Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Indonesia

My first visit to Indonesia in 2024 was that of wonder and awe.  I had seen photos and videos splashed across social media, had heard of the spiritual powers of the islands, and have always been curious as to why so many digital nomads call Indonesia home.  Lucky for me, not only did I get to experience Indonesia first hand, but like so many others, I too fell in love with the country.  The beauty of each island, the kindness of the locals, the vibey cafes and breezy beach towns.  I loved Indonesia so much that I’m already counting down the time to my next trip, wondering how I am going to put even a dent in the country when it’s made up of 17,000+ islands.  But after six weeks traveling through Indonesia, I am determined to see more, experience more, explore more.  This is everything you need to know about visiting Indonesia!

 

If you’re planning a trip to Indonesia, don’t miss…

• The Ultimate 10 Day Indonesia Itinerary – Island Hopping Edition

 

Is Indonesia Worth Visiting?

Yes, Indonesia is absolutely worth visiting for its diverse attractions including stunning natural landscapes, rich cultural experiences, delicious cuisine, and warm hospitality.  It’s a country where adventure meets relaxation, offering something for everyone.  Whether you’re diving, exploring ancient architectural wonders, or soaking in the serene beauty of an Indonesian sunset, Indonesia offers a depth of experience that is hard to match.

 

Click the videos below to book my favorite travel experiences in Indonesia!

 

 

Brief History of Indonesia

Indonesia’s history is a vibrant mix of indigenous cultures and foreign influences.  For centuries, it was a hub for traders from around the world, including Indians, Arabs, and Europeans, drawn by its spice trade.  The Dutch colonized Indonesia in the 17th century, marking a long period of European rule.  Indonesia declared independence in 1945, after World War II, but it wasn’t recognized by the Dutch until 1949.  Since then, it’s grown into a diverse nation, rich in cultures and languages, and a key player in Southeast Asia.

 

I VISITED INDONESIA AS PART OF AN 8-MONTH TRIP THROUGH SOUTHEAST ASIA – YOU CAN SEE MY ITINERARY HERE

 

Safety Tips for Visiting Indonesia

As of 2023, Indonesia ranks 53rd out of 163 countries and territories on the Global Peace Index (for reference, the United States holds the 131st spot).  In my experience traveling through Indonesia, I felt perfectly safe.  Even with Indonesia being a Muslim country, I had no poor experiences with locals and Muslim law was not enforced to tourists.  I am aware that this might be different in the capital of Indonesia – Jakarta, but when it came to Bali and the Nusa and Gili Islands, I did not have any negative experiences.  None the less, here are some general safety tips to follow when traveling through Indonesia…

• Do not bring illicit drugs to Indonesia
• Make two copies your passport; keep one copy in a separate place from where you keep your passport, and leave the second copy at home with a loved one
• Forward all hotel reservations to a family member/friend so they can track where you’re supposed to be at all times
• Don’t carry all of your cash and credit/debit cards on you – keep some in your hotel room in case your purse was to be taken
• Know the number and address of the US Embassy (or whatever country you’re from).  In this case, the US Embassy is located in Jakarta, the number is +62 21 50831000 and the address is Jl. Medan Merdeka Sel. No.3-5 11, RT.11/RW.2, Gambir, Kecamatan Gambir, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10110
• Know how to dial out – the code for Indonesia is +62
• Know how to contact the police – 110; firefighters – 113; medical emergency service – 118

 

Vaccines to Get Before Visiting Indonesia

I highly recommend checking out the CDC recommendations for vaccines to get before visiting Indonesia, and making an appointment with an infectious disease doctor before traveling.

 

Travel Insurance

Another way to ensure safety during a trip is by purchasing travel insurance.  Travel insurance can cover illness, theft, airplane and hotel cancellation, and emergency evacuation services if something arises (each plan is different so make sure to see what your insurance covers before purchasing).  I used SafetyWing while traveling through Indonesia and would highly recommend it.

 

Read more about why I recommend travel insurance…

• Why You Need Travel Insurance… From a Nurse’s Perspective

 

GET YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE HERE!

 

Visa Requirements for Visiting Indonesia

To visit Indonesia, you do need a visa.  If you’re staying for less than 30 days, you can get a visa online or easily get one at the airport upon arrival.  If you choose to get an online visa, you will spend more money, but it’s much more convenient as the lines at the airport can be quite long (especially if you’re arriving in Bali).  To get a 30-day visa on arrival the cost is 500,000 IDR.

Things do become a bit more complicated if you plan to stay longer than 30 days.  For starters, you cannot get an online visa for longer than 30 days so you’ll either need to purchase a 30-day visa online or on arrival and then visit a local immigration office to extend your visa.  When you extend your visa, you will have to leave your passport at the office for 5+ days so make sure to apply for extension while you have plenty of time to wait around for your passport to be returned to you.  (I.e. don’t pop into the office in Bali a day before you’re leaving to go to Komodo because you’ll need to arrive back in Bali the day they tell you to pick up your passport).  To extend your visa you will also need to show proof of exit meaning you need to prove you’re planning to leave Indonesia before the second visa expires.  Places where I know that you can extend your visa include Jakarta, Bali, and Lombok.  I’m unsure if there are immigration offices on other islands.

