Where to go in Bali & Indonesia

The vast majority of Bali’s tourism, and 100% of its package holiday scene, occurs in the beaches and resorts in the south of the island. There are many locations to choose from each catering to a different style of traveller. Seminyak on the southwest coast draws a hip, upmarket crowd looking for creature comforts and a lively nightlife scene, with many luxury hotels and upscale bars and restaurants. Further up the coast Canggu has a youthful focus thanks to its excellent surf and evident backpacker roots. At the opposite end of Seminyak is brash and bouncy Kuta – only recommended for those seeking a very busy stay. Around on the southeast coast is quieter, village-like Sanur – often our preferred beach of choice due to its relaxed atmosphere and excellent hotels.

Tucked into the mountains in north Bali, among rice fields, clove and coffee plantations, the peaceful village of Munduk has an enchanting, misty ambience. Among the surrounding scenery you’ll find rolling terraces of emerald green rice fields and waterfalls cascading off dramatic cliffs. Hiking opportunities here are epic, with plenty of cultural experiences available too, offering a deeper connection to nature and an understanding of Balinese traditions. You might learn how to make Canang Sari (offerings), how to wear traditional Balinese attire or visit a coffee plantation for a tour and tasting of the fresh-roasted brew.

Those embarking on longer, round-island trips will find Bali’s lesser-visited eastern beaches pleasantly tranquil, authentically Balinese, and scenically striking. This stretch of coast is black volcanic sand & crystal clear waters, set against a dramatic backdrop of Mount Agung and Mount Batur. Village resorts Amed and Candidasa offer outstanding diving and snorkelling, plus good quality hotels, making a stark contrast to the over-touristed south. As well as underwater riches, your stay here can also include adventures inland such as hiking, rafting, mountain biking, and visits to striking cultural sites such as Tirta Empul and Pura Lembuyang.

Around 75 minutes north of Yogyakarta are the stunning, also UNESCO-listed, temples of Borobudur. Thought to date back to the 7^th century, this is the largest Buddhist temple complex in the world; surrounded by fertile paddy fields and set against a backdrop of soaring volcanoes, it’s a genuinely staggering, once-in-a-lifetime sight. Borobudur’s proximity to Jogja means it is possible to visit as a day trip, but we recommend staying out here and allowing yourself more time to take in the temples and surrounding countryside, and to time your visit for dawn or dusk when the site is at its most photogenic.

In the centre of Java, roughly halfway between Mt Ijen and Yogyakarta, is the equally stunning Bromo-Temenggor National Park. Sitting within a huge volcanic massif which also houses Mt Semeru and Mt Batok, a viewpoint over the three peaks, with the otherworldly ‘sea of sands’ in the foreground, is one of Indonesia’s most iconic and sought after photography opportunities. As with Ijen, the area houses several fantastic luxury lodges, allowing you to explore the incredible scenery in comfort and style.

In a country of endlessly striking scenery, Komodo may be the most staggering. Coming across from Bali or Java you’ll notice the landscape become dramatically drier and starker, with the Komodo National Park made up of countless earthy-toned islands, contrasted by beautiful coral blues and pink-hued beaches. The best way to explore the Park is on a charter cruise, taking you from islet to islet, where you’ll come face to face with the famous Komodo dragons – as well as a host of other unforgettable adventures both on land and under the sea.

At the northeastern tip of Sulawesi is Manado. With a busy little airport connecting to Bali, Jakarta, and Singapore this smallish city is a jumping-off point for adventures inland – up to the slopes of Minahasa and Tomohon, known for their beautiful gardens, intriguing village life, and rewarding hikes around Mt Mahawu – or off-shore, into the little-visited Bunaken National Marine Park. The latter is another of Indonesia’s underwater oases, with several excellent dive resorts offering an off-grid and highly attractive slice of paradise.

The immense and many storied island of Borneo is shared by both Malaysia and Indonesia, with the latter taking up by far the majority of the island. Unlike Malaysian Borneo however, much of the Indonesian half – known as Kalimantan – is dense and untravelled wilderness. A few small pockets are open to tourism, chief among them the Tanjung Puting National Park, in the south of the island. Accommodation is simple but memorable, with overnight stays possible sleeping on the top deck of ‘klotok’ river boats, which wind their way along the Sekonyer River looking out for swinging orang-utans and tropical birds.