Explore a different destination Indonesia Budget Travel Guide


    UNESCO World Heritage Sites  Compare Hotel Room Rates from different Booking Sites
Indonesia Budget Travel Guide: The Great Wall
Indonesia Budget Travel Guide: The Great Wall
Author: ctsnow (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)


Indonesia, a kaleidoscope of peoples in the East Indies

The Indonesia Budget Travel Guide is written specially for the benefit of people who are interested to know more about Indonesia, specifically its places of interest and tourist destinations, and are making plans to visit them. On this page are all the destinations in Indonesia. I am working on describing each and every one of them to you.

Exploring Indonesia




Indonesia is a sprawling island nation in Southeast Asia. It was largely created from the former colony of Dutch East Indies. Comprising over 17,000 islands, which range from huge land masses such as Borneo and Sumatra, to many much smaller islands, some no bigger than uninhabited islets and outcrops in the tropical sea, Indonesia is home to close to 240 million people, an overwhelming number living on the densely populated island of Java.


Traditional village of Bena in Flores
Traditional village of Bena in Flores
Author: Serenade (cc-by-3.0)

Despite its size, Indonesia shares land borders with only three nations: Papua New Guinea, Malaysia and East Timor. It also shares sea border with Singapore, the Philippines, Australia and the Indian territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim country. Nevertheless it is an ancient land where older religions have arrived on its shores and germinated, allowing one to appreciate the ruins and monuments from past cultures. Today claiming Hindu and Buddhist faiths are severely outnumbered by the Muslim, which account for close to 90 percent of the population. A minuscule percentage within the hinterlands still observe indigenous beliefs and animistic traditions.

Of all the places within Indonesia, most visitors are best acquainted with Bali, which incidently has a predominantly Hindu population. Other destinations include Borobudur, Prambanan and Mount Bromo in Java, Lake Toba and Pulau Nias in Sumatra, and the smaller islands of Sumba, Flores and Komodo. What I like very much about Indonesia is its architecture. Each region seems to have its own architecture, and I hope to be able to showcase these differences in this website.

In this Indonesia Travel Guide, I want to take you on an armchair tour of the major travel destinations of this huge country. I hope you will enjoy reading about Indonesia as much as I have in assembling the information. To begin, please select any of the thumbnails above to visit a destination in Indonesia. If you are planning a visit there, I hope you find the travel information on this page to be helpful.

Indonesia Travel Information

Time Zone: Indonesia is spread over 3 time zones. Java, Sumatra and West/Central Kalimantan observe Western Indonesia Standard Time, 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Bali, Lombok, East/South Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara and West Timor observe Central Indonesia Standard Time, are 8 hours ahead of GMT. Maluku and Irian Jaya, observe Eastern Indonesia Standard Time, 9 hours ahead of GMT.
Currency: rupiah
Language: Bahasa Indonesia is the official language.
International Dialing Code: 62
Population: 220 million
Religion: Muslim (87%), Protestant (6%), Catholic (3%), Hindu (2%), Buddhist (1%), Animist (1%)
Electricity: 220V 50Hz; some remove areas 110V.
Electrical Outlet: two-prong plugs. See details at http://www.kropla.com/electric.htm
Driving: On the left side of the road.

Becak Yogyakarta
Becak, Yogyakarta

Lake Toba view
Lake Toba view

Indonesia Entry Points

By Air
The two major airports for foreign visitors to Indonesia are the Sukarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Jakarta and the Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Bali. In addition, a few Indonesian cities have air links to the cities in the neighbouring countries. These include Medan, Sumatra, with flights to Penang and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia; Pekanbaru, Sumatra, with flights to Malacca, Malaysia and Singapore; Padang, Sumatra, with flights to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore; Pontianak, West Kalimantan, with flights to Kuching, Malaysia; Tarakan, East Kalimantan, with flights to Tawau, Malaysia; Manado, North Sulawesi, with flights to Davao, Philippines; Kupang, West Timor, with flights to Darwin, Australia, and Dili, East Timor.

Indonesia Airport Tax:

International departures: Rp 17,000
Domestic departure: Rp 3,500

If you are traveling to Bali, Indonesia, you can click here for Bali Hotels and air tickets at Garuda Indonesia.

