Indonesia, the country of so many different cultures, people, animals, plants, art and food that it looks like you are in 100 countries at the same time. The country extends 5,000 kilometers along the equator, making it a hugely versatile country. The country has 17,508 islands of which around 6,000 are inhabited, but all differ in nature, culture and inhabitants.
More than 7 million foreigners visit Indonesia every year. And rightly so; Indonesia is really beautiful. It has 55,000 Kilometers of beautiful beaches, more than 17,000 islands, the most beautiful diving and snorkeling locations in the world, dense rain forests, countless volcanoes and a wide range of flora and fauna.
In addition to the beaches, islands and seas, Indonesia has a huge number of mountains and volcanoes. The most famous volcanoes that you can visit are Gunung Agung, Bromo volcano and the Gunung Rinjani.
The area where most of the volcanoes are is also called the “Ring of Fire”. If you are not a nature lover (which is almost unthinkable in Indonesia), the country has many traditions and cultural attractions.
Before you pack your bag or suitcase and leave for Indonesia, it is advisable to check whether you need a visa. One of the easiest ways is the tourism purpose only visa. Passport holders from 170 jurisdictions can travel through Indonesia for 30 days without a visa. We created a world map with visa requirements
The costs of traveling in Indonesia are not very high. Travelers can see and do a lot for just US$30 a day. The price level is comparable with, for example, Thailand or countries such as Guatemala if you want to look for it outside of Asia. Are you going to travel or vacation to Indonesia
Whether you go to Bali for a week or want to visit all the islands of Indonesia for a year, you will want to have the nicest weather. It is a huge country which means the weather is not that easy to predict. The high season in Indonesia falls in the months of April to
Because of the many islands that Indonesia has, you will need to use various means of transport during your journey. It takes some time to travel between different islands. The way you travel depends largely on your budget and preferences. Because the country is so huge and some islands are far apart, traveling is different
Unfortunately, most travelers don’t have the time to see the whole of Indonesia because the country is very large! The Borobudur is one of the most beautiful temples in Asia, the Komodo lizards are only found in Indonesia and the diving and snorkeling locations are among the most beautiful in the world.
The country is so big that it looks like you are in a continent instead of a country. For most travelers it is not a good idea to visit all the highlights of Indonesia during one trip.
Even if you travel around here for a year, there will still be places that you cannot visit. But that is also the charm of the country.
Do you have a minute? There is so much to see here! You can relax on the beaches of Bali or surf on Sumbawa, take walks through the jungle of Sumatra or enjoy the beautiful sunrise at Prambanan.
What highlights do you want to see during your vacation? The only thing we can do is to list the most beautiful, fun and special highlights of Indonesia.
After spending some days in gorgeous Munduk, we decided to travel to the east of Bali. In the cozy village of Sidemen, you literally stay between the rice fields, and in the distance, you can see the impressive Mount Agung. This fantastic landscape and the relaxed, village atmosphere makes it easy to linger around in
Near Lombok and just east of Bali lie the tropical islands of Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno, also known as the Gili Islands. Gili Meno is the ultimate place to experience real island life, without the many (night) bars that you find on Gili Trawangan, for example. we went snorkeling with sea turtles, walked
Of all those 17,508 Indonesian islands, the 28 islands of Karimunjawa are definitely worth putting on your bucket list. Karimunjawa is about a 2-hour speedboat ride from the mainland of Central/North Java. Chances are that you have never heard of the archipelago before because tourism is still in its infancy here. That means simple accommodations,
Semarang, located in the north of Central Java, with 1.5 million inhabitants, is one of the larger and busier cities in Indonesia. On the other hand, it is not a well-known attraction of Java, as Jakarta, Bandung, and Yogyakarta are. You hardly see Westerners there. Therefore, if you are in the city, chances are that
