The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Indonesia Travel

Indonesia is the world’s largest island country, made up of over 17,000 islands and home to more than 270 million people. With hundreds of languages, dozens of unique cultures, and a rich tapestry of religions and traditions, it’s one of the most diverse countries on Earth. From ancient temples and steaming volcanoes to underwater worlds and jungle wildlife, Indonesia offers something for every traveler—whether you’re a beach bum, cultural explorer, hiker, diver, or digital nomad.

When to Visit Indonesia

Indonesia has a tropical climate with two seasons: wet and dry. The dry season (May–September) is best for most travelers, especially if you’re hiking or diving. The rainy season (October–April) varies by region and often means afternoon downpours rather than nonstop rain. July and August are peak tourist months, especially in Bali. Ramadan is also worth noting, as some areas may have limited food options during the day, while others come alive with night markets and festivities.

Understanding Indonesian Culture

Indonesia is majority Muslim, but also home to Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, and indigenous communities. Respect for elders, hospitality, and harmony are key cultural values. Each island, and sometimes each region, has its own customs, dialects, and way of life. You’ll experience traditional dances in Bali, elaborate ceremonies in Sulawesi, and puppet shows in Java. Bahasa Indonesia is the national language, and relatively easy to learn some phrases.

A Brief History of Indonesia

Indonesia has a long and complex history. Ancient kingdoms like Srivijaya and Majapahit once ruled vast parts of Southeast Asia. The islands were a key part of the Spice Trade, attracting explorers and colonizers. The Dutch colonized Indonesia for over 300 years, until independence was declared in 1945. Today, Indonesia is a democratic republic with deep historical roots and a strong sense of national identity built on unity in diversity (“Bhinneka Tunggal Ika”).

Getting to Indonesia

Most people will fly into Indonesia via Jakarta or Bali. However, there are many other international airports such as Medan in Sumatra, Surabaya in East Java, and Makassar in Sulawesi. By land, it’s possible to enter from Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, or Malaysia, but all of these crossings are for the more adventurous souls.

Indonesia for First-Timers: Visa, SIM, ATMs, and More

Visa

If you’re from one of the many eligible countries, you can get a 30-day visa on arrival, payable in USD or Indonesian rupiah and typically costs 500k IDR ~ $30. You can check visa requirements on Sherpa. This can be extended for one month once if you want to stay longer once you’re in Indonesia. However, if you plan to stay longer, it’s more convenient to apply for the 60-day e-visa online in advance. With that, you avoid the painful extension in person, and you can extend once more for another 30 days, giving you up to 90 days total.

Internet

For staying connected, go for a Telkomsel SIM card—the coverage is the best across Indonesia, and it is the only company that deals with foreigners. You can buy one by visiting a Grapari store. If you want to be online right away, consider buying an eSIM before landing. Wifi is available at airports, malls, and most accommodations, but don’t expect to find it in many other places.

Money

Like most of South East Asia, Indonesia is a big cash economy. You can sometimes use card, but often will have an extra fee. That said, always carry around some cash to pay for meals, activities, etc. Most ATMs in Indonesia have low withdrawal limits (1.5-3 M Rupiah ~ max $180), but most don’t charge fees. Some of the better banks are BNI and BRI.

The ATMs always give 100k ($6) and 50k ($3) notes, which may not seem like high denominations, but small places will often not have change. I suggest to always try to pay with the highest bill you have so that you can collect some of the smaller bills. If they don’t have change, pay with the smaller ones.

Indonesia by Region: What to Expect

Java

The heart of Indonesia—home to the current capital, Jakarta, volcanoes, temples, and about 150 million people. Best for culture, history, and adventure travel. Highlights: Yogyakarta (Borobudur, Prambanan, Mount Merapi), Bromo, Ijen, and Tumpak Sewu waterfalls. I’ve made a full guide for traveling in Java.

Kalimantan (Borneo)

Best known for orangutans and river adventures. Tanjung Puting National Park is a highlight for eco-travelers.

Bali

The most famous island, known for yoga, surfing, nightlife, and rice terraces. Still worth visiting, especially if you explore areas like Uluwatu, Amed, and Nusa Penida.

Sulawesi

A mix of diving (Bunaken), strange traditions (Toraja), and unique wildlife (tarsiers, maleo birds). Off the beaten path but worth it.

Sumatra

Wild and untamed. Great for jungle trekking in Bukit Lawang (orangutans!), surfing in Mentawai, and visiting Lake Toba.

The Maluku Islands (Moluccas)

Once the original Spice Islands, now remote and peaceful. Diving and snorkeling here are world-class. This is probably the least visited area of Indonesia – at least I don’t know of anyone who has visited.

