Indonesia Travel Guide, 6 Best Places To Visit In Indonesia.
Indonesia is a land of active volcanoes and white-sand beaches.
Indonesia is one of the most beautiful island nations in Southeast Asia. It’s one of the largest island countries in the region of the Indian and Pacific oceans. Surrounded by beautiful beaches and active volcanos, there is everything you want to have a pleasant stay. In this article, you will learn a lot about how to make an Indonesian travel itinerary. We’ll also talk about religion, currency, language, and the most visited destinations in Indonesia.
Indonesia is an archipelago, the world’s largest island country, area-wise and It is considered the 14th largest country in the World. It consists of five major Islands and 30 smaller groups so altogether it has 17500 islands. This major peninsula is located between the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean, maritime bordering Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Australia, and India.
A beautiful landscape with its magnetic sea view boosts tourism. Here one can enjoy some hidden beaches, beautiful lakes, and mountains which will be a lifetime memory. The friendly people of the country make it a vibrant and tourist-friendly destination. In small cities, you will get a glimpse of traditional culture, which includes local’s religious values and delicious food.
Things to know
Time zone: Jayapura (GMT+9), Bali, Indonesia (GMT+8)
Currency: Indonesian Rupiah, (Current exchange rate)
Languages: Bahasa Indonesia
Country calling code: +62
Police helpline: 110/112
Medical helpline: 118/119
How to reach Indonesia?
There are multiple airlines, which provide their services to Indonesia, on a regular basis. Air India, Asiana Airlines, China Southern Airlines, All Nippon Airways, China Eastern Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, and many others. There are around 12 airports in Indonesia, some of the popular are Denpasar, Jakarta, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Makassar, and so on you can book your flight based on your destination. Flight tickets cost vary depending on where are you traveling and which city you are going to land in Indonesia.
Indonesia is also connected through various sea routes, you can get ferries from neighboring countries. Please check the timing and visa requirements before you book ferry tickets. This option may not be comfortable based on travel time and the sea conditions and this is suitable for those who are traveling a short distance. There is one ship, which sails from Singapore to Batam Island in Indonesia.
Indonesia tourist visa price
Indonesia attracts millions of tourists every year, and the tropical island nation provides various visa options. For international visitors, the Indonesian tourist visa fee starts from the US $35. There are various visa options are available, which depend on your stay period. Indonesia also provides visas on-arrival services for its visitors, please check if your country is listed for the service.
One can also extend the Indonesia Tourist Visa with an additional payment, which is very convenient for those who want to stay there for a longer period of time and you can pay the visa fee in USD. (Please visit the official website for all current information about Indonesia Tourist Visa Prices).
How to exchange Indonesian currency?
The Indonesian currency is called Rupiah, and if you are traveling to Indonesia you should have a little knowledge about the local currency. Indonesia is comparatively cheaper than other Asian countries, and yet offers a decent for its visitors. I would advise you to carry USD with you and don’t covert money at the airport, as you will not get a good rate there.
Most of the visitors start their trip from Bali, there are lots of currency stores are available. BMC Seminyak (Kantor Pusat) and MPB Money Changer are some of the very popular exchange stores in the Kuta area of the city.
Currency exchange stores in Indonesia’s major cities
Dua Sisi Money Changer (Jakarta)
Address: Grand Indonesia West Mall, Menteng, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia (location)
Opening hours: 10am to 9:30pm
MPB Money Changer (Bali)
Address: Jl. Kartika Plaza No.99, Kuta, Kec. Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Indonesia (location)
Opening hours: 8am to 10pm
Star Multi Exchange (Medan)
Centre Point Mall lantai LG-P05, Jl. Jawa, Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia (location)
Opening hours: 10am to 7:50pm (Sunday: 12pm-7:50pm)
What is the best time to visit Indonesia?
The best time to visit Indonesia is between June to August. You can avoid traveling during the rains but it’s the cheapest time to visit Indonesia. The wet season starts in November and till March and you may not feel comfortable during this time. Rest of the year you may feel the heat but still, you can explore a lot in the country.
Best places to visit in Indonesia
Indonesia is a paradise for millions of travelers, they enjoy beautiful nature with low cost-effective living. People from all across the globe come here for their holiday, because of its culture, peaceful nature, food, and spectacular views. There are lots of things to do in Indonesia apart from beach and volcano tours, you can visit some of the most ancient temples.
