Top Places to Visit in Indonesia: A Traveler’s Guide

Bali Travel Guide: More Than Just Beaches

Yes, Bali has postcard-perfect beaches, but the island’s soul lies inland. Start your mornings in Ubud, skip the crowded Tegallalang Rice Terraces and ask a farmer in Sidemen to walk you through his family’s fields instead. For sunset, Uluwatu’s clifftops are magical, but the real show happens below—local surfers carving waves at Padang Padang as the sky turns gold. And if you’re up for adventure, Mount Batur’s sunrise hike is worth the 2 AM start, especially when your guide cooks bananas in volcanic steam.

Yogyakarta Travel Guide: Ancient Temples

Yogyakarta is Indonesia’s cultural heartbeat. The ancient temples of Borobudur and Prambanan are stunning, but go deeper. At Borobudur, arrive before dawn to watch the mist lift over 2,000 carved stone reliefs—your guide can share the Buddhist stories behind them. Back in the city, wander through Kotagede’s silver workshops or learn batik-making from artisans who’ve practiced for generations. Don’t miss Malioboro Street at night, where horse-drawn carriages clatter past vendors selling gudeg (sweet jackfruit stew), a Yogyakarta specialty.

Komodo National Park Travel Guide: Beyond the Dragons

Everyone comes to see the Komodo dragons, but the park’s real magic lies in its waters. After snapping photos of the world’s largest lizards on Rinca Island, grab a snorkel. Manta rays glide through the currents at Manta Point, while Pink Beach’s coral gardens shimmer just below the surface. For the best views, hike Padar Island’s jagged peaks—the bays below look like a painter’s palette. Pro tip: Stay on a liveaboard boat to experience the park’s remote corners without the day-trip crowds.

Raja Ampat Travel Guide: The Best Place for Snorkeling and Diving

Raja Ampat’s islands are so untouched, you’ll feel like you’ve just discovered them. Under the water, it’s a carnival of life: neon nudibranchs, wobbegong sharks, and schools of barracuda. Jagged limestone cliffs rise from the sea, looking like sharp dragon’s teeth. Instead of going to the crowded Pianemo viewpoint, ask your guide to take you to Star Lagoon — a hidden pool that you can reach only by climbing over coral rocks. At night, fall asleep in a cozy bungalow while glowing plankton lights up the water beneath you.

Lombok & the Gilis Travel Guide: Bali’s Quieter Siblings

Lombok is what Bali was 30 years ago. Hike Mount Rinjani at dawn to take in the view of its steaming crater lake, then cool off under Sendang Gile waterfall. The nearby Gili Islands offer barefoot bliss: on Gili Meno, sea turtles nest along quiet shores, while Gili Air’s reggae bars hum with local musicians. For the best sunset, grab a coconut at Gili Trawangan’s northern coast—the view of Bali’s Mount Agung across the Lombok Strait is unforgettable.

Jakarta Travel Guide: Indonesia’s Capital of History and Art

Indonesia’s capital is chaotic but captivating. Start in Kota Tua, where Dutch colonial buildings house quirky museums (check out the puppet collection at Wayang Museum). For lunch, join office workers at a warung for nasi uduk (coconut rice with spicy toppings). Escape the heat at Taman Ismail Marzuki, an arts complex where indie filmmakers and punk bands collide. If you have a day to spare, the Thousand Islands offer snorkeling just an hour from the city—ask a local fisherman to take you to his favorite spot.

Lake Toba Travel Guide: The World’s Largest Volcanic Lake on Samosir Island

North Sumatra’s Lake Toba is a world apart. The Batak people here still live in traditional wooden houses with high roofs, and many welcome visitors for coffee roasted over open fires. Rent a motorbike to circle Samosir Island, stopping at hot springs and villages where elders sing ancient folk songs. Don’t leave without trying arsik (spicy carp stew) at a lakeside café—the perfect meal after swimming in the volcanic waters.

Travel Like a Local

Indonesia’s size can be overwhelming, but that’s where local wisdom helps. A local expert can:

• Navigate you through Bali’s backroads to hidden waterfalls

• Arrange a private boat to Komodo’s secret dive sites

• Show you how to eat sate like an Indonesian (hint: it’s all about the peanut sauce technique)

The best trips here aren’t about ticking off sights—they’re about the moments in between. With the right guide, you won’t just see Indonesia; you’ll understand it.

Download FindGuide and let someone who calls Indonesia home show you the magic most travelers miss.

Selamat jalan!