Nusa Tenggara (Lombok, Flores, Sumbawa)

Less touristy than Bali, but just as beautiful. This is the area that is growing the most in popularity in recent years. Visit Komodo National Park for dragons and diving. Sumba and Sumbawa are both becoming surf hotspots.

Papua (West Papua)

Indonesia’s final frontier—dense jungles, tribal villages, and the incredible Raja Ampat archipelago for some of the world’s best diving. From here, it’s also possible to cross over to Papua New Guinea.

Getting Around Indonesia

Indonesia has good infrastructure in some areas, especially Bali and Java, but more remote islands can be challenging to reach. Transport ranges from modern trains and planes to ferries and bumpy minivans. Apps like 12Go Asia, Grab, and Gojek make getting around easier. In most places, you can ask your accommodation for help getting transport to the next destination.

Trains

Java’s train network is fantastic—it has one of the best train systems in Southeast Asia. It’s affordable, punctual, and scenic. You can book trains easily on apps like 12Go Asia. There are also some train lines in Sumatra and planned ones in Bali. The high-speed train from Jakarta to Bandung is a newer option that cuts travel time significantly, though it’s pricier than the regular trains. If you want to take this train, you need to download a specific app (Whoosh) and purchase your tickets in advance through it.

Ferries

Ferries connect the country, though it’s hard to find information about them online or even in person. They run on irregular schedules and are not very comfortable. For example, I tried to take a ferry from Flores to Timor, yet no one (even at the port of Labuan Bajo) could give me any information about the ferries connecting the two. I later found out that I could find information on local Facebook groups and was able to take the ferry from Timor back to Flores.

Flights

The quickest way to get around Indonesia is, of course, by plane. There are airports scattered across the country, and flights tend to be relatively affordable. However, as an overlander, I avoided this as much as possible, as there’s always something to see along the way! The best places all require some sort of transport by land anyway, as the best parts of Indonesia are out in nature.

Buses

Long-distance buses connect cities and smaller towns but vary greatly in quality. I had some decent buses, but I also had three of the worst buses of my life in Indonesia. I tend to show up at the bus station to see if I can get a better price than online, but often it’s the same as on 12GoAsia, so I learned to just book it on there when possible, so that I could 1. use my credit card and 2. have a seat saved in advance. In more remote places, it’s not possible to book online, so you’ll end up having to visit the bus station (or get a WhatsApp number) to book your spot.

Local Transport

Public transport is an experience in itself in just about any country, and Indonesia is no different. But this varies a lot from region to region. In a small town like Berastagi, there were different colored minibuses that went to different parts of town, and had people riding on the roof. In Jakarta, there is a decent metro system, though for some reason, it drives on the right. It was also difficult to navigate because I had to purchase a card before being able to ride. In Bali, we managed to navigate local buses following Google Maps.

In most major towns across the archipelago, you can use apps such as Grab or Gojek (Indonesian Uber). These tend to be very affordable, cheapest, and fastest if you opt to take the motorbike option. I highly recommend setting up cards on these apps to avoid having to fumble with money and change at the end of your ride.

These apps are not always available, and even when they are, a lot of places in Indonesia are best explored by scooter. Otherwise, you’ll need to budget for a private driver. That being said, you need to be comfortable on two wheels as they drive on the left, roads are often not in great condition, and traffic is crazy (especially in Java).

Technically, you need an international driving license and motorcycle license, though no one will ever ask you for these things. The only problem is that if you get in an accident and don’t have them, your insurance may not cover you. The best place to find a scooter rental is through your accommodation, or at places near transportation hubs such as ports, bus stations, and train stations. People will often try to rip off foreigners for this, so it’s good to know that scooter rentals are usually 35k-80k IDR ~ $2-$5 / day for the most basic ones, but these prices increase in more remote areas and for better bikes.

Major Cultural Events and Festivals

• Nyepi (Bali’s Day of Silence) – A unique Hindu celebration where the whole island shuts down for 24 hours.
• Waisak (Vesak) – Buddhist holiday celebrated at Borobudur.
• Ramadan & Eid – Observed across Indonesia, with festive family gatherings and markets.
• Toraja Funeral Ceremonies (Sulawesi) – Elaborate multi-day events that are open to visitors.

Indonesian Food You Have to Try

• Nasi Goreng – Indonesia’s national fried rice dish, often served with a fried egg.
• Rendang – A spicy, slow-cooked beef curry from Sumatra.
• Gado-Gado – A warm salad with peanut sauce.
• Satay – Grilled meat skewers with sweet and spicy sauces.
• Gudeg – A sweet jackfruit stew from Yogyakarta.
• Bakso – Meatball soup, often served by street vendors.
• Es Cendol – A refreshing dessert with coconut milk, palm sugar, and jelly.