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Explore The Secrets Of The Islands Of Eastern Indonesia

Sailing the islands of eastern indonesia, we find nature at its most pristine—and a surprising history that today resonates more than ever..

By: Saki Knafo Published: May 22, 2021 07:00 AM IST

Sailing the islands of Eastern Indonesia , our contributor finds nature at its most pristine—and a surprising history that today resonates more than ever. Text By Saki Knafo; photographs by Carol Sachs

You probably haven’t heard of them. You almost certainly wouldn’t be able to find them on a map. But there’s a case to be made that eastern Indonesia’s tiny Banda Islands—or the Spice Islands, as they were once known in the West—have done more to shape the last 500 years of human history than any other place on Earth. I’ll come right out and say it: the Banda Islands are the birthplace of modern capitalism. Whatever you think of the economic system that rules the world and likely your life, you may find it intriguing to learn that it could have originated about 966 kilometres north of Australia , on a cluster of palm-fringed volcanic formations smack in the middle of an azure sea—a place that could hardly feel more distant from our overcrowded, hyperconnected centres of commerce.

My trip to see them began, as all my trips do, in the throbbing heart of capitalism itself. In late 2019—mere months before the pandemic stopped the world—I flew from New York to Hong Kong, and from Hong Kong to Bali , and then from Bali to a town called Maumere, on the eastern Indonesian island of Flores. There I availed myself of one of the world’s extravagant pleasures—a luxury cruise.

As I stepped onto the long-range explorer yacht with the other passengers, a handsome man in sunglasses, his silvery hair swept back, politely invited us to join him in taking off our shoes. From his faint accent it sounded like he might be from Italy. I later found out he had lived not only in Rome but also in Zurich, Bonn, Cyprus, Boston, London, Ecuador, Peru, Singapore, and possibly a few other places that I’m forgetting. He introduced himself as Francesco Galli Zugaro, the adventurer entrepreneur behind Aqua Expeditions , the cruise line that owns and operates the vessel. His company has been a leader when it comes to small-scale river cruises, with itineraries along the Mekong in Southeast Asia. His Aqua Nera was launched last year and sails the Peruvian Amazon. He said he would be accompanying us on the voyage with his wife, Birgit, the company’s guest experiences director.

The debut of the boat, Aqua Blu, is Galli Zugaro’s first foray into ocean cruising. It has made visiting this remote part of Asia possible without the challenges of organising a private charter (though you can do that, too—the Aqua Blu can accommodate parties of up to 30 people, perfect for those who want privacy). Built as a survey vessel for the British Royal Navy, it has since been appointed with four teak decks, 15 plush carpeted suites, and a bar with an Italian parquet floor.

On the first evening of the voyage, in a salon decorated with mementos from the Galli Zugaros’ travels in Southeast Asia and Oceania—a golden seated Buddha from Thailand , a feathered headdress from New Guinea—Galli Zugaro reminded us that this was the Aqua Blu’s inaugural cruise, as well as the first time any vessel of its kind would test its strength against the notoriously powerful currents of eastern Indonesia’s wide-open waters. Most tourists who had previously sailed these seas had either chartered their own yachts or secured berths in a palari, the traditional wooden schooner. “You’ve obviously chosen this departure,” Galli Zugaro said, “because the spirit of adventure lives within you.”

The adventure would span a 966-kilometre stretch of a nation composed of 17,508 islands—an itinerary possible only by cruise. We’d begin by heading east along the remote Southeast Moluccas, sometimes called the Forgotten Islands. We would then cut across one of the world’s deepest seas before turning north towards Raja Ampat, the heart of the Coral Triangle, where there are more marine species than anywhere else on earth. Along the way, we would stop in the Banda Islands. From the 15th to mid-17th centuries, in the Age of Exploration, they were renowned among Europe’s mariners as the source of nutmeg and mace, spices that commanded obscenely high prices, in part because they grew only here.

We would have it a little easier than the men who risked dysentery and starvation to load their ships with those delectable treasures centuries ago. In our bathrooms, the towels were anointed with a sweet and woody fragrance that Birgit and the ship’s exacting decorator had spent a day concocting with a perfumer in Bali. There would be no hardships in the dining room, either. The meals were served on custom-made plates adorned with paintings of Wallace’s flying frogs, a creature named for Alfred Russel Wallace , the British naturalist who, independently of Darwin, conceived of the theory of evolution in eastern Indonesia’s species-rich forests. The menu evoked the wide-ranging cuisines of the old spice route, which once stretched from the port cities of the Mediterranean to the rural islands we’d soon be exploring: Balinese-style suckling pig with a minty salad of sweet corn and palm hearts, succulent lamb shoulder with a vibrant tabbouleh, and translucent sashimi—an improvised addition, which appeared on our plates a few hours after fishermen pulled up alongside the yacht to offer their catch of tuna.

Most days, we would board the tenders in the morning and again in the afternoon to snorkel or dive around the nearby reefs. Floating face-down in the shallows, I could watch butterfly fish and parrotfish, fish named for angels and trumpets and clowns, flickering through the coppery cities of coral beneath my nose. Kicking out beyond the reef’s sheer edge, I’d feel the churning of my thoughts subside as I gazed down into the vortex of blue, waiting for a big turtle or a school of barracuda to come gliding up from the depths.

Every two or three days, we’d deviate from this hypnotic routine to visit one of the villages along the route. One morning, we awoke to find ourselves anchored about 90 metres off the shore of an island consisting of a pair of lush green peaks. From the taller peak rose a ribbon of smoke. We were looking at Mount Serua, one of the most active volcanoes in the region, on perhaps the most isolated of all the Forgotten Islands. According to Galli Zugaro, few if any other cruise vessels in eastern Indonesia would have spared the time to stop alongside it.

For the most part, the trip had been so smooth that I almost forgot I was on a boat, but I’d felt the rise and fall of the swells the night before. We’d been crossing the abyss of the Banda Sea—six and a half kilometres at its deepest point. The 12-hour voyage was the longest crossing of the trip. Now the water was calm again, and a small skiff was puttering across the span of indigo between the island and our vessel. Two men and a boy pulled up to the stern, and some of the Indonesian crew members went down to ask if they would let us take a look at their village. After a brief exchange, a box was filled with goods from the Aqua Blu kitchen: instant ramen, several bags of sugar and coffee and rice, a loaf of bread, and a jar of jam.

Climbing out of the tenders onto the rocky beach, we were greeted by a lanky man in a Nike cap. “This is the chief of the village,” said one of our scuba guides, Kaz Kazzuaeni, doing double duty as an interpreter. “He said it must be that God has guided us to come here.” The man turned to face the slope of the volcano and moved his lips in silence for a minute or two—“a prayer to ancestors to get permission for visitors.” Then he led us up a path through the vine-wrapped trees toward the village. According to Kazzuaeni, the man said we were the first passers-by ever to come ashore.

The village of Waru is perched about 396 metres above the sea. Our host said the 60 families who live there grow nutmeg and cloves much as their grandparents did before them. Their ancestors had established the village more than two centuries ago. Before that, he said, they lived in caves. The houses are small, with rusty tin roofs, but the Christian church is an airy building of bone-white stucco with turquoise trim and a pale blue steeple. Inside, a white tin rooster sat atop the feathery branches of a Christmas tree. I wandered back outside into the glare of the sun and stood at the edge of a soaring overlook. The sparkling sea stretched to the horizon. Swifts turned and swooped in the air, and unseen birds filled the jungle behind me with their calls.

This was one of a number of moments when Galli Zugaro delivered what he called “the wow factor.” Another came a couple of days later, when we spotted a dolphin as we were taking the tenders out to a reef for a dive. Slowly we realised we were approaching not one or a few but hundreds of them, their shiny dark bodies cresting and dipping in perfectly synchronised rows of three and four. Soon they were flinging themselves into the air all around the boat, and then they were racing beneath us, shooting from the port side to the starboard just beneath the bow. Our driver cut the engine, and we slipped over the gunwales and into the water, but the dolphins weren’t interested in sticking around to find out what we would do next. Listening under the surface of the water, I could hear them chattering and clicking as they sped out of sight.

In the days to come, we’d sail through the sundazzled channels of Raja Ampat, a jumble of jungle-clad limestone islands that had been sculpted into fantastical shapes by the tides. We’d see a sperm whale breaching just off the boat, and we’d swim in a salt lake teeming with a rare kind of jellyfish, their stingless bodies bouncing off our skin. But the climax of the journey came on the day we first caught sight of the Banda Islands, once among the most sought-after on the planet.

When Columbus set out from Spain in 1492, he was hoping to find not just the East Indies generally, but those nine specific specks of land. And Ferdinand Magellan reportedly had the same goal in mind in 1519, when he launched his ill-fated expedition to circumnavigate the globe (one out of the five ships made it, but not before Magellan was killed in the Philippines by warriors who refused to convert to Christianity). For two centuries, the Netherlands, Portugal, and England fought over the islands, with the Dutch acquiring one of them from the English in exchange for a small backwater by the name of Manhattan. Now, as the yacht slipped into the harbour, I could make out the archways and terracotta roofs of Banda Neira, formerly the hub of the global trade in nutmeg.

Following a guide through the old colonial town, we passed a grand hotel that had fallen into disrepair, its custard-yellow paint cracking and peeling. Farther down the road, spiders the size of mice crouched on strands of cobweb suspended from the balconies, and a pair of 17th-century cannons lay neglected on the side of the street . It is the sort of town that visitors might idealise as “faded,” though I doubt most people who live there think of it that way. The market was busy, with rows of gleaming skipjack and grouper and bins filled with pandan leaves and chillies. The homes had been painted in arresting shades of lime and lemon, indigo, and salmon.

In the museum, while my fellow passengers were examining the coins and weaponry of the archipelago’s colonisers, I noticed one of the cruise’s snorkelling guides, an Indonesian from Sulawesi named Refli, studying a gruesome painting. It showed a band of Japanese mercenaries butchering dozens of native people while a Dutch commander looked on approvingly. “It’s very sad,” Refli said, “but good to know the history.”

The story of the Banda Islands’ colonisation is about as dark as histories get. In 1621, a fleet of ships belonging to the Dutch East India Company arrived. Within two months, the islands were under Dutch control and as many as 14,000 of the 15,000 original inhabitants had been deported, enslaved, or killed. A statue of Jan Pieterszoon Coen, the offi cer of the Dutch East India Company who presided over the slaughter, still stands in his birthplace of Hoorn in the Netherlands . But in the abandoned mansion he built in Banda Neira, the only remnant of his tenure is a suicide note scratched into a windowpane by the homesick Frenchman who cooked his meals . No other evidence of habitation remains. After the Indonesians won independence from the Dutch, in 1949, they threw every last stick of furniture away.

In an orchard on the outskirts of town, we finally laid our eyes on the literal seed of all the greed and terror of that era. At one of the islands’ few surviving nutmeg plantations, we watched a guide use a special basket at the end of a long handle to pick a golden fruit. He sliced the flesh with the tip of his machete to reveal a shrivelled brown nut wrapped in crimson threads of mace. Because of its ability to keep meat from going bad and its purported power to ward off the plague, the spice derived from that nut once fetched higher prices in Europe than gold. Once the Dutch East India Company took control of the Banda Islands and started importing nutmeg, the sudden infusion of all that profi t into the cities of the West would change the course of history. As Charles Corn wrote in Scents of Eden: A Narrative of the Spice Trade, it “spawned a new age of revolutionary economics based on credit, the rise of a rudimentary banking system, and ultimately free enterprise.” In other words, the bloodsoaked soil of the Banda Islands, a place so little-known in the West today that some cartographers don’t even bother to include it in their atlases, was where modern capitalism took root.

Around five o’clock, as the heat began to loosen its grip, we climbed a candlelit staircase to the top of a massive pentagonal fortress built by the Dutch. The young Balinese men who had been serving our drinks on the cruise had set up a bar on the ramparts just for us. I ordered a gin and tonic, walked over to the crenellated parapet, and watched the gold-fringed clouds floating over the harbour. About 400 years ago, a succession of Dutchmen had presumably stood where I was standing , aiming their muskets through the notch where I was resting my cocktail . I had to figure I was there at least in part because of them. If they hadn’t seized this land and shipped its bounty overseas, giving rise to a whole new economic system that would enrich the nations of the West, the currents of history might have never aligned to allow a lucky bunch of Europeans and Americans to tour this beautiful part of the world on a yacht. I finished my drink, had another, and then we all went back to the Aqua Blu to watch the sunset. The roof of clouds was stained purple and so was the sea, and far away, on the wide horizon, the sun glowed like the golden fruit that changed the world.

Sailing the Spice Islands

Getting there.

Singapore Airlines flies from Delhi and Mumbai to Bali via Singapore.

Aqua Expeditions offers 12-day sailings on the Aqua Blu between the Banda (Spice) Islands in March, October, and November. Exact routes vary, but the closest itinerary to the one taken by the author leaves in March 2022. For a totally personalised experience and itinerary, the Aqua Blu can be chartered independently to sail around the region. Itineraries from INR 9,39,110 per person, all-inclusive; yacht charter from INR 21,276,720 for seven days, all-inclusive.

In Indonesia, Aqua Expeditions can arrange regional flights that will take you from Bali or Jakarta to Flores or Ambon, where you’ll board the yacht.

The company recently launched a partnership with Nihi Sumba , a resort known for its private-island vibe. Included is a four-night charter (for up to 30 people) on the Aqua Blu, with stops for hiking, mountain biking, and diving, followed by three nights at Nihi Sumba. From INR 20,616,408 , all-inclusive

Editor’s Note: Keeping the current situation of the pandemic in mind, T+L India recommends every reader to stay safe, and take all government-regulated precautions in case travel at this time is absolutely necessary. Please follow our stories on #IndiaFightsCorona for all the latest travel guidelines.

Related: #DreamEscapes: Here’s Why Indonesia’s Kawah Ijen Volcano Is A Must-Visit

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Why you should explore Indonesia's eastern islands

Local horse races on Sumba Island, eastern Indonesia.

--> BY Samantha Brown

Last updated . 24 January 2020

Countless Australians travel the well-worn trail to Bali each year, and then decry its crowds and commercialism, not knowing that just a quick flight east there’s a clutch of unspoilt islands where hair braiding (and sometimes power) is nowhere to be seen.

Indonesia’s komodo national park.

A glistening manta ray leaps high above the roiling waters of east Indonesia’s Komodo National Park ; time stands still for a split second as it seems to hover, then it plunges back into the deep blue.

We’ve just chalked up another highlight to a day of many as we explore the park’s archipelago of 29 islands (three larger islands and 26 smaller ones), just an hour’s flight from holiday favourite Bali.

While Bali still holds magic worth pursuing, these days many visitors are left a little flat after a trip to the more congested destinations on the island.

Explore the eastern Indonesia

Instead, by jumping on one more flight, they could be sipping cocktails on one of many picture-perfect white sandy beaches that arch across Indonesia’s much less frequented east.

Or frolicking with turtles, exploring the remnants of an ancient and unique megalithic culture. Or dining on delicious local cuisine featuring, say, luscious local honeys or fresh fish plucked from the ocean and grilled over fiery coconut husks.

Cruising Komodo archipelago

Today, we’re cruising right through the Komodo archipelago on a day tour, stopping at Batu Bolong, Manta Alley and Komodo Island itself, to see the eponymous dragons prowling through the national park set up to protect them in 1980.

We snorkel with more than a dozen ghostly manta rays dappled by crepuscular rays piercing the waters, and splash into stunning Pink Beach to see sand flecked with, well, pink.

Kanawa Island

Our tour was organised through the friendly folk at Kanawa Beach Bungalows – our accommodation on Kanawa Island, a real castaway, back-to-nature oasis.

On the island power sputters via a generator from sunset for a few hours each day and fresh water is limited. For your troubles, however, you’ll be well rewarded with not a single car or motorbike marring the soundscape.

We spend our days here lazing in the shallow waters of the island’s main beach, where we glimpse baby blacktip reef sharks swimming just a metre or two from the white sandy beach – even closer to shore than us.

If you snorkel a little further out on the house reef you’ll find sea turtles, larger reef sharks and a huge array of other marine life.

One afternoon, we follow a narrow winding path from the resort up a steep hill and across a ridge, to reach a viewpoint shared with a tribe of nanny goats; the view out to sea and the scattering of nearby islands leaves us picking our jaws up off the floor.

The island of Flores

After a few sybaritic days, we take the one-hour boat to Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores and hire a driver to head west.

Aside from the abundant jungle scenery glimpsed around every bend, Flores is home to intricate rice terraces that mimic the patterns of spider webs, and the ‘hobbit cave’ or Liang Bua, where the remains of a 106-centimetre tall female skeleton, thought to belong to be a member of the Homo floresiensis species, were unearthed in 2003.

Gunung Kelimutu, north-east of the Flores town of Ende, with its three distinctly different coloured volcanic crater lakes, is easily climbed – it’s really more a lengthy amble along a well-paved path, then up some stairs.

It provides stunning, other-worldly dawn views of the mountainous surrounds.

Sumba Island

Nihiwatu resort.

Among the most exclusive of the resorts found in eastern Indonesia is t he breathtaking Nihiwatu, located on Sumba , a sparsely populated island fringed with empty beaches and wild rugged coastline that was once home to sandalwood forests.

Surfing Sumba

The resort, overlooking a world-class surf break, was started by American surfer Claude Graves who camped on the beach here for a decade to win the trust of the tribes who eventually gave him custody of their land. While once low-key bungalows were thronged by surfers, these days the resort offers luxury villas with sumptuous interiors and private pools.

But Nihiwatu’s not just for surfers-made-good; there’s plenty to keep their partners and other travellers entertained.

What to do if you don’t surf

Sunset bareback horse races along the beach showcase the amazing horsemanship of the locals; a secluded seaside barbecue offers a chance for romance; coconut tastings show how island geography impacts on the delicate flavour of the sweet water. And if you go scuba diving, deep-sea fishing or mountain-back riding to explore the surrounds, you won’t come across another tourist all day.

The resort works with the Sumba Foundation, also set up by Graves, to help make a difference in the lives of the Sumbanese – life on the island can be less than idyllic for the locals – through various projects, including aiming to eliminate malaria, secure clean water and boost nutrition.

A visit to one of the projects allows for genuine interaction with locals and a feel for life here. You’ll witness first-hand one of the world’s last megalithic societies and see tombstones built next to traditional homes, while horses – brought to the island by Arabian and Chinese sandalwood traders centuries ago – graze on the picturesque rolling hills.

People here mostly practise an animist local religion fused with Christianity.

Sumbawa Island

We discovered another under-explored eastern island in Sumbawa, stretched between Lombok and Flores, where surfers have been flocking for years.

This place is best suited to the more adventurous traveller as there’s little in the way of infrastructure aimed at tourists, but it rewards you with a feeling of exploring a genuinely far-flung destination where it’s all about the journey.

Fly into the town of Bima – like most of eastern Indonesia it’s just over an hour from Bali’s airport – and find a driver to take you the two hours to Pantai Lakey, a long arc of sand boasting a selection of pounding breaks that lure surfers who are fed up with Bali’s crowded beaches. We stopped here for a plate of sashimi plucked straight from the waters nearby.

And for the truly intrepid (and comprehensively travel insured), skim the coast from Pantai Lakey on a motorbike taking in deserted views of rugged mountains and foaming surf.

The west of Sumbawa is home to Gunung Tambora, where the largest volcanic explosion in recorded history occurred in 1815.

You can climb it during the dry season; it’s challenging but those who reach the summit are afforded incredible views over this blissfully undiscovered corner of eastern Indonesia.

How to get there and where to stay

Flores Garuda flies twice daily from Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport to Labuan Bajo for around $240 return.

You can hire a car and driver for around $75 per day (you’ll need to negotiate) to explore the island.

Golo Hilltop Hotel is a small boutique hotel 10 minutes from Labuan Bajo airport with bright and clean bungalows from $30 per night.

Bajo Eco Lodge is located on the beach and offers 16 air conditioned guest rooms from $63 per night.

Kanawa From Labuan Bajo in Flores, it’s about one hour on the daily boat to Kanawa Island.

Double bungalows at Kanawa Beach Bungalows are around $45 per night including your boat transfer.

Day trips out to Komodo National Park can also be arranged through the resort.

Sumba Garuda flies from Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport to Tambolaka three times a day for around $150 return.

Prices at Nihiwatu Resort start at $530 per person, per night with full board.

The 90-minute transfer to Nihiwatu Resort is included in the rate.

Sumbawa Garuda flies from Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport to Bima three times per day for around $180 return.

At the airport hire a car and driver for the two-hour drive to Pantai Lakey for around $70.

Hotels in Pantai Lakey are basic, but the Aman Gati has decent rooms with a pool from $56 per night.

You should know

August and September are the driest months, while the months from November to February are the wettest.

Local ikat weavings from Flores and Sumba, and local honey from Sumbawa.

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Essential guide to remote travel in eastern Indonesia

It’s not hard to understand why eastern Indonesia is on most travelers' bucket lists. It is certainly the place to go if you’re looking for exceptional experience , rough and raw travel, genuinely lovely people and places far from tourist traps.  

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ndonesia is one of the most popular tourist locations in the world , known for its incredible landmarks, beaches, temples, marine life, land animals and of course, its thousands of islands just waiting to be explored.

If you’re a traveler looking to experience all that "remote" Indonesia has to offer, eastern Indonesia is the place to go. The beaches of eastern Indonesia are second to none, with crystal clear, warm water lapping clean, soft sandy beaches. Eastern Indonesia is also known for budget-friendly accommodation and food.

With all that it offers, it's not hard to understand why eastern Indonesia is on most travelers' bucket lists. It's certainly the place to go if you’re looking for exceptional experience , rough and raw travel, genuinely lovely people and places far from tourist traps. 

How to get there

Jakarta and Bali are both international hubs, so if you’re flying to Indonesia from North America or Europe, you’ll most likely land at either Soekarno-Hatta or Ngurah Rai. Jakarta and Bali flank the central island of Java to the east and west, so getting to eastern Indonesia only takes a short journey by plane.

You can fly direct from Jakarta to Kupang, West Timor for around US$75 to $240 one way. Flights depart daily and travel time can depend on the airline, ranging from 3 to 6 hours.

If you’re flying from Bali, daily flights are also available for $55 to $210 one way. Again, the travel time depends on the airline, but flights generally take 2-5 hours.

By car and ferry

It is possible to get to Kupang by car and ferry. If you’re traveling on a budget and want the experience of getting from one side of Indonesia to the other by land and sea, then this method is definitely for you. This incredible experience will cost travelers between $23 and $34.

Your journey starts in Denpasar, Bali, from where you can drive to Padang Bai ($1-$3). Here, hop on a ferry that leaves hourly to Lembar, West Lombok ($2-$3). This part of the journey takes around 5 hours. Once you've arrived in Lembar, drive for an hour and half to Pringgabaya Port ($5-$8) to catch the next hourly ferry that will take you to Poto Tano Port ($2), 2 hours away in West Sumbawa. Drive to the ferry port in Pototano, which will take 2 hours ($6-$9). A ferry leaves once daily on a 2-hour jaunt to Lembah on Lembata island ($2). Once you get to Lembah, drive to Lewoleba, only an hour away ($3-$6). Finally, catch the ferry that leaves once daily to Kupang, West Timor, which takes 10 hours. There are many places where you can break your journey and explore the local culture.

Maluku Islands

The Maluku Islands are a must-see if you’re planning a trip to eastern Indonesia.

You can reach the islands by air from Java and fly into one of the two provincial capitals of Ambon and Ternate. Merpati also has flights to Maluku from Timor. Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Bali, but there are flights with stopovers in Sulawesi and Java.

Once you’re in the Maluku Islands, there are a number of local flights that will take you to the smaller islands.

Traveling by sea is often the best way to get to and around Maluku. Huge state-run ferries connect Ambon and Ternate, as well as a few smaller towns, to the rest of Indonesia.  

A number of smaller local boats and ferries, from speedboats to wooden boats, can connect you to the many neighboring islands of Maluku.

If you’re hoping to get to the remotest part of these islands, you might need to charter a boat.

On the islands that have roads, take a look at buses, bemo (minibuses), kijang (shared taxis) and ojek (motorcycle taxis) that run between the different settlements and villages.

If you’re hoping to go slightly further afield, transport on these routes usually leave in the morning. Compared to large thriving places such as Bali or Java, traveling by road can be slightly more expensive and a lot slower. Minibuses run on set schedules in the larger towns like Ternate and Ambon.

Best time to visit

Generally, the best time to visit eastern Indonesia is from October to March, when the days are dry and sunny. However, even during the rainy season from May to August, the temperature is still warm, with tropical downpours that usually last only a couple of hours.

When traveling to eastern Indonesia, it is important to remember that the rainy season is slightly different from the other parts of the country, as floods can occur. Dry season in the east can also lead to drought.

The rainy season can cause issues if you travel through backroads, as these can become inaccessible due to flooding. Additionally, some of the islands can also become inaccessible to smaller boats. If you’re planning to scuba dive in the east, the best time to travel is between April and September.

Local wind patterns can affect the temperatures in the eastern islands of Indonesia. The winds usually bring humidity from the Indian Ocean, along with high pressure. Whatever time of year you choose to travel to the eastern islands, the temperature typically ranges from 27-30 degrees Celsius.

Finding a place to stay

Accommodation is easy to find, and you can choose from a large variety and style: from 5-star hotels, which are relatively cheap compared to other tropical destinations, to simple rental rooms and homestay options, which can be as cheap as $5-$10 a night. Homestays are usually a great way to assimilate into the local culture and really get to know the people who have been born and raised in eastern Indonesia.

Hostels are also available in nearly every corner of Indonesia, so it’s not hard to find somewhere to stay on a budget.

Things to pack

Wherever you are traveling around the world, if you’re planning on taking a trip to remote locations , it is always a good idea to pack these essentials.

1. Basic essentials

Even though there are ways to obtain basic items while on the remote islands of Indonesia, it is always a good idea to take a refillable bottle of drinking water and snacks such as nuts, fruit and protein bars. These will help you if you find yourself off the beaten track. Always carry a small first aid kit with you in case of cuts, scratches or minor burns. Cash is essential, as there are no banks at all on the remote islands of Indonesia. Additionally, most hostels and homestays do not take credit card payments, so cash is a must.

2. Sun protection

Indonesia is extremely hot, so always take precautions when going out in the sun. Sunblock, hats, long-sleeved shirts, linen trousers and sunglasses are all a good way to protect yourself from harmful UV rays.  

3. Swimwear with sealable pockets

This kind of swimwear is great if you are traveling on your own, as it will allow you take your valuables with you while venturing into waterfalls or the ocean.

Taking your clothes and valuables in a dry bag is a great way to keep your clothes and other belongings dry. Cameras and phones can also be kept in a dry bag if you’re in areas with high humidity, like a jungle.

5. Backup batteries 

Backup batteries and power banks are essential for any traveler journeying to remote locations. If your flashlight, phone or camera runs out of juice, just switch batteries or plug them into a power bank and they will be as good as new. Just make sure that you charge your batteries and all backups wherever and whenever you find electricity.

6. Portable hammock

If, for any reason, you find yourself in a situation with nowhere to stay or just want to take a nap, these nifty little contraptions will allow you to set up camp anywhere two trees are standing close together. Why wouldn’t you take a portable hammock to Indonesia?

The editor-in-chief of divein.com, Torben Lonne has spent the last year-and-a-half traveling all over Indonesia to find the best dive spots. He believes the archipelago has so much to offer divers and travelers that have yet to be published in any guidebook.

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EASTERN INDONESIA TOURISM

The Most Popular East Indonesia Tour

here 99 Eastern Indonesia Tourist Destinations most hits are not inferior to foreign countries.

Indonesia is one of the countries with thousands of amazing tourist destinations, both natural tourism and cultural tourism. This country seems endless if you want to explore one by one.

The wealth of tourist attractions that have been widely explored so far is still concentrated in the western part of Indonesia. Meanwhile, eastern Indonesia tourist destinations that are no less good are still not widely explored.

Before you travel the world to explore tourist sites, it's a good idea to explore one by one tourist destinations in your own country.

Eastern Indonesia Tourist Destinations

Bali Islands, Bali Island is the most well-known tourist destination in Indonesia. There are so many popular beaches there such as Sanur, Kuta and Tanah Lot. Apart from them, there are still so many beautiful places that could be explored in East Indonesia especially on Bali Island such as Padang-Padang beach, Batu Bolong beach, Nyang-Nyang beach, Suluban beach, Peti Tenget Temple, Pucak Tedung Temple and many more.

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Bali Island Tourist Destinations

So far, we know that the center of Indonesia's tourism industry is the island of Bali. Kuta Beach, Sanur, Tanah Lot, Kintamani have been famous for a long time.

But did you know, we noted that there are 101 popular tourist attractions in Bali and there are still many eastern Indonesian tourist destinations for the island of Bali which have no less amazing natural panoramas. Here is a short list:

Padang Beach

Located at the westernmost tip of the Uluwatu Peninsula, Padang-padang Beach has become a popular tourist destination in eastern Indonesia because it was used as a shooting location for the Hollywood film “Eat, Pray and Love”.

Batu Bolong Beach

This natural tourist attraction is located in Canggu, North Kuta, Badung. The black sand on this beach doesn't beat the beautiful sunset panorama. Too beautiful to pass up.

Nyang-Nyang Beach

Often touted as a hidden paradise. Nyang-nyang Beach is charming with its white, clean and long beaches.

