Dreaming of a trip to Indonesia? Which places should you choose? Here are 10 tips for visiting Indonesia. Thousands of islands (some say over 1,800) make up Indonesia, a country in Southeast Asia. As you travel through some of the most beautiful islands in the world, you'll encounter everything from Komodo dragons to paradisiacal beaches, Bali's rice fields, and spiritual baths... This is a trip to Indonesia to awaken all your senses. And it will be an unforgettable one!
10 TIPS FOR VISITING INDONESIA
1 – A dream trip through Indonesia
On a trip to Indonesia, a stop in Bali is a must. Its cultural diversity captivates us, and Ubud deserves a closer look. However, it's also the starting point for exploring Flores Island and the small island of Rinca. From here, the suggested itinerary takes in Padar Island, with a hike and panoramic views, and then Komodo Island for a pink beach and a chance to spot the magnificent Komodo dragons.
If swimming with manta rays is one of your dreams, Manta Point is a must-see.
The island of Lombok and Gili Trawangan (one of the three famous Gili Islands) are also must-sees on an itinerary that showcases some of Indonesia's most beautiful places.
2 – A pink beach?
On Komodo Island, Indonesia, Pink Beach is one of the world's greatest curiosities! The turquoise water contrasts with the pink color produced by microscopic organisms (Foraminifera) that give the coral reefs their pink hue. As the island's name suggests, this is the home of Komodo dragons, and therefore, this is where they can be seen. There are more Komodo dragons than inhabitants on the island. This is another of the 10 tips for visiting Indonesia.
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3 – The islands to visit
Choosing just a few Indonesian islands to visit would mean missing out on hundreds. But if we had to choose for a country itinerary, we'd pick: Bali, Komodo, Flores, Rinca, Padar, Lombok, and Gili Trawangan (one of the Gili Islands). All of them have distinct charms and deserve at least a visit (some with only day tours), while others deserve a longer stay to truly experience the atmosphere. One of the places to stay longer is Lombok, where you can enjoy activities like visiting a village and interacting directly with its inhabitants. A unique opportunity to learn more about the local history and culture.
4 – The mesmerizing Bali
Those who visit Bali say they're never the same person again. Beyond the island's spiritual richness, Bali is a melting pot of unforgettable experiences, from culture to gastronomy and even a more bohemian lifestyle, with bars and nightlife.
From rice fields to temple visits and spiritual baths, Bali also boasts a strong focus on preserving cultural activities, so you can enjoy traditional music, song, and dance performances (Kecak and Gamelan). Bali also offers more extreme experiences like mud wrestling—are you ready to get dirty?!—and 9-kilometer whitewater rafting. Pure adrenaline!
5 – Spiritual baths
Spirituality (and religion) is very present in the daily lives of Indonesians. This more relaxed lifestyle includes spiritual baths that aim to cleanse the soul and bring a greater connection to the present. There are several places where you can take this spiritual bath, such as in Ubud. Near temples, where you can pray, you can also enjoy spiritual cleansing in the waters (considered pure).
6 – Retreats in Bali
Whether through religion or a lifestyle more closely linked to nature, spirituality is deeply felt in Indonesia. This makes it a popular destination—especially Bali—for retreats and yoga programs (as is the case in India). One of the 10 tips for visiting Indonesia is to take a yoga class in Ubud. These are moments of introspection, where you escape the routine and stress of everyday life to take better care of your body and mind—usually through yoga and meditation classes, as well as vegetarian or vegan meals featuring local produce.
7 – The view from Padar Island
Padar, a small strip of land between the Komodo and Rincha islands, is the third largest island in Komodo National Park. As such, it's a profusion of vegetation that we can experience here. There are several mountains, some of which can be climbed on foot—a beautiful walk of only about 40 minutes—leading to one of the most beautiful panoramic views in Indonesia. From the summit, you can see the entire island, as well as the beauty of its beaches and incredible turquoise bays.
8 – Activities and adventure
Because many of the travel programs in Indonesia involve several islands, you'll have to take some boat trips (and others by plane), which in themselves make for memorable trips.
And, with these turquoise waters, snorkeling (and diving) is almost mandatory, as these clear waters allow for a perfect view of the seabed, the fish (there's a special spot where you can swim with manta rays, Manta Point) and its coral reefs.
In Lombok, you can visit two beautiful waterfalls (Teu Kelep and Sendang Gila), after a nice walk through the forest and passing by the river.
In Ubud (Bali) you can go rafting and also take part in mud fights, something very traditional... where at least the laughs are guaranteed!
9 – Best time to visit
The best time to visit Indonesia is between May and September—and especially from June to late September. The country has a tropical, hot, and humid climate, with two distinct seasons: dry and wet, the latter of which is very rainy. The dry season generally runs from June to October; the wet season typically lasts the remaining months (November to May).
10 – Indonesian Cuisine
In addition to its local culture, full of spices, the legacy of the countries that occupied these lands also influenced the gastronomy: from the Portuguese and Dutch, to the Chinese, Indians and Arabs.
Rice is always the basis of every meal, but dishes can vary depending on the region and island. However, nasi goreng is considered the national dish. This recipe's history stems from using up day-old rice: it's fried rice and can include shrimp, vegetables, and eggs. The rice can be fried in oil and seasoned with onion, garlic, ginger, or pepper.
Another traditional dish is Soto Ayam, a chicken soup with very thin rice noodles, lemon, and ginger; Sop Buntut is a vegetable soup with cooked oxtail; Satay is a skewer of chicken or red meat served with rice and/or vegetables; and Soto Betawi is a typical Jakarta soup with red meat and a coconut milk broth, usually served with white rice. Enjoy!
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