danar Hadi
Located in Central Java in the city of Surakarta, this museum houses a large display and history of batik fabrics. Batik, the way of dyeing cloth into patterns, originated in Indonesia.
See Komodo Dragons
The largest lizard species can be seen in the wild in Indonesia. These venomous reptiles can grow to be 10 feet and 150 lbs! They can be seen on Komodo and Rinca Islands and guides will take you around the park to keep you safe and give you more knowledge about them.
See That Scenic Island View
You know the one. It’s the view that’s used in most of Indonesia’s marketing material. It’s Padar Island, next to Komodo and Rinca Islands. You can’t stay on the island but you can take a day trip from Labuan Bajo, 20 miles away. Things to do include hiking a 30-minute summit to the peak and enjoying the pink, white, and black beaches.
Relax at the Spa and Get a Massage
Since an hour-long massage can be $5-10 USD, indulge and find yourself a spa. They’re easy to find, especially in a touristy city like Ubud or Canggu. They seem to be on every street!
I hope this list gives you some ideas to start planning your trip! There is so much to see, though I wouldn’t blame you if you want to relax and enjoy the beach. Get more suggestions from the tourism Instagram.
Have you been to Indonesia? What would you recommend to do?
P.S. Want to read more posts about Indonesia? See them here.
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