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. airud park
    15 1 hour

    airud park

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Denpasar
  2. Alun-alun
    17 1 hour

    Alun-alun

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Jakarta
  3. Bale Park Bale Park
    32 1 hour

    Bale Park

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Denpasar
  4. Biru Laut
    40 1 hour

    Biru Laut

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Jakarta
  5. BKPM Park
    41 1 hour

    BKPM Park

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Jakarta
  6. Blok A
    43 1 hour

    Blok A

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Jakarta
  7. Blok B
    44 1 hour

    Blok B

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Jakarta
  8. Blok C
    45 1 hour

    Blok C

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Jakarta
  9. BP3IP Park
    46 1 hour

    BP3IP Park

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Jakarta
  10. BXc Park
    57 1 hour

    BXc Park

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Jakarta
  11. Danau
    66 1 hour

    Danau

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Jakarta
  12. Danau
    67 1 hour

    Danau

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Jakarta
  13. Danau Pulo Danau Pulo
    79 1 hour

    Danau Pulo

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Jakarta
  14. Danau Ulin
    86 1 hour

    Danau Ulin

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Jakarta
  15. Danau UT
    87 1 hour

    Danau UT

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Jakarta
  16. DJP Park
    91 1 hour

    DJP Park

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Jakarta
  17. Duyung
    97 1 hour

    Duyung

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Jakarta
  18. Duyung
    98 1 hour

    Duyung

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Jakarta
  19. Eco park
    99 1 hour

    Eco park

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Jakarta
  20. Ecopark
    100 1 hour

    Ecopark

    • Notable
    • Nature site
    • Jakarta

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.