Indonesia

Indonesia is seventeen thousand islands so forget seeing it all in one trip. Most people hit Bali and call it done but that’s like visiting New York and saying you saw America. The country is wild, diverse, and way bigger than you think.

Bali is the easy starting point and honestly it’s great. Ubud for rice terraces and yoga, Canggu for surf, Uluwatu for cliffs and sunsets. But the real magic happens when you island hop. Gili Islands are tiny and car-free with amazing snorkeling. Lombok has empty beaches and proper hiking up Mount Rinjin if you’re into that.

Java is where most Indonesians actually live. Jakarta is huge and chaotic but skippable unless you have business there. Yogyakarta is the move for temples. Borobudur at sunrise is one of those moments you’ll remember forever. Prambanan is less crowded and just as cool. Both beat anything you’ll see in Bali.

Getting between islands used to be a pain but budget airlines changed everything. Fly between the big spots and use ferries for shorter hops. Scooter rental is cheap and fun if you’re comfortable riding. Traffic is nuts though so maybe skip it in big cities.

Money goes far here. Street food costs nothing and it’s the best stuff you’ll eat. Warungs are local spots where you point at what looks good. Cards work in tourist areas but bring cash for everything else. ATMs sometimes run out on smaller islands so plan ahead.

Dry season runs April to October. That’s your window for good weather and calm seas. Rainy season isn’t a total writeoff but ferries cancel and roads flood.