Besides there being Bali, there are lots of hidden gems in Asia. But, let's see what Indonesia has to offer you. We've scribbled before about <a rel="index, follow" href="/5-romantic-island-escapes-for-your-honeymoon-to-indonesia" "5 Romantic Island Escapes for your Honeymoon to Indonesia">Bali being a top honeymoon destination before, and how amazing an experience it is. And yet there are other Islands you should familiarize yourself. But which one? Because there are so many to choose from, Lombok immediately springs to mind. There's the volcanic Island creation of Java too.
Below, are 10 things to see and do in Indonesia, and we are positive there's something most of you will enjoy.
What makes Indonesia so perfect, are the reasons to visit Indonesia. So many reasons, let's look at just a few of them for the moment:
Not to mention the affordable luxury resorts found in the jungle. Particularly those surrounding the town of Ubud, we had an amazing break in one resort. Only on the Island of Bali, can you find Ubud Town. The town encompassed by rice terraces, is rich in Indonesia's culture and a top tourist spot. Why? The peacefulness of the jungle and its natural environment. Your inexpensive luxury retreat blends in with the jungle and you feel as one with it:
If you want the best of the jungle resorts, book your accommodation in advance. Busy peak season begins in April and runs until early October. That's when tourists flock to Gianyar Regency in their droves. When you are booking the resort, be sure to ask the availability of a jungle swing. You sit on a swing, are then secured with a harness.
A team of four walk the swing back before letting go, for you to soar high into the air. For a brief moment you feel as if you're floating in nothingness. It's so surreal, like weightlessness.
If you are brave enough to tilt your head back before swinging back, you'll see the world upside down. To add further to your jungle adventure escapism, there's the waterfalls. Quite a few are amazing and they're within easy reach of the town. Read our guide for the top 10 waterfalls in Indonesia.
Indonesia so such a great place to visit. Especially for a short city break, before moving onto a final destination. There's far too many amazing cities breaks to list in this travel guide, so we'll give you our top 7. Our recommended stays are:
As you can see, of the top 7, there are 5 cities on the Island of Java alone. It is those 5 cities that'll offer you, the richest and most diverse cultural experience. Java's volcanic activity has created landscapes unlike anywhere else on this planet. It's took millions of years to create this remarkable natural world. The rough, rugged nature is fuel for thrill seekers and adventurers. Nature lovers too, of course.
Jakarta City has existed since the 5th century. Conquered many times and acted as a European colony throughout its history. What interests you may be the Istiqlal Mosque? It should do. Celebrating Indonesian independence, it's the largest place of worship in southeast Asia. To continue on from there, if you want to experience true Java culture then head to Yogyakarta City. That's where the Island's top education hub and cultural center is.
Much of this Javanese art, music and dance resides in this city. We had an enjoyable, enlightening time in Yogyakarta City, and you could too.
The City of Batu, the Dutch created a mountain retreat and thus, there is the mountain tour we can recommend you try. The city has many attractions for tourists, but it's the natural world that captivates you. A perfect landscape for the great outdoors. If walking and hiking is what fascinates you, consider a short stay. The mountain area is quite warm all year round with average temperatures of 67°F.
Elsewhere, there is Sumatra Island. The capital City of Medan is Indonesia's top financial center. If you have reason to travel for business, then this city should be of interest to you. With a population of 5 million, the city is an economic powerhouse. Lake Toba is another "big ticket" attraction that may excite you?
The 10 most unforgettable things to see and do first. The list is, in our experience, the best of Indonesia. But by no means is the list exhaustive, diversity is all around the archipelago. We could give you a list of 50 things to see and do and still not be enough.
