🇮🇩 eSIM for Indonesia

Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago nation — 17,000 islands stretching across 5,000 kilometres of tropical ocean, home to over 270 million people and 300 distinct ethnic groups. Bali offers an instantly accessible version of Indonesia's Hindu-Buddhist culture: rice terraces, temple festivals and surf beaches; Java houses the world's largest Buddhist monument at Borobudur and the volcanic drama of Bromo and Ijen; Komodo Island protects the world's largest lizard; and Raja Ampat in West Papua is widely considered the world's finest dive destination. Indonesia rewards those willing to go beyond Bali — the rewards are extraordinary. With a uPhone eSIM you'll connect to Telkomsel for the widest coverage across Indonesia's main islands and tourist destinations.

Indonesia's scale means narrowing down highlights is challenging — but these experiences represent the very best the archipelago has to offer.

• Borobudur, Java — The world's largest Buddhist temple: a 9th-century pyramid of 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues rising from a Java plain. Arrive at sunrise for the most spiritual experience, when mist fills the valley below.
• Mount Bromo Sunrise, Java — The active volcano's crater rim glows in shades of orange and purple at dawn, surrounded by a sea of volcanic sand. A 4am jeep and sunrise hike is one of Southeast Asia's iconic experiences.
• Ubud Rice Terraces & Temple Culture, Bali — The UNESCO-listed Tegalalang rice terraces; the Mother Temple of Pura Besakih on Mount Agung's slopes; the Monkey Forest's ancient temples — Bali's cultural heartland in Ubud.
• Komodo National Park — Encounter Komodo dragons (up to 3 metres long) on guided walks across their islands, then snorkel or dive some of Indonesia's richest reefs. The pink sand beach on Komodo Island is genuinely extraordinary.
• Raja Ampat, West Papua — The world's richest marine biodiversity: over 1,500 species of fish and 75% of the world's coral species. For experienced divers and snorkellers, this is the ultimate destination.
• Tanah Lot, Bali — The iconic sea temple perched on a dramatic offshore rock formation at sunset — Bali's most photographed image and genuinely spectacular in person.

Indonesian cuisine is one of the world's great undiscovered food traditions — complex spice pastes, slow-braised meats, sambal chilli sauces and rice in every conceivable form. Eating from warungs (local food stalls) alongside Indonesians is the best and cheapest way to experience it.

• Nasi Goreng — Indonesia's national dish: wok-fried rice with kecap manis (sweet soy), garlic, shallots and chilli, topped with a fried egg and prawn crackers. Available at every warung for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Rendang — Slow-cooked beef braised for hours in coconut milk and a complex spice paste until almost dry — named the world's most delicious food in multiple polls. West Sumatran cuisine at its finest.
• Satay (Sate) — Skewered and grilled meat (chicken, lamb or pork) with a rich peanut sauce, pickled cucumber and ketupat (rice cake). Street food perfection.
• Gado Gado — Blanched vegetables, boiled egg and tofu in a warm peanut sauce, scattered with prawn crackers. Indonesia's great vegetarian dish.
• Babi Guling, Bali — Balinese spit-roasted suckling pig stuffed with spices and coconut — only available in Bali's Hindu communities. Ibu Oka in Ubud is legendary.
• Mie Goreng — Stir-fried egg noodles with vegetables, egg and your choice of protein in a fragrant sweet-soy and chilli sauce. The noodle companion to nasi goreng.

Indonesia straddles the equator and has two main seasons: dry (May–September) and wet (October–April). The dry season is the best time to visit most of the country, with clear skies, less humidity and accessible roads and trails. This applies particularly to Bali, Java, Lombok and the Komodo region.

For Bali, July and August are peak season — the most popular but also most crowded and expensive months. Shoulder season (May–June, September) offers good weather with fewer crowds. The wet season in Bali (November–March) brings afternoon downpours but doesn't last all day — mornings are often clear and prices are significantly lower.

For diving in Raja Ampat and Wakatobi, October–April (the "wet season" for much of Indonesia) is paradoxically the best time — currents bring nutrients that attract manta rays and whale sharks, and visibility is excellent. Java's Bromo and Ijen volcanoes are accessible year-round but sunrise hikes are more reliable in the dry season.

Indonesia's tropical climate, diverse religious culture and outdoor adventures — from diving to volcano hikes — create a practical packing checklist. Travel light and leave room for sarongs, batik fabric and spice souvenirs on the way home.

• Modest clothing and sarong — Entry to temples in Bali and Java requires a sarong (often provided, but having your own is considerate). Shoulders and knees should be covered at mosques and conservative areas across the archipelago.
• Insect repellent — Dengue fever is present in Indonesia. DEET-based repellent is non-negotiable for jungle areas, rice paddies and coastal wetlands.
• Reef-safe sunscreen — Indonesia's marine parks are among the world's most sensitive. Reef-safe mineral sunscreen protects you and the coral simultaneously.
• Waterproof dry bag — For boat journeys between islands, dive gear and electronics — sudden rain and splashy boat landings are inevitable.
• Light hiking boots or sandals — For volcano hikes (Bromo, Rinjani, Ijen) proper ankle-supporting boots are essential. For beach and temple days, leather sandals work perfectly.
• Your uPhone eSIM — Telkomsel is Indonesia's most reliable network for coverage across Bali, Java, Lombok and the main tourist routes. Signal on smaller islands varies.