What to expect
Indonesia, with over 17,000 islands, offers the most diverse landscapes, from magnificent volcanoes to the bluest oceans, and my personal favourite, stunning waterfalls that may require several visits to cover. You can relax on the beaches of the Gili Islands and Nusa Penida, explore waterfalls and rice fields in Bali, scuba dive in Raja Ampat, spot the Komodo dragons, or trek to the most dangerous acidic lake in East Java. This country has it all!
I have been here once for a month which was a workation trip. This time I covered Bali, East Java and Nusa Penida and I can’t wait to come here again and explore the hidden gems.
Best time to visit Indonesia
The best time to visit here is during July-August when the weather is dry and pleasant, although the dry season extends until October. However, it’s important to note that a dry season does not necessarily mean there will be no rain. It is often cloudy, and the weather can change at any time, so it’s highly recommended to bring rain jackets or ponchos. I visited in July, and even though it was still raining, it didn’t stop me from enjoying my trip!
Currency
Indonesian Rupaiah(IDR)
1 INR is equivalent to approximately 183 IDR. While Bali has numerous ATMs, there are fewer in East Java and Nusa Penida, so I recommend carrying extra cash when travelling outside Bali. Personally, I have found “Mandiri ATMs” to be safer than others (yes, card cloning is not uncommon – it has happened to me!).
Workation Checklist
This part is a must-read if you have a full-time job like me and want to have a workation. Slow travel + workation might get a little over budget but this also means you have more time to explore and slowly become a part of that place.
Time Zone
With a +2.5hr time difference, it might get a little difficult as you have to wake up early, explore the places and come back in time. But the upside here is visiting all the places early means no crowd at all, you can have the complete place to yourself and click good pictures!
Internet speed
Bali
You will get a very decent internet speed in Bali with around 40-100mbps(WiFi) depending upon the area you stay in. So if you plan to have a workation trip, Bali would be an ideal base. Mobile internet is also pretty decent however won’t recommend you to use mobile internet for attending calls. Internet packages were a little costlier.
East Java and Nusa Penida
Don’t rely on mobile internet, would recommend you to download offline maps. However, you can find stable internet in all the cafes and hostels! Would recommend taking a few days off and clubbing it with the weekend to explore East Java.
Plugs
The standard voltage is 230V, but you need a universal adapter. You can get it on Amazon or purchase a local one from Indomarts.
For more detailed planning of a workation trip check out the below posts!
Commute
Rentals
This is the best and cheapest way to explore this country, you have the flexibility to plan your day!
Bali and Nusa Penida
You can find multiple options – bikes, scooty, cars. However scooty is the convenient option, it’s cheap and can dodge the traffic easily. With narrow roads and overwhelming traffic, a car was not an option and it’s even riskier if you are on a workation and want to return on time. You can quickly get scooty rentals from the hostel/hotel you choose to stay, most of them have it.
Java
I have seen some people going on bike trips, couldn’t really find rental shops there. Since most of the treks are done by tour operators, you don’t really need them as transfers will be available to you.
Grab and Gojek
If you don’t want to rent, these two are the cheapest options to book a cab or bike. Local taxis will charge much higher prices. I have used Grab a lot and it’s very convenient to order food and book taxis.
Public Transport(Buses)
In Bali, if you want to cover very long distances, don’t expect them to be very comfortable. However, I felt this is more convenient if you want to travel far-off distances(more than 100kms) – faster and quite easy on your pocket 🙂
Food
If in Bali or Nusa Penida, you can find adequate vegan/vegetarian options, however, the price will slightly be on the higher side. Non-veg food is easily available and you will find many options. One thing to note is that people here consider eggs as a vegetarian option, so please mention “no egg” exclusively.
However, in Java, we couldn’t find any good vegetarian food even the cup noodles had synthetic beef/chicken flavour in them. You are recommended to inform the hostel/hotel about vegetarian food so that they can make arrangements. However, you can get snacks/juices or fruits from Indomarts.
This country offers a lifetime of exploration, and a month merely scratches the surface. Dive into the pristine waters of Raja Ampat, encounter Komodo dragons in their pristine habitat and much more. As the sun sets in Ubud, remember, that time is but a guide. Indonesia’s allure lies not just in its landscapes, but in its people, waiting to share their stories and create lasting memories with every traveller.
P.S. Everyone is a Bollywood fan!
