If you can’t convince any friends or family to come along on a trip to Indonesia, there’s no reason to stay home. This country happens to be one of the world’s best solo travel destinations, thanks to the welcoming warmth of Indonesians and a steady traveller trail throughout the nation. Whether you’re solo backpacking through Indonesia or prefer a more indulgent retreat, Indonesia has plenty of options that deliver. Between things to do alone in Indonesia and where to meet people once you get there, let this Indonesia solo travel guide be your starting point in trip planning — or the push so you finally hit “book now” on that flight.
Why should you travel solo in Indonesia?
Because it’s impossible to be lonely when you’re eating a delicious plate of nasi goreng (Indonesian fried rice) with an ice-cold Bintang beer. Seriously, though, there are so many amazing things to do alone in Indonesia, and because it’s such a social and destination, you might show up solo, but you probably won’t remain alone for long.
Experience it for yourself on: Solo-ish Bali
Natural beauty and cultural richness
There’s no shortage of unique experiences in Indonesia for solo travellers, with more than 17,000 islands to choose from. Whether you’re after ancient temples and cultural deep dives or powerful waterfalls and serene coastlines, the choice is yours. Bustling cities, small villages with local traditions, secluded island retreats, and jungles with the buzz of wildlife are all among the best places to visit in Indonesia alone. Your itinerary will be packed no matter what, and you’ll probably still leave saying “next time” to things you didn’t get to fit in.
Experience it for yourself on: Highlights of Sumatra
Welcoming experiences for solo explorers
Some destinations are easier than others when it comes to meeting locals and other travellers. Indonesia happens to have a thriving traveller network, plus plenty of warm hospitality and kindness from locals. It’s the type of place that’s conducive to friendship, where people often wave hello and want to connect out of genuine curiosity. Whether you make friends with your Balinese neighbour or a random backpacker from Argentina (it’ll probably be both), the vibes are great either way. Community-focused tours and tons of group-friendly activities can easily turn your Indonesia solo travel itinerary into a social one, so show up with an open mind and get chatty.
Experience it for yourself on: Wellness Bali
Top destinations for solo travellers
Trying to pick solo travel destinations in Indonesia can be tricky. You’ll likely have some back-and-forth decision-making and perhaps questions like, “Is my suitcase even going to fit on that boat to this tiny little island I want to scuba dive around?” Common questions. Packing for Indonesia travel aside, here’s a shortlist of where to go in Indonesia solo.
Yogyakarta: Java’s cultural capital
Yogyakarta, a city in Java also known as Jogja for short, is home to Borobudur and Prambanan temples, two UNESCO World Heritage sites that are impressive in both scale and detail. Around Jogja, you can immerse yourself in Javanese culture, from batik (traditional fabric) workshops and street food to art markets, traditional music, and dance. It’s far less touristy than other parts of Indonesia, but there are still plenty of great, affordable places to stay and other travellers around.
Experience it for yourself on: Best of Java
Smaller island escapes
Snorkel beside manta rays and dive around coral formations and shipwrecks — Indonesia has a lot of smaller islands that deserve to be on your radar. Off the southeast coast of Bali, Nusa Penida offers stunning cliffside beaches and seaside villages. The island’s close neighbour, Nusa Lembongan, is even smaller and just as gorgeous.
Off the northwest coast of Lombok, the three Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air) each offer a slightly different experience. While each island has its own lure — Trawangan being social, Meno super chilled, and Air a bit of both — they all have plenty of blissed-out shorelines where you can sit back and sip a fresh coconut (definitely one of our favourite tips for solo travel in Indonesia).
Experience it for yourself on: Bali: Beaches & Boat Rides
Bali: culture, jungles, beaches, and waterfalls
You might have opened this article thinking we were covering the best things to do in Bali, seeing as it’s the most frequently travelled island in Indonesia. Between beautiful Balinese culture and a super outgoing traveller and international community, Bali is definitely worth a visit, especially when you get out into the island’s more remote areas. Between the verdant rice terraces of Jatiluwih, the striking heights of Mt Batur, the green valleys of Sidemen, the waterfalls of Munduk, the social streets of Canggu, and the aqua-blue beaches of Uluwatu, the experiences on this island are incredibly diverse, and there’s hardly a bad time to visit Bali.
Get in touch with local culture through Balinese dance performances, traditional cooking classes, and visits to Bali temples that date back centuries. Meet other travellers through activities such as surfing and yoga. Sit on a stunning Bali beach and eat Balinese food at a local warung (family-style restaurant) or fresh seafood beside the Jimbaran fish market — there’s an endless array of things to do around Bali.
Experience it for yourself on: Classic Bali & Komodo Island
Komodo and Flores: unique wildlife and boat adventures
Pink beaches! Boat trips! An island with Komodo dragons! Fly into Labuan Bajo, a town on the island of Flores, and dive into the excitement of this unreal landscape. If you have already looked up the best beaches in Indonesia for solo travellers, you probably saw pictures of some of these shorelines.
Hopping on a boat tour as a solo traveller is a great way to see the region, from the mountainous Padar Island that looks like something out of a tropical action movie to Komodo National Park. You can opt for day trips or join a liveaboard for a multi-day and night excursion, and no matter what you choose, you’re sure to connect with fellow travellers.
