Indonesia boasts some of the most unique landscapes we have ever witnessed, coupled with some of the friendliest people and some of the most affordable prices, we think that an Indonesia Holiday is a must-visit for every type of traveller.
To make it even more inviting, we have all the information you need to head off on your Indonesia trip of a lifetime.
1 – Indonesia Visa: Do I Need an Indonesia Visa?
Yes, you will need an Indonesia visa to enter Indonesia. The cost of a 30-day Indonesia visa is 500,000 IDR/30 Euro/30 USD/50 AUD – even though all these prices don’t match up!
You can get this Indonesia visa on arrival at the airport as you enter immigration. Present your passport, pay the fee, and receive the precious stamp.
We were first at the immigration counter at Juanda International Airport in Surabaya and were good to go in just a few minutes. (But then our luggage was lost so being first didn’t quite seem to matter – but that’s for another article!)
It is possible to pay for your Indonesia visa by card (with a 3% card fee), however, USD and Euro are also accepted.
2 – What are the Best Indonesia Attractions to Visit?
Indonesia is huge, with so many activities on offer but here are our top Indonesia attractions:
Best Things to do in Indonesia: Bali
Bali is your “holiday island”….Or little Australia!
Explore the cultural hub of Ubud, visit ancient temples like Uluwatu, and relax on beautiful beaches like Kuta and Seminyak.
Best Things to do in Indonesia: Ubud Monkey Forest (Bali)
Encounter playful macaques in the sacred monkey forest and explore the lush surroundings.
Visit art galleries, traditional markets, and the nearby Tegallalang Rice Terraces.
Best Things to do in Indonesia: Borobudur and Prambanan Temples (Java)
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist temple, and Prambanan, a complex of Hindu temples.
Best Things to do in Indonesia: Mount Bromo (Java)
Hike to the rim of the active volcano for a breathtaking sunrise view.
Witness some of the most otherworldly landscapes you’ve ever seen.
Best Things to do in Indonesia: Tumpak Sewu (Java)
Visit one of the most beautiful waterfalls we have ever experienced.
Best Things to do in Indonesia: Mount Ijen (Java)
Hike to the largest acidic crater lake in the world and witness the famous Mount Ijen blue flames at night.
Best Things to do in Indonesia: Gili Islands (Lombok)
Relax on the pristine beaches of the tropical Gil Islands of Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air.
Enjoy snorkeling, diving, and the laid-back atmosphere of these paradise car-free islands.
Best Things to do in Indonesia: Sendang Giles and Tiu Kelep Waterfalls (Lombok)
With both majestic waterfalls standing at over 30ft high hidden in the depths of the beautiful Indonesia rainforest, this is such a special place.
Best Things to do in Indonesia: Bukit Selong (Lombok)
For some strange reason, this paradise garden is not that famous!
Best Things to do in Indonesia: Komodo National Park
Witness the unique Komodo dragons, the world’s largest lizards, in their natural habitat.
Enjoy some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Coral Triangle.
Best Things to do in Indonesia: Tanjung Puting National Park (Borneo)
Witness orangutans in their natural habitat and explore the wildlife-rich rainforests of Borneo.
Take a river cruise through the park to spot proboscis monkeys, pythons, and other exotic species.
Best Things to do in Indonesia: Indonesian cuisine and Street Food
A bold statement but we think Indonesia may have surpassed Thailand as our favourite food! The delicious food options and the low prices seem just too good to be true so enjoy it all. We highly recommend the Padang curry!
These are just a few of our favourite Indonesia attractions, each with its own unique charm and cultural significance.
3 – Indonesia Weather: What is the Best Time to Visit Indonesia?
Remember Indonesia is huge so the best time to visit Indonesia will depend on which region and what activities you are planning for your Indonesia holiday.
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- Dry season: April to October
- Expect lower rainfall, comfortable temperatures, and sunny weather.
- Ideal for beach vacations, hiking, and cultural exploration.
- Wet season: November to March
- Lush landscapes, occasional rain.
- Good for surfing, lower prices, and fewer crowds.
We ventured on our Indonesia trip in January, it was hot and humid but we did not experience much rain at all.
- Transitional periods (April-May and September-October)
- Balance of good weather and fewer tourists.
Check specific regions for accurate weather information when planning your Indonesia trip.
4 – What is the Currency in Indonesia?
The Rupiah is the currency of Indonesia (IDR). At the time of writing 100000 IDR is around the 5.80 Euro mark.
5 – Indonesia Budget: How Much Should You Budget for Your Indonesia Holiday?
