Have you ever wanted to explore the amazing country of Indonesia?! In Indonesia you can have fun vacationing in Bali, visiting ancient Buddhist or Hindu temples, snorkeling in gorgeous Lombok, or even seeing an active volcano! Indonesia is full of hidden gems and below is a list of 10 of the best things to do in Indonesia.

Bali

Bali is one of the biggest vacation spots in Indonesia. Travel and Leisure awarded it the Best Island Award: and for good reason. It is a beautiful island east of Java. While there you can enjoy a resplendent reef a part of the Coral Triangle which has the highest biodiversity of marine species! You can experience the culture through their traditional dances, sculptures, paintings, and much more. Come to Bali to see what all the hype is about! 

Raja Ampat

The Raja Ampat Islands are a secluded vacation spot for those who don’t like to by many other tourists like in Bali. It is also along the Coral Triangle, so you will be sure to see some spectacular sea species. In total, Raja Ampat contains over 1,500 islands, so you know you will be able to have your privacy while enjoying nature. You can snorkel, go on beautiful walks, go hiking, or get to know the locals; Raja Ampat gives the choice of how you want to spend your time. 

Borobudur Ancient Buddhist Temple 

The Borobudur temple is a must-do in Indonesia. When speaking to people who have lived there, this is one thing they tell you that you need to visit! It is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Built in the 9th century, it is an astonishing part of history. Buddhists would worship there to attain Nirvana. While visiting you will surely have a good feeling whether you are spiritual or not. 

Snorkeling in Lombok

Lombok is probably one of the prettiest parts of Indonesia. It is a small island just right of Bali. Going snorkeling in Lombok will be something you will never forget with the wondrous wildlife and superb surroundings. You will also have to visit the town center of Senggigi for more of the small local city vibe. They also have Pura Batu Bolong— a Hindu temple —meaning ‘Rock with a Hole’ due to the 14 altars on a rock on the beach Hindu temple. You can also visit the waterfall there either by foot or boat. 

Mount Bromo

Mount Bromo is an active volcano that you can visit! It is apart of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park located in East Java. The name Bromo is the Javanese pronunciation of the Hindu creator god. You can hike it yourself or take a jeep up. Don’t worry about it being active though, they track volcanic activity and will issue warnings against visiting Mount Bromo when it is not safe. 

Lake Toba

Lake Toba is a stunning natural large lake that is located on the northern part of the island of Sumatra. It was made from a caldera left behind by a super-volcano that erupted approximately 74,000 years ago which was the largest eruption on earth known to man, making it even more appealing to visit! If you’ve ever wanted to visit a lake with some rich history, this one may be the best one to visit in the world then. 

Pantai Tiga Warna

Pantai Tiga Warna is arguably the best beach in Indonesia. It is called the Three Colors Beach due to the array of colors between the sand and the ocean. The ocean goes from dark blue to teal and the sand can be a rich pink, making a marvelous sight. It is more remote than a lot of other beaches and a lot of tourists don’t know about it, making it better to experience and keeping the waters clear. 

Prambanan Temple

The Prambanan Temple is a Hindu temple compound located in Jogja. It is dedicated to the Hindu gods of Creation, Preservation, and Transformation. It is the largest Hindu temple site in Indonesia and the second largest in Southeast Asia. It is unique in its tall pointed architecture raising two 47 meters high. If you love to see ancient architecture, especially temples, then this is your place to go. 

Bunaken, Manado 

Bunaken is probably the best place to go snorkeling and scuba diving in Indonesia. It is located not the northern tip of the Sulawesi island. The waters there are even part of the Bunaken National Marine Park. The water can be as warm as 80-84 degrees Fahrenheit! If you are into scuba diving, snorkeling, or wildlife then this is the best place to go and experience some of the best of all the above and learn much more about it. 

Shopping at Malioboro inn Jogja

Malioboro inn Jogja is a 24-hour street known for its shops, street musicians, and painters. If you love to go shopping or experience city life then this is a must in Indonesia! Fun fact, Jogja is also pronounced Jogjalkarta, Yogya, and Yogyakarta but is most commonly referred to as Jogja, so when you are there you won’t get mixed up. It is also home to the annual Malioboro Night Festival with live music, concert, art show, fashion show, and many other activities!

Post written by Eric Walton