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. A-Club
    02 2 hours

    A-Club

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Denpasar
  2. After Hour
    03 2 hours

    After Hour

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  3. Akasaka Bali
    08 2 hours

    Akasaka Bali

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Denpasar
  4. Alila
    10 2 hours

    Alila

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  5. Aphrodite
    13 2 hours

    Aphrodite

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  6. Barreta
    17 2 hours

    Barreta

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Denpasar
  7. Beach Club
    18 2 hours

    Beach Club

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  8. Beer&Co
    19 2 hours

    Beer&Co

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Denpasar
  9. Beer&Co.
    20 2 hours

    Beer&Co.

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Denpasar
  10. Beer House
    21 2 hours

    Beer House

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Denpasar
  11. BJ's
    23 2 hours

    BJ's

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Denpasar
  12. Black Owl
    26 2 hours

    Black Owl

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  13. Blue Warung
    27 2 hours

    Blue Warung

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Denpasar
  14. Blu Martini
    28 2 hours

    Blu Martini

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  15. Boshe
    30 2 hours

    Boshe

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Denpasar
  16. Boshe
    31 2 hours

    Boshe

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Denpasar
  17. Camden Bar
    40 2 hours

    Camden Bar

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  18. Canang
    41 2 hours

    Canang

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Denpasar
  19. Carrots Bar
    42 2 hours

    Carrots Bar

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  20. Cazbar
    43 2 hours

    Cazbar

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  21. Cherry
    44 2 hours

    Cherry

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  22. Chilli's
    45 2 hours

    Chilli's

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  23. Clique
    46 2 hours

    Clique

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  24. Cloud Lounge
    47 2 hours

    Cloud Lounge

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  25. Cold Stone
    49 2 hours

    Cold Stone

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  26. Crema Crema
    51 2 hours

    Crema

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Denpasar
  27. Crematology
    52 2 hours

    Crematology

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  28. Crusoe's
    53 2 hours

    Crusoe's

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Denpasar
  29. Dekko
    55 2 hours

    Dekko

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Denpasar
  30. DF Kitchen
    56 2 hours

    DF Kitchen

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  31. Die Stube
    57 2 hours

    Die Stube

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  32. DoubleDoors
    59 2 hours

    DoubleDoors

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  33. Empire
    62 2 hours

    Empire

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Denpasar
  34. Engine Room
    63 2 hours

    Engine Room

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Denpasar
  35. Enigma
    64 2 hours

    Enigma

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  36. Escape
    65 2 hours

    Escape

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  37. Espresso bar
    66 2 hours

    Espresso bar

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Denpasar
  38. Fauna
    68 2 hours

    Fauna

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  39. Fyne Jakarta
    70 2 hours

    Fyne Jakarta

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  40. Gat Cafe
    72 2 hours

    Gat Cafe

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  41. Glas+
    74 2 hours

    Glas+

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  42. Grahadi Bali
    75 2 hours

    Grahadi Bali

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Denpasar
  43. H Billiard
    79 2 hours

    H Billiard

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  44. Helen's
    80 2 hours

    Helen's

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  45. Helen's
    81 2 hours

    Helen's

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  46. Henshin
    82 2 hours

    Henshin

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  47. H Live House
    83 2 hours

    H Live House

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  48. Ice Cube
    94 2 hours

    Ice Cube

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  49. Inner Circle Inner Circle
    95 2 hours

    Inner Circle

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  50. Inul Vizta
    97 2 hours

    Inul Vizta

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  51. Jaya Pub
    98 2 hours

    Jaya Pub

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  52. Jenja
    99 2 hours

    Jenja

    • Notable
    • Nightlife venue
    • Jakarta
  53. Jensen's Bar
    100 2 hours

    Jensen's Bar

    • Notable
    • Nightlife 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.