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Indonesia

Indonesia’s cultural depth stretches across its thousands of islands. In Bali, daily offerings and temple ceremonies remain central to life. Jakarta hums with a blend of tradition and modern energy, while Sumatra is home to ancient Batak villages and rich storytelling traditions. From royal palaces in Yogyakarta to handwoven ikat in Flores, the country offers countless ways to engage with its layered heritage.

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Overview

Planning your trip

Use these articles, resources, and guides to plan and inspire your next trip to Indonesia.

Read Before You Go
Beach front accommodations
International Beaches
8 Beautiful Black-Sand Beaches Around the World
These scenic black-sand beaches are worth planning a trip around.
April 07, 2025 02:53 PM
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Mariette Williams
Mar Del Cabo has sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.
Health + Wellness
For the Stressed, Tired, and Burned Out: Hotels Are Now Offering “Extreme Relaxation” Vacations
January 14, 2025 03:22 PM
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Jordi Lippe-McGraw
Rock formations at a beach, with turquoise and dark blue water in the foreground
Islands
The 10 Best Tropical Island Escapes Where You Can Warm Up This Winter
December 23, 2024 01:04 AM
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Paul Rubio
A ship anchored in the bay of a mountainous island in Indonesia
Cruise
This Remote Archipelago Has Become a Secret Hot Spot for Dreamy Island Cruises
November 08, 2024 12:21 PM
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Chris Dong
A park-lined waterfront in Panama City with a large collection of skyscrapers in the background
Trending News
These Are the Best Countries for Living Abroad, According to Thousands of Expats
July 24, 2024 07:05 PM
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Michelle Baran
Hotels
Accessible by seaplane, the Raa Atoll is an underwater wonderland for divers and snorkelers.
Hotels
10 Beautiful Islands to Visit for Ecotourism and Cultural Immersion
Sure, the beaches and views are great. But these islands excel with sustainable innovation, rich local traditions, and unique accommodations.
February 26, 2025 09:05 AM
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Kathryn Romeyn
The Shore House Pool at sunset at the Hotel del Coronado in California
Hotels
12 Hotels Opening This Year Worth Planning an Entire Trip Around
Afar’s resident hotel expert uncovers 12 of the most alluring new and renovated hotels of 2025, from California to Indonesia.
February 14, 2025 12:54 PM
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Jennifer Flowers
Taba restaurant faces landmasses that make up the Indonesian archipelago.
Stay Here Next
Looking for an Alternative to Bali? Head to This New Luxury Resort on a Less-Visited Indonesian Island
Dragons. Culture. Overwater bungalows. Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort, is one of Indonesia’s most exciting new island getaways.
October 17, 2024 12:25 PM
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Chris Dong
Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, features overwater bungalows in a tranquil lagoon.
Hotels We Love
5 Unique Honeymoon Destinations (and Their Most Romantic Resorts)
Book one of these romantic retreats in these off-the-beaten-path honeymoon destinations.
October 14, 2024 01:18 PM
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Chris Dong
Capella Ubud's main pool, seen from above.
Hotels
The 13 Coolest Hotel Pools in the World
These hotel pools around the globe are worth building a trip around.
June 13, 2024 08:00 PM
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Kathryn Romeyn
Two Bedroom Villa at Adronis wellness concept
Hotels We Love
The 15 Best Destination Spas Around the World
If you’re looking for serenity in 2024, check out these top destination spas.
January 31, 2024 12:53 PM
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Laura Begley Bloom
The bathtubs at Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape face the Balinese jungle.
Hotels We Love
The 15 Best Luxury Resorts in Bali and the Indonesian Islands
Surf, sand, culture, and craftsmanship—these are the 15 most incredible properties in Bali and the Indonesian archipelago.
January 10, 2024 01:12 PM
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Kathryn Romeyn
Kids on a hanging obstacle course at the KidsOnly Club at the One&Only Mandarina in Mexico
Hotels
These Hotels Have Kids Clubs That Go Above and Beyond
At these properties, the children’s programming goes far beyond basic caregiving services with immersive experiences that offer younger guests a deeper look into culture, nature, sustainability, and even themselves.
September 28, 2023 09:00 AM
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Michelle Baran
NIHI-Sumba_taniaAraujo-DJI.jpg
Hotels
Three Eco-Resorts Are Introducing Visitors to Indonesia’s Overlooked Island
Community consciousness and sustainability define a trio of beach hotels on Sumba, an island known for its pristine beaches, remote villages, and ancient rituals.
August 25, 2023 10:18 AM
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Kathryn Romeyn
The overwater villas at Six Senses Laamu were built using sustainable local timber.
Hotels We Love
The 15 Best Luxury Beach Resorts in the World
The world’s best beach resorts put cultural and environmental preservation front and center.
June 02, 2023 05:16 PM
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Kathryn Romeyn
Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape is surrounded by Bali's dense green jungle.
Hotels
These Are Bali’s Most Stunning—and Environmentally Friendly—Hotels
