Things to Do in Indonesia

Built at the beginning of the 20th century, Ujung Water Palace is the former palace of the King of Karangasem. It’s located just a few kilometers from Amlapura in Bali and features several pools and a number of historical structures, all set against the backdrop of Mount Agung and the eastern shoreline of the island.

The park features a combination of Balinese and European architecture throughout, and has three large pools, with a central building connected to the edge of the main pool via a bridge. The other pools were added later, along with a number of pavilions, meditation quarters, and the Taman Gili floating pavilions.

The site was virtually devastated following the eruption of nearby Mount Agung in 1963, and was later shaken by an earthquake in 1979. However, multiple restoration efforts throughout the decades have restored the site to its former glory, and it continues to attract both locals and visitors, who come to marvel at the flamboyant architecture and magnificent views.

Jakarta might be Java’s financial hub, but Yogyakarta is the island’s artistic and cultural heart. Home to about half a million people, Yogyakarta, or “Yogya” for short, serves as the jumping off point for excursions to Java’s most important archeological sites, Prambanan and Borobudur. As such, the city’s packed with hotels, restaurants, cafes and shops.

As one of Indonesia’s oldest cities, Yogya offers plentiful historical buildings, monuments and temples worthy of exploration. At the heart of it all is the Kraton Complex, a Javanese palace complex where the sultan still lives. Originally built in 1790, many of the structures now house museum collections, including gifts from foreign dignitaries, family heirlooms, old photographs and the sultan’s horse-drawn carriages.

Visitors interested in Yogya’s religious heritage will find half a dozen ancient temples in and around the city. It’s also an excellent destination for experiencing traditional Javanese dance, puppetry and music.

The National Museum in Jakarta sits on the western side of Merdeka Square. After various incarnations under a number of different names, the National Museum was opened in 1868. Often referred to as the "˜Elephant Building' due to the bronze elephant statue at its entrance, this impressive museum houses a huge collection, providing an in-depth insight into Indonesia's fascinating cultural heritage.

The National Museum essentially takes visitors on a journey through Indonesia's history, from prehistoric times right up to the present day. There are almost 150,000 artifacts on display here, with prehistoric, archaeological, ceramic, ethnographic, numismatic/heraldic, geographic, and colonial collections to explore.

A new wing was added to the museum in 2007, with four levels dedicated to the neo-classical colonial era and the origins of mankind in Indonesia, including a model of the Flores "˜hobbit'. Elsewhere, there are items from the eras of Hinduism and Buddhism, known as the Indonesian classical era, with ancient statues of Hindu gods and the Buddha.

Situated just outside Kuta on Bali’s southwestern tip sits an ancient temple perched atop towering seaside cliffs. At Uluwatu Temple, one of Bali’s most important directional temples, Ganesha statues welcome visitors who’ve come to enjoy spectacular views, observe wild monkeys, or watch a traditional Balinese dance at sunset.

Uluwatu ranks among the most popular of the more than 1,000 temples on Bali. Its clifftop location makes sunset visits particularly appealing, so many guided day trips around the island culminate with a sunset stop at the temple and the chance to watch a traditional Kecak dance performance in this atmospheric location. An evening Uluwatu Temple tour can be combined with a fresh seafood dinner on Jimbaran Beach. Tours to Uluwatu Temple often include pickup and drop-off in either Denpasar or South Kuta.

Uluwatu Temple sits about 45 minutes from the Denpasar airport by road. The most convenient way to get there is on a guided tour, but it’s also possible to arrive by taxi from just about anywhere on the island.

The magnificent view of the sun setting over Jimbaran Bay and the Indian Ocean makes evening the most popular (and crowded) time for visiting Uluwatu Temple. If you’d like to explore the temple grounds with a bit more elbow room, plan to visit earlier in the day.

The clifftop temple isn’t Uluwatu’s only appeal. The area is also deservedly famous for its white-sand beaches. While strong tides make for unsafe swimming, Padang Padang Beach and Jimbaran Beach attract surfers year-round with their consistent waves.

