Indonesia — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“Paradise island Bali, volcanoes, and many-island cultures”
Indonesia is the largest and most diverse archipelago in the world — Bali, a land of temples and rice terraces; the Bromo and Ijen volcanoes; the Borobudur temple; the coral of Raja Ampat; and the city of Jakarta, paired with fiery street food and the warm smiles of its people.
Indonesia at a glance
Choose a city in Indonesia
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Kuta & Seminyak, Bali
Ubud, Bali
Nusa Dua, Bali
Jakarta
Yogyakarta
Bandung
Lombok
Labuan Bajo
Malang & Mount BromoDecide — is Indonesia right for you?
Why people love Indonesia, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
Legendary Bali
Seaside temples, the Ubud rice terraces, and resort villas with private pools.
Spectacular volcanoes
Watch the sunrise over Bromo and the blue flames of Ijen by night.
World-class diving
Raja Ampat and the Gili Islands — abundant coral and marine life.
Cultural heritage
Borobudur, the largest Buddhist monument in the world, and the Hindu temple of Prambanan.
Great value
Affordable luxury villas and cheap food mean you can travel long without overspending.
Indonesia vs its neighbors
| Indonesia | Thailand | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $30–70 | $25–55 | $30–70 |
| Visa (Thai passport) | Free 30 days (visa-free) | Home country | Free 30 days |
| Getting around cities | Grab / scooter rental · no MRT in Bali | BTS/MRT in Bangkok · traffic upcountry | Grab + car rental · busy island roads |
| English | Very good in Bali's tourist areas · less so elsewhere | Decent in tourist areas | Very good · former US colony |
| Known for | Bali-Hindu culture · rice terraces · surfing | Food · beaches · temples | Clear seas · diving · island paradise |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
Bali and relaxation
Base yourself in Ubud or Seminyak for massages, yoga and rice-terrace cafés, with a stop at Kuta beach for souvenirs — Bali fits every style.
See this plan → 🌿Nature and culture
Ubud is the heart of Balinese art — watch a Kecak dance at sunset, visit ancient temples and genuine farming villages.
See this plan → 🏄Surf and party
Kuta and Seminyak have world-class surf and beach clubs by night, with an atmosphere that runs 24 hours.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
12 ranked reviews
Reviewed12 Best Hotels in Bandung 2026 — Reviewed, With Live Price Comparison
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ReviewedThe 12 Best Hotels in Jakarta for 2026 — Reviews and Price Comparison
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Reviewed12 Best Hotels in Labuan Bajo 2026 — Reviews & Price Comparison
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ReviewedThe 12 Best Hotels in Lombok, Indonesia (2026) — Reviews & Price Comparison
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Reviewed12 Best Malang & Mount Bromo Hotels for 2026 — Reviews & Price Comparison
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Reviewed12 Best Hotels in Nusa Dua, Bali for 2026 — Reviews & Price Comparison
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Reviewed12 Best Hotels in Yogyakarta for 2026 — Reviews and Price Comparison
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Reviewed10 Best Ubud Hotels with Rice Terrace Views (2026)
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Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Kuta, Bali — Beach + Legian Boutiques (2026)
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Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Ubud, Bali — Jungle Pools & Rice Terraces 2026
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Reviewed10 Best Ubud Hotels in Bali — Rice Terrace & Jungle Pool Picks
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Reviewed8 Best Kuta Bali Hotels — Beachfront Picks for Every Budget
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City-by-city food guides — standout dishes and places to try, with real photos
🍜 EatBandung Food Guide
Read the guide →
🍜 EatJakarta Food Guide
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🍜 EatKuta Seminyak Food Guide
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🍜 EatLabuan Bajo Food Guide
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🍜 EatLombok Food Guide
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🍜 EatMalang Bromo Food Guide
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🍜 EatNusa Dua Food Guide
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🍜 EatUbud Food Guide
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🍜 EatYogyakarta Food Guide
Read the guide →Signature dishes across Indonesia
- 1🍢
Sate
Grilled skewered meat with peanut sauce — a favorite snack across Indonesia.
📍 Nationwide - 2🍚
Nasi Goreng
Fried rice with a fried egg and prawns, sweet and savory — Indonesia's national dish.
📍 Nationwide - 3🍛
Rendang
Beef braised in a rich coconut curry until dry, bold and intensely flavored.