Kuta is one of the most famous beach resorts in Bali. Here you can do everything you can think of. Sunbathing, shopping, diving, surfing, going out, you name it. Over the years, it has become one of the most important seaside resorts in Indonesia. It is not loved by everyone because of the many
Kuta is located in the south of Lombok and is a super cozy town with many nice restaurants and a very nice atmosphere. Chances are you’ll never want to leave here after the first day. We have been in Kuta for 3 days to explore the south of Lombok and afterward regretted not staying much
Uluwatu is an absolute must-visit if you are looking for beautiful (surf) beaches, limestone cliffs, and mouth-watering views. In our opinion, this region is the most rugged you will find in Bali. And the great thing is that you can drive there from the airport in about 45 minutes. This is exactly what we
After Labuan Bajo, Ruteng is a logical destination to add to your journey across Flores. The village itself, surrounded by hills, is not that exciting, but the area around it is more than worth it. Rent a scooter and discover how beautiful the region is. You will find beautiful rice terraces, waterfalls, and primitive villages
Amed is a kilometer-long coastal strip in Bali that consists of several small seaside resorts. Amed Village, the busiest place, is one of them. Other popular villages for tourists are Jemeluk and Lipah. The beaches are full of authentic wooden fishing boats that stand out beautifully against the green hills and the occasional turquoise
Pulau Hatta is an island you’ve probably never heard of before. If you are on Ambon or Banda Neira, you will soon hear people talking about it. It is one of the Banda Islands, a downright scenic place where you can snorkel/dive in an underwater paradise, go on an adventure in the jungle, or
After a few weeks of rest in Ubud, we thought it would be a nice idea to take a trip to the north of Bali. We had already read some things about Munduk and we quickly decided that we wanted to go there. And we can already tell you: this is really a beautiful
Below Bali you will find three fantastic islands: Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan (which are connected by a bright yellow bridge) and a little further away lies the largest island, Nusa Penida. In this article, we are happy to show you why you should take the boat from Sanur to the Nusa’s and what you don’t
Do you want to go from Bali to Nusa Penida? From Sanur, which is located on the east coast of Bali, you can easily travel by fast boat to the Nusa Islands. The Nusa Islands are three islands that lie just below Bali: Penida, Lembongan, and Ceningang. Nusa Penida is a more adventurous island and
Nusa Penida is a top tropical destination that we first visited in 2018. We got there after the rather disappointing stay on Gili Air. And how glad we were that we made that choice. Because really, this is one of the most beautiful and special destinations we’ve been to date. Without exaggeration. The
If you are in Indonesia and you’re going backpacking in Bandung and surroundings, you can prepare yourself for beautiful vast landscapes including volcanoes, crater lakes, and the typical green tea plantations. But that is not all, there are also great options for shopping and delicious food. Regardless of what there is to do, it
Indonesia has no less than 130 active volcanoes and the Bromo on the island of Java is by far the most popular. The location of the volcano in the miles-wide Sea of Sand is very impressive. There are two more volcanoes in this gigantic sandplain and together they form the backdrop for one of the
Besides the famous Bromo volcano, the Ijen volcano is also one of the most beautiful volcanoes in Indonesia. Visiting one, or both is a must during your trip to this beautiful country. We often see the same question pop up: Should I visit Bromo or Ijen? If you’re facing this same dilemma, read our blog
In recent years, Bali has become one of the most touristy destinations in Southeast Asia. But what if you visit this versatile island, and just need a place to be one with nature and want to avoid the crowds? Good news, because Bali also has options to travel off the beaten track. Kanciana Village
As soon as you arrive and walk through the busy streets, you immediately notice that you are in one of the most trendy and relaxing coastal towns in Bali: Canggu! It is a mecca for surfers, a hipster paradise, yoga hotspot, backpackers heaven, digital nomad hub but also an ideal place for those who just
If you opted for the paid Visa On Arrival (VOA) when entering Indonesia, you can extend it by 30 days, allowing you to stay in the country for a total of 60 days. The same goes for Bali. You have several options to extend your visa, for example, we recently did it in Ubud.