Experience it for yourself on: Indonesia: Java, Bali & Komodo Island
Lombok: stunning beaches, Mt Rinjani, and Sasak culture
Lombok, Bali’s quieter neighbouring island to the east, is full of sweeping coastlines and famous trekking around Mt Rinjani, Indonesia’s second-tallest volcano. Whether you love a thrill-filled adventure or want to be lazy on the beach with a good book and a drink in hand, Lombok delivers. We recommend combining it with a trip to the Gili Islands; it’s only a short boat ride from Lombok to Gili Air, the furthest east of the island trio.
Experience it for yourself on: Indonesia Java, Bali & Lombok
Where to eat and meet people in Indonesia
To get a taste of authentic Indonesian cuisine, head to the local warungs that offer buffet-style dishes that you can pick and choose from. If you’re a seafood lover, a visit to Jimbaran’s fish market. In areas of Indonesia that receive more tourism, you’ll find all types of cuisine. In Bali, take your pick from Ubud food tours to Canggu cafés and Balinese warungs.
Cooking classes, market tours, social events for travellers, and nightlife are found all over. It’s easy to meet people in most areas. If you’re looking for a party, you’ll find it in the busier areas. On the other hand, if you’re looking to avoid people and take a break in nature totally, you’ll also find that in the quiet of the jungle or the calm of the mountains.
Practical planning essentials
Like any travel destination, Indonesia solo travel safety tips mostly center on standard trip preparation and common sense that we use all over the world. From travel insurance to currency, here’s what every traveller should know before setting off.
Safety and health tips
Is Indonesia safe for solo travellers? The short answer is yes, but like everywhere, there are certain precautions and best practices, especially in places that you’re not familiar with. It’s always a good idea to research regional advisories before you travel to be aware of what’s going on and anything that might affect your trip plans.
Transport
Transport apps like GoJek and Grab are reliable and safe, and you can call a scooter or a car for your transport method. Many lovely tour guides and drivers with years of experience offer daily rates for transportation around different islands.
Motorbike safety
Don’t rent a motorbike in Indonesia if you don’t have any prior riding experience. Start by taking riding lessons instead. Driving a motorbike safely in Indonesia requires confidence and experience to navigate heavy traffic and winding roads.
Travel insurance
G Adventures trips require travel insurance. It’s a good idea to have when you’re travelling to countries with motorbike transport (that’s definitely Indonesia!) and that present other risks, such as mosquito-borne illnesses. Dengue fever can occur throughout Indonesia, especially during the rainy season. Make sure your travel insurance covers scooters and adventure sports if you’re planning to partake in them.
Petty theft
Indonesia is quite safe overall, but like anywhere, keep an eye on your belongings and take the same regular precautions you’d take in a busy area. Reports of stolen phones occur periodically in more touristy areas, so pay attention to your surroundings. The majority of frequented destinations are safe places in Indonesia for solo travellers.
Respectful tourism
As tourist numbers have grown, reports of poorly behaved travellers in Bali and other parts of Indonesia have appeared more and more. Before your trip, brush up on Indonesian culture and customs — that means treating people with respect, wearing appropriate clothing when visiting religious sites and more conservative areas, and respecting all cultural traditions.
Visas for Indonesia
Indonesia offers a visa on arrival for most countries, which gives you 30 days that can be extended to 60 days with a visit to immigration. You can apply for an e-visa online in advance as well.
Language
Bahasa Indonesia means the Indonesian language (don’t just use bahasa — that word literally just means “language,” although you’ll likely hear a lot of travelers say that). When traveling in Indonesia, learning a few of the basics is both essential and appreciated. Greetings, such as selamat pagi (good morning), selamat sore (good afternoon), and selamat malam (good night) are used. Terima kasih (thank you) is often shortened to makasih — or suksma in Balinese. If you’re wondering how to travel Indonesia solo when you don’t speak a word of Indonesian, don’t worry, but keep Google Translate handy for situations where you have questions and there’s a language barrier.
Phones and connectivity
You can easily buy a local SIM card (Telkomsel is reliable) or eSIM for GPS and messaging. SIM cards are available at the airport, although you’ll probably get a better deal elsewhere.
Money
The rupiah (IDR) is the currency in Indonesia. While credit cards are widely accepted, it’s always good to have some small notes on hand for more rural areas or small payments, such as parking, entry fees for certain sights, and meals at some warungs. ATMs are widely available, so you shouldn’t have an issue getting cash, but take some extra cash out before going to small islands or remote areas.
Solo travel in Indonesia checklist
What do you really need to do before you get on that flight to Indonesia? Besides getting excited, we have a few ideas. Save future you some confusion by saving this quick pre‑trip checklist.
– Book travel insurance (inclusive of motorbike travel if you have riding experience).
– Download the apps for GoJek, Grab, and Google Translate.
– Arrange eSIM or SIM card for mobile data.
– Ensure you meet the visa on arrival requirements or apply for an e-visa ahead of time.
– Read up on Indonesian culture and customs to ensure respectful tourism.
– Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond entry.
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