Top Things to Do in Indonesia: A Traveler's Guide

From volcano sunrises and UNESCO temples to coral reefs and Balinese performing arts, here is what to see in Indonesia and what to check before you go.

Indonesia · 6 min read

Information current as of October 17, 2026

Indonesia is an archipelago, and its best experiences are spread across many islands, so it works better to choose a region or two than to try to see everything in one trip. This guide covers volcano sunrises in East Java, reefs and wildlife, temples and performing arts in Java and Bali, and sightseeing in Jakarta. It also lists the official entry basics that are worth checking before you book anything.

Entry Basics Before You Book

As of October 2026, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) says that British citizens need a visa to visit Indonesia and can get a 30-day visa on arrival for tourism at most main airports and seaports. It costs 500,000 Indonesian rupiah and is valid for a single entry. Rules depend on nationality, so if you hold a different passport, check the Indonesian immigration website or your nearest Indonesian embassy.

• Passport: the FCDO says it must have an expiry date at least six months after you arrive and at least two blank pages.
• All Indonesia declaration: complete the free online customs and health form within the 72 hours before arrival (the Government of Canada gives the same instruction).
• Bali levy: the FCDO states that foreign tourists arriving in Bali pay a provincial tourist levy of 150,000 rupiah, payable online or on arrival.
• Onward travel: the 30-day visa on arrival requires proof of onward or return travel.

Volcano Sunrises in East Java

Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park has a ten-kilometre sea of sand, called Tengger, from which several volcanic cones rise. According to Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism, Bromo is the only one of those cones that is still active. Marked tracks lead across the sand to the foot of the volcano, and you can also rent a jeep or hire a horse from Cemoro Lawang. Seeing the landscape at first light means a very early start, so plan your transport and accommodation around it.

Kawah Ijen is a different kind of hike. The tourism ministry describes a turquoise crater lake wrapped in smoke, with sulfur miners working at the vents. At dawn you may see the blue-tinted flames known as the blue fire, which the ministry says usually appears around 5 a.m. The trail from the Paltuding post to the crater rim is about three kilometres, and the daily climbing schedule normally starts at 1 a.m., or at 3 a.m. during restriction periods. Because crater conditions can be demanding, consider booking an experienced local guide.

Reefs, Wildlife and Waves

Raja Ampat in eastern Indonesia is presented by the Indonesian tourism ministry as a destination for diving, snorkelling and boat trips. The tourism ministry says its waters hold at least 1,000 species of reef fish and 540 species of coral, and that the archipelago has four major islands. The tourism ministry says the easiest way to reach Raja Ampat is to fly to Sorong, and it advises carrying enough rupiah for the whole trip.

Komodo National Park lies between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores and includes the islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar. UNESCO says the Komodo dragon exists nowhere else in the world and is the largest living species of lizard. Always follow your ranger's instructions around the animals. Park rules and fees are set by the park authority, so confirm them with your operator before booking.

The Gili Islands are a more relaxed option. The tourism ministry says the three islands, Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air, are known for their coral reefs, and it lists Turtle Heaven among the most popular dive sites. Gili Trawangan is the largest and the most visited. For surfing, the ministry describes Canggu Beach in Bali as having waves suitable for surfing, and Suluban Beach, next to Uluwatu, as a world-class surfing beach. Reaching Suluban means passing through a narrow gap in the rock, so wear suitable footwear.

Temples and Living Culture

Borobudur in Central Java is, in UNESCO's words, one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world. It was built in the 8th and 9th centuries in three tiers, ending in a monumental stupa, and 72 openwork stupas each hold a statue of the Buddha. Prambanan lies on the border between Yogyakarta and Central Java. UNESCO describes it as the largest temple complex dedicated to Shiva in Indonesia, with reliefs that illustrate the Ramayana. Both are World Heritage sites. Ticketing, opening hours and any limits on climbing are set by the site operators, so check their official channels before you go.

In Bali, the Kecak dance is a good introduction to local performing arts. The tourism ministry says it was developed in the 1930s by the Balinese artist Wayan Limbak and the German painter Walter Spies, who adapted the sanghyang ritual and added scenes from the Ramayana. It has no gamelan orchestra: a circle of male performers chants "cak" in rhythm. Performances are popular at the Uluwatu cliff temple near sunset and are also listed in Ubud, for example at Pura Dalem Taman Kaja. Confirm the current schedule and ticket price before you go.

Bali's rice terraces are part of a larger story. In 2012 UNESCO inscribed the Cultural Landscape of Bali Province, which comprises five rice terraces and their water temples across about 19,500 hectares. The cooperative water management system known as subak, which UNESCO says dates back to the 9th century, is the heart of this landscape. The 18th-century water temple of Pura Taman Ayun is part of it.

Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan is, according to the tourism ministry, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kalimantan, and orangutans are the main reason visitors come. They travel into the rainforest by riverboat, and the area was declared a game reserve in 1935 and became a national park in 1982. Keep a respectful distance from the animals and follow your guide's instructions.

In Bali, Sanur Beach is described by the tourism ministry as having relatively calm waters. As of October 2026, Waterbom Bali in Kuta says on its website that it is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and has 28 slides and attractions. Some larger slides have a minimum height of 100 centimetres, while its kids' area has no height minimum, so check the slide height requirements before you visit.

Families, Jakarta and Staying Connected

Jakarta's old town, known as Old Batavia, was the centre of the Dutch East India Company's administration. The tourism ministry says that the Stadthuis, with its wide front plaza, was the company's administrative centre, and that the area covers about 1.3 square kilometres. The ministry adds that the former Stadthuis is now a museum on Jakarta's history and that old warehouses nearby house a Maritime Museum.

The FCDO suggests using registered taxi companies, such as Bluebird, Silverbird or Express, or a ride-hailing app. You can download a SimMaxi eSIM plan for Indonesia before you leave home, which makes it easier to use maps, booking apps and travel updates once you arrive. Check that your phone supports eSIM before you buy.