Suluban Beach

The charm of clear blue sea water is indeed the main dish of Suluban Uluwatu beach. No matter how far you look, all you see is beauty.

Peti Tenget Temple

Standing majestic and exotic, Petitenget Temple seems to anesthetize tourists with its aura. This temple, located in Seminyak, is a place of prayer for local Hindus.

Pucak Tedung Temple

This temple with a historical story is located in Badung Regency. This temple stands at an altitude of 730 meters above sea level. This place is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in eastern Indonesia.

Mount Batur Kal Caldera

Being one of the active volcanoes in Bali, Mount Batur Caldera is even able to enter and be considered in the UNESCO Global Geopark Network.

Demulih Hill

This hill, located in the Bangli district of Bali, is a beautiful hill with waterfalls and caves below.

Juwuk Manis Waterfall

This natural eastern Indonesia tourist destination has indeed become a prima donna since a while ago. Surrounded by trees such as coffee, durian, cloves and bananas, this waterfall shows its beauty even more.

Labuan Amuk Beach

This beach is a hidden beauty in the eastern part of Bali. The underwater scenery is absolutely perfect without the slightest damage.

Penelokan Hot Springs

This bathhouse is almost every day visited by tourists. Located in Bangli Bali, this hot spring is suitable for those of you who want relaxation.

Tukad Cepung Waterfall

This waterfall is truly unique. Located in a cave, the view is very beautiful and eye-catching.

Jambul Hill

This hill is a resting hill after heading to Besakih Temple. The location is very easy to find with beautiful views that will relieve fatigue during the trip.

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3 Nusa, Even though Nusa Penida is still part of Bali province, but it seems like Nusa Penida has its own tourist destinations. Many people are visiting Bali, but it does not mean that they will visit Nusa Penida too. If you are planning on visiting Bali, don't forget to come to Nusa Penida too and enjoy its stunning natural beauty. You will never regret for your decision to come here again and again.

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The Most Hits Tourist Destinations in Nusa Penida

Even though it is still part of the province of Bali, Nusa Penida seems to have a separate tourist destination. Many visit Bali, but not necessarily come to Nusa Penida. For those of you who are planning a vacation to Bali, try to see the beautiful natural panorama in Nusa Penida. Guaranteed you won't regret it. Here are some examples of East Indonesia tourist destinations in Nusa Penida

Broken Beach

This beach has another name, namely Pasi Uug. This unique beach with a lake-like basin is gaining popularity among tourists.

Angel Billabong

The beauty of Angel billabong can already be expressed in words. This beach is almost never empty of visitors and is always a hit.

Tree of Love

This unique East Indonesia tourist destination is located around the Klingking beach of Nusa Penida.

Klingking Swing

This swing ride on Klingking beach is indeed a destination for many tourists.

Klingking Beach

This flagship beach in Nusa Penida is indeed very amazing with all its beauty.

Paluang Cliff

This high cliff at the end of the sea is a hot spot for photo spots. The view is amazing.

Crystal Bay

This bay is called crystal bay because the water is very clear with fish that are clearly swimming to and fro.

This East Indonesia tourist destination has clean sand and rocks off its coast.

Suwehan Beach

This beach with a stone in the form of a puppet character is indeed a hit lately.

Teletubbies Hill Nusa Penida

You can enjoy the green and fresh hill mounds that are soothing to the eyes at Teletubbies Hill.

Fresh Waterfall

A waterfall with hundreds of steps is like a masterpiece of high-level art, you won't regret it even if you have to get tired of walking.

Tembeling Beach

This tourist destination in Eastern Indonesia is one of the hidden beaches located under a hill with incredible sea views.

Banah Cliff

Here, you will find a hollow cliff in the middle of the sea. This cliff is very suitable as a mainstay photo spot when visiting Nusa Penida.

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The Gili Islands, Lombok is the second most popular tourist destination in East Indonesia. It is not only popular for natives, but it is also popular for tourists from abroad. Lombok has a beautiful natural scenery that could compete with Bali. There are plentiful tourist's destinations in Lombok such as Seger beach, Gili Meno, Narmada park, Pink beach, Batu Santek waterfall and et cetera.

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Tourist Destinations in Lombok & Gili's

Lombok is the second eastern Indonesia tourist destination that has a fairly well-known name in the eyes of the world. Its natural beauty also does not want to be outdone by the island of Bali. The following are some of the most popular tourist destinations from Lombok. Among others are:

Fresh Beach

Located in Central Lombok district, Seger Beach has white sand, a serene rocky landscape as well as several traditional ceremonies and annual festivals.

If you are bored with Gili Trawangan tourism, maybe now is the time to try Gili Meno. Gili Meno is one of the many dyke or small islands in Lombok with amazing marine tourism.

Narmada Park

Located in Narmada District, West Lombok, this eastern Indonesia tourist destination is uniquely designed with steps and a small pond in the middle. Perfect for those of you who like photography.

Its real name is Tangsi beach. However, because the sand is pink, this beach has become a hit with the name Pink Beach.

Santek Stone Waterfall

Located in Pakuan Village, West Lombok, this waterfall is still very beautiful and natural. This eastern Indonesia tourist destination is being crowded with tourists.

Sendang Gile Waterfall

Sendang Gile waterfall is located in Senaru village, North Lombok and is still located within the Mount Rinjani National Park area.

Nipah Beach

This one destination will be another story of the beauty of Lombok. Not far from Senggigi beach, the beauty of this beach invites admiration.

The beach with white sand that always looks beautiful is starting to be crowded with tourists. Here, you can rest in peace while enjoying its beauty.

Suranadi Temple

This temple, located in Lombok, contains many philosophies, spiritual values ​​and brings tranquility because it is located in the middle of a village environment.

Lingsar Temple

This eastern Indonesia tourist destination is located in West Lombok and is a place of worship and a fusion of two religions.

Gili Nanggu

This island is a group of small islands inhabited by fish, coral reefs and beauty.

Gili Sundak

Located in the southern part of West Lombok, Gili Sundak is a tourist spot that is still virgin. Many tourists are starting to target this location because of the beauty of the panorama.

Gili Tangkong

Not much different from other dyke, Gili Tangkong also has an incomparable beauty. Fine white sand, calm waves, clean air and so on.

Komodo Islands, Flores Island is located in Nusa Tenggara Province. There are eight districts in Flores. Each of the regency has tourist destinations that are worth to visit. Some of the tourist destinations are including Watu Pajung beach is a white sandy beach with several coral reefs around it. Rana Tonjong lake is a lake which is filled with lotus. The view here is so stunning and unforgettable. Canca Rende waterfall is the highest waterfall in Flores. The view here is amazing and stunning.

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Flores Island Tourist Destinations

Flores Island is located in the province of East Nusa Tenggara. Administratively, there are 8 districts on this island. Each district has a tourist destination that is worth visiting. The following is a list of tourist destinations in Eastern Indonesia on the island of Flores.

One of the most hit spots for East Flores is Larantuka with the religious procession of samana santa, as well as natural tourism in 20 Tourist Spots in Larantuka Flotim.

Watu Pajung Beach

Watu Pajung Beach is a white sandy beach with several rocks that stand tall and gracefully on the northeast coast of East Manggarai.

Tonjong Rana Lake

The location is in Pota, Sambiuntung, East Manggarai. Tonjong means lotus or lotus flower. This lake has been named the second largest lake filled with lotus after one of the lakes in India. One of the tourist destinations in eastern Indonesia has extraordinary beauty.

Lake Ranamese

This tourist spot is a lake that is used as a habitat for grouse birds which are very distinctive and unique.

Cunca Rede Waterfall

This Eastern Indonesia tourist destination is part of the conservation of the Ruteng tourist park and is the highest waterfall in Flores.

Radi Ntangis Waterfall

Having a height of up to 50 meters and terraced, this waterfall is quite exotic and has its own beauty.

Riung 17 Island National Marine Park

Marine Park 17 Pulau Riung is a group of small and large islands that extend and form a stunning collection.

Lake Wawomudha

The uniqueness of this Eastern Indonesia tourist destination is that it has three craters formed from the eruption of Mount Inelika.

Ecotourism Lekolodo

Ecotourism is a tourist area that is intended for tourism of the surrounding natural ecosystem.

Kanawa Island

The island, which is located 10 km from Labuan Bajo, is a habitat for coral reefs, starfish, coral, turtles and school of fish that ever existed.

Painghaka Beach

This beach with a length of approximately 1 km has clean white sand and a stretch of coconut trees on its side.

Cunca Wulang Waterfall

This eastern Indonesia tourist destination is a waterfall with towering rocks. The water is blue as fresh as the ocean.

Wek Waterfall

This waterfall is located in the village of Ulu Wae. Wek waterfalls are starting to be visited by many because of their beauty.

Wolobobo Hill

On top of this hill, you can see the silhouette of Mount Inerie which is covered in clouds and fog as if you are in a land above the clouds.

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Sulawesi Island is one of the biggest Islands in Indonesia. It also has a variety of landscapes such as mountains, beaches, plateaus, and many more. Even though the tourist destinations here are not as popular as other tourist destinations in East Indonesia, the tourist destinations here are decently attractive, such as Talise beach, Matano beach, Rumbia hills and many more.

Tourist Destinations in Sulawesi

As one of the largest islands in Indonesia, Sulawesi is also blessed with quite a diverse landscape. Mountains, beaches, highlands, lowlands and other types of land contours can be found on this island.

Although not too widely known in the world, tourist destinations in eastern Indonesia, especially in Sulawesi, are also quite interesting. Some of them are even more beautiful than Bali and Lombok. Here are some of them:

Talise Beach

This exotic orange beach in the afternoon is located in the village of Besusu Bar, East Palu. Its beauty is even more enchanting when you visit it when the sun is almost setting.

Takabonerate Marine Park

This Eastern Indonesia tourist destination is a marine park that has the largest atoll area and the widest distribution of coral reefs up to 500 km2.

Lake Matano

This tectonic type of lake in South Sulawesi is the deepest lake in Southeast Asia. Its depth is up to 590 meters.

Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park

This eastern Indonesia tourist destination is a national park with the most abundant species of monkeys and butterflies.

Ballocci Karst Rock Park

This park is a karst rock garden that looks very artistic and unique. The sharp karst rock looks alive and fills the area.

Leang Pa'niki Natural Cave

This tourist destination is a cave with a very charming waterfall.

Kaluku Beach

This beach has the best photo spots that are able to display a panoramic view of the beach, sea and sky in a unique form.

This unique East Indonesia tourist destination is the second largest lake in Sulawesi formed by geological processes.

Weta Cave is a witness cave that is used as a hiding place for local residents from the cruelty of the Dutch colonialists.

Ampadoap Waterfall

This one waterfall is unique, namely that there are two waterfalls that are opposite each other in a low position. The water flows towards a point in the middle.

Nambo Beach

This eastern Indonesia tourist destination is a favorite beach with clean white sand.

Karampuang Beach

You can enjoy clean and clear shallow sea water from the wooden deck on the beach, located in Mamuju district, West Sulawesi. The panorama is very beautiful and not inferior to the beaches of Bali.

Rumbia Hill

Located in the village of Rumbia Jeneponto Bantaeng, the hills of Rumbia will take you soaring above a waterfall as high as almost 40 meters.

ambon, Ambon is one of tourist destinations of East Indonesia that got a full potential. Marine tourism and cultural attractions have become the most well-known tourist destinations here. Some of the tourist's destinations such as Namalatu beach, Santai beach, Batu Layar, Nusa Pombo, Pasir Panjang beach, Ora beach, Lelisa beach and many more.

The Top Tourist Destinations in Ambon

Ambon is one of the most potential tourist destinations in eastern Indonesia. Maritime tourism and cultural tourism dominate this city located in Maluku province. Here is a summary:

Namalatu Beach

This beach with rows of brown rocks is located in the village of Batulahat.

Relaxing Beach

The beach is really the right place to relax with white sand, calm waves and a peaceful atmosphere.

Cape Nusaniwe

This eastern Indonesia tourist destination is the most appropriate place to enjoy a perfectly round sunset.

Hukurila Village Beach and Underwater Cave

Here, you can enjoy a beach with natural wealth of underwater caves and various coral reefs and fish.

Screen Stone

This is a village that has its own uniqueness, namely many large sail-shaped stones.

East Indonesia tourist destination Nusa Pombo is a charming beautiful island with white sandy beaches, neatly lined trees and calm sea water.

Long Sand Beach

This beach is a beach with a long and straight coastline. The sand is pure white, the trees by the beach are lined up neatly and pleasant to look at.

Hatuasa Hot Spring

The water in this place has a temperature of around 50 to 70 degrees Celsius. The location is in Tulehu Ambon.

Wailatu Bathing Pool

This eastern Indonesia tourist destination is a bathing pool in which there is a giant eel. This bath is located in the Salahutu sub-district, Central Maluku.

Ora beach is located on the island of Seram, Central Maluku. Here, you will enjoy views of the sea water which is very clear. So clear, the boats seem to float on the sea.

Sopapei Beach

This beach is the perfect beach if you want to enjoy the long low tide.

Lelisa Beach

Lelisa Beach is a beach whose beauty is not inferior to other popular beaches. The sand is white with a dazzling blue sea.

Tulehu State Hot Springs

This Eastern Indonesia tourist destination is a hot spring that is believed to be able to treat various diseases.

Raja Ampat,

Papua is the largest island in Indonesia. This province has the highest mountain in Indonesia which is called Puncak Jaya Wijaya where there is laid an eternal snow. Furthermore, this island got a lot of natural beauty. Here are some of tourist destinations that are worth to visit such as Tigi lake, Habema lake, Bosnik beach, Raja Ampat Island and many more.

List of Tourist Attractions Hits in Papua

Papua is the largest province in Indonesia. This province has the highest mountain in Indonesia with a peak that is always covered with ice called Puncak Jaya Wijaya. Although it is not optimal in managing tourist destinations, it is undeniable that Papua's natural wealth is so abundant. The following are some tourist destinations in eastern Indonesia that are quite hits in Papua.

Lake Tigi is one of the lakes located in the highlands so that the temperature in this location becomes very cold.

Lake Habema

Lake Habema is located at an altitude of 3224 meters above sea level and is the highest lake in Indonesia. In this East Indonesia tourist destination, you can find various species of local birds around the lake which is almost always covered in fog.

bosnik beach

This beach tour is located in East Biak, precisely in Woniki Village. The beach area is still very clean with a bluish green coastline.

Raja Ampat Islands

There are 4 small islands that are located close to each other. These coral islands are arranged so neatly as to form a painting.

Locale Cave

Goa Lokale is a mysterious cave whose end has not been found. However, this Eastern Indonesia tourist destination is really full of charm and is located in Jayawijaya Regency, Papua.

Baliem Valley

The valley, which is located at an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level, has a beautiful surrounding view of the mountains.

Lorentz National Park

This eastern Indonesia tourist destination is the largest national park in Southeast Asia with native plants and animals that are still not widely classified.

Paniai Lake

The lake, which is located in Panial district, has a natural natural panorama and is considered the most beautiful lake in the world. Lake Painiai is very well maintained even though many people live around it.

Wasur National Park

Wasur Park is a tourist destination in eastern Indonesia in the form of the largest wet savanna area in Papua.

Biweha Waterfall

This 40 meter high waterfall will also spoil you with views of large trees that are decades old.

Borneo, Kalimantan is a tourist destination with a lot of potential. Some of the tourist destinations are including Danau Sentarum National Park located in the Danau Sentarum Lake. Here you could watch plentiful unique and distinctive flora and fauna. Breaking the waterfall is a waterfall that has a unique and interesting formation. Pasir Panjang beach is a beach that is located in Singkawang. It is white sandy beach with quiet waves

Interesting Tourist Destinations in Kalimantan

East Indonesia's tourist destinations on the island of Kalimantan are among those that have not been widely managed. However, many tourists have explored this place. Here are some of the hottest recently, namely:

1. Tanjung Puting National Park

The location is in Teluk Pulai, Kumai, West Kotawaringin Regency which is a national park located on the southwest peninsula of Central Kalimantan province. This national park is quite popular as a conservation location endemic primate orangutan . One of the camps in this national park is Camp Leakey.

2. Danau Sentarum National Park

The location is around Sentarum Lake. This national park has unique flora and fauna.

3. Gunung Palung National Park

This Eastern Indonesia tourist destination is a national park area with an area of ​​​​100 thousand hectares and thousands of flora and fauna.

4. Waterfall Breaking

The origin of the Breaking waterfall is a fault from the Hedgehog river which forms a waterfall. The shape is very unique and interesting.

5. Banangar Waterfall

This waterfall is the largest waterfall in the Landak district with a height of up to 60 meters.

6. Sanjan Cave

Located around the Mananggar waterfall, Sanjan cave has several small waterfalls flowing from a small river above it.

7. Long Sand Beach

This eastern Indonesia tourist destination is located in the city of Singkawang and has a long beach with white sand and calm waves.

8. Labuan Cermin Lake

This lake is located in the Biduk-biduk district of Berau, East Kalimantan. The lake water is so clear that you can even see the bottom of the lake. That's why the locals call it the mirror lake.

9. Kakaban Island

No need to go all the way to the Maldives, you can enjoy a panorama that is no less beautiful in East Kalimantan. There are wooden huts standing firmly on the beach with shallow water and light blue color. The location is

10. Lake Malawen

This place is the most beautiful lake in South Barito Regency because around it is full of orchids.

11. Sanggu Lake

This eastern Indonesia tourist destination is a lake that is famous for its black water tourism and orchid plants

12. Lake Seran

This lake is a lake that was previously a former mining area. This area has been transformed into a beautiful and attractive area.

Those are 99 East Indonesia tourist destinations that you may have never visited but have become hits in the eyes of tourists. If you have the opportunity to visit one of the places above, make sure not to forget to capture its beauty.

In conclusion, wherever we stand on the Earth Nusantara, there is always the beauty of the surrounding natural panorama. We should be grateful for this and it is obligatory to preserve it from damage.

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25 Beautiful Indonesian Islands: Best Places To Visit In Indonesia

Believe it or not, many of the best places to visit in Indonesia are still practically unknown to tourists. There are more than 17,000 beautiful Indonesian islands and most of them are still waiting to be traveled.

Everyone goes to Bali , which is a wonderful island for vacation (don’t get me wrong), but it’s been suffering from overtourism and overdevelopment for years.

If you branch out to the other islands in Indonesia, you can see smoking volcanoes, sulfur lakes, pink sand beaches , tropical rainforests, exotic wildlife, and so much more.

Since Indonesia is my second home (and my wife’s actual home!), we’ve been privileged to do a bunch of exploring in this beautiful country, including some of the most far flung Indonesian islands.

Here’s my complete list of the best places to visit in Indonesia that are not just Bali. If you’ve been to an Indonesian island that’s missing from this guide, you’re also welcome to recommend it in the comments at the bottom of the article!

25 Beautiful Indonesia Islands To Visit

1. bali island.

Of course, Asia’s favorite vacation island! Before I mention other places in Indonesia, I have to include Bali . It’s heaven for luxury seekers and budget travelers alike. There’s something for everyone here.

Adventure lovers in Bali will have easy access to waterfalls, jungles, cliffs, volcanoes, and more. Or, if you’re the more laid back type, Bali has beaches, temples, and rice terraces for you, along with an endless supply of good restaurants and massages.

If any of that sounds nice, then you’ll fall in love with Bali and its people, just like I did. The only con is that it’s overtraveled. The small island got more than 6 million tourists in 2019.

• Things To See: Ubud , Kintamani , Uluwatu , & More
• How To Get There: Fly to Bali’s international airport (DPS)
• More Info: Bali Travel Guide

Jatiluwih Rice Terraces in Bali, the most popular Indonesian island.

Mount Batur volcano in Bali

Sekumpul Waterfall in Bali

2. Nusa Penida Island

The wonderful Indonesian island of Nusa Penida lies just 25 kilometers from Bali, and it’s considered part of the Bali province.

It’s a much smaller island than Bali, but it has some of the most exotic and beautiful scenery anywhere in Indonesia. We’ve visited Penida at least a dozen times over the years, but it never gets old.

This island can be visited on a day trip from Bali (same day return), but I think it’s better to spend at least a few days seeing things here.

It’s home to some famous natural sights like the dinosaur-shaped Kelingking Cliff, and the appropriately named Diamond Beach.

• Things To See: Diamond Beach , Kelingking Beach , Broken Bay , & More
• How To Get There: 1 hour boat trip from Bali
• More Info: Nusa Penida Travel Guide

Rumah Pohon Treehouse in Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida is definitely one of the most scenic Indonesia islands!

Diamond Beach in Nusa Penida

3. Nusa Lembongan Island

In addition to the island of Nusa Penida, the province of Bali also includes two smaller islands near it called Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, respectively.

Popular sights on Nusa Lembongan include a white sand beach called Dream Beach, and the Devil’s Tears, a nice little cliff spot where you can watch the waves crashing on the rocks.

It’s easy to get to Nusa Lembongan from Bali, and you can also travel between any of the Nusa islands with a short and cheap boat ride. Some people even base themselves in Nusa Lembongan or Ceningan while touring Penida island.

• Things To See: Dream Beach, Devil’s Tears, & Mangrove Forest

4. Nusa Ceningan Island

Nusa Ceningan is the smallest of the three Nusa islands in Bali, but it still has some nice things to see and do.

The islands of Lembongan and Ceningan are connected to each other by a colorful yellow bridge, and even though they don’t have the epic cliffs and dramatic scenery of Nusa Penida, they’re still worth a visit for the nice hotels , seaside cafes, and laidback atmosphere.

You can get to Nusa Ceningan easily from Lembongan by driving across the iconic yellow bridge or taking a quick boat ride from Penida. From mainland Bali, it’s a 1 hour ride in a speedboat.

Blue Lagoon Avia Villas in Nusa Ceningan

Ocean views at the Blue Lagoon Avia Villas in Nusa Ceningan

5. Lombok Island

Lombok is Bali’s neighbor island. It’s the same size as Bali and way less traveled by tourists, but you could argue it’s just as scenic, and the infrastructure is pretty developed.

The main attraction in Lombok is Mount Rinjani, which towers over the whole island. It’s the second tallest volcano in Indonesia, and you can trek it in a few days with a local guide.

Lombok is also known for some stunning beaches and waterfalls scattered across the island, and unlike in Bali, most of these spots are still hidden and free of crowds.

Even though it’s not as popular as Bali, Lombok is undoubtedly one of the most scenic places in Indonesia, and it’s likely to become the next vacation island for people looking to move on from Bali.

• Things To See: Mount Rinjani, Tiu Kelep Waterfall , Tanjung Aan Beach
• How To Get There: Fly to Lombok International Airport (LOP)

6. Java Island

Java, the most populated island of Indonesia, is home to some of the most incredible volcanic landscapes in the world.

The smoking craters at Mount Bromo and Kawah Ijen have become famous tourist destinations in East Java, and the center of the island has ancient temples that look like something out of The Jungle Book.

Meanwhile, West Java has surreal crater lakes like Kawah Putih , and dozens of big waterfalls to discover in the Ciletuh Geopark. It’s easily one of the best places to visit in Indonesia!

• Things To See: Dieng Plateau , Prambanan Temple , Mount Bromo , & More
• How To Get There: Fly to Jakarta (CGK), Jogyakarta (YIA), or Surabaya (SUB)

Dieng Plateau in Java

Mount Bromo in Java — one of the best Indonesian islands!

Sewu Temple in Java

7. Flores Island

Flores is wild and wonderful, and there are a lot of good things to see and do, but it’s a very long island, so a road trip is the best way to take it all in.

The main tourist attraction here would have to be the Kelimutu Lakes , a pair of amazing turquoise colored volcanic lakes in central Flores, and you can see them without doing any hiking.

If you start from Labuan Bajo, you can do an overland tour of Flores from west to east and see sights like the spiderweb rice fields, Wae Rebo traditional village, Mount Inerie volcano, and the turquoise volcanic lakes of Mount Kelimutu .

In spite of the lack of publicity and infrastructure, Flores is definitely one of the best places to visit in Indonesia.

• Things To See: Kelimutu National Park , Koka Beach, Mount Inerie, Labuan Bajo
• How To Get There: Fly to Ende (ENE) or Maumere (MOF) from Bali (DPS)

Kelimutu National Park in Flores. One of the most beautiful Indonesia islands.

Goa Rangko Cave in Labuan Bajo

8. Komodo Island

Komodo Island is famous for being home to the beastly Komodo dragons (the world’s biggest lizard), and it’s full of other ‘bucket list’ travel experiences.

The UNESCO designated Komodo National Park has dozens of islands with white and pink sand beaches , scenic mountains for trekking and coral reefs for diving, and it’s the only place in the world where you can see Komodo dragons up close in the wild!

We’ve visited Komodo a bunch of times over the years and it’s always amazing. One of the great things about its gateway town, Labuan Bajo, is that it’s not far from Bali and it’s easy to reach with a short flight from there.

• Things To See: Komodo Dragons , Padar Island , & Pink Beach
• How To Get There: Fly to Labuan Bajo (LBJ) from Bali (DPS) or Jakarta (CGK)
• More Info: Komodo Travel Guide

The Komodo islands are the only place in the world where you can see Komodo dragons like this in the wild

Komodo has several pink beaches with bright pink sand and turquoise water

9. Padar Island

Even though Padar Island is one of the smallest islands in the Komodo National Park, the scenic viewpoint here has become a famous natural landmark of Indonesia, and it’s even been featured on the 50,000 Rupiah cash note.

You can visit this island easily on a boat tour of the Komodo National Park, and the hike up to the viewpoint is relatively quick and straightforward.

At the viewpoint, you can see a magnificent Jurassic Park landscape and three giant bays with a white beach, black beach, and pink beach.

Each of those sand colors is pretty special in itself, but to see all of them in one place is crazy. This is probably the only place in the world where you can witness that!

• More Info: Padar Island Guide

The famous Padar Island view in Komodo National Park

10. Sulawesi Island

Sulawesi is one of my favorite islands to explore in Indonesia. Many of the strangest things we’ve ever seen have been on this island.

You can see volcanic hot springs and megalithic stone faces , karst mountains, bug-eyed tarsiers, prehistoric cave art , and extreme meat markets.

Sulawesi is also home to one of the most bizarre cultures on Earth ( Tana Toraja ), where they dig up their dead relatives every year to wash the corpses and change their clothes.

• Things To See: Rammang Rammang , Tana Toraja , Tangkoko Nature Reserve , & More
• How To Get There: Fly to Makassar (UPG) in south Sulawesi, or Manado (MDC) in north Sulawesi

Sulawesi is one of the most beautiful Indonesian islands. Seen here is Rammang Rammang village .

Bukit Kasih in Sulawesi

Tangkoko Nature Reserve in Sulawesi

11. Banggai Islands

The Banggai area is one of the most underrated places in central Sulawesi, and there are a bunch of great islands to explore here.

Peleng island is easily reachable by ferry from Luwuk city in mainland Sulawesi, and it’s home to Paisu Pok Lake , one of the bluest lakes in Indonesia and possibly the world. Peleng also has some spectacular white sand beaches, limestone caves, and wildlife (including tarsiers).

Further southeast of Peleng island is the Banggai Laut regency, which has more beaches, caves, and sea arches. There’s even a lake where you can swim with stingless jellyfish on Mbuang-Mbaung island.

• Things To See: Paisu Pok Lake , Mandel Beach, Paisu Batongan Jellyfish Lake, & More
• How To Get There: Fly to Luwuk (LUW) in central Sulawesi, then take the ferry to Peleng or Banggai Laut
• More Info: Banggai Travel Guide

Paisu Pok Lake in the Banggai islands of Sulawesi.

Drone picture of the amazingly blue Paisu Pok Lake .

Mandel Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Banggai islands .

12. Labengki Island

Labengki Island (and its exotic neighbor Sombori) might be Indonesia’s best kept secret. This untouched tropical paradise in Sulawesi is impossibly beautiful. It’s one of the most enchanting places we’ve visited in our travels.

Labengki and Sombori haven’t been spoiled by tourism yet, and English documentation for these places is still almost non-existent on the web. We half expected to see dinosaurs as we explored the lagoons, caves, and jungle covered beaches.

It’s pretty remote, so the process of getting there takes a bit of effort, but this is one of the most fantastic Indonesian islands we’ve seen.

• How To Get There: Fly to Kendari (KDI) from Makassar, then take a 3 hour boat ride to Labengki island
• More Info: Labengki Travel Guide

Red Sand Beach at Labengki Island

Love Bay at Labengki Island

Blue Lagoon. Labengki was one of our favorite Indonesia islands.

13. Sombori Islands

Sombori Island has to be one of the most wonderful places we’ve seen in Indonesia. The hundreds of paradise islands and lagoons have earned it the nickname of ‘the Raja Ampat of Sulawesi’ because it looks just like the famous islands in West Papua.

This is a very remote island, but getting there is worth the hassle! We discovered several hidden lagoons and beaches that hadn’t even been named yet, and saw wildlife ranging from giant sea clams to hornbill birds.

• How To Get There: Fly to Kendari (KDI), take a 3 hour boat ride to Labengki, then a 2 hour boat ride to Sombori
• More Info: Sombori Travel Guide

Sombori Island

Endless lagoons

Tropical paradise of Sombori — one of the best places to visit in Indonesia!

14. Bunaken Islands

Bunaken is a small island north of Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi.

