Indonesia

Citizens of many countries — including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and most EU nations — can obtain a Visa on Arrival (VoA) at major Indonesian airports and seaports, including Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport. The VoA costs around USD $35, is valid for 30 days, and can be extended once for an additional 30 days at an immigration office. Indonesia also offers an e-Visa option that can be applied for online before travel. Citizens of some countries are eligible for visa-free entry for short stays. Always check the current requirements for your specific nationality before you travel, as Indonesia's visa policies have been updated in recent years. If you're planning to visit multiple Indonesian islands over an extended period, understanding the extension process before you arrive is worth doing.

Indonesia has over 17,000 islands, and choosing the right ones depends entirely on what you're after. Bali is the most accessible and well-developed for tourism, with excellent infrastructure, a strong cultural identity, and a range of experiences from beach to jungle to temple. Java is the most populous island and home to Borobudur (the world's largest Buddhist temple), the ancient Hindu temples of Prambanan, and the volcanic landscapes around Yogyakarta — it's culturally the richest island but requires more effort to navigate. Lombok, just east of Bali, offers a quieter alternative with excellent hiking on Mount Rinjani and the beautiful Gili Islands offshore. Komodo Island is worth the journey for the dragons and the extraordinary diving. Raja Ampat in West Papua is one of the best diving destinations in the world but requires significant travel. For a first trip, Bali plus Lombok or the Gili Islands is the most accessible and rewarding combination.

Indonesia is a predominantly Muslim country — the world's largest Muslim-majority nation — and dressing modestly when visiting mosques and religious sites is both respectful and required. Bali is the main exception, with its Hindu culture, but even there, covering up at temples is expected. Bali belly is a real risk across Indonesia: drink only bottled water, be cautious with raw vegetables and ice in budget establishments, and carry rehydration salts. The traffic in Bali's south — particularly around Seminyak, Kuta, and Canggu — is notoriously congested, and journey times are often much longer than distances suggest. Bargaining is expected in markets but not in restaurants or shops with fixed prices. Tipping is not as culturally embedded as in the US, but it's appreciated in tourist-facing contexts. Finally, Indonesia's geography means that inter-island travel requires planning — flights, ferries, and fast boats all have their own schedules and booking requirements.

Indonesia is one of the most affordable destinations in Southeast Asia, though costs vary significantly by island and by how you travel. Bali has a wide range of accommodation from very cheap guesthouses to luxury villas, and food at local warungs is excellent and inexpensive. Java is generally cheaper than Bali. The Gili Islands are more expensive than the mainland for accommodation and food, reflecting their popularity and the cost of bringing supplies by boat. Diving and snorkeling trips add up if you're doing multiple excursions, particularly in more remote areas like Raja Ampat where liveaboard costs are significant. Inter-island flights are affordable when booked in advance through carriers like Lion Air, Garuda Indonesia, and Citilink. Overall, Indonesia offers extraordinary value for money, particularly if you're willing to eat locally and stay in guesthouses rather than resorts.

Getting between Indonesian islands requires a combination of approaches depending on where you're going. Domestic flights are the most practical option for covering longer distances — carriers like Lion Air, Garuda Indonesia, Citilink, and Batik Air serve most major islands, and fares are affordable when booked in advance. For shorter hops — Bali to Lombok, Bali to the Gili Islands, Java to Bali — fast boats and ferries are the standard option. The Bali to Gili Islands fast boat takes about two hours and is a popular and scenic journey. Slow ferries operated by PELNI connect more remote islands and are very affordable but take significantly longer. For Komodo Island, most travelers join a liveaboard or day trip from Labuan Bajo on Flores. Planning inter-island logistics carefully — particularly ferry and fast boat schedules, which can be disrupted by weather — is one of the most important parts of preparing for an Indonesia trip.