COUNTRY GUIDE
Indonesia
Many islands, many rhythms, and people to meet along the way.
Surfing for a season, working remotely in Bali or living in Jakarta for years: Unmapped helps you find your place, meet travelers, expats and locals, and join or start things together.
BASICS
Before you go.
- Language
- Bahasa Indonesia
- Spoken across the country, alongside many regional languages. English is common in Bali's busier areas and in parts of Jakarta, much less so elsewhere.
- Currency
- Indonesian rupiah (Rp, IDR)
- Prices have many zeros, so check the notes twice. QR code payments are common in cities; carry cash for small shops, markets and smaller islands.
- Time zones
- WIB UTC+7 · WITA UTC+8 · WIT UTC+9
- Western (Sumatra, Java), Central (Bali, Lombok, Sulawesi) and Eastern (Maluku, Papua). No daylight saving time.
- Power
- Type C and F plugs, 230 V
- The standard European round-pin plug.
- Getting online
- eSIM, SIM or Wi-Fi
- Easy to set up on arrival. Coverage is good in cities and patchier on small islands and in the mountains.
- Emergency
- 110 police · 112 where available
- Police: 110 nationwide. Integrated emergency service: 112 where locally available.
GETTING AROUND
Easy to move, once you know how.
Fly between islands
Domestic flights link Jakarta, Bali, Lombok, Yogyakarta and many smaller airports. Distances are bigger than they look on a map, so a short hop can still take most of a day.
Ferries and fast boats
Ferries cross between Java, Bali, Lombok and beyond, and fast boats run to Nusa Penida and the Gili islands. Schedules can change with the weather and the sea.
Trains on Java
Java has the main rail network, linking Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta and Surabaya, with a high-speed line between Jakarta and Bandung. Parts of Sumatra have railways too.
Ride-hailing and scooters
Apps like Gojek and Grab offer cars and motorbike taxis in most cities. Scooters are everywhere, but traffic can be intense, and a ride-hailing trip is often the easier choice.
PLACES TO EXPLORE
Where to start.
A few very different places to begin. You can explore any city in Indonesia through Unmapped. Search for it in the app.
Bali
An island, not a single town: surf beaches, rice terraces, temples and volcanoes, with very different areas a few hours apart.
Good for · First trip · Culture · Nature
Find Bali in the app (opens in a new tab)Canggu
An area on Bali's southwest coast built around surf, cafés and coworking spaces, and a common base for longer stays.
Good for · Surfing · Remote work · Longer stays
Find Canggu in the app (opens in a new tab)Ubud
In Bali's green interior, among rice fields and river valleys, known for crafts, dance and a calmer pace than the coast.
Good for · Culture · Yoga · Nature
Find Ubud in the app (opens in a new tab)Jakarta
The capital and the biggest city: business, music, food from every region and neighbourhoods worth the patience with traffic.
Good for · Work · Food · Nightlife
Find Jakarta in the app (opens in a new tab)Yogyakarta
A centre of Javanese culture with a strong arts and student scene, and the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan within reach.
Good for · Culture · Students · Day trips
Find Yogyakarta in the app (opens in a new tab)Lombok
The island east of Bali: quieter beaches, surf in the south, Mount Rinjani in the north and the Gili islands just offshore.
Good for · Beaches · Hiking · Surfing
Find Lombok in the app (opens in a new tab)
GOOD TO KNOW
Small things that help.
Bali is not all of Indonesia
Indonesia stretches across more islands than most people can name, with many cultures, languages and religions. What feels normal in Bali's tourist areas can be quite different elsewhere.
Dress for temples and mosques
Cover shoulders and knees when you visit. Many Balinese temples ask visitors to wear a sarong, often available at the entrance.
Right hand for giving
Pass money, food and things with your right hand. It's a small gesture that's noticed.
A few words of Bahasa
Terima kasih (thank you) and permisi (excuse me) are easy to learn, and people usually respond warmly when you try.
Cash still matters
Cards and QR payments work in cities. On smaller islands and at street stalls, cash is often the only option, and ATMs can be far apart.
Wet and dry seasons
Many areas have a wet season around November to March and a drier one the rest of the year, but timing varies from region to region.
Traffic takes time
In Jakarta and the south of Bali, short distances can become long rides. Plan around rush hours and allow extra time.
Drinking water
Tap water generally isn't used for drinking. Bottled or refill water is the norm, and many cafés and guesthouses offer refills.
Tipping
Tipping isn't expected everywhere. Some restaurants add a service charge; in tourist areas, a little extra for good service is appreciated.
UNMAPPED IN INDONESIA
Arrive knowing someone.
Open your next city before you land, then use it every day you're there.
Meet people before you land
Open Canggu, Ubud or Jakarta before you arrive and see who is here now, who is arriving and who lives there.
Ask the City Chat
Every city can have its own City Chat. Ask about boats to the Gilis, coworking in Canggu or where to eat in Yogyakarta.
Join or host something
Find meetups and day trips, or host your own, like a surf morning in Canggu, a walk through Ubud's rice fields or a dinner in Jakarta.
Travel together
Share your route from Java to Bali and Lombok, or post a Buddy Plan for a boat trip, a class or a night out.
FAQ
Questions about Unmapped in Indonesia.
Can I use Unmapped outside Bali?
Yes. You can explore any city in Indonesia through Unmapped, and every city can become a City Hub. The places on this page are just a few to start with.
Are Canggu and Ubud separate from Bali?
Yes. Canggu and Ubud are separate locations in Unmapped's location directory, while both are part of Bali.
Can locals use Unmapped too?
Yes. Unmapped is for travelers, expats and locals, and many good plans start with someone who already lives there.
Can I explore a place before I arrive?
Yes. Open your next city, see who is arriving, join the City Chat and share your travel plan before you land.
Can I host something myself?
Yes. Any member can host an event or start a project, and anyone can share a trip or a Buddy Plan.
Looking for another country? Search any city in the world.
Sources & information
Information last reviewed: October 2026Location data: GeoNames (opens in a new tab) (CC BY 4.0 (opens in a new tab))Map: Natural Earth (opens in a new tab)Photo: Jason Cooper (opens in a new tab) / Unsplash (opens in a new tab)
Travel information can change. Please verify important information with official sources. Country guides are provided for general information and do not constitute legal, medical, immigration or other professional advice. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Unmapped is not liable for losses resulting from reliance on the information provided. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
INDONESIA WITH UNMAPPED
Explore Indonesia with Unmapped.
Find your city, meet people there and join or start something. Available on iPhone and Android.