Bali and Beyond: Hidden Gems of Indonesia
Imagine swimming with manta rays and sea turtles, sitting on deserted sand bars, swimming in cascading waterfalls, and hiking active volcanos all at a price that will cost less than your apartment rent back home in the USA. Well, you can do all of this in the country of Indonesia. Indonesia is home to the most unreal landmarks and friendliest locals in the world. The country of Indonesia has been by far my favorite place I have ever been to and you will find out why in today's blog post.
I spent an entire month exploring Indonesia and have highlighted an affordable itinerary for you that includes the best guides, accommodation, and everything else you need to know for a perfect, hassle-free trip to Indonesia. Additionally, you can reach out to me for one-on-one custom travel planning or consulting for all countries Indonesia and beyond. Now let’s get exploring!
Things to Know About Visiting Indonesia
When you arrive to Indonesia, you can purchase a visa on arrival for $32. You can use cash or card for purchase. The visa is valid for up to 30 days with another 30 day extension. Contact me for how to extend a visa in the best possible way as the process can be confusing from my own experience!
When traveling Indonesia, you will be paying 98% of your way through cash. Entrances into rice terraces, waterfalls, temples, etc. all use cash. Drivers all use cash (unless you have your card connected to the Grab or GoJek App). Cash is key here and I cannot stress that enough. They barley have credit card machines here and if they do, they will most likely charge you an additional 3-5%. When places do accept a credit card, I highly recommend the Capital One travel Venture card. By signing up, you will automatically start earning hundreds of dollars off flights and hotels, plus this card does not charge an international ATM fee.
Be aware that some of the ATMS in Indonesia will not accept foreign debit cards, unless you have the right card. My favorite is the Charles Schwab Debit Card. It has never failed me and has worked in some of the most remote countries in the world, plus all your ATM fees will be reimbursed after the quarter. Regardless, It’s important to take out a lot of cash (I recommend starting with about 10 million Rupiah) on the island of Bali before heading elsewhere. That way you should always have enough cash before heading to smaller islands. In order to avoid ATM issues, take out small quantities of cash (500k-1,000,000 Rupiah at a time).
When is the Best Time to Visit Indonesia?
The best time to visit Indonesia is April-October. Mid April-May or September-mid October, there might be a little bit of rain here and there, but it's manageable rain. For the best weather June, July and August will be guaranteed perfect weather.
Because Indonesia is a tropical climate, rainy season here is no joke, especially on the Island of Bali. Normally, I am an advocate for traveling during shoulder season, but I would not recommend risking it and traveling during here rainy season. If you do choose to travel here during the off season, bring an umbrella and be prepared for plans to get cancelled as its likely it will downpour all day.
Cell Phone use in Indonesia
The best cell phone provider in Indonesia is called Telekomsel. Do not get any other sim card provider, as this one works very well on all of the islands, even the more remote islands. You can buy a Telekomsel sim card either at a local shop or an even easier way to get the sim card is through the Airalo App. Airalo is an app that allows you to have affordable cell data plans all over the world without needing a physical Sim Card which is what makes using your phone without wifi extremely convenient. Use my code ARIAHN516 for $ off! As a digital nomad, having a reliable cell phone provider is important to me if I need to be working form my phone or wifi cuts out.
Be aware that on some of the smaller islands, the wifi may be spotty at times. The wifi will most likely work very well right in the lobby of your hotel or villa. Higher-end accommodation will also have great working wifi, as budget accommodation may be a little iffy here and there. The island of Bali is home to thousands of digital nomads, which means that there is reliable wifi virtually everywhere on this island.
Note: All of the accommodations I will be listing on this blog will have good wifi so refer to this blog if you want to make sure you’ll be connected no matter what!
How to Get Around Indonesia
GoJek and Grab are Indonesia’s version of Uber. Download them both prior to your arrival to Indonesia. You can take very affordable rides (motorbike taxis are the best way to get around!) and also order food to be delivered. Make sure to sign up prior to leaving so the apps are ready to go by the time you arrive.
Other important things to know about Indonesia
The islands of Indonesia are either Hindu or Muslim, so women need to dress modest. Its okay to dress less conservative on Bali, but still, please respect the culture!