The Bunaken Marine Park has some of the most popular Indonesian islands for snorkeling and scuba diving, and there’s even a big sandbar you can walk around on when the tide is low.

We visited Bunaken on a day tour from Manado, but you can also come with a public ferry if you plan to stay longer. The main island has lots of accommodation so you can stay close to the action.

How To Get There: Fly to Manado (MDC) + 1 hour boat ride

Bunaken Marine Park

Snorkeling in Bunaken

Siladen island in Bunaken

15. Siau Island

Siau is a small volcanic island north of Manado, but it’s more remote than Bunaken and not as well known, even though it deserves to be.

The reason I’ve listed it as one of the best places to visit in Indonesia is because of its nature and scenery. It’s outstanding, but still pretty much unknown to international tourists.

Siau island is home to one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes (Mount Karangetang), and the island also has its own unique species of tarsier.

This is definitely one of the more obscure islands to visit in Indonesia, but that means you’ll be the only tourist around!

• Things To See: Siau Island Tarsier, Mount Karangetang, Mahoro Island
• How To Get There: Fly to Siau (NAH) from Manado (MDC), or take the 4 hour fast ferry
• More Info: Siau Island Travel Guide

Smoking twin craters on Mount Karangetang

Pulau Mahoro is one of the best islands you can visit off the coast of Siau, Indonesia

Tarsier spotting in Siau Island

16. Selayar Island

Selayar is a long, skinny island south of Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi.

This is another good place for snorkeling and island hopping, or you can stay directly on a private white sand beach at Selayar Eco Resort .

Sadly a lot of the beaches in Selayar have been completely ruined by plastic trash (common in many Indonesian islands), but if you look around you can still find some good ones that are cleaned regularly by the resorts.

It’s easy to reach Selayar nowadays. You can get there from Bali by flights with a short transit stop in Makassar, and the last leg of the journey is only 45 minutes.

How To Get There: Fly to Selayar (KSR) from Makassar (UPG)

Bahuluang is one of the Indonesian islands you can visit on a day trip from Selayar

Snow white sand at Bone Malea Beach

Bukit Nane from above

17. Sumatra Island

Sumatra is the biggest island inside of Indonesian territory, and it has the biggest volcanic lake in the world (Toba). It also has some of Indonesia’s biggest waterfalls .

This is definitely one of the best places to visit in Indonesia. We spent 2 months in North Sumatra and barely scratched the surface of this island.

There are so many amazing things to see and do, but the critically endangered rainforests and wildlife would have to be at the top of the list.

On a short jungle trek you can see orangutans, gibbons, leaf monkeys, rare birds and lizards, and many other animals.

• Things To See: Lake Toba, Sumatra Waterfalls , Bukit Lawang Rainforest
• How To Get There: Fly to Medan (KNO) from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) or Jakarta (CGK)

Orangutan viewing at Bukit Lawang is a highlight of Sumatra

Lake Toba is the biggest volcanic lake in the world

Sumatra is one of the most beautiful islands of Indonesia. Seen here is Sipiso Piso Waterfall .

18. Belitung Island

Belitung is a Bali-sized island off the coast of south Sumatra, and just like Bali it has so many amazing things to see and do. It’s even been recognized as a UNESCO Geopark for its unique landscapes.

We spent two weeks here and were blown away by the picture perfect islands and white sand beaches with granite boulders. This is island hopping paradise at its best.

The main thing to do here is the island hopping boat tour in northwest Belitung. You’ll see perfect white sand beaches, turquoise water, rocky granite islands, underwater coral reefs, and even a Dutch lighthouse from the 1800s.

• Things To See: Island Hopping Tour , Tanjung Tinggi Beach , & Batu Baginda Rocks
• How To Get There: Fly to Tanjung Pandan (TJQ) from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) or Jakarta (CGK)
• More Info: Belitung Travel Guide

Tanjung Tinggi Beach in Belitung — one of the best places to visit in Indonesia!

Batu Baginda giant boulders. A spectacular hidden spot in the Indonesian island of Belitung .

Batu Berlayar island in Belitung

19. Banyak Islands

The Banyak Islands are a group of barely inhabited paradise islands northwest of Sumatra, Indonesia.

For accommodation, you have a basic bungalow on an almost private island, with white sand beaches and crystal clear water in all directions. Infrastructure is very limited, but that’s part of the fun.

This place is pretty remote, but if you’re looking for an Indonesian island where you can live out the Robinson Crusoe lifestyle, it doesn’t get much better than this!

• How To Get There: Fly to Medan (KNO), drive 8-10 hours to Singkil, then ride a boat 1-3 hours to Pulau Banyak
• More Info: Pulau Banyak Travel Guide

The Banyak Islands are full of fantastic beaches like this

Drone pic of this island paradise in Indonesia

Beach scenes near the Palambak Island Resort in Banyak Islands

20. Karang Island

Pulau Karang is a small island off the coast of North Sumatra that you can visit on a quick boat ride from Barus. It’s close enough to mainland Sumatra to be visible from the shore.

We went to Pulau Karang on a day trip from Singkil, shortly after our visit to the Banyak Islands . Like the Banyaks, this is a relatively remote island, but if you already happen to be passing through the area, it’s worth a detour to see it!

Even though there’s no hotel or other place to stay on the island yet, Pulau Karang has wonderful palm-covered white sand beaches, and there’s a little lighthouse on the south side of the island.

• How To Get There: Drive 3.5 hours from Singkil or 2 hours from Sibolga, then take a 30 minute boat ride
• More Info: Pulau Karang Travel Guide

Drone picture of Pulau Karang

Beautiful beach!

21. Borneo Island (Kalimantan)

Borneo is the third biggest island in the world, and it’s split between three countries: Brunei , Indonesia, and Malaysia .

The Indonesian part of Borneo is called Kalimantan, and it covers almost 75% of the vast territory on Borneo island. Kalimantan is a great destination for nature and animal lovers since it’s home to lots of endemic species, including the Bornean orangutan.

The island of Borneo is especially famous for its orangutans, which you can see on a river boat cruise at Tanjung Puting National Park , in Central Kalimantan. Sleeping on the river boat is a fun adventure in itself!

Aside from the national parks, there are other noteworthy sights in Borneo as well, like the Terinting Waterfall in West Kalimantan.

• Things To See: Gunung Palung National Park, Sebangau National Park, Tanjung Puting National Park , Terinting Waterfall
• How To Get There: Fly to Pangkalan Bun (PKN) or Pontianak (PNK) from Jakarta or Surabaya
• More Info: Tanjung Puting Travel Guide

A giant male Bornean orangutan at Tanjung Puting National Park in Kalimantan

The river boat cruise at Tanjung Puting is a great way to see wildlife

Mom and baby orangutan in the treetops

22. Ternate Island

This is a small, cone-shaped volcanic island in the North Maluku province of east Indonesia. Ternate isn’t likely to become the next big vacation island in Indonesia, but it has some interesting sights and history.

A long time ago, the island of Ternate was one of the most important kingdoms in the precolonial ‘Spice Islands’ of North Maluku, and it’s still one of the main gateways to the province today.

It only takes an hour to drive around the whole island in a circle, but there are several neat things to see. You can climb the active volcano in the center of the island (Mount Gamalama), or visit the scenic lakes and black sand beaches on the banks of the mountain.

• Things To See: Ngade Lake, Mount Gamalama, Tolire Lake
• How To Get There: Fly to Ternate (TTE) from Jakarta, Makassar, Ambon, etc

The north side of Ternate Island with Lake Tolire visible

Fort Tolukko was built by the Portuguese in 1512 to control the spice trade in Ternate

Ngade Lake with the Tidore volcano in the distance

23. Halmahera Island

Halmahera is the biggest island in the Maluku Islands, and it’s loaded with rainforests, volcanoes, and hidden beaches.

In my opinion though, the main reason to come to Halmahera is for the spectacular active volcanoes, Mount Dukono and Mount Ibu. You can visit either one on a day hike, but it’s more popular to spend a couple days on each mountain since they’re tough to reach and the views are incredible.

This is the closest you will ever get to an erupting volcano! Think Mount Bromo, except more intense and without the tourist crowds. Halmahera is definitely one of the best places to visit in Indonesia.

• Things To See: Mount Dukono , Mount Ibu, and Kahatola Islands
• How To Get There: Fly to Kao (KAZ) or Galela (GLX) from Manado, or take a speedboat from Ternate

Drone pic of the erupting Dukono volcano

Walking through old lava fields at Mount Dukono

The Dukono volcano has been erupting non-stop since 1933

24. Seram Island

Seram island is another uncharted paradise in Maluku with fantastic mountains and rainforests, including the highest point in the Moluccas (Mount Binaiya).

Seram island is best known for Ora Beach, a secluded private resort with views like Bora Bora. The island also has Manusela National Park, which is home to lots of exotic and colorful birds and butterflies, and the deepest known cave in Indonesia (Goa Hatusaka).

Seram island is a bit hard to reach, but it’s definitely one of the best places to visit in Indonesia!

• Things To See: Ora Beach, Manusela National Park, Mount Binaiya
• How To Get There: Fly to Ambon (AMQ) + 2 hour ferry from Tulehu to Amahai
• More Info: Seram Island Travel Guide

Ora beach views in Seram island. Is Indonesia beautiful or what?

Giant limestone cliffs in Seram island

Ora Beach Resort

25. Ambon Island

Ambon is the capital and main gateway of Maluku province, which holds many of the hidden gems in Indonesia.

While Ambon is not the greatest island in and of itself (it’s too rainy, dirty, and noisy), it does have some nice scenery and you’ll be passing through here anyway if you plan to see some of the best Indonesian islands in Maluku, like Seram island .

My favorite thing we saw in Ambon was the turquoise colored Telaga Pange Waterfall, which is an easy hike located just 15 minutes from the city.

• Things To See: Telaga Pange Waterfall, Pintu Kota Beach, Liang Beach
• How To Get There: Fly to Ambon (AMQ) from Jakarta, Makassar, Ternate, etc

The turquoise colored Telaga Pange Waterfall on Ambon Island

Liang Beach in northeast Ambon

Pintu Kota Beach in south Ambon

How To Visit Indonesian Islands (That Are Not Bali)

Now that I’ve listed some of the best places to travel in Indonesia that are not Bali, it’s time to go over some practical information.

If this is your first time traveling to new islands in Indonesia, here are some things you should know:

• Infrastructure. When you’re traveling in remote Indonesia islands, infrastructure may be limited. Oftentimes that means no WiFi or air-conditioning (fan only), and sometimes it means washing yourself with a simple water scoop instead of a shower. On more remote islands (such as the Banyaks), you may have no electricity at all except by generator in the evening. Living without these daily luxuries takes some getting used to, but it’s worth it to see some of the best places in Indonesia that are not just Bali. The infrastructure will catch up over time as tourism continues to grow in new areas. For now, enjoy the wilderness for what it is.
• Religion. Most of the Indonesian islands are Muslim majority, unlike Bali, which is Hindu. You’ll still come across some friendly people in your travels, but you might miss the smiles, warmth, and overall vibe of the Balinese people. Terrorism is not a significant issue in Indonesia anymore, and attitudes toward foreigners are generally welcoming, but the culture is much more conservative when you’re not in Bali, so it’s important to dress modestly. Alcohol is usually not easy to find in these places either. In Muslim areas, you can expect noisy loudspeakers from the mosques, often at all hours of the day and night, so it’s a good idea to pack ear plugs to help you sleep.
• Safety. In terms of crime, Indonesia is one of the safest countries in the world, with a very low murder rate of 0.5 per 100k inhabitants (92% lower than the global average), according to the United Nations yearly study . I’ve traveled alone in many Indonesian islands and haven’t really witnessed any crime. Just take normal precautions.
• People. If you travel outside of Bali, especially in remote parts of Java or Sulawesi, you’ll probably get lots of funny photo requests from the locals excited to see a rare ‘bule’ (foreigner).
• Mosquitoes. The Indonesian islands have made a lot of progress in getting rid of malaria, but many parts of the country still have at least some of it. Dengue fever is also common all over the islands, including Bali. Malaria is mainly a problem in West Papua and the Mentawai islands, as well as some parts of Kalimantan, Sumatra, and Sulawesi. You can find a helpful map of the main risk areas for malaria in this study from 2018. The malaria risk areas have shrunk quite a bit now, but there are still some places in Indonesia you may want to take anti-malarial pills (certainly not in Bali). Mosquito spray and bed nets are usually a good idea wherever you travel in Indonesia, especially in the rainy season and outside of the city.

Kabut Pelangi waterfall in East Java

More Indonesian Islands To See

Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoyed this list of the best places to visit in Indonesia that are not Bali!

We’re still missing many places like Sumba, Gili, Sumbawa, Rote, Madura, Karimunjawa, Mentawai, Nias, Simeulue, Pulau Weh, Riau (Natuna), Bintan, Bawah, Bangka, Derawan, Enggano, Sangihe, Togian/Togean, Wakatobi, Maratua, Morotai, Banda, the Kei islands, West Papua, and the beautiful Raja Ampat islands. I realize those are easily some of the best places to visit in Indonesia, but we haven’t had a chance to really explore them yet.

Hopefully we can visit more of those places soon! Check back for updates to this travel guide.

All of these roots are from one giant tree in Indonesia

Best Time To Visit The Indonesian Islands

The best time to visit the beautiful Indonesia islands depends on what you’re looking for:

☁ Rainy season runs from November to April. The weather during the day can be hot and humid, at 32 to 35 °C (90 to 95 °F), but it’s less crowded during this time, and the rain is mostly at night. Waterfalls come alive, and the landscapes are bright green.

☀ Dry season runs from May to August. The temperatures are milder and cooler, and it’s more breezy and sunny. This is the nicest weather, and it’s perfect for hiking, island hopping, and seeing some of the best places in Indonesia. It’s also the high season, so it’s generally more crowded with tourists, especially in Bali.

Regardless of when you decide to visit Wonderful Indonesia, you’re sure to see some spectacular sights. Happy travels!  

Indonesia Drone Video

Here’s a 4K drone video I filmed during our many travels across Indonesia.

This video includes some of the best places to visit in Indonesia, including Bali, Nusa Penida, Java, Flores, Maluku, Sumatra, Belitung, Sulawesi, Labengki, Sombori, and other islands.

• Best Hikes In Indonesia – Volcanoes, Jungles, & Waterfalls
• Indonesia Waterfall Guide – Best Waterfalls In Indonesia
• Indonesia Beach Guide – Best Beaches In Indonesia
• Best Things To Do In Indonesia – What To Do In The Islands
• Indonesia Travel Guide – Tips, Info, & Photos

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Hopefully tourism in Indonesia will recover quickly as before the pandemic because there are still many beauties that Indonesia has not visited by tourists.

Beautiful travel blog

Best Blog i’ve come across so far. Looking to visit in July/August and looking for inspiration and this blog has it all! Great work!

I really appreciate you taking the time to make those suggestions. We know it took a lot of thought and effort. I’m sure I’m going to have a great time in Indonesia

Outstanding blog! Bravo!

Just fabulous! Thank you. 🥰

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ULTIMATE GUIDE TO EAST BALI

Many visitors to Bali have heard of East Bali, but many simply do not know anything about it. It is a place that their friends visited once on a tour, and have raved about ever since. It is a place that tour guides suggest you go, but many people don’t understand why. Besides, isn’t Ubud a lot closer? Most people would rather stay in their comfort zones and stick with that they know. But East Bali doesn’t have to be “that strange land on another part of the island” and in this Guide to East Bali, I will show you why.

One thing that I will tell you right from the start. East Bali is amazing, but taking a tour will only really show you the main sights. There is SO MUCH more to the area that you will not see on a tour. That is why I decided to create this Guide to East Bali – to point out to you just how much more there is to do!

So sit back and enjoy this guide, and I hope that by the end of it you understand a lot more about what there is to see and do in East Bali.

This article may contain affiliate links. If you click on those links and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you I will get a small commission. This will go a long way toward keeping this website running. As always, thank you for your support! Click HERE for more information.

Table of Contents

About east bali, things to do in east bali, best tours to east bali, jasri beach, how to get around in east bali.

East Bali is covered mostly by the Regency of Karangasem, but actually covers the entire area of Eastern Bali. The “entryway” to East Bali is commonly considered the city of Candi Dasa, which sits on the East Coast of Bali, and is a very popular resort town. Just a bit further south is Padang Bai, which is the main ferry port for Bali, and the entry and exit spot for the Gili islands or Lombok.

Besides Candi Dasa, the other main towns are Amlapura in the center of Karangasem, and Amed in the north. Sideman, on the southern edges of East Bali is rising rapidly in popularity with visitors as well. Above them all presides Mount Agung, an active volcano that is also the highest point in all of Bali. From anywhere in East Bali you can see the majestic peak, and places such as Heaven’s Gate have become even more popular simply because of the view of the indomitable mountain.

There is much more to East Bali than many people realize. Black sand beaches adorn the coastline, and beautiful sweeping fields of ride paddies carpet much of the landscape. The northern coast is host to some of the most beautiful marine life in Bali, and the diving and snorkeling is world class. Even the slopes of Mount Agung holds its own secrets, and hosts thousands of visitors a year to places such as Besakih Temple, and the gardens of amazingly beautiful Marigolds and Edelweiss that flourish upon her slopes.

East Bali also holds much history of the Kings of Karangasem, and many of the best places to visit will having you walking in their footsteps. Tirta Gangga and the Water Palace are two such places.

No matter where you go in East Bali, there is something amazing just around the next corner. I personally have been there and stayed on numerous occasions, and still find there is something yet on my list of things I need to see or do next time I return!

There is plenty to do in East Bali, and most people will think they have it covered by doing a tour or two. The thing is, they have hardly scratched the surface! Having spent a long time in East Bali personally, and usually for several nights at a time, I have covered most of it. In this Guide to East Bali, I will highlight some easy to reach places (and a couple not so easy) that you really should have on your East Bali “to do” list.

I will also not mention any organised tours in this section, as I have covered that in the next section. Here, I will talk about places you can go by yourself. Many of them you CAN do on a tour as well. So, here goes…

• Take in the views at Lahangan Sweet – This is the best viewpoint in East Bali (aside from Mt Agung) and has nearly 360 degree panoramas that stretch from Lombok to Mount Batur. It is also the best viewpoint in Bali for Mount Agung photos. It’s hard to get to, but worth it. Check THIS article for more information.
• Catch the Sunset at Sunset Point Amed – Probably the best place in East Bali to see the sunset is Sunset Point . This open air restaurant on the point gives beautiful panoramas or the sun as it slowly disappears behind the slopes of Mount Agung.
• Do a self drive (or ride) Mt Agung Viewpoint tour – There are some amazing places in East Bali to see the majestic Mt Agung. Hire a scooter and hit each of these places to get the very best photos. Start early before the clouds move in. Check THIS article for details.
• Experience the amazing Heaven’s Gate – This place probably needs no introduction, but should be on any list for visitors to East Bali. Wonderful views of Mount Agung, and one of the famous directional temples of Bali.
• Relax at Virgin Beach – Virgin Beach is an anomaly in East Bali, as the only white sand beach amongst all the black sand beaches. With palm trees and turquoise waters, it is simply beautiful!
• Camp at Bukit Asah – This amazing Bukit sticks out into the ocean right above Virgin Beach. You can camp there for extraordinarily low rates, and all equipment is supplied. With some of the best views on the East Bali coastline, it’s at least worth stopping by.
• Feed the fish at Tirta Gangga – These incredible water gardens are famous on Instagram for the enormous Koi and the stepping stones around their pond. Feed them and get the photo you are so longing for. Come on, you know you want to!
• Climb the stairs at Besakih Temple – The oldest and largest temple in Bali is majestic, and sits high on the slopes of Mount Agung. A visit and tour is a must, and there is no better place to learn about Balinese culture.
• Visit the Water Palace – The Water Palace is spectacular, and worth a visit just to wander around the amazing gardens and pools that was the summer getaway for the King of Karangasem.
• Go Diving in Tulamben – Probably the best place in Bali to Snorkel or Scuba, you can hire gear on site, or even do a full course. The marine life is amazing!
• Check out the amazing Rice Paddies – You can do this anywhere in Bali, but the Karangasem region has some beautiful Rice Paddies, and the paddies around Tirta Gangga in particular are amazing. Probably the best is all of East Bali, however, are in Sideman!

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Many will not want to stay in East Bali, usually due to the length of holiday, meaning they are time limited. Then there will be others who may stay in East Bali, but not be interested in finding their own way around. If you fall into either of these categories, then a tour is probably of more interest to you. In my Guide to East Bali, I have hand selected some of the best tours for seeing the major sights, or doing the most popular activities. I will also include links directly to where you can book.

• Tulamben Bay Beginner’s Dive Experience – Learn what it is like to Scuba Dive in one of the most amazing places in the world. This PADI run experience will even give you credit toward a full course if you are interested. Click HERE for a link to more details.
• Lempuyang Gate of Heaven Day Trip with Photographer – Visit the most popular place in East Bali on this daytrip, and get all those photos to make your friends jealous! Click HERE for further details.
• Bali: Full Day Instagram Highlights Tour – This tour will take you to Heaven’s Gate and Tirta Gangga, as well as stopping by in Ubud and Tukad Cepung Waterfall on the way! Click HERE for more.
• Mother Temple of Bali and Lempuyang Gates Tour – This tour will take you to Besakih Temple and also Heaven’s Gate. Click HERE for more.
• Bali Full Day Private Customized Tour – I put this one in here because it is an amazing option. If you know where you want to go, then set up an itinerary and the driver will just take you! Click HERE for more.
• Highlights of Ubud and Lempuyang Temple Sunset Tour – This great tour from KLOOK is highly rated and will show you all the best of East Bali. See details HERE .
• Private East Bali and Lempuyang Trip – Another great private trip option, this time through KLOOK. Find out more HERE .

As you can see, the best and most popular tours to East Bali really centralize around the temples and water gardens. If you want to see more, then the best options are self drive, or a custom tour. This guide to East Bali was created for just that purpose – giving you the best information possible to make your East Bali experience an amazing one!

Where to stay in East Bali

Unlike many of my other Guides, this Guide to East Bali will be focusing not so much on individual accommodation options, but on towns and areas to stay. This is because the area in question is SO large and diverse that it is best, first, to pick what sort of holiday or stay you are wanting. I will include links to each town I discuss, so you can find accommodation options located there.

This seaside resort town is on the East Coast of Bali, and is becoming a very popular base for anyone that wants to visit the East Bali area. All sorts of accommodation is available, and at a lot cheaper rate than you will find similar accommodation down south. It’s a LOT quieter as well, and very worthy of consideration for your next stay to Bali.

My pick for a really nice place to stay in Candi Dasa is the Candi Beach Resort and Spa.

Amed is located on the northern coastline of East Bali, and is becoming very popular with expats in recent years. One of the centers for diving, and in particular snorkeling in East Bali, you don’t have to go far to find a great spot to head into the water. There are dozens of accommodation options, from more expensive right down to budget, and more restaurants, warungs and cafes than you could poke a stick at!

Oh, Amed is also famous for its sunsets, so even if you don’t stay there, at least hang around for the sunset. You won’t be disappointed!

My choice for a great place to stay in Amed is definitely the Aquaterrace Amed. Click below to check it out!

Tulamben is the other place in East Bali that you will find great diving. Although it is a bit quieter than Amed, just up the road, the diving is even more spectacular! The dive on the US Liberty wreck is considered one of the best dives in the world, and is ideally located for beginner divers all the way up to the most experienced.

Tulamben is the perfect place to stay if you want a few days of diving, or if you want to learn to dive and stay in the area for a few days. You will find plenty of places that have inclusive deals to stay and learn, so it’s a no brainer really.

The other reason you would pick Tulamben, or nearby Kubu, is because they have all the attractions of Amed, but a lot quieter!

My choice for an amazing place to stay is the Kubu Indah Dive and Spa Resort. I personally know the owner, and absolutely love this place. Tell him I sent you!

Sideman is on the very southern edge of East Bali and is another place becoming very popular for expats. It has a very “local” village feel about it, and has amazing views. There are several waterfalls within short drive or ride, and Besakih Temple is just up the road. The rice terraces around Sideman are also rated some of the most beautiful in all of Bali.

For accommodation, Sideman was, until recently, a place that you would only really find lower budget homestays. Now, however, things have changed, and you have the option of higher end accommodation and eco resorts.

My standout pick for a place to stay in Sideman is by far Hideout Bali. How can you beat a lone villa in the Jungle beside a beautiful river?

Amlapura is the main center of East Bali, and the regency of Karangasem. You won’t find as much accommodation around Amlapura, but that doesn’t mean there is nowhere to stay. In fact, there are some very nice places, but most tourists opt for places like Candi Dasa and Amed.

Amlapura is a good place to stay if you want to be really close to Tirta Gangga, and only about 20 minutes away from Heaven’s Gate. It is a local town, with plenty of food options, and is also a very central option. Virgin Beach and Bukit Asah are only 20 minutes away, and an Amed Sunset only 30 minutes.

My pick for somewhere to stay around Amlapura is the Taman Surgawi Resort and Spa.

Looking for the best Budget accommodation? Hostelworld have you covered with all of the very best budget friendly accommodation around town. Check them out at THIS LINK .

Jasri Beach is just East of Amlapura, and is the place I stayed last time I visited. What I liked about it was that it was close to the center, but still on the beach. We woke early and watched the sunrise over Lombok, and took a stroll on the (black sand) beach in the afternoons. There is also some great surfing right off the beach too!

This is another great option if you want to stay central, but wish to be somewhere nice and quiet. If you are a surfer, you should also strongly consider it! It is considered in many circles to be the best kept surfing secret in Bali.

My pick for a great place to stay on the beach at Jasri, is the Jasri Bay Hideaway.

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Getting around in East Bali is easier than you might imagine. Although it is a very popular area, with some of Bali’s biggest attractions, there is surprisingly little traffic. Aside from the local traffic, of course. The reason for this is simply because most visitors to the island tend to only visit East Bali on daytrips. This is great news for anyone who decides to stay overnight, or even spend a few days in East Bali.

In this Guide to East Bali, I will now highlight a couple of the easiest way to get around in East Bali.

• By scooter – This is my favorite way to get around anywhere in Bali, but in East Bali in particular this is the very best form of transport. Many of the best places to go are not on the usual tourist trail, so having a scooter means that you will see a lot more, a lot faster. Then, there are places like Lahangan Sweet that you will simply not get to in a normal vehicle. Hire a scooter quick and easy at THIS LINK .
• Take a tour – A simple and obvious option, but if you are staying in East Bali and are interested in going anywhere, then consider a tour, if those places are large tourism objects.
• Private Vehicle – You can hire a private vehicle and driver to take you nearly anywhere in East Bali. If you don’t mind making your own itinerary, then this is a great option. I would recommend it secondary to hiring a scooter. You can easily hire one at THIS LINK .

MAKE SURE that if you hire a scooter you have the correct licence! You can get one really easily at THIS LINK.

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East Bali is an amazing place to visit. It has some of the best spots in Bali, especially if you are a photographer or a diver. There is plenty to explore, and just one day is simply not enough.

If you decide to visit, and are looking for an itinerary, then I have one at THIS LINK that was made just for you! I hope this Guide to East Bali has been helpful, and I look forward to your comments which you can leave below.

DON’T FORGET to leave a comment below. I promise to reply!

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We are thinking of coming to Bali in early December and we have a place that we’ve already paid for previously in East Bali, but we’re trying to figure out the best time. And reading up about Bali in December, it seems it is the “rainy season“ and “high tourist season“. We are thinking of being there from December 2 through December 16. What are your thoughts about that time?

Hi Sheryl, Yes December is rainy season. But – East Bali is a lot dryer than the rest of the island. That doesn’t mean you won’t get any rain though. I have seen it rain for a few days straight around Candi Dasa before, so it can be really hit and miss. The best thing is to expect it, and plan for it. As for it being peak season, I think you will be alright. “Peak” season in Bali is the dry season, so basically June – August. What you are probably reading is the “Peak” season for locals, and yes, that can get pretty hectic with all the traffic coming from Jakarta. What is on your side though, is that this is usually from about a week before Christmas, to a week after New Years. From Dec 2 to Dec 16, you should be good! Hope you have a great time. I love East Bali, and should be back there soon myself! J

Hello Jason,

Thank you for your informative guide on East Bali. We are a middle-aged couple who will be visiting Bali this September for 8 days 7 nights. We would like to bookend our stays in Ubud (1st 2 nights) and Canngu/Seminyak (last 2 nights) with a 3 night trip to East Bali. Instead of doing day trips from Ubud to various points of interest in East Bali, I am thinking of staying one night each in Sideman, Amed and Kintamani.

Can you advise on the logistics part? Most of the information I read cover day trips. In my case, do I hire the SAME driver who will accompany me throughout East Bali i.e. pick is up from Ubud, go to East Bali and drop us in Canggu/Seminyak? If this is workable, does the driver sort out his own accommodation when in East Bali? The links you include your article are tours.

I am also open to day trips from Ubud but will it be too tiring and would we be backtracking in terms of the distances travelled?

Appreciate your advice. Thanks very much.