Entering Indonesia By Road

The only possible route into Indonesia by land, from a neighbouring country, is on the island of Borneo, where the Entikong-Tebedu crossing connects West Kalimantan with Sarawak, Malaysia. There are no visas upon arrival facilities at this crossing, so nationalities who do not qualify for visa-free entry will need to get their visas beforehand.

Entering Indonesia By Boat

There are ferry services connecting various ports in Indonesia with Malaysia and Singapore.

From Malaysia, ferry services are available between:
  • Penang and Belawan, the port for Medan, Sumatra.
  • Port Klang, Kuala Lumpur, with Dumai, in Riau, Sumatra and with Tanjung Balai Asahan, North Sumatra.
  • Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan, with Dumai.
  • Malacca with Dumai and with Pekanbaru, Riau, Sumatra.
  • Kukup, Johor with Tanjung Balai
  • Johor Bahru with Batam and Bintan
  • Tanjung Belungkor, Johor with Batam
  • Tawau, Sabah, with Nunukan and Tarakan

    From Singapore, ferry services are available to:
  • Sekupang, Batu Ampar, Nongsa, Marina Teluk Senimba and Batam Centre on Batam Island
  • Bandar Bintan Telani Lagoi (Bintan Resorts), Bandar Sri Udana Lobam and Tanjung Pinang on Bintan Island
  • Tanjung Balai on Karimun Island.
  • Tanjung Batu on Kundur Island.


    Kecak Dance
    Kecak Dance, Bali

    Indonesia Entry Requirements

    Indonesia Visa

    Nationals of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippine, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, Chile, Morocco, Peru and Vietnam do not need a visa for visits not exceeding 30 days. There is no extension and they need to leave and return to further enjoy the visa-free status. Among the airports where visa-free entry is available are Jakarta (Soekarno Hatta), Bali (Ngurah Rai) and Medan (Polonia).
    A visa-on-arrival is issued to nationals of Australia, Argentine, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, People's Republic of China, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malawi, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States of America may obtain a visa upon arrival, for visits not exceeding 30 days. There is no extension for this visa, and visitors holding it need to leave and return with a new visa. Among the airports where one may obtain visa on arrival are Jakarta (Soekarno Hatta), Bali (Ngurah Rai) and Medan (Polonia). The visa on arrival fees are US$10.00 for a 7-day visa, and US$25 for a 30-day visa.

    Indonesia Customs

    Each adult visitor may import a maximum of 2 litres of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 grammes of tobacco. Photographic equipment and computers must be declared. Import and export of Indonesian currency above Rp 500,000 is prohibited.

    Indonesia Public Holidays

  • New Year Day: January 1
  • Lunar New Year (Tahun Baru Imlek): January/February
  • Nyepi (Hindu New Year): March/April, day after new moon
  • Good Friday: March/April, Friday preceding Easter
  • Ascension of Jesus: 40 days after Easter
  • Waisak Day: May (full moon), birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha
  • National Independence Day: 17 August
  • 25 December: Christmas
  • Hijriyah (Islamic New Year): varies
  • Ma'ulud (Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad): varies
  • Isra Mi'raj (Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad): varies
  • Idul Fitri (End of the Muslim fasting month): varies
  • Idul Adha (Muslim day of sacrifice): varies

    Useful Links

  • Seminyak Vacation Rentals: Find the perfect rental on TripAdvisor.
  • More Photos of Indonesia

    School children at Prambanan temples
    School children at Prambanan temples (22, June, 2004)
    © Timothy Tye

    War dance, Nias Island
    War dance, Nias Island
    Author: Doni Ismanto (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0)

    Bukittinggi, Sumatra
    Bukittinggi, Sumatra
    Author: Hanafi (public domain)

