Indonesia Travel Guide
Season • Note
Are November and December good months to visit Indonesia?
November
Shoulder
season
December
Shoulder
season
Did you know?
The surface area of Indonesia is 735.4 thous. mi², which puts the country in position number 16 in terms of the area in the world.
How far is it?
1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings
The distance between Jakarta (ID) and Washington D.C. (US) is 10163 miles
To calculate distance between your location and Jakarta click here
TimeJakartaTimezone (3)
Safety
General travel safety level in Indonesia on a scale of 1 (safe) to 4 (unsafe).
Level 2 • Exercise a high degree of caution (plus additional regional warnings).
Update: 13 Oct 2024Currency
Rupiah (IDR) - rate compared to selected currencies
EUR 
GBP 
USD Get ready for your next trip
With just a few clicks you can find the best accommodation, airline tickets, or buy insurance that provides comprehensive protection for your next journey.
Cities and Top Tourist Attractions
From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to Indonesia
| Miles | Jakarta | Surabaya | Yogyakarta | Denpasar | Bandung | Bogor | Medan | Ubud |
| Jakarta | - | 413 | 268 | 597 | 74 | 29 | 878 | 600 |
| Surabaya | 413 | - | 166 | 193 | 353 | 409 | 1226 | 193 |
| Yogyakarta | 268 | 166 | - | 334 | 199 | 258 | 1126 | 338 |
| Denpasar | 597 | 193 | 334 | - | 532 | 590 | 1417 | 14 |
| Bandung | 74 | 353 | 199 | 532 | - | 59 | 951 | 536 |
| Bogor | 29 | 409 | 258 | 590 | 59 | - | 900 | 594 |
| Medan | 878 | 1226 | 1126 | 1417 | 951 | 900 | - | 1416 |
| Ubud | 600 | 193 | 338 | 14 | 536 | 594 | 1416 | - |
A Brief History of Indonesia
Important historical events that significantly shaped the nation's trajectory throughout the centuries
2 million to 500,000 years ago
Homo erectusHuman ancestors known as Homo erectus, or Java Man, live in the area.
700
Trade routesTrade routes are established with China and India.
1200s - 1300s
KingdomsJavanese Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms flourish.
1500s
IslamizationBy the end of the century, Islam is the area's main religion.
1602 - 1800
Dutch East India CompanyThe Dutch East India Company is formed to trade goods. The Dutch begin building an empire, often using violence.
1800
Dutch East IndiesThe Dutch East India Company goes bankrupt. The islands are known as the Dutch East Indies until Indonesia's independence 149 years later.
1942 - 1945
World War IIJapan occupies the islands during World War II.
1949
Independence from the NetherlandsIndonesia gains independence from the Dutch after four years of fighting.
1967
President SuhartoSuharto assumes title of President, and rules with an iron hand.
1998
Fall of SuhartoSuharto resigned as president of Indonesia on 21 May 1998 following the collapse of support for his three-decade-long presidency. The resignation followed severe economic and political crises over the previous six to twelve months.
1999
Free electionsThe first fully free parliamentary elections since 1955 take place.
2004
Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunamiIndonesia holds its first direct presidential elections. In December, an undersea earthquake generates huge tidal waves. The waves hit Indonesia and surrounding countries. More than 200,000 people are killed.
2009
Presidential electionPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is reelected.
Best Ways to Experience Indonesia
- Cuisine
- Art
- Animals
Practical Information for Travelers
- Budget
- Currency
- Vaccinations
- Visa
- Electricity
Determine the expenses for your travel or vacation budget, as well as the expenditures associated with residing in another country
MoreBackpacker's budget
Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel in a standard close to 1 star (hostels, public transport). When traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher (hotel room) or the same (dormitory accommodation).from
Tourist's budget
Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel (they share the cost of a hotel room, taxis, etc.) to a standard close to 3 stars. Costs for a solo traveler will be higher.from
Currency
MoreRupiah (IDR)
- EUR
- GBP
- IDR
- USD
- EUR
- GBP
- IDR
- USD
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Vaccinations
MoreAll travelers
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Indonesia.
Most travelers
Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.
Some travelers
Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Avoid sharing body fluids
- Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment
Japanese Encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis is an infectious disease caused by arboviruses from the same family of microbes (Flaviviridae) that cause yellow fever or tick-borne encephalitis.The vector of infection is mosquitoes of the genus Culex and Aedes.Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Prevent bug bites
Malaria
Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes.Prevention
- Take antimalarial meds
- Prevent bug bites
Estimated relative risk of malaria in Indonesia
Areas with malaria
Rabies
Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Keep away from animals
With or without a visa?
Visa requirements for citizens of
- United States
visiting 
Indonesia for tourism
A visa is required, but it is possible to obtain it at selected border crossing points (visa on arrival).
- Allowed stay: 30 days
Electricity
230V (50 Hz)
In Indonesia the standard voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Type C, F sockets are used.
Click on the socket icon to see more information
Type C
Type FFacts and Figures
Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country
Population | 4 / 231 Ranking | 273 523 615 Javanese 40.1%, Sundanese 15.5%, Malay 3.7%, Batak 3.6%, Madurese 3%, Betawi 2.9%, Minangkabau 2.7%, Buginese 2.7%, Bantenese 2%, Banjarese 1.7%, Balinese 1.7%, Acehnese 1.4%, Dayak 1.4%, Sasak 1.3%, Chinese 1.2% |
Area | 16 / 230 Ranking | 735.4 thous. mi² It is approximately 20% of the territory of United States. |
Life expectancy | 127 / 196 Ranking | 72.8 Life expectancy expressed in years.men 70.6women 75.1 |
Median age | 78 / 157 Ranking | 31.1 Average age of population expressed in years.men 30.5women 31.8 |
Population growth | 100 / 172 Ranking | 0.81% The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss. |
Literacy | 37 / 131 Ranking | 96% Ability to read, write and count.men 97.4%women 94.6% |
GDP | 109 / 194 Ranking | 12 068 INT$ GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population. |
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