# 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.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/indonesia

## Cities

- [Bali](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali.md): 68 places with the YesGo score

## Top places across the country

- [Saraswati Temple](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/pura-taman-saraswati.md), Bali: YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · free; dance ≈ IDR 100,000. Saraswati Temple, also called the Ubud Water Palace, honours the goddess of learning and the arts, a short walk from Ubud's main street…
- [Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung)](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/ubud-palace.md), Bali: YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free. Ubud Palace, or Puri Saren Agung, is the royal family's residence in the very centre of Ubud, opposite the market. By day you can walk…
- [Ubud Art Market](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/ubud-art-market.md), Bali: YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free. Ubud Art Market (Pasar Seni Ubud) is the town's central market, opposite the royal palace. At dawn it sells fruit, flowers and offerings…
- [Campuhan Ridge Walk](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/campuhan-ridge.md), Bali: YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · free. The Campuhan Ridge Walk is a paved path along a grassy ridge on the western edge of Ubud, 15 minutes' walk from the palace. It starts by a…
- [Blanco Renaissance Museum](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/blanco-museum.md), Bali: YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ IDR 50,000. The Blanco Renaissance Museum is the home and studio of painter Antonio Blanco on Campuhan hill in Ubud. Born in Manila, Blanco lived in…
- [Ubud Monkey Forest](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/ubud-monkey-forest.md), Bali: YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · IDR 130,000. Ubud Monkey Forest is a sacred grove on Ubud's southern edge, home to about 1,260 long-tailed macaques and three 14th-century temples…
- [Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/goa-gajah.md), Bali: YesGo score 35/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ IDR 50,000. Goa Gajah, the Elephant Cave, is an ancient sanctuary 5 km from central Ubud. Its entrance is carved into the rock as a huge demon's…
- [Luwak coffee plantations](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/luwak-coffee.md), Bali: YesGo score 34/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free; luwak ≈ IDR 50,000–100,000. Luwak coffee (kopi luwak) is made from beans that have passed through the gut of the Asian palm civet, a small animal called luwak in…
- [Bali Swing](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/bali-swing.md), Bali: YesGo score 32/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · ≈ IDR 300,000–650,000. The Bali swings are giant jungle swings over the Ayung River valley in Bongkasa, 13 km from Ubud. Strapped into a harness, you fly out…
- [Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/garuda-wisnu-kencana.md), Bali: YesGo score 32/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ≈ IDR 125,000–150,000. Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) is a cultural park on the Bukit peninsula home to one of the world's tallest statues: the god Vishnu riding the…
- [Batuan Temple](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/batuan-temple.md), Bali: YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · donation or ≈ IDR 30,000–50,000. Batuan Temple (Pura Puseh Batuan) is an 11th-century village temple 10 km south of Ubud, known for exquisite carving in grey stone and red…
- [Ayung River Rafting](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/ayung-rafting.md), Bali: YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · ≈ IDR 400,000–500,000. Ayung River rafting is Bali's most popular white-water trip: 2–2.5 hours through a jungle gorge with waterfalls and carved rock faces…
- [Tegenungan Waterfall](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/tegenungan-waterfall.md), Bali: YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ IDR 20,000–30,000. Tegenungan is Bali's most accessible big waterfall, 12 km south of Ubud and half an hour from Sanur. The Petanu River tumbles into a wide…
- [Kanto Lampo Waterfall](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/kanto-lampo-waterfall.md), Bali: YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · ≈ IDR 25,000. Kanto Lampo is a waterfall that steps down dark volcanic ledges into a shallow pool, 11 km from Ubud. It's a 10–15 minute walk down…
- [Devil's Tear](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/devils-tear.md), Bali: YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free. Devil's Tear is a rocky cove on the southwest of Nusa Lembongan where waves slam into undercut cliffs and burst upward as towering spray…
- [Jimbaran Fish Market](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/jimbaran-fish-market.md), Bali: YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free. Jimbaran Fish Market (officially Kedonganan market) is a traditional market at the north end of Jimbaran Bay, where fishermen land their…
- [Tegallalang Rice Terraces](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/tegallalang.md), Bali: YesGo score 27/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ IDR 15,000–50,000. Tegallalang is Bali's most famous rice terrace, 10 km north of Ubud: steep green steps of paddy with coconut palms on both sides of a…
- [Tanah Lot Temple](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/tanah-lot.md), Bali: YesGo score 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · IDR 75,000. Tanah Lot is a Hindu sea temple on a rock in the surf, 11 km from Canggu on Bali's south-west coast. At low tide you can walk across to…
- [Taman Ayun Temple](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/taman-ayun.md), Bali: YesGo score 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · ≈ IDR 30,000–50,000. Taman Ayun is the royal garden temple of the Mengwi kings, built in 1634, 17 km from Ubud and 26 km from Kuta. A moat surrounds it, and…
- [Legian Beach](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/legian-beach.md), Bali: YesGo score 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · free. Legian Beach sits between Kuta and Seminyak on Bali's west coast, 7 km from the airport. It's the same broad strip of sand, but calmer…
- [Echo Beach](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/echo-beach.md), Bali: YesGo score 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · free. Echo Beach is Canggu's westernmost beach, 21 km from the airport and 12 km from Tanah Lot. It's dark volcanic sand, a reef break for…
- [Nusa Dua Beach](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/nusa-dua-beach.md), Bali: YesGo score 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · free. Nusa Dua Beach is a long stretch of white sand along a gated resort enclave on Bali's south-east coast, 12 km from the airport. A reef…
- [Gunung Kawi](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/gunung-kawi.md), Bali: YesGo score 25/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · ≈ IDR 50,000. Gunung Kawi, the 'Valley of the Kings', is a set of ten 11th-century shrines carved into cliff niches on both banks of the Pakerisan…
- [Handara Gate](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali/handara-gate.md), Bali: YesGo score 25/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · ≈ IDR 50,000 photo fee. Handara Gate is a tall Balinese split gateway framing forested mountains, on the road from Bedugul to Munduk, 3 km from Ulun Danu Beratan…

