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Indonesia travel guide

Bali's temples, rice terraces and cliffs, the green hills of Java and island-hopping across the world's largest archipelago.

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Indonesia packages from USD 728
Kelingking Beach and its headland on Nusa Penida, Bali Waves on the sand at Pandawa Beach, Bali Tea gardens and green hills at Puncak, West Java

Indonesia is a nation of more than 17,000 islands, and most visitors from the UAE start with Bali: Hindu temples on clifftops, rice terraces around Ubud, surf beaches in the south and boat trips to the dramatic cliffs of Nusa Penida. Java adds the capital Jakarta and cool hill country around Puncak and Bogor.

Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim-majority country, so halal food is easy to find in Java, while Bali's own culture and cooking are Hindu.

Visa and entry

  • Visitors of eligible nationalities can buy a visa on arrival or an e-VOA online. It costs IDR 500,000, about AED 120, and is valid for 30 days; extending it to 60 days now needs an in-person visit to an immigration office.

    Source: Gulf News (Justin Varghese)

  • UAE residents who are nationals of the 97 countries eligible for the e-VOA can apply online before travelling.

    Source: Gulf News (Huda Tabrez)

  • Every traveller completes the free All Indonesia arrival card online before arrival, combining the immigration, customs and health declarations.

    Source: Directorate General of Immigration of Indonesia (All Indonesia portal)

  • Foreign tourists visiting Bali pay a levy of IDR 150,000 per person, best paid in advance through the Love Bali website or app.

    Source: Kontan (Lailatul Anisah)

Entry rules for Indonesia can change at short notice. Share your nationality and residence details and our team will confirm what applies to you before you book.

Things to do in Indonesia

  1. Ubud and the rice terraces

    Bali's cultural heart, with the Tegallalang terraces, craft villages and the Sacred Monkey Forest.

  2. Uluwatu Temple

    A sea temple on a clifftop in the south, with a Kecak fire dance at sunset.

  3. Tanah Lot

    A temple on a rock in the sea, cut off by the tide.

  4. Nusa Penida

    An island off Bali with Kelingking Beach, Crystal Bay and some of the most dramatic cliffs in Indonesia.

  5. The beaches of the south

    Water sports at Tanjung Benoa, the sands of Nusa Dua and Pandawa, and seafood at sunset in Jimbaran.

  6. Puncak and Bogor

    Tea plantations, the Taman Safari park and the botanic gardens in the cool hills south of Jakarta.

  7. Borobudur

    The great ninth-century Buddhist temple in central Java, a UNESCO site.

Dos and don'ts

Do

  • Complete the All Indonesia arrival card and pay the Bali levy before you fly.
  • Wear a sarong and sash at Balinese temples; they are lent or rented at the entrance.
  • Use the Grab or Gojek apps for cars and scooters.
  • Carry cash in rupiah for small shops, temples and markets.
  • Give and receive things with your right hand.

Don't

  • Carry or use drugs; Indonesia's penalties include the death sentence.
  • Step on the small offerings of flowers placed on Bali's pavements and doorways.
  • Overstay your visa; fines and detention follow.
  • Ride a scooter without a valid licence and helmet.

Food to try

Nasi goreng
Fried rice with a fried egg and crackers, eaten at any time of day.
Satay
Chicken or beef skewers with peanut sauce, grilled on every street corner.
Rendang
Beef slow-cooked in coconut and spices until almost dry, from Sumatra.
Gado-gado
Vegetables, tofu and egg with peanut sauce.
Bakso
Meatball soup with noodles, a favourite of Jakarta's street stalls.

Practical tips

Getting around
Grab and Gojek cover Jakarta and most of Bali. Bali's traffic is slow, so a car and driver for day trips saves time.
Money
Cards are accepted in hotels and malls; elsewhere use cash and withdraw from bank ATMs.
Halal food
Easy to find across Java. In Bali, pork is common in local dishes, but halal restaurants are plentiful in Kuta, Nusa Dua and Denpasar.
Weather
Warm all year. The dry season from April to October is best; the wet season brings short, heavy rain.

Indonesia holiday packages

Two itineraries in Indonesia, built on the places in this guide, with the hotel, tours and transfers in one price.

All holiday packages

Indonesia in photographs

Kelingking Beach and its headland on Nusa Penida, Bali Waves on the sand at Pandawa Beach, Bali Tea gardens and green hills at Puncak, West Java Jet skiing off the coast of Bali The National Monument (Monas) and Merdeka Square, Jakarta

Questions about travelling to Indonesia

Do UAE residents need a visa for Indonesia?

Nationals of eligible countries buy a 30-day visa on arrival or an e-VOA online for IDR 500,000. Everyone completes the All Indonesia arrival card, and Bali visitors pay a levy of IDR 150,000.

How many days are enough for Bali?

Four or five nights cover the south, Ubud and a day on Nusa Penida; combine with Java for a longer trip.

Is Bali good for a honeymoon?

Yes. Villas with private pools, clifftop sunsets and spa days make it one of the most popular honeymoons from the UAE.

Is Indonesia good for families?

Yes. Taman Safari, water sports, gentle beaches in Nusa Dua and the monkey forest in Ubud all suit children.

More travel guides

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Enquiries

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