Things to Do In Indonesia

One of the top surfing destinations in the world, Bali attracts millions of surfers every year to its turquoise waves. The Island of the Gods offers a cultural extravaganza and a variety of surf spots for all levels and budgets. In fact, with a plethora of surf schools, pro-surfers, and a vibrant culture of surfing in Bali, it is one of the best places in the world to learn surfing. The dry season from April to August is the ideal time to ride the waves. Whether you're a newbie looking for quality training or an advanced surfer seeking some challenge, Bali's beaches have it all for you.

With Hinduism being a major religion here, the landscape is covered in Hindu temples, with unique motifs and extraordinary architecture that reflect the Shaivism and Buddhist influences in the island's religious and cultural beliefs. Carvings of the Hindu trinity, featuring Lord Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu, can be seen at these temples along with meditation spaces for Buddhist priests and trees adorned with clothes, a representation of the religious amalgamation seen here, termed as Agama Hindu Dharma or Balinese Hinduism. No trip to Indonesia is complete without visiting the temples in Bali.

The Tegallalang Rice Fields in Ubud, Bali, is a break from the typical commercialized structures. It offers a calm, beautiful scene of rice terraces that gently melt into paddy fields across the valley. Capture some exquisite photographs of the landscape, have coffee at one of the quaint little cafes, or take a little detour through the Pakudui village nearby for some intricate wooden crafts.

One of Bali's most magnificent temples, Pura Luhur Uluwatu, is in Uluwatu. It is renowned for its amazing location on the top of Bukit limestone cliffs, around 70m (230 feet) above sea level. It promises picturesque sunsets overlooking the beautiful Indian Ocean. Because of the archaeological remains found here, it is believed to date back to the 10th century.

Also known as the Ramayana monkey chant, the Kecak dance is based on the story of Ramayana and is performed in the temples in Bali. The performance includes 150 performers dancing in a circle chanting chak, moving their hands, and wearing checked clothes around their waists. If you want to see this dance you can head to any of the famous Hindu temples.

Harbouring the second largest coastline in the world, Indonesia forms a part of the coral triangle with about 20% of the coral reefs found there. While in Indonesia, scuba diving is one of the activities one must engage in due to the enriched marine diversity to witness and the thrill it provides. Divers usually claim that it is impossible to be done diving in Indonesia because of the variety of unique experience each spot can offer.

The Bali Swing is a location with 12 swings and 9 nests with breathtaking views. Some swings are over valleys, some over waterfalls, and some over canyons. It is one of the most famous photography locations in the world. Different tour operators provide packages for Bali Swing. Most popular swings around Bali are Kaja swing, The Ubud swing, Alas Harum Swing, Uma Pakel, and Wana Iri Hidden Hills Swing.

Also known as 'The Island of Gods', Bali boasts an excellent hospitality industry offering beautiful stays at accessible rates. For a romantic getaway with your partner or a private family vacation, villas in Bali with a private pool are just what you need. These private villas equipped with modern amenities and posh interiors are just accurate to fulfil your expectations of an intimate stay.

Kopi Luwak is considered one of the most authentic and expensive coffees, mostly found only in Indonesia. The civet cat ingests the coffee cherries and passes the seeds without digesting them. There are some amazing coffee plantations in Bali to try Koi Luwak like Bali Pulina Agro-Tourism, Teba Sari Agro-Tourism, Lumbung Sari, CoffeeMas Plantation, Luwak Coffee, and more.

Known For : Kelingking Beach Atuh Beach Diamond Beach

The hidden treasure of Indonesia, Nusa Penida is the most exotic of the three Nusa Islands and is relatively less traveled. Located in the Klungkung district, it is a little off the shores of Bali. It is a hidden gem boasting rugged landscapes, pristine beaches, and breathtaking natural beauty. Catering to adventurers and nature enthusiasts, Nusa Penida offers a serene escape from the bustling tourist spots of Bali.

Best Time: March to September

27 Nusa Penida Attractions

Getting a massage in Bali is an indulgent and rejuvenating experience, deeply rooted in the island's culture and wellness traditions. Experience the unique Balinese massage, combining techniques like acupressure, stretching, and long strokes to relieve tension and promote relaxation. Bali is dotted with numerous world-class spas and wellness centers offering serene settings, lush surroundings, and a range of massage therapies.

Komodo Island has been named one of the new seven natural wonders of the world. Komodo Island, along with Rinca and the other islands comprising Komodo National Park, is one of the few places in the world where one finds Komodo dragons out of captivity. Apart from this, the island is also home to 25 different endangered species of the animal kingdom.

Best Time: September to November

Known For : Relax at the Beach Snorkelling in Gili Trawangan Scuba Diving in Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan, often referred to as Gili T, is the largest and most popular of the three Gili Islands located off the northwest coast of Lombok, Indonesia. Known for its stunning beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and laid-back atmosphere, the Gili Islands are a popular destination for travelers seeking a tropical paradise. Bali and Gili Trawangan are relatively close geographically, and it's common for travelers to visit both destinations during a single trip.

Best Time: September to November

15 Gili Trawangan Attractions

Bali is famous for its enchanting customs. The unique traditions, customs, art and culture is something that makes the island stand out. One can find a variety of handicrafts, traditional artifacts, clothes, food, and jewelry in the markets in Bali.