Hi! No problem. It looks like you have a really great trip planned. My first piece of advice would be to go from Ubud to Kintamani, then Sideman and then Amed. The drive back from Amed to Canggu would be a long one, but then Amed is a long way from anywhere! Also, what are you planning to do at Kintamani? To be honest, unless you are staying in very luxurious accommodations, Kintamani is not the best place to stay. It’s very hot and a lot of flies! Most people are happy (including me) to just do Kintamani on a daytrip from Ubud. Sideman is wonderful, and a good place to base yourself for a few things around there. Amed is great for diving, and on the way through you can see Tirta Gangga and Heaven’s Gate, among other things. For drivers, you will find that most are happy to just head home after they finish with you. This may be different from Amed, but it is something that you will have to just discuss with your driver I imagine. From Ubud, if your driver is a local he would get you to Sideman and Kintamani and then just head on home afterward. It may even be the case with Amed, but I also know that many drivers have relatives all over the island and friends they like to stay with. Another thing is to just ask at your Ubud accommodation. They would know local drivers and be able to point you in the right direction. See how you go, and if you need any more advice, feel free to ask J

Further Reading

East Indonesia is a premier spot for divers and snorkelers thanks to its rich marine biodiversity and vibrant coral reefs. The region is made up of various islands, each offering unique diving and snorkeling experiences such as Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua .

With a mix of traditional communities and modern cities, the region stands out as a gem for those seeking underwater adventures. Let us explore the reasons why East Indonesia has gained a reputation as being a top destination for diving and snorkeling.

Aqua Expeditions East Indonesia has earned global attention and appreciation for its outstanding diving and snorkeling experiences. They make exploring the region’s marine biodiversity, clear turquoise waters, and captivating coral reefs a truly memorable and safe experience.

Explore the Best Diving and Snorkeling Sites in East Indonesia

Diving and snorkeling experiences in east indonesia: what to expect.

Whether you’re an experienced diver seeking challenging sites or a bit of a beginner snorkeler looking to explore the beauty of coral reefs, East Indonesia has something to offer for all levels of divers and snorkelers.

It’s essential to choose the right season for your visit to ensure optimal diving and snorkeling conditions but you definitely need not be Jacques Cousteau to experience the marine life-rich waters off Indonesia’s eastern islands.

Some resorts and tour operators offer snorkeling excursions to specific sites, with many sites easily accessible from the shore or by short boat rides, making it especially convenient for beginners and families.

The coral reefs in East Indonesia are often well-preserved and teeming with life. Expect to see a variety of coral formations, including walls, pinnacles, and bommies, providing a visually surreal backdrop for your dives.

When it comes to marine life, you have the opportunity to observe manta rays, reef sharks & hammerheads, and sperm & pilot whales. Common fish you may encounter include angelfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish, clownfish, groupers, and snappers.

Sea turtles such as green turtles and hawksbill turtles are commonly found feeding on sea grass beds in Eastern Indonesia as well. Other marine species on the radar include octopuses, cuttlefish, squids, and giant clams.

Top Diving and Snorkeling Sites in East Indonesia

Raja Ampat, located in the province of West Papua in Indonesia, is renowned as one of the most biodiverse marine regions globally, making it a premier destination for both diving and snorkeling.

Raja Ampat is situated in the heart of the Coral Triangle , offering up key dive sites such as Cape Kri, Manta Sandy, The Passage, Misool Island, Wayag, and Dampier Strait. Notable species to seek out include scalloped hammerhead sharks, manta rays, barracudas, tunas, and trevallies.

The region is also home to an abundance of small marine critters, including various nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, and colorful flatworms. Meanwhile, history lovers can check out several World War II-era wrecks.

The diving and snorkeling season in Raja Ampat is year-round, but the conditions can vary. The dry season running from October to April generally offers calmer seas and better visibility.

Komodo National Park

Komodo is famous for its strong and unpredictable currents, creating thrilling drift dives. Experienced divers can enjoy the rush of diving along walls and seamounts, where nutrient-rich waters attract abundant marine life.

While you won’t spot Komodo’s famous dragons swimming beneath the sea, you will commonly spot various sharks when diving Batu Bolong and Castle Rock.

The Three Sisters Dive Site is famous for its underwater pinnacle formations , and some operators offer night dives in Komodo which provides a unique opportunity to witness nocturnal marine life.

When it comes to snorkeling, in addition to Manta Point being a popular dive site, it is an equally great spot for snorkelers looking to observe manta rays near the surface. Other top snorkel sites include the coral gardens of Kelor Island as well as Taka Makassar Sandbar which is home to sea turtles and reef sharks.

Alor Archipelago

East Nusa Tenggara’s Alor Archipelago may be a mouthful to say but it’s another recommended spot and relatively undiscovered gem for diving and snorkeling. The site especially delivers in terms of being a macro diving paradise where small and unique marine creatures are plentiful.

While not as strong as the currents in places like Komodo, Alor experiences variable currents where divers may experience drift dives. Some popular sites include the Kalabahi Bay , Pantar Strait , and the islands of Pura and Ternate .

Alor’s less-visited and remote reefs provide encounters with various coral and fish species without the crowds and these waters are also home to some lesser-known interesting WWII shipwrecks.

Tips for Diving and Snorkeling in East Indonesia

Our first tip is to thoroughly research the best times to visit various dive sites based on factors such as water temperature, visibility, and marine life activity. The dry season generally equates to calmer seas.

If you’re not already certified, consider getting your scuba diving certification as it will open up a wider range of dive sites and allows you to explore deeper waters. Choose dive operators with experienced guides who are familiar with the local conditions and marine life. Read reviews and ask for recommendations, also making sure they provide the latest quality diving or snorkeling equipment.

Plan your dives in advance, considering factors such as current strength, depth, and the experience level required for each site. Make sure you are capable of specific dives before booking.

Before heading out for a dive or snorkel trip, check local weather conditions. Some areas may experience strong winds or rain during certain seasons, affecting water clarity and safety. Most organized tours will closely monitor weather conditions for you and reschedule or cancel dives to ensure your safety.

And while you may be surrounded by water while diving and snorkeling, you can’t exactly drink sea water. The tropical climate in East Indonesia can be hot and humid. Be sure to stay hydrated, especially when engaging in physical activities like diving and snorkeling.

Snorkeling tips include always going with at least one other person and considering wearing a rash guard or wetsuit to protect your skin from the sun and potential jellyfish stings.

Learn about the local marine ecosystems, conservation efforts, and any specific rules or guidelines in place for protecting the environment. Resist the temptation to touch or disturb marine life and coral as this helps protect the delicate ecosystems and ensures your safety since some species can be potentially dangerous.

Choose dive and snorkel operators that prioritize sustainability and responsible tourism, following eco-friendly practices. Whether on a boat or at the beach, be sure to adopt a “ leave no trace ” mindset where you dispose of trash properly and avoid negatively impacting the natural surroundings.

East Indonesia stands as a treasure trove for diving and snorkeling lovers, offering a unique blend of cultural richness and unparalleled marine biodiversity. From the breathtaking coral reefs of Raja Ampat to the diverse marine life in Komodo National Park and the pristine beauty of the Alor Archipelago, the region provides a truly immersive and unforgettable underwater experience.

As you explore the underwater depths of East Indonesia, remember to prioritize safety, respect the local marine environment, and embrace the awe-inspiring beauty that lies beneath the waters of this remarkable region.

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Megan is an Australian Journalist and award-winning travel writer who has been blogging since 2007. Her husband Mike is the American naturalist and wildlife photographer behind  Waking Up Wild ; an online magazine dedicated to opening your eyes to the wonders of the wild & natural world.

Having visited 100+ countries across all seven continents, Megan’s travels focus on cultural immersion, authentic discovery and incredible journeys. She has a strong passion for ecotourism, and aims to promote responsible travel experiences.

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By land and sea: outdoor adventures in Indonesia

Aug 20, 2018 • 7 min read

A diver explores the coral reef in Raja Ampat, Indonesia © Darryl Leniuk / Getty Images

Stretching more than 4000km from east to west, Indonesia's sprawling, island-packed jungle archipelago offers many opportunities for active and adventurous travellers. Superb diving and snorkelling showcase a diverse and colourful underwater seascape, while above the water, challenging surf breaks draw bold board-riders from around the world. On land, trekking, cycling, white-water rafting and wildlife watching all combine in a landscape of rugged peaks, tropical jungles and surging rivers.

Indonesia is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, and earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are not uncommon and may affect travel to some regions. Though travellers should check foreign office travel advice before setting out, there is no shortage of adventure here.

Hiking and trekking

Indonesia ’s location extending along the equator means that trekking conditions can often be challenging. This immense country offers everything, however, from multi-week expeditions across the mountains of central Borneo to gentle family strolls among the paddies of Ubud . Because of the hot, tropical climate, the most idyllic trekking is usually in the highlands. The rolling hills of Tana Toraja in Sulawesi offer perfect trekking conditions amid picturesque landscapes, even by Indonesian standards. Also consider Bukittinggi (meaning ‘High Hill’) in the highlands of Sumatra, one of the world’s most underrated trekking bases. The mountains of Flores (ridged with more than 17 spectacular volcanoes) and beautiful Danau Toba in North Sumatra are wonderful trekking regions that also take you through traditional villages, offering additional cultural experiences. Even on Bali it’s possible to get off the beaten track. The virtually unknown valleys around Sidemen Road are gaining a reputation with hikers keen to avoid the crowds around Ubud.

Diving and snorkelling

The Coral Triangle, spanning mostly Indonesian waters, contains about 75% of the world total of coral species, which means there is more than enough to explore below water. Nusa Lembongan’s manta rays and sunfish attract hundreds of Bali-based snorkellers each day, and the Gili Islands are also a haven for snorkellers. Diving the walls and reefs around little Menjangan Island on Bali’s northwest tip can surpass even the famous Maldives, and dolphins, pilot whales and even whale sharks are occasionally seen here. While technical divers can test their skills in a whole range of conditions throughout the country, even casual snorkellers can enjoy dramatic spots like Komodo’s ‘Manta Alley’ where giant manta rays loom like spaceships, or Sangeang Volcano where you can swim among hot underwater air vents. Of late, Komodo’s diving crown has been usurped by majestic Raja Ampat , a region of spectacular beauty and world-class diving experiences among whale sharks and an estimated 1427 species of fish. Sulawesi is another highlight with Pulau Bunaken, and the Wakatobi Archipelago offers practically unexplored reefs among its 143 islands.

Rafting and kayaking

For an island renowned for its waves, Bali has more than its share of tranquil waters for paddling, too. The entire north coast is an expanse of turquoise reefs (visited by dolphins, turtles and even whales) and mangrove-fringed inlets. It’s possible to rent kayaks from beaches at Lovina and Pemuteran and from many resorts. At West Bali’s  Menjangan , you can paddle through an inlet inhabited by wild deer and over reefs swarming with tropical fish. You’ll struggle to convince yourself that you’re still on Bali. For something less tranquil, Ayung River near Ubud is the country’s most popular Grade II-III white water rafting haven, but Telaga Waja River in the island’s east is equally beautiful and less crowded. West Java’s Citarak River offers wilder Grade IV white water thrills, as does Tana Toraja’s Sa’dan River, where you can join a three-day rafting expedition. In Bukit Lawang, you can combine overnight jungle treks among wild orangutan with a tube-riding descent on the Bohorok River.

Volcano climbing

Indonesia has more active volcanoes than any other country on earth with an estimated 127. Though eruptions and activity can prevent travellers from getting up close at any given time, many of Indonesia's volcanoes are excellent trekking opportunities. The early morning trek up Bali’s Batur volcano draws hundreds of hikers each day, and East Java’s dramatic Kawah Ijen (with its mysterious ‘river of blue flames’) is almost as popular. Some truly astounding volcanic landscapes that make world-class hiking areas are Tomohon in northern Sulawesi, the highlands around Bandung, West Java and the craters and peaks of Halmahera in Maluku. Gunung Batukaru is the second-highest peak on Bali (and the most westerly volcano), yet it rarely sees a trekker and remains almost unvisited. It offers incredible views over much of the island and all the way to the smouldering peak of infamous Gunung Agung.

G-Land in Java, Uluwatu in Bali, Occy’s Left of Sumba, ‘the Point’ at Lagundri Bay, Nias – Indonesia has been stoking ‘surfari’ urges since before the word ‘gnarly’ was coined. Southern Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, along with nearby Seminyak and Canggu , are the epicentre of the region’s more recent surfing explosion. Any surfer who complains about crowded waves, however, need just remember that in a country with more than 50,000km of coastline, there will always be an unsurfed wave if you look for it. The Mentawai Islands off Sumatra have long drawn dedicated surfers, but other hotspots earning a reputation as ‘the new Bali’ are the islands of Sumbawa in West Nusa Tenggara and Krui in South Sumatra. The virtually unsurfed north coast of West Papua picks up the same North Pacific swell that hits Fiji and Hawaii. Rote, south of West Timor, is becoming known for top-class Indonesian waves, with spots like Boa and T-Land. Nevertheless, every travelling surfer has their own idea of an inviolable ‘secret spot’ in Indonesia they're reluctant to share, so keep a keen eye out for locations.

Wildlife watching

You’ll be spoiled for choice if your goal is to spot wildlife during your Indonesia travel adventures. The only country that is home to two species of orangutans, you’ll see Borneo orangutans at Tanjung Puting National Park in Kalimantan, while Bukit Lawang offers a great chance to watch rarer Sumatran apes. Searching for dragons? Komodo Island has become a byword for adventurous Southeast Asian safaris, but head to neighbouring Rinca for a wilder and more unpredictable dragon-watching experience . West Bali National Park is rarely visited, yet it is home to various types and species of monkeys, deer, wild pigs, giant monitor lizards, flying foxes and incredible bird life, and serves as a great wildlife introduction for kids. As you cross the famous Wallace Line east of Bali, you enter into a zone where Australasian species replace Asian, until you arrive in West Papua with its birds of paradise, marsupials and bizarre tree kangaroos. Huge Kerinci Seblat is one of Indonesia’s most underrated national parks, and offers a chance to see elephants, clouded leopards and the world’s last viable population of Sumatran tigers.

Depending on your stamina and dedication, the looming walls of Bali’s volcanoes could represent a challenge of Tour de France proportions – or a delightful free-wheeling, adrenalin-rush descent. Traffic can be heavy on Bali, but cycling tour operators can transport you to the heights and guide you back down the relatively peaceful roads that cut along the ridges and paddies. Car-free islands like the Gili Islands and Nusa Lembongan make great places for families to potter by cycle. If you’re looking for something more challenging, the 666km Trans-Flores Highway makes a memorable road-trip, but for something more ‘mid-range’, try Bali’s flatter and less crowded north coast road, where you can pedal through some friendly and unique communities that few visitors ever see.

Sustainable travel

While overtourism has been at least partly responsible for many of Indonesia’s social and environmental problems, sustainable tourism is also providing some of the most viable solutions. A number of initiatives and organisations have stepped in to address ecological and locals’ needs in areas that drastically needed support. These organisations, both global and local, are working to prevent further eco-damage and raise awareness of indigenous tribes to help them thrive. Indonesia’s growing fleet of liveaboard boats and, especially, traditionally-built pinisi (indigenous Bugis tall-ships) are the pioneers of the country’s tourism future, providing eco-friendly accommodation in areas that would otherwise be beyond the reach of visitors. In lesser-known and culturally fascinating archipelagos like Alor and Maluku, boats like these can be the only accommodation available and – through sourcing local products, hiring local guides and supporting local communities – they often provide vital tourism revenue that can keep indigenous cultures alive.

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Uncover the allure of the Moluccas, renowned as the “Spice Islands,” where clove and nutmeg originated. European traders from Portugal, Spain, Britain, and the Netherlands explored these lands in the 16th century, leaving behind fascinating fortresses from their colonial era. Today, the Moluccas is celebrated for its unspoiled beaches, captivating diving spots, snorkeling havens, and lush rainforests. Join us for an immersive tour of this remarkable region. Visit our “Island Destinations” Moluccas section for sample tours and contact us for more information.

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• Travel Guide

15 Awesome Things To Do In East Java, Indonesia

Published: October 11, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Sharon Sotelo

• Plan Your Trip
• Travel Destinations
• Travel Tips

East Java, Indonesia is a hidden gem for travelers seeking adventure, culture, and natural beauty. Located on the eastern part of Java Island, this region boasts a diverse range of attractions that will captivate any visitor. From majestic volcanoes to pristine beaches, ancient temples to vibrant markets, East Java has something for everyone.

In this article, we will uncover 15 awesome things to do in East Java that will make your trip truly unforgettable. Whether you’re a nature lover, history enthusiast, or adrenaline junkie, East Java offers a myriad of experiences that will leave you in awe.

Get ready to embark on a journey filled with breathtaking landscapes, unique cultural encounters, and thrilling adventures. Let’s explore the best of East Java and discover why it should be on every traveler’s bucket list.

Marvel at the Majestic Mount Bromo

Located in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Mount Bromo offers breathtaking views of its active volcano and surrounding landscapes. Witness the mesmerizing sunrise and hike to the rim for an unforgettable experience.

Explore the Stunning Ijen Crater

Prepare to be awe-struck by the turquoise-colored acidic lake of Ijen Crater. Take a guided tour and witness the mesmerizing phenomenon of blue fire at night, or enjoy a challenging hike to the summit and marvel at the panoramic views.

Visit the Historic Majapahit Temple

Step back in time at the majestic Majapahit Temple, a testament to the rich history and culture of East Java. Explore the intricate carvings and architecture that reflect the ancient Majapahit civilization.

Discover the Cultural Heritage of Surabaya

Immerse yourself in the vibrant city of Surabaya, known as the “City of Heroes.” Visit the historic House of Sampoerna, explore the diverse culinary scene, and take a stroll along the colorful streets of Chinatown.

Take a Dip in the Madakaripura Waterfall

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and unwind in the tranquil beauty of Madakaripura Waterfall. Marvel at the cascading waters surrounded by lush greenery, offering a peaceful and refreshing experience.

Experience the Magic of Malang City

Indulge in the charm of Malang City, known for its cool climate and stunning colonial architecture. Explore the picturesque landscapes of Mount Kelud and visit the vibrant flower markets.

Go Surfing in G-Land

Surfers, rejoice! Head to G-Land, renowned for its world-class waves and exhilarating surf breaks. Challenge yourself and catch some epic waves in this surfer’s paradise.

Trek to the Top of Mount Semeru

Embark on an epic adventure and conquer the highest peak in Java, Mount Semeru. This challenging trek rewards you with breathtaking views and a sense of accomplishment.

Explore Trowulan Archaeological Site

Unearth the remnants of the ancient Majapahit Kingdom at the Trowulan Archaeological Site. Marvel at the ancient temples, ruins, and artifacts that provide insight into the region’s rich history.

Discover the Hidden Paradise of Baluran National Park

Immerse yourself in the untouched beauty of Baluran National Park. Spot exotic wildlife, embark on a safari adventure, and explore the diverse ecosystems that exist within this hidden gem.

Indulge in the Delights of Malang’s Culinary Scene

Tantalize your taste buds with the flavors of East Java by exploring Malang’s vibrant culinary scene. From traditional Javanese cuisine to modern fusion dishes, there’s something to satisfy every palate.

Relax on the Pristine Beaches of Banyuwangi

Unwind on the sandy shores of Banyuwangi’s pristine beaches. From the popular Plengkung Beach to the hidden gems of Red Island and Green Bay, enjoy sun, sand, and crystal-clear waters.

Visit the Ancient Temples of Blitar

Step into the mystical world of Blitar and explore its ancient temples. Discover the beauty of Penataran Temple and the serenity of Sumberawan Temple, each offering a glimpse into the region’s spiritual heritage.

Experience Traditional Indonesian Culture in Jember

Immerse yourself in the traditions and vibrant culture of Jember. Visit the local markets, witness traditional dances, and indulge in the traditional delicacies that make Jember a unique cultural destination.

Go on a Safari Adventure in Alas Purwo National Park

Embark on an exciting safari adventure in Alas Purwo National Park. Spot exotic wildlife, including Javanese banteng and various bird species, as you explore the lush forests and diverse ecosystems.

1. What is the best time to visit East Java? The best time to visit East Java is during the dry season, which falls between May and September. The weather is pleasant and ideal for outdoor activities during this time.

2. How can I get to East Java? You can reach East Java by air through the Juanda International Airport in Surabaya, which is well-connected to major cities in Indonesia and other countries. Alternatively, you can also travel by train or bus from neighboring regions.

3. Are there any safety precautions I should take while exploring East Java? Like any travel destination, it is important to take certain safety precautions while exploring East Java. Be cautious of your surroundings, avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas, and always keep your belongings secure. It is also recommended to check the latest travel advisories before your trip.

4. What are the must-visit attractions in East Java? Some of the must-visit attractions in East Java include Mount Bromo, Ijen Crater, Madakaripura Waterfall, Baluran National Park, and the temples of Prambanan and Borobudur.

5. Is it necessary to hire a guide for trekking or exploring the natural attractions? While it is not mandatory to hire a guide, it is highly recommended, especially for activities like trekking in Mount Bromo or exploring the Ijen Crater. A guide will ensure your safety, provide interesting information about the area, and help you navigate through the sometimes challenging terrains.

6. What are some local dishes I must try in East Java? Some local dishes to try in East Java include Rawon (a beef stew), Soto Ayam (chicken soup), Tahu Campur (mixed tofu salad), and Lontong Balap (rice cake with bean sprouts and fried tofu). Don’t forget to indulge in the famous East Javanese coffee as well!

7. Are there any cultural festivals or events worth experiencing in East Java? Yes! East Java hosts several cultural festivals and events throughout the year. The Surabaya Carnival Night and the Pasuruan Marine Festival are just a couple of examples where you can witness the rich cultural traditions, vibrant performances, and delicious food of the region.

Remember to check for updated information on events and festivals before planning your visit.

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4 Days in East Java – An Awesome East Java Indonesia Itinerary

Four days in East Java, Indonesia is the perfect amount of time to see top attractions and go on epic adventures.  

If you’re eyeing a visit to see active volcanoes and waterfalls, then visiting East Java will offer unique experiences to your Indonesia travels. 

In this post, we’re sharing our 4-day itinerary for East Java and things to do. While you may have tons of attractions that you want to visit, this itinerary focuses on one big attraction per day so it’s easy to follow. Also, it’s to prevent burnout since 2 out of the 4 days require an early morning start. 

Click the links to jump to certain areas on this post. 

• General Indonesia Travel Information
• East Java Overview
• Day 1 Itinerary – Travel Day
• Day 2 Itinerary – Ijen Crater
• Day 3 Itinerary – Mount Bromo
• Day 4 Itinerary – Tumpak Sewu Waterfall & Travel

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase, we receive a small commission. There is no additional cost to you. Appreciate the support.

General Travel Information & Tips for East Java, Indonesia

Indonesia visa requirements.

Please check the latest visa requirements when entering Indonesia .  

When we visited in late August 2022, Indonesia did not require a PCR test or quarantine any more. However, we showed our vaccination cards on arrival. 

Indonesia allows 86 countries to enter with a visa on arrival. The visa is valid for 30 days. Cash is only accepted. The cost is $35 USD or 500,000 IDR per person. 

On our visit, here are other currencies accepted – Singaporean Dollars, Hong Kong Dollars, Euro, Japanese Yen, British Pounds, Saudi Arabia Real, Thailand Bhat, Canadian Dollars, Swiss France, Korean Won, Malaysian Ringgit, and Chinese Yuan. 

Note: We did not see an ATM at the visa on arrival section, so prepare cash ahead of time. 

How Many Days Should You Stay in East Java?

We say a minimum of 4 days is needed for East Java. 

There are many volcanoes and nature areas to explore in East Java, so if you have more than 4 days, then that is even better. We could have easily stayed for a week to visit more of the non-touristy sites.   

You’ll need at least a few days to explore East Java to see the incredible volcanoes, such as Bromo

Should You Take a Tour or DIY for East Java? 

This is up to you and how you prefer to travel. There is no wrong or right way to travel and explore. 

Taking a tour is convenient as everything is done for you from transportation, admission to attractions, accommodations, meals, and guides. Tours tend to cost more than visiting places on your own. 

If you prefer to go at your own pace and handle transportation and accommodations, then it’s best to travel by yourself. We’ll share more information below on transportation options to consider. 

Another option is to do a combination of both such as hiring drivers and taking day tours that are organized by others. 

What Did We Do? 

We went on a tour with Blue Flame Tour and enjoyed our visit with the Blue Flame team. 

We highly recommend their services as everything was scheduled over email (WhatsApp can also be used to contact the team) and organized. The tour included a driver, guide, mineral water, hotel with breakfast, and admission cost to attractions. The tour excluded lunch and dinner, tips, and extra expenses. 

There was no need to transfer money ahead of time as the tour deposit was done on the day of arrival and the second day of the tour. 

We had a fabulous time with the team and wouldn’t hesitate to go on future trips with them again. 

Here is another tour option that you can consider: From Surabaya: Bromo, Ijen, and Tumpak Sewu

Best Time to Visit East Java

The rainy season is from November to March. January tends to have the most rain. 

The dry season is from April to October.  We went in late August to early September.

Since you’re in Southeast Asia, rain can happen at any time, even during the dry season. As long as you have an umbrella on hand and a backup plan of an indoor activity, then you’ll still have a fun time.  

At least the temperatures are consistent all year round between 26 to 30℃ (78 to 86℉). 

How to Get to East Java & Where to Start

East Java has three major spots to start from – Surabaya, Malang, and Banyuwangi.

Surabaya – Surabaya has the main airport is Juanda International Airport (airport code: SUB) and 4 train Stations (Pasarturi, Gubeng, Wonkoromo, and Kota). The main train station hub is Gubeng. 

Malang – Malang’s main train station is the most popular. Other stations are Kepanjen, Lawang, Malang Kotalama, Blimbing, Sumberpucung, and Ngebruk. 

Banyuwangi – This city is the closest to Mount Ijen , so it’s a popular starting point for East Java. Plus, it’s the closest city to Bali island. 

There are three main sources of transportation hubs – Banyuwangi International Airport (airport code: BWX), Ketapang Harbour for the ferry from Bali, and Banyuwangi Ketapang Train (nearby the Ketapang Harbour). Other train stations are Glenmore, Kalibaru, Karangasem, Kalisetail, Banyuwangibaru, Rogojampi, Sumberwandung, Temuguruh, and Banyuwangi Kota.

What We Did

We visited East Java from the West side of Bali. We took the ferry from Gilimanuk Harbour in Bali to Ketapang Ferry Port on Banyuwangi. 

Since it tends to be a popular way to travel, we’re going to share more about how we did this under “Day 1” section. 

Note: There is a 1 hour time difference between East Java and Bali. Remember to set your watch 1 hour back when you arrive. 

How to Travel through East Java

There are several ways to travel around East Java depending on your comfort level. 

• Hiring a driver. If you don’t want to worry about driving and traffic, then hiring a driver is highly recommended. You will need to hire a driver for a few days or whenever you arrive at a new destination. 
• Riding a motorbike. This is an option if you’re comfortable with riding a motorbike. 
• Taking the train. Taking the train is convenient and affordable. It’s perfect for long-distance rides. Check out our post on traveling by train from Surabaya to Yogyakarta . 
• Taking domestic flights. This could be a faster option compared to driving and taking the train, but the cost will be higher. 
• Go on a tour. If you’re on a tour, then transportation will already be included. 
• A combination of all of the above. 

Purchase a SIM Card. 

We suggest purchasing a SIM card at your arrival destination in Indonesia so you can stay in communication with tour guides, drivers, etc. 

While many hotels and guesthouses will have wifi, it can be hit and miss.  

If you’re from the U.S. and looking for an international data plan, consider getting Google Project Fi . Get data access and phone calls in over 200+ countries without having to pay extra. We’ve been on this plan since 2016 and it’s been a lifesaver for our travels. Click here to learn more and get a $20 credit.

East Java Itinerary Overview

Here is an overview of what we did as we started in Bali and then made our way to East Java. 

• Day 1: Travel Day
• Day 2: Visit Ijen Crater for Sunrise
• Day 3: See sunrise at Mount Bromo & Malang Colorful Houses
• Day 4: Explore Tumpak Sewu & Goa Tetes Waterfalls & Travel to Next Destination

Note: You can start either in Surabaya or Malang and work your way east. 

Map of Where to Go in East Java

Click on the map to see a larger view of the driving directions for your East Java travels. Credit: Map data: Google

East Java Itinerary: Day 1 – Travel Day from Bali to Banyuwangi

Depending on where you’re coming from, your first travel day will vary. 

As mentioned earlier, we’re starting in Bali since it’s the main travel hub in Indonesia. After spending 4 days or up to 2 weeks in Bali , it’s time for a change and visit another Indonesian island , Java. 

Everyone will need to hire a driver to get to Gilimanuk Harbour in west Bali . It’s about 3 to 4 hours away from the main areas of Bali – Kuta, Seminyak , and Ubud. 

Here are the driving times: 

• From Kuta: 3 hours 20 minutes 
• From Canggu: 3 hours 
• From Sanur: 3 hours 25 minutes
• From Ubud : 3 hours 10 minutes

We were charged 700,000 IDR ($45 USD) for the one-way drive from Canggu to Gilimanuk. The driver worked for Blue Flame Tour. 

We had a driver who took us around Bali, but opted not to use him for this route. If you’re looking for a driver, please contact us here and we’ll share the details.  

When you’re close to the port, ask the driver to pull over to one of the dozens of kiosks on the side of the road to buy the ferry ticket . The tickets must be purchased online at one of the kiosks. The cost of the ticket is 8,500 IDR ($.55) per person. 

