Indonesia

Indonesia is made up of thousands of islands, and choosing among them is hard. Readers usually arrive here having already decided to go, but without a clear plan: Bali only or Java and Lombok as well, which month to fly, where to stay and how to get between the islands. This section brings together articles that help answer those questions in order.

The core of the section is the overview articles on the country. In them we look at which islands suit beaches, surfing and jungle, what to see in Indonesia and how a trip works overall: visa, budget, transport. There is also a two-week route across Java and Lombok and a guide to Sulawesi with Makassar, Toraja and diving off Bunaken. Another country overview covers the Ijen volcano and the Komodo dragons. Several pieces deal with the seasons: weather across the country, the dry season and the rainy season, and when to go to Bali, Sulawesi and Papua.

Most of the articles are about Bali. These include a guide for a first trip, a one-week route, roundups of beaches, temples, waterfalls and parks, and quiet areas beyond Kuta. Many pieces focus on a single place: Pura Besakih, Uluwatu Temple with the Kecak dance, Ulun Danu on Lake Beratan, Tanah Lot, Tirta Empul, Tirta Gangga, the Taman Ujung water palace, the Monkey Forest in Ubud, West Bali National Park. Each one covers tickets, getting there and the best time to visit.

The hotel roundups are grouped by clear criteria: category, meals, private beach, family stays, area. There is an overview of the Nusa Dua resorts and a general piece on what to choose for the night: a hostel, a villa or an eco-resort. The practical side is covered by articles on eSIM and mobile networks, getting around the islands without a car, guided excursions and tours to Nusa Penida. For those who want more than the beach, there is a piece on things to do in Bali, along with articles on the bird and reptile park, the botanical garden and Batubulan.

Every article opens with a short conclusion: the main point is made in the first paragraphs. Practical blocks follow: how to get there, how much time to allow, what to buy in advance, what to bring. For prices and opening hours we state the source and the date we checked. We write about the downsides plainly: crowds at popular temples, fake guides at the entrance, rain in the wet season.

The section is meant for people who plan their trip on their own and want to understand the details before they fly. It is useful both for a first trip to Bali and for a route across several islands. If you need a ready-made escorted tour, this section will not replace it. We do not sell trips or put them together to order, we explain how everything works.

A good place to start is the overview pieces on the country and the islands: they help you settle the geography of your trip. Then read the articles on the seasons and pick a month. After that, move on to the routes and the hotel roundups by area. The pieces on individual temples and parks are best read last, when the route is set and you need details on tickets and getting there. Connectivity and transport are best looked into before you fly.

The section is part of "Asia", which belongs to "Destinations". If you are still comparing options, take a look at the neighboring sections: "Thailand", "Vietnam", "Maldives", "India". For trips closer to Europe there are "Turkey", "Armenia", "Azerbaijan" and "United Arab Emirates". The articles there follow the same approach, which makes countries easier to compare.

Entry rules, admission prices and timetables change, so we update the articles and check the details against official websites. Always verify visa requirements, insurance terms and medical questions with official sources before you travel: we point out what to look at and where to find it. The section is growing gradually. Come back to it when your travel plan becomes more definite.