The tap water is not drinkable in Indonesia. Most hotels and hostels will have refill stations for water though, so bring a reusable water bottle to conserve plastic.
Make sure you have the proper travel adaptor for electronic use. You cannot use plugs in Indonesia without it.
Wear sunscreen! Indonesia is right on the equator and the UV can get to a 13 sometimes mid day.
3 Weeks in Indonesia that will Make you Feel like You’re Living in a Tropical, Prehistoric Dream
This itinerary be labeled by how many full days you should be spending in each location. Make sure to factor travel days into the itinerary!
2 Full Days in Surf Town Canggu, Bali
Upon your arrival to Bali, the first town you will want to visit is Canggu. Canggu is a modernized surf town that famous for its aesthetically pleasing cafes, delicious smoothie bowls, surfing, beach clubs and sunsets that look like watercolor paintings. Canggu is a digital nomad hub which means there’s tons of people from all over the world that live here, so you’re bound to just walk into a cafe and leave with new friends right away which is awesome.
When you leave the airport to your accommodation, make sure to not pay any more than 300K Rupiah. For a reliable driver, you can contact my local friend Agusto through WhatsApp, and he will drive you around the island, to and from the airport or help you with anything you need during your time in Bali.
Hotels In Canggu (Click here for more discounted 5-star hotels)
What to do in Canggu
Visit the many cafes and eat delicious, clean, food. Canggu has healthy, affordable ($3) delicious food.
Take a surfing lesson
Watch the sunset
Have a day at Finns Beach Club (get their sushi-its delicious!)
Visit Tanah Lot
Go to a local coffee plantation
Go shopping for trendy clothes at “One Love” market
Take a Foodie Tour
5 Full Days in Tranquil Ubud, Bali
Ubud is the heart of Indonesia and is where you see all of the Instagram photos of waterfalls, rice fields and pool villas. I loved spending a longer amount of time in Ubud because it was so tranquil and relaxing. I learned a lot about the local culture and even spent some time relaxing by the pool surrounded by rice fields. Ubud is seriously dreamy!
Ubud is about an hour and a half from Canggu. Don’t forget to contact my friend Augsto to drive you from Canggu to your accommodation in Ubud and drive you to all your activities you will be doing here past the Ubud area. Augusto charges around 500k ($30) per day to take you to all of these places. If you have a group, it can be even cheaper to split it. The price is very affordable and you help support the locals!
Where to Stay in Ubud, Bali Indonesia
I would highly recommend getting a villa here. There is nothing more dreamy than waking up in your private villa surrounded by rice terraces and nature’s beauty. I have linked all three of the accommodations that I stayed at below.
Villa Cella Bella: Read my blog post all about the most instagrammable hotel in Bali place here.
The Arcadian “Terrace” Suite: Where I also stayed.
- You can either rent the entire villa and have two rooms with the pool all to yourself, or rent out one of the rooms and share the pool with the other half of the villa.
Ubud Day 1:
On your first day here (not counting a transit day), book a waterfall adventure of North Bali or you can hire your own driver and customize your itinerary. See my ideas below. The cost for having a driver for the day will be around 500K Rupiah or $30. If you have a group to split it with, it can be extremely affordable. Bali has so much to offer, so you definitely will want to see as much as you can during your time here.
Your first visit will be Sekumpul waterfall Waterfall which is voted to be “Bali’s best waterfall.” You cannot miss this waterfall. The viewpoint of Sekumpul waterfall is breathtaking, but I highly recommend you take the stairs down to the bottom of the falls and experience it from below as well. There is a 120K ($8) entrance fee into the waterfall. You don’t really need a guide to do this hike as you just walk down stairs and follow the path! You do have to cross a small stream at the bottom, but it’s only a few inches deep.
The second stop will be Bamuyita Twin waterfall. This waterfall gives off a fairy tale feel as its surrounded by luscious plants and flowers. The walk to this one is downhill on the way down, but going up can be exhausting, so if you are feeling tired and need to hire a scooter to drive you back up, that is an option. The waterfall costs 60k ($3) to enter. It’s worth the drive to see many cascading streams of water pouring out from a cliff surrounded by flowers.
The third stop will be to Pura Ulun Danu Temple. This temple is Bali’s most photographed temple for many reasons. You can also grab a buffet lunch here.