Occupying a swath of Bali's northwestern corner, West Bali National Park (Bali Barat National Park) is Bali's last true wilderness. Highlights include the reefs around Menjangan Island,  mangrove and tropical savanna landscapes, and wildlife the likes of monkeys, deer, macaques, and the white Bali starling"”the preservation of which was a main reason the park was created in 1941.

Independent guests to West Bali National Park must pay national park fees and use its chartered guide service. Boat trips are through the park's fixed-rate charter service. As the park is far from popular tourist destinations, many visit with a tour or with a prearranged private driver/guide. The park is near Gilimanuk, where ferries leave for Java, so some tours stop between Ijen Crater (Kawah Ijen) and other East Java attractions.

West Bali National Park is hard to reach by public transport. Pemuteran Shuttle runs a shuttle service from Ubud, Kuta, and Sanur to the resort town of Pemuteran, around 15 miles (25 kilometers) away. Public buses run from Denpasar's Ubung terminal to the port of Gilimanuk, around 6 miles (10 kilometers) away. If you speak some Indonesian, you can pick up a "bemo" minibus from Gilimanuk or Pemuteran.

The dry season (roughly May to October) is the best time to watch wildlife in the park, both from a comfort perspective and because the grounds are less overgrown with greenery, but the park is worth visiting year-round. If you're staying in Pemuteran or the resorts on the fringes of the park, aim to start wildlife watching around 6am when the animals are most active.

The West Bali National Park was once home to the Bali tiger"”but the last sighting was more than 80 years ago, and that one was shot. There is no leopard population, but there are leopard cats. Despite their leopard-like patterns, they are not much larger than a standard domestic cat.

Wayang is the ancient art of Javanese storytelling – a theatrical performance using puppets that are usually made from leather or wood. The Wayang Museum in Jakarta houses one of the widest collections of wayang puppets in Java. It’s located in the Old City part of Jakarta, opposite Fatahillah Square in a building that dates back to 1912.

The Wayang Museum displays wayang puppets from across Indonesia, along with collections from countries such as China, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, and France. It also features a number of wayang paintings and sculptures, and even hosts wayang performances at 10am on every second, third, and fourth Sunday of the month.

The name Tamansari literally means “garden park” and visitors will find the lush grounds—complete with water fountains and reflecting pools—are just that. A quiet respite from the hustle of city streets, Water Castle is the site of a former royal garden and once served as a workshop, meditation center and even a political hiding place. 

The bountiful grounds are edged with well-kept gardens, lush foliage and brightly colored flowers. An artificial lake, bathing complex, tiny islands and open pools are just part of the features that make Tamansari a destination for travelers seeking urban escape. The buildings on site are all connected via a network of underwater passageways, some of which are still accessible to visitors. 

Waterbom Bali provides water-themed activities for the whole family, with slides, saltwater pools, adrenaline-pumping rides, and kiddie pools—plus dining, shopping, and shaded gazebos. The park is set in a tropical garden and provides habitat for endangered species, with more than 50 percent of its area maintained as natural green space.

 

Waterbom Bali offers enough activities to fill an entire day, or even two. Race on the dueling “Fast ‘n Fierce” or “Twin Racer” slides, test your balance on the “Flowrider” wave field, take a spin in the “Superbowl” aqua-tube, or zip down the terrifying “Climax” slide, which contains a loop and near vertical drop. You can also relax on the waterfall-filled lazy river, get a treatment at the onsite spa, or sip cocktails at the swim-up bar. 

Basic 1- or 2-day admission tickets are available, as well as bundles that include VIP express entry, lunch, gazebo rentals, and family photos. You can also book a private transfer to the park, which includes 1-day admission as well as hotel pickup and drop-off.

 

Waterbom Bali is located in downtown Kuta, 21 miles (40 kilometers) south of Ubud. The park is 1.8 miles (three kilometers) from Ngurah Rai International Airport, and is within walking distance of Kuta Beach and the Discovery Shopping Mall. As public transit is not prevalent in Bali, taxis or private transfers are good ways to travel. 

 

With year-round temperatures averaging around 80°F (27°C), tropical Bali is a good place to visit year-round. The waterpark is open daily from 9am to 6pm and is closed only on the day of Nyepi, a Balinese public holiday.

