A Turkish friend asked me about places to visit in Indonesia as they are planning to go in July. They specifically ask for places that are not too touristy. So on my spare time I wrote this for them and I think it's also a good idea to repost it here.
Mind you that this is a recommendation for foreigners that will come to Indonesia for the first time, not for Jakartans that plan to visit Jogja for lebaran holiday. So this will be more high level and mainstream like I will list Borobudur and Prambanan in which you might have visited some time during highschool. I would not recommend Wediombo for too far or Mangut Lele Mbah Marto for being too spicy.
1. (Some places in) BALI
Places like Kuta are very touristy, but there are still some calmer and more peaceful places: Ubud, Panglipuran Village, plus this good reddit post: reddit
2. LOMBOK (+GILI) & KOMODO
Both are island-ic area situated close to Bali, they have beautiful beaches with a lot of activities and more relax than Bali. Komodo Island is special for its Komodo dragon (big lizard). Tourist-infra is ready and local people are used to foreigners. Place to visit: Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, Gili Air, Komodo Island.
3. JAKARTA
Capital city with malls, shopping centers, tall buildings, city lights, etc you can imagine from a big city in Asia. Most tourist landed or go via Jakarta so many of them will spend some days here. This is easy place for tourist, quite many people speak English, you have everything just around the corner. Place to visit: Monumen Nasional (Monas); Kota Tua (Old City) - Dutch buildings; city walking; Malls: Grand Indonesia, Plaza Indonesia, Pondok Indah Mall 1-2-3, Senayan City, Plaza Senayan.
3. YOGYAKARTA (YOGYA/JOGJA)
The most cultural city in Indonesia, there is still literary an active kingdom here, there are 2 big temples Borobudur and Prambanan + many smaller ones. lt's combination of modern-traditional. City center is walkable for a city in Asia. Good food. Place to visit: Borobudur Temple, Prambanan Temple, Candi Sewu, Yogyakarta Royal Palace, Tamansari Water Castle, Malioboro Street, Vredeburg Fort, Batik (traditional clothing) shopping, Sate Ratu (internationally famous food), Tempo Gelato (ice cream shop)
4. EAST JAVA
There are serious nature here like big volcanoes, crater, and waterfalls. Places to visit are Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, ljen Crater (blue fires), Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, Kajoetangan Heritage Village includes Cokelat Mojopahit. If you enjoy nature these areas are good to visit. There is also big city (2nd after Jakarta) here called Surabaya with big malls, etc.
5. BANDUNG
Temperature here is more chill and not so hot compared to other cities. The location is close to Jakarta and easily reachable by train (or high speed train). City center has many old Dutch style building. Place to visit: Kawah Putih (white crater), Tangkuban Perahu volcano, tea plantation, Ciater Hot Springs, Malabar Radio site (Dutch 1920s intercontinental radio station). Hotel to stay: Savoy Homann
6. RAJA AMPAT
Located in eastern Indonesia and very popular with beautiful sceneries. Many pics available on the internet to see. This place is quite far tho and long transport to reach (flying + local boat). Worth it if you are planning to stay at least 1 week.
7. PADANG
A city located in Sumatra island, known for food, culture, and good nature in the surrounding areas. Unique tourist experience expected.
Some other notes:
- Transport
Beside Jakarta, public transport is practically non existent. But to go around you can order online taxi via Gojek and Grab app (similar to Uber), they provide food deliveries too. Inter-city you can rent a car or between cities in Java you can use train which is I think the best option, buy ticket online via apps (Traveloka or KAI Access), English friendly, choose executive class for max comfort.
- Food
Tasty and spicy, for tourist please consider food safety and get food from clean places, some streetfoods are oke. McD, KFC, and similar are available. Coffee shops (real coffee, not Dutch style) are everywhere and pretty good scene. Most foods are halal dan pork free.
- Hotel
Book via Booking.com, Agoda, or Traveloka. The rest is as usual.
- Payment
QRIS is very popular option almost everywhere but you need at least 1 app installed (can be Gojek or Grab that you use for transport), credit/debit card usable at restaurant or hotel, the rest cash is still king.
Thanks,
Chandra
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