Famous for sheltering some of the most active volcanoes, Indonesia, a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, is one of the popular tourist destinations in the world. Of all the places in Indonesia, Bali tops the list when it comes to discovering the most popular tourist spot in the country. Be it culture, landscapes, beaches, or foods, no country really can beat the standards set by Indonesia. With over 17,000 islands scattered throughout the country, visitors are definitely spoilt for choice given the number of options they have to discover and explore.
Each island in the country has something different to offer in terms of everything. Some islands boast amazing wildlife, some make an excellent spot for diving and surfing, and then there are some that house old temples. A trip to Indonesia can be an incredibly fun and wholesome experience, visitors can engage in an array of things, no matter where their interests lie.
Ahead, we have put together a list of things to do in Indonesia to have a wonderful time in the country.
Relish delicious food in Jakarta
Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, is one of the top street food cities in the world. You can find almost every type of cuisine here including the ones that you have never tasted or even heard of before such as Javanese, Balinese, and Sundanese. The city has a vibrant food culture, you can relish various types of foods at restaurants or street stalls. There is an endless assortment of street food options in the city; you can sample different types of dishes to satisfy your taste buds.
Explore Borodbudur Temple
A trip to Indonesia cannot be complete without visiting the world’s biggest Buddhist monument, Borobudur Temple. It attracts huge flocks of visitors every year, hence remains pretty crowded throughout the year. Featuring over 2,600 carved stone panels and 500 Buddha statues, the visitors can explore the terrace region of this temple to admire the beauty of this sacred site. The best time to visit this temple is during sunrise, the stunning view of the sun rising from behind the beautiful surrounding just makes the entire experience even more cherishable and spectacular.
Witness the blue flames on Kawah Ijen
When it comes to exploring the city of Banyuwangi, surfing spots, batik, and savannah-like park are some of its best highlights, but there’s so much more to this incredible city. If you are seeking an unusual or local experience, then you should definitely consider hiking the trail to the Kawah Ijen volcano crater. It is a 1.5-2 hours long hike, the trail leads you to an acrid-smelling sulfur field that looks quite fascinating and a bit eerie at the same time. The oxidizing chemicals in the field create a peculiar blue fire-like glow that looks oddly stunning.
Go diving in the Coral Triangle
Life underneath the waters of Indonesia is nothing short of a paradise, especially in the islands that are nestled in the southwestern curve of a biodiverse ‘Coral Triangle’. Given that we are witnessing climate change, it would be an excellent opportunity to dive into the waters of Indonesia and explore the beautiful undersea life featuring unique plants and animals before it’s too late. Raja Ampat, East Bali, Wakatobi, and Komodo National Park are some of the best sites to go diving.
Hang out with Komodo dragons at Komodo National Park
The islands of Komodo and Rinca are highly dominated by the massive Komodo dragons. These dragons can get quite aggressive, not to mention they look quite scary too. You can hang out with these dragons at Komodo National Park, just make sure to follow everything you have been instructed by the rangers to avoid any kind of problem or mishap.