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Tourism can have a negative impact.
Trash, loss of biodiversity and displacement of local communities for international profit.
The dry season, from April to November, is the best time to visit Indonesia. The wet season brings heavy rain, which can be inconvenient if you’re planning to hike and spot wildlife. I recommend traveling between April and June for fewer crowds and green landscapes. July and August are the busiest months, while September to November mean drier (read brown) forests and hills.
The dry hills of Lombok in October
Lombok is said to be what Bali was 30 years ago. The island is growing in popularity, but the atmosphere is still laid-back, with quiet beaches and a chill surf scene. It’s also the home of the Indigenous Sasak people and the majestic Rinjani Volcano. Most tourists hang out in Kuta, which hosts international restaurants and boutiques. The rest of the island has tons of lush nature, waterfalls and rice fields to explore, so pack your hiking boots and pick a trail!
Bali is an island of contrasts. Its southern cities like Uluwatu and Canggu are always busy with travelers, who are drawn to its European restaurants and boutiques. The center and northern side, however, are covered in dense jungles, waterfalls, the Mount Batur volcano and quieter towns and villages. Last year, Bali did welcome over 6,9 million tourists, so make sure to be a responsible traveler and give something back when visiting the already crowded island.
Java is Indonesia’s most-populated island and home to Jakarta, the country’s sinking capital. You can easily spend 3 weeks exploring the island and not get bored. It’s covered in cultural heritage, like the Borobudur Temple in Yogyakarta, and enjoys a particular breadth of explosive nature with the Bromo and Ijen volcanoes. But most of all, Java serves some of the best food in the country. Spicy and full of flavor: every meal is a feast.
You either love it, or you hate it. Gili Trawangan is Indonesia’s party island. This tiny dot in the sea is full of screensaver worthy white sand beaches and palm trees. Resorts line the coast and you can enjoy music bingo’s, club nights, and live music happy hours daily. Its many pools are perfect for relaxing and the waters around Gili T, Gili Air and Gili Meno are known for their rich marine life. However, due to over-tourism, much of this marine life has been lost and you won’t find much more than a tourist destination. Perfect for a relaxed holiday, but not great if you want to get to know Indonesia.
Nasi goreng, the best coconut rendang and satay: Indonesia has so much good food for you to try. It’s cuisine is tropical yet hearty, perfect for a hot day and one spent by the fire. These guides take you along our favorite places to eat in Indonesia. As I’ve been gluten intolerant from 2014 to 2025, I’ve included my favorite gluten free restaurants in Indonesia as well, so anyone can have the meal of a lifetime.
To enter Indonesia as a tourist, you must have a valid visa. Citizens of over 80 countries can apply for a visa on arrival (VOA) or eVOA through this website, which is valid for 30 days, and can be extended once by another 30 days. Digital nomads can apply for the C1 visa through the same website, which is valid for 60 days. With two extensions, you could stay up to 180 days.
You can get to Indonesia by boat from Malaysia when traveling to Sumatra, overland from the Philippines when traveling to Borneo, overland from Papua New Guinea, or by flying from anywhere else in the world. I always use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights whenever I’m planning a long-haul trip. Do make sure to offset your carbon when booking a flight. And if you have the time, travel over land or water and enjoy the adventure.
You can get around Indonesia by plane, train, bus and boat. Most trains run on Java and can be booked through Traveloka, which is the best online reseller of KAI railway tickets. When there is no train on the island you’re visiting, you can book a bus or a taxi through the Grab app, Indonesia’s Uber. When traveling between islands it’s best to book a ferry, for environmental reasons, but if you’re traveling far you can also opt to fly instead.
In our experience, Indonesia is very safe. I’ve never felt the need to avoid certain areas at night or pay particular attention to my valuables. The biggest threat to tourists are motor accidents or methanol poisoning. Read more about the best way to rent a motorbike to figure out whether it’s something for you, and read more about how to avoid methanol poisoning here. And as for most destinations, don’t do things you wouldn’t do at home, use sunscreen and protect yourself from mosquito bites.
While you won’t be able to do everything right, knowing what cultural etiquettes to follow will make you a more responsible and respectful traveler. In Indonesia, the following five norms are an absolute must to follow:
And above all, be respectful. Don’t make fun of people or their culture and treat elders with respect. And if you’re unsure what to do, the best thing to do is to ask a resident. It’s okay to enter a situation without the proper knowledge, as long as you’re curious, flexible and willing to learn.
Indonesia is vast. Figuring out where to stay on each island can therefore be intimidating. I always use the 8+ filter on Booking.com and read reviews before booking. But, if you’re short on time and planning to visit Java, Bali and Lombok, read my guide on my favorite hotels in Indonesia.
You should always get travel insurance when going abroad. Flights can be delayed, luggage can get lost and you might even end up in the hospital – which is what happened to me due to severe food poisoning in Nepal in 2018. Heymondo offers some of the best plans out there for short and long trips.
I’m a huge advocate for not planning too much when traveling. Most of my best travel memories came from the unexpected while loosely following an itinerary like this one. However, some travel experiences, like exploring Mount Bromo or diving on Lombok’s coast are best done with a guide. Therefore, I recommend picking a couple of must-visit destinations and booking some activities ahead of time, while leaving the rest open.
Whether you should rent a motorbike to travel around Indonesia completely depends on whether you have a motor license, your skills, and your thirst for adventure. Read this guide on renting a motorbike on Lombok if you want to know more about safety concerns, rules, and regulations.
