When you speak of beach holidays in Southeast Asia, it’s difficult not to do so without talking about Indonesia in the same breath. The wildly appealing archipelago, trimmed with stretches of pristine beaches and forests, is the setting for many adventures and exploration, tricked out with wildlife, Buddhist temples, volcanoes and a mix of rich cultural traditions.
The Highlights
Mount Batur
Sunset or sunrise trekking across a volcano? If this sounds like your type of adventure, look no further than Mount Batur, otherwise known as the second most active volcano in Bali, located inside a gigantic crater. This is your chance to embark on a gentle trek through some of nature’s finest displays. Don’t forget to pack your camera for the panoramic vistas that await at the top.
Borobudur
The ethereal temple compounds of Borobudur is one of Indonesia’s iconic landmarks, and rightfully so. This ancient central Java religious site, which boasts that gracefully intricate Buddhist architecture, dates back to the 9th-century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s been the terminus for many religious pilgrimages, and today, a popular site for many surreal, photogenic visits.
Komodo
Though famed for its most famous inhabitants, the Komodo dragon – also knowns as the world’s largest living lizard, the captivating Komodo Island definitely boasts far more than that. It’s the venue for untamed yet indulgent adventures thanks to its pristine coasts, emerald waters and peaks with fierce panoramas. And did we mention it’s home to one of the only seven pink beaches in the world?
Gili Islands
If clear azure waters and white sand beaches aren’t your ideas of paradise, you might as well leave now. Gili Islands, located just off the northwestern coast of Lombok, is nothing but that, and the swaying palms, hip retreats and vibrant nightlife are enough to tempt any type of traveller. If that’s exactly what you’re looking for, kick off your shoes and adopt the barefoot lifestyle.
Bukit Lawang
A holiday in Indonesia isn’t complete without a quick stop to one of its small villages. Consider Bukit Lawang in North Sumatra. It’s home to the majestic orange orangutans that you can observe from the village’s famous Orangutan Viewing Platform as well as the strange-looking Thomas Leaf Monkey. It’s also the place to go for jungle trekking, river tubing and canoeing adventures.
Flores
Imagine from your lofty vantage point an island covered with sharp ridges, rolling hills and turquoise bays. Flores is verdant, commanding and charming all at the same time. And it’s home to beauties like the Liang Bua Cave – site of an important Palaeoanthropological dig, the Spider Web Rice Fields, and of course, the impressive Kelimutu National Park. Head to Labuan Bajo for more adventures.
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The Location
Indonesia is home to a few thousand volcanic islands and sits northwest of Australia and south of Thailand and the Philippines. It’s a 22h 30m flight from New York with a layover, and 16h 30m from London with a stopover.
Capital City
Jakarta is not only Indonesia’s largest city, but it also serves as its sprawling capital. It sits on the northwestern coast of the island of Java and remains to be one of Asia’s most diverse cities.
Main Airport
The Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is the busiest and largest in Indonesia as well as the busiest in the southern hemisphere. It’s located less than 30 kilometres from Jakarta on the island Java and serves Greater Jakarta. CODE: CGK; CLOSEST CITY: TANGERANG
Language Spoken
The official language of Indonesia is Indonesian, although over 700 languages and dialects are spoken on the islands. There are many English speakers, it is not as prevalent as it is in Thailand.
Currency
Indonesia uses the Indonesian rupiah. The currency code is IDR. ATMs and money changers are widespread in cities. Carry enough money with you at all times as most businesses prefer cash.
Visas
Citizens of more than 150 countries are visa exempt and can travel to and around Indonesia visa-free for 30 days. Included on the list are the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and Germany.
Electricity
The standard voltage in Indonesia is 230V while the standard frequency is 50Hz. The country uses the Type C plug (also known as the Europlug) with two round pins and the Type F plug with two round pins and two grounding clips.
Vaccinations
Boosters of Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, and Tetanus are advised. Other vaccines to consider include Hepatitis B, Rabies, and Typhoid. Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for when arriving from countries with risk of Yellow Fever.
Emergency Calls
In Indonesia, the emergency phone numbers are as follows: 110 for the police, 112 for general emergencies, 113 for fire, and 118 for an ambulance.
When to Visit
Peak Season
JUNE TO AUGUST
As Indonesia is a long archipelago that covers from the southern end of the Andaman Sea to the western border of Papua New Guinea, each major island has its own dry and wet seasons. Generally, June, July and August are the busiest when folks from Australia are travelling on quick jaunts for the winter and travellers from the US are on their summer holiday. For affordable rates, fewer crowds and pleasing weather, the shoulder months of April, May and September are your best bets for Java, Sumatra, Bali and Nusa Tenggara. Festival Teluk Kendari is a great festival to attend in April.
Low Season
NOVEMBER TO MARCH
Indonesia’s low season is probably its wettest, which hovers around November through March, although December does get a lot of traffic from holidaymakers celebrating the Christmas season. Is the monsoon season an ok time to visit? The answer is yes if you can forgive the heavy downpours that might only last for a couple of hours or so, then you’re likely to get away with very cheap prices. Attention to the weather and a bit of planning is necessary so you can schedule around the rains and still enjoy the country’s offerings. Join the fasting and meditation during Nyepi and watch the jousting competitions during Pasola.
