Indonesia Travel Guide
The dry season (roughly May–September) is the reliable window across Bali and Java. Wet season (November–March) brings heavy but usually short downpours.
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Indonesia at a glance
Best time to visit Indonesia
The dry season (roughly May–September) is the reliable window across Bali and Java. Wet season (November–March) brings heavy but usually short downpours.
Peak: July–August and the Christmas–New Year fortnight — Bali villa rates rise sharply.
Shoulder season: May–June and September: dry weather without peak-season pricing.
Visa and entry
Visa on arrival (30 days, extendable) for many nationalities. Some nationalities visa-free. Check molina.imigrasi.go.id.
Entry rules depend on your nationality and change frequently. Always confirm with an official embassy or consulate source before booking.
Money and tipping
Indonesia uses the IDR (Rp).
Optional. 10% service charge often added to restaurant bills; 10,000–20,000 IDR tip for drivers or guides.
Getting around
Jakarta's TransJakarta and MRT run about Rp3,500–14,000 on a JakLingko card. Bali has almost no useful public transport — budget for Grab/Gojek or a driver at roughly Rp600,000–800,000 a day.
When a pass pays off: In Bali a full-day private driver beats app rides from about 4 trips, and works in the areas where app pickups are restricted.
Local etiquette
Do
- Use your right hand to give, receive and eat.
- Wear the sarong and sash lent at Balinese temple entrances.
- Ask before photographing ceremonies or people at prayer.
Avoid
- Don't touch anyone's head, including children's.
- Don't step on the small daily canang sari offerings on Bali's pavements.
- Don't drink tap water — sealed or filtered only.
Common scams and tourist traps
- Money changers advertising unusually good rates use sleight-of-hand counting; use bank ATMs or authorised counters and count before you leave.
- Scooter hire damage claims are common — photograph everything, and check your insurance actually covers you with the licence you hold.
- Unmetered taxis at airports and tourist strips overcharge; use Bluebird, Grab or Gojek.
Health
Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are commonly recommended for Indonesia, and dengue fever precautions are advisable; malaria prophylaxis may be recommended for travel to remote parts of Papua or rural Kalimantan. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
When locals eat
Meal windows shift by country, and eating on the local clock is the difference between a full restaurant and a closed kitchen.
| Meal | Early riser | Typical | Night owl |
|---|---|---|---|
| breakfast | 6:30 AM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM |
| lunch | 12:00 PM | 12:30 PM | 2:00 PM |
| dinner | 6:30 PM | 7:30 PM | 9:30 PM |
Useful Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) phrases
English is widely spoken in Bali and business districts. Indonesian is unusually beginner-friendly — Latin alphabet, no tones.
- Hello / good morning
- Halo / Selamat pagi(ha-lo / se-la-mat pa-gee)
- Thank you
- Terima kasih(tuh-ree-ma ka-see)
- Excuse me
- Permisi(per-mee-see)
- How much is this?
- Berapa harganya?(buh-ra-pa har-ga-nya)
Staying connected
eSIM providers that cover Indonesia: Airalo, Ubigi, Holafly. Buying an eSIM before you fly avoids airport queues and roaming charges.
Indonesia travel FAQ
- When is the best time to visit Indonesia?
- The dry season (roughly May–September) is the reliable window across Bali and Java. Wet season (November–March) brings heavy but usually short downpours.
- Do I need a visa to visit Indonesia?
- Visa on arrival (30 days, extendable) for many nationalities. Some nationalities visa-free. Check molina.imigrasi.go.id. Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — confirm with an official consulate or embassy source before booking.
- Do you tip in Indonesia?
- Optional. 10% service charge often added to restaurant bills; 10,000–20,000 IDR tip for drivers or guides.
- What currency is used in Indonesia?
- Indonesia uses the IDR (Rp).
- What power plug and voltage does Indonesia use?
- Indonesia uses Type C and Type F sockets at 230V / 50 Hz. Check your device's rated input before travelling; most modern laptop and phone chargers handle both 110V and 220V.
- What is the emergency number in Indonesia?
- In Indonesia, call 110 (police) / 118 (ambulance) / 113 (fire).
- What time zone is Indonesia in?
- Indonesia is in the Asia/Jakarta time zone (UTC+07:00).
- What language is spoken in Indonesia?
- The main language is Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia). English is widely spoken in Bali and business districts. Indonesian is unusually beginner-friendly — Latin alphabet, no tones.
- Is public transport worth buying a pass for in Indonesia?
- Jakarta's TransJakarta and MRT run about Rp3,500–14,000 on a JakLingko card. Bali has almost no useful public transport — budget for Grab/Gojek or a driver at roughly Rp600,000–800,000 a day. In Bali a full-day private driver beats app rides from about 4 trips, and works in the areas where app pickups are restricted.
- What health precautions should I take in Indonesia?
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are commonly recommended for Indonesia, and dengue fever precautions are advisable; malaria prophylaxis may be recommended for travel to remote parts of Papua or rural Kalimantan. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
Ready-made Indonesia itineraries
Plan a Indonesia trip around how you actually travel
Travaio builds a day-by-day plan from your travel style, with verified places, real opening hours, and local meal times already accounted for.
Plan my Indonesia tripThis guide is general travel information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Visa, health, and safety requirements change — verify anything time-sensitive with an official source before you travel.