The Best Packing List for Indonesia

After dreaming about the white sand beaches and crystal clear waters I’ve seen splashed across social media, I was thrilled to finally get the chance to visit Indonesia for my first time in 2024.  And while it was all I dreamt of and more, I definitely wish I had packed a bit differently than I did.  Luckily, I was able to spend six weeks exploring remote islands throughout Indonesia, and during that time I was able to craft the perfect packing list for Indonesia.  Here’s what I would recommend packing if you’re a female travel to Indonesia!

 

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The Best Luggage to Bring to Indonesia

First things first when it comes to packing – you need luggage to put your things in.  My biggest tip for traveling – especially through Indonesia – is to not overpack.  Overpacking just leads to hassle and headaches and it’s not worth it.  Especially if you’re going to be carrying your own things around, the streets can be bumpy and some hotels in Indonesia don’t have elevators.  Not to mention, there will be times you arrive on an island and will have to pull your bag through the sand just to make it to the street.  But, with that being said – here are my favorite pieces of luggage to bring with you to Indonesia!

• Backpack
• Carry-on bag
• Checked bag (only if necessary)
• Packing cubes (I don’t think that this saves space as much as it just helps to keep you organized)
• Toiletry bag
• AirTags (this isn’t luggage, but I bought a pack after my bags got lost for 10 days in Saudi Arabia and now I’ll never travel without them!)

 

 

Packing Essentials

Next up:  Your essentials!  These are things that you cannot travel to Indonesia without!  (In my opinion).

• Passport
• Prescription medication
• Travel insurance – I would not travel to Indonesia without travel insurance; I personally use and recommend Safety Wing
• Bug repellent
• Sunscreen – Face & body
• Adapter (type C or F)

 

Pro tip:  If you’re not planning to check a bag, make sure that your bug repellent and sunscreen is < 3.4 oz!

 

Clothing/Shoes to Pack for Indonesia

When packing clothing and figuring out what to wear in Indonesia, the first step is knowing how long you’re going to be gone for so that you don’t over or under pack.  The second thing you should know about Indonesia is that it is generally very hot and very humid.  For this reason, I recommend wearing light, breathable clothing.  Also, if you’re planning on doing an island hopping trip through Indonesia, you might want to focus more heavily on packing swimming suits/cover ups and less heavily on other types of clothing.

This section includes clothing that I’d recommend for any female traveling to Indonesia.  Further down in the post, I’ve added another section on what to pack if you’re traveling to Indonesia during rainy season.  (By the way, if you’re going on an extended trip – I recommend packing at least 12-pairs of underwear so that you’re not constantly doing laundry).  Indonesia is a Muslim country, but tourists are not required or expected to dress conservatively.  I would recommend dressing for your comfort level and if you feel comfortable dressing how you would at home, then it’s okay to dress that way in Indonesia too.

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Beach shoes
• Sandals
• Water shoes
• Light dresses
• Bright colored/printed dresses
• Swimming suites
• Cover-ups
• Pajamas
• Socks/underwear/bras

 

 

Accessories to Pack for Indonesia

When traveling to Indonesia, accessories aren’t only to add to your outfits, but I think of accessories as more functional.  When I travel – whether short or long-term – I love to bring accessories to make my outfits look “different”.  I don’t tend to pack many clothes, but instead like to pack scarves, head pieces, sunglasses, things that don’t take up much room but can make a plain outfit shine!

• Purse (I recommend a purse that has a zipper and is more difficult for someone who might try to pickpocket you to access)
• Sunglasses
• Fanny pack (for crowded places/to put under your clothes)
• Headscarf (to jazz up your outfits)
• Visor (to protect your face from the sun)

 

 

Toiletries to Pack for Indonesia

When packing your toiletries, keep in mind whether you’re planning to check a bag or carry-on.  Depending on which you’re doing, you might need to keep your liquids less than 3.4 fl oz.  (By the way, I like these containers if you’re carry-on only!).

• Tampons/menstrual cup
• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Skincare products
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Razor

 

 

Pro tip:  Give your hair a rest and leave the heat at home!  Indonesia can get very humid so anything you do to your hair can be undone once you step outside.

 

Electronics to Pack for Indonesia

Electronics are certainly not a necessity to travel to Indonesia, but in this section I’ll share with you the electronics I took with me when I visited Indonesia.  Of course, if you love capturing pictures and videos, you’ll more than likely be wanting to take a camera and maybe your computer to edit your photos; but if that isn’t your thing – you can skip over this section!