Your Indonesia budget can vary significantly based on various factors, including travel style, accommodation preferences, duration of stay, activities planned, and personal spending habits.
However, here’s a rough breakdown to help you plan your Indonesia holiday budget:
At the time of writing, the US Dollar and Euro were nearly equivalent in value.
Accommodation: Indonesia has some of the nicest and cheapest accommodation we have stayed in, definitely the best value for money. Indonesia budget accommodations range from 10-20 Euros/night, while mid-range hotels typically cost between 20-50 Euros/night. Luxury resorts or hotels might cost upwards of 100 Euros.
We spent on average 12 Euros per night for private room with A/C, WiFi and balcony/terrace during our Indonesia trip. All offering a shared pool and free breakfast. What else do you need?! *We HIGHLY recommend getting accommodation with a pool especially at this time of year (January). Trust us you won’t regret it, just watch the video below!
Food: Street food and local eateries offer affordable meals for as little as 1-5 Euros/meal. Nasi/Mie goreng goes from 15k-25k, you don’t need to be spending more than that. Prices will increase the more upscale you venture.
Activities: Entrance fees to Indonesia attractions and activities vary. Many attractions like Mount Bromo, Tumpak Sewu and Mount Ijen have minimal fees of less than $5 PP. Temples and cultural sites like Borobudur are significantly higher at $36 PP and of course, snorkelling/scuba day trips can be pricey.
Miscellaneous: Always budget for additional expenses like shopping, nightlife, SIM cards, and unforeseen costs.
must-try at 15k IDR (88cent)
As a rough estimate:
Budget Travelers: An Indonesia budget traveler might aim for around 20-50 Euros/day, staying in hostels, eating street food, using public transportation, and engaging in mostly free or low-cost activities.
Mid-Range Travelers: Mid-range travelers could budget around 50-100 Euros/day, enjoying mid-range hotels, a mix of local and nicer dining options, guided tours, and some additional comfort.
Luxury Travelers: For luxury travelers, the budget might exceed 100 Euros/per day or more, indulging in upscale accommodations, fine dining, exclusive experiences, and private transportation.
Indonesia Budget: How Much Did we Spend on a Month-Long Indonesia Trip?
For 30 days, what we spent of our China budget was 1000 Euros. In Indonesia our accommodation was on average 12 Euros/night and we average spent 10 Euros/day on meals/water/snacks.
Keep in mind we eat in local restaurants. Two delicious meals cost on around the 3 Euros mark. Absolute foodie heaven!
If you’re planning an Indonesia trip, make sure you take into consideration expenses for tours, transport, more luxurious accommodations, and eating out, we’d suggest budgeting almost double our spending for a typical Indonesia holiday.
Indonesia Budget: Food
Indonesian food is now one of our favourite things about Indonesia. The flavours, the variety and the cost.
The following video is just a glimpse at some of the delicious food we have tried here – there are loads of these Indonesian food videos on our social media so make sure to check them out.
Indonesia Budget: Accommodation
The choice of fabulous accommodation at amazing value is endless in Indonesia. As mentioned previously, we are staying in beautiful accommodation that tick all the boxes costing us on average 12 Euros per night.
Let’s just let this video sum it up.
Indonesia Budget: Alcohol
Alcohol is widely available in Indonesia, particularly in the tourist spots like Bali and the Bali islands such as the Gili Islands.
These include beer, spirits, cocktails, and local beverages. You can find alcohol in convenience stores, supermarkets, bars, and restaurants.
In certain regions, there is a predominant Muslim population, leading to potential limitations on alcohol. Therefore, it’s crucial to do your research beforehand, and always respect the local customs of the area you are lucky enough to be visiting.
Local Beers: Indonesia has several popular local beer brands, such as Bintang and Anker.
Local spirits: Arak is a traditional Indonesian distilled spirit, often made from rice or palm sap and it has a high alcohol content.
*A small beer costs about 2 Euro (35k) in a bar/restaurant and a cocktail upwards of 2.60 Euro (65k-85k).
Buying alcohol in convenience stores is a lot more expensive in Indonesia than in other South East Asia countries such as Thailand. For example, a 700ml of the local spirit Arak in a shop would set you back 12-17 Euro (220k-300k), which is pretty much the same cost as at home in Ireland. If you find cheaper please leave us know!
6 – Transport – How to Get Around During Your Indonesia Holiday?
Travelling Indonesia is much easier these days with the use of websites like 12go. Below we have outlined some of the main ways we have travelled around Indonesia.