📍 Sumatra - 4🥗
Gado-Gado
Blanched vegetable salad with peanut sauce — a popular vegetarian dish.
📍 Nationwide - 5☕
Luwak coffee
A pricey specialty coffee — try it at a Bali coffee plantation with a view.
📍 Bali
City-by-city sightseeing guides — real photos, locations and unmissable highlights
📸 SeeBandung Things To Do
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📸 SeeJakarta Things To Do
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📸 SeeKuta Seminyak Things To Do
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📸 SeeLabuan Bajo Things To Do
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📸 SeeLombok Things To Do
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📸 SeeMalang Bromo Things To Do
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📸 SeeNusa Dua Things To Do
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📸 SeeUbud Things To Do
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📸 SeeYogyakarta Things To Do
Read the guide →Top sights across Indonesia
- 1🛕
Ubud
The cultural heart of Bali — the Tegalalang rice terraces, the Monkey Forest, and villas amid nature.
📍 Bali - 2🌅
Mount Bromo
Watch the sunrise over a volcanic desert — a surreal landscape.
📍 East Java - 3🛕
Borobudur
The largest stone Buddhist monument in the world, most beautiful at dawn.
📍 Yogyakarta - 4🏖️
Kuta / Seminyak
Surf beaches, beach clubs, and popular seaside restaurants.
📍 Bali - 5🐠
Gili Islands
Small, clear-water, car-free islands for snorkeling with turtles and coral.
📍 Lombok - 6🌋
Ijen
Hike up at night to see the blue flames and sulfur crater — a rare phenomenon.
📍 East Java
🚆 Getting around Indonesia
Domestic flights
The archipelago is vast; flying between islands (Jakarta-Bali-Yogyakarta) is easiest.
Gojek/Grab
Hail a motorbike or car in the cities — cheap and no haggling.
Car with driver
In Bali it's common to hire a car with a driver by the day, handy for visiting several spots.
Fast boats
Reach the Gilis/Lombok/Nusa Penida by fast boat from Bali's piers.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Indonesia
A Muslim country
Mostly Muslim (Bali is Hindu); dress modestly when entering temples or mosques.
Cash & bargaining
The rupiah has many zeros, markets are open to haggling, and small shops take cash.
Visa
Thais enter Indonesia visa-free for short stays — check the latest conditions.
Gojek/Grab
Ride-hailing and food-delivery apps cover the big cities and Bali.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Homestay / hostel in Ubud $7–17
Eat nasi goreng and satay at local warungs — backpacking Bali is better value than Thailand in many spots.
Comfortable
🛏️ Private pool villa / 3–4★ hotel $35–70
Bali has loads of mid-priced pool villas, excellent value compared to anywhere else at the same level.
Premium
🛏️ Luxury villa / rice-terrace-view resort $85+
Ubud hides world-class resorts in the valleys, with rice and bamboo-forest views you won't find anywhere else.
🗓️ When to visit Indonesia
Dry season
Apr – OctGood sun and little rain — the best time for Bali and for diving.
Rainy season
Nov – MarFrequent afternoon and evening rain, but fewer crowds and lower prices.
Volcano trips
May – SepClear skies, ideal for climbing Bromo/Ijen to catch the sunrise.
Avoid Nyepi
MarBali's Day of Silence (Nyepi) shuts everything down, including the airport — plan around it.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Indonesia — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.6👑 Great for your trip★ 9.6👑 Great for your trip
★ 9.5💑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Indonesia?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Indonesia
How many days should I spend in Bali?+
5–7 days is about right for Ubud, the southern beaches and a Gili/Nusa Penida trip; add 2–3 days if you include Yogyakarta (Borobudur).
Where else should I visit in Indonesia besides Bali?+
Yogyakarta (Borobudur-Prambanan), the Bromo-Ijen volcanoes in East Java, Raja Ampat for divers, and the capital, Jakarta.
Do Thais need a visa?+
Thai passport holders enter Indonesia visa-free for short stays — check the latest conditions and length of stay before you travel.
Tips before you go to Indonesia
- In Bali, hiring a car with a driver by the day is good value and convenient.
- Carry cash in rupiah and count the zeros carefully.
- Dress modestly and wear a sarong when entering temples.
- Avoid Nyepi (Bali's Day of Silence), when everything is closed.