 

The park’s “Constrictor” slide slithers an impressive 792 feet (241 meters) through the park’s lush tropical gardens. The ride’s entrance is located in a back corner of the park, near the similar “Python” and “Green Viper” slides. Rde by yourself or hop in a double raft with a family member or friend.

Singaraja is an old trading town and the former colonial administrative capital of the whole Lesser Sunda Islands. The economic growth of that particular region was mainly due to this old port and especially China had a big influence in Singaraja. The town had been trading with Chinese junk boats since the 10th century and these East Asian as well as colonial influences are still evident, not only in the local cuisine, but also in some of the buildings, such as the Chinese temples, wide and grand streets and the large gardens. Singaraja is to this day the economic center of Bali and you can still admire some of the old warehouses along the old harbor, which once housed the goods that made the town the main hub in the East Indies. 

The city is best explored on foot or by rickshaw, passing along Chinese shops and through quiet, tree-lined neighborhoods. Scattered throughout the city are lively bazaars, a couple temples and two mosques. An attraction of a special kind though is the Gedong Kirtya Lontar Museum, which offers diaries from colonial times, metal plates with royal decrees from the 14th century, Balinese calendars and a palm leaf library. The palm leaf collection includes ritual books and seals, as well as historical narratives, magical formulas and future predictions.

Most of Bali's beaches offer up stunning sunset views--perhaps that's why this Indonesian destination is a top spot for newlyweds and honeymooners in search of a romantic getaway. But travelers say it's the shores of Batu Belig Beach that showcase the best sunset in the land. 

Batu Belig offers up peaceful stretches of sand that are quieter and less-visited than nearby Seminyak or Kuta. Travelers will find fewer hawkers and more locals at this gay-friendly beach where local eateries, restaurants and cocktail bars line the coast and provide the perfect location for watching the sunset. 

One of the many aspects that sets Bali apart from other Indonesian islands is its distinctive cuisine"”one of the most complex cuisines in the world. The Casa Luna Cooking School offers insight into the culture, beliefs and daily life of Balinese people through the lens of food and cooking.

Classes take place on the grounds of the Second Honeymoon Guesthouse near Ubud and include discussions on the relationship between food and Balinese society, ceremonial uses and religious importance of food, and culinary myths. Each participant is provided with class notes and recipes to take home, and everyone is invited to take part in the preparation of a traditional feast before sitting down to eat.

Each weekday features a different menu of Balinese classics, and the weekend calendar often includes special workshops on topics like food as medicine or preparing smoked duck.

Set just off the Bali coast in West Bali National Park, Menjangan Island (Pulau Menjangan, or Deer Island) is a white-sand gem. The island itself has no facilities beyond a simple bathroom and some open-air bale shelters, but offshore its sheer reef walls decked in undulating sea fans and lush soft corals are a magnet for marine life, divers, and snorkelers.

Diving is Menjangan Island's major draw. Most visitors come to the island as part of an organized tour with a local dive or snorkeling operator, virtually all of which include equipment and the West Bali National Park entrance fee. Mainland resorts also offer diving options, although budget travelers typically arrange Menjangan scuba trips from the mainland dive town of Pemuteran. Most operators offer trips for both qualified and beginner divers. 

Menjangan Island is in the far northwestern corner of Bali, several hours' drive from Ubud and the south Bali tourist districts. Tours typically depart from the mainland town of Pemuteran and travel around 12 miles (18 kilometers) to the dock at Labuhan Lalang for the 30- to 40-minute crossing to the island. The cluster of resorts on the fringes of the national park can also arrange boats.

With good visibility, warm water, and very little current by Indonesian standards, Menjangan Island is a great year-round dive destination for both beginners and advanced divers. As with other tourist destinations in Bali, it is at its busiest in July and August. The rainy season (roughly October to March) is less noticeable in this part of Bali than elsewhere. 

Divers who make the journey out to Menjangan Island from south Bali should spend a couple of days exploring the sites around Menjangan itself and in the mainland dive resort of Pemuteran. Popular sites around Menjangan Island include Eel Garden, home to ribbon eels, and the cavern at Cave Point, but it's hard to go wrong with Menjangan's stunning coral walls. Pemuteran's artificial reef makes a fascinating dive.