How To travel Indonesia On a budget

situated in Southeast Asia between the Indian and Pacific Oceans is Indonesia, the world’s largest island country. This sweeping archipelago features a rich, colorful history, vibrant, ethnically diverse culture, and unparalleled views that rival the glossy images featured by your favorite travel blogs.

What’s more, Indonesia can be easily took pleasure in on a budget, making it a global traveler’s dream destination. There are so lots of cheap places to visit in Indonesia — places that offer extraordinary value for money.

Here I’ll share my ideas for navigating this spectacular country, without draining your savings account.

Cuprins
Activities in Indonesia That Won’t break the Bank
Must-See places in Indonesia (that don’t cost a dime!)
Getting around Indonesia On a Budget
Affordable Accommodations in Indonesia
Low-Cost Eats in Indonesia
A final Word of Advice

Activities in Indonesia That Won’t break the Bank

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to soak up the magic of Indonesia without spending a dime. With over 17,000 islands to its name (yes, you read that right), Indonesia uses many white sand beaches best for kicking back when the jet lag sets in.

Those striving for a bit a lot more adventure can take up surfing in the crystalline waters surrounding Bali or challenge themselves to a hike through the huge rainforests and spectacular volcanoes that compose the country’s terrain.

History buffs will take pleasure in checking out some of the thousands of Hindu temples scattered throughout the country—there are over 6,000 in Bali alone!

Note that some excursions require an entry fee while others request tips. However, there are temples which are complimentary to visit, such as 19th-century Pura Taman Saraswati temple in Ubud, Bali. (Note that Thursday night dance performances at the temple are not free.)

DIYers can admire the crafts and handiwork of the local artisans, who don’t mind tourists stopping by to check out their work, and travelers from all walks of life will be fascinated by the Gamelan orchestras and Balinese dance performances held frequently at ceremonies and in hotels, resorts, and restaurants.

If you stumble upon a rehearsal (the troupes practice frequently), you’re typically welcome to watch without spending a penny. You may also ask locals or vacationer information workers about upcoming festivals that are complimentary to enjoy.

Finally, when you arrive at your destination, search online for complimentary walking tours, and keep your eyes peeled for discounts on activities and events. 

Hiking, wandering, swimming, suntanning, walking…all of these complimentary activities can be took pleasure in in Indonesia.

Read More: Climbing Mt. Batur Volcano for Sunrise: A travel tale From Indonesia

Must-See places in Indonesia (that don’t cost a dime!)

Some of Indonesia’s a lot of beloved destinations are completely complimentary to see.

One of these is Pasih Uwug: aka the broken Sea. If you follow any world travel Instagram accounts, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve seen this geological masterpiece on your newsfeed at least once.

Nusa Penida’s popular rock arch is actually a cave whose floor collapsed, allowing the influx of water to form its natural pool.

Another stunning complimentary attraction is the Lotus Lagoon in Samuh Community, Bugbug Village, Candidasa. This roadside-accessible lake abounds with lime green and fuchsia water lilies.

There’s plenty to do around the lake, too, like snorkel along the beach, ride a bike through the hills above town, or pay a visit to the statue of Hariti, a fertility goddess.

And don’t miss the flower fields of Desa Belok! You’ll find these charming sun-kissed marigolds growing in the fields along the drive from Kintamani to Bedugul.

Read More: 10 awesome things to Experience on The Gili Islands of Indonesia

Getting around Indonesia On a Budget

If you’re planning on travelling from Bali to another island, it may be wise to save the most room in your budget for transportation costs. domestic flights are actually quite cheap and are a good option for long distances.

In tourist-heavy locations, you must have no problem finding vacationer boat services and long-distance bus services. If you’re planning on popping over to a nearby island, your least expensive bet is to take a public ferry, considering that ferries are inexpensive and run frequently between adjacent islands.

The ferry between Bali and Lombok, for example, costs about USD $2-3.

Long trip times are something to take into consideration, however. The Bali-to-Lombok trip can be about 4.5 hours—longer, still, if you run into delays or adverse weather conditions.

You’ll find that public transportation in Indonesia is much more affordable than hailing a cab. While transportation systems vary widely from location to location, tourist-friendly cities like Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, offer a variety of public options.

The KAI commuter rail is crowded but cheap (it costs about $0.25) and the Trans Jakarta busway is inexpensive and frequent (though entirely unpredictable). Both systems offer air conditioning and female-only cars.

These days, with online apps such as get hold of and GoJek, you can find very inexpensive rides in Indonesia — either on the back of a motorbike, or in a car. Make sure you download those before you travel Indonesia, it’ll really help the budget. 

It’s pretty easy to find bike rentals in a lot of vacationer areas, at pretty inexpensive rates — often less than $5 a day. You can also rent a scooter for around $6 a day or a motorbike for around $20 a day.

Affordable Accommodations in Indonesia

Indonesia travel typically peaks in January, August, September, and December, which indicates accommodation costs tend to increase in these months.

Hotels are often at half capacity in the low season—February, March, October, and November—so these months may allow you room to discuss the price of your stay.

While you may be able to find cheap accommodation in places like Bukit Lawang, Sumatra (think $5 per night), be aware of a lot more expensive destinations, such as Java, Flores, and Raja Ampat.

In vacationer areas of Bali (Kuta, Legian, and Ubud), lodging can range anywhere from USD $10 – USD $100 a night, depending on where you stay in Bali. For more, check out: Where To stay in Lombok – the best surfing, beaches, and accommodation.

If you would rather book an apartment or condo or stay with a host on Airbnb, why not get an Airbnb discount while you’re at it? Make sure you use our special $35 Airbnb voucher Code and save money!

A bungalow will likely be much more affordable than a hotel room, and lots of have air conditioning—or at least a ceiling fan—and a private bathroom. You can find these types of accommodations in places like Sanur, Kuta, and Legian (Bali).

Other great budget options include homestays, hostels, guesthouses, and family-style compounds, which are known to showcase Indonesia’s special architecture. Click here to search for accommodation deals on Booking.com. 

Low-Cost Eats in Indonesia

One of the least expensive aspects of your stay in Indonesia will no doubt be the food—as long as you indulge in the local fare. For the least expensive foods, avoid vacationer hang-out spots. Instead, seek street vendors and markets that deal with the locals.

Night markets like the ones in Sanur and Seminyak serve a variety of standard dishes at an inexpensive price. and keep in mind that you can often bargain with vendors to agree on a lower price.

PRO TIP: Be sure to try the rendang. This basic stew, often served at ceremonial events, simmers beef with coconut milk and a blend of lemongrass, garlic, ginger, and other spices. 

A final Word of Advice

When traveling Indonesia, remember that the starting price is nearly never the price you end up paying — as long as you remember to haggle. If a price seems a little too high, simply step on.

Oftentimes a local will lower a price to keep from losing a customer, however, the most crucial thing to remember is to have fun when bargaining and that a good deal ends when both parties are happy.

Something else I will say is that while Indonesia is absolutely one of the more affordable places to travel, some of the excursions and a lot more offtrack places will cost a bit more. But, they are absolutely worth it!

You don’t want to leave Indonesia regretting not having checked out the popular Komodo Dragons, gone scuba diving in Raja Ampat, or spent money to trek up a volcano — sometimes, you just have to splurge. 

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