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Indonesia is a diverse archipelago consisting of more than 17,000 islands spread across three time zones.
“Something for everyone” is a tourism cliché, and sometimes it’s really accurate. The world’s largest archipelagic nation, Indonesia is home to a mix of thriving metropolises, pristine beaches, important historical sites, and some of the world’s rarest animals.
The most famous of these islands is undoubtedly Bali. Bali has long been embraced by backpackers and Eat, Pray, Love followers alike.
But after flying all the way, why visit one island when there are so many other delicious options? To give tourists more of Indonesia’s diversity, more travel companies are offering cruise trips and combined land-and-sea itineraries.
But which one should you choose? These are destinations recommended by frequent visitors and experts.
A few hours east of Jakarta by car or train is Yogyakarta, known as “Yogya” by locals. The Yogyakarta Greater Area is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, allowing visitors to learn a lot about the region’s history and culture in a relatively short amount of time.
The most famous of these is Borobudur Temple, one of the largest Buddhist temples in the world. This is a huge lotus-shaped temple complex with dramatic stone facades, set majestically on a sun-drenched plain.
Desiree Norman, founder of travel concierge company Onera, says she recommends Jogja to many of her clients.
“It’s the cultural soul of this country,” Norman says.
“It’s peaceful. It’s peaceful. It’s really magical. And I feel like I can understand Indonesia better by starting my journey there and learning the history.”
Based in the city, she showcases many of the country’s most famous cultural products, including batik print fabrics and kopi jos, also known as charcoal coffee.
raja ampat and maruku
Located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, the islands of Raja Ampat are sometimes referred to as “Earth’s last paradise.”
“Indonesia’s far eastern islands are the real frontier,” hospitality consultant Jason Friedman told CNN last year. “Every island tells a different story and has traditions and languages you won’t find anywhere else. No other place on earth feels so wild, authentic and alive.”
With no major airport here, travel experts say the only way to truly experience Raja Ampat is by water, ideally combined with the nearby Maluku Islands. The Maluku Islands were once called the Spice Islands by European traders who brought back nutmeg, cloves, and other products from here. For adventurous travelers, this is a rare but expensive opportunity.
National Geographic is one of the companies serving the region, offering two-week small boat trips around the Spice Islands and Raja Ampat for an impressive price of $27,000 per person.
riau islands
Indonesia’s northernmost islands, the Riau Islands, are closer to Singapore than Jakarta. The two main islands, Batam and Bintan, are accessible by ferry from Lion City.
Both have long been popular with day-trippers from Singapore, but a series of new services is expected to encourage visitors to stay longer. One of these is Bawa Reserve, an ultra-luxury property that can only be accessed by private seaplane from Batam’s Hang Nadim Airport.
There, well-heeled guests can relax in overwater cabanas while taking advantage of spa treatments, swimming in the ocean, and waterfront yoga classes.
Meanwhile, the first phase of Opus Bay, a new multi-purpose luxury resort facility that also features high-end shopping and dining, is scheduled to open on Batam Island in December this year. There is a dedicated ferry terminal, making the arrival process even smoother. Hilton recently announced that it will open a Hilton Garden Inn in Batam’s city center in 2028.
This 4,000 square mile island in southern Indonesia has built a strong reputation among Asia-based travelers. CNN Travel is one of them and has added Sumba to its list of destinations for 2024.
Sumba is marketing itself as a greener and more sustainable destination, appealing to a generation of travelers who want more thoughtful travel. And over the past decade, the luxury beach resort NIHI Sumba has attracted the attention of many international travelers.
“Getting to know Sumba also means getting to know its people,” says Justina Puspawati, Abercrombie & Kent’s Indonesia Country Manager.
Puspawati suggests a cultural experience on the island as a break between days spent at the beach. They are Rumah Budaya, a museum showcasing the history of traditional ikat weaving, and Karaja Sumba, an organization that supports women fleeing domestic violence by teaching them skills such as music, English and craft-making.
She also encourages visitors to explore lesser-known areas of the island. “In East Sumba, the rolling hills of Wairindin and Morinda change from green to gold with the seasons. Lapopu Falls to the west and Waimaran Falls to the east are beautiful places to experience the island’s lush hinterland.”
Bali’s neighbor Lombok is no longer in the shadow of its sibling. Travelers flock to Lombok for a laid-back beach experience and water sports like surfing and diving, and it’s accessible by air from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Perth.
Somewhere Lombok, a wellness-focused resort on the island’s south coast, opened in 2023 under the Design Hotels umbrella.
Travelers looking for an off-the-grid experience can also visit Mount Rinjani National Park on the north side of the island, then take a ferry to the Gili Islands. The Gili Islands have long been known as a backpacker’s paradise, and all cars and motorcycles are prohibited.
Komodo Island is one of the only places in the world where you can see and experience the world’s largest lizard species, the Komodo dragon, in its actual habitat, which is why many travelers put Komodo Island on their bucket list. There is no accommodation available on this island as it is protected by both UNESCO and the Indonesian government. Instead, travelers access Komodo on day trips via other islands in the Labuan Bajo region.
But there are plenty of reasons to spend more time in Labuan Bajo, whose name means “place where sea gypsies stop.”
Sebastian Pandan, head of the local branch of the Indonesian Tourist Guide Association, told CNN in 2021 that he encourages travelers to visit several caves and waterfalls on the island, especially the marine cave Gua Langco, whose sparkling waters have been compared to Italy’s Blue Cave.
Travel expert Norman said the best way to travel between islands is on Indonesia’s traditional wooden-masted pinisi boats, a method Indonesian sailors have used for hundreds of years.
These days, Finisys increasingly offers elegant dining rooms, spas, and suites that look straight out of a luxury resort, but the thrill of experiencing the ocean remains the same.
Some tourists see Indonesia’s capital simply as a place to pass the time between international and domestic flights.
But the world’s most populous city is full of treasures. You just need to know where to look. Several experts interviewed by CNN Travel suggested that tourists head to Taman Fatahillah, the main square, to visit Jakarta’s most important historical buildings. Among them are the Museum of Ceramics and Ceramics, the Jakarta Museum, and Café Batavia, built in the 1930s, whose second-floor cafe still serves classic Indonesian and Dutch cuisine.
The city is also home to one of Asia’s most interesting and up-and-coming food scenes. With so many different cultures spread throughout the country, “Indonesian food” has many different meanings, and the capital is where they all come together.
One of the most popular reservations in the country is August, a fine-dining restaurant that offers tasting menus that incorporate flavors from all over Indonesia.
