Indonesia Travel Guide
What you need to know before traveling to Indonesia
Indonesia, spread over 17,508 volcanic islands, is the largest archipelago in the world! A paradise for nature and adventure lovers, pristine beaches and colorful underwater worlds meet unique landscapes, volcanoes and wildlife-rich jungles in Indonesia. Combined with rich cultural experiences – from Dutch colonial heritage and UNESCO listed-temples to indigenous cultures – and world class pampering at luxury resorts, it’s a beautiful illustration of Asia’s diversity.
In a country with such diversity, it is important to learn some details before you visit: what language is commonly spoken; what are communications like on the islands. Here the most important Indonesia travel tips compiled by our destination experts.
Health information
Generally no vaccinations are required except for yellow fever if you are traveling from an area where the disease is present. It is best to be inoculated against typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A and B, tetanus and polio. Malaria and dengue fever are present in some parts of Indonesia so we advise you to take necessary precautions if you are venturing off the typical tourist trail. Please consult your doctor about vaccinations and up-to-date precautionary medicines before you travel. Medical or healthcare facilities in Indonesia generally do not match up to international standards yet. However, every major city has hospitals that are able to administer basic healthcare adequately. You will find few pharmacies in smaller cities with a limited supply of medicines. We recommend that you carry some basic medication and supplies for your tour. Don’t forget to purchase insurance before your trip!
Language and communication
Language
The official language of the country is Indonesian (also known as Bahasa Indonesia to locals). Javanese is the most commonly spoken language albeit without any official status. While English is taught in schools, most Indonesians, especially in rural areas, prefer to speak in the local dialect.
Communication
The country code for Indonesia is +62.
Most hotels have IDD phones that you can use. For a less expensive option, head to any one of the many internet cafes that not only offer cheaper phone rates but also sell prepaid international calling cards. If you wish to purchase a phone or local number traveling in Indonesia please contact your Enchanting Travels Trip Coordinator or local guide for the best options.
Shopping in Indonesia
Indonesia is known for its distinctive handicrafts and local products. Best buys include batik textiles, silverwork, wood carvings, puppets, handmade kites, paintings and ceramics. Bali offers the great choice when it comes to shopping for locally produced handicrafts. Larger cities such as Jakarta, also sell a wide range of products at competitive prices. Except for fixed price stores, some amount of good humored bargaining is expected – it’s not unusual to start at a price of about 60% lower the ask and then work your way up!
Currency, cash and cards
The official currency of Indonesia is the Rupiah (RP).
Credit cards are widely accepted in major cities and towns. You will easily find ATM machines in larger towns and tourist destinations. Banks open from 0800 to 1500 hrs on weekdays and closed on Saturdays. You can also change money at exchange counters that are open until early evening. When taking US dollars in cash, make sure the bills are new and crisp as banks and money exchanges in Indonesia can be selective about which bills they accept. It is hard to break larger bills so make sure that you carry some change.
Popular Trips to Indonesia
Best Places To Visit
Things To Do In Indonesia
READHistory
Bring ancient history to life on your Indonesia vacation! From ancient, indigenous heritage to world famous temples like Borobudur, religious influences and more – unravel the history of Indonesia on your tour with our tips.
Culture
Defined by its centuries old heritage, art, craft and traditions, alongside its colonial history and religious influences, Indonesia offers vibrant cultural experiences. Learn more about what to expect, see and do from our experts.
Cuisine
The cuisine of Indonesia is simply delicious and well worth exploring if you like exotic, fragrant flavors! From regional variations to famous dishes and culinary traditions, explore Indonesia through its cuisine, with our top tips.
From the Blog
What Our Guests Say
What Our Guests Say
“Our family took a trip to Indonesia this summer booked through Enchanting Travels. All of the flights, went smoothly and there was an english speaking tour guide to pick us up at each location. The tour guides were very friendly and a pleasure to be with. The accommodations at each location were even better than expected! During the planning phase it was nice to be able to go back and forth and change things up until we created a trip that was perfect for our family and our budget.”
June 2025 Rating 5/5
“Enchanting Travels and their staff put together a trip of a lifetime. We hadn’t traveled to Asia before and were nervous about what to expect or how to navigate once we were there. We also really didn’t know what we wanted to do other than a few expectations. We went to four countries with multiple hotels, flights and boat excursions. I cannot believe that the 5 week trip went off with out any hitches! Everything was so smooth and effortless. We did not worry about anything the whole time we were there. It was comforting to know that our trip coordinator was there for us if we needed her and she certainly responded quickly if we did have a need or question. The choices for hotels that Enchanting Travels recommended were superb and the guides and driver were knowledgeable and fun. I can not speak more highly of all of their services and plan on using them again for another big trip.”
January 2025 Rating 5/5
“Enchanting Travels is phenomenal. Not only did they plan a great trip they were quick to accommodate anything we needed, especially while we were traveling.”
May 2023 Rating 5/5
“Enchanting Travels takes care of every step of the trip so you can relax and enjoy. All of the hotels, tours and guides booked were excellent. Very smooth experience.”
January 2023 Rating 5/5
“Enchanting Travels makes an ‘off the beaten track’ experience stress free and ensures memories for a life time.”
December 2022 Rating 5/5
“Our Bali honeymoon was the trip of a lifetime! From the amazing hotels, to the excursions to memorable tour guide, we can’t say enough positive things about our experience. We didn’t want it to end!”
August 2022 Rating 5/5