After the temple, stop at Wangari Hidden hills for a photo of the lake and Munduk Molding Plantation hotel. If you decide to stay at the Munduk Molding Plantation Hotel, you can book it here for a discount.
The last stop will be a monkey forest. Now - there is a monkey forest directly in Ubud, but it can get completely overcrowded with tourists and its a lot more expensive. If I were you, I would opt for this monkey forest instead. You can even hold, take selfies and feed the monkeys.
Ubud Day 2
After a packed day 1, you will probably want to spend time relaxing in your private pool at your villa. I suggest taking this day to check out the Pura Taman Saraswati temple located right in the city center of Ubud. Entrance is also free. During sunset, go for a walk at the Campuhan Ridge Walk, a trail that has all the amazing views of Ubud and lined with palm trees along the way. Make sure to stop at Kafe restaurant along the way for a delicious dinner. My friends and I hired a chef to cook a traditional Balinese dinner, which you should too. Here is the link to the same company we booked with.
Ubud Day 3
Yes, its time to chase more waterfalls! You’re going to be heading to a lesser-known waterfall called Leke Leke. This waterfall is easily accessible by a path that you walk down for about 15 minutes. The beginner hiker can easily get to the bottom with no problem.
After Leke Leke, make sure to check out jatiluwih rice terraces which is the rice terrace and a UNESCO heritage site. jatiluwih rice terraces are a great place to check out as you will see endless rice fields in the distance. Locals still farm rice here, so it makes for a great cultural experience.
Lastly, enjoy a flight of traditional balinese coffee and tea at the plantation. Ask Augusto, and he will take you to the best one.
Ubud Day 4
Visit another waterfall called Tibumana waterfall. Unfortunately during my time here, the rain had flooded the entrance, so it was not open but if you go here in the summer months you should have no problem with visiting this waterfall.
After a waterfall visit, head to Tegalalang rice terraces.These are Bali’s most famous rice Terrances and there is a beautiful restaurant/cafe/day club called Cretya Ubud. Its located right in the rice terrance field and has great infinity pools, yummy food and drinks. While you are here, you can also enjoy the other attractions Tegalalang rice terraces has to offer such as the walking path, swing, viewing platforms and trails. It does get pretty busy here, so if you want it to yourself, go early in the morning. It costs 50k rupiah (or $2.50) to enter into the day club and the rice terrace fields.
End the day with shopping at the Ubud market.
Ubud Day 5
It’s time to experience a lesser-known part of Bali which is the east of Bali. This place is Extremely underrated for what it offers. I am still shocked this place is not nearly as discovered as I thought as it is absolutely stunning.
Start off with a sunrise at Bukit Cinta viewpoint. On a good day if its not too cloudy, you can see epic views of the volcano from this viewpoint.
Next, check out the Tirta Gangga Water Temple. This water temple is unique because it floats and you get around by walking around on stones suspended in the water. Feeding the Koi fish is an optional activity if you are interested you can purchase fish food from any of the surrounding stands near the temple parking lot.
Your last visit in East Bali will be a natural infinity pool at a waterfall called Gembleng Waterfall. The 60 stair walk up is gorgeous and the views are insane. Upon approaching the waterfall, there is a natural infinity pool overlooking the jungle side. I loved coming here because there was so little tourism that I could fully enjoy the area without the feeling of being overcrowded. There was one other small group of three people here when I came. This is a must-do during your time in Bali.
Other optional activities to do in Ubud
There are tons of other activities to do in Ubud that I did not get to doing during my time, but suggestions are listed here if you have an additional few days or want to add into the current itinerary!
3 Full Days in Epic East Java (Malang)
It’s time to go “off the beaten path” and explore East Java. East Java is known for its epic adventures and unreal landscapes, waterfalls, active volcanos and craters. Seriously, this place is something out of a movie.
How to get to Malang City in East Java
The easiest way to get to Malang is to fly. You can look for flights that go to Malang or Suburaya. You will most likely find the best flights going to surabaya, but then from surabaya, a taxi will cost around $12-$15 USD (500k rupiah) to the city of Malang.
