Indonesia is made up of 17,000 different islands, so whatever kind of holiday you are looking for here you are guaranteed to find it. You can choose to spend time on the beach in top island spots like Bali or Lombok, or you can explore some of Indonesia’s culture in historic cities like Yogyakarta. If you like shopping, then Jakarta’s malls and markets are the place to go, or you can check on the famous food scene in cities like Medan in stunning North Sumatra.
Bukit Lawang sits in the Gunung Leuser National Park and is the place to come in North Sumatra if you want to go trekking or tubing on the river. It is a little out of the city but well worth it if you are in the area and have some time to spare. You can also see orang utans here as this is protected land that also features a rehabilitation center and feeding platform.
Travel Time: 4 hours
Clothing: Hiking boots are a must if you are going to go trekking. Bring swimwear if you wish to go tubing.
Distance from city center: 90 km
Gili Trawangan:
The island of Gili Trawangan sits just off the coast of the mainland of Lombok and is the place to come if you want to experience some diving and snorkeling while in the area. The sea around Lombok is crystal clear and you can expect a huge amount of underwater life like turtles, rays, and even some small sharks (that are harmless!) if you are lucky.
Travel time: 2 hours 57 minutes
Clothing: Swimming attire is a must.
Distance from city center: 80.7 km
Mount Rinjani:
Mount Rinjani is a dormant volcano that still erupts from time to time. When it is not active you can enjoy trekking to the crater and there are a number of hikes that you can join that takes different routes. From the crater, which stands at 3,726 meters, you will be able to look out all across Lombok to Bali. You can also camp on Rinjani and there are a range of packages available if you want to do a multi day hike.
Travel time: 2 hours 38 minutes
Clothing: Hiking boots are an absolute must due to the mountain terrain.
Distance from city center: 96.1 km
Air Terjun Sendang Gile:
Literally meaning the ‘Crazy Waterfalls’ come here to see one of the prettiest and largest waterfalls in Lombok. It takes about 20 minutes to walk up to the falls but once there you can swim in the natural pools at the base.
Best mode of transport: by car
Duration of travel: 2 hours 50 minutes
Distance from city center: 4.9 km
Istana Maimun:
Istana Maimun is a palace that used to belong to the Sultanate of Deli. Now it has been turned into a museum and you can also watch a live band playing traditional music here. You can’t visit the entire palace as it is still reserved for visiting dignitaries but some of the rooms are open to the public and there is also a gift shop to buy souvenirs.
Best mode of transport: by car
Duration of travel: 19 minutes
Tip: The band plays here every day from 10 am.
Distance from city center: 24.7 km
Tetebutu Village:
Tetebatu Village is set among stunning green rice paddies and forests. It is the home of the Sasak people, the indigenous people of Lombok and you can learn all about the culture of this island at Tetebatu Village. This makes a nice change of pace if you have spent most of your time on the beach.
Best mode of transport: by car
Duration of travel: 43 minutes
Clothing: Wear long sleeved clothes to walk around the rice paddies to avoid getting bitten by insects.
Pantai Cermin:
No actually in Medan but in neighboring Serdang Bedagai sits Pantai Cermin. The beach here also has a water theme park close to it and you can swim, bathe, or kayak here. There are also other activities like horse riding or you can rent a beach hut and just relax on the sand.
Tangsi Beach:
Tangsi Beach is famous in Lombok as the sand here is not white but pink. It is one of only a few pink sand beaches in Indonesia so if you are looking for something different then make sure not to give it a miss. You can swim or snorkel here or just relax on the pink hued sand.
Tanjung A’an:
Close to the main beach in Lombok, Kuta Beach, Tanjung A’an is famous for its sand which comes in the form of large grains that look like pepper. It is quieter than other beaches and you can get delicious fresh coconuts here to quench your thirst on a hot day. There are fewer tourists here and you will mainly find locals here who live nearby.
Center Point Mall:
Center Point Mall opened in 2013 making it one of the newest malls in town. It is more upscale than many of the other malls in the city and has a wide range of Western shops as well as a food court. There are a wealth of eateries all over the mall selling cuisines from all over the world such as sushi and American style chains. There is a cinema located on the top floor and a supermarket in the basement.
Epicentrum Mall:
Epicentrum Mall, Jl. Sriwijaya No. 333. Epicentrum Mall is one of the newer malls in Lombok and has a range of Western outlets lie KFC and Starbucks. There is also a cinema here which is the only one in Lombok as well as a supermarket.
Mataram Mall:
Mataram Mall is widely considered to be the best mall in Lombok although this is not saying much as it is not very big. There is a department store here as well as a supermarket and some eateries including KFC and McDonald’s. If you are looking for Western brands then this is a good choice.
Bucu Restaurant and Bar is another bamboo restaurant which is also a gallery showcasing local photography. They serve both Indonesian and Western dishes and you can get some toothsome fresh fish and grilled seafood. One of their signature dishes is salad served in a pineapple.
Garuda:
Garuda is a chain of restaurants that all serve Nasi Padang, a form of mixed rice traditional to the region. Once you take a seat, the waiters will bring you a range of local dishes to choose from such as curries and you then mix these with a plate of white rice. You only pay for the dishes you eat, or you can just choose what you want from the dishes stacked in the window.
Mario Warung is a traditional bamboo restaurant which has a serene atmosphere and a relaxed vibe about it. You can get delicious Indonesian food here as well as some Western dishes and some juicy seafood freshly caught that day. The food here is mostly very traditional and all made with locally sourced ingredients.
Corner Cafe Raya, Jl. Sipisopiso. One of the most well known bars in the city is Cafe Raya where you will find cheap drinks and both local and Western dishes. This is also the backpacker area of the city so if you are staying nearby it is a great choice. It also stays open 24 hours a day.
Shore Bar and Restaurant is one of the busiest places in Kuta in Lombok and you will find a range of cold beets and cocktails here to enjoy as you watch the sunset. There is also live music here as well as a DJ. This place is known for its delicious seafood and grilled fish.
The Gecko Lounge and Bar offers good food including wood fired pizza from their oven. They sell imported drinks like beers and you can get some signature cocktails here as well. They play lounge music and there is a laid back atmosphere that means this is a relaxing place to spend an evening.
Other countries need to apply for a visa before they arrive.
Any nationalities who are not eligible to travel to that country or can travel under certain conditions
Israeli passport holders are not permitted to travel to Indonesia.
List of nationalities who can have Visa on arrival: N/A.
Drug possession is a serious offence and drug trafficking can result in the death penalty.
Prostitution is illegal in Indonesia.
The legal drinking age in Indonesia is 21.
Indonesia is a generally safe place and violent crime against foreigners is rare. Light crime is the most serious problem many people here experience.
Pick pocketing may occur in crowded tourist areas so you should be vigilant about your possessions at all time.
General vaccinations recommended for all travelers to Indonesia include diphtheria, hepatitis A, tetanus, yellow fever, hepatitis B and Japanese encephalitis. There is also the risk of dengue fever here as well as malaria in remote areas.
The official language of Indonesian is Bahasa Indonesia although there are a huge number of regional dialects. Indonesia is made up of 17,000 islands each with their own culture and traditions. Indonesian was a former colony of the Netherlands and some of the colonial influence can still be found in the architecture and the food. Indonesia is a predominantly Muslim country and over 80% of the population follow Islam, although there are also Christian, Buddhist and Hindu communities.