Maumere may be the largest city on Flores, but not much is known about it. For most tourists, it is only the start or endpoint of their journey across the island. It’s a shame that most tourists choose not to explore this city. We stayed longer and came into contact with locals who
Seminyak is a trendy seaside resort near Kuta where you can relax on the beach, get a massage in one of the many spas or have a drink in a nice beach club. Furthermore, there are great options for shopping and it’s possible to surf here. Where Kuta and Canggu are mainly visited by
Renting a scooter in Bali is something many backpackers do when they are on Indonesia’s most popular island. And rightly so, it is an ideal destination to cruise over on a scooter and thus arrive at the most unexplored places. Think, for example, of the beautiful Jatiluwih rice fields or the soothing environment of Sidemen.
You’ve probably heard of the term “island hopping”, but have you ever heard of “temple hopping”? Visiting temples is something you should definitely do when you are in Bali. You will find thousands spread over the entire island. Indian people also call temples “Pura”. That is why the names of the buildings often start
If you are visiting Bali, then a visit to the artistic Ubud is a must. The town is located in the middle of the rice fields and breathes art, culture, and pure nature. Ubud is incredibly green, there is a great vibe, you will find impressive Hindu temples almost everywhere, you can eat delicious
The Kelimutu Volcano with its three colored crater lakes is, without a doubt, one of the most famous attractions on Flores. The crater lakes each have their own unique color and are located at an altitude of about 1,600 meters. A visit during the sunrise is an absolute highlight because from the highest point you
Bajawa is a town on Flores that is best known for the traditional villages that can be found there. But there is so much more. You can even camp in a unique location in the mountains. From your tent, you have a view of mountains that are covered with tropical rainforest. In addition, there are
You often hear the residents of Flores talk about Koka Beach. They are proud of it. Many of them say this bay is one of the top destinations you’ll find on the island. We expected a lot of tourists to see a lot of tourists there, but surprisingly this turned out not to be the
The Komodo Islands (or the Komodo National Park) in Indonesia are so incredibly beautiful that we don’t even want to write about them. This is a place that you would prefer to keep secret and certainly not want to share with the rest of the world. On the other hand, we are all about spreading
Labuan Bajo is a small harbor town on the west coast of Flores. It won’t remain small for long because Flores is growing at a rapid pace. More and more tourists are finding their way to this beautiful island in Indonesia and all start their journey in Labuan Bajo. It’s not only the place to
Flores is one of the lesser-known islands of Indonesia, but it’s definitely worth a visit. The island is a lot less touristy than, for example, Bali or Sumatra. For those looking for complete relaxation and beautiful natural phenomena, Flores is the ideal destination. Akisoto on Flores We came to Flores because we went on
The much less visited island of Sumbawa is located between Lombok and Flores. It is definitely not a small island, Sumbawa is about half the size of Belgium. Still, it only has about 1 million inhabitants. This is mainly due to the landscape, which consists of huge mountains and impressive volcanoes. Cultural highlights are not
The Moluccas are one of the most beautiful regions of Indonesia. Everyone travels to islands like Bali, Java, Lombok, or Sulawesi. And as beautiful as they are, they are also fairly developed. If you really want something different, the Moluccas is definitely an option. We have been there and are happy to share our route
Seram is one of the largest islands in the Moluccas. The Moluccans call the island Nusa Ina, which means “mother island”. According to the old folk tales, all Moluccans originally come from this island. Seram was the great surprise of the Moluccas for us. It is one of the largest islands in the region, but
The Banda islands are becoming more and more famous in Indonesia. They are among the most beautiful islands in the country. With a combination of natural beauty, friendly inhabitants, fascinating history, and a beautiful underwater world, these ten islands are among the most beautiful in all of Indonesia. It is one of the best snorkeling
The Moluccas (or Maluku islands) are some of the best known, but least visited islands in Indonesia. Everyone has heard of them, but you hardly ever meet travelers who have actually been there. This is because the Moluccas are not yet on the radar of many travelers. Quite strange, because these undiscovered islands are among
