Holiday Guide to Indonesia

Tourists from the Middle East prefer Indonesia for a family-oriented holiday due to close cultural and religious ties with the country. As a result, Indonesia has emerged as a popular holiday destination among Middle East tourists.

Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world, range from Sabang in Aceh to Merauke in Papua, which is made up of thousands of large and small islands, which are connected by the strait and sea. The country has 17,504 islands – 7,870 of them have names, while 9,634 do not even have a name.

Because of its natural beauty that Indonesia has become a tourist destination that is much coveted by both local and international travelers from around the world. There is something everyone in Indonesia, regardless of age, gender or interests.

What To See, Where To Go

Indonesia is both a leisure seeker’s dream and an adventurer’s playground. Whether you’re looking to bronze on beautiful beaches, hike in search of endangered orangutan, or snorkel amongst some of the most beautiful coral reefs on Earth, Indonesia has something for everyone.

Based on my personal expriences of travelling across Indonesia, here are some places that you should consider when planning for your holiday in Indonesia:

ACEH
BALI
BANGKA BELITUNG
BENGKULU
BANTEN
CENTRAL JAVA
CENTRAL KALIMANTAN
CENTRAL SULAWESI
EAST JAVA
EAST KALIMANTAN
EAST NUSA TENGGARA
GORONTALO
JAKARTA
JAMBI
LAMPUNG
MALUKU
NORTH KALIMANTAN

NORTH MALUKU
NORTH SULAWESI
NORTH SUMATRA
PAPUA
RIAU
RIAU ARCHIPELAGO
SOUTH EAST SULAWESI
SOUTH KALIMANTAN
SOUTH SULAWESI
SOUTH SUMATRA
WEST JAVA
WEST KALIMANTAN
WEST NUSA TENGGARA
WEST PAPUA
WEST SULAWESI
WEST SUMATRA
YOGYAKARTA

Where to Stay

Here is a list of hand picked luxurious hotels in Bali that will be suitable for travellers from the Middle East while on holiday in Taiwan:

Permata Ayung Estate (Adults Only) – Ubud
Eko Villa Seminyak – Seminyak
353 Degrees North – Lembongan
Ubud Valley Boutique Resort – Ubud
Sandat Glamping Tents – Ubud
Kano Sari Ubud Villas – Ubud
Samsara Ubud – Ubud
Bisma Eight – Ubud
Bidadari Private Villas – Ubud
Capella Ubud, Bali – Ubud
Komaneka – Tanggayuda Ubud
COMO Uma Ubud – Ubud
Fivelements Retreat Bali – Ubud
Puri Wulandari Resort & Spa – Ubud
The Samaya Ubud – Ubud
Viceroy Bali – Ubud
Alaya Resort Ubud – – Ubud
Bulgari Resort Bali – Uluwatu
Komaneka at Bisma Ubud
The Legian Seminyak, Bali – Seminyak
Four Seasons Resort Bali – Jimbaran

Akasha Luxury Villas – Seminyak
Seminyak Beach Resort – Seminyak
Amala – Seminyak
Tandjung Sari Hotel – Sanur
Villa Kampung Kecil – Sanur
Kayon Jungle Resort – Ubud
Edge Bali – Uluwatu
Ayana Resort – Jimbaran
Munduk Cabins – Munduk
Jamahal Private Resort & SPA – Jimbaran
The St. Regis Bali Resort – Nusa Dua
Alassari Plantation – Selemadeg
One Eleven – Seminyak
Munduk Moding Resort – Munduk
The Samata – Sanur
The Royal Santrian – Nusa Dua
Samabe Bali Suites – Nusa Dua
Samabe Bali Villas – Nusa Dua
Goya Boutique Resort – Ubud
Alila Villas Uluwatu – Uluwatu
Four Seasons Resort – Sayan

Best Time To Visit Indonesia

The best time to visit Indonesia is between July and August when the weather is dry but is still cool and inviting. Indonesia’s dry season stretches from April to October, and the wet season is from November to March.

How To Get There

The cheapest way to get from the Middle East to Indonesia is to fly. From Dubai, it costs approximately AED 1000 – AED 4000 and takes 11 hours 23 minutes. You can take a flight either to Soekarno–Hatta International Airport in Jakarta or Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar. There are several airlines from the Middle East that offer direct / connecting flights to these airports.

Visa Requirements

All travelers to Indonesia must obtain a Visa from one of the Indonesian diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries. They must be in possession of a Pasport that is valid for at least six (6) months from the date of arrival, and have proof (tickets) of onward or return passage.

Depending on your passport and where you are from, there are three options to enter Indonesia that apply to most travellers who come for tourist or social purposes:

No Visa required (majority of countries – FREE entry, 30 days valid, NOT extendable)
Visa on Arrival (35US$, 30 valid for 30 days, extendable (30 more days)
Visa needed (apply abroad before arriving in Indonesia)

Getting Around

Public ferries run regularly between neighbouring islands, such as between Sumatra and Java, Java and Bali, and Bali and Lombok. In more visited areas you’ll find tourist boat services, and combined long-distance bus and boat options. The urban transportation system in Indonesia consists of buses, trams, light rail, metro, rapid transit and ferries. Particularly, urban rail-based transportation, such as light rail and mass rapid transit (MRT), provides mobility for people and goods, and access to the urban area.

How Long to Stay in Indonesia

With lots of ground to cover, the ideal trip to Indonesia should be no less than two weeks to truly explore the country’s vast geography. Spend five to seven days on each island before hopping onto the next – splitting your time between the gorgeous islands of Bali, Lombok, and Java.

Itinerary: Editor’s Suggestions

During my trip across Indonesia, I got the opportunity to travel to some of the most famous and remote tourist attractions in Indonesia. Based on my extensive travels across Indonesia, here is a suggestive itinerary for travellers from the Middle East planning a holiday in Indonesia: