This Indonesia travel guide has the following sections below. It also covers entry requirements (visa and covid 19 vaccinations and tests), which are changing frequently. The information is being updated and is current as of January 2023. Please check the current restrictions before you depart for Indonesia.
- Why Visit
- Indonesia in Numbers
- Covid-19 Restrictions
- Visas
- When to Visit
- Safety
- Top 5 Things in Indonesia
- Itinerary
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Food
- Internet
- Overall Tips
- Costs
- Indonesia Overall Rating
Why Visit
It is rare that one country, even as large as Indonesia, can boast of so many advantages. 17,000 islands with unique cultures, food and nature. Sunny and warm weather. The spiritual and beautiful Bali including the Gilis. Stunning Lombok, a Bali from 10-20 years ago. The Komodo dragons and the Padar island. Orangutans in Sumatra or Kalimantan (Borneo). Traditional villages and Tana Toraja on Sulawesi. Quiet Sumbawa. Amazing Raja Ampat.
Excellent transportation with Air Asia, Lion, Batik and Super Air Jet linking all islands. Amazing food varying across the islands. Friendly people across cultures and religions.
It is far away from Europe or the U.S. but those long flights will pay off. Guaranteed.
Indonesia in Numbers
Population: 280 million
Capital: Jakarta
Language: Bahasa Indonesia (English widely spoken in tourist areas)
Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
Exchange rate (January 2023): USD 1 = IDR 15,250, EUR 1 = 16,500, GBP 1 = 18,500
Electricity: standard European 220V, standard European plugs
Covid-19 Restrictions
The Covid regulations are changing quickly so this Indonesia travel guide is being updated regularly with new changes. The information here is current as of January 2023.
As of January 2023 in the Jakarta airport, you have to show the proof of vaccinations. If you have two vaccinations and a booster, you will NOT have to quarantine or show a negative Covid-19 test.
Peduli Lindungi app
In summary, my Peduli Lindungi app was NOT working, but my electronic vaccination certificates were accepted without ANY issues. A detailed description of my arrival process in the Jakarta airport (CGK) is below.
The Indonesia government’s Peduli Lindungi app is mentioned by some airlines as required prior to landing. In my experience when doing it from abroad before my flight to Jakarta, I did download it from the iPhone’s App Store successfully but was unable to register.
This has proven to be NO problem. I arrived at the Jakarta airport and was asked by an immigration officer standing in the hallway (NOT at the visa-on-arrival counter, VOA) for the Peduli Lindungi app. I showed him that I downloaded that on my phone, but was unable to register. No more questions, a smile and a polite invitation to continue to the Covid-19 counter.
Next you will go to a Covid-19 counter, where a polite lady will write down your passport details and and request the vaccination certificates. I showed her my THREE (2 vaccinations plus booster) electronic certificates on my phone. That was accepted immediately. I did not have to show the paper copies of the certificates, even though I did have them as a backup.
The lady issued a confirmation slip that I had shown my covid vaccination certificates. Important: do NOT throw it away, you will need it in 1 minute at the visa-on-arrival counter.
Overall, a polite and non-stressful process which was completed in 5 minutes.
Visas
Most nationalities need a visa-on-arrival (VOA) or an advance visa.
The visa on arrival process was straightforward and efficient for me. After showing my Covid vaccination certificates, you turn left to the VOA booths. When I was there, all of them were occupied and the tourist lines were short.
They will ask you for your passport and a confirmation slip from the vaccination lady. Then they will ask for a payment of IDR500,000 ($33). You can pay either in IDR cash or with a credit card. Your card will be swiped, payment confirmed and 60 seconds later you will receive your visa in your passport.
Extending your visa takes more time and effort if applying directly, especially in the tourist areas. Use one of many visa offices instead. For $20 more they will usually speed up the process and reduce the amount of additional required paperwork.
Also, you will have to fill out a customs form on arrival. When approaching the arrival area you will see signs with the customs QR code. Please scan it and do the download (free strong airport wifi is available in this area).
Fill out the form and show your phone screen when exiting the arrivals area.
In case of any problem, there is a desktop computer terminal. You do not have to download anything but input your details into the form. Print out a confirmation slip that you have successfully completed that (there is a free small printer next to the desktop). In case of any questions, there is an immigration officer who will help.
When to Visit
July to October is best as the dry season. However, the raining and dry seasons are changing with the rainy season starting early in 2022. Nobody knows when it will end but I was told a few times that April should be dry again.
