Travel Guides: All Countries / Asia / Indonesia
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| | | Cultural splendour |  | Why go on holiday to Indonesia?
Breathtakingly diverse, Indonesia stretches across 5,000km and 17,000 islands. There are 300 ethnic groups and cultures speaking 365 languages and dialects. Visitors to Indonesia revel in the splendour of its natural and cultural riches.
Glorious sunsets, the dragons of Komodo Island, the coloured lakes of Flores, Balinese dancers, ancient temple sites and bustling multicultural cities are just a few of Indonesia's attractions.
Recent political unrest and economic strife threaten the country's stability but its natural and human wonders remain.
How much does it cost?
A low-season return from London to Indonesia will cost around £300-450 to Jakarta or £600 to Denpasar. You may find it cheaper to fly to Singapore, which costs from around £220-400, and get a cheap local flight or boat across.
A moderate hotel room costs as little as £2 a night. Five-star hotels from £45. As a guide, expect to pay around £700 for a seven-night package to Bali.
When should I go?
Indonesia has an even year-round climate (in the high 80Fs/30Cs most of the time) dividing into a wet and dry season. The rainy season can be a deterrent to visiting more remote spots as the roads become mud-clogged. May to October is the driest time.
Traditionally, European tourists flood the country then, and Australians descend in waves on Bali around Christmas. Indonesians themselves holiday around the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and resort prices go through the roof.
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| | | Amazing wildlife |  | What should I do when I'm there?
With so many islands, scuba diving and snorkelling is a popular and well-supported activity. Coral reefs and other interesting sites abound. Bali has the best operations in the archipelago.
Surfing is very popular and is ever-expanding. Yachting tours are also available. Windsurfing is well established - most common in Bali and Lombok, but also in Manadao in N. Sulawesi.
Hiking is not well-established but national parks offer some good treks such as Gunung Leuser, Sumatra and Dumoga Bone on Sulawesi. Java's Ujung Kulon National Park is the largest wilderness area on that island, but there are many volcanoes there.
Bali and Sulawesi have the most developed beach resorts; Java has Pangandaran as its main beach centre.
What is there to do on Java?
Visit Jakarta - a mad melting pot of nine million people, luxury and poverty sharing the monuments and belching pollution. There are fine museums and Old Batavia, or Kota, centred on the Dutch-built cobbled square of Taman Fatahillah.
The city of Yogyakarta oozes culture and crafts of every kind. Borobudur is a mind-blowing Buddhist pyramid and Prambanan a nearly as humbling Hindu temple.
When the mist disperses, Candi Sukuh - another Hindu temple built during the 15th century on the tiny promontory at the base of Mount Lawu in Central Java - appears, looking like a Mayan temple of Mexico
Not to be outdone, Mother Nature has thrown in Mount Bromo, a live and dangerous volcano. Also visit the cities of Bandung, Surabaya and Bogor.
What about Bali?
Kuta Bay is the biggest beach resort. Denpasar in the north is the fast-growing capital of the island. The pleasant, tree-lined streets and the excellent Bali Museum make it worth visiting.
Ubud is the serene cultural centre of Bali with excellent galleries, an outlying craft village and a monkey forest. The volcanic landscape of Gunung Batur is a marvel and Lovina is a comparatively peaceful, laid-back beach resort.
Temple festivals occur almost every day in Bali. You will see offerings carried to the temple, purification ceremonies and a fair-like atmosphere prevail. At night, performances of sacral dances, Wayang Kulit (shadow) puppets and gamelan music are held.
Tourism on Bali has suffered a huge setback since the terrorist bombings in 2002 and 2005 and is still recovering in terms of visitor numbers.
What about the other islands?
There are thousands but we'll list some of the more common, and so more affordable. Lombok Island where Ampenan, Mataram, Cakranegara and Sweta merge together to form the main city - Ampenan - is the place for budget travel.
Medan is Sumatra's capital, with fine buildings left from Dutch colonial days. The hill town of Berastagi has good treks around its two volcanoes. Bukittinggi is the centre of Minangkabau culture, bordered by three mountains.