This top UNESCO World Heritage site is the world's largest Buddhist Monument. Without argument, on par with the Angkor Wat Complex at Siem Reap. In other words, millions of people from all around the globe travel to see it. Why, in our opinion it must be #1 in our list. Afterwards, having left behind everything, do you appreciate what you've experienced. The structures are intact, and architecture visible to this day, all date back to the 9th century. Thoughts turn to what civilization might have ruled these jungle rich lands. On an emotional level, you feel exactly the same as traveling in Cambodia. The Khmer empire that built Angkor Wat, another great powerful civilization. They too, bestowed such a monumental legacy for millennia. Have you never travelled to Cambodia yet? You should.
As cultural value goes, you can reach the temple site from Yogyakarta City. Expect to pay about US$27 for the 90-minute taxi journey to the site. Or rent a motorbike if your travel insurance covers you. The site has various tiers or levels. Each one you ascend takes you higher, promising you much better views. The most challenging decision you face is:
To reach the iconic bells you must climb up all six levels, to the top. Which can take you some time as this tourist attraction is busy.
One of the most important attractions on the Island of Bali for holidaying tourists. Bali Island has excellent transport links, so you reach the temple in no time at all. But do expect delays though, due to the volume of vehicles. The Hindu temple on a rock is only accessible with the tide out. Until the tide is out you can wait in one of the restaurants close to the temple. There are several, with one on the cliff above.
On the shoreline and beach, you can rest and sunbathe, go swimming or a stroll. It's common to see people camping nearby too, so expect a party atmosphere as the sun goes down. The sunset by the way, is gorgeous and to must be seen with your own eyes. The ticket fee to gain access to the temple you shouldn't need to pay more than US$5 each person.
There are in fact quite a few temples along the Bali coastline, with Tanah Lot being the most famous of them. One such temple aside from Tanah Lot that is popular, and significant is Batu Bolong Temple. This is the temple where it sits upon a volcanic rock with an arch carved out by sea and wind. And yet it doesn't enjoy as many tourists as what Tanah Lot Temple does, which is a shame. It's because you cannot gain entry to the temple. Still, like Tanah Lot, it's the setting sun on the horizon you never, ever forget.
A bonus for those who do venture to the temple is the Batu Bolong Beach. The beach is very family friendly with local vendors selling food and drinks.
East Java has many waterfalls hidden throughout the thick rainforest jungle. You'll need to a) hire a local guide or opt for a tour operator and b) decide on which waterfall takes priority. In our experience, it's this magnificent beast that should take center stage. Tumpak Sweu Waterfall is a wide-open chasm. This deep hole is reminiscent of the period depicted in Jurassic's Lost World.
You do recreate the scenes of the original 1993 movie in your mind. Looking around you and up from the bottom, to towards the sky, there's the flying pterosaurs. The best time to visit this waterfall is during Java's rainy season. Any time from November onwards until March is a good time to see the waterfalls in full force.
The greater the force, the louder the thunder and heavier the spray. It's beautiful to see, and the average temperatures for this time of the year are approaching 80°F most days.
Java is the perfect adventure escapism for your Christmas and New Year break. You either have a 2-hour journey or a 5-hour journey depending on which city you find yourself in. If you are in Malang City, then you're 2 hours away, because Surabaya City is further out. Either way, your taxi driver will know where to take you so don't worry, if you decided not to book with a tour operator. One thing in Indonesia is the traffic.
Be aware of delays, obstacles such as livestock and other negligent road users. Which is why we never recommend you drive yourself when in Indonesia. The traffic is maddening, frustrating and at times, dangerous.
The fee for entrance to the waterfall is roughly US$3 per person. You'd want to descend to the bottom, 30 minutes at least, which is the recommended option. An extra charge for parking were you to decide to go on two wheels. Your entrance fee includes a panoramic viewpoint of the waterfall and surrounding jungle. Get there early, before the gates open at 07:00 hours. That's when you can get a snapshot of the mist hovering above the opening as the sun rises over the horizon.
Local guides are available for hire most days during peak season. The peak season begins from mid-April and continues until late September. When trekking through the jungle undergrowth, wear sensible boots. The paths are not the best in places so there is no rush, take your time.
