Indonesia

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.