Travels

Indonesia Travel Guide & Itinerary

Posted On January 20, 2020

This Indonesia Travel Guide will help you plan your trip. Learn about what you can see and do when you visit.

This is the first place to look when planning your trip to Indonesia! There is no shortage of information about Indonesia. It’s a hot spot for travel and travel writers. However, there are so many places to visit in Indonesia and everyone has their own take on it. It was hard to plan our trip because there wasn’t an overall view to help us decide where to go.

The “Where to Go in Indonesia” section below would have been a BIG help to me, so I hope this reference can help you seamlessly plan your trip.
We visited Ubud, Kuta, Nusa Penida, Canggu, and Komodo National Park, and spent a brief time in Sanur and Labuan Bajo. So, this guide has a lot of information about the Bali area.

Why Visit Indonesia?

As is the priority of all of our big trips, we choose to visit Indonesia because of scuba diving. Some of the greatest variety and diversity of marine life in the world can be found here and it’s worth the hassle to experience it! I had an unforgettable experience and look forward to returning.

But if you’re not a scuba diver, there are plenty of things you’ll love. The beaches, the views, the affordable resorts, the fresh food, and the opportunity to experience a new culture are draws for the many tourists.

Quick Tips for Indonesia

  • Visa: Most countries, including the U.S., will receive a 30-day visa upon arrival. See more info here.
  • Language: Indonesian
  • Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). $1 USD is about 140,000 IDR
  • Vaccines and Medicine: Hepatitis A and typhoid shots are recommended. Depending on what area you are traveling to, like Komodo National Park, a prescription of malaria pills is recommended. Travel diarrhea pills are also recommended.
  • Credit Cards: Can be used at hotels and ATMs but cash is preferred and easiest. It was hard for us to find a working ATM! One bed and breakfast gave us cash in exchange for a credit card charge.
  • Capital City: Jakarta on the island of Java
  • Water: Do not drink the tap water

How Much Does a Trip to Indonesia Cost?

Once you get to Indonesia, traveling around the country is fairly inexpensive. Our 5-day Komodo Island liveaboard was the most expensive cost for this trip, followed by the flight from Austin, Texas, USA to Denpasar, Indonesia. The round-trip flight for two people in September/October cost about $2,550, which we paid a fraction of by cashing in lots of credit card points.

If you want to dive in Indonesia, there are plenty of options. Going to Komodo Island, Raja Ampat, or Wakatobi Islands will cost more because they recommend a liveaboard and require a domestic flight to the liveaboard port. For cheaper dive options, try Bali, the Gili Islands, and Nusa Penida. As always, make sure you are not trading costs for safety and be sure to dive with reputable companies.

We stayed in 4-star hotels and our price ranged from $52-71 per night. Our priorities were air conditioning, private room with a private bathroom, and complimentary wi-fi. I also made sure the hotel was in a good location and had good reviews. If you’re on a budget, you can find quality hostels with dorm-style rooms and no air conditioning for around $20 per night.

Domestic flights in September/October from Bali to Labuan Bajo, the port for the Komodo Island, are about $120 one way. The ferry from Bali to Nusa Penida is less than $20 per person one way.

If you eat at local, family-owned restaurants (look for “warung”), your meal could cost $1-5 per person. Westernized restaurants will cost a bit more.

Best Time to Visit Indonesia

Indonesia’s dry season is May to September while the wet season is October to April.

Be sure to check when Ramadan (holy Muslim month) is, as businesses may be closed or have limited hours. Muslims will be fasting during this time, and attire and actions will be closely monitored.

Note when Balinese New Year is as there will be a day of silence.

How to Get to Indonesia – Fly into Jakarta or Bali?

There are several international airports in Indonesia, but most flights come into Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar, Bali and Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Jakarta, Java. If you will be visiting Bali or the eastern islands of Indonesia, DPS is the best place to land.

We flew from Austin, TX to Denpasar, Bali with two stops – one in San Francisco and another in Singapore. Our trip there took 30 hours (longest layover was five and a half hours) and the trip back took 26 hours (longest layover was two and a half hours).