Once you arrive at the port, use the ticket machine to print a physical ticket.  

Find your ferry to Ketapang and a spot to sit, and enjoy the ride. The ferry ride will take 1 hour – 30 minutes for the ride and 30 minutes of waiting for a dock to open.

This is the ferry that we rode from Gilimanuk, Bali to Ketapang, Banyuwangi

Once you arrive at the Ketapang Port, you’ll need to have transportation arranged ahead of time to get to your hotel. 

Afterward, take a rest and grab some dinner. Hope you can sleep for a couple of hours before you start the Ijen tour. 

Where to Stay Around Ijen 

There are plenty of guesthouses to stay around the Banyuwangi Ijen area. Click here to see options on Booking.com or Agoda . 

Our Recommendation: Ketapang Indah Hotel

Ketapang Indah Hotel is a popular place to stay in Banyuwangi. This is a beautiful resort to stay overnight and is close to the Ketapang port. The resort ground is surrounded by luscious greenery, palm trees, and plants so it’s like you’re back on Bali Island. The resort has an on-site restaurant and swimming pool.

The room itself has simple decor and blackout shades so it helps with getting rest before your Ijen trip. 

If you have the chance to try the buffet breakfast, go for it! There is a lot of variety of food from Western to Indonesian cuisine and very delicious. 

Book your stay at Ketapang Indah Hotel on Booking.com or Agoda .

East Java Itinerary: Day 2 – Ijen Crater Sunrise & Bromo Area

Visit ijen crater in the early morning.

On your second day in East Java, you’re off to see the popular Ijen Crater (also known as Kawah Ijen). 

It’ll be an early morning with a start time after midnight, but it’s worth it. 

This crater is famous for the vibrant blue fire that emits due to the intense natural sulfur gas escaping the cracks. It’s only available to see from 2 to 4am before sunrise. 

Tip : You can skip the blue fire if it’s too early and go to Ijen for sunrise or anytime afterward. Ijen is open all day long. 

Here is what Ijen’s Blue Fire looks like.

Along the way, you’ll see many sulfur miners gather over 50 kilograms (110 pounds) of yellow sulfur blocks up and down the mountain. Don’t forget to move out of the way when you see them on the trail. 

After the blue fire, you’ll wait for the beautiful sunrise to appear over the turquoise acidic lake. 

How can you resist seeing this gorgeous Ijen sunrise?!

Ijen is considered one of Indonesia’s top hikes so it’s helpful to have proper hiking shoes or shoes with traction. Everyone, including the miners, follows the same path, so you can’t get lost. Just take your time climbing up and down due to the elevation at 2,769 meters (9,085 feet) and loose gravel. 

You’ll also need to have a gas mask (provided by your tour guide or can rent one at the base) since the sulfur gas is toxic. 

Read about our Ijen hiking experience . 

After Ijen, back to your hotel to eat breakfast and take a shower. You’ll want to wash the sulfur gas and smell off your body.

Head to Mount Bromo Area in the Afternoon

It’s time to head to the next destination – the Mount Bromo area. 

Depending on your itinerary, you can stay either in Malang or Probolinggo. Many people stay in Probolinggo as it’s closer to Mount Bromo. 

The rest of the day is for travel and rest in the afternoon. The following morning is when you’ll visit Bromo and see the active crater and the sea of clouds at sunrise. 

Where to Stay Around Mount Bromo

If you want to stay in Malang , click here to see options on Booking.com or Agoda . 

For accommodations in Probolinggo , click to see options on Booking.com or Agoda . 

Our Recommendation: Bromo Camp House

Located in the forest area of Probolinggo, Bromo Camp House has individual bungalows to spend the night. 

It’s a cute and quiet place to hang out in the afternoon as you get a view of the garden when hanging outside of the bungalow. Or, you can hang out at the cafe near the entrance. 

The room has simple decor and an ensuite bathroom. It’s a pleasant stay for an evening. 

Book a room at Bromo Camp House on Booking.com or Agoda here . 

East Java Itinerary: Day 3 – Mount Bromo & Malang

Visit mount bromo for sunrise.

On the third day in East Java, it’s another early morning to see the sunrise at Mount Bromo (also known as Gunung Bromo). 

Luckily, the start time is not as early as the previous day – around 2:15am. 

Mount Bromo is located within Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park and one of the coolest experiences is to take a Jeep to the sunrise point . It’s a bumpy ride going through the National Park, so hold onto any handlebars inside the Jeep. 

One of the popular spots to see the sunrise is King Kong sunrise point . It’s a short 5-minute hike up a hill. It’s dark, so you’ll need to use a flashlight or the light from the smartphone. 

As a heads up, it’s FREEZING at this point so you’ll need to wear a warm jacket or rent a jacket from one of the coffee shops nearby the entrance. 

Once the sunrises, you’ll see the sea of clouds over Mount Bromo, Batok, and Semeru peaks. It’s a stunning sight. 

You’ll need to visit Bromo at sunrise to see the layer of clouds blanket over the volcanoes

After sunrise, you’ll get the chance to take a photoshoot with your colorful Jeep . 

Then, you take the challenge and climb over 200 stairs to see the top of the active Bromo crater . Bromo volcano also releases sulfur gas but the area is wider than Ijen so gas masks are not needed. 

Read more about our Mount Bromo sunrise trip here. 

You’ve accomplished so much already and it’s still morning! Once you’re done, return to your Jeep to go back to the hotel to pack and have breakfast. 

Stop by Malang Rainbow Houses in the Afternoon

The next stop is to head to Malang (unless you’re already based in the city) to see the colorful houses .

As a former slum area, a volunteer group worked with the villages and the community to repaint the area with bright colors. Now it’s a popular and fun tourist spot to explore the villages and take photos. 

Note : There are several villages so you’ll need to pay separate admission fees (5,000 IDR / $.30 per person). 

Read our Malang Colorful Houses post here. 

Head to tumpak sewu waterfall area to rest.

Our final stop for the day is the accommodation close to the Tumpak Sewu Waterfall. You’ll visit the waterfall tomorrow morning. 

Where to Stay Close to Tumpak Sewu

There aren’t too many guesthouses nearby Tumpak Sewu. It’s best to reserve in advance to get a spot, especially during the high season. Click here to see availability on Booking.com. 

Our Recommendation: Yanto Homestay

This homestay is located across from the Tumpak Sewu entrance. It’s a low-key yet clean homestay with individual rooms and an ensuite bathroom. It is a nice place for one night. 

There is an on-site restaurant as there aren’t any other food options in the area. The food is delicious and reasonable (from 20,000-40,000 IDR / $1.30-$2.60 for a meal and drinks). Breakfast is also served here. 

Click here to reserve a stay on Booking.com or Agoda here . 

East Java Itinerary: Day 4 – Tumpak Sewu & Goa Tetes Waterfall & Departure

On your fourth day in East Java, get ready for a waterfall adventure! 

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall (also known as Air Terjun Tumpak Sewu or Coban Sewu) is considered one of the most gorgeous waterfalls in Indonesia . The waterfall is surrounded by the green jungle area with small cascades covering about half of the area. 

You can see the waterfall from a panoramic viewpoint.  

Or, consider taking the trek down the mountain to see an epic view of the waterfall and take more photos. 

Tip: You may want to hire a guide if you plan to visit the base of Tumpak Sewu. You will cross rushing streams and smaller waterfall cascades so be careful! Hold onto any ropes that you see. 

While you’re in the area, stop by Goa Tetes for smaller and gentler water cascades . You can also go on an adventure and hike the waterfall to visit a secret cave . 

It’s not easy walking on a waterfall with rushing water at your feet. It’s a bit scary since you could easily slip. Just be extremely careful. 

Please ensure that you wear proper water shoes or sandals with traction and heel straps. We lost our flip- flops a few times in the water. 

Read our detailed Tumpak Sewu & Goa Tetes Waterfall day trip here. 

Return to your accommodations to shower and pack. 

Head to your next destination.  

Depending on your schedule, you can either:

• End your trip in Malang, Surabaya, or Banyuwangi
• Continue your journey to see other areas of Java or Indonesia

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed this East Java itinerary filled with adventures and exciting activities. You’ll have plenty of good memories from exploring two volcanoes – Ijen and Bromo, and walking through waterfalls at Tumpak Sewu and Goa Tetes. 

If you’re looking for other places to visit in Indonesia, check out our posts:

• Best Indonesia Islands 
• Visit Komodo National Park for a Day
• Visit Nusa Islands in 4 Days

Have any additional questions on how to spend 4 days in East Java, please ask in the comment section below. 

Like this post? Save it to your Asia Travel Board on Pinterest.

Featured photo & Pin #1 photo credit: Claudio Duarte via Scopio Photos

I'm Jackie - world explorer, hiker, and wanderer. I love planning things whether it is a trip or an upcoming event, exploring nature, hiking up mountains, and seeing new places. I'm notorious for getting lost, so you may see me circling a place a few times.

Jomblang Cave – An Exciting Caving Experience Near Yogyakarta, Indonesia

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Popular categories, east bali guide: top 11 awesome things to do.

By: Charlotte · Last updated 30. January 2024 · In: Bali , Indonesia , Travel

READY TO BOOK AN EAST BALI GETAWAY? Then you’re in the right place!

Often overlooked in favor of tourist hubs like Seminyak, Canggu and Ubud, East Bali is a true gem. It is a must on any Bali itinerary if you want to get away for a quiet night or two amongst lush rice fields, volcanoes and ancient temples.

Although many of East Bali’s attractions have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, there are still peaceful havens waiting to be explored.

My favorite thing to do in East Bali is to rent a scooter and just drive around on the backroads for hours and marvel at the beautiful landscape. Then, of course, stop for some mie goreng or nasi campur at a roadside warung and chat with the locals about what the island used to be like. Ah, the good life!

🌟 Remember to always get insurance before you travel to Bali or anywhere else. Safetywing is an affordable subscription travel insurance that you can purchase even after departure. You can read my complete SafetyWing review here.

Article overview

East Bali two-day tour

Other popular east bali tours, 1. pura lempuyang, 2. taman ujung water palace, 3. tukad cepung waterfall, 4. pura besakih – the mother temple, 5. bukit cinta, 6. dusun kuning waterfall, 7. candidasa lotus lagoon, 8. sacred canyon of sukawati, 9. sidemen village, 10. diving in amed and tulamben, 11. surfing keramas, where to stay in east bali, is east bali worth a visit, what is the best time to visit east bali, where is the quiet side of bali, can i drink the tap water in east bali, my most popular bali guides, remember to pin for later 😉, how to get to east bali.

The easiest way to get to East Bali is to hire a private driver. Ask your accommodation to arrange a driver for you (everyone in Bali knows a driver) or book a driver in advance to make the experience as smooth as possible.

I usually book this driver , which is really a 10-hour customizable tour. Just tell your driver where you want to go. You won’t find a more affordable driver in Bali!

You can also rent a motorbike for around 75,000 IDR per day and drive by yourself. However, I only recommend driving by yourself if you’re comfortable on a scooter/motorbike, as some of the roads in Bali can be a bit rough. Read more about renting a scooter in Bali in my things not to do in Bali guide.

When I'm doing day trips, traveling across the island and on days it's supposed to rain, I often book this driver.

This is a super affordable full-day customizable tour, which means you have the driver for 10 hours and you can go where you want.

Limited on time? If you would rather have someone else organize everything for you, I recommend this popular two-day East Bali highlights tour . Discover white and black sand beaches, impressive water palaces and the famous Gates of Heaven at Pura Lempuyang.

The tour includes:

• Entrance fees
• A professional guide
• 1 night at an ocean-view hotel, including breakfast
• A private air-conditioned vehicle and driver
• Parking and toll fees

🌟 Check price and availability here >> Two-Day East Island Tour

Top 11 things to do in East Bali

Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang is a Hindu temple located at the foot of Mount Lempuyang in the beautiful Karangasem Regency. It is one of the “six sanctuaries of the world”, which refers to the six holiest places of worship in Bali. According to Balinese beliefs, they are meant to provide spiritual balance to the island.

The places of worship around Mount Lempuyang, which actually includes an entire 7 temples, are believed to be older than the majority of other Hindu temples in Bali. If you have the time, I highly recommend going on a hike to explore all 7 temples, which will take about 4 hours. This place is so special it is definitely worth the time and effort. You should snap a photo of the map at the entrance so you can keep track of where you are at all times.

These days most people know about Pura Lempuyang through that iconic Instagram photo of the Gates of Heaven with a reflection in front of it. I hate to burst the bubble but that effect is achieved with the use of a mirror. There’s a local guy that will take the photo for you, in exchange for a little tip of course.

But if you want that shot you have to get there early or prepare to wait in line for a while. Sometimes hours. This is without a doubt the most popular attraction in East Bal i.

🌟 My top pick >> Experience Bali’s most magical temples with a private driver/guide

Taman Ujung , which loosely translates to “the garden on the far end”, tells a tale of a bygone era when the Karangasem Regency was a rich and powerful kingdom.

It was built as an addition to the Royal Palace along with the more touristy Tirta Gangga, as a place to welcome important visitors from neighboring countries. Today the water palace is still owned by a royal but has been opened up for the public to enjoy.

Wandering through the beautifully manicured gardens of Taman Ujung early in the morning is one of my favorite things to do in East Bali . The vast property boasts several large pools, colorful flowers, impressive palm trees and historic structures set against the mighty Mount Agung and the eastern shoreline in the background.

We got there a little past 7:00 am at had the whole place to ourselves, except for a few locals doing their morning workout. The entrance fee was 50,000 IDR and if you want to fly your drone you have to pay an additional 500,000 IDR.

Tukad Cepung Waterfall is without a doubt one of the most spectacular places I’ve been anywhere in the world. This waterfall is located inside a cave and you have to walk down a few hundred stairs to reach it. But I promise you, it is worth the effort.

I would normally advise you to visit a Bali waterfall early in the morning just as the sun comes up, but here you have to time it if you want the full experience with the rays of light you see above. And since the water accumulates inside the cave, it can get really deep during the rainy season.

So for that reason, I would not recommend visiting Tukad Cepung during periods of heavy rain. We visited in late March around 11.30 am and it was perfect timing. Not too many people and the light was incredible.

Keep in mind that you will have to walk through some water and there are several smaller cascades of water flowing down the cave walls. So you will more than likely get wet. There are some warungs and cafés along the path so you can sit down and enjoy a cold coconut on your way back up.

Best of Bali Waterfalls Tour

You can visit Tukad Cepung Waterfall as part of this very popular tour that also includes Tibumana and Tegenungan Waterfalls. To round off your day you’ll also be served a traditional Balinese lunch in a local warung. Don’t miss this one!

🌟 Check price and availability >> Best of Bali Waterfalls Tour

Perched high up on the side of Mount Agung, you’ll find the holiest and largest Hindu temple in Bali. Pura Besakih is a vast complex of over 80 separate temples and shrines, with the largest and most important being Pura Penataran Agung.

For the Balinese, visiting Pura Besakih is a truly special pilgrimage. It is the only temple on the island open to every caste group.

In the early 1960s, Mount Agung erupted several times which resulted in the death of around 1,700 people . However, for some strange reason, the lava flows missed Pura Besakih by mere meters. The Balinese people saw it as a miracle and a sign from the gods that they wished to demonstrate their power but not destroy the monument the Balinese had built in their honor.

So as you can probably tell, Pura Besakih is one of the most special places you can visit in Bali. Not only is the temple stunning in itself but the high location offers spectacular views across the beautiful countryside with rice fields, rolling hills and rivers.

I have quite a few favorite viewpoints in Bali, in fact, I throw the word favorite around a lot. A bit too much some would say. But I just can’t help myself, in Bali you’ll find incredible beauty around every corner, like Pinggan Village for sunrise and Karang Boma Cliff for sunset, just to name a few.

And in East Bali, one of the best viewpoints has to be Bukit Cinta . As the sun rises, Mount Agung glows in a pinkish-orange hew and a layer of mist covering the rice fields slowly dissolves which makes the whole experience feel so magical. A totally free attraction that will leave you speechless.

We went there two mornings in a row while staying in East Bali and they both felt totally different. And the day after we left, Mount Agung erupted. As you can see in the photo above, smoke was already coming out while we were there.

I decided to include Dusun Kuning Waterfall in this post, although it is located in central Bali, about 45 minutes east of Ubud . If you’re doing a day trip, you could start with Dusun Kuning, then continue 30 minutes northeast to Tukad Cepung and finish the day at either Pura Besakih or in Sidemen Village. They are all located pretty close to each other and are a great introduction to East Bali if you only have one day to spare.

As with most waterfalls in Bali , you have to walk for about 15-20 minutes down to the waterfall from the car park. But there is so much beauty to look at along the way, so it’s just part of the experience.

The waterfall itself is tall and made up of two cascades. There’s a pool below where you can cool off and even a few small rock pools to take a dip in. And the best part is that this is not one of the most popular waterfalls on the island, so we have only encountered around 3-4 other people when we’ve been there. Definitely one of my favorite waterfalls in Bali.

I’ve already talked about the old resort town of Candidasa in my Bali island guide , but I thought this beautiful Lotus Lagoon deserved a mention of its own. It is probably the most iconic attraction in Candidasa and its location right next to the main road makes it really easy to access.

The 1000 m 2 lagoon is filled with gorgeous pink and white lotuses and has a small garden island in the middle. It’s the perfect place to sit down and relax for a little under the shade of the Frangipani trees.

Just across the road from the Lotus Lagoon lies Pura Candidasa, a 12th-century temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and the goddess of fertility, Hariti. A tip is to walk up the stairs for an even better view of the lagoon and on a clear day, you can also see Nusa Penida island on the horizon.

🌟 I recommend >> Explore Candidasa as part of this exciting East Bali Full-Day tour

Beji Guwang Hidden Canyon is one of the few attractions in East Bali that are still relatively unknown. It is located further south than all the other attractions I mention in this post, just 30 minutes northeast of Denpasar.

The strangely beautiful ravine has been created over thousands of years by the powerful water that flows through during the rainy season. The canyon is considered to be sacred by the locals in the surrounding villages and there is a temple close by with a holy water spring.

No matter when you decide to visit the sacred canyon, you should prepare to get wet as the water can be chest-deep even during the dry season. It is best to walk barefoot or in water shoes and to wear a swimsuit under a shorts and t-shirt. And if you want to get some shots of this incredible place, you should bring protective gear for your camera.

Entrance fee

The entrance fee to Hidden Canyon depends on how many people you are in your group:

• 1 person 200.000 IDR
• 2 people 300.000 IDR
• 3-4 people 400.000 IDR

The entrance fee includes a local guide, changing room with shower, towel, mineral water and the use of a locker.

Guided canyon tour

You also have the option to visit as part of a tour. This Hidden Canyon, Waterfall & Temples full-day tour includes both the Sacred Canyon and my favorite temple in Bali, Gunung Kawi. You will also get to experience Goa Gajah Cave and Tegenungan Waterfall, four major Bali highlights in one day!

🌟 Check price & availability here >> Hidden Canyon, Waterfall & Temples tour

Sidemen Village is East Bali’s answer to Jatiluwih Rice Terraces in the west and the famous Tegalalang Rice Terrace north of Ubud. Lush green rice fields for as long as the eye can see, still farmed today as they have been for centuries.

Sidemen is a great place to experience the “real Bali” and enjoy the slower side of island life. Join a guided trek of the rice terraces, a bicycle tour through the village or just explore on your own.

In addition to the natural beauty, Sidemen is also one of Bali’s weaving hotspots. So if you’re interested in learning about traditional Endek or Songket weaving, make sure to visit one of the local weaving factories.

The textiles are beautiful and the perfect souvenir to bring with you home. I have bought several over the years and made them into pillows which I always get compliments on.

🌟 Check price & availability here >> Experience the incredible Sidemen Village

On the northeast coast, Amed and Tulamben attract divers from all over the world. Both are old fishing villages with traditional Jukung boats lining the black sandy shore. It is, however, the underwater world that makes this area so special. Colorful corals, fishes in all shapes and sizes, turtles and of course the famous USAT Liberty shipwreck.

The American warship was torpedoed by the Japanese back in 1942, in the midst of WWII. It was towed back to Bali from the Lombok Strait in hopes of saving it. However, it was taking on so much water that it was just left on the beach.

Today the 120-meter-long shipwreck lies between 8 and 30 meters below the surface, just 50 meters offshore. Which makes it one of the most accessible shipwrecks to dive in the world.

East Bali dive tours 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Tulamben Bay beginner dive experience – Learn the basics of scuba diving and take a shallow dive with an instructor in Tulamben Bay. The dive counts as credit towards a PADI Open Water Diver course. Experience blue-spotted stingrays, octopus, scorpionfish, moray eel and many more beautiful species up close.

3-Day PADI Open Water Diving Course – Receive your PADI diving certificate in only 3 days. Enjoy ocean dives in the Blue Lagoon at Padang Bai and Tulamben, where you’ll get to experience the USAT Liberty shipwreck.

Amed snorkeling trip – Spend a day in paradise, exploring shipwrecks and other snorkel spots off the east coast of Bali. Visit the Japanese Shipwreck Point, Amed Beach, Lipah Bay and Vienna Beach where you can snorkel in between a variety of reef fish, coral and other marine life.

Once only surfed by locals and travelers in the know, Keramas has over the last few years become one of the most popular waves in Bali. The fast-barrelling right-hander is best suited for experienced surfers as it breaks just 50 meters offshore over a shallow section of the reef.

I’ve seen more than one bad injury here. If the main break gets too crowded, there are several other great waves close by. And as with every surf spot in Bali, remember to respect the locals.

Keramas is home to an annual World Surf League event that can be fun to experience even if you’re not a surfer yourself. Hanging out at Komune Beach Club is super fun all year round as all the action happens right in front of their pool.

Komune also offers the opportunity to surf at night or early in the morning under powerful floodlights. They only allow 6 surfers in the water at a time, so it can be a good way to experience the break without the crowds.

During our most recent visit to East Bali , we stayed at a place called Kubu Carik Bungalows . Not only was it the most affordable few nights of that trip, but also one of the most gorgeous places we’ve ever stayed in Bali. So you should definitely check it out!

🌟 Kubu Carik Bungalows – One of the best-kept secrets in East Bali. Check out my full Kubu Carik Bungalows review here.

🌋 Villa di Bias – You have to see the view from these highly-rated budget villas! It doesn’t get much better. One of the villas even has a private pool. And some of East Bali’s best attractions, like Tirta Gangga, Bukit Cinta and Pura Lempuyang , are only a short drive away.

🌴 Shunyata Villas Bali – This award-winning Eco-Luxury Resort sits on a secluded cliff, far away from the hustle and bustle of south Bali. Enjoy a private ocean-view pool villa, healthy gourmet food, yoga, meditation and holistic spa treatments. I can’t wait to experience this place!

FAQs East Bali

I get asked questions about East Bali all the time, here are the most common ones.

Yes, East Bali is definitely worth a visit for its beautiful landscapes, cultural experiences, and less visited attractions. The Karangasem Regency is much calmer the the south of the island, and you can still find places you can have all to yourself.

The east coast also has some of the most spectacular viewpoints in all of Bali, such a Bukit Cinta and Mount Batur.

The best time to visit East Bali is during the dry season, which typically spans from April to October. During this period, the weather is generally sunny and rain showers are less frequent, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities, beach excursions, and sightseeing.

I personally prefers to visit the east, and Bali in general, from February to April, when it’s still lushly green after the rainy season but fewer crowds.

In terms of weather, East Bali experiences a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year. During the dry season, temperatures are pleasantly warm, ranging from 24-35°C.

Humidity levels are generally lower, and the region enjoys plenty of sunshine, creating favorable conditions for exploring the area’s natural attractions and engaging in water-based activities such as snorkeling and diving.

The quiet areas in Bali are often considered to be the eastern and western part of the island.

Amed, Candidasa, and Sidemen are known for their tranquil atmosphere, serene beaches, and a more laid-back pace compared to the bustling tourist areas in the south and central parts of the island. These eastern regions offer a peaceful retreat and a chance to experience the authentic, traditional side of Bali.

The northwestern side of Bali is also concidered as one of the most serene and tranquil parts of the island.

Pemuteran, located on the northwest coast, is known for its laid-back vibe, black sand beaches, and crystal-clear waters ideal for snorkeling and diving. The area is also home to the Pulaki Temple, a significant Hindu sea temple situated on a rocky outcrop overlooking the ocean.

Menjangan Island, part of the West Bali National Park, is a popular destination for diving enthusiasts, boasting an abundance of marine life and vibrant coral reefs. The park itself offers opportunities for trekking and birdwatching amidst its pristine wilderness.

It is not advisable to drink tap water in East Bali, or anywhere else on the island, due to the risk of contamination with bacteria and parasites that may cause illness.

The tap water in Bali is not treated to the same standards as in some other countries, and consuming it can lead to gastrointestinal issues for visitors who are not accustomed to the local water supply.

To stay safe, it is recommended to drink bottled water or use water that has been properly filtered or boiled. Some hotels and restaurants in East Bali provide complimentary refills, so remember to bring a reusable bottle. Or even better, a filtered bottle you can fill up anywhere.

My favorite bottle for travel, backpacking and hiking.

You can fill it up anywhere, LifeStraw filters bacteria, parasites, chemicals and microplastics.

For every Life Straw product purchased, a child in need receives safe water for an entire school year!

• 29 things you should know before going to Bali!
• Top 11 unusual things to do in Bali!
• Discover the 14 Best Waterfalls in Ubud Bali (including map)
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace Ubud swing & sunrise photo spot
• Pura Lempuyang Temple (Gates of Heaven) in East Bali: A first timer’s guide
• Bali Budget Breakdown : How much do two weeks in Bali cost?
• The 11 most common scams in Bali + How to avoid them!

I hope this post has inspired you to visit East Bali!

About Charlotte

Charlotte is the passionate traveler and online business coach behind Sunshine Seeker. She started working as a content creator on Instagram in 2014, before social media was even a thing, and as a travel blogger in 2015. Over the past 14 years she has explored 45+ countries and lived in Oslo, Kraków, Bali and Lombok. Every month she helps more than 50,000 people plan their adventures and learn how to create more freedom by working online.

You’ll Also Love

18. January 2020 at 03:10

I haven’t spent much time on the Eastern side of Bali but I can’t wait to explore my on my next trip.

18. January 2020 at 03:34

You definitely should! The east coast is magical 😉

18. January 2020 at 06:24

This place looks seriously amazing! I can’t wait to visit. Will hopefully there in a few months time. I’m saving this to refer to later

18. January 2020 at 18:33

I hope you get to go 😀 It’s awesome!

15. February 2020 at 14:16

Such a great list! I was just planning to go back to Bali and definitely need to visit the Eastern side 🙂 That view point is lovely!

15. February 2020 at 20:40

Thanks Nam 😀 Yes you definitely should!

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2024 backpacking indonesia itinerary: a ridiculously in-depth guide.

Indonesia is one of the most diverse countries in the world, and of my favourite spots in all of Asia.

It’s full of thousands of islands, probably too many to explore in one lifetime, but that means you’ll never get bored.

We’ve spent a total of 10 weeks in beautiful Indonesia and there is so much to see and do.

If you’re planning a trip to Indonesia, then keep reading our backpacking Indonesia travel guide for absolutely everything you need to know about visiting this awesome country. 

Quick Things To Learn About Indonesia...

• Safety - Generally Indonesia is quite safe. There have been terrorist attacks over the years, but you need to follow normal precautions. Try not to gather in large public gatherings, don’t flash the cash, don’t get drunk alone, don’t walk at night on your own, etc. We have never experienced any sort of safety issues when we have visited Indonesia. People are generally very welcoming and friendly.
• Travel vaccines - Before backpacking Indonesia, it’s important to ensure your vaccines are up to date. Recommended injections include: Typhoid, Hep A & B, Tetanus, and Rabies. For up to date information, check with your nation's health bureau.
• Sim Cards - There are a few sim card companies in Indonesia. We used XL Axiata which worked well. But you can typically order a sim card online now for convenience with Klook.
• ATMs - Access to ATMs all across Indonesia is quite widespread. You shouldn’t have issues. If you are going somewhere remote, stock up on cash at the nearest town beforehand. As of 2020, there are no bank fees when using Monzo, Starling or Revolut.
• Tipping - It’s always nice to tip! Tipping of 10% is the norm in Indonesia, but if you feel the service has been great then feel free to do more
• Currency - In Indonesia they use Indonesian Rupee (IDR). You can get it before you visit or when you land from the ATM.
• Partying - Indonesia as a whole is a muslim country, so drinking isn’t an integrated part of the culture. However touristy areas do drink, especially on the islands of Bali, Gili islands and parts of Lombok. The main party hub is Bali, but alcohol is heavily taxed, so not as cheap as other Asian countries.
• Malaria Risk - The risk of Malaria in Indonesia depends on where you are visiting. So in Bali, the risk is quite low. However, all rural areas in Nusa Tenggara Barat, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Eastern Indonesia, and parts of Java, all have a risk. You should take anti-malarials if you’re travelling outside of Bali, and use mosquito sprays to prevent getting bitten.
• Religion - The main religion of Indonesia is Muslim. However the island of Bali is an exception as it’s main religion is Hinduism. As a predominately Muslim country, respect Ramadan, times of pray and other cultural days.
• Language - The official language in Indonesia is Indonesian, but in more touristy places such as Bali, or the Gili islands, you’ll often find people speak English.
• Power Sockets - There are 2 main varieties: type C and type F. Standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. You can pick up a universal travel adapter for convenience.