Everyone has a list of places they would like to visit again or things they would like to do again. Spotting Gorillas in Uganda, visiting Machu Picchu, Bhutan, climbing the Rinjani volcano, and so on. One thing has been at the top of our list for years, visiting the Mentawai Islands. Not the most obvious
In our whole quest to find the best places in Asia, we have been to many beautiful beaches. From the Perhentians in Malaysia to Star Beach in Phu Quoc. But Gili Nanggu, one of the still hidden gems of Lombok in Indonesia, remains one of our favorites. When we think about it or look back
The Gili Islands are probably the most famous islands in Indonesia. Almost everyone who makes a trip to Bali or Lombok ends up on the Gili islands. The most popular island among travelers is Gili Trawangan. “In the past” this island was a paradise for backpackers looking for pristine beaches and great parties. The parties
Years ago, the Gili Islands became a popular backpacker destination. They looked for a place to escape the crowds and went looking for parties with drugs, alcohol, and beaches. That is also what the Gili’s were known for at the time, especially Gili Trawangan, but times have changed (for the better). Today, you will find
The tropical small island of Pulau Weh is just an hour’s boat ride away from Banda Aceh, the northernmost province of Sumatra. A jungle paradise surrounded by beautiful white beaches. The main reason to come to Pulau Weh is for the beaches and for snorkeling and diving. You can admire the most beautiful tropical fish,
The special region of Tana Toraja is located in the southeast of Sulawesi. The culture in this region is without a doubt unique. Life of the locals here revolves around one thing: death. They have been saving their entire lives to have the best funeral possible for their deceased loved ones. The houses with boat-shaped
North Sumatra is one of the leading tourist destinations in Indonesia. In this province, you can find an area that offers plenty of natural charm; Berastagi. This city, flanked by Mount Sinabung and Mount Sibayak, is known to have a cool atmosphere with beautiful natural scenery. The better-known Mount Sinabung probably rings a bell
Padang is the provincial capital of West Sumatra. It also has the largest port on the west coast. There is a lot to do in Padang, you can get acquainted with the culture of the Minangkabau, see ancient architecture, visit one of the beautiful beaches or enjoy nature in the Kerinci Seblat National Park.
Berastagi is a market town in the “cold” Karo highlands. The city itself is not that special, but the surroundings of Berastagi are really beautiful! In the area are two active volcanoes that form the landscape. This makes the soil in the area very fertile, and this is reflected in the many plantations that you’ll
The Kerinci Valley is gorgeous, perhaps the most beautiful thing Sumatra has to offer. However, there are few tourists in this area. The people who go there discover beautiful panoramas of mountains, tea plantations (the second-highest and largest in the world), waterfalls, lakes, and jungles of the Kerinci Sablat national park. The valley and
When we were planning our trip through Sumatra it soon became clear that we would travel to Lake Toba. The city (airport) of arrival was already known, that would be Medan because it is easy to fly there (less than 40 minutes) from Kuala Lumpur. We arranged private transport from Medan to Lake Toba and
The Indonesian city of Medan is one of the largest cities in Sumatra and has a rich Dutch history. Nowadays, however, it is a hectic city where most travelers do not linger for too long. If you decide to spend some time here, there’s still enough to see and do. Medan does not enjoy
For travelers who love natural beauty and spotting wildlife, Bukit Lawang is a true paradise on earth. The region is known for its great biodiversity. Here, you’ll find wild rhinoceroses, tapirs, elephants, tigers, and leopards. But the park is mainly known for its great apes; the orangutans. One of the best things to do here
Bukit Lawang is one of the most famous “stops” in Sumatra. It is not surprising, because it is a beautiful place, in the middle of the jungle of the island. There are few places in Indonesia with such a relaxed atmosphere as here. And all in the middle of the beautiful jungle of Sumatra.
Indonesia is a country that is visited by many people. Because it consists of so many islands, it is a bit different to travel here. Where in Thailand you can book a bus or train on every corner of the street, that is a bit different in Indonesia. This makes traveling through the country challenging. We have a number of tips for you.