How to Get Around Indonesia

There are three main ways to get around an Indonesian island:

  1. Rent a car or scooter.
  2. Rideshare through an app such as Gojek or Grab.
  3. Hire a driver through a hotel or tour service or get a Blue Bird taxi.

While some of the city centers are walkable, it is easiest to rent a scooter to get around and for more freedom. However, while scooters are prevalent, note you typically need an international driver’s license and courage. There is a lot of traffic in Bali, which means you’ll be weaving between cars and stopping and going frequently. Some islands, like Nusa Penida, have narrow and unpaved roads, so visitors may feel more comfortable with a driver.

It cost about Rp 150.000 – 200.000 ($10-15 USD) to get from the Denpasar airport to Seminyak (about 20 minutes without traffic). Our ride from Denpasar to Ubud, typically 40 minutes, took about two hours in traffic and cost Rp 350.000 ($24 USD) when we booked through our hotel. Hiring a driver for a day-long tour was about Rp 600.000 ($42 USD). These prices were for the car and not per person, so you can save money by splitting it with more passengers.

What Should I Wear in Indonesia?

In touristy areas like the island of Bali, shorts and crop tops are everywhere. If you’re visiting a temple, try to cover your knees and shoulders, though most places have sorongs you can borrow during your visit. Even though I wore pants, they asked me to wear a sorong. Outside of beach/tourist towns, you may be more comfortable wearing a more modest outfit of short sleeves and shorts/pants that hit the knee.

Is Indonesia Safe to Travel?

Yes, Indonesia is safe to travel to. As always, be aware of your surroundings and make safe decisions, especially at night. At the least, watch out for petty theft, such as stealing items while passing on a motorbike or in crowds. (See more safety tips here.)

Withdraw and exchange money from reputable banks and ATMs. When you’re at the beach, look for red flags that mark dangerous riptides and undertows.

What Indonesia Laws Should I Know About?

  • Don’t smoke in public areas.
  • Don’t give to beggars.
  • Gambling, pornography, and drug trafficking are illegal.
  • Drug laws are very strict and include marijuana.
  • To drive in Indonesia, you need an Indonesian or international license.
  • Make sure you have your passport with you at all times as you could be stopped and asked for it.

How Much Should I Tip in Indonesia?

Tipping is not necessary but appreciated. Check your bill for added tips, otherwise, tip 5-10% of the bill.

Where to Go in Indonesia – Which Cities to Visit and Highlights

So, you’ve decided to visit Indonesia, but you might be overwhelmed with the different cities and areas you could visit. Check this post about the best things to do in Indonesia or keep reading below.

Here’s a quick guide to the major cities tourists visit.

Bali is the most popular island in Indonesia for tourists. There are more Westernized options. You’ll likely be flying into Bali at Denpasar. From there, you’ll need to decide which city to visit. Here’s a quick summary of these cities.

  • Ubud – Ubud is the most developed inner Bali city for travelers. Here you’ll have access to rice terraces, the Monkey Forest, and temples. See this post about the best things to do in Ubud.
  • Canggu – Pronounced “chang-gu,” this city on the West Coast of Bali is a surfer and remote worker paradise. It is very Westernized, which is the appeal and convenience for many.
  • Seminyak – South of Canggu is the beach resort town of Seminyak. It’s typically described as sleek and luxurious.
  • Kuta – South of Seminyak is Kuta, a known party city. Because it is one of the first tourist developments, it is very commercialized. You’ll also have access to the beach and surf.
  • Uluwatu – In the southern part of Bali is where you’ll find the laid-back and quiet city of Uluwatu, known for its surfing and luxury resorts. It’s a more exclusive surfer paradise because of its location, but there’s little else to do there.
  • Sanur – On the east coast of Bali is Sanur, a small seaside town for backpackers and divers. You’ll likely come here if you’re taking a speedboat or ferry to nearby islands.

Outside of Bali, you’ll likely travel to nearby islands. These places are known for picturesque views.

Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan
This cluster of islands is the closest to Bali and a 45-minute trip by ferry or speedboat. Nusa Penida is the largest and most popular of the islands. These islands are known for their beaches, scenic views, and two popular dive sites – Manta Point and Crystal Bay.

