Indonesia is composed of an infinite number of islands, many of them volcanic, to explore even just the most important of them you will need months and more visits! Certain areas are not easily accessible and travel there often takes time.
One of the largest and most populated nations in the world. With a unique cultural and landscape diversity and richness.
Most tourists unfortunately make a stop just in Bali, losing all that magic can give the rest of the country!
Some of the activities I suggest you plan during a trip to Indonesia:
- Snorkel in Pulau Weh and visit the kilometer zero, the northern point of Indonesia!
- Explore one of the fantastic volcanoes scattered around the country. Bromo in the island of Java is one of the most famous.
- Rent a surfboard and ride the waves at Canggu on the island of Bali.
- Attend ceremonies in a temple or in one of the altars scattered everywhere in Ubud – Bali.
- Try the delicious and super cheap local food!
- Venture into a jungle trek.
- Visit one of the parks in Sumatra to find out how the orang utang live (but above all survive …) .
- Visit the island of Komodo and the dragons that populate it!
- If you feel like rent a scooter in Yogyakarta and explore the surrounding area, head to the fantastic temple of Borobudur: one of Asia’s largest and most important Buddhist temples.
- Assist the Kecak dance.
Some info about Indonesia:
Capital of Indonesia: Jakarta
Population: 264 millions
Official language: Bahasa Indonesia (+700 regional languages)
Currency: Indonesiana Rupiah
Calling Code: +62
Indonesia Visa: for most passports you get it on arrival in the country, there are exceptions depending on where you enter the country, check that your plane or your ship takes you in a destination that will grant you an entry visa. It lasts 30 days, it’s free and can not be extended. If you want to stay longer you will have to arrange it before coming, go to a consulate and get a multi entrance tourist visa. The passport must, as always, have a duration of 6 months.
N.B. Always check before leaving that the rules for obtaining the visa have not changed recently!
Phone and Internet: It is easy to buy a sim card in Indonesia, you will find it at the airport or just about anywhere in supermarkets or shops. You can use the wifi service in many hotels and some restaurants, the quality of service depends on the area.
The main tourist destinations of Indonesia:
Sumatra is a gigantic island, transport is not very simple in some areas. Particular attractions are the Toba lake, the Banda Ache area with its fantastic Pulau Weh island, the beautiful countryside, the rice fields and the volcanoes in Bukittinggi, Padang and its famous local food, Berastagi and its unique architectures.
Java is the main island, with the chaotic and modern Jakarta the capital of Indonesia. Its volcanoes scattered everywhere (Bromo and Ijien among the most famous), the beautiful Yogyakarta with its historical riches and many other attractions.
Bali is the most famous island and beaten by tourists from all over the world. There are beautiful but also horrendous places, totally devastated by mass tourism. An island with a unique culture.
Attached to Bali is the island of Lombok and its fascinating islands of Gili. Paradise for sea lovers.
Further on is the islands of Flores and the famous Komodo with its giant lizards!
And again Papua, Sulawesi, the Indonesian Borneo (Kalimantan) … if you are a hardcore traveller and explorer of new places, Indonesia is the place to be!
Indonesia, when to go?
Indonesia and its thousands of islands have a tropical climate.
From May to September there is the dry season, which is the best season to visit Indonesia. Usually the days are dry and warm and the sky is clear.
From October to April the rainy season.
If you are in Sumatra or Sulawesi, however, the rains go from October to January / February.
N.B. Lately the weather conditions are changing a lot, so sometimes the seasons are not always as expected!