Where to Stay in Malang
Click here for discounted 5-star hotel stays in Malang, Java
East Java Day 1
On your first day of arrival, plan on visiting the colorful city of Jodipan and the Blue Village. Both the villages are right next to each other. Don't forget to grab a great patio lunch or dinner at the Java Dancer Cafe.
East Java Day 2 (Day Trip)
If you love waterfalls, you will love this one. Tumpak Sewu also known as “1,000 waterfalls” is arguably Indonesia's best waterfall. This giant monster has thousands of streams cascading down into a cliff making it feel like you’re on another planet. Tumpak Sewu is 2.5 hours away from Malang and you can arrange a day trip here by taking a day trip. Tumpak Sewu is by far the most beautiful waterfall I have ever seen. On a good day if there are no clouds in the sky, you can also see the volcano from the observation deck. The observation deck is only a 5 minute walk from the parking lot, but if you’re feeling extra adventurous, hire a guide and take a hike to the bottom of the falls.
Note: If you want to hike to the bottom, you have to go during dry season (June-August). Unfortunately, when I went in October it was still only shoulder season, but there was still rain and it had flooded the bottom of the falls, broke the bridge which made it too dangerous for us to be able to hike to the bottom. The viewpoint was still 1000% worth it, so regardless if you hike to the bottom or not, make sure you visit Tumpak Sewu Waterfalls during your time in East Java.
East Java Day 3 (Day Trip)
Be prepared to wake up early- and by early I mean you are leaving the hostel at 12:30 am for the most epic sunrise you will ever witness in your life. If you’re not a morning person, pump yourself with coffee because this trip will the the highlight of your time in Java. Today, you will be getting to see the sun rise above an active volcano called Mount Bromo. Mount Bromo is one of East Java’s most famous volcanos. This sunrise has to be my top 3 sunrises I have witnessed in my 11 years of traveling the world. I don’t even have words for how crazy it felt to see a sunrise in the clouds over 3 active volcanos.
Click here to book the same trip that I did.
This whole excursion starts with a pickup from your hotel in a vintage Jeep. You’ll cruise for about 3 hours to the Mount Bromo Sunrise point. From the Sunrise point you will be welcomed with coffee, tea or hot chocolate and fried banana for breakfast. Form the cafe, you only have to walk about 5 minutes up about 20 stairs to the viewing platform (your guide will show you where to go). I would recommend watching half the sunrise at the viewing platform, but there are better spots to see it in a more natural setting. If you walk past the viewpoint platform, there are paths that lead down a hill called “king kong hill.” I found this place relaxing because it was secluded and away from the crowds. I also got to meet some wonderful locals and other photographers snapping some really cool photos here. If you are a photographer and want the best photos of the sunrise, consider walking past the viewpoint and go to king kong hill instead.
After an epic sunrise, you’ll get to go see Mount Bromo at another viewpoint in the daylight. I still did not think this volcano was real. It was nuts seeing it in person!
Lastly, you can go on an optional hike up to the top of the crater of Mount Bromo. Just so you know, it’s a lot of stairs so be prepared to climb, but the views of the inside of the crater are so rewarding!
1 Full Day in the Land of Dragons: Komodo National Park
Yep, you’re going to the land of man eating dragons, but don’t worry these beasts only live on the actual island of Komodo! Komodo islands are made up of 5 different islands that have landscapes that feel like jurassic park.
How to get to the Komodo Islands
From Malang in East Java, you will need to fly out of the airport of Surabaya to Labuan Bajo Airport. You can get from Malang to Surabaya for around $12-$15 (500k rupiah) by having your accommodation arrange a taxi for you. The drive from Malang to Surabaya is around 2 hours depending on traffic.
You will most likely have a layover on the Island of Bali because all flights depart and land from Bali. There are rarely any direct flights anywhere unless you are flying just to Bali.
Where to stay on the Komodo Islands
Stay right near the airport at Sunset Hill Hotel in Labuan Bajo. There is no need to get a hotel any further from close to the airport. Sunset hotel has a great restaurant, views and pool.
