Things to know before visiting Indonesia

Sacred temples like Uluwatu and Tanah Lot require visitors to cover their legs and shoulders. Sarongs are typically available to borrow or buy at the entrance, but showing up correctly dressed is a sign of respect.

Accommodation in Bali spans an enormous range: $10-per-night budget guesthouses to $280-per-night luxury villas. Creators note prices have risen significantly, and the best-value places fill up fast, especially in popular areas like Ubud and Canggu.

Several creators track actual spend and find a $500 week is achievable only by staying in budget villas, eating warungs, and avoiding tourist-trap restaurants. Mid-range travelers should plan for significantly more.

Multiple creators warn against unmetered taxis and recommend either using the Grab app or sticking to Blue Bird taxis with the meter running. Agreeing on a price beforehand without a meter almost always means overpaying.

Living in or visiting Bali without a scooter is described as unnecessarily complicated and expensive. Gas is cheap, parking is easy, and distances between spots make scooters the dominant mode of transport — but beginners should be aware of road conditions.

While self-guided travel is possible for some spots, The Poor Traveler explains that most of Bali's top attractions are most efficiently reached through private car charters, where you control the itinerary and don't fight for transport between sites.

Creators repeatedly note that airport arrival areas in Bali and Lombok are chaotic with aggressive taxi drivers. Having a pre-booked pickup — via app or hotel transfer — removes the stress and the risk of being overcharged.

Suitcase Monkey specifically calls out scam risks in Lombok's Kuta area, while The Poor Traveler details taxi tricks and fake guides as the most prevalent Southeast Asia scams that absolutely apply in Bali and around Indonesia. Stay alert at busy transit hubs.

HowTube specifically warns that arriving at Bangsal terminal in Lombok, touts will swarm you trying to sell overpriced speedboat or open ferry tickets. The public boat is a fraction of the price — but you have to find the actual counter yourself.

Uluwatu Temple's resident macaques are notorious for snatching sunglasses, phones, hats, and bags from tourists. Multiple creators flag this as a genuine hazard, not just a fun photo opportunity.

Multiple creators travel Indonesia with eSIM solutions rather than roaming on their home plans. Holafly (used by Ken Abroad in Jakarta) and Saily (used by That Greek Guy in Raja Ampat and Joose the Nomad in Amed) are the two most frequently mentioned options.

Local warungs (small Indonesian eateries) offer genuinely delicious food at a fraction of Western restaurant prices. Creators consistently note you can eat well for $1–4 a meal locally, while Western-style restaurants cost $4–7 or more.

The three Gili Islands cater to completely different traveler types. Gili Meno is ultra-quiet and romantic, Gili Trawangan is the party island, and Gili Air sits in the middle. Picking the wrong one can ruin the experience.

Creators who visit Lombok consistently say it holds its own as a destination: spectacular beaches, excellent surf, the massive Rinjani volcano hike, and a more relaxed atmosphere than Bali. Suitcase Monkey calls beaches around Kuta Lombok some of their best sunset experiences.

Creators who venture beyond the Bali tourist trail to Ubud or East Java consistently find richer cultural experiences with fewer crowds. HowTube's Ubud guide and That Greek Guy's East Java content both highlight this contrast strongly.

A common planning mistake is trying to base yourself on Komodo Island itself. HowTube clarifies you must fly into Labuan Bajo on Flores and book a boat tour from there to see the dragons on Komodo or Rinca islands.

That Greek Guy's Raja Ampat guide makes clear this is not a casual add-on: you fly into Sorong, arrange excursions through local operators, and need a dive/snorkel guide for Kamar and Wayag. The reward is what many call the world's best marine biodiversity.