    Places of Interest in Indonesia

    Destination Travel Guides

    1. Bali
      Indonesia's foremost tourist destination.

    2. Bali Travel Tips
      Website entirely on Bali.

    3. Banda Aceh
      City in northern Sumatra.

    4. Bandung
      Major city in West Java.

    5. Berastagi
      Highland resort town in Sumatra.

    6. Komodo Island
      Island famous for its gigantic lizards.

    7. Jakarta
      Capital of Indonesia.

    8. Lake Toba Travel Guide
      Biggest island in Indonesia.

    9. Lombok Travel Guide
      Island to the east of Bali.

    10. Makassar Travel Guide
      Capital of South Sulawesi Province.

    11. Medan
      Biggest city in Sumatra.

    12. Nias
      Island on the west coast of Sumatra.

    13. Padang
      Capital and largest city in West Sumatra.

    14. Pekanbaru
      Capital of Riau Province.

    15. Pematang Purba
      Antiquated village in northern Sumatra.

    16. Prapat Travel Guide
      Town by the banks of Lake Toba.

    17. Samosir Island
      Island within Lake Toba.

    18. Solo
      Major city in Central Java.

    19. Surabaya
      Capital of East Java.

    20. Tongging
      Scenic spot above Lake Toba.

    21. Yogyakarta
      City in Central Java, home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

    Biggest Tourist Attractions of Indonesia

    1. Asmat
    2. Bali
    3. Borobudur
    4. Komodo Island
    5. Lake Toba
    6. Mount Bromo
    7. Prambanan
  • Tana Toraja
  • Biggest Cities of Indonesia

    1. Jakarta (10.8 million)
    2. Bandung (2.9 million)
    3. Surabaya (2.7 million)
    4. Medan (2.1 million)
    5. Bekasi (2.0 million)
    6. Palembang (1.5 million)
    7. Tangerang (1.5 million)
    8. Makassar (1.2 million)
    9. Semarang (1.1 million)
    10. Bogor (760,000)
    11. Malang (740,000)
    12. Bandar Lampung (730,000)
    13. Samarinda (590,000)
    14. Pekanbaru (570,000
    15. Banjarmasin (550,000)
    16. Surakarta (530,000)
    17. Depok (510,000)
    18. Balikpapan (500,000)
    19. Pontianak (493,000)
    20. Denpasar (492,000)
    21. Jambi (430,000)

    Cities and Sights of West Java

    1. Anyer
    2. Bandung
    3. Banten
    4. Bogor
    5. Cirebon
    6. Jakarta
    7. Kepulauan Seribu
    8. Pelabuhan Ratu
    9. Semarang
    10. Ujung Kulon National Park

    Cities and Sights of Central Java

  • Solo
  • Yogyakarta
  • Cities and Sights of East Java

    1. Alas Purwo National Park
    2. Baluran National Park
    3. Madura
    4. Malang
    5. Meru Betiri National Park
    6. Mount Bromo
    7. Surabaya

    Cities and Sights of Sumatra

    1. Banda Aceh
    2. Bandar Lampung
    3. Batam
    4. Bengkulu
    5. Bintan
    6. Bohorok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
    7. Bukittinggi
    8. Gayo Highlands
    9. Gunung Leuser National Park
    10. Jambi
    11. Kerinci National Park
    12. Lake Toba
    13. Medan
    14. Nias Island
    15. Padang
    16. Palembang
    17. Pekanbaru
    18. Siberut Island
    19. Sibolga
    20. Way Kambas National Park

    Cities and Sights of Kalimantan

    1. Apokayan
    2. Balikpapan
    3. Banjarmasin
    4. Barong Tongkok
    5. Bontang
    6. Data Dawai
    7. Kersik Luwai Orchid Reserve
    8. Ketapang
    9. Kota Bangun
    10. Kumai
    11. Long Ampung
    12. Long Bagun
    13. Long Iram
    14. Martapura
    15. Melak
    16. Muara Muntai
    17. Palangkaraya
    18. Pelaihari Martapura Nature Reserve
    19. Pontianak
    20. Putussibau
    21. Samarinda
    22. Sambas
    23. Singkawang
    24. Sintang
    25. Tanjung Isuy
    26. Tanjung Puting National Park
    27. Tenggarong

    Cities and Sights of Sulawesi

    1. Bantimurung
    2. Bau Bau
    3. Bira
    4. Bitung
    5. Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park
    6. Bunaken National Marine Park
    7. Donggala
    8. Gintu
    9. Gorontalo
    10. Gunung Ambang Nature Reserve
    11. Kakanawue Nature Reserve
    12. Kendari
    13. Kepulauan Togian
    14. Kepulauan Tukang Besi
    15. Lore Lindu National Park
    16. Makassar
    17. Malino
    18. Manado
    19. Morame
    20. Morawali Nature Reserve
    21. Palu
    22. Raha
    23. Rantepao
    24. Rawa Aopa National Park
    25. Tana Beru
    26. Tana Toraja
    27. Tangkoko-Dua Saudara Nature Reserve
    28. Tentena
    29. Tondano
    30. Watampone