Komodo Island Day 1
You will be taking an Island hopping tour on your full day here. Click here to book the same tour that I did. This tour will be taking you to the famous Padar island, Komodo island to see the man eating dragons (yes its wild seeing these prehistoric creatures in person!), a sand bar, pink beach and multiple snorkeling spots. My friend and I both agreed that it was for sure the highlight of our entire Indonesia trip. The only way to see these secluded, Jurassic park islands is by tour. You cannot go to any of these islands on your own. Make sure you have well over enough cash for the entrance fee and the tour fee if the company asks you to pay cash. Also, don’t forget to snorkel at each one of the spots as they are all beautiful and unique!
Another option is to do a 4 day 3 night boat excursion which covers all of these spots and you even sleep on the boat! I was unable to do this because I am a remote worker and needed wifi for meetings and the boat tours normally run on weekdays. You can book one below if you have the time and want even more of an epic experience at the Komodo Islands, although If felt as if the day trip still exceeded my expectations.
1 Full Day: This is a Travel Day/relaxing Day
You will probably be pretty tired from having too much fun exploring Indonesia, and you need a transit day before your next destination, so fly back from Komodo Island to Bali and transit close to the airport in Denpasar.
Hotels in Denpasar (Click here for more discounted 5-star hotels)
3 Full Days on the iconic Nusa Penida Island
Nusa Penida is famous for its viewpoints of turquoise blue water and rock formations, white sand beaches and friendly locals. Get ready to see some jaw dropping views of Nusa Penida!
How to get to Nusa Penida
You can easily arrange a ferry from the Sanur Port in Bali. The ferry will take approx. 35 minutes to get to Nusa Penida from Bali.
Where to stay on Nusa Penida Island
Apeit Lawang villas was such a great time on Nusa Penida. They offer shared options or private bungalows. The Wifi works everywhere on the property which is great for workers like myself and additionally the property will be able to arrange any taxi drivers for you or motorbike rentals. I highly recommend renting a motorbike to explore Nusa Penida during your time here.
Other options for places to stay in Nusa Penida (click here for more discounted 5-star hotels)
Nusa Penida Day 1 (West Side of the Island)
On day 1, you will be heading to the iconic dinosaur shaped viewpoint called Kelingking Viewpoint. You can also hike to the bottom of this beach, but its for experienced hikers only as it can be extremely dangerous so just be careful!.
Make sure to also stop at Broken Beach and Angels Billabong while being on this side of the island. If the tide is low enough, you can swim in the natural infinity pool at Angels Billabong.
Nusa Penida Day 2 (East Side of the Island)
Make sure you wake up early for day two because you want to beat the crowds at this viewpoint. I recommend you head off to Diamond Beach around 6:30 am. It gets very crowded because it has only one set of stairs that lead down to the beach. This viewpoint is 100% worth it though and personally, I think its the most impressive on the whole island. If you’re an experienced hiker, definitely consider hiking to the bottom of the cliff. This beach was probably one of the most unique and beautiful beaches i have ever seen. The white sand, turquoise blue water contrasting with cliffs and palm trees just made it feel like I was in a tropical wonderland! Again, climbing down to this beach is not the safest so proceed with caution and be careful. I would probably consider taking off your shoes to have a better grip.
Note: The waves/currents here get huge and I mean 5’ waves. Please swim with caution and watch your things so the waves don’t take them under.
After you visit Diamond Beach, head to the Rumah Pohon Treehouse. and take an iconic photo here if you desire. You can also swim at Autuh beach as well and the walk down is easier.
Nusa Penida Day 3 (Snorkeling & Beachside Chilling)
On day 3, book a snorkeling tour to see the manta-rays and other incredible sea life and coral! The snorkeling tour will take you to a few different spots around Nusa Penida and each area is unique in its own way. It was such a cool experience and a great way to start off the day!
After, enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the Secret Penida Cafe. I loved spending a chill day at this beachside cafe. They have a beautiful pool, delicious meals and great views of the ocean. Its free to come here if you buy something to eat or drink. Their salads and lava cake was my favorite.
3 full days on the secluded Gili Islands + Lombok
If you’re an ocean lover, the Gili Islands will be a great place for you! The Gili islands are located off the coast of Lombok, Indonesia and made up of 3 islands: Gili Trawangan Aka Gili T (the party island), Gili Meno (the chill island) and Gili Air (the one in-between the both). It takes only about 10 minutes to get from island to island. As someone who doesn't party, I preferred Gili Meno.