The resorts, hotels and homestays on the Islands are like those in the Maldives. Albeit without the exclusivity and extravagance felt. By Indonesian standards, Raja Ampat is expensive. Yet for the foreign traveler wishing to grab a piece of the Maldives, Raja Ampat is cheaper. Like for like the costs are much more palatable. Getting to the Islands is off putting to say the least but perseverance pays off.
For those of you having patience, Raja Ampat could be the Maldives you're looking for.
Because once you do arrive at your hotel or resort and unpack you cannot stop yourself. Big grins stretch across your face, there's laughter at the sheer delights facing you:
A few things to note first. Traveling between the Islands is by boat only. There is no public ferry service, only private hire. Private boat hire is expensive. That's because of costs involved transporting fuel from the mainland to the archipelago. But don't let that dishearten you. Read our Raja Ampat travel guide for reasons why you should consider Raja Ampat. Any holiday to these gorgeous, untouched distant Indonesian Islands is worth the expense.
One thing is certain when holidaying in Indonesia, there is no escaping an active volcano. The entire archipelago is resting on volcanic fault lines. Taking a holiday on the Island of Java, it's Mount Bromo that grabs your attention. It's the recommended choice to book with a tour operator in advance. So do that based on where about you'll be on the Island: either Surabaya City or Malang City.
Both cities are a good choice when holidaying on Java. Both offer accessibility to many great natural attractions on this stunning Island.
Like other jungle treks to Indonesia's volcanic mountains the best experience is with a guide. For numerous reasons obviously:
On such a journey of several days, up to a week, companionship is vital. If you want to succeed in your challenge to conquer the volcano, you don't go alone. The rewards not only include the jaw dropping views at dawn's sunrise. A sunrise over Mount Bromo is a lifetime event never repeated anywhere else. The enjoyment of new friendships, given and received tall tales around the campfire.
As you stare up at the night sky, under the stars you remind yourself of the volcano beneath your feet. For the adventurous, little things like that brings Indonesia alive for you.
If you have never been to a mega city before, Jakarta City will be an experience of a lifetime for you. A city population of 30 million must have a lot of interesting attractions, you'd think. You are spoilt for choice. Family friendly parks and lakes, entertainment and shopping hubs aplenty. The only way of enjoying the best of the city is by taking a city tour. Like any other major capital city, walking without purpose enriches no one's holiday.
Any good tour will include in its itinerary features and attractions, places such as:
For families, definitely you must visit Atlantis Water Adventure theme park. The theme park is one of the biggest and best attractions in the city, many of the activities involve water. It does get crowded and there are queues at the weekend so going for a visit during a weekday is a better decision. The park's entrance fee is cheaper during the week too. What is also great about Jakarta is there must be close to 50 museums and art galleries.
The National Gallery of Indonesia is as good a place as any to start a cultural discovery. To get the most of Jakarta City, plan your city itinerary around a 3D2N stay. You'll need this time to see many more attractions, the city contributes so much to your holiday. Traveling to Yogyakarta City from Jakarta City is an 8-hour train journey. It's far too long to wait, our advice is to catch a domestic flight instead. You are at most 90 minutes from departure to arriving.
Images of green terraces mingling with dense rich jungles manifest in your thoughts. That's the Indonesia you dreamt about anyway. It's all true. The rice terraces are gorgeous, and they do exist, rising to incredible heights. Glossy brochures don't do Indonesia justice. North of Ubud Town is the much sought after Tegalalang Rice Terraces. Your tropical Island holiday begins on the Island of Bali.
Or does it? The choice of which Island to base the bulk of your holiday from boils down to either Bali or Lombok. There's nothing about Indonesia, it's people and culture you won't fall in love with. So, either Island will promise you a beautiful experience. But the locations in and around Ubud Town are special, to us anyway. We hired a guide out of town to the foothills of the jungle terracing. It's the best decision we made in our lives.
The terraces are stunning in the way they rise and curve around the landscape.