    Cities and Sights of Nusa Tenggara

    1. Bali
    2. Lombok

    Cities and Sights of Sumbawa

    1. Batutering
    2. Bima
    3. Calabai
    4. Gunung Tambora
    5. Hu'u
    6. Moyo
    7. Sape
    8. Sumbawa Besar

    Cities and Sights of Komodo and Rinca

    1. Gunung Ara
    2. Gunung Satalibo
    3. Komodo
    4. Pantai Merah
    5. Rinca

    Cities and Sights of Flores

    1. Bajawa
    2. Ende
    3. Labuhanbajo
    4. Larantuka
    5. Maumere
    6. Moni
    7. Riung
    8. Ruteng
    9. So'a

    Cities and Sights of the Solor and Alor Archipelagos

    1. Alor
    2. Gunung Ili Api
    3. Lembata
    4. Lewoleba
    5. Pantar
    6. Solor

    Cities and Sights of Sumba

    1. Lai Tarung
    2. Pasunga
    3. Sodan
    4. Waikabubak
    5. Waingapu
      1. Cities and Sights of Roti, Savu and West Timor

        1. Kupang
        2. Ndao
        3. Roti
        4. Savu

        Cities and Sights of Maluku

        1. Amahusu
        2. Ambon
        3. Banda Besar
        4. Bandaneira
        5. Gunung Api
        6. Gunung Sirimau
        7. Halmahera
        8. Hiri
        9. Kao
        10. Kepulauan Banda
        11. Masohi
        12. Morotai
        13. Namalatu
        14. Pombo
        15. Sanglia Dol
        16. Saparua
        17. Tanimbar
        18. Ternate
        19. Tidore
        20. Tual
        21. Waai

        Cities and Sights of Papua and West Papua

        1. Agats
        2. Biak
        3. Jayapura
        4. Manokwari
        5. Sentani
        6. Sorong
        7. Timika
        8. Wamena
        9. Wasur National Park








        Climate

        Indonesia enjoys a tropical climate. Aside from its highlands, Indonesia experiences a uniform high temperature throughout the country. There is a dry season from April to October and a wet season from November to March. Best time to visit, especially for Bali and Java, is in the middle of the year, around June to August, when there is greater likelihood of getting blue skies.

        When is the best time to visit Indonesia? The tables below provide you some guidance as you prepare for your trip.










    Hotel Room Price Checker

    Before booking a hotel room, make sure you are getting the lowest price for it. Different hotel booking websites offers the same room at different prices. If you stick with one site all the time, you could be paying more for the same room. Now why pay more?

    The form below is a Research Engine. It doesn't take bookings. Instead it lets you find the hotel booking website that offers the room you want at the lowest price. You can see and compare what different sites are offering, and then click to choose the one with the best price. Do this, and you're guaranteed to save a whole lot of money on your room reservations!



    AsiaExplorers Flight Checker

    If you're flying somewhere, use our Flight Checker to compare the rates from different airlines. To use it, enter where you will be flying from, where you will be flying to, your departure date and return date. Select the number of passengers, and then click search.

    Our engine will return you a list of possible flights that you can take. You can compare the fare of different airlines for your trip. Click on your selected airline, and we transfer you to the airline website.




    Return to AsiaExplorers homepage

    My message introducing God to all the world: THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO TIM


    Bookmark and Share   Follow EarthDocumentary on Twitter


    Copyright © 2003-2010 AsiaExplorers.  All rights reserved.


    AsiaExplorers is researched and written by Timothy Tye. Reasonable care is taken to check and verify the accuracy of the content. AsiaExplorers disclaims responsibility for any inconvenience, mishap, injury or death resulting from following the tips and advice provided directly or indirectly by this website. All pages may be printed out for your own personal, non-commercial use. You may use the information on this website on your blog or website so long as you place a dofollow link back to the page in AsiaExplorers where it appears. Photographs not credited to a third party belong to Timothy Tye and may not be reused in any form unless you are first given permission. Write in to inquire if interested. Third party photographs are governed by their respective licenses. To contact Tim, write to the following email address: