Country guide · Indonesia
Best places to visit in Indonesia
3 destinations compared, so you can choose where to spend your time.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Paskuu, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
For a first trip to Indonesia, start with Bali: Hindu temples, rice terraces, surf beaches and volcano sunrises. For beaches, look at Bali. Yogyakarta is the least expensive of the destinations in this guide.
Key facts
- Destinations in this guide
- 3
- Best months overall
- May–September
- Start with
- Bali
- Least expensive here
- Yogyakarta
3 places to visit in Indonesia
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Compare the destinations
| Destination | Known for | Best time | Ideal stay | Mid-range per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bali | Hindu temples and Rice terraces | April–June and September–October | 10 days | $80–$180 |
| Jakarta | National Monument (Monas) and Kota Tua | May–September | 3 days | $80–$160 |
| Yogyakarta | Borobudur and Prambanan | May–September | 4 days | $50–$110 |
When to visit Indonesia
Across these destinations the most reliable months are May–September. Timing still varies by place: Bali is best in April–June and September–October; Jakarta is best in May–September; Yogyakarta is best in May–September.
Signature dishes across Indonesia
| Destination | Try first | Also try |
|---|---|---|
| Bali | Babi guling | Bebek betutu and Nasi campur Bali |
| Jakarta | Soto Betawi | Kerak telor and Nasi uduk |
| Yogyakarta | Gudeg | Bakpia and Kopi joss |
Events through the year in Indonesia
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Jakarta: Chinese New Year in Glodok (late January or February); Yogyakarta: Chinese New Year celebrations at Ketandan Chinatown (late January or February) |
| February | Bali: Chinese New Year at Chinese-Balinese temples (January or February); Jakarta: Cap Go Meh — end of Chinese New Year celebrations (15th day of the lunar new year) |
| March | Bali: Nyepi — Balinese Day of Silence; the island and airport close for 24 hours (usually March); Jakarta: Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr — dates follow the Islamic calendar and move about 11 days earlier each year |
| April | Bali: Easter holidays bring Australian visitors (March or April) |
| May | Jakarta: Java Jazz Festival (usually late May or early June in recent years); Yogyakarta: Vesak — Buddhist procession from Mendut to Borobudur (usually May or June) |
| June | Bali: Bali Arts Festival — month-long programme of dance, music and parades in Denpasar (usually mid-June to mid-July); Jakarta: Jakarta Fair (usually mid-June to mid-July) |
| July | Bali: Bali Kite Festival at Padang Galak beach near Sanur (usually July or August); Jakarta: School holidays (usually late June to mid-July) |
| August | Bali: Indonesian Independence Day celebrations and village games (17 August); Jakarta: Independence Day — flag ceremonies and neighbourhood games (17 August) |
| October | Bali: Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (usually October); Jakarta: Jakarta Marathon (usually October) |
| December | Bali: Christmas and New Year's Eve parties in Seminyak, Canggu and Kuta (late December); Jakarta: New Year's Eve celebrations around Bundaran HI and Monas |
How far apart they are
| From | To | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Bali | Jakarta | 952 km |
| Bali | Yogyakarta | 535 km |
| Jakarta | Yogyakarta | 427 km |
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I go on my first trip to Indonesia?
Bali: Bali is a Hindu island in mostly Muslim Indonesia, about 140 km across, where daily offerings sit on doorsteps and temple ceremonies close roads. The south — Seminyak, Canggu, Kuta, Uluwatu and Nusa Dua — has the…
+When is the best time to visit Indonesia?
Generally May–September, though it varies by region.