Quick verdict: Indonesia is 17,508 islands – Bali + Java + Sumatra + Lombok + Komodo + more. This guide ranks 15 essential Indonesian experiences for 2026.
The 15 best things to do in Indonesia
Watch sunrise from Mt. Bromo
Active volcano + lunar landscape. Sunrise viewpoint 4-5am. Most iconic Indonesian photo.
Visit Borobudur Temple at sunrise
9th-century Buddhist temple + largest in the world. Sunrise from Punthuk Setumbu viewpoint best.
Komodo Dragons day trip
See world’s largest lizards. Komodo Island + Rinca Island. Combine with Padar viewpoint hike.
Bali rice terraces (Tegalalang)
Iconic Bali rice terraces. Walk through paddies. Photo ops everywhere. Best at sunrise.
Surf the Mentawai Islands
World’s best surf island chain. Less crowded than Bali. Boat-based surf charters $1500-3000/week.
Climb Mt. Rinjani
3,726m volcano summit + caldera lake. Multi-day trek. Less crowded than Bromo/Batur.
Lounge at Bali beach clubs
Atlas Beach (Canggu) or Karma Kandara (Uluwatu) or Sundara (Jimbaran). Premium beach club experience.
Yoga retreat in Ubud
Yoga capital of the world. Multiple ashrams + retreats. 7-day packages include accommodation + meals.
Snorkel/dive Raja Ampat
World’s best marine biodiversity. Manta rays + corals + 1500+ fish species. Premium tropical diving destination.
Coffee tasting in Ubud
Bali coffee + kopi luwak (civet poop coffee). Plantation tours include 10 coffee + tea samples.
Stay in a Bamboo House (Green Village)
Famous all-bamboo structures by Elora Hardy. Unique architectural experience.
Watch traditional dance in Ubud
Legong + Kecak fire dance + Barong dance. Multiple Ubud venues nightly. Sacred Hindu-Balinese performances.
Visit Nusa Penida
Less-developed island east of Bali. Kelingking Beach (T-Rex coast) + Crystal Bay. Day trip or overnight.
Sumatra orangutan trek
Wild orangutans in Gunung Leuser National Park. Multi-day jungle trekking. Less touristy than Borneo orangutans.
Eat nasi padang + Indonesian food
National street food – rice + 10 small dishes shared family-style. Cheap + delicious + varied. Best in Sumatra.
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What’s Actually Worth Your Time (and What to Skip)
The Tegalalang rice terraces outside Ubud have become more photo studio than farmland, with paid swings, ‘I Love Bali’ signs and a queue for every viewpoint. Drive ninety minutes west to Jatiluwih instead, a UNESCO-listed valley of more than 600 hectares where you walk marked trails alongside working farmers rather than tour groups. Entry runs around 50,000-75,000 IDR cash, and arriving close to its 8am opening buys you a quiet hour or two before the buses roll in.
On the Java side, almost everyone funnels into Borobudur and overlooks Prambanan, the largest Hindu temple compound in Indonesia. Its 240 shrines have been UNESCO-listed since 1991, and the towering Shiva temple sits against Mount Merapi. Come in late afternoon: the crowds thin and the spires catch the light before the 5pm last entry. One scheduling note, the main Shiva temple closes Mondays for maintenance.
The smart-money move is the Borobudur and Prambanan combined ticket, valid across two days so you can split the temples without backtracking. Read the fine print first, though.
- The combo ticket does not cover the separate Borobudur sunrise slot, so book that on its own if dawn light is your priority.
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Updated 2026. Some links on Packzup are affiliate links.
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.