Public Transport:
Buses: Travel throughout Indonesia is easier than ever before with websites such as 12Go allowing you to easily book tickets online. For example, we took at 2hour bus journey from Surabaya to Probolingo for 2 Euro per person, purchased from 12go.
*The prices do not always seem to make sense. You can end up paying more for a shorter distance. You are probably not being scammed, as we thought we were, and the prices simply differ in different regions.
Bajaj: These are common modes of transportation in cities and rural areas are are similar to tuk-tuks. Tuk-tuks are three-wheeled vehicles popular for short distances.
*Negotiate fares before getting in tuk-tuks.
Angkot: Short for “angkutan kota,” these are minivans or minibusses that operate on fixed routes within cities and towns. These usually operate on a “wait for the bus to be full” timeframe and we were once waiting 3 hours for other passengers to arrive. However, they do offer an option to buy all the seats and thus can leave straight away.
Trains: Indonesia has an extensive railway network, particularly in Java and Sumatra. This mode of transport offers a comfortable and scenic way to travel between cities but they can get booked out quickly so make sure to book your tickets in advance.
Ferries: In Indonesia, ferries are essential for travelling between the islands. Tickets for all ferries can be booked conveniently and cost effectively through 12go.
Domestic Flights: Several domestic airlines operate flights between major cities. This could be the top choice while on an Indonesia holiday and time is tight.
Motorbike or Car Rental: Renting a motorbike or car is an option for more independent travel. However, driving in Indonesia might be challenging due to different driving norms and traffic conditions, particularly in cities. Just be careful, driving in Indonesia is CRAZY, and that’s putting it lightly! If you are not a confident driver, please don’t bother. If you are, then you can rent a scooter from 4-5 Euro (70k-80k) per day.
Motorbike Taxis – Gojek: Common in urban areas, motorbike taxis (Gojek) offer quick and convenient transport for short distances. Always negotiate fares beforehand.
*Or just use Grab…keeping reading!
Is There Uber in Indonesia?
Uber doesn’t operate in Indonesia. Grab is the dominant ride-hailing service and offers services similar to Uber. We mainly use public transport during our travels but the ease of grab along with the affordable cost was sometimes just too tempting to pass up on during this Indonesia trip!
Grab is widely used and available in major cities like Surabaya, Malang, Kuta and other urban areas throughout the country.
7 – Can you use ATMs During Your Indonesia Holiday?
ATMs are widely available throughout Indonesia in urban areas, towns, tourist destinations, and even smaller towns usually have them available.
A good idea is to order a travel card from your bank or order a Revolut travel money card so as to avoid any additional fees/charges.
The maximum amount you can withdraw is 3,000,000 IDR which is approximately 175 Euro. Some local Indonesian banks may offer lower withdrawal fees for foreigners such as Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI), Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), and Bank Mandiri.
*Ideally try to use ATM inside of a bank as these are the least likely to get skimmed. Cards getting skimmed is a common scam in Bali. Also, only use your card in established places due to this reason.
8 – What Socket Type to use in Indonesia?
In Indonesia, the most commonly used electrical socket type is the Type C socket. This socket is also known as the Europlug and has two round prongs.
Why not just purchase a Multi Travel Adapter so you are prepared for any plug type?!
9 – Indonesia Holiday: Is Indonesia Safe to Visit?
Is Indonesia safe?
Indonesia is generally a safe destination to visit, and this is especially true on the island of Java, where we have found the locals to be among the friendliest, most welcoming, and most generous people we have encountered during our Indonesia travels over the years.
As mentioned above, the driving and traffic is treacherous and we have had one near fatal incident with an over loaded truck that lost use of it’s brakes.
Other than that….we have never experienced any safety issues or felt unsafe in Indonesia – be it in cities, rural, day or night. But it’s still important to take normal precautions such as being aware of your surroundings, respecting local customs, and staying informed about local conditions.
As always, use your gut instinct regarding your safety as you would anywhere in the world.
Below are some areas of caution to consider about safety in Indonesia:
Personal Safety: Indonesia is relatively safe for tourists. Violent crimes against tourists are rare, but petty theft and scams can occur, especially in crowded tourist areas.
Health and Hygiene: Be mindful of food and water hygiene to avoid traveler’s diarrhea or food-related illnesses. We would recommend drinking bottled water.
Transportation Safety: Be cautious when using local transportation, and ensure that boat operators adhere to safety standards. Traveling between the islands and the mainland typically involves boat transfers, so use reputable services.
Cultural Sensitivities: Respect local customs, traditions, and cultural practices. Dress modestly when visiting temples or religious sites and remove shoes before entering sacred places.
