Indonesia
Here is your quick guide to the country
2024
The Visa
Information about this Visa is based on American Citizenship.
- Visa
- Do not need a visa, for 30 days
- Extending Visa
- You can do another 30 days in Bali by heading to local government office for an extension.
- Can be done by yourself but most people will use a visa extension service; as what I did.
- If you’re on the island of Lombok it is easier to extend there.
Before Visiting
- Dry season: May-September
- Rainy season October- April, peaking in January
- Drive on the left
- Not all ATMs accept all cards
- Keep an look at for “plus plus” refers to additional tax and service charge
I Spent Almost 2 months in Indonesia
Foods to Try
- Babi Guling
- Gado Gado
- Mie Goreng
- Sate skewer
- Pepes Ikan
Fruit
- Durian
- Salak Bali
- Maracuya: a type of Passion fruit
Desserts
- Bubur Sumsum – coconut rice porridge
- Pisang Goreng – Banana fritters
- Batín abedul – Glutinous rice flour dumplings in brown sugar sauce
Helpful tip: Circle K is one of the convenience stores around Bali and had great coffee for less than 1 USD. Watch here.
Bali
Canggu
Canggu is a mix of laid back beach culture with trendy spots all around. Filled with digital nomads, surfers and wellness treatments.
- Things to do
- Learn to surf
- Love Anchor
- Market filled with crafts, clothing and souvenirs
- Plenty of great brunch and dinner spots; you can try somewhere new every day
- Social and Night Life
- Finns Beach Club
- Motel Mexicola
- Old Man’s
- Luigi’s
Uluwatu
Uluwatu is a more relaxed area of Bali filled with the best spots for sunset. Great for more experienced surfers.
- Uluwatu Temple
- Famous to watch the traditional Kecak Dance
- Cost: 50,000 IDR as adults and 20,000 for children aged 6-12
- Entrance does not include dance performance, which cost 150,000 IDR per person. Cash Only
- Open from 8 AM to 7 PM
- The Kecak dance show is held daily at 6 PM
- Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park
- Cultural park that celebrates Bali’s rich heritage.
- Home to the iconic 121 meter Vishnu and Garuda statue.
- Cost 125,000 IDR.
- Open: 8am – 10pm.
- Popular beaches
- Dreamland Beach
- Nyang Nyang Beach
- Padang Padang Beach
- Social and Night life
- Single Fin
- Hatch
- Savaya
- World famous beach bar more expensive than most.
- Cost: 400,000 IDR on weekdays and 600,000 IDR on weekends.
- Helpful tip: If you get on the guest list you can get in for free before 6:30pm
- World famous beach bar more expensive than most.
Ubud
Ubud is the main center of Bali surrounded by lush rice terraces and temples with a spiritual vibe all around. Great area for wellness and culture.
- Tegallalang rice terraces
- Famous Bali swings
- Cost 10k IDR ($1)
- 20min drive from Ubud
- Open 8am-6pm
- Pura Tanah lot
- Open 6am-7pm all week
- Accessible during low tide only
- Cost 60k ($4)
- Takes about 1-1.5h to reach from Ubud
- Pura Taman Saraswati Temple
- Free to visit unless you want to pay to watch balinese dances
- Open 7am-5pm
- Dance performance is at night (7.30pm) except fridays
- Cost 80k IDR
- Lempuyang Temple
- Gates of heaven
- Located 2h from Ubud
- Cost 100k IDR ($7) plus 50k IDR ($3.50) for a shuttle to the top
- Open 7am- 5pm for visitor
- Pura Tirta
- Hindu Balinese temple many go to for water purification ritual
- Alternative: I visited the temple but did a more personal purification ritual that was amazing; check out my thoughts and experience here.
- Mount Batur
- Popular volcano hike most people will do for sunrise.
- Campuhan ridge walk
- Scenic walking tail
- Sacred Monkey forest
- Open 9am-5pm
- Adults on weekdays: 80,000 IDR; on weekends: 100,000 IDR
- Children (3–12 years old) on weekdays: 60,000 IDR; on weekends: 80,000 IDR
- Cretya
- Popular pool club surrounded by rice terraces
- Open 8am to 9pm
- Places I ate around Ubud click Here.
The Nusas
- What are they:
- A trio of islands off the southeast coast of Bali known for its dramatic clif sides and to be more laid back than Bali.
- How to Get to the Nusas:
- Head to the Sanur Port in Bali and take a fast boat for a 30 min ride to either island
- Buy your ticket ahead of time as they can sellout.
- Cost: ranges from 150,000- 300,000 IRD one way or 250,000- 500,000 IRD roundtrip
- You can also just do a day trip to Nusa Penida if short on time.
Nusa Penida
Instagrammers Haven! If you’ve seen pictures of Bali you have more than likely seen these places. Famous for its beach and cliffsides. Not as developed area.
- Famous spots
- Kelingking Beach
- Diamond Beach
- Angel’s Billabong
- Broken Beach
- Manta Point
- Go swimming with Manta Rays
Check out my day trip here.
I opted to not stay in Nusa Penida I was too lazy to switch islands (honest truth:)) and don’t regret that decision.
Nusa Lombongan
Smaller Nusa island known to be less crowded than Bali and provides more of a laid back feel.
- Things to see:
- Devils Tear
- Mushroom Bay
- Mangrove forest
- Connected by a small yellow bridge you can get to Nusa Ceningan
- Nusa Ceningan
- Blue Lagoon
- Best hidden Gem: watch here
Lombok and the Gilis
Lombok
Lombok is an island located east of Bali. Popular for its beaches, and hiking. (People say Lombok is Bali before it got too touristy) Most people stay in Kuta Lombok.
You can take an hour flight or a fast boat for 1.5-2 hours
Kuta
- Lots of cute cafes and dinner spots on the main road
- Tanjung Aan Beach
- Mawun Beach
- Merese hill for sunset
- The second tallest Mountain in Indoneisa known for its challenging yet rewarding trek
- Takes 2-4 days to hike
Gili Trawangan
Known as the party island; great for snorkeling, diving, and nightlife. Beautiful beaches (try to spot a turtle swimming around) and trendy cafes and restaurants.
My favorite stop in Indonesia.
Gili Air & Gili Meno
The calmer Gili islands known as the honeymoon islands. A lot calmer than its bigger counterpart with equally beautiful beaches.
There are ferries between all of the islands.
The Komodo Tour
What is it?
The Komodo tour is a 4 day 3 night boat trip from Lombok to Flores where sail to various islands enjoying its beaches and marina life. A true adventure experience as you sleep on the boat with other travelers with limited facilities on a boat filled with vibrant energy and a great time.
What do you do?
Known for its two big stops; swimming with whale sharks and seeing the Komodo dragon (the only island they are native to). Along the way there are hiking spots, snorkeling, and the beautiful pink beach. You meet fellow travelers on your boat as well as others during island stops.
How much? What’s included?
The tour is around 200 USD and everything is included. Meals provided and snorkel gear. Only thing you need to pay for is the Bintangs (beer) along the way
Companies to do with?
There are various companies that host the Komodo tour; I did my trip with Kareem the explore and very much enjoyed my time with them. Well worth it.
Full blog post about this tour Here. (coming soon)
East Java
Leave the beaches and head to the mountains. East Java is filled with some of the most beautiful landscapes and rewarding hikes.
Preview of East Java: Click here
The main attractions:
- Mt Ijen
- Mt Bromo
- Tumpak Sewu waterfall
- Malang
