Indonesia travel guide
Indonesia travel guide: Bali, the islands, and the wider archipelago
Indonesia is the world's largest island nation - 17,000 islands across three time zones. We cover Bali in depth; the rest of the archipelago (Java, Sumatra, Komodo, Flores, Sulawesi) deserves your second trip.
Destinations we cover in Indonesia
Country overview
Indonesia is tropical-monsoon. Bali's dry season May-October is the sweet spot. Visa on arrival (~$35) or 60-day pre-arranged visa. New tourist tax (150,000 IDR / $10) on Bali arrival.
- Language
- Bahasa Indonesia + 700+ local languages. English common in Bali tourist areas; less elsewhere.
- Currency
- Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). ATMs widely available; small denominations useful.
- Best time to visit
- May-October for Bali dry season. April and November are sweet shoulder months. Wet season (Nov-March) has lower prices and afternoon-only rain.
- Trip highlights
- Bali's Ubud rice terraces + Uluwatu cliffs + Canggu surf + traditional Hindu culture + tropical island week-long stay.
Indonesia beyond Bali: regions, routes & costs
Indonesia is vast — 17,000 islands — and Bali is just the start. The highlights for most trips:
- Bali & the Gilis: beaches, culture, the easy on-ramp.
- Java: the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan, Yogyakarta, and volcano hikes (Bromo, Ijen).
- Lombok: quieter beaches and Mount Rinjani.
- Komodo: dragons, pink beaches and world-class diving from Labuan Bajo.
- Sumatra: jungle and orangutans (Bukit Lawang), off the beaten path.
When & costs
Dry season is April-October. Indonesia is budget-friendly — $25-50/day backpacker, more in Bali's resort areas. Domestic flights link the islands cheaply.
Most travelers get a 30-day Visa on Arrival. See Bali guide and the cost index.
Indonesia Travel Guide FAQ
Is Indonesia just Bali?
Far from it — Java's temples, Komodo's dragons and Sumatra's jungles are all highlights.
How much does Indonesia cost?
Budget-friendly — roughly $25-50/day, higher in Bali's resort zones.
Compare Indonesia with other destinations
Still deciding where to go? See how Indonesia stacks up head-to-head:
How far does your money go? Read our Global Travel Affordability Report 2026 — 200 countries ranked by cost, with the cheapest regions and countries to travel.
Best time to visit Indonesia (real climate data)
Best months: July, August, September.
Indonesia’s warmest month is September (avg 33°C / 91°F), the coolest is July (low 23°C / 74°F). The wettest is January (323 mm) and the driest is July.
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 climate normals (2019–2023). See the full month-by-month weather →