And when you ascend the terraces, it feels as if there's no end to them. All this time you are staring around you at the noise of the jungle forest as it cries out for your attention. Bird songs are calming, it figures the jungles of Indonesia are a must want then. Why a jungle resort is your therapy in this modern world. Modern pressure and stress you face daily, it's time to escape if only for a brief time.
As with many places throughout Indonesia, there are crowds and not only tourists. You have the locals to contend with too: Indonesia as a country, has a huge population for its size. It's best to visit early in the morning as the sun rises (say about 06:00 hours) or much later in the day before evening. That way you miss out on the crowds and you have a chance of capturing the "golden hours" moments you dreamed of.
Holiday on Bali in April or September when this UNESCO World Heritage site is a rich, bold green.
This is the world's largest volcanic lake, why it attracts many international travelers. The landscape surrounding the lake, and Sumatra Island as a whole, is perfect for wild camping. If camping back home delights you, or any road trip on two wheels, travel to north Sumatra immediately. For adventurers and thrill seekers, it's the perfect holiday waiting to happen.
If it's a natural wilderness you are wanting on an Indonesia holiday, then there is no better place to be than here. Exploring the mountainous landscape is great but don't neglect the towns and villages. The lake has a daily ferry to cross to the other side, and water sports are also an interesting activity.
Divided between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei the Island is multicultural. There is nothing stopping you from visiting the Indonesian part of the Island, and you should. Keep reading to discover why. This third largest Island in the world, it's covered in thick, rich rainforest jungle full of life. The first impression you have is it's the "land that time forgot".
There are rivers flowing through deep valleys. There are species of wildlife and mammals you've likely never seen before. The orangutan in the wild, is a different creature. Rough and rugged landscapes, making it perfect and beautiful for adventure and trekking.
The most popular destination for Indonesian holidaymakers, heading to Kalimantan Island. It's your only change to catch glimpses of the elusive orangutan in its natural habitat. The whole experience of the park and the resort you'll stay at, is one of boat trips on the rivers. The river systems are one of the main ways of traveling in Borneo, in any part of it. Wild and roaming free and unrestraint the wildlife is, you begin to feel the same.
A day or two to acclimatize and you call the jungle home. Back on land you go trekking for hours in search of the wildlife. Not only for the orangutan your guides point out to you, but the wild elephants too.
To add to your fascination with Indonesia's Borneo, there are over 200 bird species on the Island. The park isn't only a destination for those who love wildlife conservation. Visitors to the park include animal lovers, nature enthusiasts and bird watchers. Borneo is a holiday destination for everyone. Don't believe for one moment Borneo's national parks are only suitable for backpackers.
You can go and stay in a resort if you want, or in a camp site if you're on a budget and backpacking. Only be aware that the park's facilities are not matched with those of a hotel in a city. There may be no secure supply of electricity and running hot water ― or even a flushing toilet.
It's best to travel from Jakarta City on a domestic flight. The closest airport (at Pangkalan Bun) gains you access to the national park. Don't try to reach the park from any other airport that's not on the Island of Java. Holidaying elsewhere in Indonesia? Take a domestic flight to Jakarta City, from anywhere. Neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore or the Philippines, are within easy distance. Arriving in Jakarta City makes transfers far easier for you.
It's actually a recommendation to you to book an all-inclusive guided tour, a 3-day, 4 day or a 5-day tour would suffice.
There are daily flights from Jakarta, Semarang and Surabaya cities to Pangkalan Bun. Prices are reflective of season and demand. A common issue or concern are delays and cancellations, without notice given. Have a backup plan ready. Causes of delays and other inconveniences are the weather and local holidays. But don't worry, Jakarta City is an amazing place to hang out for a day until flights return.
Pangkalan Bun is the nearest town to the airport, a 15-minute drive from the airport into town, at most. The town is where your guided tour (the option we went with) will begin from. If you have no tour guide, then you'll have to hire a local guide. No one can enter the park alone or without guidance (too many people have in the past got lost).
