Indonesia Travel Guide

• Bali: surfing and beach clubs, yoga and wellness retreats, temple visits at Uluwatu and Tanah Lot, rice-terrace walks in Ubud, day trips to Nusa Penida.
• Java: Borobudur and Prambanan temple visits at dawn, Mount Bromo and Ijen sunrise treks, city food and museums in Jakarta, batik and royal courts in Yogyakarta.
• Nusa Tenggara: Komodo dragon tours from Labuan Bajo, liveaboard diving, Mount Rinjani treks on Lombok, snorkelling at the Gili Islands.
• Sumatra: orangutan treks around Bukit Lawang, boating and culture at Lake Toba, rainforest expeditions and surfing on the west coast.
• Kalimantan, Sulawesi & Papua: wildlife and river tours in Borneo, Bunaken and Wakatobi diving in Sulawesi, remote cultural and diving expeditions in Raja Ampat and Papua.

International arrivals concentrate at Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta (CGK) and Bali Ngurah Rai (DPS), with sizeable international services also into Surabaya Juanda (SUB) and Medan Kualanamu (KNO). Many travellers arrive by air from regional hubs and use domestic flights or ferries to move between islands. Overland and sea links connect to Malaysia and Singapore via ferries to Batam and Bintan or land+sea routes through neighboring ports.

Typical daily spend $30-90; Bali, Lombok and Raja Ampat are pricier, remote islands and cities like Jakarta can be cheaper or more expensive depending on accommodation.

• Hostel dorm bed: 80,000-150,000 IDR
• Basic guesthouse room: 200,000-450,000 IDR
• Mid-range hotel: 500,000-1,200,000 IDR
• Upscale hotel: from 1,800,000 IDR
• Market or street-stall meal: 20,000-40,000 IDR
• Bottle of local beer: 30,000-60,000 IDR
• Organised tour or activity: 100,000-600,000 IDR
• Taxi across town: 40,000-120,000 IDR

For current prices on hundreds of everyday items, see Numbeo’s Indonesia cost of living, a crowd-sourced database that is updated often.

Ways to save

• **Eat local**: Choose warungs and street food where locals eat for the best prices and flavours.
• **Use ride-hail apps**: Gojek and Grab are cheaper and safer than hailing taxis in many cities.
• **Book internal flights early**: Domestic fares rise quickly; book ahead for popular island routes and peak season.

Full trip budgets are in Indonesia Itineraries.

Currency is the Indonesian rupiah (IDR). Cash is important outside major tourist centers - cards are commonly accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and malls. ATMs are widespread in cities and tourist hubs but can be scarce on smaller islands and in rural areas.

• Tipping: Tipping isn't mandatory but appreciated. Menus marked "++" add local tax and usually a service charge to the listed prices, so the bill comes out roughly 15-21% higher and no further tip is expected. Where no service charge is added, rounding up or leaving Rp10,000-20,000 is generous.
• Cards & Cash: Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most larger businesses and hotels; American Express is less common. Markets, small warungs and ferry/transport vendors are usually cash-only.
• ATMs & Mobile Payments: ATMs are common in cities and tourist areas but may charge withdrawal fees; carry enough cash for remote travel. E-wallets such as GoPay and OVO are widely used in urban areas alongside cash.
• Banknotes: Rp1000, Rp2000, Rp5000, Rp10000, Rp20000, Rp50000, Rp100000
• Coins: Rp100, Rp200, Rp500, Rp1000

Respect for religion and local ritual governs behaviour in many places: remove shoes and wear a sarong at Balinese temples, and dress modestly at mosques. Indonesians are generally forgiving of tourist mistakes if you act politely and apologise when needed.

Indonesia is well connected in major cities and tourist islands but broadband quality varies by island. Average mobile speeds are generally around 20 Mbps in urban areas, with wired broadband performance varying widely between locations.

• Electricity: 230V, 50 Hz; plug types C, F.

Yes for most visitors, but take care: the biggest risks are seismic/volcanic events, road traffic and petty scams.

Staying healthy is straightforward with basic precautions: watch food and water, protect against mosquitoes, and seek prompt care for fevers.

Indonesia is an archipelago of great linguistic, cultural and ecological diversity. Visitors encounter strong regional identities, vibrant ritual life, and a cuisine and arts scene shaped by centuries of trade and local innovation.

The everyday place to eat is the warung, a small family-run café or stall where a plate of rice with sides costs Rp20,000-40,000. Restaurants with English menus in Bali and the big cities cost several times more.

• Nasi Padang: at West Sumatran restaurants (from Padang but found everywhere) dishes are either set out on your table and you pay only for what you touch, or you point at the counter. Ask for prices if you are unsure.
• Hands and cutlery: a spoon and fork are standard; many locals eat rice dishes with the right hand, and washing bowls on the table are for fingers, not drinking.
• Halal and pork: most of the country is Muslim and food is halal by default, but pork is common in Bali (babi guling), among the Batak around Lake Toba, in Christian North Sulawesi around Manado, and in Chinese-Indonesian restaurants.
• Spice: sambal is served with almost everything. Say tidak pedas (not spicy) when ordering.
• Vegetarian: tempeh, tofu, gado-gado and vegetable curries make it easy, but shrimp paste (terasi) hides in many sauces, so ask for tanpa terasi.
• Drinks: iced sweet tea (es teh manis) is the standard drink. Alcohol is easy to find in Bali and tourist areas, scarce in conservative regions and banned in Aceh.
• Ramadan: many warungs in Muslim areas close or hang a curtain during daylight; tourist areas and malls keep serving.

