e-travel-to Indonesia

Fast Facts

• Capital City Jakarta (pop 9.3 million [2004])
• Area 1,919,440 sq km / 741,096 sq miles
• Population 234,893,453 (2004)
• Time Zone GMT/UTC +7 () GMT/UTC +8 () GMT/UTC +9 ()
• Languages Indonesian (official) Known as Bahasa Indonesian. There are another 365 dialects spoken. English  Javanese  Sundanese 
• Religion 88% Muslim, 8% Christian, 2% Hindu
• Currency Rupiah (Rp)
• Electricity 127/230V 50Hz
• Country Dialing Code 62

Last Minute Hotels Indonesia

Hotels with special hot deals in Indonesia

Attractions and Sightseeing Tours Indonesia

The Indonesian people themselves are as varied as the landscapes they inhabit. Indonesia is the world's largest Islamic country with 90% of the country's 235m population practicing Muslims, but there are also many other religious influences present in the country including Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity. Culture is correspondingly varied and over 350 languages are spoken throughout the archipelago. While in Jakarta businessmen may be haggling over deals, the Baliem tribe in Papua will be decorating their hair with cassowary feathers and coating themselves in pig fat to keep warm. With a culture and people so rich and diverse, Indonesia is one of south east Asia's most attractive destinations.

Despite the varied culture, the one thing the people do have in common is their friendliness. Indonesians are amongst the friendliest in south east Asia, which is in itself one of the most sociable areas in the world. Wherever you travel in the country you will more than likely be greeted by a chorus of 'Hello Mister's from the local population. Indonesians have no inhibitions when it comes to starting conversations with strangers and you will frequently find yourself in passing conversations with numerous locals. The people are so sociable that it may take some getting used to.

These aspects of Indonesian life may seem a little hard to believe on first arrival into the country. The two main international airport cities of Jakarta in Java and Kuta in Bali, are far removed from the highlights of the country. Jakarta is a huge, rather unpleasant city with traffic jams, shopping malls and skyscrapers; Kuta is a hedonistic beach resort with high rise luxury hotels and thousands of tourists. Unfortunately these areas may serve as a rather negative introduction to the archipelago which is wholly unrepresentative of the country. Once out of these areas, visitors will discover the cultural and scenic beauty of the country.

With the richness of landscape and culture that Indonesia possesses, it is somewhat surprising that it is not a more popular tourist destination. There is potential for activities that cater to every conceivable taste. In Java alone, you can climb the numerous volcanoes (active and dormant) that span the island, spend some time admiring the impressive flora and faunae in the islands remote national parks, see the sunrise over Borobodur, the world's largest and most impressive Buddhist temple, or find your own deserted island paradise in the Karimunjawa national park. Bali and Lombok have numerous excellent surf sights, spectacular rice paddy landscapes, large beaches, idyllic islands and the ability to indulge in the richness of the country's food and culture. The warm and wet equatorial climate enhances the natural attractions of the country. Tropical rain keeps the country looking fertile and lush while the temperature of around 28C/82F makes the country pleasantly warm to travel around in or to laze on the beach in. Despite this, tourism in much of Indonesia is extremely limited and it is very possible to go for days without seeing another western face.

Bali’s best-known resort is Kuta beach, an eight-kilometre sweep of golden sand whose international reputation as a hangout for weekending Australian surfers is enhanced by its numerous restaurants, bars, clubs and shops. Travellers seeking more relaxed alternatives generally head across the southern peninsula to Sanur or, increasingly, to peaceful Candi Dasa further east, or the black volcanic sands of Lovina on the north coast. Quieter, but more upmarket, seaside options can be found at Jimbaran in the south and Pemuteran in the northwest. On Lombok, the Senggigi coastline offers the widest range of accommodation, while the nearby and rapidly developing Gili Islands have long been a favourite with backpackers. All these resorts make comfortable bases for divers and snorkellers, within easy reach of the islands’ fine reefs; Bali also boasts an unusually accessible wreck dive. Surfers on Bali head for the famed south-coast swells (particularly around Uluwatu) and the offshore island breaks of Nusa Lembongan, though less experienced wave-riders find Kuta and Medewi more manageable. There’s also plenty of surfing potential off Lombok’s south coast.
Despite the obvious attractions of the beach resorts, most visitors also venture inland to experience more traditional island life. On Bali, the once-tiny village of Ubud has become a hugely popular cultural centre, still charming but undeniably commercialized, where traditional dances are staged every night of the week and the streets are full of arts and crafts galleries. Tetebatu on Lombok occupies a similarly cool position in the foothills, although, like the island as a whole, it lacks the artistic heritage of Bali. In general, the villages on both islands are far more appealing than the towns, but Bali’s capital Denpasar, its former capital Singaraja, and Lombok’s Ampenan-Mataram-Cakranegara-Sweta conurbation are all worth a day-trip for their museums, markets and temples.

The island of Lombok is located east of Bali. Lombok is now becoming the perfect getaway for travellers, honeymooners or those who return again and again. Escape to picturesque mountainside landscapes to white sand beaches of the Gili Islands.
Lombok also has the third largest volcano in all of Indonesia, Mount Rinjani, which extends 3726 meters high with a crater lake called Segara Anak.
The main season here are wet season which starts from November to May and dry season start from May-October. The best time to come is in the month of May when the weather is just perfect with bright daylight and green scenery.

Jayakarta Beach Resort & Spa Lombok

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