Located in Southeast Asia, Indonesia is a sovereign state that a lot of people decide to visit while they are traveling across Asia. No matter whether you are visiting this part of the world as a one-off visit or you are planning to explore many different countries, there is no denying that you are guaranteed to have an amazing time here.
Indonesia is a truly beautiful place, and it has so much to offer people of all ages and interests. With that being said, read on to discover everything you need to know about Indonesia, including why you should consider taking a trip here. The complete guide to visiting Indonesia covers everything.
Complete Guide To Visiting Indonesia
10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Indonesia
Let’s begin by taking a look at the different reasons why you should visit Indonesia.
1. Relaxation and spas
If you are looking for a location that provides plenty of relaxation options, Indonesia certainly does not disappoint. Any spa treatment you can imagine can be found here. This includes everything from aromatherapy to an abundance of massage options and fish spas to seaweed wraps. You will leave your holiday feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
2. Wildlife
You can find wild orangutans throughout the rain forests of Borneo, which is an island occupied by three countries – Malaysia, Brunei, and mostly Indonesia.
3. The local people
Another reason why you should travel to Indonesia is because of the local people. The people here are incredibly welcoming and friendly. They always have big smiles on their faces and they are a pleasure to be around.
4. Beaches
The beaches in Indonesia are truly amazing. Whether you want to relax and get a nice tan or you are looking to surf and engage in other water sports, you will find it all here.
5. Volcanoes
There are 150 volcanoes in Indonesia! The most famous is Mount Bromo. Climbing to the top requires a lot of effort, and you will need to navigate steep streets and lots of horses and tourists. Nevertheless, it is certainly worth it.
6. Temples
There are some truly stunning and striking temples in Indonesia. This includes Borobudur, which is the biggest Buddhist temple in the world. It is situated in Java, and it features more than 500 Buddha statues and over 2,000 relief panels. It is a place that cannot be done justice with mere words.
7. Bananas
If you are a fan of bananas, Indonesia will be like food heaven. Bananas are served with everything. From deep-fried bananas to those included in desserts, you will be surprised by how many ways this fruit can be served. You will soon see why the country is one of the main producers of bananas on a global scale.
8. Coffee and food
Don’t worry. You won’t be on a diet of bananas only. The food overall is amazing in Indonesia, as is the coffee. Some of the most popular foods here include gudeg, which is a dish that is made from boiled young jackfruit and tends to be served with chicken, sambal sauce, and rice, and chicken or lamb satay skewers are also popular too. Indonesia is also famous for Kopi Luwak, which is a coffee made from Luwak poop.
Head to https://enjoyjava.com/civet-coffee/ find out more about it. It may sound disgusting, but it is a costly and rare coffee, so it must be good!
9. Scuba and snorkel
There are lots of fun activities to enjoy in Indonesia, and scuba diving and snorkeling fit into this category. As 20 percent of the world’s coral reefs are based here, you can see why it is such a popular choice.
10. The Komodo Dragons
Of course, it would not be right to talk about visiting Indonesia without mentioning the Komodo Dragons, which are celebrity residents in the area. These are the largest living lizards in the world, making them the closest things to dinosaurs.
Tips for Visiting Indonesia
Now you know why Indonesia is such a popular choice for tourists all over the world, so let’s look at some travel tips to assist you while you are visiting this part of the globe.
Plugs
Isn’t it terrible when you arrive t your destination only to discover you do not have the right adapter plugs? In Indonesia, they use the Central European 2 pin plugs.
Visa Requirements
Visa requirements have recently loosened in Indonesia. They used to be strict, but in 2015 they were amended. Visas used to have to be purchased on arrival, but this is no longer the case. The vast majority of people will be able to enter Indonesia without a visa if they are visiting for less than 30 days. However, the best thing to do is take a look online at your country’s government website to find out more information. Moreover, if you are not entering the country via one of the main airports it is likely you will need to pay for a visa, so do keep this in mind.
Currency
The Indonesian Rupiah is one of the lowest value currencies across the globe. 13,000 Rupiah is the equivalent of around one dollar. Do make sure you are careful when paying, as it’s not uncommon for people to have an extra ‘0’ added onto their bill. You may overlook this, especially if you are paying via debit or credit card. Double-check the bill to make sure you do not get caught out.
Accommodation
There are so many different accommodation options to choose from. You will be able to get a good insight into these options at https://rumahdijual.com/surabaya/. Don’t only consider hotels, as there are lots of amazing holiday villas and traditional accommodation options too.
Size
You also need to be aware of the size of Indonesia. A lot of people underestimate just how big this country is. It will take you 50 hours to drive from one end of an Indonesian island known as Sumatra to the other. This is the largest of the islands. However, it does not even cover one-fourth of Indonesia, and this fact alone should help you to understand just how big this place is.
Blue Bird Taxis
The taxi scenario is a little bit strange in Indonesia. Blue Bird is the name of the official taxi company in the country. You should have no trouble recognizing one of their cars, as they feature a distinctive Blue Bird logo and the cars are blue. However, the issue is that they have become so popular, which has led other taxi companies to simply paint their cars blue. It can be difficult to distinguish the real from the fake, as some companies have resorted to putting fake logos on the top of their cars.
Language
You should have no trouble finding people that speak English in popular areas, such as Bali. The tourist places like Seminyak, Ubud, and Canguu, are filled with people that can talk in English. However, the level of English naturally lowers the further you decide to go. Bahasa is the name of the local language, and there are around 300 native dialects. Despite the fact that you should have no trouble finding someone that speaks English, it is always a good idea to learn a few words. It will help you get about and you will get the locals on your side as well.
Safety
Last but not least, what about safety in Indonesia? The good news is that violent crime is pretty rare here. However, you do need to be cautious with your belongings, as there is a lot of petty theft in Indonesia. Make sure you opt for a bag that has a strap across your body and do not leave your bags unattended. Moreover, try to use bank ATMs or those with CCTV near them, as ATM skimming is also common.
Hopefully, you now feel like you are prepared to take a trip to Indonesia. There is no denying that this is one of the most beautiful and magical parts of the world. You are guaranteed to have an amazing time here. However, you do need to make sure you plan your trip effectively so that you can make the most of it. Yes, do make sure you leave some room for freedom and spontaneous planning while you are there. Nevertheless, do make sure you are prepared so that you do not run into any problems along the way.
Have you been to Indonesia? If so, share your favorite location in the comments section below!
