Indonesia travel guide: when to go, where to go and how to plan it together

November 8, 2026 · 8 min read

Indonesia is not one destination but thousands of islands stretched across a distance as wide as the United States. Bali gets most visitors, and for good reason: rice terraces, temples at every turn, surf beaches and a food scene that runs from market stalls to long tasting menus. But a short flight or a ferry away are volcanoes you can climb at night, dragons on Komodo, coral reefs with some of the richest diving on earth, and old Javanese courts and temples.

The key to a good trip is to pick a few places and travel slowly between them. This guide covers when to go, where, a two-week route, and how to plan it with friends.

Capital: Jakarta
Currency: Indonesian rupiah (Rp)
Languages: Indonesian
Plugs: Type C and F, 230 V
Driving: On the left
Time zone: UTC+7 in Java and Sumatra, UTC+8 in Bali and Lombok, UTC+9 in Papua; no daylight saving
Best time to go: April to October
Daily budget: About US$70–140 a person a day, mid-range, 2026

When to go

Most of Indonesia has a dry season from about April to October and a wet season from about November to March. The dry season is the best time to visit Bali, Lombok, Java, the Gili Islands and Komodo, with sunny days, lower humidity and calmer seas. July and August are the busiest, with the highest prices; April to June and September to October are quieter and still dry.

The wet season brings heavy showers, often in the afternoon, rather than constant rain. Bali is green, cheaper and quieter, and many people enjoy it, but the sea can be rough, mudslides can block roads and some boat trips are cancelled. Plan extra buffer days for ferries and flights.

Some places run the other way. The reefs of Raja Ampat in the far east are best from about October to April. Check each island separately if you are going beyond the usual route.

Ramadan is observed across the country, which has the largest Muslim population of any nation. Most places stay open, but daytime eating out is quieter in conservative areas, and in the days around Eid (called Lebaran) millions of people travel home, filling trains, ferries and flights. Book ahead or avoid those dates.

Nyepi, Bali's day of silence in March or April, is a special occasion: for a full day, the island shuts down. The airport closes, no one goes out, and lights stay off at night. If you're there, you stay in your hotel.

Where to go

Ubud and central Bali

The cultural heart of the island, in the hills among rice terraces and temples, with a big art, dance and yoga scene and some of the best food in Bali. Walk the terraces at Tegallalang, visit the water temples and join a cooking class. Monkeys in the sacred forest bite and steal, so keep food and bags away. Three days. For a day-by-day plan, see the 5-day Bali itinerary.

Southern Bali

Seminyak, Canggu and Uluwatu have beach clubs, surf and sunset bars, and the traffic to match. They're good for a few days of beach and nightlife. Uluwatu's clifftop temple and beaches are the highlight. Three days.

Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan

Small islands off Bali's south-east coast, reached by fast boat in under an hour. Penida has dramatic cliffs and beaches, and manta rays in the water; Lembongan is quieter. The roads on Penida are rough, so go with a driver. One or two nights.

Lombok and the Gili Islands

Lombok has quieter beaches, surfing and the volcano Rinjani, a multi-day trek for fit walkers. Off its coast, the three Gili islands have no cars, and you can snorkel with turtles. Gili Trawangan is for parties, Meno for quiet, and Air for a mix. Fast boats run from Bali. Four to five days.

Yogyakarta, Borobudur and Prambanan

The cultural capital of Java. Borobudur, a huge ninth-century Buddhist temple, is best at sunrise. Prambanan is a Hindu temple complex nearby, and the city has a sultan's palace, batik workshops and great street food. Three days, and well worth a flight from Bali.

Bromo and Ijen

Two volcanoes in East Java. Mount Bromo is a smoking crater above a sea of ash, seen at sunrise. Ijen is famous for its turquoise crater lake and the blue flames seen at night. Both need very early starts and warm clothes. A night or two each.

Komodo and Labuan Bajo

The home of the Komodo dragon, the world's largest lizard, in a national park of dry hills, pink beaches and extraordinary diving. Most people spend two or three nights on a boat sailing between the islands, with a flight to Labuan Bajo. Best in the dry season.

Sumatra and Sulawesi

Sumatra has orangutans in the jungle of Bukit Lawang and Lake Toba, a vast volcanic lake. Sulawesi has Tana Toraja's carved houses and funeral traditions and the diving at Bunaken. Both are for a second trip or a longer one.

A 14-day itinerary

Days 1–4: Ubud. Land in Denpasar and drive to Ubud, about an hour or a little more. Spend four days in the rice terraces, temples and cooking classes, with a day trip to the north.