And if you plan to stay in Indonesia for longer than 60 days, you must leave the country (known as a “visa run”) and re-enter to start the visa process over.

 

TO SAVE TIME AT THE AIRPORT, GET A VISA ONLINE, HERE!

 

The Best Time to Visit Indonesia

Overall, the best time to visit Indonesia is during the dry season, from May to September.  The peak tourist season falls between July and August, during the European and North American summer holidays, when places like Bali become particularly busy.  However, you must keep in mind that there are 17,000+ islands in Indonesia and due to its vast archipelago there are varied weather patterns across different islands.  While the dry season from May to September generally offers the best weather across most regions, the climate can vary.  For example, some areas might have their own microclimates, with certain regions experiencing different wet and dry seasons.  It’s always a good idea to check the specific weather patterns of the destination you’re planning to visit within Indonesia to ensure the best possible experience.

I visited Indonesia during rainy season from March-April.  There was definitely heavy rainfall and thunderstorms at this time, but I also experienced a number of perfectly sunny days.  And there were fewer tourists on the islands meaning the prices were cheaper.  If rain doesn’t put you off, this might be an enjoyable time for you to visit Indonesia.

 

Cost of Visiting Indonesia

Indonesia is a very affordable country in Southeast Asia.  But you have to keep in mind that Bali (specifically) caters to those luxury travelers.  For that reason, you can come to Indonesia on a budget or you can splurge and get a five-star experience!  If you’re planning a trip to Indonesia, I would say that you can expect to spend (on food, accommodation, and tours)…

• Budget:  $20-50/day
• Mid-Range:  $60-$90/day
• Luxury:  $100+/day

As for food, depending on what restaurant you’re at the price of a meal generally ranges from $3-$20 (with western restaurants being much more expensive than local restaurants).  Transportation varies depending on what island you’re on.  If you’re in Bali where they have Grab, then transportation is very cheap.  Otherwise, some of the smaller islands are able to charge more for taxi’s because there isn’t Grab available.  If you plan to visit different islands throughout Indonesia, taking a ferry is very affordable as well as  tours being affordable too.  Lastly, hotels, hostels, and homestays are affordable throughout Indonesia with the ability to splurge on some incredible five-star resorts.  I used Booking.com to compare hotel prices throughout the country.

 

Currency in Indonesia

Indonesia operates on the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).  At time of writing in 2024, 1 USD = 15,000+ IDR.

 

Cash vs Credit/Debit

Most everywhere in Indonesia takes credit card, but you should have cash on hand for visiting smaller islands or eating at local restaurants.  When you arrive to the airport, I suggest heading to the ATM for cash – I don’t recommend bringing your own currency and exchanging it at the airport.  Instead, use the ATM and make sure that you’ve notified your bank of travel so that you can access your account.  The best part about ATMs in Indonesia is that they don’t charge a fee so you can get a smaller amount out and go back if you need more.  Also, if the ATM asks if you want them to convert the money for you, always say “no” to avoid a higher conversion fee.

 

Tipping Practices

Most restaurants in Indonesia add on a small tip (around 5%) to your bill for the staff.  If they don’t do this, you might notice a tip jar in some places.  If you feel inclined, of course you can leave some money but don’t feel obligated.

 

How to Get to Indonesia

Indonesia has over 600 airports throughout the country, however most don’t accept major international flights.  Chances are, if you fly to Indonesia you will at least connect in Jakarta, Bali, or East Java (the three biggest airports in Indonesia).   Depending on where you’re flying from, you might also expect to connect in a larger city in Southeast Asia such as Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok or in the Middle East such as Dubai or Doha before arriving to Indonesia.

 

Tips for Getting to Indonesia from the USA

If you’re planning a trip to Indonesia from the USA your journey can be pretty long!  To make your journey more comfortable, and maybe even more affordable, here are some simple tips…

• If you live in a small city, buy a flight out of a bigger city to save money
  • For example, I live in Omaha, NE so I use points to fly to Chicago in the morning, then get a night flight out of Chicago to my destination
• If you’re flexible on travel dates, play around with dates when it comes to arriving/departing for the cheapest flight
• Look at flight prices/times if you fly from the East Coast vs the West Coast
• Open a travel credit card to earn points to potentially use for your flight
• Compare flight prices on Kayak (but don’t book through a third party)
• Purchase travel insurance (before traveling) in case anything goes wrong with your flight
• Bring a good eye mask on the airplane for a chance at some shut eye

 

How to Get Around Indonesia

Getting around Indonesia is relatively easy and affordable.  Here are some great resources…

• “Grab” for affordable taxis (not available on every island)
• Bookaway or 12Go for ferry travel to different islands
• AirAsia for affordable flight tickets throughout Indonesia
• Ask your hotel – hotels are more than happy to help you with accommodation, just make sure to ask what the price is ahead of time
• Motorbike rentals (just make sure you wear a helmet and feel comfortable driving)