• Drone
• Camera (I use this Canon camera)
• GoPro (for smooth videos and underwater captures)
• AirPods (for the airplane)
• Laptop
• iPad/Kindle (for books)
• Selfie light (to take photos/videos in dark places)
• Portable charger
• Adapter (type C or F)

 

 

Pro tip:  If you’re traveling with a lot of electronics/chargers, I use this to keep everything organized!

 

Health Items to Pack for Indonesia

As a nurse, of course I can’t not include health items that I would recommend packing if you visit Indonesia.  Below you’ll find a few health related items that I took with me and they all came in handy!

• Pill box (this is better for a shorter trip so you can count out your prescription/non-prescription pills and you don’t have to take a bulky bottle with you)
• First aid kit (there are scissors in this first aid kit so if you’re doing carry-on only, make sure to remove them before packing!)
• Bandaids (included in first aid kit linked above)
• Unisom (I always travel with Unisom to help me catch some Zzz’s on the airplane and to help with jet lag – I also use this mask to get some sleep on the plane)
• Liquid IV (I bring this just in case I get sick and dehydrated; but it does not replace a doctor!)
• Advil (included in first aid kit linked above)

 

 

Pro tip:  Make an appointment with an infectious disease doctor before your visit to make sure that you’re all caught up on vaccines and to see if there are any prescriptions your doctor would recommend.  You can check vaccine recommendations for Indonesia here!

 

What to Pack if it’s Rainy Season in Indonesia

If you’re visiting Indonesia during rainy season, here are some items I’d recommend bringing with you.  By the way, because Indonesia is made up of 17,000+ islands, rainy season varies depending on where you’re visiting.  However, the general rule of thumb is that rainy season in Indonesia lasts from November-March.

• Light rain jacket
• Rain boots
• Portable umbrella
• Rain poncho

 

 

Packing Tips & Tricks

1.  If you’re going to be gone a long time and staying in rental properties, make sure to pack miniature Tide PODS to wash your clothes (I purchase the whole box and then pack a few with me – in a bag – on each trip)

2.  Travel with reusable plastic bags – it never fails that I always need a bag for something

3.  For more space, roll your clothes instead of folding them

4.  Weigh your bag before getting to the airport; and know your baggage limits for each airline you fly.  In Asia, airlines can be strict about weight for carry-on bags and I’ve had to check several carry-on bags for not meeting the weight requirement.  (You can purchase this luggage scale to easily weigh your bags!).

 

What NOT to Bring to Indonesia

Indonesia is a predominantly Muslim country, however the rules and expectations when it comes to how tourists dress are very relaxed.  With that being said, you can truthfully wear whatever you want when you travel in Indonesia.  If you want to dress a bit more conservatively, go for it!  But it certainly is not expected or required so go ahead and pack that bikini for the beach!

What I would absolutely NOT bring to Indonesia is any type of drug.  Punishment for drug use and possession is very tough with a mandatory sentence of 4-12 years prison time.

 

FAQ

Q:  “What’s the weather like in Indonesia?”

• A:  Indonesia is generally hot and humid, with a rainy season stretching from November to March, and a drier season for the rest of the year.  Each island can have its own weather pattern, but this gives you a good starting point.

Q:  “What are the vaccination recommendations when visiting Indonesia?”

• A:  I recommend checking out the CDC website for updated information on vaccine recommendations for Indonesia.

Q:  “As a woman, how should you dress in Indonesia?”

• A:  Indonesia does not have strict dress codes.  As a woman, you can wear whatever you feel comfortable in.  On some more conservative islands, you might notice signs that request you not to wear a bikini around town (it’s okay at the beach), but just be respectful and you can dress however you feel comfortable!

Q:  “How many days should I spend in Indonesia?”

• If it’s your first time in Indonesia I would recommend a minimum of 10 days.  If you’re on a route around Southeast Asia and have unlimited time, I would recommend the maximum allotted time (per visa requirements) of 60 days.  There are so many incredible islands and adventures to have!

 

Indonesia Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Indonesia

 

I hope that you found this packing list for Indonesia helpful!  If you have any questions about packing or visiting Indonesia in general, let me know in the comments below!

 

Check out more Southeast Asian packing guides here:

• The Best Packing List for Southeast Asia
• The Ultimate Packing List for Vietnam
• The Ultimate Cambodia Packing List
• The Best Packing List for Laos
• The Best Packing List for Thailand
• The Best Packing List for Malaysia
• The Best Packing List for the Philippines

 

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For more information on things to see and do in Indonesia, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reelby searching “#ppinindonesia” or under my highlights for “Indonesia”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Indonesia” highlight

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