How to get to the Gili Islands
From Nusa Penida, you can book a 1.5 hour high speed ferry that will take you to the main island of Gili T. From Gili T, you can either stay on Gili T, or easily arrange a boat to take you to Gili Meno or Gili Air.
Upon arrival to the Gili Islands, make sure to contact my friend Dri on WhatsApp. Dri is a local who lives on Gili Meno and will be happy to transport you to and from the 3 Gili islands, take you on a snorkeling tour and do anything to help you! He is awesome, so make sure to connect with him and say that Ari sent you.
Where to Stay on the Gili Islands
Gili Meno is where I stayed and it was very nice and relaxing on the more chill island. Gili T gets very loud with parties and being a remote worker, I needed something less crazy! The great thing about the Gili islands is that they are so close to one another that if I wanted something busier or new to do, I could just have Dri take me to Gili T or Gili Air.
Hotels on the Gili Islands (Click here for more discounted 5-star hotels)
I highly recommend booking this villa (see photos below). It’s a four bedroom villa and located right on the beach. You can actually snorkel right here and see lots of sea life and even blue starfish. DM me on Instagram for more information.
Gili Meno Dreams Resort is also a good choice.
Gili Islands Day 1 (Snorkeling & Beachside Lunch)
You can contact my friend Dri to take you snorkeling. Make sure to head out around 7:00 am and have him take you to the iconic statues right away. The statues get flooded with tourists, so it was really cool (and worth it) to swim by them without all the crowds. This was definitely the highlight of the snorkeling trip! The statues are located just off the cost of Gili Meno.
After you see the statues, Dri will take you to other secret spots around all three of the Gili Islands. This snorkeling was hands down some of the best that I have ever done.
After snorkeling, stop by the beachside restaurant called Two Brothers. and enjoy a delicious lunch with beach views. The fried tofu was my favorite thing here.
Gili Islands Day 2 (Visiting a Local Village in Lombok)
On day 2, you are actually going to make the trip to the larger neighboring island called Lombok. Lombok is a lesser-known part of Indonesia and is home to the original village called the Sasak Village. Lombok is only about a half an hour boat ride from the Gili Islands. I suggest contacting my friend Dri to help arrange this trip for you. The village is famous for their homemade weaving, jewelry, farming & original sustainable living. This was a great local experience to immerse yourself in the Indonesian culture.
Gili Islands Day 3 (Island Hop)
Make the trip to both Gili Air and Gili T. on Gili T you will find cafes, resultants, beach swings and some fun beach clubs. Make sure to stop at the Vintage Cafe for a good smoothie.
You can rent a bike on these islands to explore!
2 Full Days in Uluwatu
After the Gili islands, you will head back to bali. Uluwatu is located at the very south of Bali. It’s famous for its beautiful blue waters, great surfing and unique landscapes and temples.
How to get to Uluwatu
You will be spending one full day of travel, so make sure to incorporate this into your itinerary. Ask Dri to arrange a boat from Gili Meno back to Bali. After taking the ferry to East Bali, Contact Agusto (see number in beginning of my blog post) to pick you up and take you to your accommodation in Uluwatu. The drive will be a few hours from the ferry port in East Bali to your accommodation in Southern Uluwatu.
Where to stay in Uluwatu
Hotels in Uluwatu (Click here for more discounted 5-star hotels)
What to do in Uluwatu
Uluwatu is a great place to chill. I suggest visiting the many beaches here and viewpoints. There are also some great temples to see such as the famous "Uluwatu Temple." If you like house music, there are also many great venues here such as Omnia Day Club that bring in great Dj's for sets during both the day and night.
After three amazing weeks of Indonesia, you will want to stay and explore even more of this country. As I am finishing this blog post for you, I think to myself what a wonderful world we truly live in. This trip was one of my top 3 destinations I have visited and I cannot wait to start planning my trip back to Indonesia this summer and continue sharing with you the beauty that this country has to offer. For now, I hope this itinerary was helpful and you have the best time in Indonesia. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me for any additional Indonesia planning or to request a custom itinerary. Happy traveling :)
Ari Travels
Ari is a world traveler and digital nomad passionate about sharing hidden gems and bucket list hotels to inspire others to travel.