## Indonesia travel guide

Before you go: where to start, visa on arrival, the Bali tourist tax and arrival card, money, getting around and seasons.

## Trip essentials

- Visa: Many nationalities: visa on arrival or e-VoA, IDR 500,000, 30 days
- Arrival card: All Indonesia e-card — within 3 days before landing
- Bali: Tourist tax IDR 150,000
- 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

## Key facts

- **17,000+** — islands — Indonesia is the world's largest archipelagic country (source: Wikipedia, “Indonesia”)
- **3** — time zones: Jakarta UTC+7, Bali UTC+8, Papua UTC+9 (source: Wikipedia, “Time in Indonesia”)
- **2012** — Bali's subak irrigation system joined the UNESCO list (source: UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 1194)
- **Rupiah** — the national currency, IDR (source: Bank Indonesia)

## Best 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.

| Part of Bali | Why go | Days |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Bali: Ubud](https://yesgo.io/indonesia/bali) | 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.

- **January in Bali**: day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 19. Wettest month.
- **February in Bali**: day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 17. Rainy and humid.
- **March in Bali**: day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 13. Less rain.
- **April in Bali** (best time): day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 9. Dry season begins.
- **May in Bali** (best time): day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 28°C, rainy days: 7. Dry.
- **June in Bali** (best time): day ≈ 30°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 5. Dry, cooler nights.
- **July in Bali** (best time): day ≈ 29°C, night ≈ 24°C, sea ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 3. Peak season.
- **August in Bali** (best time): day ≈ 29°C, night ≈ 24°C, sea ≈ 26°C, rainy days: 2. Driest month.
- **September in Bali** (best time): day ≈ 30°C, night ≈ 24°C, sea ≈ 27°C, rainy days: 3. Dry, fewer crowds.
- **October in Bali** (best time): day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 28°C, rainy days: 5. Dry and hot.
- **November in Bali**: day ≈ 32°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 10. Rains begin.
- **December in Bali**: day ≈ 31°C, night ≈ 25°C, sea ≈ 29°C, rainy days: 16. Rainy, holidays.

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.

## Questions

### 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

- 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)

Facts checked: 10.11.2026

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