Before traveling anywhere, make sure you have your travel insurance in place. We recommend SafetyWing. ‍

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• They Cover for Covid-19
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Best places to visit in Indonesia

If you’re planning on organizing a vacation to Indonesia, you’ve probably realized there is A LOT of islands to visit and discover. Unfortunately you can’t simply do them all in one go. So below I take you through all the best places to visit in Indonesia that Brad and I have visited, and I’ll mention one or two that were on our list, but we had to cut short due to an accident.

All in all, Indonesia is one of the best backpacking destinations in the world , so get ready to be inspired! 

Let’s start with the most obvious one. Bali is a great island and it’s very unique in comparison to the rest of Indonesia. Bali is very very westernized, which means for me, it’s not “true” Indonesia. But the island has a lot to offer. Amazing surf, beautiful views, volcanoes to climb, waterfalls to discover and cheap food and accommodation. It’s no wonder backpackers love to visit Bali. 

But what I would like to stress in this backpacking Indonesia guide, is that there is so much more to Indonesia than just Bali. So if you’ve visited Bali before, try a different location and you’ll see just how diverse Indonesia is!

Nusa Penida

So, Nusa Penida actually “belongs' ' to Bali, but it’s nowhere near as westernized which means it has a lot of charm. Penida is stunning and offers beautiful blue waters, gorgeous beaches, the chances to swim with manta rays, stunning waterfalls and unique treehouses to sleep in all over the island. Without doubt, one of the best places to visit in Indonesia.

Bandung is located in west Java and it’s one of my favourite places in Indonesia because it’s so undiscovered. It’s a popular spot among Indonesians, but not for the western traveler. That’s why you should visit! Bandung is home to one of the most accessible volcanoes (you can drive right up), amazing tea fields, (that reminded me of Sri Lanka) and the coolest floating market (better than the ones in Bangkok, in my humble opinion). 

Read : Top Things To Do In Bandung, Indonesia 

Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia and it’s typically used as a base to fly in and out off. But Jakarta is buzzing with culture, and honestly, it’s a shoppers dream. It’s got some amazing shopping malls and if you want to splash the cash, this is the place to do it. Typically I’m not a fan of Asian capital cities, they tend to be overcrowded and the air pollution is always high, but I liked Jakarta.

Malang is another awesome place to go when backpacking Indonesia. It’s most famous for “Rainbow village” which is truly awesome. But venture outside on a moped and you’ll come across the most amazing waterfalls. Oh, it’s also the perfect spot to start your Mount Bromo tour which is the best volcano sunrise I’ve ever done. 

Read : Top Things to do in Malang, Indonesia 

Yogyakarta is located in East Java and it’s probably the most “backpacker” place in Java. It’s brimming with beautiful sights to discover including two iconic temples, Pranamanan temple and Borobudur temple. 

Read : Top things to do in Yogyakarta, Indonesia 

Gili islands 

The Gili islands are located just off of the island of Lombok. There are 3 main “popular” Gili islands which are Gili Trawagan (the biggest), Gili Air (the smallest) and Gili Memo. These islands are small little paradises with beautiful blue waters and amazing snorkelling opportunities. If you want a mini beach holiday where you can relax, and spend lots of time in the water, then a trip to the Gili islands should be on your Indonesian travel itinerary. 

Nusa Lembongan

Nusa Lembongan is located just off Bali and it’s easily accessible via boat. Again it’s an up and coming island and it’s got amazing snorkeling. Bali island itself doesn’t have the best snorkel, but head of to Lembongan and you’ll be greeted with lots of fishing and beautiful blue, clear waters. 

I just want to mention a few places we had our own list but had to cancel due to the fact we had a moped accident when in Nusa Penida. These include: 

• Lombok: it’s famous for its volcanoes, and many many amazing waterfalls dotted all over the island. It’s also great for diving and surfing. 
• Komodo islands: Famous for the Komodo dragon, really wished we had made it, but it will definitely be on my list to visit when I return to backpack Indonesia once more! 
• Raja Ampat: a divers dream, absolute dream 
• Flores island: this was on our list too, it looks beyond beautiful and still very undiscovered. 
• Padar island: part of the Komodo islands, but famous for its stunning beaches and iconic landscapes. Famous for those pink beaches too!

Our 18 favourite things to do in Indonesia 

There are hundreds of amazing things to do in Indonesia, too many for me to possibly list in one lifetime. So, I’m going to round it off to 18 awesome things you can place on your Indonesia itinerary. 

1. Sunrise at Mount Bromo 

This is one of my fondest memories of visiting Indonesia. I’ve done quite a few sunrise adventures over the years, but the sunrise at Mount Bromo surpassed all my expectations and the beauty that unfolded in front of my eyes was unbelievable. Was also cool that you could fly a drone! 

I’ve done a whole guide on doing a Mount Bromo tour that you can check out here , but this should be number one on any Indonesia bucket list. 

2. Dance around the tea fields of Bandung 

If you haven’t been to Sri Lanka and visited the amazing tea fields there, then you’re going to love Bandung. As it sits a little “higher” the climate is a little cooler which means it’s perfect for growing tea plants. Tea fields are super pretty and they're a great place to visit. You can fly your drone , have a picnic, or just simply enjoy the views.

3. Drive up to the active volcano of Tangkuban Perahu

If you’ve always wanted to visit an active volcano, without the effort of actually climbing the volcano, then I’ve found you the perfect option. You can literally drive all the way up to Tangkuban Perahu volcano. Actually when Brad and I drove the whole way up there, it was not possible for visitors to reach the top, as it had just erupted like 3 days before...whoops, should have checked the news. But we did get to visit the control room and look at the volcanic activity and how they track it etc. 

4. Visit the rainbow village of Jodipan 

Ah, this is definitely one of the best things to do when backpacking Indonesia. The colourful rainbow village of Jodipan was created as a way to bring tourism to an underdeveloped area of Malang. It was an idea by the university students and it’s really cool! Right beside there is a blue village which looks like the one from Morocco, but the two side by side, make for an amazing drone shot...as you can see!

5. Explore the most beautiful waterfall in Indonesia: Tumpak Sewu

East Java is home to many incredible waterfalls , but perhaps the most famous and inspiring is Tumpak Sewu. It's located around an hours moped drive outside of Malang and it’s without doubt the best waterfall I have seen in all of Indonesia (so far).

Not only is it powerful, you can hike down underneath it to feel the power, you can also fly a drone and get some amazing pics. At certain times of the day, when it’s not cloudy you can see an awesome volcano as the backdrop of a waterfall which makes for an amazing shot! 

Plus the drive out here is nice, you go through some local villages. 

6. Catch sunrise at the stunning Borobudur temple 

This is one of the most unique temples I’ve come across. After you’ve backpacked a lot of Asia, temples begin to look similar, but not this one. It’s unique, beautiful and it makes for an awesome sunrise (if you can wake up...cough). 

7. Visit the most beautiful temple in Indonesia: Prambanan Temple 

This is my favorite temple in all of Indonesia. The texture, shape, sheer size and beauty all leads to such a cool temple. It’s actually quite a big complex and you can view 3 sets of temples within, and you can get to them all via segway, which is fun!  This is such a beautiful spot to visit when backpacking Indonesia. 

8. Visit the beautiful Becci Peak 

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Yogyakarta city centre, then rent a moped and head to the hills, literally. The forest areas are filled with amazing lookout spots, picture spots, zip lines and more. Becci Peak is one of those and it offers amazing views! You can do zip line here for $1, or eat a local lunch. 

9. Visit the love heart of Yogyakarta 

I actually found this place on Instagram before we visited Indonesia, and I thought, I want to find that! Well, if you head to the coast of Yogyakarta, then you can. If you go in the dry season, as we did, the the flowers are a little worn out as it’s located on a sand dune (that you can sand board or rent a jeep at too!), but in the summer the colours are in full swing! 

10. Go waterfall chasing in beautiful Bali 

Bali is literally bursting with amazing waterfalls, and all my favourites are located in the north. They’re less discovered, more beautiful and even more fun. Aling Aling, I’m talking about you and your natural slides and epic jumps. Sekumpul and Git Git are two other great waterfalls in north Bali. 

READ :  7 Best Waterfalls To Visit In Bali

11. Visit the iconic Diamond beach and T-rex beach on Nusa Penida 

Nusa Penida is filled with awesome spots to visit, but actually some of my favourites are the diamond beach and t-rex beach. The latter I almost made it too but had a moped accident on the way, so ended up at a hospital instead, but you’ll recognize the beach. It’s probably the most photographed spot on Nusa Penida. 

TOUR :  This Nusa Pendia Instagram Tour is a great way to see all the best sights on Pendia in one day.

12. Snorkel with the fishes on Nusa Lembongan 

Snorkelling in Nusa Lembongan was a lot of fun. We didn’t do a lot of snorkelling anywhere else in Indonesia (other than the Gili islands), but Nusa Lembongan was filled with lots of cool fishes. Not as good as the Philippines, but if it’s your first time snorkelling then you’ll absolutely love it. 

TOUR :  This Nusa Lembongan Tour will take you to ALL The best spots on the island.

13. Walk among the beautiful rice terraces of Sidemen 

When visiting rice terraces in Bali, everyone flocks to Ubud, but honestly I think the ones in Sidemen are much more beautiful. Perhaps because they’re not overtaken by tourists (yet :P) 

14. View the most epic sunsets at Uluwatu Temple 

To this day, Uluwatu is still one of my favourite sunset spots in the world. The temple there is awesome and you should visit it just before sunset. Pick up a couple of bintangs, find yourself a seat by the water (on a wall probably) and enjoy the view. 

15. Visit the iconic Bali Gates of Heaven 

When I first visited Indonesia, this wasn’t really a popular tourist attraction, but fast forward a couple of years and it’s too popular. But I think it makes for a really cool picture! 

READ : My Ultimate Guide On Visiting The Bali Gates Of Heaven 

16. Visit the beautiful Batu Flower Garden and discover hidden waterfalls 

The Batu flower garden in Malang was really cool, not only very well maintained, but there was a hidden waterfall. It was a bit of a trek to get to, but no one else was there and it was pretty beautiful. I love discovering hidden gems and places no one is at. 

17. Experience a sunrise hike at Mount Batur

Mount Batur is one of the active volcanoes in Bali and it makes for an epic sunrise. The most popular activity here to do a sunrise hike, which is medium difficulty I’d say, then when you reach the top, you’ll experience an epic sunrise, followed by a breakfast of typically bread and banana! This was one of my favourite things to do in Bali.  This is probably one of the most famous places to visit in Indonesia. 

18. Shop at the many many markets

Ubud is a great spot to pick up gifts for friends and family and presents for yourself. The Ubud markets have something for everyone and lots of local produce and crafts too. It's a really cool place to visit, but make sure you're ready to haggle!

TOUR :  This best of Ubud tour will take you to all the best spots in the area.

Choosing your Indonesia Itinerary

Regardless of how long you have to spend in Indonesia, you can create an itinerary that will showcase some of the best spots in Indonesia. I warn you, it'll be busy! Check out our variety of Indonesia itineraries below for some inspiration...

• 1 WEEK ITINERARY
• 2 WEEK ITINERARY
• 3 WEEK ITINERARY
• 4 WEEK ITINERARY

1 Week Indonesia Itinerary Ideas

So, you’ve got one week in Indonesia, well you’re simply going to have to return! :P But no, one week will limit you to what you can do, so I would suggest sticking to one island. If you’ve never been to Indonesia before, you can head to Bali and explore that island, and squeeze in a day trip to Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembogan. 

I’ve actually got a 7 day Bali Itinerary which you might find quite useful in this case. 

2 Week Indonesia Itinerary Ideas

2 weeks in Indonesia is more viable to work with. I would suggest something along the lines of this.

Bandung> Yogyakarta> Malang> Bali> Nusa Lembongan> Nusa Penida

• Bandung: 2 nights  ‍
• Yogyakarta: 3 nights  ‍
• Malang: 3 nights  ‍
• Bali: 4 nights  ‍
• Nusa Lembongan: 1 night ‍
• Nusa Penida: 1 night

Total: 14 nights in Indonesia.   ‍

This 2 week route will allow you to see the beauty of Java islands with it’s awesome waterfalls, beautiful temples, and importantly, Mount Bromo! It’ll also give you a chance to sample the delights in Bali, but I suggest you focus on one area to make your time worth it, such as the north or south. It will also allow you to visit the nearby Nusa islands, which you could spend a night on each and get all the highlights done in a day! 

This itinerary is perfect for a 2 week Indonesia backpacking trip!

3 Week Indonesia Itinerary Ideas

3 weeks in Indonesia will allow you to really delve into a couple of islands and experience truly everything on offer. 

Bandung> Yogyakarta> Malang> Bali> Nusa Lembongan> Nusa Penida>Gili islands 

• Malang : 3 nights  ‍
• Bali: 6 nights  ‍
• Nusa Lembogan: 1 night  ‍
• Nusa Penida: 2 nights  
• Gili islands: 4 nights 

This 3 week Indonesia itinerary will give you lots of time to explore Java, a lot of Bali, the Nusa islands, and the Gili islands. 4 nights on the Gili islands will give you a chance to explore all 3 Gili islands. 

4 Week Indonesia Itinerary Ideas

1 month in Indonesia will give you a chance to explore lots and lots, more than Brad and I even did. Here is my perfect Indonesia itinerary for 4 weeks. 

• Jakarta: 1 night ‍
• Bandung: 2 nights ‍
• Yogyakarta: 3 nights` ‍
• Malang: 3 nights ‍
• Bali: 6 nights ‍
• Nusa Penida: 2 nights ‍
• Gili Islands: 4 nights  ‍
• Lombok: 3 nights  ‍
• Komodo islands: 4 nights 

This 4 week backpacking Indonesia itinerary will give you the full experience. The last trip for the Komodo islands is 4 nights because you can easily get 3 night, 4 day trips to the Komodo islands, so it should work out perfectly in your Indonesia travel itinerary. 

Regardless of which Indonesia itinerary you opt for, you’ll have an amazing time discovering this amazing country filled with beauty, diversity and awesome food and people! 

When Is The Best Time To Visit Indonesia?

If you’re wondering when to go to Indonesia, it’s got a lot to do with the certain months of the year that aren’t monsoon season. That being said, a lot of people do still travel during monsoon season, but you just have to be prepared. 

I think the best month to travel to Indonesia is during June, it’s not “peak” season but the weather is great. The peak months are July, August, and nowadays, September. There’s no cheaper time to visit, because honestly Indonesia is one of the cheapest places to visit in all of Asia. 

Shoulder seasons are a great time to visit because you can usually get flights cheaper to and from the country, especially if you’re travelling from the UK. Check Skyscanner for the best deal in flights. 

Backpacking Indonesia: Sorting Your Indonesia Visa

When it comes to your Indonesia visa, you’ll be happy to hear it’s quite simple if you don’t plan on staying more than 30 days. Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival which lasts for 30 days. No fuss! 

But, if you want to stay a month longer, then it’s a different process. You’ll need to buy a visa on arrival for “--”, then about a week before it expires, head to an immigration office near where you are staying in Indonesia, and pay to get it extended. You CANNOT extend a “visa on arrival”. 

Now, the immigration officers in Jakarta tried to scam Brad and I. Basically he said we could buy 2 months right there and then, no need to extend. I gave him the money, but before we got stamped in, I just didn’t feel confident (as I had read differently online), so I asked another immigration official, and he said nope, you’ll need to get it extended and pay the fee. I explained that someone just took our money for the second month...he asked me to point him out, I did and the officer in question walked up to me, shook my hand, apologized, and oh, the money I had given him was in the hand…..cheeeeeky! 

Can’t trust anyone :P 

If you want to stay longer in Indonesia on a “visa on arrival”, you’ll have to leave the country and re-enter. Lots of people do a “visa run” to Kuala Lumpur in Singapore. There is currently no limit on how many times you can enter and exit Bali in one year…

Just remember to check your appropriate government website for all the specific information you need for your entrance to Indonesia. 

How Do You Get To Indonesia?

You fly! The easiest way to get to Indonesia to fly. You can fly from all across the world and there are lots of airports all across the different islands. Popular spots to fly into include, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Lombok and Bali. It’s easy to fly into one of these, then fly out of the other, no need to “round-trip”.

If you’re wondering how long it takes to get to Indonesia, then it really depends on what part of Indonesia you’re visiting and where you are coming from. From the UK, with stopovers, it typically takes 13-15 hours. If coming from other areas of Asia, it can take as little as 2 hours, to 4-5 hours. 

Again, check Skyscanner for the best flights around the world. 

Getting Around Indonesia

You’ll be pleased to hear that getting around Indonesia is fairly simple. I’ve actually done a whole post on it which you can check out here, but I’ll summarize here too. 

When it comes to getting around Indonesia, you’ve got a few options. 

• ‍ Fly : Especially on the island of Java, where there is an airport at almost every popular town or city, you can fly internally on the island for quite a cheap price. Of course this won’t be great on your carbon footprint, but who am I to judge. It is an option if you’re limited on time.  ‍
• Train : On the island of Java the train network is excellent and you can get across the whole country via comfortable and cheap train travel. It’s how we travelled all through Java and the train views are awesome.  ‍
• Bus: There are bus routes in Indonesia, but actually I’ve never travelled on a bus in Indonesia, so I can’t comment. I imagine they’re cheap, but a lot slower than trains!  ‍
• Moped: Renting a moped is the best way to get around cities or even smaller islands like Bali, or Nusa Penida. We actually wanted to rent a moped to drive all across Java for 10 days, but it turns out there are laws in place actually making that pretty difficult, so we couldn’t do it. But in general moped rental in Indonesia is very cheap at around $4 a day. Just remember to always wear a helmet! 

Finding The Best Accommodation In Indonesia

Thankfully when it comes to deciding where to stay in Indonesia you’ve got lots of options. Bali is the place that has all the choices in the world, however other islands have just as many choices. 

Our favourite website to book accommodation in Indonesia is booking.com. We used it all the time and found it to be the cheapest option. If you are staying on an island, like Bali, then airbnb is a good shout for longer term stays. 

If you’ve never used Airbnb before, then you can use our sign up code to get some money off your first booking. 

Indonesia Travel Guide: How To Dress

When it comes to wondering what to wear in Indonesia you’ll be happy to hear it’s not very complicated.

Yes, Indonesia is a highly Muslim country, which typically requires modest dress with shoulders and knees covered, but with tourists they’re quite relaxed.

I always suggest dressing modestly as a sign of respect, but you won’t be criticized for having your shoulders out. This is mainly for women anyway. 

For women I suggest long skirts, comfortable light dresses, and cotton trousers for the day time, then by the beach, swimsuits, bikinis, shorts etc.

Carry a sarong with you and you can use this to cover yourself when walking in public places etc. They’re super cheap and light so won’t take up any room in your backpack. Also, they’re nice if there is a chilly breeze by the sea. 

For men, I suggest shorts, three quarter length trousers, (cotton is more breathable), t-shirts, vest tops, and by the beach, normal swimming gear! Don’t walk down the streets with no top on, out of respect more than anything else. 

If you want the PERFECT travel pants for your trip to Bali, then check out Buddha Pants for awesome, comfortable, versatile pants that are easy to pack away, and available in a wide range of styles.

What To Pack For Indonesia

When it comes to deciding what to take to Indonesia, you need to be practical and consider your space. I’ve produced a small Indonesia packing list which will cover the bare essentials and the core products you should take with you when backpacking Indonesia.

For a better idea of what to take, check out our Bali packing list ; which covers everything you need for basically every island in Indonesia.

Do not skimp on high quality shoes when travelling. You’re going to be walking a lot. Personally I wear Skechers go walk and I’ve been using them for 3 years that they are perfect!

If you plan on doing a lot of hiking and adventurous activities, invest in a pair of good quality hiking shoes. You can hang them onto your rucksack.

Brad LOVES these flip flops and I have to say they’re the best pair he has ever bought. They are high quality, comfortable and you can open beer bottles with them (oh yeah!). He uses them for the beach, walking up mountains, long walks, everything and they last long!

As said before, it’s a good idea to have a light jacket for your evenings. Some places it can get a little chilly so this will make you more comfortable.

If you want to stay cool, then wear cool long trousers, these are good in the evening to help cover your legs from bug bites.

Keep your head protected from the intense sunshine!

Super lightweight and breathable means these are perfect for backpacking Mexico.

Certain areas of Mexico are prone to mosquitoes, so use deet to keep them at bay. I recommend at least 50% deet.

Protect your skin. You still tan with sunscreen on! Get a high factor and note that it will be more expensive when you arrive to purchase, so it’s best to bring before you go backpacking Mexico.

You’re going to want to document your travels and if you want a camera that takes high quality pictures and super high quality videos, then I suggest the Canon G7x Mark II. It’s what we use for 80% of our pics and videos. Get a Go Pro for cool underwater pics.

It’s good to invest in a decent one which will work for a variety of different countries in the world.

Rather than carrying around actual books, a Kindle is a far more practical item to have with you, and you can download as many books as you want for just a few dollars each. The Kindle Fire also lets you browse the internet, so saves you taking a tablet with you as well, if you're that way inclined.

If you're keen to learn more about the history of Sri Lanka, then this is a great book. It covers everything through from ethnical origins of Sri Lanka's population, all the way up to modern day tourism.

Lonely Planet have long been the go-to provider of travel guide books for all countries around the world. Personally, we have never paid for one, but instead look out for them in hostels and hotels! But they certainly are in-depth, so long as you get the latest edition. Which is crucial for Sri Lanka. We read a Lonely Planet Guide book for Sri Lanka that was dated 2004 and which described how hostile and dangerous the country is! Which, I suppose, it was at the time. What with the civil war and all ...

Personally, we always opt for Rough Guides as opposed to Lonely Planet. They do some great itinerary and off-the-beaten-track suggestions. So, if you’re looking for more travel inspiration, then go for Rough Guides.

This Divided Island is an incredibly popular book that has been nominated for, and win, some very highly praised awards. It offers deep insight into what life was like during the recent Sri Lankan civil war.

Island Of A Thousand Mirrors looks at the deep rooted conflict that exists between the Tamil and Sinhalese peoples of Sri Lanka. It does so through the eyes of two young girls, each of whom who come from a different cultural upbringing but still wish to remain friends despite their differences.

Finally, here are two books, completely unrelated to Sri Lanka, but which Cazzy enjoyed during her time here. Cecelia Ahern is her favourite author and Marble Collector and Flawed proved to be yet another two great novels by the world-renowned author.

Eating and Drinking in Indonesia

Food and drink in Indonesia is awesome! There is something to really suit everyone. Popular dishes include Nasi and Mei Goreg. Nasi means rice, and Mei is noodles. You can get a variety of forms of these dishes, but they’re all super super cheap (less than $1 on some occasions). 

If you’re a vegetarian, you can get veggie versions of those dishes too. Chicken satay is also a great dish that’s very cheap and local. But if you’re craving some western style food, then you’ll find that super cheap all over the country. 

One of our favourite foodie destinations was Yogkarata, high standard food for a cheap price. Also, Bali is an excellent place for vegans and vegetarians, they even have a totally vegan fast food restaurant. Check out this awesome guide for some amazing recommendations!

Since Indonesia is a mulsim country, there isn’t a lot in terms of alcohol. Locals tend to drink local beer however and the most famous brand is “bintang”, these are fairly cheap and not bad to drink! Great on a hot day by the beach. 

If you don’t like the taste of beer, like me, then try a Bingtang Raddler which comes in a lemon and orange flavour, they’re really nice! 

The more toursity islands such as Bali, and the Gili islands serve all sorts of alcohol, but don’t expect prices to be as cheap as other Asian countries. Due to an alcohol tax, alcohol can be pricey, but you can get some brilliant two for one deals on cocktails. 

Remember you can bring 1 litre of spirits into Indonesia, so if you want to save on pricey alcohol in the country, then just bring your own with you. 

Useful Online Tools For Your Indonesia Trip

Thanks to the world of digital, there are a wide ranges of apps and online tools that can help make backpacking Indonesia super easy: 

Grab : The Grab app is available pretty much all over Indonesia and it’s brilliant for getting cheap lifts from A to B. We used it all the time. You can order food too which is great if you’re feeling lazy, or you’re sick. 

Go-Jek: Go-Jek is basically another version of Grab, but available and popular in Bali itself. It’s great to have choice, and you can use the “go-life” app to order massages, cleaners, repair people, all sorts!

Tiket : This is a great app to buy train tickets across the island of Java. We used it for all our trips, and you can save up points and get money off your next ride. 

12Go Asia: Brilliant website/app that allows you to book your train/bus/boat and shuttle travel around Indonesia. It compares a range of supplies and gives you the best deal. We found this excellent for boat transfers around Bali, the Gili islands and Lombok. 

Klook: I’ve mentioned some tours via klook across this post, but they are the cheapest provider of tours in Indonesia and it’s a super easy way to book. 

Airbnb : Airbnb is a great website for longer-term stays, and unique accommodation in places like Bali. It’s famous for its fabulous villa and treehouse offerings among rice terraces. 

Indonesia Budget: The Cost Of Backpacking Indonesia

You’ll be pleased to hear that when it comes to setting an Indonesia backpacking budget, it won’t need to be high! The cost if Backpacking Indonesia is quite low, so if you’re on a strict budget then it’s a great place to visit.

What’s also great is that it’s the type of country that will suit all budgets, so if you did want to splash the cash, you certainly can, but you’ll get so much more for your money than in the likes of Europe. 

You could easily get by on a budget of around $35-40 per day. 

Budget for food

Food is super cheap all across Indonesia, regardless of what island you find yourself on. If you eat local (and since the local food is so good, you’ll want to!) then you’ll probably only spend around $2-4 per meal, and that’s including a drink! 

I remember we went to quite an “up-market” restaurant called Roaster and Bear in Yogyakarta and got a start, main and dessert for £6-8….it was seriously amazing food too! 

Even if you want “western” food, you’ll find it relatively cheap too, especially in the form of fast food restaurants like Mcdolands, KFC and Pizza Hut. 

Budget for drink

As I mentioned before, since Indonesia is a majority Muslim country, there isn’t a lot in the way of drinks and when it is available it’s highly taxed. I would say the exception to this is the local beer, Bingtang, which is reasonably priced.

Don’t expect prices as cheap as other Asian nations but you can get cheap cocktails on islands like Bali and the Gili Islands. Just make sure you’re drinking proper spirits and not some homemade concoction that could kill you. 

Budget for travel

Getting around Indonesia is very cheap. Whether you use apps like Grab, or the train networks, or even fly, everything is cheap to use. You’ll get shuttles to and from various places within an island for a cheap price too. You should never pay over the top for travel in Indonesia, if you are, you’re getting ripped off!

Drone Laws In Indonesia

Drone lovers rejoice, you’ll be happy to hear that the drone laws in Indonesia are quite relaxed. As long as you follow the proper precautions, all the usual, label your drone, only fly to a maximum and minimum height, and don’t fly over religious areas, then you’re good. 

There will be signs allocated when you are not allowed to drone, so respect these. But droning in Indonesia is fantastic. You can drone active volcanoes, amazing rice paddies, stunning beaches and much more.

Some of my favourite drone locations in Indonesia include: 

• Mount Bromo on Java island: an unbelievable drone spot, get spots of the sunrise and of yourself walking on the edge of an active volcano. 
• Rice terraces in Bali: Stunning and endless rice terraces make for epic drone shots 
• Tea fields in Bandung: Endless tea fields also make for amazing shots 
• Nusa Penida : This island in general is a drone lovers dream, stunning beaches, water and cliffs make for amazing content. 

We use a Mavic Pro, who has been named Baby Mavic. He was worth every penny we spent for the high quality content he produces! 

You might also like: Best Travel Drones Guide

Final Thoughts And Advice From Our Indonesia Itinerary

When backpacking Indonesia, you’re going to have a lot of fun. Brad and I travel as a couple , but I think Indonesia would be quite safe for solo travellers too.  We never ran into any issues in all our time there and people were super welcoming, super helpful and happy to see us, which is always nice. 

Just don’t forget to obtain comprehensive travel insurance for your trip. If you're a type 1 diabetic, like me then you can check out my guide on finding good value diabetic travel insurance, or if you’re a regular human from the UK, try Compare the Market, or a regular human from elsewhere (Americans, this one is good for you), then try World Nomads. 

I hope you’ve found this Indonesia travel guide useful and hopefully you feel confident and ready to take a trip to Indonesia. Any questions, then feel free to drop a comment below.  

Also be sure to check out:

• Our 90 Best Travel Tips: Save Time, Money & Stress!

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Indonesia Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 23, 2023

With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia is the world’s largest island country. Home to over 261 million people, it boasts stunning landscapes, incredible beaches, amazing food, and affordable prices.

While most people just visit Bali, backpacking further afield in the country is an underrated activity. With so much on offer, it can take months to see everything because there is just so much to see and do here: hectic and chaotic cityscapes, cool white sand beaches, and violent volcanoes. Indonesia has it all.

And it’s easy to visit Indonesia on a budget too. It’s extremely inexpensive and your money goes far here.

While most travelers fly to Bali and visit the Gili Islands or head to Lombok, I encourage you to try to get to the less touristy destinations and off the beaten path. Find dragons in Flores, go hiking, see the historic ruins of Java, and go to Sumatra. You’ll find even cheaper prices and far fewer crowds once you escape the digital nomad hub of Bali.

