The world’s largest archipelago nation, sprawling more than 5,000km along the equator, Indonesia attracts superlatives. It’s home to 120-odd active volcanoes, 700-plus languages, around 275 million people and more than 17,000 named islands – the official count is a work in progress.
Sarongs, grilling skills, power naps and Indomie noodles are unifying themes across the archipelago, but diversity is Indonesia’s middle name. World-class surfing, diving, jungle trekking and volcano hikes – plus beaches in hues from white to pink to glittering black – draw active travellers; yet from 9th-century Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist temple, to the Bandas, the original Spice Islands, culture buffs will find plenty to love.
Travel restrictions and entry requirements
UK and EU nationals are entitled to a free visa exemption: that’s a stamp in your passport which allows you to stay for a maximum of 30 days. However, with all those islands, Indonesia merits considerably longer. You can buy a paper 30-day visa on arrival at most – but not all – international points of entry, then extend this once for a further 30 days. To stay longer, no-fly visa run options include Singapore or peninsular Malaysia from Sumatra, east Malaysia from Kalimantan (Borneo), and Timor Leste from West Timor. Adults should bring printed proof of Covid vaccination.
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Best time to go
Jakarta is Indonesia’s capital – at least until next year
(Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Indonesia is a big country and different places have different seasons, particularly when it comes to diving and surfing. That said, most places are hot, dryish and crowded July-August, hot, very wet and empty in January-February, and somewhere in between for the rest of the year. It can be hard to find alcohol or restaurants that open during the day in more conservative Muslim areas during Ramadan.
Top regions and cities
Bali
Known as the Island of the Gods, Bali offers Hindu temples, hikes through rice fields, yoga retreats and party-hearty beach clubs, plus diving, arts classes and world-class hotels, spas, and restaurants – all packed into an island about the size of Trinidad. It’s Indonesia’s signature tourist destination, so overtourism is an issue. But much of north, east and central Bali still offer the rice terrace landscapes, volcano views and…
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