Travel and Island Tours in Indonesia

Indonesia is a country of more than seventeen and a half thousand islands, scattered across the equator. These diverse islands offer exciting challenges for travel. You can travel by ferry from one island to the next, bringing you to explore a new and distinct culture at each stop, with its own unique traditions. Whichever island you decide to visit, you will be sure to discover stunning beaches surrounded by clear waters, exciting opportunities to trek in a natural paradise complete with volcanoes, and beautiful temples for a more peaceful day out.

The largest of Indonesia’s islands is Java, and this is where you will discover the capital city of Jakarta. This vibrant, bustling city is the ideal gateway to Indonesia. The first thing that will hit you when you arrive in Jakarta is the combination of luxury and modernity with the vitality of a culture based on valued traditions, and the extreme inequality that exists between the rich and the poor of Indonesia. There is much to do while you are here. A visit to Jakarta is the perfect opportunity to stock up on supplies for your tour of the islands, or relax in the 5-star splendor of one of the more luxurious hotels. Some popular places to stay in Jakarta are the Grand Hyatt and the Mandarin Oriental. You may also enjoy a stop at the Park Lane or Ritz-Carlton. You may be able to find a special deal if you look around before you book your room. There are plenty of accommodation options for travelers on a budget too, and this is the place to gather information and Indonesia travel advice. You will find that if you pass through Soekarno-Hatta there is a helpful travel information service in the airport. There are more and more flights from and to this busy airport, so you are likely to find yourself here at some point during your trip, whether it is when you arrive in Indonesia, or are taking a short flight within the country.

A favorite destination for tourists outside of the capital is Central Java. This is the part of Indonesia in which Islam was introduced to the islands. It arrived here in the town of Demak in 1511. Although it is now a small, cozy town, the historic importance of Demak is clear when you visit its Grand Mosque. This is a stunning blend of architecture taking elements from both the Hindu and Moslem styles, and so symbolizing the merging of the two cultures. If you travel on to East Java, you will find yourself in the mountains, surrounded by the impressive, picturesque scenes of Indonesian nature. Here you can visit the Lien plateau, Mount Bromo and Melirang. Java allows for easy travel and communication, and offers plentiful opportunities to seek out souvenirs. You will find handcrafted jewelery and leather work and well as the batik which Indonesia is famous for.

Indonesia is also known for its hot, humid climate. This is a typical tropical region, with high humidity of 69-95% throughout the year. If you visit between November and April you will find yourself in the midst of the wet season, but the rest of the year is hot and dry. The sun is sure to shine whichever time of the year you choose to visit, although it will of course be accompanied by plenty of rain in the wet season.

Your passport must be valid for at least six months when you arrive in Indonesia. You may also need to get an appropriate visa, although certain countries have a visa waiver agreement with Indonesia. If you have US or European citizenship you will not need a visa, for example. This includes the countries of the EU as well as Lichtenstein, Switzerland, Iceland and Norway. Nationals of Canada, New Zealand and Australia can also enter Indonesia without a visa, as can those of Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.