Skip to content

15 Best Things to Do in Indonesia (2026 Local Guide)

/ Blog / By

⏱ 3 min read📖 647 words📅 May 2026
Table of Contents
  1. The 15 best things to do in Indonesia
  2. Helpful Packzup guides
  3. Frequently asked questions

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

1

Watch sunrise from Mt. Bromo

Where: East Java / Pre-dawnCost: $30-100

Active volcano + lunar landscape. Sunrise viewpoint 4-5am. Most iconic Indonesian photo.

2

Visit Borobudur Temple at sunrise

Where: Yogyakarta / Pre-dawnCost: $25 + sunrise

9th-century Buddhist temple + largest in the world. Sunrise from Punthuk Setumbu viewpoint best.

3

Komodo Dragons day trip

Where: Flores / Full dayCost: $200-500

See world’s largest lizards. Komodo Island + Rinca Island. Combine with Padar viewpoint hike.

4

Bali rice terraces (Tegalalang)

Where: Bali / Half dayCost: Free + donations

Iconic Bali rice terraces. Walk through paddies. Photo ops everywhere. Best at sunrise.

5

Surf the Mentawai Islands

Where: Sumatra / 1 weekCost: $1000-3000

World’s best surf island chain. Less crowded than Bali. Boat-based surf charters $1500-3000/week.

6

Climb Mt. Rinjani

Where: Lombok / 3-4 daysCost: $200-400

3,726m volcano summit + caldera lake. Multi-day trek. Less crowded than Bromo/Batur.

7

Lounge at Bali beach clubs

Where: Bali / AfternoonCost: $50-300

Atlas Beach (Canggu) or Karma Kandara (Uluwatu) or Sundara (Jimbaran). Premium beach club experience.

8

Yoga retreat in Ubud

Where: Ubud / 1 weekCost: $300-800/week

Yoga capital of the world. Multiple ashrams + retreats. 7-day packages include accommodation + meals.

9

Snorkel/dive Raja Ampat

Where: West Papua / 1 weekCost: $2000-5000

World’s best marine biodiversity. Manta rays + corals + 1500+ fish species. Premium tropical diving destination.

10

Coffee tasting in Ubud

Where: Ubud / 90 minCost: $20-40

Bali coffee + kopi luwak (civet poop coffee). Plantation tours include 10 coffee + tea samples.

11

Stay in a Bamboo House (Green Village)

Where: Bali / 2 nightsCost: $300-800/night

Famous all-bamboo structures by Elora Hardy. Unique architectural experience.

12

Watch traditional dance in Ubud

Where: Ubud / EveningCost: $10-20

Legong + Kecak fire dance + Barong dance. Multiple Ubud venues nightly. Sacred Hindu-Balinese performances.

13

Visit Nusa Penida

Where: Bali / 1-2 daysCost: $50-200/day

Less-developed island east of Bali. Kelingking Beach (T-Rex coast) + Crystal Bay. Day trip or overnight.

14

Sumatra orangutan trek

Where: Bukit Lawang / 2 daysCost: $100-300

Wild orangutans in Gunung Leuser National Park. Multi-day jungle trekking. Less touristy than Borneo orangutans.

15

Eat nasi padang + Indonesian food

Where: Everywhere / DailyCost: $2-6

National street food – rice + 10 small dishes shared family-style. Cheap + delicious + varied. Best in Sumatra.

Ready to book?
Compare Indonesia tours and tickets →

Helpful Packzup guides

Frequently asked questions

How many days for Indonesia?
7 days = Bali. 14 days = Bali + Lombok or Java. 21+ days for multi-island Indonesia.
Best time to visit Indonesia?
April-October (dry season). Bali peaks July-August. Avoid December-February for outdoor activities.
Indonesia on a budget?
$30-60/day mid-range. Bali Canggu $40-80/day. Sumatra cheaper at $25-40/day.
Indonesia visa for Americans?
30-day visa-on-arrival ($35). New Digital Nomad Visa launched 2024 for longer stays.
Best Indonesian destination for first-timer?
Bali (Ubud + Canggu + Uluwatu) for first trip. Add Lombok + Gili Islands for extension. Save Sumatra/Komodo/Raja Ampat for repeat visits.

Updated 2026. Some links on Packzup are affiliate links.

John Morrison

Written by

John Morrison

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.