 

Indonesian Food & Drink

Indonesia isn’t quite as well known for their food as some other countries in Southeast Asia so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I arrived.  While I did enjoy some of the local dishes I was more impressed with the variety of western food and healthy food.  But with that being said, Indonesian food and drink reflects the country’s diverse culture and it really depends on where you’re at to determine the types of local food served.  For example, Sumatran food often features Middle Eastern and Indian influences like curried meats, while Javanese cuisine tends to be more indigenous, with some Chinese influence evident in noodle and meatball dishes.  The cuisines of Eastern Indonesia show similarities to Polynesian and Melanesian cuisines.  Throughout its history, Indonesia has been a melting pot of culinary influences, including Indian, Middle Eastern, Chinese, and European, thanks to its strategic position in trade routes.

Indonesia has around 5,350 traditional recipes recorded.  The country is known for its complex flavors, often described as savory, hot, and spicy, with a blend of sweet, salty, sour, and bitter tastes​​.  Some of the most beloved dishes include satay (grilled skewered meats), gado-gado (a salad with peanut sauce), and various soups like soto​​.

As far as drinking goes, it’s not recommend to drink unfiltered water.  The good news is, most restaurants (especially in Bali) have water filters so instead of receiving a plastic water bottle you’ll generally be served water in glass.  To further cut down on plastic waste, I suggest bringing a reusable water bottle with you and requesting filtered water when available.

Despite being a Muslim country, as a tourist, you can drink alcohol in Indonesia.  The local wine and beer is the cheapest (about 35,000-50,000 IDR/drink) and cocktails will run about 100,000-150,000 IDR depending on what you get.

 

EXPERIENCE INDONESIA THROUGH FOOD!  SIGN UP FOR A LOCAL COOKING CLASS!

 

Language in Indonesia & Simple Phrases to Know

While the official language in Indonesia is Bahasa Indonesian, most locals (especially in hospitality) know at least enough English to get by.

When traveling, I always think it’s polite to learn a few phrases in the language of the country that you’re visiting.  Here are a few of Indonesian words that will help you get by…

• Thank you = Terima Kasih
• Hello = Halo
• Goodbye = Selemat tinggal
• Toilet = Toilet

 

What to Pack for Indonesia

Below you’ll find everything I suggest packing for a trip to Indonesia!  And if you’re wondering if you’re allowed to wear shorts in Indonesia, the answer is yes.

• Swimming suit
• Breezy dresses
• Linen outfits
• Sunglasses
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Shower shoes/beach shoes
• Eye mask for the airplane
• Reusable water bottle (to keep your water cool on hot days)
• Lock for suitcase
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen (face and body)

 

 

For a complete Indonesian packing guide, don’t miss…

• The Best Packing List for Indonesia

 

Accommodation in Indonesia

By far, the easiest way to book accommodation in Indonesia is using Booking.com.  Not only will you find a plethora of hotels but you’re also able to filter through options.  Before browsing accommodations, I always make sure that I have “free wifi”, “very good 8+ reviews”  toggled ON.  From there, I browse through accommodations and choose the best one for me.

Aside from hotels, there are also tons of great rental properties in Indonesia – especially in Bali.  I like to use VRBO when searching for rental properties.

 

If you’re planning on staying in Bali, don’t miss…

• 12 of the Best Hotels in Bali
• Staying at Nirjhara Bali – What You Need to Know

 

BOOK YOUR ACCOMODATION IN INDONESIA HERE!

 

The Best Places to Visit in Indonesia

With over 17,000 islands to choose from, there is truly no shortage of things to do and islands to visit in Indonesia.  When deciding your route through the country, my advice would be to decide whether you want a trip for lounging or activities.  If you want to lounge, focus on the smaller islands where you can easily get around and where there are plenty of beautiful beaches.  If you want a more active trip, consider a bigger island like Bali or Lombok.  Or maybe you want the best of both worlds and you’d like to visit both bigger and smaller islands.

While I didn’t love Bali, it is a convenient place to arrive to.  For this reason, I would not focus on spending a majority of my time in Bali but instead taking a boat to some of the other Nusa islands before heading for the Gili Islands.  My favorite places in Indonesia included Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, Gili Air, and Kuta in Lombok.  If you’re limited on time, Gili Air was the icing on the cake and my favorite island in Indonesia.

 

To help you plan your travels around Indonesia, don’t miss…

• How to Spend One Day in Ubud
• 25+ of the Best Tours in Bali
• 8 Things to Do in Nusa Penida
• The Best Nusa Penida 2 Day Itinerary
• 10 of the Best Things to Do in Gili Air
• Is Nusa Lembongan Worth Visiting?  A Complete Guide!

 

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

If traveling to Indonesia is on your bucket list, I hope this guide to visiting Indonesia has inspired you and helped plan your travels.  If you have any questions, let me know in a comment below!

 

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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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