Things to do in Indonesia: best places to visit
For most visitors Indonesia means Bali: clifftop and lakeside temples, rice terraces, waterfalls and beaches, Ubud with its palace, market and Campuhan Ridge Walk, and the islands of Nusa Penida and Lembongan off the south-east coast. The island is small but the roads are slow, so group places by area.
Sights in Indonesia
68 places in 1 city
City itineraries in Indonesia
Indonesia travel guide
Before you go: where to start, visa on arrival, the Bali tourist tax and arrival card, money, getting around and seasons.
Indonesia on your own: the essentials
- Visa
- Many nationalities: visa on arrival or e-VoA, IDR 500,000, 30 days
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Arrival card
- All Indonesia e-card — within 3 days before landing
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Bali
- Tourist tax IDR 150,000
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Money
- Rupiah (IDR); cards in cities, cash for warungs
- Where first
- Bali: Ubud, the south and Nusa Penida
- When to go
- April–October — dry season in Bali
- Rides
- Grab and Gojek
- Temples
- Sarong and sash, shoulders covered
- Scooters
- Motorbike licence and helmet required
- Time
- Three zones; Bali is UTC+8
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Key facts
Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Indonesia”Sourcei
Wikipedia, “Time in Indonesia”Sourcei
UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 1194Sourcei
Bank IndonesiaBest places to visit in Indonesia
For a first trip to Indonesia, most people choose Bali: temples, rice terraces, volcanoes, beaches and the neighbouring islands of Nusa Penida and Lembongan. Every Bali place with its YesGo score is in the list above; we haven't rated other regions yet.
| Bali: Ubud | Temples, terraces, Monkey Forest | 2–3 |
|---|---|---|
| South Bali | Beaches, Uluwatu, Tanah Lot | 3–4 |
| Highlands | Mount Batur, Lake Bratan | 1–2 |
| East | Lempuyang, Tirta Gangga, Amed | 1–2 |
| Nusa Penida | Kelingking cliffs, mantas | 1–2 |
A ready-made Bali trip is above on this page.
Indonesia visa on arrival and money
Many nationalities get a visa on arrival at the airport or an e-VoA online before travel: IDR 500,000 for 30 days, extendable once for 30 more; some ASEAN citizens enter visa-free. Within 3 days before landing, fill in the free All Indonesia e-arrival card. In Bali there's also a separate IDR 150,000 tourist levy.
- Cards — accepted in hotels, malls and most restaurants; carry cash for warungs and markets.
- Exchange — use official money changers and count your cash at the counter.
- Prices — local food and transport are cheap; tours and beach clubs cost more.
- Tipping — optional; many restaurants add a service charge.
Getting around Indonesia
Domestic flights and ferries connect Indonesia's islands. Bali has no trains or metro: people use Grab and Gojek, hire a car with driver or ride a scooter. Fast boats from Sanur reach Nusa Penida and Lembongan.
- Car with driver — the easiest way to see Bali in a day.
- Grab and Gojek — car and motorbike taxis by app.
- Fast boats — Sanur to Nusa Penida and Lembongan, 30–60 minutes.
- Scooter — only with a motorbike licence and a helmet.
Best time to visit Indonesia
Indonesia sits on the equator, so it's warm all year, around 29–32 °C by day. In Bali and much of the country the dry season runs April to October, and the rainy season November to March, with short, heavy downpours. Below is Bali.
BaliiLong-term averages, °C: day and night air, sea water near the shore, rain — rainy days a month. Any given year can be warmer or cooler. Tap a month for details below. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 31° | 31° | 31° | 31° | 31° | 30° | 29° | 29° | 30° | 31° | 32° | 31° |
| Night | 25° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 25° | 25° | 25° |
| Sea | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 28° | 27° | 27° | 26° | 27° | 28° | 29° | 29° |
| Rain | 19 | 17 | 13 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 16 |
Warm — 20 °C and above by dayBest time to go: April–October
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 29°
- rain 19 days
Wettest month. Warm for swimming, water — about 29°.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 29°
- rain 17 days
Rainy and humid. Warm for swimming, water — about 29°.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 29°
- rain 13 days
Less rain. Warm for swimming, water — about 29°.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 29°
- rain 9 days
Dry season begins. Warm for swimming, water — about 29°.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 28°
- rain 7 days
Dry. Warm for swimming, water — about 28°.
- day ≈ 30°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 27°
- rain 5 days
Dry, cooler nights. Warm for swimming, water — about 27°.
- day ≈ 29°
- night ≈ 24°
- sea ≈ 27°
- rain 3 days
Peak season. Warm for swimming, water — about 27°.
- day ≈ 29°
- night ≈ 24°
- sea ≈ 26°
- rain 2 days
Driest month. Warm for swimming, water — about 26°.
- day ≈ 30°
- night ≈ 24°
- sea ≈ 27°
- rain 3 days
Dry, fewer crowds. Warm for swimming, water — about 27°.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 28°
- rain 5 days
Dry and hot. Warm for swimming, water — about 28°.
- day ≈ 32°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 29°
- rain 10 days
Rains begin. Warm for swimming, water — about 29°.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 25°
- sea ≈ 29°
- rain 16 days
Rainy, holidays. Warm for swimming, water — about 29°.
On Nyepi, the Day of Silence (usually in March), Bali's airport closes for 24 hours and nobody may go out.
Indonesia travel rules for visitors
Wear a sarong and sash in temples and keep your shoulders covered; in Bali, don't step on offerings or interrupt ceremonies. Drug laws are extremely strict. Riding a scooter without a licence or helmet means fines, and your insurance won't cover an accident.
- Temples — sarong, sash, covered shoulders.
- Offerings — don't step on the baskets on the pavement.
- Drugs — zero tolerance.
- Scooters — motorbike licence and helmet required.
Tips
- Fill in the All Indonesia card and pay the Bali levy in advance to speed up arrival.
- Split a Bali trip between Ubud and the coast.
- Download Grab and Gojek before you land.
FAQ
Do I need a visa for Indonesia?
Most visitors get a visa on arrival or an e-VoA online: IDR 500,000 for 30 days, extendable once. Some ASEAN nationals are visa-free. Whether you need one depends on your passport, so check the rules before travelling.
What is the All Indonesia arrival card?
A free online arrival card and customs declaration, filled in within 3 days before you land.
How much is the Bali tourist tax?
IDR 150,000 per foreign visitor, paid online or at the airport, separately from the visa.
Where should I go in Indonesia first?
Bali: Ubud for temples and rice terraces, the south for beaches and Uluwatu, plus the east and Nusa Penida.
When is the best time to visit Indonesia?
April to October, the dry season in Bali and much of the country.
What's the weather like in Indonesia in December?
Warm, around 30–31 °C, but it's the rainy season, with showers mostly in the afternoon.
What currency is used in Indonesia?
The Indonesian rupiah (IDR).
Can I use cards in Indonesia?
Yes in hotels, malls and most restaurants; carry cash for markets, warungs and small shops.
How many time zones does Indonesia have?
Three: UTC+7 in Jakarta, UTC+8 in Bali and UTC+9 in Papua.
Is Indonesia safe for tourists?
Bali is a well-trodden destination; the main risks are traffic, scooter accidents and strong surf, so ride carefully and swim between the flags.
Sources and fact-check
- Indonesian immigration — visa on arrival, e-VoA, All Indonesia arrival card
- Bali provincial government — tourist levy
- UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 1194
- Wikipedia, “Indonesia”; “Time in Indonesia”; Denpasar climate (1991–2020 normals)