Pro Tip: Five days is more than enough to see everything and enjoy the outdoor adventure. A week is too long in this one park in our opinion, you may feel bored if you stay too long.
Reaching #10 you will realize how much of an adventure Java could be. What's more about east Java, aside from the Jurassic like landscape, is Yogyakarta City. All over southeast Asia there are caves that scare you and excite you. Vietnam for example, home to the world's largest cave system. So, when traveling to Yogyakarta City, it's Jomblang Cave which grabs your attention. On a good day with light traffic, you can journey by taxi, for an hour, southeast of the city to Semanu District. The cave is also known to locals as the Semanu Cave.
The remote area of Semanu makes for a great day trip from the hustle and bustle of one of Java's busiest cities. But you must book with a reputable tour operator to gain access to the cave. You are not permitted to enter alone, nor the surrounding jungle forests. A guide must lead tourists to and from the cave site. There is only one tour per day. You must arrive in plenty of time before the tour sets off, otherwise you'll have to wait until the following day.
The 50km distance from Yogyakarta City to Semanu is best covered by private taxi. That's to ensure you arrive in time, say before 09:00 hours. Most taxi drivers know where to drop you off, so happen to mention the cave as your final destination. If you don't want to pay for an all-inclusive tour (booked online), then by all means you don't have to. Show up and pay the US$35 entrance fee (per person) which includes:
The guide will take you to the cave, you'll venture inside and then return a few hours later. Afterwards you make your way back to Yogyakarta City. There is nothing to worry about how you get down into the cave or back out. That's because there is always one or two people to assist you along the way and at the cave opening. Our experience was very smooth, but you do need to be patient. The group you are with you could be large, a dozen or more people.
A case of wait until it's your turn. What is great about the tour is that no one moves on ahead of everyone else, not until everyone is all together.
There are so many places in Indonesia are the most beautiful but where do we say takes the top spot? The most beautiful place in Indonesia must be east Java. The Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, because of how it makes you feel once you descend to the bottom of the chasm and gawp back up. Emotions tear at you in so many ways. This wonder of nature and the unknown millennia that took to create it, there is no words.
You are speechless, feeling vulnerable. The waterfall is beautiful in many ways. It is a one-off creation and one of Indonesia's best. Having ventured there yourself, you understand the meaning of "once in a lifetime".
Plan for a trip to Indonesia from early April until late October. Indonesia is a popular destination, it's our advice you book flights and hotels online. And do so, in advance by as many months in front of you as possible. Online bookings are a great way of making a saving when you book in advance. Not only that, if for some reason you are unable to make your holiday you can always cancel and get your full money back.
Be sure to read terms and conditions in detail about cancellations before booking.
The weather is the most revealing about any top holiday destination, that's the truth. By the time you have arrived at your hotel and unpacked, showered and dressed to go out you are smiling from ear to ear. It's between late spring and early autumn, you enjoy golden sunshine. There is plenty of it and there is warmth with temperatures in the high 80's Fahrenheit.
The best of the sun and high temperatures actually, are in July and August. If you're heading towards Java, plan from May (and not April) and no later than mid-September.
It's love, first time ever you holiday in Bali, Indonesia. That's how it is for the vast majority of holidaymakers to Indonesia, first time ever. From that point onwards, it's one big thrill to explore the other inhabited Islands. What is there to say? You keep coming back again and again. And why wouldn't you, when there is so many things to see and do. Everything, from camping on a volcano summit, to trekking through gorgeous jungles.
Lounging on pristine beaches and swimming in tropical waters.
It's paradise and the holiday you've dreamed about for so long, so definitely find a way to make it become reality. You're traveling halfway around the globe for this holiday? Indonesia is worth it, trust us. The wait is over when the excitement is building up to the day you fly out. The traveling time, the cost and the inconvenience of a vacation. None of it matters, not after you touch down. With a huge sigh of relief, you are "in paradise" at last.
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Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.