With over 700 languages, hundreds of ethnic groups, millennia of migration, trade, and colonialism, and countless geographic barriers in the form of mountain ranges, rainforests and the ocean, Indonesian society today reflects the nation's truly unique blend of cultural, historical and environmental heritage.
The nation prides itself in its ability to contain and unite a variety of traditions within one overarching society. This is enshrined in the official state motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, or ‘unity in diversity’. From city stays to backpacking journeys, diving trips or remote beach getaways, Indonesia allows visitors to discover this variety first-hand and combine divergent travel experiences within a single journey.
With such a wealth of experiences on offer, planning a journey can be overwhelming. In our guide to Indonesia in 2024, we explore must-see highlights for every kind of trip – from city breaks to beaches, national parks and Balinese temples. Explore more below, as well as some essential travel tips to know before you go, including advice on the language, culture and how to keep connected during your travels.
The Best Cities to visit in Indonesia
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Jakarta
The island of Java is home to over half of the Indonesian population. At the centre is Jakarta, one of the world’s largest metropolises. As the social, cultural and business capital of the country, Jakarta is an essential destination for any trip to Indonesia – visitors can spend weeks here and only scratch the surface of this 30-million-strong region. The train service throughout Java is excellent, making Jakarta an ideal starting point for exploring the wider island.
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Palembang
Palembang’s nickname, ‘The Venice of Southeast Asia’ almost does it a disservice – Palembang is a bustling, lively city with a pace of life, friendly atmosphere and cosmopolitan character far removed from the museum-like quality of its Italian counterpart. Built along the banks of the Musi River, Palembang's architecture, cuisine and lifestyle display a mixture of cultural influences, due to its historic location as a local and international trading post.
One of the most unique and charming features of the city the array of floating markets, shops, cafes and bars built on boats that line the waterways.
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Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta, or “Jogja” as you’re more likely to hear it called, is one of the best places to discover traditional Javanese culture. Jogja is home to many important Javanese institutions, including the Kraton, or royal Javanese palace. Other major cultural sites include the Beringharjo Market, a hub for local arts and crafts including Batik printing; the Yogyakarta arts festival; and traditional Wayang Kulit puppet theatres.
The historic city centre of Yogyakarta, specifically the layout of the central buildings and monuments, has been granted UNESCO World Heritage Status. The main landmarks of the city are built along a single 6,000-metre axis, reaching from the shores of the Indian Ocean directly to the neighbouring Mount Merapi. Another major draw is Jogja’s proximity to two of Indonesia’s most-visited sites - the twin temples of Borobudur and Prambanan (see below for more details on visiting Indonesia’s temples).
The Best National Parks in Indonesia
Indonesia is world famous for its sprawling rainforest, multiple mountain ranges and active volcanoes. From Sumatran jungles to remote island chains, the country has more than 50 national parks, as well as many more coral reefs and dive spots.
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Bukit Lawang
Bukit Lawang is notable as one of the vanishingly few spots in the world where Orangutans can be observed in the wild. On the northern tip of Sumatra, Bukit Lawang is worth the journey from Java or Bali.
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Komodo National Park
The UNESCO World Heritage Site Komodo National Park consists of 29 separate islands, renowned for their biodiversity, endangered species populations and outstanding beaches. Reachable only by boat, the islands have managed to preserve their secluded character through years of regular tourism. The largest island, Komodo Island, is a must-see destination for nature lovers in Indonesia and one of the only places in the world where the eponymous dragons can be seen in the wild.
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Kelimutu National Park, Flores
A contrast to Indonesia's countless beaches, Kelimutu national park is an inland natural wonder, that contains the towering Mount Kelimutu and a turquoise lake. Beloved among hikers, mountain bikers and families, Kelimutu national park can be easily reached by public transport. Within the park itself are hotels, cabins and campsites to suit every budget.
The Best Temples in Indonesia
Indonesia's rich history is reflected in the large number of Buddhist and Hindu Temples scattered throughout the archipelago. These range from 8th-century ruins to brand-new constructions, distributed across the entire nation, from Sumatra to New Guinea.
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Prambanan
Despite its easily reachable location on the fringes of Yogyakarta, visiting the temple of Prambanan feels like a journey back in time. The 10th-century Hindu temple is one of the most ornate and well-preserved examples of Javanese Hindu architecture in existence. Plan at least a day to explore the full complex and neighboring Buddhist temple of Candi Sewu.
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Borobudur
A little further out (though not by far), Borobudur temple is another unmissable sight in the Yogyakarta region. This Buddhist monument is a fascinating contrast to its Hindu counterpart in Prambanan, and worth devoting an entire day to.
The Best Beaches in Indonesia
17,000 islands mean a lot of coastline – and with it, some of the best and most-visited beaches on the planet. From resort islands to secluded 5-star escapes, local surf spots and unspoilt sands, Indonesia has a beach for every itinerary.
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Bali
Over the 20th Century, Bali has gradually become a byword for tropical paradise, and one of the most touristed areas in the APAC region. This small island sees over 5 million international tourists every year (nearly a third of all tourists to Indonesia), and for good reason.