Lombok and Gili Islands
A little farther from Bali are Lombok and the Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno). You’ll take a 4-5 hour ferry ride from Bali to Lombok. From Lombok, the Gili islands are about 20 minutes away by boat.

  • Gili Trawangan – Known as the place to party in Indonesia, Gili T is the go-to for non-stop fun.
  • Gili Air – This island has a combination of fun and relaxation. You’ll find more families and couples here.
  • Gili Meno – The smallest and quietest island of the three, Gili Meno is known for its beaches.

Less Touristy Cities
Most travelers prioritize the above locations when they visit Indonesia, but here are some other notable cities you might consider. If you prefer to go to less touristy places, I highly recommend these cities instead.

  • Yogyakarta – A few famous temples, like Borobudur, are near this city.
  • Jakarta – The bustling capital city of Indonesia has plenty of culture and notable sights, like the Bogor Botanical Gardens.
  • Sumatra – On the largest Indonesia island, you’ll find orangutans.

Diving
If you’re a scuba diver and want more options than the above cities, you’ll want to know these places. Some liveaboards from Bali access Komodo National Park, Flores Sea, and Wakatobi National Park but if you want to spend extended time in these places, you’ll need a closer liveaboard or a dive resort.

  • Labuan Bajo – You’ll be landing in this city a few islands over from Bali to dive the Komodo National Park.
  • Sorong – You’ll be landing in this city in Northeast Indonesia to set off for diving Raja Ampat.
  • Sulawesi – If you don’t get on a liveaboard, the cities on this Indonesian island is how you can access Wakatobi National Park. Wakatobi is known for its large schools of fish and corals as if you’re in an aquarium.

See this post for more information about diving in Indonesia.

What to Do in Indonesia

There’s a little something for everyone in Indonesia, especially if you like trying new food, if you are a diver, or if you enjoy the beach. Here are some more posts that might help you plan your activities.

What to Eat in Indonesia

This post about eating and drinking in Indonesia will tell you about the dishes to look out for and what to expect! I also have two posts about the unique fine dining experiences we had in Indonesia.

Our Indonesia Itinerary

It wasn’t perfect but our itinerary allowed us to stay in four different cities and visit a few more. We were definitely on the go more often than I had hoped, but when we stayed too long, we found ourselves wishing we were somewhere else.

  • Day 1: Fly from Home to Indonesia at 7 pm
  • Day 2: Land in Indonesia 3 pm
  • Day 3: Ubud
  • Day 4: Ubud
  • Day 5: Ubud to Kuta
  • Day 6: Kuta, fly Denpasar to Labuan Bajo, board liveaboard
  • Day 7-10: Scuba liveaboard life
  • Day 11: Depart liveaboard, fly Labuan Bajo to Denpasar, boat from Sanur to Nusa Penida
  • Day 12: Nusa Penida
  • Day 13: Nusa Penida
  • Day 14: Boat from Nusa Penida to Sanur, car to Canggu
  • Day 15: Canggu
  • Day 16: Fly from Denpasar to Home at 4 pm
  • Day 17: Arrive Home 5 am

Itinerary changes and suggestions: 

  • If you don’t do a scuba liveaboard, I would recommend visiting the Gili Islands instead.
  • If you are only visiting for a week and want a slower trip, I would opt for two cities and taking day trips to nearby islands.
  • Be sure to build in travel time. Car travel from city to city can involve a lot of traffic and boat travel to islands can involve delays.
  • If you do not want to be around lots of tourists, find more secluded areas of Bali such as Uluwatu or less touristy cities like Yogyakarta.
  • If I had to pick one city out of the ones we visited, I would return to Ubud.

Quick Reference of Our Bookings

Want to take our trip? Here’s a quick list of our hotels, tours, and other bookings.

Until Next Time, Indonesia

With the number of diving opportunities available in Indonesia, I have a feeling I’ll be back one day. I’d love to return to experience Raja Ampat and the Wakatobi Islands.

For more information and reference, check out my other blog posts about Indonesia:

If you have any questions, need advice, or want to add a recommendation, feel free to leave a comment below or send me a message.

Have you been to Indonesia? Share any tips you have below!

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