Scams: Be cautious of scams, particularly in tourist areas. Common scams include tuk-tuk scams, ATM card skimming, giving back incorrect change in shops/restaurants and even currency exchange businesses.
Natural Disasters: Indonesia, situated in the Ring of Fire, experiences seismic and volcanic activity. While the country faces natural disaster risks, these are not constant. Travelers should stay informed, follow government alerts, and be prepared. Many popular tourist destinations have safety measures in place, and millions of tourists visit Indonesia safely each year.
10 – What Language is Spoken in Indonesia?
While Indonesian is the primary language, English is also spoken and understood to varying degrees, particularly in urban areas, tourist destinations, and among younger generations.
Basic knowledge of Indonesian phrases can be helpful for communication and is just a nice and considerate thing to do when interacting with locals. We’ll help you out with some of the basics:
- Hello / Hi: Halo (pronounced hah-loh)
- Thank you: Terima kasih (pronounced te-ree-mah ka-seeh)
- Yes: Ya (pronounced yah)
- No: Tidak (pronounced tee-dah)
- Please: Tolong (pronounced toh-long)
- Excuse me / I’m sorry: Maaf (pronounced mah-ahf)
- Good morning: Selamat pagi (pronounced suh-lah-mat pah-gee)
- Delicious!: Enak! (pronounced eh-nahk!)
- Good evening: Selamat malam (pronounced suh-lah-mat mah-lahm)
- How much is this?: Berapa harganya? (pronounced buh-rah-pah har-gah-nya)
11 – What SIM Card to get for Your Indonesia Holiday?
When we arrived at the airport we were being charged nearly 18 Euro (300k) for a sim card with 8GB. We chose not to go with this deal and instead asked at our hotel where the best place to obtain a sim card was.
We went to a local GraPARI-Telkomsel store, which was luckily a walk away from where we were staying. We purchased a Telkomsel sim (we just bought one sim – with 50GB with can hotspot the other person and we’ll always had good WiFi at our accommodations).
By choosing this option, we ended up getting 50GB for 5.80 Euro (100k) plus a sim for 60cent (10k). This is just an example that if you are not happy with the initial price then hold out and ask around.
*To purchase a SIM card, you will generally need to provide identification so don’t forget your passport!
12 – What Packing Essentials Do You Need for Your Indonesia Holiday?
This Indonesia Holiday packing list is the same list we recommend for the majority of our travels.
- Dry bag – for those snorkeling/island tour days.
- Waterproof phone case – same reason as above!
- Multi Travel Adapter – so you are prepared for any plug type!
- Battery Pack – if you have any long bus journeys or to charge your phone from all the photos taken.
- A light long pants/skirt and shawl/t-shirt – when visiting temples/religious sites
- Light Raincoat – if visiting in the wet season
- Flip Flops (or thongs!)
- Light clothing – because you will be sweating
- Warm clothing – because it can get cold during those early sunrise hikes.
- Download apps such as Google Translate, Google Maps, and Booking.com.
- Utilize budget apps such as TravelSpend to keep track of your spending.
- A sense of adventure and a BIG SMILE.
Make sure to read our full list of travel tips – we have lots more!
13 – Indonesia Holiday: Is Indonesia Worth Visiting?
Is Indonesia worth visiting?
I’m sure you can tell by now if you are still reading, that we absolutely loved our Indonesia trips. So yes, Indonesia is absolutely worth visiting!
We have experienced some of the most amazing adventures amongst some of the most unique and stunning landscapes we have ever witnessed on our travels.
Whilst, also getting the opportunity to enjoy and soak up some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Indonesia really does have some to offer each and every traveller.
We feel that the people are what contribute to our favourite places and this is why Indonesia now is up there with the best. The Indonesian people are authentic and genuinely beautiful inside and out.
The exceptionally low cost Indonesia budget and unbelievable food are just added bonuses!
Enjoy your Indonesia Holiday!
From Indonesia’s rich culture, delicious food, natural landscapes from beaches, mountains and jungles. A range of activities for the more adventurous such as snorkeling, diving and volcano hiking.
All of this can be experienced on a life changing trip at an extremely affordable and budget-friendly cost.
It is a top choice among first-time travellers as well as the more seasoned travellers, and we truly hope you fall in love with Indonesia as much as we have. In fact, we can even go as far as saying that we can guarantee you will!
We love talking about Indonesia so we would love to hear your thoughts about it.
If you have any more questions just leave a message below or message us on our socials.
Slán go fóil
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