Due to its beaches, wildlife, local culture and history, Bali is a convergence point for many different forms of tourism: the surrounding coast has one of the highest levels of marine biodiversity in the world; Balinese temples are some of the most famous and best-preserved Puras, or Hindu temples in Southeast Asia; and its famously scenic beaches such as Kelinking have become a hotspot for backpackers and younger tourists. Learn more in our detailed guide to visiting Bali in 2024.
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Lombok and the Gilis
A popular alternative to Bali is the neighboring island of Lombok. The island’s white beaches and mountainous interior proved the perfect tropical getaways for families, couples or solo travellers. From the main island of Lombok, it’s easy to visit the surrounding Gilis, or smaller islands. A great option if the car-free oasis of Gili Trawangan, which offers remote sandy beaches, scuba diving and an active nightlife. Even in the most remote locations, using an eSIM for Indonesia will ensure you remain connected to the best possible local mobile network and keep connected.
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Morotai
The province of Northern Maluku is less explored by international visitors, despite containing some of Indonesia’s most beautiful stretches of coastline. The island of Morotai has long been known as a hidden gem, and is gradually becoming more popular with international tourists due to its pristine beaches and relative seclusion.
Mobile Data Plans for Indonesia
Indonesia – essential info before you travel
Population
Indonesia is the world’s fourth-largest country by population, with over 275 million inhabitants and counting. Most of the population is concentrated on the Island of Java, while the capital city, Jakarta, is one of the most densely populated areas on the planet. For fans of nature, Indonesia also contains large tracts of rainforest and mountains, and many of the 17,000 constituent islands are uninhabited.
Languages
Home to hundreds of ethnic and linguistic groups, Indonesia has at least 700 actively spoken languages. The national language is Indonesian, which uses the Latin script and is spoken and understood across the archipelago. Other major languages include Javanese and Sundanese. Using an Indonesia eSIM is an easy way to access translation apps while on the go.
Religions
Most Indonesians (around 86%) identify as Sunni Muslim. In fact, Indonesia is the largest majority-Muslim country in the world. Constitutionally, however, Indonesia is a secular state which recognizes several religions, including Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism.
Work week
Despite being a Muslim-majority country, the weekend in Indonesia falls on Saturday and Sunday. An exception is the autonomous Aceh province, which observes a split two-day weekend of Friday and Sunday. Saturday is a normal working day, in accordance with the region's Sharia law.
Climate
Indonesia enjoys a tropical climate, with generally hot and humid weather year-round. In general, November to March is rainier than the rest of the year, though tourists can still expect warm temperatures and sunshine then. The seas are also swimmable and warm all year round.
Eating
Due to its cultural diversity, biodiversity and fertile land, Indonesian cuisine is highly varied, and every province has a number of delicious local specialties to sample. In general, most meals in Indonesia are rice-based, with a wide range of seafood, meat and vegetable options. Be prepared to eat spicy food! Some famous Indonesian dishes include and Gado-Gado, Tahu Kaput and Lumpia.
Drinking
Alcohol is readily available throughout most of Indonesia, though it is highly taxed (except in the autonomous province of Aceh, where it’s banned entirely). Most bars, clubs and restaurants in larger cities and tourist destinations like Bali will sell alcohol, though its usage is generally less common in Indonesia than in neighbouring countries. Indonesian drinks include Bintang beer, Brem Bali and Bajigur.
How to travel with an Indonesia eSIM
Whether you’re going to Jakarta, Lombok, Bali or Banten, a reliable mobile internet connection will make your journey to Indonesia that much easier. From translating menus to calling a taxi and searching for the best local restaurants, mobile internet is an essential travel companion. For non-residents, however, data roaming in Indonesia can cause costly and often unseen roaming charges to mount up.
The easiest way to use mobile internet in Indonesia while avoiding roaming charges is to download a local Indonesia eSIM. These are prepaid SIM profiles you download to your phone and allow you to get online in Indonesia at local rates, instead of paying international roaming charges. Think of them like a local SIM card, but more convenient: Indonesia eSIMs can be downloaded in seconds, and work alongside your current SIM card so you still have access to your old contacts, messages and two-factor authentication services. An eSIM is also an efficient way to protect your data while travelling.
Using an APAC regional eSIM in Indonesia
If you’re planning on island-hopping and continuing your journey to Southeast Asia, Australia or the Pacific, consider opting for an Asia-Pacific data plan. This gives you the freedom to roam across 14 countries throughout Asia, Oceania and the Pacific, including Indonesia, with a single prepaid data package. No changing providers and no switching out SIM cards at every border – just one seamless experience across 14 countries. Find the perfect APAC package for your trip here.
And for the truly adventurous, we also offer worldwide eSIM packages. The simplest way to travel the world, a global eSIM lets you explore 140+ countries on one single prepaid data plan.
Mobile Data Plans for Indonesia
Visiting Indonesia with an eSIM in 2024: a summary
An eSIM is a SIM profile you download to your phone. It allows you to use mobile data in other countries without paying international roaming charges
Our Indonesia travel eSIM is easier to use than a local Indonesian SIM card - with no need to swap SIM cards, or lose access to your messages or contacts
Choose between a range of prepaid Indonesia eSIM plans for every budget and data requirement
A BetterRoaming Indonesia eSIM is free to install. Just download your free eSIM anytime, then choose and purchase a mobile data plan for Indonesia when you're ready to travel - the plan will activate automatically as soon as you arrive.
