Now is a great time to start thinking about your big trip for this year. If you haven’t even thought of where to go just yet, don’t worry – I’ve got you covered. This year is the year you need to travel to Indonesia!
Indonesia is made up of hundreds of islands which has helped it to develop a very diverse culture. Not only that, though, but it offers some absolutely stunning scenery. There are plenty of options for going out and exploring its gorgeous landscapes and trying to spy all of its exotic wildlife. If that isn’t enough, you might be persuaded to visit after hearing that the Obamas have chosen the country as their vacation destination before.
Ready to jet off to Indonesia? Here are some things to consider when you are planning your trip!
The Best Time To Go
All of the islands that make up Indonesia have tropical climates, so you are pretty much guaranteed good weather all year round. The wet months are from November to April, though, so if you head to the islands during this time, you might be met with a few heavy rain showers. If you don’t fancy the hot, tropical weather, it is worth staying at one of its sea-level locations as these have much more temperate weather. June until September and the Christmas period are the country’s two high seasons, so you should expect the country to be quite busy during these times. Not only that, though, but the prices of accommodation and flights might also increase during this time.
BALI, INDONESIA – DECEMBER 5, 2017: Closeup portrait of cute asian balinese girl outdoors. Bali island, smiling girl.Pexels
Where To Stay
As the country is made up of hundreds of different islands, there are a few different choices of where you could stay. Here are some of the best picks for first-time travelers to Indonesia.
- Jakarta
Jakarta is the country’s capital city and is known for being one of the busiest cities in the world. But that doesn’t mean you should give it a miss. There are plenty of quiet parts for you to explore! It’s worth looking for a peaceful vacation rental on sites like https://rumahdijual.com/jakarta-pusat/apartemen-murah that feature apartments in the suburbs. Once you’ve dropped off your bag at your apartment, there will be plenty to explore. You could spend the day at the Dunia Fantasi theme park, for instance, or explore the famous Istiqlal Mosque.
BALI, INDONESIA – DECEMBER 5, 2017: Closeup portrait of cute asian balinese girl outdoors. Bali island, smiling girl.
- Bali
Bali is one of Indonesia’s many islands and is known for being something of a beach lover’s paradise. You’ll be able to spend your days lounging on the sand with a cocktail in hand, but there are also lots of great activities if you need something more to do with your time. You can hike up the side of volcanoes or go snorkelling in the ocean to try and spot some of the beautiful coral reef that surrounds the island. Even though Bali is known as being an island getaway, it still has quite a lively bar scene. For a buzzing night out, head to the city of Kuta which has some lively bars right on the coast.
- Bandung
Bandung is the capital city of Indonesia’s West Java province. It is known for its numerous volcanoes and tea plantations. The city is currently undergoing some major development and, as a result, its middle class residents continue to get richer and richer. But that doesn’t mean that the city is free from any poverty – in fact, the poverty can be very visible in some areas of the city, which is something you should prepare for. But this city is really worth visiting, thanks to all of its history and the rolling countryside that surrounds it. You’ll be able to hike to hot springs and to the top of volcanoes and you will also be able to take tours around some extensive tea plantations.
- Yogyakarta
Another great city in the Java area is Yogyakarta. Don’t worry if you’re not sure how to pronounce that – it is often shortened to just “Jogja”! The city is very independent and the locals have some ancient traditions and customs that they fiercely try to protect. It’s worth checking websites like https://worldnomads.com/explore/southeast-asia/indonesia/indonesia-etiquette-how-you-can-avoid-causing-offence so that you can learn about these customs so that you don’t inadvertently offend anyone. Even though life in the city is very traditional, it still has a modern and urban side to it, which is worth checking out too. It’s also one of Indonesia’s trendiest cities and has lots of hip coffee shops and bars. This is also a great destination if you are interested in archaeology as there are a few archaeological sites, including Prambanan.
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Things To See And Do
Whether you want to discover the islands’ unique history and culture or want to see more of the modern side of Indonesia, there is certainly plenty that will keep you entertained during your trip. Here are some of the country’s highlights.
- Borobudur
Borobudur is a 9th-century Buddhist temple in the Central Java region. This epic temple has survived many incidents that could have proved extremely damaging, such as terrorist attacks, earthquakes, and even nearby volcanic eruptions! Thankfully, though, Borobudur temple remains standing after 1,200 years. You can easily spend a day at the site of the temple as there are lots of different walks you can take through the surrounding landscape. There are also some monasteries nearby that allow visitors in so that they can join the monks in their chanting rituals.
- Ubud Monkey Forest
Situated in the village of Padangtegal, the Ubud Monkey Forest is very popular with most tourists. The forest is a sacred place for the villages, who believe that the monkeys are spiritual beings and can help the village be prosperous financially, spiritually, and in all manners relating to education. The large forest is home to around 700 monkeys and 186 different species of trees. Visitors can buy a ticket to walk around the forest and see the monkeys for themselves. There are also regular events held in the forest which are also great to see. For instance, you might want to plan your trip to coincide with the popular Ngebejiang ceremony.
- Tanah Lot
Another popular temple with visitors is the one at Tanah Lot. The temple is located on a natural rock formation. It is popular with many visitors to the country, especially photographers as it has gained a reputation as being one of the world’s best photography locations. So, it’s certainly somewhere to take all your best Instagram snaps! In fact, this little temple is so popular that it is now the most photographed religious site in the whole of Bali. Most people rent a hire car and drive themselves to this coastal temple, but there are some organized tours that take coach-loads of tourists out to it.
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- Art:1
There are lots of different museums and galleries across the country that are dedicated to traditional art. But if you want to see some contemporary art, then it’s worth popping into Art:1. Opened in 1983 under a different name, this diverse artspace won Best Gallery of the Year in 2010. It continues to top many best-of lists. Two buildings make up the gallery, one of which is home to a permanent exhibition while the other hosts traveling art exhibitions.
So, as you can see from all of the above, there are so many reasons why it’ll be a good move to book a trip to Indonesia this year. No matter which island you visit, you are guaranteed to have lots of fun!