This Indonesia travel guide can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this island paradise!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Indonesia

Click Here for Destination Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in indonesia.

1. Relax in Bali

Bali is probably the most famous of Indonesia’s islands. Although often crowded with travelers, there is no escaping the fact that this place is beautiful. Try some surfing at Bingin Beach or visit the Pura Besakih, the Mother Temple, which is truly stunning to behold. Make sure you see some traditional Balinese dancing in Ubud too. You can also join a yoga retreat pretty much anywhere on the island and cooking classes are also plentiful and make for a great souvenir.

2. Dive in the Gili Islands

For a true sense of an island paradise, head to the Gili Islands . There are excellent (and cheap) scuba and snorkel facilities as well as great nightlife on Gili Trawangan. These islands are super popular with backpackers thanks to their super cheap accommodation and food, party scene, and stunning beaches for lazing around all day.

3. Admire Borobudur

Borobudur is a the world’s biggest Buddhist temple complex, dating from the 8th and 9th centuries. With 2,672 reliefs meant to highlight Buddhist teachings, it’s made from blocks of volcanic rock. Each level is supposed to describe the stages of life. It is said you can’t move on to the top until you discover the meaning of each relief. Admission for foreign adults is around 380,000 IDR.

4. See Komodo dragons

The subject of more nature documentaries than any other lizard, the Komodo dragon is a force to be reckoned with. Komodo National Park, part of the Lesser Sunda Islands, is the only place to see the world’s largest lizard in the wild, which grows up to 10 feet long and weighs over 135 kilograms (300 pounds). Admission is 150,000 IDR during the week, with prices rising to 250,000 IDR on Sundays and holidays (just note that there are additional fees for other activities including ranger fees, hiking fees, diving fees, and so on). The only way to really visit Komodo National Park is on a tour since the islands are over an hour away from Labuan Bajo port on Flores Island.

5. Visit Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park

Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park covers a total of 800 square kilometers (308 square miles) at the center of East Java and is the largest volcanic region in the province. Get up early to catch one of the most memorable sunrises of your life from the top of Mount Bromo or Mount Semeru. The easiest way to get here is from Probolinggo, through the village of Ngadisari. Although it doesn’t take long to get to the summit (around 45 minutes up a sandy slope) and access to the trail is free, a number of tour operators run guided trips through the park, which includes transport to and from the park.

Other Things to See and Do in Indonesia

1. explore hindi prambanan.

There are 244 temples at this 9th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the central compound being the main attraction. There are eight minor temples and eight major temples here, with the tallest being 45 meters (150 feet) — which is actually taller than Borobudur. Located in Yogyakarta, there’s a lot to see, so schedule a full day here (it’s the second-largest temple complex in Southeast Asia, after Angkor Wat). Admission is around 380,000 IDR.

2. Wander Jakarta

Indonesia’s capital is a large, bustling city with a population of over 10 million. You could easily spend a few days here as there is a lot to see. Admire Istana Merdeka, the presidential palace (visitors are not allowed inside); see the Monas Tower, a symbol of Indonesia’s independence; check out Ancol Beach; visit the National Museum, and go shopping at the Jalan Surabaya Flea Market. For a moment of calm, people-watch from one of the cafes overlooking Fatahillah Square in the Old Batavia, the Dutch Quarter, where you can take in the historic architecture as you take in the local pace of life.

3. Snorkel or dive in Bunaken

The Bunaken National Marine Park is located in the Bay of Manado and it’s where you want to go if diving or snorkeling is your thing. These deep waters offer fantastic visibility and some of the world’s most biodiverse marine life. Keep an eye out for tuna, sharks, rays, turtles, sea snakes, and more. Entry to the marine park is 50,000 IDR per person, though children under 10 enter free.

4. Broaden your taste buds

Indonesia is home to 17,000 islands and over 260 million people. The country is brimming with diverse cultures, traditions, and beliefs. If you want some idea of how diverse this place is, there are over 700 languages spoken here! This diversity is very much reflected in the food. Javanese, Sundanese, Padang, and Balinese food are just some of your options. Hit the markets, participate in cooking classes, or take food tours to get a taste of what the country has to offer. Your tastebuds will thank you!

5. Visit Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is Indonesia’s cultural hub and is a much less industrial city compared to Jakarta. There is an interesting blend of old customs with modern living here (the region still has a sultan/monarchy). It’s a hip place filled with street art, galleries, cafes, great nightlife, and a strong arts community. Yogyakarta is also a good jumping-off point for exploring the popular and picturesque Borobudur and Prambanan sites.

6. See the orangutans in Sumatra

A mysterious and rare primate, the orangutan finds its habitat on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. A visit to see these primates is a moving experience. And, given the rapid deforestation and fires in the area, you probably want to do this sooner rather than later as these animals are gravely endangered. If you go, make sure you’re traveling with an eco-friendly tour company. Reputable companies don’t let you get in close contact with the animals, as the risk of disease is too high. Even a common cold can knock out a baby orangutan. Nevertheless, seeing these majestic animals is an amazing and life-changing experience. Week-long guided treks cost around 20,000,000 IDR per person.

7. Experience village life in Kalibaru

Kalibaru is a small village on the southeastern side of Java. It’s quiet, secluded, and a great place to tour one of the many plantations (cacao, coffee, dragon fruit, rubber, and spices, among others) in the area on your way to or from Bali. It’s not as well-visited as many other places in Indonesia, meaning you can escape the crowds and get a chance to experience what local life is really like. You can stay here after a trip to Mount Bromo, or just visit on a day trip.

8. See the Bogor Botanical Gardens

Located 65 kilometers (40 miles) outside of Jakarta, the Bogor Botanical Gardens have over 200 acres of land and 15,000 species of plants and trees. The gardens are a lovely spot in which to lose yourself for a couple of hours with a book and some snacks. Admission is around 26,000 IDR. There is a commuter train between Bogor and Jakarta with a stop right next to the gardens.

9. See the Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfalls

These are some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Bali, and yet not many people make the trek here. They’re located about 90 minutes from Ubud, and then you have to hike through a banana plantation to reach the falls. It’s worth it as there are several sets of falls to explore. Just make sure to bring your swimsuit!

10. Explore the megaliths in Bada Valley

Near Lore Lindu National Park are 400 ancient stone megaliths scattered around the hills. No one really knows the origins of these structures, but they’re thought to be over 5,000 years old. No settlement remains or tools were ever found in the area. It’s best to hire a local guide here as the megaliths are not easy to find.

11. Visit the House of Danar Hadi

The House of Danar Hadi in Surakarta (Central Java) is considered one of the world’s best batik museums, with a handpicked selection of favorites from the owner’s collection of 11,000 pieces (batik is a cloth-dyeing method from Java). You have to take a tour to see it all, but it’s worth it. There are lots of antique and royal items on display. They also have batik demonstrations showcasing how these detailed pieces are made. Admission is 35,000 IDR.

12. See the lakes in Kelimutu National Park

Kelimutu National Park, on the island of Flores, is renowned for its tri-colored crater lakes. The crater lakes have continuously changed color over the years, likely due to the mineral makeup in the water. Sometimes they’re green, black, brown, red, blue, etc. The lakes are very sacred among the locals, who believe that they’re the final resting spots of departed souls. Moni is the closest town to the lakes; from there you can take public transportation to the park. Admission to the park is 150,000 IDR.

  For more information on specific destinations in Indonesia, check out these guides:

• Bali Travel Guide
• Gili Islands Travel Guide

Indonesia Travel Costs

Accommodation – A bed in a dorm hostel dorm can cost as little as 55,000 IDR but most places are closer to 100,000 IDR. For a private double room, prices start around 175,000 IDR. Free Wi-Fi is standard and some hostels offer self-catering facilities and free breakfast.

Most budget hotels begin at 300,000 IDR per night for a double room that usually includes free Wi-Fi and breakfast. For a three-star hotel, prices begin around 400,000 IDR per night.

Airbnb is also widespread throughout the country, with private rooms starting from around 300,000 IDR per night. For entire apartments, expect to pay at least 400,000 IDR per night. Book early, however, or prices can double.

If you’re booking through Booking.com, keep in mind that many of the listings are actually homestays and private residences.

Since hostels and homestays are so cheap, camping is not very common unless you’re on a guided trek.

Food – Food in Indonesia is heavily influenced by a number of cultures, most notably Chinese, Indian and Malay cultures. Lots of dishes have a rice (nasi) or noodle (mie) base and, in some cases, that’s the whole dish, such as with nasi ayam (chicken rice). Be sure to try the Balinese take on satay (where the meat is minced and wrapped on skewers) and babi guling , a delicious suckling pig that is roasted for hours. Another popular choice is oxtail soup. Be mindful that the food here can be a little spicy.

The food here is extremely cheap by Western standards, with street food costing under 10,000 IDR. It’s also delicious in part because much of it is based on fresh spices and herbs. Expect rice and noodle-based dishes such as nasi goreng (stir-fried rice with chicken, egg, and vegetables) and mie goreng (a spicy fried noodle dish with garlic, onion, meat, egg, and vegetables) as well as gado gado (comprising of steamed vegetables, tofu, tempeh, sometimes egg, and peanut sauce), and lots of satay.

For an inexpensive meal at a local restaurant, expect to pay around 25,000 IDR. For a meal at a mid-range restaurant with table service, prices start at 125,000 IDR per person. Western food is much more expensive but is still relatively affordable at under 100,000 IDR for a meal. For the cheapest food and a fun experience, head to the night markets.

Fast food like Mcdonald’s costs around 50,000 IDR for a combo meal. A beer at the bar costs around 30,000 IDR.

If you plan on cooking your own meals, a week’s worth of groceries costs between 450,000-500,000 IDR. However, food in the country is very cheap and I would encourage you to eat out as often as possible as kitchens are hard to come by!

Backpacking Indonesia Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget of 425,000 IDR per day, you can stay in a hostel dorm, eat some street food, cook some meals, rent a bicycle to get around, and do mostly free activities like hiking and enjoying the beach. If you plan on drinking, add another 30,000-60,000 IDR to your daily budget.

On a mid-range budget of 1,100,000 IDR per day, you can eat out at more restaurants, stay in a budget hotel or a private hostel room, rent a scooter to get around, drink more, enjoy some massages, and go diving.

On a “luxury” budget of 2,350,000 IDR or more per day, you can stay at a nicer hotel or villa, take taxis or private minivans to get around, eat Western food, drink more, and do any adventure activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury, however. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in IDR.

Indonesia Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

While Indonesia is super affordable, it’s also easy to splash out here (especially in Bali). To help you save money, here are some specific ways you can keep your spending down while you’re here:

• Eat on the street – You can pick up tasty local fare for under 10,000 IDR. Street-side snacks, soups, and noodles are super affordable and super tasty.
• Bargain hard – Nothing is ever at face value in Indonesia. Bargain with sellers as most of the time the prices they quote aren’t the prices you end up paying if you bargain!
• Drink cheap – Save money on alcohol by heading to the local happy hours (or just buying your drinks at a local store instead of the bar). This is the cheapest way to drink!
• Book online in advance – If you’re planning on hitting up some of Indonesia’s most popular destinations, such as Bali, it’s actually cheaper to book your accommodations (and sometimes tours) online in advance rather than showing up and trying to strike a deal.
• Pay bus attendants directly – When you’re taking an intercity bus, don’t purchase a ticket from a ticket window. It’s cheaper to pay directly on the bus.
• Rent a bike – In many places, such as Bali and Gili, you can easily get around on two wheels. Rent a bike for as little as 40,000 IDR per day. It’s a great way to get around on the cheap.
• Take taxis – Taxis are essential for getting around in some parts of Indonesia, and they can be cheap. Just make sure the driver puts the meter on before you depart (or agree on a price before you get in).
• Bring a filtered water bottle – Indonesia has a ton of plastic waste. It has so much that a lot of it just gets burned. You’ll see — and smell — it during your visit. Bring a reusable water bottle with a filter to save both money and the environment. I personally like Lifestraw .

Where to Stay in Indonesia

Looking for a place to stay during your trip? Here are some of my favorite places to stay in Indonesia:

• PADI Backpackers House (Ubud)
• Kememai Hostel (Ubud)
• Warung Coco Hostel (Kuta)
• Tribal Bali (Canggu)
• Gili Beach Bum (Gili Trawangan)
• My Mate’s Place (Gili Trawangan)
• Wonderloft Hostel (Jakarta)

How to Get Around Indonesia

Public transportation – Public buses aren’t really used for city transport except on Java. There’s an extensive network in Jakarta, known as the Transjakarta Busway. Fares cost 3,500-9,000 IDR for any destination in the network. You have to pay with a card that costs 40,000 IDR (it comes with a 20,000 IDR credit) from station ticketing offices.

Otherwise, most people get around by becak , a three-wheeled pedal or motor-powered cart. You should negotiate your fare before you get in; ask your hotel/hostel staff for up-to-date price estimates.

Taxis are also affordable, and they’re metered in major cities. Bluebird Taxis is available in most places, and they’re the most dependable company for metered taxis and English-speaking drivers. There’s a smartphone app that makes it really easy to order taxis. The starting rate is around 7,500 IDR and then 5,300 IDR per kilometer.

Grab (an Uber offspring) is a household name in Southeast Asia. It is convenient but sometimes costs even more than a taxi. Gojek is a similar option. Be forewarned: if you order a Grab or Gojek, you might wind up on the back of a motorbike.

Ferry – For traveling between islands, ferries start around 15,000 IDR for a ticket from East Java to West Bali, and the rates go up from there for other routes. Bali to the Gili Islands is 175,000 IDR (one way) on a speedboat.

While it’s not necessary to book in advance it’s a good idea to do so during peak season or on more popular routes. You can buy tickets on the ferry company’s website or via a ticket agent like 12go.asia.

Bus – Buses are the main way for locals and tourists to get around Indonesia. It’s a good idea to book your long-distance tickets in advance, especially if you want an air-conditioned ride. You can buy a ticket from a travel agent, or visit the bus terminal. Your accommodation may also be able to arrange your transportation.

A 12-hour journey on a bus costs around 170,000 IDR. A short journey, like the one from Kuta Beach to Ubud, is less than 80,000 IDR and takes one hour.

If your ride is a shorter one, you might end up on a bemos (mini-bus). In this case, negotiate your fare beforehand.

Train – In Indonesia, the cities of Java are well linked by train, including Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Probolinggo (for Mount Bromo), and Banyuwangi (the ferry terminal for Bali). Economy class from Jakarta to Surabaya takes 10.5 hours and costs about 190,000 IDR, while an 8-hour executive class trip can cost from 620,000 IDR. Surabaya to Probolinggo (for Mount Bromo) takes 2-3 hours and costs 27,000 IDR for economy or 240,000 IDR for executive class. Surabaya to Banyuwangi (for Bali) takes 6-7 hours and costs as little as 56,000 IDR for economy or 235,000 IDR for executive class. You can reserve your tickets at tiket.com.

Flying – Garuda Indonesia is the country’s main airline offering international service as well as domestic flights. Lion Air and AirAsia also offer plenty of domestic routes, although Lion Air’s safety record is spotty and I wouldn’t advise traveling with them.

Flights between Jakarta and Bali start around 900,000 IDR each way, while Jakarta to Lombok starts around 1,200,000 IDR. Lombok to Bali is around 1,100,000 IDR. However, this isn’t the cheapest way to travel and is only recommended if you have limited time.

When to Go to Indonesia

Indonesia has just two seasons: the wet season and the dry season. Dry season lasts from May to September while the rainy season occurs from October to April. The average daily temperature year-round is 28°C (80°F).

Overall, the best time of year to visit is between May and September when it’s dry and sunny. It’s still pleasant to visit during the rainy season, however, as rainfall usually comes as fast and intense downpours that only last a few hours.

The Nusa Tenggara region is more affected by the wet season which may sometimes result in flooding. The wet season may also be a problem if you’re looking to get off the beaten track in Indonesia, as muddy roads can sometimes keep you from getting around.

In Bali and Kalimantan, the extremes between seasons aren’t drastic. The dry season is the best time to climb the volcanoes, and the best time to dive is from April to September. (If you are expecting to do some climbing, remember to pack some warm layers. It gets cold at the top!)

How to Stay Safe in Indonesia

Indonesia is a safe place to backpack and travel. Violent crime is rare. Petty theft (including bag snatching) is the most common type of crime in Indonesia. It’s most common on public transit as it’s easy for thieves to grab your wallet or purse when you’re distracted by all the chaos around you. Staying alert and securing your valuables is the best way to prevent petty theft.

Credit card fraud is also common in Indonesia. To avoid this, it’s always best to pay with cash when possible. To avoid getting your information stolen at an ATM, enter a reputable bank to withdraw money from there.

There are a lot of small scams around the island and you can read about how to avoid these common travel scams here .

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here but the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). The country is big and, while generally safe, there are certain spots you’ll want to stay more vigilant in. There are countless solo female travel blogs out there that can give you specific information on how to stay safe.

Earthquakes are common in Indonesia, owing to its location on the Ring of Fire (it experiences more earthquakes than any other country). Make sure you know where your exits are during an emergency. Also, download an offline map and languages translation pack in case you need it during an emergency situation where you don’t have mobile data/Wi-Fi.

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

When in doubt, always trust your instincts. If a taxi driver seems shady, get out. If your hotel or accommodation is seedier than you thought, go somewhere else. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID, in case of an emergency.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Indonesia Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Agoda – Other than Hostelworld, Agoda is the best hotel accommodation site for Asia.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.

Indonesia Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Indonesia travel and continue planning your trip:

The 6 Best Hostels in Bali

Is Southeast Asia Safe for Travelers?

A Visitor’s Guide to the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

Kuta Beach: The Worst Place in Bali

How to Visit Borobudur in Indonesia

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• Where To Stay
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15 Awesome Things To Do In East Java, Indonesia

Jackson Groves

Posted on Last updated: December 2, 2023

Categories INDONESIA

East Java is a land unlike no other. Most regions boast one or two-star attractions but what I found on my road trip is that each day just kept getting better. The next waterfall just got bigger and bigger and the volcanoes became more and more impressive. After 10 days exploring East Java by car, I was blown away.

• I created an interactive map that shows you all the spots in this guide and also includes where to stay, time between each spot and loads of helpful information. It took me a long time to make so I hope it helps you plan your trip. If you want to check it out it is available for download here: East Java Interactive Road Trip Map

Table of Contents

EAST JAVA TRAVEL GUIDE

In this guide, I will share with you a list of the best things to do in East Java, Indonesia. I’ll also share with you a suggested itinerary and some helpful tips for your visit to the region.

TOP 3 PLACES TO STAY IN EAST JAVA

• Surabaya: Bumi Surabaya Resort – Perfect oasis in the middle of Surabaya
• Near Bromo: Royal Orchids Hotel – Huge hotel with classy rooms and pool
• Near Ijen: Ijen Resort & Villas – Amazing garden, pool and views

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED TO EXPLORE EAST JAVA

We spent 10 days exploring all of the best things to do in East Java and even with our level of intensity, we didn’t come close to visiting all the spots we wanted to. I know not everyone has the same desire to see every inch of the destination as myself so with that in mind, I would recommend 7-10 days for the regular traveler. For the traveler who likes to spend two nights in a place cause they like to do it a bit more relaxed, you won’t be bored with 2 weeks.

7 days is the minimum in my book. Anything less than that and you will be visiting only the common, popular destinations. I call those surface scraper trips and while they are fun, you get some great photos, you kind of miss the point of the adventure sometimes. 7-10 days minimum and you will be golden for the trip of a lifetime! Trust me.

If you don’t trust me I have created the entire itinerary below so you can see that you will waste no second and even with 10 days you will be tired the entire time as East Java kicks your ass but wow she is beautiful so it is damn worth it!

THINGS TO DO IN EAST JAVA

Let’s get into these epic places to visit in East Java. These are all the nature-based, adventurous spots, but East Java does have a lot of interesting mosques and points of interest in the cities if that is your cup of tea. On this blog, I stick to outdoor adventures for the most part.

I’m going to put these in the order we visited them to help you plan your trip. I will also post my itinerary below (map provided). We, of course, missed out on several spots like hiking Semeru (often closed due to volcanic activity) and other awesome East Java activities but you can’t do it all and there is always next time! Most of the places on the list below have an individual blog post with more details and photos so you can click on the link to read those if you need. So here we go…

JODIPAN VILLAGE (THE COLORFUL VILLAGE & THE BLUE VILLAGE)

Only twenty minutes from Malang is a curious village called Kampung Warna-Warni Jodipan. This village was struggling. It was dilapidated, polluted, and struggling to build a healthy community. Eight students from a nearby university, who were studying event management, decided to apply their knowledge to a real-world situation.

Partnering with a local paint company, the students created a social responsibility project. 6,000 pounds of colorful paint was donated and the run-down city was transformed into a colorful village with a bright future.

The village now has a small entrance fee for tourists (only 30 US cents) and the colors have brought in much-needed interest and financing for a village that needed a boost. Tourists will often buy a drink, lunch, or souvenirs from the locals. The standard of living has risen and has inspired members of the community to continue improving the village with projects like improving sanitation and pollution.

One on side of the bridge is the ‘Colorful village’ and on the other side is an entirely blue village (Kampung Biru Arema). In a similar fashion, this village has been painted entirely blue.

COBAN TALUN WATERFALL

Coban Talun is a beautiful waterfall in Batu City near Malang in East Java. It’s only a 20-minute walk along a sandy trail before you can enjoy the stunning waterfall, viewpoints, and caves. As well as the waterfall there is a camping ground and a specialized photography/hangout area with photo perches, wings, and other cool photo opportunities.

Once we reached the bottom of the falls, there were a number of huts set up but it seemed they were only used in high season. We had the whole place to ourselves at 9 am in the morning.

There are several cool rocks, which make great spots to take photos but our favorite area was down at ground level in the pool of water. It was freezing but incredible to watch the water trickling down the waves. You can also explore inside the caves behind the waterfall.

Definitely try and visit this waterfall in the rainy season. It was still cool during the dry season but would be 10x more epic with a huge flow of water crashing down!

Need more information? Full blog post: Coban Talun Waterfall

BEST INSURANCE FOR TRAVELERS

Don’t wait for an accident to happen… get insured! My travel insurance is HeyMondo which offers low-cost travel & medical insurance. That’s me on the left with three teeth knocked out after a motorbike crash in Bali!

You can click to read my Full Review of the Best Travel Insurance .

I’ve made several successful claims with HeyMondo and find their customer service very quick and helpful. Click the button below to get a 5% DISCOUNT

TUMPAK SEWU WATERFALL

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall (also known as Coban Sewu) is arguably Indonesia’s best waterfall. It isn’t the largest, even in East Java, but is definitely the most impressive. From above it looks like the tree of life, from below it is immensely powerful and from all angles, it is quite simply mind-blowing.

The first thing you want to do on your Tumpak Sewu Waterfall adventure from Lumajang is to wake up early. Be at the Tumpak Sewu viewpoint for sunrise. Although the sun won’t be on the waterfall, this is actually what you want.

The fog is beautiful in the morning and creates a mystical atmosphere. In the background, Semeru Volcano will be giving you a beautiful backdrop, while Tumpak Sewu slowly comes into focus as the light increases.

Get down to Tumpak Sewu Waterfall on ground level before the sun rises over the waterfall. The trail is right next to the viewpoint where you were for sunrise. It takes about 10-15 minutes to walk down into the canyon and then about another 5 minutes to walk through the canyon to the waterfall.

The trail down is pretty sketchy with bamboo ladders and sections where you are walking through small streams but it is nothing too crazy. Just be prepared and definitely wear shoes, not flip-flops.

Once you reach the canyon you start to get an idea of the scale of the walls. You are an ant within the gorge and you know you are about to witness something incredible. After turning the final corner you will never forget the moment you enter the cauldron at the foot of Tumpak Sewu Waterfall. It is pure magic with more than thirty different waterfalls plummeting down into the cauldron into tiny pools below.

Need more information? Full blog post: Tumpak Sewu Waterfall in Lumajang

GOA TETES WATERFALL

Goa Tetes Waterfall in Lumajang was one of the most surprising places on our ten-day travels throughout East Java. We came to visit Tumpak Sewu, the famous waterfall nearby, and were recommended to stop past Goa Tetes Waterfall on the way back. It was an incredible sight in its own right with unbelievable caves inside the waterfall. It was the most unique waterfall we visited in all of East Java!

Goa Tetes is essentially a collection of caves and waterfalls all the way up the cliff. You walk up the stream until you reach the caves. From here the adventure is up to you with so many different caves to explore. We scaled one cave in particular and it went really far back into darkness, while the waterfall poured down over the top of us. Absolutely incredible!

Need more information? Full blog post: Goa Tetes Waterfall in Lumajang

KABUT PELANGI WATERFALL

Kabut Pelangi was one of my favorite waterfalls in East Java. The waterfall crashes down into the amphitheater below, which is covered in lush green plants. The trek down to Kabut Pelangi takes about 25 minutes in total. The trail is paved a lot of the way and when it’s not the conditions aren’t very difficult.

The 100m+ Kabut Pelangi is an incredible sight. The force it generates when it hits the pool below is incredible and this is definitely not a place you want to go swimming! Kabut Pelangi translates to waterfall rainbow mist. If you catch the conditions at the right time you will be able to see a rainbow in the mist at the bottom of the waterfall!

Need more information? Full blog post: Kabut Pelangi Waterfall

KAPAS BIRU WATERFALL

Kapas Biru Waterfall is amazing. One huge, thundering stream of water crashes down from what seems like 100m. The pool at the bottom of the waterfall is smashed with the force of the crashing water. It then streams down the river, which has scattered rocks and plants throughout making it a beautiful lead up to the waterfall.

Need more information? Full blog post: Kapas Biru Waterfall

What are my favorite pieces of travel gear?

There are four pieces of gear that I simply never travel without. These are four items that I using right now and this list gets updated every year! Here are my travel essentials.

• Packing Cube Set : Once you cube you’ll never go back. Organize your clothes within your luggage with these smart mesh containers. It will revolutionize your packing.
• Quick-Dry Towel : A quick-dry towel is a must for travelers. It hardly takes up any room and dries in seconds.
• Travel Wallet : Keep your passport, wallet, and vaccine card safe as well as any forms and important documents you need to store.
• Grayl GeoPress Water Filter Bottle : I’ve used this for three years. It filters your water with one press and you can drink directly from it. Never buy a plastic water bottle again!

COBAN SRITI WATERFALL

From Kapas Biru, it takes about 20 minutes of scrambling across rocks and river crossings to reach Coban Sriti Waterfall. Two huge streams of water plummet down at least 100 meters onto the huge rocks below. The rocks below must have cracked off the cliff at some stage as they are the size of houses!

At the base of this waterfall, it is incredibly slippery and cold! We hung out here and took photos for a while. It was about 9 am when we arrived and the lighting was quite harsh. I would suggest arriving here just after sunrise or later on in the afternoon but during the harsh sun, it was not easy at all to take photos due to the difference in shadows and light areas.

My favorite part of this area was the huge cauldron. The walls of the cliffs are completely smooth and they seem to encapsulate you as you enjoy the waterfall.

Need more information? Full blog post: Coban Sriti Waterfall

PAPUMA BEACH

Papuma Beach is a white sand beach with amazing crystal clear blue water! We had no idea it would be so popular. We had to pay 45,000 rupiah, which is only about $3.50 USD but one of the more expensive tickets we paid throughout our time in East Java.

The beach itself is beautiful. It has those crystal clear waters and white sand combinations that people dream of on vacations. Colorful boats line the beach, waiting to take tourists on a voyage around the nearby rocky islets.

The rocky islets make a great backdrop for a fun day of hanging out in the sun with that refreshing blue water waiting there for you all day! It is a popular spot with a huge parking lot and multiple restaurants. It is not for people looking to have a private beach type of experience. It would be perfect for a family who prioritizes facilities, restaurants, and ease of access over the adventure.

Need more information? Full blog post: Papuma Beach 

PAYANGAN BEACH & VIEWPOINT

Payangan Beach is a pretty unique black sand beach. There are several hill viewpoints here such as Teluk Love and Bukit Domba. We decided to climb up Bukit Domba, which was right next to the black sand beach.

The entry was $1 USD and it was a bit full on with huts and paths everywhere. It wasn’t very natural at all but still cool to get up there for a good view of the region.

There are lots of spot for photos out over the beach and huts to relax in. It seemed to be a hotspot for local couples to hang out and chat in the huts. After climbing up the viewpoint in the hot sun, we headed back to refresh in the waters on the black sand beach.

Don’t go out of your way to visit Payangan in my opinion, but if you go to Papuma it is only five minutes away so it’s worth an hour extra of your day. Also, I should mention that it will look much nicer with green hills in the rainy season but we visited in the dry season so the hills look brown and dead.

Need more information? Full blog post: Payangan Beach and viewpoint

PULAU MERAH AT RED ISLAND

Pulau Merah was a beautiful spot. In fact, it was probably one of my favorite sunset spots in all of East Java. There is a huge rocky island out in the ocean, almost like Cannon Beach in Oregon. The water is warm, and the waves are good enough to surf.

After a long driving day, we really enjoyed watching the sun go down over the layered mountains in the distance. The reflections on the sand from the receding water made for some special photos. The photos below are from sunset and sunrise as we decided to stay the night at Red Island/Pulau Merah.

