Your bucket list guide to travel in Indonesia

Indonesia’s islands have many secrets to tell. If you lean in to listen, you might hear the rumbling of volcanoes and gushing of waterfalls, the sizzling of complex cuisines, the wild call of tropical forests and the silence of paradise beaches. Indonesia will have its hold on your senses as you explore the sprawling archipelago – from off-trail paths peppered with ancient ruins, to a depth of indigenous stories you won’t get from history books. What makes a bucket list adventure in this Southeast Asian gem? Our Indonesia travel guide is packed with inspiration to get you started, and with help from our local experts, you’ll soon be planning the trip of a lifetime…

Top attractions to explore in Indonesia

As you’re putting together your bucket-list Indonesia itinerary, deciding on the main themes of your trip will help you narrow down your options and which islands to visit. You’ll likely have a few highlights already in mind, which we’d recommend combining with lesser-known experiences for a vacation that’s authentic, immersive and balanced. If in doubt about what will work best for your trip, turn to our local experts for in-depth guidance that’s perfectly tailored to your needs.

Indonesia’s cultural highlights and traditions

Indonesia holds a great wealth of traditional beliefs and customs, reflecting the uniqueness of its 1,331 ethnic groups, as well as influences from its past as a Portuguese then Dutch colony. Indonesian society is based on religious pluralism: its population is predominantly Muslim, with Hindusim, Christianity, Buddhism, and Confucianism also practised alongside local religions in smaller communities. This true melting pot of diversity means a huge variety of cultural sites, events, festivals and celebrations to explore and enjoy during your visit – from Bali’s Galungan, a holiday representing the triumph of good over evil, to Vesak, a significant Buddhist celebration which takes place at the Borobudur temple in Central Java, plus more than 10,000 temples to hop across and 740,000 mosques to choose from!

A firm tenet of Indonesian culture is the value of hierarchy-based community. Family structures and clan systems are fascinating concepts to explore during your visit, and to understand these in depth, we’d recommend making a stop in the landlocked regency of Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi. For more engrossing cultural discoveries, Bali holds plenty of fascination if you know how to avoid the hotspots sadly plagued by overtourism. See the island from a different angle by diving into its deeply engrained traditions, steeped in spirituality and ritualistic practises. Balinese locals adhere to a unique form of Hindusim rooted in animism and ancestor worship, and give vibrant, handcrafted offerings (or bantens) as a way of expressing their gratitude. You’ll see these at every turn during your time on the island, as they form a big part of both ceremonies and day-to-day lives.

Take a culinary journey through Indonesia

Indonesia is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world, and you won’t be surprised to find this expressed in its food. From one region to the next, Indonesian food is a rich symphony of time-honoured recipes and historical influences. Whether you’re sampling Sumatran Padang specialties infused with Indian and Middle Eastern flavours, or braving the intense spices of Manadonese cuisine in North Sulawesi, you’ll soon find Indonesian food isn’t for the faint of heart.

A deliciously complex and aromatic blend of spices, herbs and creamy coconut, Indonesian food pulls together salty, sweet, hot, and sour flavour profiles for a gastronomic experience filled with wonder and surprise. Spice is a way of life amongst Indonesians, so you’ll often find sambal chilli paste served alongside mains. Speaking of the latter, whether you’re after fine dining experiences or curbside street food, be sure not to leave without having sampled gado-gado (salad dressed with peanut sauce), spicy beef rendang, soto ayam (chicken and turmeric rice noodle soup), and the classic nasi goreng (Indonesian fried rice). Dishes can be served in a way which favours communal dining and bonding; you may well find yourself tucking into a traditional Javanese Liwetan feast, where large food portions are assembled onto a banana leaf for all to enjoy together, cutlery-free!

Don’t forget to leave room for dessert, an equal reflection of Indonesia’s brilliant diversity: fried bananas (known locally as pisang goreng), klepon (coconut-topped glutinous rice balls filled with palm sugar), and kue lapis (colourful steamed rice cake) are a few popular favourites. For the ultimate sweet treat, work your way up to a bowl of es campur, a shaved ice delicacy topped with syrup, condensed milk, coconut, grass jelly, and all manner of fruit.