Regional specialities worth seeking out: gudeg (jackfruit stew) in Yogyakarta, rendang and nasi kapau in Bukittinggi, spicy Manadonese food in Manado, and coto and konro soups in Makassar.

Indonesia’s cultural diversity and critical marine and forest ecosystems mean travellers should prioritise respectful interactions and choose operators that protect coral reefs, rainforests and wildlife.

• Temple & Community Etiquette: When visiting Borobudur, Prambanan or local mosques, dress modestly, remove shoes where required and ask before photographing people; follow local guidance from temple staff and community guides in Yogyakarta and Bali.
• Marine Conservation & Responsible Diving: In Raja Ampat, Komodo and Bunaken use reef‑friendly operators, avoid touching corals, and use reef‑safe sunscreen; choose dive shops that employ local guides and contribute to marine protected areas.
• Wildlife Ethics - Orangutans & Elephants: See orangutans only at reputable rehabilitation centres and in the wild at Tanjung Puting or Bukit Lawang; avoid venues that stage animal performances or sell direct-contact photo opportunities.
• Support Local Communities & Homestays: Choose village homestays in places like Sumba or Lombok and buy handicrafts from local cooperatives - this spreads tourism income beyond major resorts and supports traditional livelihoods.
• Avoid Exploitative Practices: Say no to activities that exploit people or animals, such as photographing child performers, riding young elephants, or buying products linked to illegal logging or wildlife trafficking.

Long-term living in Indonesia attracts retirees, entrepreneurs, and remote workers seeking lower costs, tropical lifestyle and cultural variety. Expats cluster in Jakarta for business or Bali for lifestyle, balancing slower bureaucracy against affordable daily living and abundant nature.

Long-Term Visas: KITAS (temporary stay) and KITAP (permanent after years); retirement and investor routes available.

Working There: Working requires employer-sponsored IMTA + KITAS; freelance work technically restricted on tourist visas.

Cost of Living: Monthly basics typically US$700-1,500 depending on city and housing; Bali and Jakarta widely variable.

Health & Wellness: Good private hospitals in Jakarta and Bali (Siloam, BIMC); expat insurance highly recommended.

Banking & Finance: Open bank account with KITAS and NPWP, major banks BCA/BNI/BRI; remittance services common.

Taxes: Tax residents taxed worldwide after 183 days; personal rates progressive roughly 5%-35% (IDR brackets).

Popular Places to Live in Indonesia

The choice comes down to whether you want city life, beaches, or cultural calm. For business and fast services head to Jakarta; for surf, cafes and nomad communities choose southern Bali; for culture and quieter living pick Yogyakarta or Lombok.

• Bali - Island lifestyle, beaches and digital-nomad hubs, suits creatives and surfers, trade-off is tourist crowds.
• Jakarta - Economic and transport hub, suits corporate expats and families, trade-off is traffic and higher prices.
• Yogyakarta - Cultural and student city, suits artists and history lovers, trade-off is fewer international flights.
• Lombok - Quieter beaches and nature, suits outdoor enthusiasts, trade-off is limited infrastructure and slower services.
• Bandung - Cooler highland city, suits creatives and students, trade-off is smaller expat community.

Indonesia is a major nomad destination thanks to Bali’s established community, affordable living and plentiful coworking spaces. Connectivity and services are best in Bali and major cities; remote islands offer lower costs but require planning for visas and internet.

Nomad Visa: The E33G Remote Worker Visa (details below) covers people employed by companies abroad; others use social visas, KITAS sponsorship or investor routes.

Long Term Rentals: Long-term rentals in Bali start around US$400/month for basic rooms, US$800+ for comfortable villas or apartments.

Internet: Fiber in major cities and parts of Bali, typical 20-100 Mbps; mobile 4G widespread, 5G limited.

Monthly Cost: Typical nomad monthly budgets US$800-1,800 depending on housing, coworking and lifestyle choices.

Coworking: Active coworking scene in Bali and Jakarta: BWork, Tropical Nomad and Outpost are among the best known.

Fitness & Wellness: Strong yoga and wellness offerings in Ubud and Canggu, gyms and clinics concentrated in cities.

Community: Vibrant nomad communities in Canggu and Ubud, frequent meetups and skill-sharing events year-round.

Time Zone: UTC+7 to UTC+9 depending on island - Jakarta UTC+7, Bali UTC+8, eastern islands UTC+9.

Indonesia Remote Worker Visa (E33G)

• Stay Duration: 1 year, renewable.
• Validity: 1 year, multiple entry (Bali is the main hub).
• Eligibility: Remote workers for overseas companies earning ~US$60,000/year, with proof of employment and savings.
• Application: Apply online via Indonesia’s evisa.imigrasi.go.id portal.

Popular Nomad Hubs in Indonesia

Choices come down to city convenience, beach lifestyle, or quieter cultural centers. For nightlife and international connections head to Jakarta or southern Bali; for wellness and slower pace choose Ubud or Yogyakarta.

• Jakarta - Business hub, high-rise living, suits corporate expats, trade-off is traffic and higher costs.
• Bali - Island lifestyle, surf and cafes, suits creatives and nomads, trade-off is tourist crowds and seasonal prices.
• Yogyakarta - Cultural center, affordable, suits students and artists, trade-off is fewer expat services and flights.
• Lombok - Quieter beaches, suits outdoor lovers and families, trade-off is less infrastructure and slower internet.
• Bandung - Cooler highland city, suits digital creatives and students, trade-off is smaller international community.