I wind up again & again in Indonesia. The warm hospitable locals, the world’s best beaches, sunrise volcano summits, & endless green rice field seas. Each island holds its own personality, its own culture, its own cuisine. I have plans to return to Indonesia. I always do.
No one will ever be able to claim they have seen all of Indonesia. 17,000 islands scattered throughout the South Pacific. Most of them are predominately beachy & Muslim, but some, like Bali, are Buddhist. In spite of what you may have heard Indonesia isn’t all Yoga & Eat Pray Love. But it’s my favorite country in the world for a reason.
Indonesia Travel Guide
Recommended Islands:Bali, Java, Nusa Ceningan, Gili Meno, Lombok, Flores, Sumatra, Borneo, Raja Ampat, Komodo
Minimum Recommended Trip Length: As long as you can. 2 weeks for each island you want to visit.
One Bucketlist Item You Cannot Miss:
Java: Summit Mount Ijen & watch the blue sulfur flames ignite.
Sumatra: Trek into Bukit Lawang & watch wild orangutans in the trees.
Lombok: Join a multi day trek to Mount Rinjani.
Borneo: A remote safari in one of Asia’s last true rainforests.
Things to Consider Before You Go: Bali is filled with tourist traps. But there are plenty of off-the-beaten-path activities, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. You’ll save some serious cash by renting a motorbike or utilizing “Grab” (their version of Uber).
Visa Information
Indonesia gives American’s a free 30-60 day visa on arrival.
Estimated Backpacker Budget
On a Shoestring: $25/day
Flashpacker: $35/day
Backpacker Luxury: $55/day
Keep in mind these are backpacker budgets. On a shoestring expect to be eating street food, sleeping in hostel beds, & skipping the more expensive tourist attractions. Backpacker Luxury opts for private rooms, eats mostly in restaurants, and splurges on activities. Flashpackers are the middle ground & often do a mixture of both.
Indonesia is perfect for travelers looking for adventurous hiking, delicious food, cultural experiences, ancient temples, & idyllic beaches.
Indonesia Blog Posts
How to Budget Travel in Raja Ampat: Visiting Paradise for Cheap
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Where to See Orangutans in the Wild: Sumatra vs Borneo
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A Guide to Pangkalan Bun, Borneo: Gateway to the Orangutans
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How to See Orangutans in Indonesian Borneo (Tanjung Puting National Park)
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Surviving Mount Ijen: Inside the Indonesian Sulfur Mines
A look inside Mt. Ijens sulfur mines and how to stare down the mouth…
Trekking Sumatra: How to Catch a Glimpse of the Last Sumatran Orangutans
Sumatra is isolated. A few scattered cities surrounded by some of the world’s last…
Trapped Tourists: The Infuriating Rivalry between Indonesia’s Grabcar & Taxi Agencies
Taxi drivers in Indonesia drove me absolutely crazy. Here’s why and how to best…
Mount Bromo: How to Climb Indonesia’s most popular peak for free
Mount Bromo’s smoldering crater brings visitors from around the globe. Here’s how we visited…
Komodo National Park-Seeking the Dragon
Add Komodo National Park to your Indonesian Itinerary, you’ll thank me later. Pink Beaches, world-class…
Bali on a Budget: A Backpacker’s Paradise
Bali is one of those rare places in the world that can pass as…
Beyond Bali: Exploring Some of the Most Stunning Indonesian Islands
Over 17,000 individual islands compose the country of Indonesia, but odds are Bali is…