The combination of varying cultures and religions alongside an altering infrastructure keeps Indonesia at the top of must-see destination lists. Whether the flight to Indonesia lands you in exotic Bali, rustic Lombok, or hiking Mt. Rinjani, a new world awaits in Indonesia.
Find a cheap flight to Indonesia and start your journey in Jakarta. Brave the congested streets and massive traffic and head straight to the National Monument in Merdeka Square. The marble column is topped with a gold-covered flame and symbolizes Indonesia’s independence. Enjoy a bit of Indonesia’s bustling nightlife before boarding the next Indonesia flight to Lombok. Go snorkeling in the crystal-blue waters off one of Lombok’s glorious beaches or be adventurous and climb Mt. Rinjani, Indonesia’s second largest active volcano. Don’t leave Lombok without purchasing some Indonesia artifacts from the surrounding villages – the area is known for its pottery, baskets, and woven textiles. End your Indonesia trip on the tranquil island of Bali. A peaceful Indonesia is captured on Bali’s beaches and in the island’s hospitable citizens. One of the best reasons to book a flight to Indonesia destinations is for an Indonesian festival, but plan ahead – many areas are booked solid months ahead of time and finding Indonesia flights and accommodations can be complicated.
While there is much to do and see here, travelers booking flights to Indonesia should check security updates before boarding Indonesia flights. Several natural disasters have attacked Indonesia in recent years and the country is still rebuilding its infrastructure. Tourism remains Indonesia’s biggest cash cow, and the Indonesian government has taken every step to make travelers booking flights to Indonesia feel at home.
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Indonesia has one thing going for it every day of the year: the heat. At a yearly average of 88F, warm weather is clearly the norm. It’s not a matter of whether or not it will be hot, but rather how hot it will be. If you’re booking a flight to Indonesia during the wet season though, the cool temperatures don’t bring much relief, since travel becomes difficult, and it’s hard to get around on muddy roads. Located right above the equator, Indonesia is hotter on the coasts than it is inland, but with little variation.
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To take advantage of the dry season, book flights to Indonesia between June and September, when the outdoors will be more enjoyable. If you’re booking flights to Indonesia, be sure first to educate yourself on the current guidelines for travel warnings. As of January 9, 2007, the US Department of State cautions extreme safety when traveling to Indonesia, due to terrorist attacks near or against Westerners in both Jakarta and Bali. The warning states that: “Such targets could include but are not limited to places where Americans and other Westerners live, congregate, work, study, shop, or visit, including hotels, clubs, restaurants, shopping centers, identifiably Western businesses, housing compounds, transportation systems, places of worship, schools, or public recreation events." And while travel is not completely restricted, the following warning should be taken into consideration: “The Department of State urges Americans in Indonesia to avoid crowds, maintain a low profile, and be vigilant about security at all times.”
Peak Season: Many Indonesian festivals occur during the summer, especially if you book flights to Indonesia in July and August, when you’ll likely be able to observe the locals perform sacred rituals and celebrate with one another. Things cool down a bit, but temperatures are still warm enough to stroll main roads and cities on foot.
Off-peak Season: Although there’s no bad time to book flights to Indonesia, you might want to take weather into consideration if you’re sensitive to wetter climates. The span of time between October and April are still hot, but produce more rainfall and more humidity that in the summer time. You’ll also have to think about location, because the northern side of the country is normally wet year-round, but this might also be the best time to book cheap flights to Indonesia.
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Once your flight to Indonesia lands, you may want to travel within the country. If so, book cheap Indonesia flights on domestic airlines to get from one city to another. For the budget-minded traveler, it’s a good idea to wait until you are in Indonesia to book domestic Indonesia flights, because 50 percent is added to the price if purchased in the United States. Make sure to reconfirm your flight plans even after you’ve made them, because overbooking has recently been a conflict.
