Indonesia vacations 2024 & 2025

Indonesia offers adventure and relaxation in equal measure with pristine beaches, dense jungle, wildlife sanctuaries, and the dramatic unfolding of volcanic peaks. You can choose to lounge by the pool, surf, snorkel, or take in the islands’ cultural highlights on tours of temples and royal palaces.

Explore Indonesia’s volcanic landscape on a dawn hike to the summit of Mount Bromo, or its rich cultural legacy by visiting the 8th-century Borobudur temple complex. Get out into nature and see orangutans in Kalimantan or Sumatra, giant lizards in Komodo, or an incredible array of tropical fish, turtles, sharks, and seahorses on a snorkel trip around the Gili Islands. Alternatively, take it easy and discover traditional life in Bali’s rural villages as you cycle around rice terraces, see coffee drying in the sun, and visit local temples and hot springs.

Indonesia offers stays in private beachside villas, traditional family homes, jungle lodges, and indulgent resorts. Whether you’re after a luxury honeymoon retreat in Bali, an insight into local life and culture, or an adventure in the Sumatran rainforest, Indonesia has the answer with its huge range of places to stay.

In Bali, you’ll find everything from small, boutique lodges set in tropical gardens to opulent suites built in a traditional vernacular style. Java and Lombok offer stays anywhere from historic landmarks to indulgent villas with private pools overlooking white-sand beaches.

On lesser-visited islands, or in the national parks, you won’t get the same choice of luxury hotels and resorts, and are more likely to stay in traditional thatched villas or simple jungle lodges, but all our recommended options have friendly staff and good service. For further ideas, take a look at our collection of places to stay in Indonesia.

Indonesia has over 17,000 islands but most visitors choose to go to Bali, Lombok, or Java. Sumba, Flores, and Sulawesi in the east are also popular but offer a more off-the-beaten track experience. One of the joys of a trip to Indonesia, however, is island hopping across the country experiencing the difference in culture and attractions from place to place.

You could go to Bali, Indonesia’s best-known island, which is renowned for its beaches, big surf, temples, and paddy fields. Nearby Lombok is quieter and has secluded beaches, Sasak villages, and offers the possibility of climbing to the rim of an active volcano. You’ll find more imposing volcanic peaks on Java as well as the intricate royal temples around Yogyakarta. Further afield, the three Gili Islands are a tropical paradise with powdery sands and turquoise seas, while the traditional culture and endemic wildlife on Sulawesi make it well worth the trip.

It takes around 20 to 25 hours to fly to Indonesia from the East Coast of the USA, and around 23 to 27 hours from the West Coast.

Indonesia covers three time zones ranging from UTC+7 in the west of the country to UTC+9 in the east. Indonesia does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

With about 6,000 inhabited islands, getting around Indonesia involves plane or boat travel, as well as taking private transfers. Regular flights run between all the major islands, and ferries operate between islands that are grouped together, making it easy to travel by boat on an island-hopping trip from Java through Bali and on to Lombok and the Komodo Islands, for example.

Yes, taking a cruise around Indonesia is one of the most comfortable and serene ways to experience the country’s many varied islands and can take you to remote areas that are little visited. For example, you could get well off the beaten track on a cruise around Raja Ampat or the Moluccas, visit Komodo National Park to see the impressive Komodo dragon, and swim and snorkel off Sumba and Flores.

Shared and private cruises are available on board luxury yachts, schooners, and liveaboards. For ideas on where to go and which vessels are available, take a look at our cruising in Indonesia page.

Your doctor can provide you with immunization advice for Indonesia, but you should also ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations for your home country. You can also check the recommended vaccinations by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Check that your passport has two blank pages and will be valid for a minimum of six months beyond your arrival date in Indonesia.

Although Indonesia is a secular country, many of its islands have strong cultural customs which should be observed when visiting. Java for example has a Muslim majority, while Bali is predominantly Hindu. Dressing modestly is important, and if you’re visiting temples or mosques, you should remove your shoes before entering. Use your right hand when eating, or when passing or receiving something. The left hand is considered unclean. Show respect for elders and be patient, time is a flexible concept in Indonesia. Most of all, make sure you smile, it’s considered polite, even if you have just met eyes with someone accidentally.

It’s a good idea to dress modestly in Indonesia because it’s a sign of respect for local culture. Although beachwear is fine by the sea or pool, cover up elsewhere in public. Indonesia’s weather is hot and humid so pack light clothes in natural fabrics such as cotton or linen. If you’re planning to climb one of Indonesia’s mountains or volcanoes, pack a fleece or warm jacket as temperatures are far colder at altitude. If you’re visiting temples or mosques, you’ll need to make sure your arms and knees are covered, and women should cover their heads.