10 Best Places to Visit in Indonesia

This article will introduce the top ten tourist destinations in Indonesia, including the address, characteristics and what tourists can do in each place. From cultural monuments to natural wonders, from diving resorts to tribal culture, each place has different experiences suitable for people with various travel interests to explore.

1. Ubud, Bali

Location: Ubud Town, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia
Best Time to Visit: April to September (dry season, cooler and less rainfall)

Highlights:

• Art & Culture Hub: Known as the "soul" of Bali, Ubud is home to traditional painting, wood carving, dance, and music.
• Tropical Rainforest & Rice Terraces: Surrounded by the Ayung River and lush jungle. The Tegallalang Rice Terraces are recognized by the UN FAO as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System.
• Spiritual Center: A haven for yoga and meditation, attracting global travelers seeking mind-body balance.

What to Do:

1. Watch monkeys at the Sacred Monkey Forest and explore ancient 11th-century temples.
2. Visit the Neka Art Museum to trace Balinese art from traditional to contemporary.
3. Experience the purification ritual at Tirta Empul Temple and join local prayer ceremonies.

2. Komodo Island, East Nusa Tenggara

Location: Komodo National Park, East Nusa Tenggara
Best Time to Visit: April to December (dry season ideal for trekking and diving)

Highlights:

• Home of Prehistoric Creatures: The Komodo dragon is the world's largest living lizard, surviving for 4 million years and growing up to 3 meters.
• Magical Pink Beaches: Formed by red coral fragments and foraminifera, the sand glows pink in the sunlight.
• Marine Biodiversity: Ranked among the world’s best dive sites by National Geographic.

What to Do:

1. Trek with a guide to Banu Nggulung hilltop, spotting dragons across arid plains.
2. Dive with manta rays at Manta Point and marvel at the underwater world.
3. Enjoy a sunset boat tour to Kalong Island to watch thousands of fruit bats take flight.

3. Borobudur Temple, Central Java

Location: Magelang Regency, Central Java
Best Time to Visit: May to September (clear sunrises with mystical morning mist)

Highlights:

• Built in the 9th century by the Syailendra Dynasty with 2 million volcanic stones, symbolizing the mandala cosmology.
• 2,672 relief panels narrating Buddha’s life and Jataka tales—like an encyclopedia in stone.
• Tens of thousands gather for Vesak Day torch-lit processions.

What to Do:

1. Circumambulate the stupa three times at sunrise (a ritual called Pradaksina) and touch Buddha statues for blessings.
2. Visit Mendut Temple to see a well-preserved 3-meter Buddha statue.
3. Stay in nearby villages to experience Javanese farming and batik-making.

4. Mount Bromo, East Java

Location: Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, East Java
Best Time to Visit: April to October (clear skies and high visibility)

Highlights:

•  At 2,392 meters, its post-eruption lunar landscape earned it the nickname “Earth’s Breathing Hole.”
• Locals perform the Kasada ceremony, throwing offerings into the crater.
• Sunrise and Milky Way views make it a favorite for photographers.

What to Do:

1. Trek across the Sea of Sand for an eerie, ash-filled adventure.
2. Listen to the wind at Whispering Sands, where grains of sand hum in the breeze.
3. Sip coffee at Lava View Lodge while watching Semeru Volcano smoke in the distance.

5. Raja Ampat, West Papua

Location: Raja Ampat Archipelago, West Papua
Best Time to Visit: October to April (calm waters, perfect for diving)

Highlights:

•  Home to 75% of the world’s coral species and over 1,300 types of fish.
•  Limestone islets rise from turquoise waters like a tropical Guilin.
•  Learn the maritime traditions of the Papuan people.

What to Do:

1. Kayak through Wayag Lagoon to discover hidden lagoons and white beaches.
2. Try night diving to see glowing plankton and nocturnal sea life.
3. Visit Arborek Village to watch locals craft palm-leaf souvenirs.

6. Lake Toba, North Sumatra

Location: Samosir Island, North Sumatra
Best Time to Visit: May to September (cool, dry weather for cycling)

Highlights:

•  Formed 74,000 years ago, the lake spans 1,130 sq km with an island in the center.
•  Known for unique boat-shaped houses (Rumah Bolon) and tribal customs.
• Geothermal sites like Pangururan offer natural sulfur baths.

What to Do:

1. Cycle to Tuk Tuk Peninsula to see the King's tomb and stone court.
2. Boat to Sipisopiso Waterfall—one of Indonesia’s tallest.
3. Try local dishes like Babi Panggang Karo (roast pork) and Arsik (spicy fish), paired with Sumatran coffee.

7. Gili Islands, Lombok

Location: Off northwest Lombok – Gili Trawangan, Meno, and Air
Best Time to Visit: April to November (clear water and sunshine)

Highlights:

•  Only bikes and horse carts are allowed—peaceful and quiet.
•  Green sea turtles lay eggs on Gili Meno’s shores.
• Submerged sculptures double as coral nurseries.

What to Do:

1. Join the Gili Trawangan full moon party—fire dancing and beach beats await.
2. Enroll in a freediving course and dive to 15 meters with just one breath.
3. Cycle around the island in 90 minutes, stopping at swings, palm groves, and a forgotten lighthouse.

8. Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi

Location: Around Rantepao, South Sulawesi
Best Time to Visit: June to September (funeral ceremony season)

Highlights:

•  Funerals are elaborate journeys to the spirit world (Puya), often lasting days or even months.
• Tongkonan houses resemble boats, and colorful coffins are guarded by Tau Tau wooden effigies.
•  The number of buffaloes sacrificed reflects the deceased’s status—some worth tens of thousands of dollars.

What to Do:

1. Explore Londa Cave tombs by torchlight and observe ancient skulls and coffins.
2. Visit Kete Kesu village to learn traditional weaving and coffee roasting.
3. Witness a funeral (if invited) with full respect—expect buffalo sacrifices and dance.

9. Wakatobi National Park, Southeast Sulawesi

Location: Near Wangi-Wangi Island, Southeast Sulawesi
Best Time to Visit: April to December (calm seas for diving)

Highlights:

•  942 km of reefs with vertical drops attracting deep-sea species.
• The Bajau people live on boats and can dive up to 30 meters unaided.
• Community conservation ensures coral coverage as high as 90%.

What to Do:

1. Deep dive at Sombano Wall to find Napoleon wrasse, eagle rays, and hammerhead sharks.
2. Visit Bajo Mola village and try traditional spear fishing.
3. Join coral restoration efforts to give back to the reef.

10. Tanjung Puting National Park, Central Kalimantan

Location: Depart from Kumai, Central Kalimantan
Best Time to Visit: June to September (less rain, better boat cruising)

Highlights:

• The largest wild orangutan reserve, featured in the movie Tarzan.
•  Ancient trees, pitcher plants, and proboscis monkeys thrive here.
• Riverbanks light up with fireflies as long-tailed macaques whisper in the trees.

What to Do:

1. Watch orphaned orangutans learn survival skills at Pondok Tanggui rehabilitation center.
2. Trek in search of the rare pygmy elephant—the smallest elephant in the world.
3. Sleep aboard a klotok riverboat, listen to local legends, and stargaze without light pollution.

🌿 Travel Tips:

1. In Ubud Monkey Forest, monkeys may snatch glasses/phones—go light!
2. Wear closed shoes on Komodo treks to avoid bites.
3. At Toraja funerals, avoid wearing red (a celebratory color).