Three luxury resorts on the Indonesian island of Bali are getting creative with waste reduction and recycling—and are educating travelers in the process.
March 22, 2023 02:44 PM
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Kathryn Romeyn
The 6 Luxury Hotels I’m Most Excited About in 2020
Hotels
6 Luxury Hotels That Opened in 2020
2020 shows no sign of slowing down when it comes to luxury hotel openings. Here are 6 openings that I am especially excited about, plus a rundown of what other important brands are up to, highlighted at ILTM Cannes this month.
December 19, 2019 10:19 AM
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Annie Fitzsimmons
Get a Behind-the-Scenes Peek at These 3 New Design Hotels
Hotels
Get a Behind-the-Scenes Peek at These 3 New Design Hotels
Three designers share what makes their hotel projects so special
August 15, 2016 12:29 PM
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Sandra Ramani
The Check In: New and Restored Hotels Raising the Roof(tops)
Hotels
The Check In: New and Restored Hotels Raising the Roof(tops)
These top-level properties are the places to stay.
May 06, 2016 02:45 PM
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Nicoletta Richardson
Resources to help plan your trip
Art + Culture
9 Ways to Avoid Offending Anyone When Traveling in Asia
It’s always a good idea to learn local etiquette before traveling somewhere unfamiliar.
February 20, 2024 12:59 PM
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Maggie Fuller
International Beaches
The 10 Prettiest Pink Sand Beaches in the World
You don’t need rose-colored glasses at these pink sand beaches.
December 22, 2023 08:36 AM
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Lottie Gross
Outdoor Adventure
Explore the World’s Oceans on These 7 Eco-Friendly Trips
Here’s how to get out on (and under) the water sustainably.
May 16, 2023 04:16 PM
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Chloe Arrojado
Expedition Cruises
A Cruise to Indonesia’s Spice Islands Shows “How the World Is Supposed to Be”
Breathing in the nutmeg scent and following red-footed boobies in the footsteps of naturalists on this seven-night Aqua Expedition.
March 31, 2023 03:54 PM
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Michelle Jana Chan
Trending News
Bali Tells Tourists: No More Motorbike Rentals
Bali’s governor also announced a proposal to revoke visa-on-arrival permits for tourists coming from certain countries.
March 20, 2023 07:55 AM
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Chloe Arrojado
Safari
The Best International Trips for Wildlife Lovers
A curated list of ethical (and magical) experiences viewing wild animals around the world.
May 23, 2022 02:41 PM
 · 
Bailey Berg
Packing Tips + Gear
Incredible Water Activities to Do in Bali
Hailed the world over as one of the best travel destinations, this Indonesian island offers invigorating aquatic outings for the young, the old, and everyone in between.
Sponsored by
Travel Tales
In Bali, Some People Find Themselves. This Comedian Found Her Father.
Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka hadn’t seen her dad in years. So she headed to Bali for what she thought would be a chill reunion. He had something else in mind.
July 06, 2021 11:30 PM
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Atsuko Okatsuka
The Best Bars in Bali
There are two distinct drinking scenes in Bali. Kuta is the hedonistic party town that goes all night every night, and just next door is the more refined and fashionable Seminyak. Whether you’re looking for a cold beer paired with a sunset view or a happy hour deal at a perfect dive bar, Bali has you covered. From high-end cocktails (and a stellar view) at the Rock Bar to the signature cocktail featuring exotic fruit (and, yes, another stellar view) at the Potato Head Bar to wham-bam-get-on-the-dance-floor-again-man shots (no view but loads of international DJs) at Eikon and beyond, there are so many new-to-you places to enjoy.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
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AFAR Editors
The Best Shopping in Bali
Whether you’ve got a new home ready to fill with everything from dishes to textiles or you just want some surf wear for an upcoming lesson or, perhaps, a wooden carving to bring home to your aunt, there’s a shopping experience to match your need in Bali’s shops and towns. Fans of haggling will find worthy opponents at markets including the Sukawati Art Market. For high quality clothing and souvenirs, head straight to the boutique-heavy town of Seminyak.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
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AFAR Editors
The Best Things to Do in Bali
There’s no one perfect way to take a trip to Bali. On one visit you might decide to spend more time exploring ways to explore your inner self through yoga or taking a ritual bath at Tirta Empul and while exploring the sacred spaces at Pura Besakih. On another? You might be all about going big mountain biking and photographing the rice paddies and terraces. Or, perhaps, all of the above on every trip? From the beaches of South Bali to the cool hills of Baturiti and the cultural hotspot of Ubud, options abound.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
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Hannah Wijana
The Best Hotels in Bali
The hotels of Bali complement the island’s beauty, from boutiques nestled in verdant rice terraces to sprawling beach resorts. They also bring out its unique culture with a host of immersive experiences that highlight the traditional Balinese way of life.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
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AFAR Editors
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