Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Indonesia

A photograph of Indonesia
Photograph · Thomas Fuhrmann · CC BY-SA 4.0

Indonesia is between 13,000 and 17,000 islands spread across 1,904,569 km2, the largest archipelagic state in the world, so the question is never what to see but which island to fly to. Over 280 million people live in its 38 provinces and more than half of them on Java alone, the most heavily populated island anywhere and the one carrying Jakarta, the world's most populous city. Sumatra, Sulawesi and the Indonesian portions of Borneo and New Guinea are each a separate trip, across wilderness supporting some of the highest biodiversity on earth. The gaps between them are measured in flights, not in drives.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Indonesian
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+62
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Indonesian rupiah (IDR)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
112 where available · 110 police
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and F · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified nationwide visitor drinking-water statement was recorded

Planning a visit

  1. January: no seasonality data recorded
  2. February: no seasonality data recorded
  3. March: no seasonality data recorded
  4. April: no seasonality data recorded
  5. May: no seasonality data recorded
  6. June: no seasonality data recorded
  7. July: no seasonality data recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded
  10. October: no seasonality data recorded
  11. November: no seasonality data recorded
  12. December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Ancol Dreamland Ancol Dreamland
    02 2 hours

    Ancol Dreamland

    Taman Impian Jaya Ancol

    Ancol Dreamland, known locally as Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, is a large integrated recreational complex situated along Jakarta's northern coastline. The area functions as Jakarta's primary seaside entertainment destination, combining multiple attractions within a single managed zone.

    • High
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  2. Metropole XXI
    03 2 hours

    Metropole XXI

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  3. KidZania Jakarta
    04 2 hours

    KidZania Jakarta

    KidZania

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  4. Ciné-Macet
    05 2 hours

    Ciné-Macet

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  5. Ancol
    09 2 hours

    Ancol

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  6. Bintaro XXI
    11 2 hours

    Bintaro XXI

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  7. Bioskop XXI
    12 2 hours

    Bioskop XXI

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  8. CGV
    13 2 hours

    CGV

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  9. CGV
    14 2 hours

    CGV

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  10. CGV
    15 2 hours

    CGV

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  11. CGV
    16 2 hours

    CGV

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  12. CGV
    17 2 hours

    CGV

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  13. CGV Blitz
    18 2 hours

    CGV Blitz

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  14. CGV Cinemas
    19 2 hours

    CGV Cinemas

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  15. Cinema 21
    20 2 hours

    Cinema 21

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  16. Cinema XXI Cinema XXI
    22 2 hours

    Cinema XXI

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Denpasar
  17. Cinepolis
    26 2 hours

    Cinepolis

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  18. Cinepolis
    27 2 hours

    Cinepolis

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  19. Cinepolis
    28 2 hours

    Cinepolis

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  20. Cinépolis
    29 2 hours

    Cinépolis

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  21. Cinere 21
    30 2 hours

    Cinere 21

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  22. Dunia Fantasi Dunia Fantasi
    35 2 hours

    Dunia Fantasi

    Dunia Fantasi is a theme park located within the Ancol Dreamland complex in Jakarta, Indonesia. It is one of the city's prominent recreational destinations, offering various attractions and entertainment options for visitors.

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  23. FLIX Cinema
    40 2 hours

    FLIX Cinema

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  24. Fun World
    41 2 hours

    Fun World

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  25. Fun World
    42 2 hours

    Fun World

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  26. Fun World
    43 2 hours

    Fun World

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  27. FunWorld
    44 2 hours

    FunWorld

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  28. Galeria XXI Galeria XXI
    46 2 hours

    Galeria XXI

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Denpasar
  29. Game Station
    47 2 hours

    Game Station

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  30. Grand Senen
    48 2 hours

    Grand Senen

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  31. kineforum DKJ
    49 2 hours

    kineforum DKJ

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  32. PIM 2 XXI
    52 2 hours

    PIM 2 XXI

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  33. RPTRA Cikini
    55 2 hours

    RPTRA Cikini

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  34. Setiabudi 21
    56 2 hours

    Setiabudi 21

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  35. Taman Kota
    59 2 hours

    Taman Kota

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Denpasar
  36. Timezone
    63 2 hours

    Timezone

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  37. Timezone
    64 2 hours

    Timezone

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  38. Timezone
    65 2 hours

    Timezone

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  39. Timezone
    66 2 hours

    Timezone

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Jakarta
  40. XXI
    68 2 hours

    XXI

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Denpasar
  41. XXI
    69 2 hours

    XXI

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Denpasar
  42. XXI
    70 2 hours

    XXI

    • Notable
    • Entertainment venue
    • Denpasar

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Indonesia be?

Ten to fourteen days is enough for Bali plus one nearby island or for a focused Java route, not for the whole archipelago. Every added island introduces an airport or harbour transfer, so choose regions first and count transfer days before assigning sightseeing.

What entry documents are needed for Indonesia?

Indonesia Immigration’s official eVisa service is the source for passport eligibility, visa class and stay conditions. Complete any required arrival formalities through government channels and verify the authorised entry point; a Bali-focused commercial site is not evidence of national admission rules.

What is the best way to travel around Indonesia?

Flights bridge distant islands, Java has useful rail corridors, and ferries, buses or local boats complete many regional legs. Check the licensed operator and weather before sea travel, and leave recovery time when an island connection precedes an international departure.

When is a practical time to visit Indonesia?

Dry-season timing varies across Indonesia, although much of Java and Bali is commonly easier from roughly May to September. Sumatra, Sulawesi and eastern islands can follow different rainfall patterns, so select dates for the chosen islands rather than the country name.

What money and payment basics apply in Indonesia?

Indonesia uses the rupiah, and large IDR figures make digit checking important. Keep cash for markets, drivers and smaller islands, use bank-linked machines where available, and confirm whether an accommodation or boat quote includes taxes and local charges.

What practical safety details should I save for Indonesia?

The recorded emergency contacts are 112 where available and 110 for police; electricity is Type C and F at 230 V. Tap-water safety is Not recorded, so rely on local official or accommodation guidance and verify emergency coverage on remote islands.