Indonesia Travel Guide

Introduction

Bali is known as the arts haven of Indonesia as it is home to a number of art galleries and villages that specialise in woodcarving, silver and gold jewellery. The Minangkabu region of Sumatra is well known for its vibrant art, traditional music, dance and architecture, especially the design of the Minangkabu roof and the Torajan people, who live in the highlands, still retain many of the old customs. Jakarta meanwhile has some of the finest examples of old colonial buildings in Indonesia.

The beaches and islands in many parts of Indonesia are breathtaking and are often the main draw for many tourists. Bali is the most popular beach destination with stunning beaches in Kuta, Legian, Nusa Dua and Sanur. There are however many other spectacularly beautiful beaches in Indonesia that which are off the beaten track including Pulau Biak in Papua. Pulau Siberut, in the Mentawi Islands, is a true paradise offering beautiful golden sands, crystal clear waters, peace and quiet and stunning landscapes.

Shopping and dinning options are excellent in Indonesia with many cities having large modern shopping malls selling fashion and products from around the world. There are also many markets to discover including antique, flea, fruit and vegetable, flower, handicrafts and bird markets.

Cuisine is plentiful in Indonesia. Rare dishes such as monkey meat can be found in Chinatown in Jakarta, while in contrast, international cuisine such as pasta and pizza can be found throughout the entire country.