Indonesia is also popular among adventure travelers, it has a lot of well-maintained mountain treks with beautiful views. The second-highest mountain in Indonesia Mount Rinjani, which is around 3,726 meters tall is one of the most visited treks in the country. You can trek with the beautiful view of the Segara Anak Caldera Lake and its crystal clear blue water and believe me, it’s going to be an unforgettable trek of your life.
There are many tourist destinations in Indonesia, if you are an offbeat traveler, Java and Sumatra would be the best options for you to visit. Pura Besakih, Borobudur, Sewu Temple, and a few other temples, are highly popular among tourists in the country. There are some temples that you will find in every visitor’s Instagram profile and they are amazing. One of them is heaven gate in Bali and it’s also the most visited place in Indonesia.
1. Bali
Bali is the most visited destination in Indonesia and is famous among young travelers. Beautiful beaches and ancient Hindu temples surround the island. Covered by volcanic hills and lush terraced rice fields, Bali is famous for its laid-back atmosphere. Bali attracts millions of backpackers and surfers from across the world.
Bali is also known as the Island of the Gods and attracting spiritual seekers for a long time. There are over thousands of Hindu temples with magnificent architecture mesmerizing its visitors. The island will be overcrowded during the peak tourist season, which mostly starts during the month of August. Most tourists start their Indonesia travel from Bali because of the multiple flight option.
2. Gili Islands
A very heard name, Gili Island is one of the most beautiful islands in this part of the country. It’s a group of three islands, Gili Meno, Gili Trawangan, and Gili Air. If you want to stay away from the crowd of Bali then Gili can be your next destination with lots of beautiful beaches. This island is very close to Bali and can be easily accessed by boats which you will find at regular intervals from Bali.
Surfers prefer Canggu or Nusa Lembongan and Gili Islands is heaven for divers. The magnificent reef surrounding the three islands is a lifetime experience. Gili attracts diving and snorkeling enthusiasts from across the globe. Gili Trawangan is the busiest in the three islands, and if you want a vacation away from the crowd Gili Air would be the best option for you.
3. Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta is the traditional arts and cultural heritage center of Indonesia. The city is located on Central Java Island, Borobudur complex, and Prambanan temple are some of the most visited places in Yogyakarta. There is a lot to do for tourists, theater and live performances are some of the most loved activities in the city.
The main city street is a hub for street food, puppet makers, and street art. Yogyakarta has witnessed multiple volcano eruptions and earthquakes. You can also take a Merapi Lava Tour which takes you to the nearby village where you can see the hardened lava. 3-4 days are enough to explore Yogyakarta and the city streets can be seen on foot by walking.
4. Komodo National Park
Komodo National Park is located in the Nusa Tenggara region of Indonesia. The national park is famous for the Komodo dragon. Komodo National Park is a group of three main islands, Komodo, Rinca, and Padar. There are many other species, like fruit bats, long-tailed macaques, and dangerous snakes live in this park.
You can also see the marine life in Komodo National Park and it’s really worth visiting. The national park is home to over 250 species of coral and rare bony fishes. Komodo is also home to orange-footed scrub fowl and the Timor deer apart from the Komodo dragon.
5. Lombok
Lombok is a beautiful island close to Bali and it’s among the first choice for surf and hiking enthusiasts. The beautiful island offers stunning beaches and scenic hiking trails. Lombok is heaven for hiking, snorkeling, and surfing and thus attracts millions of adventure enthusiasts and laidback tourists.
Most of the tourists start and finish their journey from Bali but if you want to explore and experience some of the untouched parts of Indonesia, please visit Lombok Island. I would highly recommend you take out 3 to 4 days on your Indonesia travel itinerary and visit the magnificent island. Enjoy surfing on the high waves of Lombok or just relax on the white sand beaches and enjoy the street shopping.
How to reach Lombok?
Flight: Take a direct flight from Jakarta or Bali, which will cost around US $120.
Ferry: Take a ferry from Bali, which can cost you around US $20-30. There are many ferry service provider and you can book your ferry tickets online.
6. Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park
Indonesia is the land of beautiful beaches, ancient temples, and some amazing landscapes. There are many places where you can witness active volcanoes in the country and Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is one such destination. Locate in East Java this national park is famous for its magnificent sunrise trek and the volcano crater.
There are many jeep services that take you to the beautiful trek at an affordable price. If you want to see the beautiful sunrise, please reach early, or else you may not get a place because of the huge crowd. Ideally, it takes around 4 hours to finish the trek but always keep some extra time because after sunrise you may encounter a traffic jam.
Important apps to download
GrabFood online food delivery app
GrabTaxi app-based taxi
MTR Jakarta, Public transportation
Google translate
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