Indonesia is famous for adventure sports like rafting, hiking, rock climbing and surfing, and most of the tourists arrive in Indonesia for whitewater rafting in the swift currents of the Indonesian rivers. Most of the major islands in Indonesia are famous rafting spots. Some of the famous and most visited rafting spots by tourists are listed along with their costs to make your trip convenient and memorable.

Taking an Art Class in this quaint little town in Indonesia is all that you need to unwind and get in touch with your inner self on your trip. The classes available are taken are by very friendly people who will walk you through the entire process with a lot of care.

Celebrated for its enchanting beauty of indigenous flora and fauna, Bali Zoo houses about 450 rare and exotic creatures. Located in the Gianyar regency of Bali, the wildlife conservatory is also locally referred to as ‘Kebun Binatang Bali’. It offers experiences like Virtual Jungle Tour, Night Safaris, and Breakfast with Orangutans.

Enjoy a trip to a long list of museums that Ubud has to offer. Get away on an explorative journey of culture, food, art and everything else that falls in between!

With several multitudes of tourists pouring in every year, Bali is known for its party loving atmosphere. The excellent beach clubs, bars and pubs oozing out the enthralling vibes allures everyone passing by. So grab on a drink and fade in this world of ever rocking parties and night shows.

Indonesia is home to some incredibly tasty cuisines. They are mouth-watering and irresistible. Food is always an integral part of your travel and exclusive to your destination. So when you travel to Indonesia, try these unique Indonesian dishes. They are sure to please your palate.

Indonesia has the second-longest coastline in the world and what this means is that there is no dearth of beautiful, pristine beaches in Indonesia! Beach-bums rejoice as you're heading to Indonesia to soak up some sun, catch a few waves, swim with manta rays and sharks in some of the world's finest beaches!

Known For : Scuba Diving in Gili Air Swings in Gili Air Live Music in Gili Air

Gili Air, which is among the three Gili Islands in Indonesia, is the island closest to Lombok and offers the best of both worlds - be it peaceful travelling or party hopping. From temples to waterfalls, to beachside shacks, to secluded surf spots, along with cosy cafes and nightlife hubs, the youngest of the Gili islands cater to everyone's needs. Besides these, you can go fishing, horse-riding, water skiing, and wakeboarding, and there is also a surf break to the south of the island for the experienced surfer.

Best Time: June to September

15 Gili Air Attractions

Known For : Borobudur Temple Kraton Palace Taman Sari

Located in Central Java, Yogyakarta, or Jogjakarta, is one of Indonesia’s most important cultural, intellectual, and literary hubs and the beating heart of Indonesian tradition. Bounded by the Indian Ocean to its south and the fiery active volcano Mount Merapi to the north, Yogyakarta is also home to Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple compound, Prambanan.

Best Time: July to October

19 Jogja Attractions

Do you look forward to adrenaline rush in vacations? Are you the one who searches for adventure sports destinations? Do you want an unforgettable experience in Indonesia? Then, skydiving is calling to you. Sky-diving, an extreme adventure sport, was developed to challenge man’s ability to experience free fall. If you’re planning a trip to Indonesia, then get ready to take a jump in the blue sky and let the winds carry you.

Comprising over 17,000 islands, Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago, and therefore it comes as no surprise that this country has innumerable island destinations to visit. From lush, green rainforests to smoldering volcanoes to pristine white-sand beaches, Indonesia offers everything to its visitors. The islands of Indonesia caters to everyone, from the party-animal to the solitude seeker, from the beach-bum to the adventure junkie, from the culture buff to the foodie, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

The Borobudur Temple complex is the largest Buddhist temple in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the most visited attractions in Indonesia, it was built in the 8th century. A marvel of Buddhist architecture, with multiple platforms stacked on each other, the temple is capped off with a magnificent dome peering down on top of it. The temple is also adorned with hundreds of relief panels and statues of the Buddha in multiple meditative postures, most of which are still intact today.

Best Time: May - September

Hiking in Indonesia is one of the best ways to explore the country's diverse landscapes. The archipelago is home to open savannas, crystal blue waters, active volcanoes, lush green rice paddies and white sand beaches. It offers plenty of interesting hiking trails, taking its visitors through panoramic routes.

It would be a crime to visit Jakarta and not go mall hopping. The capital city houses over 170 malls with plenty of fashion, food and fun to offer. You're bound to end up in front of a glitzy entrance tempting you to empty your wallet (or spend your entire Credit Card limit), but knowing the can't-be-missed malls is probably a good idea.

Lake Toba, located in northern Sumatra, is the largest lake created within a volcanic crater. Deemed to be one of the greatest natural wonders of the world, its vast area surpasses the size of Singapore. Its depth of 450 meters also makes Lake Toba one of the deepest lakes globally. The lake's exotic greenery and pristine blue waters make a mesmerising picture that lures thousands of tourists to the site, which is easily accessible from Medan.

Time Required : 2-3 hours

The volcanic complex in Central Java, known as the Dieng plateau, is littered with beautiful Hindu and Javanese temples, including eight small temples that are said to be from the Kalinga Kingdom, which were once part of the 400 temples that were built by the followers of Hinduism. Apart from that, tourists usually venture into the land for activities like trekking and visiting the various active volcanic craters.

Best Time: June to August