Indonesia is a beautiful country that often doesn’t get the credit it deserves for its incredibly diversity, beauty, food, adventure, and culture. It’s the kind of place that is very raw and real. Aside from the super-touristy areas of Bali, the other parts of the country are unknown to most mass tourists and that’s really where the fun begins.

As you’re planning your trip, you’re naturally going to be thinking about what to pack to Indonesia. I’m here to help you with that.

Read more about Bali

How to get the best deals in travel

What to pack to Indonesia

When it comes to your trip preparation, here are my top 3 things you might not’ve thought about in terms of what to pack to Indonesia.

It’s Hot

Mount Bromo

It’s pretty much hot all year round in Indonesia no matter where you are, because of how close the country is to the equator. That means that your packing is going to be focused on summer attire. T-shirts, shorts, and skirts are going to rule most of the wardrobe while you’re there.

My personal recommendation is to bring as much quick-dry type of clothing as you can. The more sweat wicking you can get, the more comfortable you’re going to be out there.

In addition to that, you’re going to want to make sure everything is as lightweight as possible. Not only does this help with the packing but it also means you’ll be walking around with less weight on you and your clothes will naturally dry faster.

From a footwear perspective, make sure you have flip-flops for beach destinations like Bintan Island but then also pack sturdier and breathable sandals for city walking that you might do in Jakarta.

A Mix of Religions

Borobudur at Sunrise

I didn’t know this at first but Indonesia has quite the mix of prevalent faiths with Islam, Protestantism, Catholicsm, Hinduism, and Buddhism. This might seem like a weird thing to bring up for a packing post, but I swear there’s a point to this.

CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE
Patagonia Packing List - Detailed Guide With Essentials and Tips

As with a lot of countries in Southeast Asia, you will be channeling your inner Lara Croft or Indiana Jones as there will be a lot of temples to explore.

When visiting these temples, you want to make sure you respect local traditions. Both men and women are expected to wear shirts that cover shoulders and part of the arms, so that means no tank tops. Flip-flops are generally acceptable. The general rule of thumb is to dress modestly.

For the ladies, I recommend picking up a sarong along the way as those become very handy in these situations to cover up.

Bali Will Impress

Bali Rice Terraces

For an island so well-known, with its reputation of the luxury resorts of Nusa Dua, surfing near Sanur, and partying in Seminyak, Bali turned out to have it all.  But, it was also well-balanced with beautiful rice paddies, mountainous volcano landscapes, monkey forests, and impressive temples.

So whether you’re relaxing by the beach or exploring the island, there are a few things I’d recommend. For one, sunscreen is a must because I know from personal experience that travelling with a burn is no fun. Mosquitoes also seemed to be more vicious here than other parts of the country so do make sure you bring your own bug spray and preferably the kind that includes DEET as I found that to be the most effective. One last big lesson learned here is the fact that you’re going to want to make sure that you bring very clean and crisp $50 and $100 bills that are post-2006 for exchange.

These covers the basics that you’ll want to think about prior to heading to Indonesia. For more tips on everything I learned while backpacking through Indonesia, make sure you check out my mega guide on top tips and tricks while backpacking Asia.

Travel Resources For Your Next Trip

If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100%.

Credit cards: Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card. Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.

Flights: Of all the booking search engines, Skyscanner is the most helpful and easy to use thanks to their Everywhere feature. Kayak is also another that’s we will often check as well.

Car Rental: If you’re looking to save money, these car rental coupon codes will be a true game-changer. Otherwise, DiscoverCars and RentalCars are great places to start.

Rideshare: For new Lyft users, use code WILLIAM4825 to get 50% off your first 2 rides (max $10 USD per ride). Offer valid for 14 days after you take your first ride. For new Uber users, use code psuqbjg4d7rn for the same offer except it’s valid for 30 days.

Airport Parking: You’ll need a spot to leave your car at the airport so why not book a spot at a discount. Use code AWESOME7 to get at least $5 off at Airport Parking Reservations or Park Sleep Fly packages.

eSIM: Lately, we’ve really loved using eSIMs. We’ve tested several over the years and we have access to a few special promotions.

  • AmigoSIM – Use GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 25% off. Code is re-useable.
  • Gigsky – Use TANG149 to get $3 USD when you sign up, then use code GOINGAWESOME to save 20% on all eSIM orders.
  • KnowRoaming – Use code GAP10 to save 10%.
  • AloSIM – Use code GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 15%.
  • Airalo – Use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase.
  • UbigiAWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order.

Wifi Hotspot: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.

Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts. Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.

Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key).

Tours and Activities: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.

Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.

  • HeyMondo – Popular insurance provider for frequent travelers and comes with great coverage and special perks. By booking through our link to get a 15% discount (from June 19-29)!
  • RATESDOTCA – Search engine Canadians looking for the cheapest insurance including multi-trip annual policies.
  • SafetyWing – A perfect fit for long-term nomads.
  • Medjet – Global air medical transportation.
  • InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.

If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.

William Tang of Going Awesome Places
About The Author

Will Tang

Will Tang, founder of Going Awesome Places, has traveled to 51 countries. He shares his insanely detailed itineraries, travel guides, and packing lists. Will’s travels have been featured on Huffington Post, Men’s Journal, and Entrepreneur.

Read More About Will

Join The Discussion

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The Discussion