Safety
Overall, it depends on where you are going. Bali, Gili islands, Lombok, Flores, Sumbawa and Sumba were safe for us in 2022. We did not have any unpleasant encounters, no (attempted) robbery, no thefts.
We had also planned to visit West Papua in Jayapura. On the ground we were advised in no uncertain terms NOT to visit due to the current safety and security concerns. Please check the safety there when you are planning to visit.
Maybe we were over cautious to miss Jayapura as few other Indonesia travel guides include a similar warning. Please double check the West Papua circumstances before your arrival.
However, beyond the humans, please protect yourself from mosquitos and other aggressive insects. For whatever reason, their bites did not want to heal that quickly for us. Please use a mosquito net when offered and use a repellent overnight. Strong air condition flow overnight is also recommended.
In October-November 2022 the bees were a problem in Flores around Ruteng and Mount Inerie in particular. As requested by some guides, tourists going up the Inerie volcano should not wear red or yellow, as bees are aggressive and attacking unprovoked.
Important. If you get bitten by mengenai black bumblebees several times, you will likely have a strong allergic reaction and you will HAVE to go to hospital for a check up and potential treatment.
Please do NOT ignore those bites. To verify, mention mengenai bites to a Flores local and watch their reaction.
Top 5 Things in Indonesia
(1) Visit the spiritual and beautiful Bali
(2) Go to Lombok, a Bali from 10-20 years ago
(3) See the Komodo dragons and the impressive islands around (e.g., Padar island)
(4) Meet the orangutans on Sumatra (Medan) or Kalimantan
(5) Marvel at the traditional villages and the unique Tana Toraja on Sulawesi
Itinerary
No Indonesia travel guide would be complete without a map itinerary.
This is a 3-4 week itinerary not exceeding the usual visa-on-arrival (VOA) length of 30 days. A mix of volcanos, rice fields, history (Bali temples, hobbit man on Flores) and the Komodo dragons and snorkelling or diving.
You could also do it in a different route. From Lombok go to Sumbawa and then Flores, and do Bali at the end. However, crossing Sumbawa overland adds 4-5 days. Secondly, the island is very hot, arid and with little tourist infrastructure. On the positive side, you would be one of the very few tourists there, and you would be greeted a proverbial million times a day.
If you decide to do the overland option. That would involve three steps: (1) ferry from Lombok (1 hour), (2) buses overland to Bima (2-3 days), and (3) Ferry from Bima to Labuan Bajo (8-9 hours). You can stop by on the Moyo island on the way.
Destination guides
For this itinerary, the following individual Indonesia travel guides will be helpful:
(1) flores
How to book and what to expect on a Komodo tour.
Go to Riung (Flores) for a completely private boat tour with a different feel than Komodo.
Visit a traditional Ngada village and witness a non-touristy chief’s house inauguration ceremony in Bena Traditional Village (Flores).
How to travel around and how much to pay for shuttles and taxis in Labuan Bajo Taxi Prices.
(2) lombok
What are the options for a Mt Rinjani (Lombok) Hike?
Visit Tetebatu (Lombok), a traditional village with rice fields, monkeys and waterfalls.
(3) gili islands
Plan to your trip in How to get to Gili islands.
(4) bali
How to travel around the island in Bali Taxi and Ferry Prices.
Take part in Body Cleansing Ceremony (Bali), which will leave you rejuvenated.
Transportation
On all visited islands (Java, Bali, Lombok, Flores), transportation is excellent: planes, (shared) taxis, some long-distance buses and local minibuses or bemo are abundant.
You will probably arrive in Jakarta, Denpasar or Lombok. There are frequent connections to all islands. Denpasar is especially good as it covers both the eastern (Flores, Sumbawa, Sumba, Maluku, West Papua), central (Sulawesi and Java) and western islands (Kalimantan, Sumatra).
Unfortunately, there is currently no direct flight from Lombok to Labuan Bajo on Flores.
On Bali you will probably travel in private or shared taxis or shuttle buses. As there are fewer tourists in Lombok, taxis are the main transportation mode there. In Flores or Sumbawa where there are still fewer tourists (especially outside of Labuan Bajo), private taxis, local buses or local shuttle services (Gunung Mas) are mainly used.
As a cultural experience, please take a local bus at least once. In Flores you will travel with chickens and cockerels, 20kg sacks or rice or sweet potatoes, tables, boxes of kitchen tiles, and other cargo. And everybody will greet you with a broad smile.
No vehicles on the Gili islands so walking, biking or taking a horse-drawn cart.
Private ferries and fastboats have regular services in the tourist areas (e.g., Lombok-Gili-Bali).
Public ferries connect all islands but may be travelling only once or twice a week. When taking a public ferry (e.g., from Sumbawa to Flores), consider buying a VIP ticket. A $3 surcharge will offer significantly more space and much less noise.
Accommodation
Widely available across the whole spectrum from dorms to luxury at similar levels as the tourist areas in Thailand, Malaysia, Laos or Cambodia.
Hostels, homestays, guest houses, hotels and luxury accommodations usually offer good standard and value as the competition is fierce.
Indonesian Food
This is one of the most memorable parts of any Indonesia travel guide. Even though not as spicy and versatile as the Thai, Vietnamese or Indian cuisine, you are not going to forget the freshly-barbecued snapper or grouper on your Komodo or Riung boat, or in one of many fish night markets.
Excellent and varying. Given Indonesia has 17,000 islands, sea is never far away and the seafood is fresh and excellent. On the Komodo or Riung boat tours in Flores you will feast on fish caught by the boat staff 30 minutes earlier. Snapper, grouper, crab, lobster are excellent and the fish night markets are outstanding (e.g., Labuan Bajo).
Breakfast in tourist accommodations will usually include the inevitable banana pancake or the local nasi goreng (friend rice usually with egg) plus some freshly cut fruit (papaya, pineapple, banana, lime) and a freshly-squeezed juice.
Lunch and dinner have a variety of rice (nasi) or noddle (mie) dishes with excellent beef Rendang originating from Java, chicken (ayam), fish (ikan) and vegetables.
Vegetarians will have no problems with amazing tofu, tempeh and vegetables served in many different ways everywhere.
The Indonesian coffee (kopi) is stronger than Starbucks and good pretty much everywhere. International and local soft drinks are even in the smallest villages. Frequently served with ice, but that did not create any stomach problems for us.
Alcoholic beverages widely available in the tourist areas.
Internet
Wifi widely available in hotels and hostels, speeds can vary. Working (including Zoom, etc.) is usually possible in most accommodations. It is usually free.
Getting a local SIM is quick with XL or INDOSAT offering the broadest coverage across all Indonesia. In addition, there are some providers with good local service (e.g., TSEL on Lombok). Packages vary across providers, shop around for the current best offer.
Overall Tips
In addition to the standard categories in this Indonesia travel guide, some additional tips. Please do not make a similar mistake and run out of IDR cash in northern Lombok as we did!
(1) Bring cash. USD and EUR have the best exchange rates. Indonesia is a cash economy and foreign currency is NOT widely accepted. ATMs are available in tourist areas but less so in the off the beaten path (e.g., north Lombok).
Many banks in local areas do NOT exchange foreign currency. There are some private “money changers”. In my experience, the best rates were in the airports, which is usually not the case in other countries. The local banks or private money changers in local areas (e.g., Lombok) would offer IDR1,000 – 2,000 less per USD1, a huge spread.
On Gili Air the best exchange rate place is just across the harbor when you face the main street on the left hand side. The second best one (IDR100 less per $1) 5 seconds further down on the right hand side.
In Amed (north Bali) the best exchange rate place is immediately when you leave your boat on the right hand side.
When in Ubud there many private money changers on the main street offering the same exchange rate, open late until at least 8pm.
If you are in Labuan Bajo (for the Komodo tour), there are few exchange boots on the main street next to the harbor, one next to Starbucks. All offering similar competitive rates.
The exchange process is straightforward. Go to cash teller, who will change the money on the spot. No special tourist forms to fill. No passport required.
Cash is predominantly used with credit cards more popular at the high-end hotels.
Costs
Excellent price-value country. A typical hostel or homestay costs around $10-20 with mid-range hotels $15-50. $100 will usually get a stunning villa in the jungle or the rice fields.
A local meal will be $1-2 and $5-10 in mid-range restaurants in more touristy places (e.g., Bali).
Indonesia Overall Rating
Highly recommended.
So much variety in one country efficiently linked by flights, ferries, buses and taxis. Stunning natural scenery, outstanding snorkelling and diving, excellent food, safe and inexpensive.
Beyond this overall travel guide to Indonesia, below are all additional articles about transportation and individual destinations.
ALL POSTS ABOUT INDONESIA
Transportation
Destinations
Other countries?
Planning your next trip to any location is always great. You day dream about the places you will visit, food you will enjoy, and attractions to see.
Beyond this Indonesia travel guide, those are our hard-earned tips how to avoid crowds and where to go:
