Raja Ampat, IndonesiaPhoto: Max Mossler, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Indonesia
Indonesia, made simple: temples, volcanoes, dragons and seventeen thousand islands
Indonesia is vast, generous and endlessly varied: rice terraces and temple ceremonies in Bali, Borobudur and Prambanan at sunrise near Yogyakarta, the giant energy of Jakarta, Komodo dragons and pink beaches off Labuan Bajo, and the quiet coves of Lombok and the Gili Islands. It can also feel daunting, with island hopping, visa rules, a currency full of zeros and volcanoes to plan around. This guide takes the guesswork out so you travel with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyVisas, seasons, health and money, answered
- LandingArrival forms, SIM cards, ride apps and your first evening, explained
- Your days in IndonesiaIslands, temples, food and volcanoes, planned with care
- Home againDeparture tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain rupiah, the Bali levy, ride app fares and tipping so costs never catch you off guard.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
Indonesia should feel like wonder, not worry. We answer the questions about visas, money, island hopping and safety before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
Coming home to family from the Netherlands, Malaysia, Australia or the United States, or finally seeing Bali and Borobudur for yourself? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your IndonesiaCulture, beaches, volcanoes, diving or city life: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Sort the essentialsEntry rules, travel advice, money and the right season, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for food, culture, nature and stays on each island.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to link Java, Bali, Lombok and Komodo at a realistic pace.
Everything your Indonesia trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Bali, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Labuan Bajo and Komodo, and Lombok with the Gili Islands, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred warungs, temples, markets, bars and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Bali and Jakarta, domestic hops and stays on every island.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic Indonesia trip
Java, Bali, Lombok and the Komodo islands
Most first trips start in Yogyakarta for Borobudur, Prambanan and the old royal city, fly to Bali for Ubud's rice terraces and the southern beaches, cross to Lombok or the Gili Islands, then finish with a boat trip from Labuan Bajo among the Komodo dragons. Two to three weeks shows you the best without rushing.
- Sunrise at Borobudur and the kraton of Yogyakarta
- Temples, rice terraces and ceremonies around Ubud
- Turtles off the Gili Islands and Lombok's quiet south coast
- Komodo dragons, Padar Island and manta rays from Labuan Bajo
Start with the destinations
See how Java, Bali, Lombok and Komodo fit together.
Indonesia destinationsPlan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
Indonesia rewards a little preparation: the right visa sorted online, the Bali levy paid, a ride app on your phone, domestic flights booked between islands and a pace that leaves room for traffic and ferries. Our free planner helps you shape it.
- Realistic flight and ferry links between islands
- The right season for each region
- Where to base yourself
Where to go in Indonesia
From the temples and rice terraces of Bali and the royal city of Yogyakarta to the capital Jakarta, the dragons of Komodo and the beaches of Lombok.
Bali province
Bali
Temples, rice terraces, surf beaches and a living Hindu culture.
Read the guidePhoto: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Special Region of Yogyakarta, Java
Yogyakarta
Java's cultural capital, with Borobudur and Prambanan close by.
Read the guidePhoto: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Special Capital Region of Jakarta, Java
Jakarta
A huge, energetic capital with old Batavia, great food and the Thousand Islands.
Read the guidePhoto: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
West Manggarai, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara
Labuan Bajo and Komodo
Komodo dragons, Padar's viewpoint, Pink Beach and world class diving.
Read the guidePhoto: Josep M. Gracia, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
West Nusa Tenggara
Lombok and the Gili Islands
Car free islands, turtles, quiet bays and the Rinjani volcano.
Read the guidePhoto: RaiyaniM, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is Indonesia safe to visit?
Most visits are trouble free. The main risks are road accidents, petty theft, drink spiking with methanol, strong ocean currents and volcanic activity, plus natural hazards such as earthquakes. Some areas of Papua carry government warnings. Read your own government's travel advice before you go.
What is the capital of Indonesia?
Jakarta, on the north coast of Java, served by Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. A new capital, Nusantara, is being built in East Kalimantan, but Jakarta remains the working capital and main gateway.
Do I need a visa for Indonesia?
It depends on your passport. Many visitors buy an electronic visa on arrival online before flying, some can buy it at the airport, and some Southeast Asian nationalities enter visa free. Check the official Indonesian immigration e-visa site before you book.
Is Bali the same as Indonesia?
Bali is one of Indonesia's provinces and its best known island, mostly Hindu in a mainly Muslim country. Indonesia has thousands more islands, including Java, Sumatra, Lombok, Flores, Sulawesi and Papua.
How many days do I need in Indonesia?
Ten days covers Bali and either Yogyakarta or Lombok. Two to three weeks lets you add Komodo and the Gili Islands at a relaxed pace, flying between the bigger islands.
Can BlissPoint Travel book my trip?
We are a free travel guide, not a tour operator. Use our trip planner to shape your route, and our partner links to compare flights and stays.
Ready to find your Bliss in Indonesia?
Use the free trip planner to shape your days, or send us a question through the contact page.