CYPRESS TREE TUNNEL: JAWATA BENCULUK

Jawata Benculuk as it is known in Bahasa is an epic collection of Cypress Trees just out of Genteng Town. The spot has become increasingly popular and now there are many treehouses and other interesting structures built in the area. The tree tunnels are one of the most unique things to visit in East Java.

The cypress trees are phenomenal. Vines hang from all of the twisted branches. In a moody fog they look straight out of a horror film and when the sun shines through it looks like a magical forest. There is no bad weather to visit this forest.

Need more information? Full blog post: Cypress Tree Tunnel: Jawata Benculuk

HIKE IJEN CRATER

Waking up in the middle of the night and trekking up and then inside a crater sound enticing? Add a gas mask and walk into a cloud of sulfur gas while watching blue flames. Enticed yet? You should be. Ijen Crater is one of the most epic adventures in East Java.

The best, guided tour that is reliable and can be booked in advance is this one: GUIDED SUNRISE MOUNT IJEN CRATER HIKE

Guided Ijen Sunrise Hike

• Includes Transfers
• Includes Gas Mask
• Guide is helpful in the night

Sulfur mining has been underway at Ijen Crater since 1968. The combustion of sulfuric gases creates a blue glow, which has become famous as the ‘blue flame of Ijen Crater. I’m sorry but I didn’t fancy coughing on sulfur for 20 minutes to shoot a long exposure of the blue flame. To be honest it is something best enjoyed with the eye.. for 2 minutes then get the hell out!

After the blue flame expedition, you head on further up and around the crater rim to the ‘sunrise spot’ to complete the adventure.

Need more information? Full blog post: Hiking Ijen Crater

ISLAND HOPPING: TABUHAN AND MENJANGAN ISLAND

The Banyuwangi region of East Java is home to some of the best beaches Java has to offer. I did an island hopping tour to three locations with Bangsring Underwater tours. We visited Tabuhan Island, Menjangan Island and Rumah Apung.

Menjangan Island is actually accessible quite easily from West Bali National Park. We could have swum over to Bali from Menjangan Island, which was pretty cool. The island is 3,800Ha and it’s Savannah terrain is home to unique Javan Rusa deer known as ‘Menjangan’, which is how the island received its name.

There are a couple of beaches on Menjangan with white sand and clear water. There are many great spots to relax on this tropical island and with warm crystal clear water it is perfect.

However, the best activities are in the water. The snorkeling and diving at Menjangan Island are great! Corl gardens and extensive marine life make it a perfect spot for snorkelers and scuba divers.

Tabuhan Island was my favorite part of the whole trip. This island was completely empty except for us. The water was incredible. It looked like drinking water it was so clear with the sun making beautiful patterns on the sand beneath the surface.

Tabuhan is only 5 hectares large but as you can see the reef below the surface is actually quite large in itself. In just fifteen minutes you can circle the entire island.

Need more information? Full blog post: Tabuhan Island & Menjangan Island Boat Tour

 MADAKARIPURA WATERFALL

Madakaripura Waterfall or Air Terjun Madakaripura as it is known locally is one of the most spectacular waterfalls not only in East Java and Indonesia but also in the world.

The first part of Madakaripura Waterfall is actually just the lead-up to the main waterfall but it is equally impressive. Water streams down the lush green walls into the river below. For most of the way you can walk through the river without getting wet but there are some points you have to pass through the falling water. This is truly one of the most magical spots I have ever been.

• MOUNT BROMO SUNRISE & MADARAKIPURA WATERFALL TOUR : For a little bit extra, combine the Mount Bromo Sunrise with a visit to the best waterfall in East Java.

The main waterfall crashes down into a pool that is a vivid turquoise color. The waterfall is inside a narrow keyhole amphitheater. About 80m in length and 30m in width this is a small area. When you look up you can see the leafy walls curving around you, which is an amazing feeling.

Need more information? Full blog post:  Madakaripura Waterfall

KING KONG HILL SUNRISE VIEWPOINT OF MOUNT BROMO

After freezing our butts off driving the mopes for 2 hours, we reached King Kong Hill for sunrise. Well not quite, we made it to a hill nearby. King Kong Hill is super packed but there are tons of different viewpoints nearby. The viewpoints all look out over the ‘Sea of Sand’.

Inside this sea of sand are five volcanoes, one of which is Mount Bromo. The ridges on the volcanoes are just insane and I promise you this is one of the most epic landscapes you will ever witness at sunrise in your life!

As you can see this blog makes it clear you don’t NEED a guided tour but it makes it much easier and potentially more organized and enjoyable with a guide who knows all the spots and timings to make sure you enjoy your Mount Bromo Sunrise Tour. There are two tours I recommend, which both have almost 1000 positive reviews. Here they are:

• BEST VALUE MOUNT BROMO SUNRISE TOUR : For just $25 this tour includes hotel pick-up, jeep drive to Mount Bromo, watching the sunrise, do the small hike up the volcano and then drop off at the hotel. Everything you need!

Need more information? Full blog post: Mount Bromo without a tour

HIKE UP MOUNT BROMO

Mount Bromo is one of the most incredible volcanoes in the world. It just so happens to be surrounded by several other volcanoes in one of the most magnificent landscapes you will ever set eyes on.

Mount Bromo (known as Gunung Bromo in the local language of Bahasa) is an active volcano. It is part of the Tengger Massif region in East Java, Indonesia, which is one of the most visited tourist attractions in all of East Java and even Java itself.

The volcano is part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. If you are wondering what the term ‘Bromo’ means you are correct if you guessed it held some great significance. It is derived from the Javanese pronunciation of ‘Brahma, which is the Hindu creator god.

It’s really an epic half-day adventure. After the sunrise at King Kong Hill, you go hang out in the ‘Sea of Sand’ on your motorbike or in your tour jeep. Finally, you hike up Mount Bromo to the summit where you will see an astounding crater that literally looks like hell on earth as it bubbles with sulfur at the bottom of the massive pit.

EAST JAVA ITINERARY

• Arrive Surabaya
• Drive to Malang
• Stay the night in Malang
• Sunrise at Jodipan colorful village and blue village
• Coban Talun Waterfall
• Drive to Lumajang
• Stay the night in Lumajang
• Tumpak Sewu panoramic viewpoint for sunrise
• Tumpak Sewu short hike to the base of the waterfall
• Goa Tetes Waterfall
• Kabut Pelangi Waterfall
• Coban Sriti Waterfall
• Kapas Biru Waterfall

Day 5: 

• Drive to Papuma Beach
• Papuma Beach
• Payangan Beach and viewpoint
• Drive to Red Island (Pulau Merah)
• Sunset at Pulau Merah
• Stay the night at Red Island
• Green Bay Beach (costs $15 we arrived and left due to the fee, it did look nice though)
• Drive to Banyuwangi
• Visit the Cypress tree tunnel: Jawata Benculuk
• Visit Pantai Boom for sunset
• Stay the night in Banyuwangi town (sleep from 8-midnight then leave for Ijen)
• At midnight head to Ijen Crater
• Hike Ijen Crater
• Drive to Watudodol
• Stay the night in Watudodol
• Island hopping to Tabuhan Island and Menjangan Island
• Drive to Probollingo
• Stay the night in Probollingo
• Visit Madakaripura Waterfall
• Other waterfalls in the area if you have any energy left by this point!
• Prepare for Bromo
• Leave Probollingo at 2 am and drive to Bromo
• King Kong Hill for sunrise
• Hike to Bromo summit
• Drive back to Probollingo
• Drive back to Surabaya

Most epic Indonesian road trip ever is complete!

OUR EAST JAVA MAP ( ITINERARY)

I’ve created the map below to show you how the journey will look. We received a lot of local advice on our route and everything was done for a specific reason. I’m sure there are many ways to do things but I know it is great to visualize the journey first and then you can pick and choose which things you definitely want to do and work that into your time frame. As you can see on the map, it begins in Surabaya and then follows the itinerary I’ve written out above.

MOTORBIKE OR CAR FOR EAST JAVA ROAD TRIP

Before arriving in East Java, I could never have imagined wanting to rent a car in Southeast Asia. I mean to be fair the roads are mayhem and only locals who have grown up navigating the craziness can usually handle the traffic and the maneuvers required to survive the drive. However, I had a tip-off from a friend that a car would be beneficial for our trip given the long distances between key attractions. This isn’t Bali by any means.

We decided to rent a car and found some numbers online once we landed in Surabaya. There was no easy way to rent a car online or a registered shop that we found at that time.

Within an hour of waiting at a cafe, we had a company drive a car down to us. We negotiated 300,000 rupiahs per day for a very new, white SUV. That came out to about 20 USD. Split between the two of us we were paying $10 a day for transport.

In our 10 day journey, we filled up the gas 3 times (like I said a lot of driving), which cost us $25 USD each time. So, let’s say about $15 per day each for gas and transport for the entire trip!

A motorbike or moped would cost anywhere from $6-10 a day depending on your negotiation skills and availability. Gas is a few dollars per tank.

So why the car? There were often drives of 6 hours. For example from Tumpak Sewu to Ijen crater you are looking at a six-hour journey. We didn’t even make that journey we stopped halfway and it was still a mammoth drive. You need to focus every second as cars tend to drive on the wrong side of the directly at you, forget they have the ability to indicate and try and overtake you in gaps that they create!

We felt much safer in the car and were much more comfortable in the piercing heat. It made it easy to navigate as my passenger, Nic, assumed that role for the trip and we actually did a lot of planning and research in the car on the way to destinations. It also meant we didn’t have to unpack and pack everything we owned every time we moved.

The last huge bonus was storing things. When we did a hike or visited a waterfall, we simply took our camera backpacks and left everything else scattered in the car. I love moped and motorbike adventures don’t get me wrong and usually, I would snub the car.

However, for East Java, if you plan to cover it all, I would highly recommend the car. If you are solo it is a toss-up as the car may be a bit pricey.

Sidenote: we rented a moped for one day because we thought it would be fun to whip around at Mount Bromo. We weren’t wrong.

I hope you enjoyed this East Java Travel Guide and have a great trip!

MORE EAST JAVA TRAVEL GUIDES

• The Ultimate Guide: 15 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN EAST JAVA
• Mount Bromo without a guide:   MOUNT BROMO WITHOUT A TOUR
• Ijen Crater Trek:   IJEN CRATER TREK AND THE BLUE FLAME
• Madakaripura Waterfall:   MADAKARIPURA WATERFALL
• Island hopping in East Java:   TABUHAN ISLAND & MENJANGAN ISLAND
• East Java Beaches:   PAPUMA BEACH AND PAYANGAN BEACH

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TRAVELING IN EAST JAVA

Traveling in East Java, Indonesia offers a wealth of diverse landscapes, cultural attractions, and adventure opportunities. Here are some things to know before you visit:

• Location and Access: East Java is located in the eastern part of Java Island, Indonesia. It is accessible through Juanda International Airport in Surabaya, the capital city of East Java. Surabaya is well-connected to major cities in Indonesia and international destinations.
• Mount Bromo : East Java is famous for Mount Bromo, an active volcano and one of Indonesia’s most iconic landmarks. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking sunrise views from Mount Penanjakan and explore the otherworldly landscape of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park.
• Cultural Heritage: East Java is rich in cultural heritage. The city of Surabaya has historical sites such as the House of Sampoerna, a museum showcasing Indonesia’s clove cigarette industry, and the Heroes Monument, a symbol of Indonesia’s struggle for independence.
• Javanese Traditions: East Java is home to Javanese culture, and you can experience traditional dances, music, and batik fabric production. Explore the ancient Hindu-Buddhist temples of Singosari and Trowulan, which reflect the region’s historical significance.
• City of Malang: Malang is a charming city in East Java known for its colonial-era architecture, cool climate, and vibrant culinary scene. The city offers attractions like Jatim Park, Batu Night Spectacular, and the beautiful flower gardens of Selecta.
• Surabaya Culinary Delights: Surabaya is a paradise for food lovers. Don’t miss trying local delicacies like rawon (a beef soup), lontong balap (a dish with rice cakes, bean sprouts, and tofu), and rujak cingur (a salad with cow snout). Explore the lively local markets for authentic culinary experiences.
• Madura Island: East Java includes Madura Island, famous for its distinct culture and culinary specialties like sate Madura (Madurese satay). You can cross the Suramadu Bridge, one of Indonesia’s longest bridges, to visit this island and explore its unique traditions.
• Waterfalls and Nature Treks: East Java offers stunning waterfalls such as Coban Rondo, Madakaripura, and Tumpak Sewu. Nature enthusiasts can also enjoy trekking in the Ijen Crater to witness the mesmerizing blue flames and sulfur mining activities.
• Beaches and Islands: East Java boasts beautiful beaches and islands. Visit the pristine white sand beaches of Pulau Sempu, Red Island (Pulau Merah), or explore the underwater world while snorkeling or diving around the Karimunjawa Islands.
• Transportation: Public transportation in East Java mainly consists of buses, trains, and taxis. Renting a car or motorbike provides more flexibility for exploring remote areas. It is advisable to plan your routes in advance and check local transportation schedules.

Remember to respect local customs, dress modestly when visiting religious sites, and carry a phrasebook or translation app as English may not be widely spoken in some areas. Enjoy your trip to East Java and immerse yourself in its captivating culture, natural wonders, and warm hospitality!

Monday 5th of February 2024

Wow!! Thank you so much. This is so helpful!!

Luzian Jung

Wednesday 23rd of August 2023

Hi thanks fir the useful insight! Where did you rent the car, or do you have a contact or something like this? Would be very grateful! All the Best Luzian

Marilyn CASSOUS

Thursday 17th of August 2023

Great article and very useful. Very beautiful pictures. Thank you

Friday 23rd of June 2023

This is an excellent article! I'm excited to revisit Surabaya and delve deeper into its wonders. My previous experience in 2015 was truly unforgettable, spending two weeks exploring Jombang, Kertosono, Mojokerto, and other charming towns. The Viyana Hotel in Jombang was absolutely fantastic! Even though Surabaya may not have been widely known at the time, there are still incredible attractions and mouthwatering cuisine to savor. On a separate note, if you're located in the UK and planning a trip to Latvia, we're a trusted visa provider based in London. Feel free to reach out to us for all your Latvia visa requirements!

josh williamson

Thursday 22nd of June 2023

Great article! Can't wait to revisit and explore further. I had an amazing experience in Surabaya back in 2015, staying for two weeks. Explored Jombang, Kertosono, Mojokerto, and other small towns. The Viyana Hotel in Jombang was awesome! Despite not being popular then, there are still incredible sights and delicious food to enjoy. By the way, if you're in the UK and planning to visit Hungary, we're a visa provider in London. Contact us for your Hungary visa needs!

Update April 12, 2024

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Indonesia Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 24, 2023, indonesia - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution in Indonesia due to  terrorism and natural disasters.  Some areas have increased risk.  Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do Not travel to:

• The provinces of Central Papua (Papua Tengah) and Highland Papua (Papua Pegunungan) due to civil unrest.

Terrorists continue plotting possible attacks in Indonesia. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting police stations, places of worship, hotels, bars, nightclubs, markets/shopping malls, and restaurants.

Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis or volcanic eruptions may result in disruptions to transportation, infrastructure, sanitation, and the availability of health services.

Demonstrations occur frequently and have the potential to become violent.  Avoid demonstrations and crowds. 

Indonesia’s revised criminal code, which takes effect January 2026, includes penalties for defamation, blasphemy, cohabitation, and sex outside of marriage. It is unclear how Indonesian authorities will implement the revised criminal code.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Indonesia.  

If you decide to travel to Indonesia:

• Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans. 
• Visit the websites for  Badan Geologi  (Indonesian Geological Agency, Indonesian language only) for the latest information from the Government of Indonesia on current natural disasters.
• Review the  CDC’s suggestions on how to prepare for natural disasters.
• Be aware of your personal safety and security at all times. 
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay.
• Follow the Department of State Facebook  and Twitter .  Follow the U.S. Embassy Jakarta on Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter .
• Review the Country Security Report  for Indonesia.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Central Papua and Highland Papua– Level 4: Do Not Travel

In Central Papua and Highland Papua, violent demonstrations and conflict could result in injury or death to U.S. citizens. Avoid demonstrations and crowds. Armed separatists may kidnap foreign nationals.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Central Papua and Highland Papua as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization before traveling to those areas.

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Explore the Largest Archipelago in the World

Indonesia is a country defined by its numbers: it spans more than 3,000 miles; is made up of 18,110 islands; and speaks more than 300 languages. It’s also the fourth most populous country in the world, yet only 6,000 of its islands are inhabited. All of these factors make Indonesia the largest archipelago in the world and therefore one of the best island-hopping destinations for leisurely sojourners.

Clear, Blue Waters

Indeed, luxury travel to Indonesia is an invitation to travel its clear, blue waters on a private boat, trek the lush-jungle covered islands sheltering elephants, tigers, and Komodo dragons, and dive below the refreshing waters of the Southeast Asian seas to discover colorful schools of fish. For some of the best diving in the world, the shores off the Raja Ampat islands are second to none.

Island Hopping

With so many islands making up one country, it’s no wonder why Indonesia is a melding of many different cultures, peoples, customs, and animals. Each island offers travelers something unique and altogether unbelievable.

Bali is the quintessential island paradise and a legend in its own right, outfitted with a varied landscape of hills, mountains, rice terraces, volcanic hillsides, and of course its famed sandy beaches where relaxation and island adventures are king.

Java, however, serves as the heart of Indonesia with 120 million people inhabiting the island, making it the world’s most populated island and one of the most densely populated areas in the world. Java is perfect for the adventure traveler, with ancient monuments, volcanoes, national parks, rainforest, and large, bustling cities.

In contrast, Indonesia Borneo is sparsely populated, but incredibly rich with biodiversity. It is home to one of the oldest rainforests in the world, with 221 species of mammals, 420 species of birds, 3,000 species of trees, and about 15,000 species of flowers.

Luxury Travel to Indonesia with Ker & Downey

Luxury travel to Indonesia with Ker & Downey’s completely customizable Indonesia travel packages promises an epic adventure of beautiful landscapes, sandy beaches, and private boat excursions. Contact us  today to begin planning your luxury Indonesia holiday.

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Indonesia, World’s largest archipelago, a country with rich exotic nature and splendid heritage. Flanked by the Asian and Australian continent, welcoming you with pleasant tropical climate all year long, perfect for your soothing sunbathe on pristine beaches. Here you’ll walk alongside a real life dragons roaming free at Komodo Island or excitedly swimming between the stingless jellyfish in Kalimantan! Experience the mystifying panorama of the White Crater in Bandung or walk up to the peak of majestic Borobudur, World’s largest Buddhist temple near Yogyakarta. World class hotels and high end entertainment centers can be found at the capital city of Jakarta. Discover your adventure, come fly and Selamat Datang!

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Mount Ruang Erupts in Indonesia, Spewing Lava Thousands of Feet Into the Sky

Hundreds of earthquakes were detected in the weeks preceding the eruption of the volcano in North Sulawesi province. Hundreds of people were evacuated.

By Christine Hauser

Mount Ruang, a volcano in Indonesia, erupted on Tuesday, spewing fiery lava and ash thousands of feet into the night sky and forcing the evacuation of hundreds of people in the North Sulawesi province, according to the authorities and local news reports.

The volcano erupted at about 7:19 p.m. local time, Antara, the national news agency, reported. The country’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency said on Wednesday that more than 800 people in nearby villages were displaced by the eruption, many using ferries and taking shelter in churches and community centers.

The authorities said supplies such as mats, blankets, cleaning materials, and tents were needed, and that more shelters might be opening for people fleeing the volcano.

Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago nation. It is spread across what is known as the Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates clash under the surface of the Pacific Ocean and spawn earthquakes and eruptions from volcanoes.

Mount Ruang is a stratovolcano , or a steep, conical volcano that has built up over years in layers from explosive eruptions of lava, rock fragments, ash and other properties.

“It is in a part of the world where there are a lot of active volcanoes,” said Dr. Tracy K.P. Gregg , who chairs the geology department at the University at Buffalo.

Its last major eruption was in 2002, when the column of lava and ash that it spewed reached up to 17 miles, Dr. Gregg said.

She said the volcano in 2002 measured 4, a “large” volcano on the Volcanic Explosivity Index, a scale used to measure the strength of an eruption by looking at several factors, such as duration, ash volume and plume height. Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991 measured 6 on the index. Mount St. Helens in the United States in 1980 measured 5.

“So it is a little bit smaller than that,” she said of Mount Ruang. Right now, it is not as violent as the previous eruption, she added, but the volcano cannot be fully assessed while it is in progress.

More than 300 volcanic earthquakes were detected over a period of at least two weeks preceding the eruption of Mount Ruang.

It is not immediately clear why the volcano erupted when it did. “Every volcano has its own personality,” she said.

In the past few years, several volcanoes in Indonesia have erupted. In December, 2023, the bodies of 11 hikers were found on the slopes of Mount Marapi on the island of Sumatra, after an eruption that spewed an ash column of nearly 3,000 meters — about 10,000 feet high.

In December 2022, more than 1,900 people were evacuated from the area surrounding Mount Semeru as it erupted. In an eruption there the previous December , more than 50 people were killed and hundreds more were injured.

Christine Hauser is a reporter, covering national and foreign news. Her previous jobs in the newsroom include stints in Business covering financial markets and on the Metro desk in the police bureau. More about Christine Hauser

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Pope Francis’ Indonesia visit to ‘strengthen message of tolerance, unity, and world peace’

By Kristina Millare

Rome Newsroom, Apr 15, 2024 / 15:15 pm

Pope Francis’ visit to Indonesia later this year has now been announced by the Vatican, and the Indonesian government has confirmed that the country will be the first destination in the 87-year-old pontiff’s apostolic journey to the Asia Pacific region, scheduled to take place Sept. 2–13. 

The anticipated 11-day international trip will be the longest voyage of Pope Francis’ pontificate. Following his visit to Indonesia, the Holy Father will travel to Papua New Guinea Sept. 6–9 and East Timor Sept. 9–11, concluding his journey in Singapore Sept. 11–13. 

Following an official invitation of President Joko Widodo on March 25, an official statement from Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs states: “The visit of Pope Francis to Indonesia holds significant importance to the Indonesian people, not only for Catholics but also for all religious communities. The visit is also expected to strengthen the message of tolerance, unity, and world peace.”

The Catholic Church is currently the third-largest religious community in the country with approximately 8.5 million members, who account for 3% of the country’s total population.

Although Indonesia does not have an established state religion, 87% of the population is Muslim, making it the most populous Muslim country in the world. Subsequently, Catholicism is one of six official religions recognized in the country alongside Islam, Protestantism, Hinduism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. 

Following the announcement of the pope’s upcoming visit to Indonesia, Cardinal Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, archbishop of Jakarta and president of the Indonesian Catholic Bishops’ Conference, reiterated the significance of building religious tolerance, peace, and unity — particularly among Christians and Muslims — within the country. 

“The national mosque, called Istiqlal, meaning liberty, or freedom, lies just in front of the Catholic cathedral in Jakarta,” Hardjoatmodjo said in a video message. “The national mosque was intentionally built at this site as a symbol of harmony.”

Benedictus Nuwa, an Indonesian Claretian missionary currently studying interreligious dialogue at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, believes Pope Francis’ visit to his homeland will bring a “message of peace, social justice, freedom of religion, and worship” and be key in strengthening the “relationship and dialogue between Catholics and Muslims.” 

Though Nuwa expressed pride in the ethnic and religious diversity present in his country, he also expressed concern about the discrimination and persecution against minorities occurring in parts of the country. “There are still groups that are intolerant to differences,” he said. “The Indonesian people in general and the government in particular must not close their eyes to these facts.” 

Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to Indonesia will mark the third papal journey to Indonesia. Paul VI visited Indonesia in 1970 followed by St. John Paul II in 1989.

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Pope will travel to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore in longest trip of papacy

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VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis will visit Indonesia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea and Singapore in September, the Vatican announced Friday, confirming the longest trip of Francis’ papacy that is sure to test his health, stamina and mobility.

The Vatican confirmed the Sept. 2-13 visit, saying the 87-year-old pope would visit Jakarta, Indonesia; Port Moresby and Vanimo, Papua New Guinea; Dili, East Timor; and Singapore. Further details will be announced later.

Francis' health has become a source of increasing concern and speculation, even though the pontiff is able to carry on with a rigorous schedule of meetings at the Vatican and even excursions to local parishes.

Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, had to cancel a planned visit to Dubai late last year after he came down with a bad case of bronchitis. He suffered from respiratory problems all winter and had to curtail his participation in Holy Week events to save his energy for Easter.

Francis has also been using a wheelchair for nearly two years because of bad knee ligaments, and has said that traveling has become increasingly more difficult.

And yet at 11 days, the trip would be the longest of Francis’ papacy, outpacing by a few days some of his long trips to the Americas early on in his 11-year papacy. It will bring the Argentine Jesuit to the world’s most populous Muslim nation, Indonesia, as well as the former Portuguese colony of East Timor, where the Catholic Church wields enormous influence.

There is also a chance of another leg to the trip being added later: This week, the Vatican foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, was in Vietnam and discussed a papal visit, Vatican News reported, without providing details.

In a statement announcing the visit, the Indonesian foreign ministry welcomed the visit and recalled that it had originally been scheduled for 2020 but was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The visit of Pope Francis to Indonesia holds significant importance to the Indonesian people, not only for Catholics but also for all religious communities. The visit is also expected to strengthen the message of tolerance, unity and world peace,” the statement said.

Indonesia is home to roughly 242 million Muslims and 29 million Christians — 8.5 million of whom are Catholics — according to a 2022 report by the Religious Affairs Ministry.

East Timor, which today has a population of about 1.2 million people, is Southeast Asia’s only predominantly Christian nation with the exception of the Philippines. According to the 2015 census, 97.6% of East Timor’s population is Catholic.

The visit to East Timor will likely reignite attention over a clergy sex abuse scandal involving its revered independence hero and Nobel Peace Prize winner. The Vatican confirmed in 2022 that it had sanctioned Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo following allegations that he sexually abused boys there during the 1990s. Belo is believed to now be living in Portugal.

Francis will be the first pope to visit Papua New Guinea since St. John Paul II went there in 1984. The country, in a strategically important part of the South Pacific, has struggled with tribal violence and civil unrest.

John Paul also visited Singapore, in 1986. The country today is home to 395,000 Catholics and Francis in 2022 made its archbishop Singapore's first cardinal.

In a statement welcoming the visit, Cardinal William Goh, said it “will bring renewed fervor to all Catholics in Singapore, uniting them in faith and mission, especially in these most challenging of times.”

The Vatican has planned only one other papal trip this year — to Belgium to celebrate the anniversary of the country’s Catholic university. Francis has also said he wants to return to his native Argentina , but no plans or dates have been announced.

Karmini contributed from Jakarta, Indonesia.

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More than 11,000 people have been told to evacuate and air travel in the region has been disrupted after a volcano in northern Indonesia erupted multiple times.

Mount Ruang, located in North Sulawesi Province, first erupted at 9:45pm (13:45 GMT) on Tuesday, sending billowing clouds of smoke and ash high into the sky.

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After four more eruptions on Wednesday, Indonesia’s volcanology agency raised the alert level for the 725-metre (2,379-foot) high mountain to four, the highest on the scale.

They also widened the exclusion zone around the crater from four kilometres (2.5 miles) to six kilometres (3.7 miles).

More than 800 people were evacuated initially from Ruang to nearby Tagulandang Island, which is located more than 100 kilometres (62 miles) north of the provincial capital, Manado.

But officials said on Thursday morning that more people would need to be evacuated as a result of the widening exclusion zone, and would be taken to Manado.

“At least 11,615 residents who are in the risk area must evacuate to a safe place,” Abdul Muhari, the head of the disaster agency’s disaster data, communications and information centre was quoted as saying by the Kompas newspaper.

Officials also worry that part of the volcano could collapse into the sea and cause a tsunami as it did during a previous eruption in 1871.

Video footage showed flows of red lava streaming down the mountain, reflected in the waters below, and billowing clouds of grey ash above Ruang’s crater.

Important Travel Update: Malaysia Airlines has suspended several flights to/from KL International Airport (KUL) to Sabah and Sarawak today, 18 April 2024 due to the volcanic eruption at Mount Ruang, Indonesia. Our priority is your safety. We’re closely monitoring the situation… — Malaysia Airlines (@MAS) April 18, 2024

Muhammad Wafid, the head of Indonesia’s geological agency, earlier said Ruang’s initial eruption sent an ash column two kilometres (1.2 miles) into the sky, with the second eruption pushing it to 2.5 kilometres (1.6 miles).

Aviation authorities announced the closure of Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado until at least Thursday evening “due to the spread of volcanic ash which could endanger flight safety”. The airport has connections to countries including China, Singapore and South Korea.

There was also significant disruption to flights to and from Kota Kinabalu International Airport in neighbouring Malaysia. Kota Kinabalu is on the northern tip of Malaysian Borneo, just over 1,100 kilometres (688 miles) to the northwest of Ruang.

The volcanology agency said activity had increased at Ruang after two earthquakes in recent weeks.

Indonesia, which sits along the ‘Ring of Fire’, a horseshoe-shaped series of tectonic fault lines around the Pacific Ocean, has 120 active volcanoes.

In 2018, the eruption of Indonesia’s Anak Krakatoa volcano triggered a tsunami along the coasts of Sumatra and Java after parts of the mountain fell into the ocean. Hundreds of people were killed .