Most Indonesian travel blogs are written by people who spent a week or perhaps few months in Bali. The Indonesia Travel guide I provide you are different. I’m sharing Indonesia through the eyes of someone who lived here, specifically in Jakarta. To say I have experienced Jakarta traffic jams, street food from warungs, humid afternoons, and that weird third culture kid local life that is more common than you think.
Now I live in Newcastle Upon Tyne (quite the contrast), but Indonesia has shaped my childhood and still does. The sounds, smells, oh and especially their food which in my opinion, one of the best in the world, it’s all still with me. And now I get to share it with you, with actual lived experience behind every guide.
Why Trust my Indonesia Travel Guides?
Simple answer: I lived there. I know which bottled water locals trust, why everyone has water dispensers, which street food is safe and to try, and that Jakarta traffic is somehow both predictable and total chaos.
Can you drink tap water in Indonesia?
The big question is always about drinking tap water in Indonesia, Is it safe? What about the ICE in drinks? Find out alternatives to tap water & how to keep safe and in Bali and other parts of Indonesia as a tourist.
Quick Indonesia Travel Tips
Visa: Most passport holders get 30 days visa-free. Visa on Arrival ($35 USD) gives you 60 days. And it’s quite easy to do online and fast to receive once you have paid. As always, please check your government website for the latest details and rules for visa to come into Indonesia as they could change constantly before visiting.
Money: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Get used to prices like “50,000” (that’s £2.50) or 100,000 or 1000 Rupiah. Cash is king outside tourist areas especially for warungs (street food vendors on the side of the street).
Language: Bahasa Indonesia. Tourist areas speak English; everywhere else, not so much but they will mostly be accommodating.
Safety: Generally safe. Use Gojek/Grab for transport, don’t flash valuables, be smart.
What to Pack: Light clothing (hot + humid), modest outfits for temples, good sandals, HIGH SPF sunscreen, strong mosquito repellent, cash, portable charger, and zero trust in tap water.
Discover More of Indonesia here:
Best Indonesian food on your plate and Indonesia Travel Guides
Travel resources for Indonesia
Below are my favourite companies to use when I travel Indonesia. They are always my starting point when I need to book a flight, hotel, tour, or train. These tools can streamline the planning process, save you money, and help you gain access to places and experiences you maybe hadn’t considered before.
Note that some of the links on this page are affiliate links that will earn me a small referral commission at no extra cost to you. The following is intended for informational purposes only
- Booking.com : The best all-around booking site. It constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates and has the widest selection of budget accommodation. And they do flights and for a small fee, you have the option of cancellation which is great depending on the situation.
- Saily Esim : If there’s one thing you should get before visiting Indonesia is an Esim. This is a great option for an online Esim. Saves you time and energy, and if you are staying in Indonesia for a longer period of time, this esim is a starting point till you get comfortable and get a local number.
- Hostelworld : This is the best hostel accommodation site out there, with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
- Get Your Guide : This is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. It has tons of tour options in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes and walking tours to street art lessons!
- SafetyWing : This site offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. It has cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
- Discover Cars : Discover Cars is a car rental aggregator that can help you find the best deals for your next road trip. It pulls data from over 8,000 car rental locations to ensure you always find a great deal!
- Ekta Traveling : This site offers huge variety for travel insurance, and affordable plans as well, keeps your mind and health secure when traveling.
- Airhelp : Should a delay or cancelation happened during your trip, this site can help you with the claims, for eg, in Europe you can claim up to 600 euros depending on the flight delayed length of time.