Days 5–7: Uluwatu or the Gilis. Choose one. For beaches and surf, stay on the south coast. For quiet, take a fast boat from Padang Bai to the Gili islands, about two hours.

Days 8–10: Yogyakarta. Fly from Bali, about an hour and a half. See Borobudur at sunrise, Prambanan in the afternoon and the old city.

Days 11–14: Komodo. Fly from Yogyakarta to Labuan Bajo, usually through Bali or Jakarta, then spend two nights on a boat and one on land. Fly home from Labuan Bajo through Bali.

For a shorter trip, stay on Bali and add the Gilis or Nusa Penida. For the rest of the region, read the guides to Thailand and Malaysia.

Getting around

Flights are the way to cover long distances. Domestic flights link Bali with Java, Lombok, Labuan Bajo and the rest, and they're cheap, but delays are common. Leave a gap before an international flight home.

Ferries and fast boats connect Bali with the Nusa islands, Lombok and the Gilis. Seas can be rough, particularly in the wet season, and sailings are cancelled in bad weather. Book with a reliable operator and keep a spare day. Read island hopping by ferry before you plan the crossings.

Trains on Java are comfortable and reliable, and a good way to see the countryside between Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Solo and Surabaya. Book ahead for weekends and holidays.

On Bali, traffic is heavy in the south, and journeys take longer than the map suggests. A car with a driver for the day is inexpensive, and ride-hailing apps work in some areas, though local taxi drivers sometimes restrict pick-ups. Many visitors rent scooters; roads are busy and accidents are common, and many insurance policies don't cover riding without a licence valid for motorcycles. Check before you ride.

Driving is on the left. See driving abroad.

Money and costs

Cash in rupiah is used for most small purchases, warungs (small local restaurants), markets, drivers and temple donations. ATMs are common in tourist areas, but fees apply and some machines are unreliable; use machines at banks. Cards work in hotels, bigger restaurants and shops, and often carry a surcharge. See how to pay abroad.

Tipping is not expected. Many restaurants and hotels add a service charge, and a small tip to a driver, guide or masseuse is appreciated.

Food at warungs, local transport and accommodation outside the main resorts cost little. Boat trips, diving, domestic flights and beach clubs cost much more. Villas with a pool are a good way to cut costs for a group.

Rough daily costs a person, in 2026:

Budget: about US$35–60, with hostels or simple rooms, warung meals and shared transport.
Mid-range: about US$70–140, with hotels or villas, restaurant meals and tours.
Comfortable: US$200 and up, with resorts, private drivers and boat charters.

Planning Indonesia as a group

Indonesia suits groups, with a few things to arrange early.

Villas. Private villas with a pool, a cook and a daily cleaner are the classic group stay on Bali and Lombok, and the cost per person is often low when shared. Book well ahead for July and August. Read split a villa fairly if the rooms aren't equal.

Drivers. A car with a driver for the whole day is cheaper and easier than renting several scooters. Agree on the hours and the route first.

Boats. Fast boats, snorkelling tours and the Komodo liveaboard are bookable in advance for a group, and some have private charter options. Confirm the departure time and port, which can change.

Bookings. Flights, fast boats, villas and tours all pile up. Keep every confirmation in one place so the group knows what is booked and who it's under.

Before you go

Entry rules: check the official government site of Indonesia and your own government's travel advice before you book, as requirements depend on your passport.
Travel insurance that covers medical costs, evacuation, diving or trekking, and scooter riding if you plan it.
Connectivity: an eSIM or a local SIM works across the main islands, with weaker signal in remote areas. See eSIMs and staying connected.
A plug adapter for Type C or F; the voltage is 230 V.
Health: ask a travel clinic about vaccines well ahead. Stomach upsets are common, so drink bottled or filtered water. Do not touch monkeys or stray dogs, as rabies exists in parts of the country.
Customs: use your right hand to give and receive. Dress modestly at temples; in Bali you may need a sarong and sash, which can often be borrowed at the entrance. Don't step on the small offerings left on pavements.

What to pack

Pack light, breathable clothes, a sarong or scarf for temples, and a rain jacket for the wet season. Swimwear and a quick-dry towel go in every bag.

Bring sturdy shoes for volcano walks and a warm layer for the summit hikes, which are cold before dawn. Sandals for the beach, reef-safe sunscreen, a dry bag for boat trips and a head torch for night climbs are useful. Pack insect repellent, and a small first-aid kit with rehydration salts.