Indonesia

Indonesia Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s ultimate mix-and-match destination: world-famous Bali, volcanic Java, wildlife-rich Sumatra, the temple wonders of Borobudur and Prambanan, the pink beaches and Komodo dragons of Flores, and thousands of lesser-known islands where life still moves at village pace. With more than 17,000 islands and the world’s largest Muslim population, the country is incredibly diverse—religiously, linguistically, and culturally. For tourists, Indonesia can be as easy or as adventurous as you want: you can stay in a Bali beach resort the whole time, or you can go off-grid to Raja Ampat, surf in Lombok, or dive in the Gili Islands. Because distances are long, transport is often via domestic flights or boats, and ATMs or cards don’t always work everywhere, first-time visitors need practical information. This guide gives you that—money, language, SIM cards, getting around, safety, and common scams—so you can plan with confidence.

Cities, Towns & Attractions Popular with Tourists

Bali: Indonesia’s most famous destination. Beach areas (Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu), cultural Ubud, cliffside Uluwatu, rice terraces, beach clubs, waterfalls, and nearby Nusa Penida/Nusa Lembongan.
Jakarta: Busy capital, main international gateway, good for food and shopping, often a brief stop.
Yogyakarta (Central Java): Base for Borobudur (Buddhist temple complex) and Prambanan (Hindu temple). Strong arts, batik, and student culture.
Surabaya & Mount Bromo / Ijen: East Java’s volcano adventures—sunrise at Bromo, blue fire and acid crater lake at Ijen.
Lombok & the Gili Islands: Quieter alternative to Bali, good beaches and hikes; Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno for snorkeling and diving.
Komodo & Flores: Labuan Bajo is the gateway to Komodo National Park—Komodo dragons, pink beaches, and top-tier diving.
Sumatra: Lake Toba, orangutans in Bukit Lawang, wild west-coast surf spots.
Raja Ampat & West Papua: Among the best diving/snorkeling in the world (more complex and expensive to reach).
Bandung / Bogor / Malang: Cooler highland towns, tea plantations, and colonial heritage.

Good to Know

Best time to visit: Generally the dry season, May–Sep, is best for Bali and most of Indonesia. Wet season is roughly Nov–Mar (heaviest Jan–Feb) but Bali often remains very visitable.
Huge country: Don’t try to do Bali, Java, Sumatra, Komodo, and Raja Ampat in 10 days—pick 1–2 regions.
Religion & culture: Indonesia is majority Muslim, but Bali is Hindu and some eastern islands are Christian. Dress modestly outside beach areas and always in villages and mosques.
Natural hazards: Volcanoes, earthquakes, and seasonal flooding can affect travel—check local news and follow hotel or guide advice.
Cash is still important: Outside Bali, major cities, and big hotels, cash makes life easier.

Currency & Budget

Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).

Exchange rate: In 2025, 1 USD is often somewhere in the IDR 15,000–17,000 range, but it can move—check a real-time rate before you travel.

Average daily budget (approx.):

Backpacker: 30–50 USD/day – guesthouses/hostels, local warung food, motorbike rental, local ferries.
Midrange: 60–130 USD/day – nice hotels/villas in Bali or Java, a couple of paid tours or day trips, domestic flights.
Luxury: 160–350+ USD/day – private pool villas, boutique island resorts, diving trips, private drivers, Komodo boat charters.

Tipping: Not always mandatory but appreciated. Many restaurants add 5–10% service/ppn; if not, leave 5–10%. Tip drivers, guides, and boat crews for good service.

Credit card acceptance: Good in Bali, Jakarta, big malls, better restaurants, and mid-to-high-end hotels. Much weaker in small islands, remote dive spots, local eateries, and markets—bring cash.

ATMs: Widely available in cities and tourist areas. Some have low withdrawal limits (to fight fraud), so you may need multiple withdrawals. Use machines attached to banks or inside malls; bring a no/low-foreign-fee card.

Best way to get local cash: Withdraw IDR from an ATM at the airport or at a major bank, and carry smaller notes for taxis, tips, and rural areas. Avoid unlicensed money changers; use official money changers in Bali or banks.

Language & Communication

Official language: Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia).
Other languages: Hundreds of local languages are spoken—Javanese, Sundanese, Balinese, and many more.
English: Widely spoken in Bali and tourist businesses; more limited elsewhere, especially in rural Java, Sumatra, and eastern Indonesia—learn a few Bahasa basics.

SIM cards / eSIM

Main operators: Telkomsel (best coverage), Indosat, XL Axiata, and Smartfren.
Where to buy: Bali and Jakarta airports, official operator stores, convenience stores, and phone shops. Bring your passport; SIMs are typically registered.
Tourist eSIM: Easiest for short trips—buy online before arrival.
Coverage: Good in Bali, Java’s main cities, and Lombok tourist areas; can be spotty on boats, small islands, and remote diving areas—download offline maps.

Power Plugs & Voltage

Voltage: 230V, 50 Hz.
Plugs: Type C and Type F (the standard European round two-pin). Bring a universal adapter if your plugs are not compatible, and make sure your devices handle 230V.

Getting Around

Domestic flights: The fastest way to move between islands (Jakarta–Yogyakarta–Bali–Lombok–Labuan Bajo–Makassar–Medan, etc.). Book in advance for holidays (Idul Fitri, Christmas/New Year, school breaks).
Ferries & fast boats: Essential for Bali–Nusa Penida–Lembongan–Gili–Lombok runs. Use reputable operators and listen to crew briefings.
Within Bali: Private drivers, ride-hailing apps (Grab, Gojek) where available, and motorbike/scooter rentals. If you rent a scooter, wear a helmet and have the proper license.
Trains (Java): Comfortable and scenic for Jakarta–Bandung–Yogyakarta–Surabaya routes. Bookable online.
Taxis: Blue Bird and other metered taxis in big cities are reliable—avoid unmetered rides or agree the price first.

Safety

Overall: Indonesia is generally friendly and welcoming. Most visits are incident-free.
Petty theft: Watch your phone and bag in crowded areas and on beaches. Use hotel safes for passports and spare cash.
Road safety: Traffic can be chaotic; scooters are common. Always wear a helmet and avoid drunk/night rides.
Nature & weather: Pay attention to volcano warnings, marine conditions, and diving/snorkeling safety briefings.
Health: Drink bottled water, be cautious with ice in remote areas, and use mosquito repellent in malaria/dengue zones.

Common Tourist Scams & Annoyances

Airport/tourist taxi overcharging: Use official taxi counters, metered taxis (e.g. Blue Bird), or ride-hailing apps.
Money changer tricks: Only use licensed money changers; count your money before leaving the counter.
“Bat cave/secret temple/extra fee” add-ons: Confirm entrance fees and parking charges before agreeing.
Scooter rental issues: Take photos of the bike, wear a helmet, and return with the same fuel level to avoid disputes.
Unlicensed boat operators: For Komodo/Nusa Penida trips, choose reputable companies with lifejackets.

Pick two regions (for example: Bali + Nusa Penida, or Java temples + Bali, or Bali + Komodo), book your internal flights early, and Indonesia will give you beaches, culture, food, and adventure in one trip.