The well preserved main roads make Indonesia travel easy to navigate. A few bus companies ranging from very cheap to relatively expensive will get you from one place to another, no matter what or where you’re looking to go. Ekonomi buses (pronounced like “economy”) have cheap fares and welcome animals (when the locals happen to be traveling with their respective pigs and chickens). Express Buses are a bit more expensive and hold less cargo, but are much faster. Lastly, luxury air conditioned buses have all the amenities as a coach would have in the United States.
If rail is your transportation of choice, you must be willing to deal with irregularity and slowness. Railroad travel is restricted between Java and Sumatra, and you certainly get what you pay for. If you find a cheap rate, it’s likely to be crowded and slow, and if you pay a little more, you may have a comfortable, quick ride. Book your train seats in advance to ensure you have one.
Cars, motorbikes, and bicycles can be rented in main cities and touristy places, and there is myriad local transport to choose from. Bemos are pickup trucks with rows of seats on each side; dokars are horse drawn carts; and taxis are cheap, but inconsistently prices so be sure to confirm rates before entering.
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Borobudur: For a religiously-intrigued traveler, the Borobudur is the perfect introduction to Hindu influences in Indonesia. This Buddhist monument holds 504 Buddha statues, and has survived more than a few disasters, which makes its presence even more incredible. Standing tall through ash flows, terrorist bombs, and many a traveler, the 1200-year-old relic was built from 2 million block stones to form a symmetrical stupa (a small hill or mound, which Hindus believe to be grounds of worship.) Six square terraces, four stairways, and elaborate gateways ornament the sacred sight which is surely worth your time.
Kelimutu: Sometimes, nature’s wonders can downright mystify. As you entire the Kelimutu area, you’ll spot three lakes, but something may not seem quite right. Set in the deep craters at the bottom of a volcano, the trio of lakes each has its own unique color that changes at will. At any given time, one could be turquoise, another brown, and another green. Not artificial in any way, the color change is due to the dissolving minerals that are activated by the rainy season. So to experience something you’ve surely never seen before, book flights to Indonesia and head straight to Kelimutu.
Nyepi Day: If you happen to visit Indonesia during their New Year holiday, you’ll need to be mindful of the ritual and respect behind the meaning of it. As a visitor, you’ll be expected to respect the traditions as well, so educate yourself before you book a flight to Indonesia. The days before are loud and boisterous, filled with cleaning the villages, cooking food, and making as much noise as possible to scare away devils. However, the tone changes dramatically on Nyepi day itself, especially in Bali. On that day, no one is allowed to leave their house (or hotel!). Referred to as the day of silence, no one speaks, leaves their houses, cooks, or engages in any activity, and while tourists are allowed to occupy themselves inside their hotels, they are not allowed to come outside.
Lore National Park: If you’re looking for a place that’s tourist-friendly, but not tourist-saturated, Lore National Park will satisfy your solitude needs. Incredibly remote, the park is perfect for trekking up and down hill and observing both exotic plant and animal life. Some butterflies are larger than human hands, and the bird watching it phenomenal. Wildlife isn’t the only sight to be seen, though: Many indigenous tribes live among the trees, and you may spot them in colorful garb performing their daily rituals. When you do need help navigating around things like waterfalls and hot springs, rangers are there to guide you but allow you to move on your own.
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Book cheap flights to Indonesia and you’ll arrive at either Java: Jakarta (CGK) or Denpasar (DPS).
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All passports must be valid for six months from date of entry. Return ticket or documentation for onward travel, and proof of sufficient funds ($1,000 or valid credit card), is essential. A visa is required by all nationalities. This can be obtained on arrival, for a stay of up to 30 days, provided the passport contains at least one unused visa page for the visa-on-arrival sticker which covers an entire passport page. A visa can also be purchased prior to arrival. No visa is required for transit passengers, except for South African passport holders who require a visa at all times.
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Your flight to Indonesia requires that you carry your passport and visa with you before and during travel.
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