If you’re planning to travel to Indonesia and want help with some research, we’ve put together some stats, ideas on where to go (if you don’t want to just fly to Bali) and some trivia! Plus, find tips and info on Indonesian food, currency, culture and more.
#1 How many islands in Indonesia are there?
Indonesia ranks sixth in the world for the biggest number of islands – there are well over 17,000 of them! Admittedly, many tourists only see one (yes, Bali!). But it goes to show just how many travel options there are, from islands that are a short ferry ride from Singapore, to others that are off-the-beaten-track gems with world-class diving or surfing,
#2 Itinerary ideas
One easy way to approach travel to Indonesia is to choose one island to explore. Here are three example itineraries with some suggested destinations:
- Java: Jakarta – Yogyakarta – Borobudur – Bromo
- Bali: Seminyak – Ubud – Lovina – Sanur – Nusa Dua – Uluwatu — Seminyak
- Sumatra: Medan – Lake Toba – Berastagi – Bukit Lawang
Cultural Destinations: Among the eight World Heritage Sites in Indonesia are the massive Borobudur temple, Komodo National Park with its famous “dragons”, and Sumatra’s rainforests.
A Singapore Tie-in: There are Indonesian islands very close to Singapore (less than an hour by ferry). So, if you want, you could add an Indonesian leg to your trip to that city. Islands within easy reach include Bintan and Batam, and there are also smaller island resorts nearby.
Scuba Diving Destinations: There is world-class diving to be enjoyed in different parts of Indonesia. Highlights include Wakatobi and Raja Ampat, where the waters are teeming with marine life.
#3 How big is Indonesia’s population?
It’s huge! Only three countries in the world – India, China and the United States – have a bigger population than Indonesia’s 279 million. The capital Jakarta has around 11 million of those.
Well, we say “capital”, but Indonesia is actually transitioning to a new official capital called Nusantara. Located around 1,000km from Jakarta in Borneo’s East Kalimantan, the designed city will be rolled out between now and 2045. The first officials have moved to Nusantara already. Why the shift? One of the main reasons is because Jakarta is sinking – and rather quickly (up to 20cm a year).
The majority of Indonesia’s population is Muslim, though Hinduism is dominant in Bali.
#4 Public holidays in Indonesia
Eid al-Fitr (referred to as Lebaran or Idul Fitri in Indonesia) marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting and prayer. Food obviously plays a leading role in celebrations, with people enjoying everything from snacks like peanuts, biscuits and colourful sweet bites called kue, to curries, rice dishes and more. Dates change from year to year.
A big day on the Balinese calendar is Nyepi Day (“day of silence”). This is usually in March, but do find out the exact date because it can be tough to get transport and services.
Vesak Day in May or June celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. This festival is a must-do at the Borobudur temple, in particular, where huge crowds of people visit on pilgrimage.
#5 Culture research – what to read and watch
There are plenty of good books that set the scene if you want to travel to Indonesia. Earth of Mankind by renowned 20th-century novelist Pramoedya Ananta Toer is a love story set at the end of the Dutch colonial period. For a love story of a different kind, you could read the Bali component of Elizabeth Gilbert’s famous 2006 publishing phenomenon, Eat, Pray, Love. The Year of Living Dangerously by Christopher Koch is set in 1960s Indonesia, and chronicles the political upheaval of the time. It was also made into a film starring Mel Gibson.
As for what to watch, you could start with Siti, an Indonesian drama film about a woman’s struggle in a rural village. Elsewhere, Laskar Pelangi (“The Rainbow Troops”), tells the story of a group of school children and their teachers on a Sumatran tin mining island, and The Island of Lost Dragons is a documentary focused on Indonesia’s famous Komodo dragons.
#6 What’s some interesting trivia about Indonesia?
Seven things you never thought you needed to know about Indonesia…
- It is the world’s biggest producers of nutmeg.
- More than 700 indigenous languages are spoken across the country.
- The Komodo dragon of Indonesia is the largest living species of lizard, growing up to three metres.
- Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelagic country.
- The country is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire and has more than 130 active volcanoes.
- Bali is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world
- The Indonesian flag has identical features to the flag of Monaco; it’s just a tiny bit wider.
#7 Health and safety
Stick to bottled water, and order food that looks well cooked with fresh ingredients. Indonesia does suffer the occasional disaster, from earthquakes to volcanic eruptions. If you’re caught in one of those, take advice from local authorities on how to proceed. Keep mosquito repellant handy.
#8 Indonesia visas, time and money
Visa rules in Indonesia have been modified recently, so check the most recent status on your home country’s government website or head to immiportal.org/indonesia. Most nationalities need to apply for a visa on arrival, either online or at the airport. Singapore, Malaysia and a few other ASEAN countries are exempted.
There are three time zones in Indonesia, varying from 7 and 9 hours ahead of GMT. When it’s midday in Bali, it’s also midday in Singapore, and 2pm in Sydney.
The official currency is the Indonesia rupiah (Rp), and you get lots of them on the exchange rate! (One US dollar, for example, is around 16,000 Rp.) ATMs are easy enough to find in main centres and credit cards accepted. Shop owners usually prefer you to use cash for smaller purchase, so it’s useful to travel with some for day-to-day expenses.
#9 Weather and seasons
Indonesia is warm to hot all year round, with plenty of rain especially between November and March. If you’re keen on beach sessions and outdoor activities, aim to travel between May and September, when things are drier. At the same time, come when its wet and you’ll enjoy lush green landscapes, incredible waterfall views, and often smaller crowds and lower prices too!
#10 Language
While the official language is Bahasa Indonesia, English is also widely spoken.
Bahasa phrases you can try with the locals include “Selamat” (“hello”), “Apa kabarmu?” (“How are you?”), “Apa nama anda?” (“What’s your name?”), and “Terima kasih” (“Thank you”).
#11 Indonesian food
If you’re not already a fan of Indonesian food, here are our top five must-try dishes:
- Nasi Goreng – a popular fried rice dish found throughout Indonesia
- Gado Gado – a salad of boiled vegetables served with a peanut sauce dressing
- Babi Guling – roast suckling pig, famous in Bali
- Rendang – a slow-cooked beef curry from West Sumatra made from spices and coconut milk
- Ayam Penyet – smashed friend chicken served with spicy chili sauce, tofu and rice
#12 Souvenirs and shopping – what should I buy to take home?
You could grab some beautiful batik textiles from Jakarta or Bali, or a traditionally crafted shadow puppet (wayang kulit). Coffee fans can splurge on some kopi luwak (civet coffee), one of the most rare and expensive coffees in the world. It’s made from beans that have been eaten and extracted by civet cats – and we’ve been told it’s better than it sounds!
#13 Notable quotes on Indonesia
Former US President Barack Obama lived in Indonesia from age six to 10, where he was enrolled in school under the name “Barry”. While he was only young, living there clearly had an impact. He later had this to say about the country: “Because Indonesia is made up of thousands of islands, hundreds of languages and people from scores of regions and ethnic groups, my time here helped me appreciate the humanity of all people.”
More recently, Indonesian singer and actress Agnes Monica (whose performing name is Angez Mo) said, ”I love Indonesia. I love its complexity and diversity, the contrasts between its people and its landscapes.”
Read on for more on solo travel and Indonesia travel stories