Lake Toba is a spectacular lake in a volcanic crater. Samosir is Sumatra's main resort. Sulawesi has superb beaches and reefs and the famous Tanatoraja highland region where festive funeral rites happen every June/August in beautiful mountainous scenery.
What about the wildlife?
Among Indonesia's fauna you will find orang-utans, Komodo dragons, anoa (a deer-like pig) , the Cendrawasih bird of paradise, the badak jawa (one-horned rhino) and the banteng or wild bull of Java.
The Sumatran northern province of Aceh is a laid-back paradise with the splendid Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre - with not only many apes but elephants, tigers and the seriously endangered Sumatran rhinoceros.
Other islands also have wildlife reserves, rainforests, and orang-utan sanctuaries.
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| | | Spice it up | | Where's good for nightlife?
Jakarta is the most Westernised and happening of all Indonesia's cities with bars, discos and clubs. Or you could see the Wayang Kulit (Leather Puppet Shadow Play) - storylines are usually based on the Hindu epics.
Also see Wayang Orang (Dance Drama) and the Ramayana Ballet - most visitor-friendly places will have shows of these various cultural delights.
On Bali, Kuta Bay has wild resort night life. On Lombok, Senggigi is the only place island with any energetic nightlife although the nearby Gili Islands are a haven for beach-loving socialites.
On Sumatra Samosir, a lake island, has long been Sumatra's top travellers' destination and has accommodation and eateries galore.
What's the food like?
With such a diverse ethnic mix, Indonesia was always going to have a rich and varied cuisine. From the humblest street stall to the plushest restaurant there are very few places in Indonesia where the food is not a delight - if you like spicy cuisine.
The main influence is Chinese, with rice as the staple, and chilli prominent. The quality and range of fruit is mind-boggling - much of the produce is only available on the islands so eat your fill.
The Dutch spent a disproportionately large amount of energy building breweries during their colonial period and, as a result, Indonesian beer is very good indeed.
What should I buy?
Indonesia is a great place to buy arts and crafts with an amazing range of products at bargain prices. Wood carvings, batik, ikat (woven cloth) and pottery are all beautiful and excellent value.
Yogya is best place to shop in Java, whilst on Bali, Kuta's Jl Legian has mile upon mile of enchanting shops. Always bargain - but remember that haggling is an art, not an argument.
What is there for children to do?
Take the kids to see Indonesia at a glance at the Taman Mini (Indonesia in Miniature Park) in Jakarta. Kids should love all the puppet theatres, dancing and gamelan music (although their attention span may make their 'love' short-lived).
Bali resorts are mostly aimed at the 18-30 market, but it also has hotels with children's facilities and babysitters - check with your tour operator. Java is also good for kids.
Tourist office
Indonesian Embassy, 38 Grosvenor Square, London W1K 2HW. Tel. 020 7499 7661 ask for ext. 5949.
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| | Available rental properties in Indonesia |
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| |  | | Villa Santhi
Stunning beachfront holiday villa in peaceful North Bali. Fully serviced by friendly Balinese staff. Perfect location to escape the crowds and enjoy the real Bali in luxury and style.
|  | | Bali Emerald 4br Luxury Penthouse Nusa Dua
New luxurious 4-bedroom penthouse apartment in prime Bali area. Superb golf course and sea views, with Jacuzzi, 5*star amenities.
|  | | Villa Tirta Damai - Jimbaran
Large 2 storey, 3 bedroom, 4 bathroom Villa, sleeps up to 6 in Jimabaran Hill's. Large terraces, ocean views. All rooms A/C, furnished in a contemporary 'Asian' style.
|  | | Villa Exotic Jimbaran
Villa Excotic, conveniently located just ten minutes from the airport, between the upscale resorts of Nusa Dua and the shops, restaurants and nightlife
|  | | Topaz Villa Ubud, Bali
Luxury Villa in Ubud area, nestled in the rice fields and a Jungle of Ubud.
| | Click here for more properties... |
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