Outdoor activities and adventures in Indonesia

With 147 volcanoes soaring across Indonesia’s landscape, avid hikers will find more exciting climbs here than they could ever need to conquer. Soul-stirring sunrises, vibrant ecosystems, sprawling vistas, and associated folkloric tales of gods and spirits – there’s so much more to these volcanoes than their trekking trails. In East Java, the active Mount Bromo is one of the country’s most sought-after and is best attempted with help from a seasoned guide. A more achievable hike for most ages, Mount Batur and its striking Balinese surroundings (notably Mount Agung in the distance) can be enjoyed in around three hours. Agung itself, while no easy feat, is a formidable challenge for experienced hikers looking to ascend to the Roof of Bali; equally worthwhile is Mount Rinjani on Lombok, where the tough climb is rewarded with most breathtaking caldera views.

Also on hand for hiking (and wildlife) enthusiasts, the trails of Komodo National Park across the eponymous island offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to encounter wonderful wildlife – especially the popular Komodo dragon, the world’s biggest lizard and an unforgettable creature to witness in its natural habitat, surrounded by a surreal landscape of volcanic hills, savannahs and mangroves. For wildlife-spotting of a different kind, you’ve of course the lovable and iconic orangutan, best observed on its native islands of Sumatra and Borneo.

Indonesia offers a rainbow of water sport activities; it is often considered one of the world’s best destinations for diving. Komodo, Raja Ampat, Alor Island, and Nusa Penida’s Crystal Bay (home of the odd giant sunfish) are just a few unique favourites for marine wildlife-spotting, while Banua Wuhu – a submarine volcano in the Sangihe Islands – is on hand for a thrilling diving experience in the Ring of Fire.

Leisure-seekers will relish the serenity of a kayaking excursion through mangrove ecosystems, or an immersive sea walking experience. High-adrenaline types will have lots to choose from as well, with flyboarding, jet skiing, wakeboarding, parasailing, and white water rafting all on hand – for the latter, Bali’s Ayung River combines manageable rapids with Ubud’s striking jungle scene. If you’re after more ways to immerse yourself in Bali’s outdoor landscape, our Bali travel guide breaks down four memorable options, from meeting sacred monkeys to bathing in natural hot springs.

The best time to visit Indonesia

As an archipelagic state made of more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia has a tropical yet diverse climate. While largely hot year-round, weather conditions can vary depending on the specific regions you choose to visit. You can expect higher average temperatures of around 28 degrees Celsius along the coast, and averages of around 23-25 degrees Celsius across inland and mountainous regions.

While temperatures are consistently high throughout the year, Indonesia’s monsoon season between November and March brings the largest amount of rainfall, with increased humidity and risks of flooding and thunderstorms. For ideal sightseeing conditions, you’ll want to plan your visit during the dry season between April and October. The shoulder season (March-April and October-November) is also a great time of year to plan around: while the weather may be more unpredictable and the average temperatures cooler, you’ll see fewer tourist crowds and better prices.

Indonesia travel guide: what to know before you go

Indonesian people are friendly and welcoming, but just like in any other part of the world, you’ll want to keep note of key etiquette tips as you get around and interact with the locals, respecting their customs and habits which may at first seem unfamiliar. We’ve highlighted a few dos and don’ts below, to help you avoid mishaps and causing offence:

• Watch how you dress: while main tourist areas are liberal enough for you to enjoy wearing what you like, be sure to respect a more conservative dress code in remote regions and, of course, places of worship. Women should cover their shoulders and wear a long skirt or trousers; some temples may require you to wear a sarong and waist sash.
• Also in places of worship and before entering someone’s home, remember to remove your shoes as a sign of respect.
• Indonesia is a predominantly Muslim country, so contact between men and women is discouraged except to shake hands, and public displays of affection tend to be considered as indecent.
• Don’t use your left hand when touching a person or when handing someone gifts, as it is generally considered unclean. The locals commonly use their hands to eat, and so the same rule applies when touching food.
• Tipping is not common or expected, but encouraged especially where good service is given for a reasonable price.

Public transport in Indonesia is fairly limited, so when it comes to planning your travels between destinations, most journeys will require either a hire car or private transfer – a local driver-guide will be able to navigate any difficult road conditions you might encounter along the way. Bus connections are widely available and affordable, while the best rail network can be found mainly across the island of Java. When it comes to island-hopping, Indonesia’s coastal cities are well-connected by boat as well as by ferry services, while local airlines operate regular flights between islands.

Make it happen

Has our Indonesia travel guide inspired you to start putting together a bucket list-ticking itinerary? Read our guide to the main islands of Indonesia to help you research and plan your itinerary further, and get in touch with one of our local experts today – they’re ready and waiting, filled with knowledge about their home country, to help plan your trip.