Indonesia
Summary
An exotic collection of islands - 18,000 in total scattered around the equator; although the most visited are Java, Bali and Lombok - Indonesia spreads itself along the South China Sea. Throughout the centuries it has been influenced by traders and travellers from near and far as wide apart as China and Northern Europe, and it still bears the influences each has brought, as well as those of the three main Asian cultures and religions - Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam.
Experiences
- Watch the sunrise over the active volcano Mount Bromo
- Relax on the beaches of Bali
- View the legendary Komodo Dragons
- Soak up the ambiance of Spiritual Ubud
- Dive the pristine waters of the Gili Islands
- Explore the Buddhist temples at Borobudur Park in central Java
- Visit Lake Toba, the largest volcanic lake in the world
- Try surfing in Canggu beach in Bali
- Learn the ancient art of Javanese herbal healing
- Visit the monkey forest in Ubud
Seasons
Indonesia experiences a tropical climate with two distinct seasons – a dry and a wet season. With its location across the equator the temperature remains warm throughout the year with average temperatures from 23-28 degrees Celsius. Mountainous regions have a cooler climate than the coastal areas which are warmer and also have higher humidity.
Dry Season: The dry season runs from April to October, with the best months for temperatures being May and July.
Wet Season: December to March. Depending on the area that you are in these rains vary in intensity. Even though there are monsoon rains, it still remains humid and warm.
Best time to go
The drier months of May to September, and the warmer weather fits in perfectly with the European school holidays over the summer, making it a great family destination.
Fast Facts
- Capital – Jakarta
- Currency – Rupia
- Point of Entry – Jakarta, Denpasar
- Airlines – British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Qantas
- Flying Time – 15 hrs 30 mins
- Time Zone – GMT + 7 hrs
- Visa – Required-can be obtained on arrival
Insider Tips
- Once you've experienced Bali, explore the thousands of other untouched islands of the archipelago.
- A yacht charter is an excellent way to get off the beaten path to discover the real heart of Indonesia.
Bali Insider Tips
- National Dish - Nasi goreng, it’s the Indonesian version of fried rice.
- Restaurant the Locals Love - A romantic little place in the middle of Ubud, Miro’s Garden Restaurant isn’t at all trendy, but it has good food and a quiet garden setting.
- Meal Worth the Splurge - A meal at Mozaic Restaurant Gastronomique in Ubud which has years of Michelin Star experience and some of the Culinary world's biggest names.
- Don’t Forget - Most of Bali’s cultural attractions are far from the coast; visiting them could add as much as two hours’ driving to your day. Bali’s beaches are mostly too rough for swimming (but great for surfing), and the quieter ones have little or no sand.
- Don’t Miss - A traditional Balinese massage. Attending a performance of the trance-like kecak dance.
- Hidden Gem - Take a trip to Tenganan, Bali's oldest traditional village.
- Things to do to see Local Life - Attend a temple ceremony to photograph the locals as they walk in processions and present their offerings. Visit the farming villages and schools
- Perfect Souvenirs - Handicrafts, woodcarving, jewellery or batiks.