Travel Guide to Indonesia : A “Neverland” of Its Own

Travel Bestie
25 May 2022 - 8 min read

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Indonesia (officially known as the Republic of Indonesia) is an island nation in Southeast Asia.

It is home to many natural and cultural attractions that attract visitors from all around the world into its mystique, such as the Lombok Islands, the beaches and ancient temples in Bali, the ever-bustling capital of Jakarta and many more.

You’ll surely not run out of things to do in Bali when you visit!

How to Get to Indonesia from Manila?

Lucky for us, there are direct flights from Manila to Indonesia’s top destinations!

There are two major airports that cater to international travelers and are considered the busiest in Indonesia: Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (Jakarta) and Ngurah Rai International Airport (Bali Denpasar).

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All two are location-dependent:

If you are traveling from major cities like Cebu, Davao, or Manila to Jakarta, you should fly to Soekarno–Hatta International Airport.
Otherwise, you should fly to Ngurah Rai International Airport if you are going to Bali or Surabaya.
Meanwhile, either can be your gateway if you’re planning to visit Yogyakarta or Lombok.

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Once you are there, traveling within Java island specifically is much easier. You can have the option to go by car, train, bus or even by bike – they have bike taxis there which can be pretty cheap.

Nevertheless, you should always keep in mind to be careful during the times of the COVID-19 pandemic, as there could be travel restrictions being imposed and specific guidelines to adhere which can change from time to time.

What are the Top Airlines Flying from Manila to Indonesia?

Among the handful of airlines operating at this airport include Philippine Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Scoot, AirAsia, and Jetstar to name a few. Some of these airlines may offer nonstop or direct flights to Indonesia.

Cheap flights from Manila to Indonesia, specifically to Jakarta would cost around PHP 6,000 for economy class and 7kg of hand-carry luggage.

Meanwhile, full-service airlines are more costly. However, flight fare comes with check-in baggage aside from hand-carry, free meal, and in-flight entertainment.

What are the Best Places to Visit in Indonesia?

Bali

We got a whole new article on Bali specifically, so be sure to check that out and explore the things Bali has to offer - it is plenty, trust us.

Uluwatu Temple

A Balinese Hindu sea temple dedicated to Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, Uluwatu Temple is located on top of a 70-meter cliff that is facing the sea. It offers amazing sea views from the height in addition to the architecture.

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Being part of the nine prominent temples in Bali, this temple is inhabited by the Macaque monkeys that would actually take stuff from visitors but can be persuaded by food, with Kecak dance performance being done on a daily basis.

Seminyak

Found at the southern end of Bali, Seminyak is where the island’s most luxurious resorts, villas and spas are located. It is much more peaceful than the nearby Kuta Beach, which is more renowned and crowded.

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As such, if you want some more peace and quiet, Seminyak is the place to be.

The white sandy beach is fascinating to watch, and the waves are ideal for surfing activities. In addition to that, it is also a shopping haven, with a handful of high-end shopping and restaurants being around.

Kuta

Also known as Sunset Beach, Kuta is the most prominent beach in Bali, and it feels incomplete to mention Bali without having this beach in the conversation.

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The views are just as amazing for sunset and sunrise, and there are resorts and restaurants lining up the beach and even a titular town backing it. It is the perfect idyllic destination if you are a first-timer in Bali.

Lombok

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Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan is the most developed island among the three Gili islands and also the biggest. Nonetheless, do not expect it to be as developed as Bali, as it still lacks proper roads with old-fashioned horse carts to go around.

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During the day, you can check the pristine white beaches and clear water that are ideal for snorkeling and diving.

There are also a handful of beach bars as well as a range of venues allowing one to party until late at night. These bars would come complete with dance floors and live music too.

Things to know:

Only bicycles are allowed as well as cidomo, a horse-drawn carriage.
Going between the Gili Islands would require speedboats and motorized boats.

Mount Rinjani

One of the major attractions on the island, it certainly feels incomplete to come over to Lombok without even trying to go to Mount Rinjani.

It is part of the Mount Rinjani National Park, which covers 41,330 hectares containing a major Wallacea bio-geographical transition zone. This simply means it is the site where tropical fauna and flora commonly found in Southeast Asia would meet that of Australasia’s.

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For many visitors, travelers and adventurers, it is the main reason for visiting Lombok.

Some say hiking to the top is one of the best experiences one would expect when coming to Indonesia. With an elevation of 3,726 meters, it is the second-highest volcano in the country after Mount Kerinci.

Things to know:

There are several trekking packages, two-days and one-night packages to four-days and three-night packages that include going to the summit lake.
There is also Air Kalak Hot Springs at the nearby Lake Segara Anak, which is interesting to drop by to soothe yourself after an exhausting hiking trip to the mountain.

Gili Air

The second biggest of the Gili islands after the Gili Trawangan, it offers a serene atmosphere that allows for some privacy and peace of mind. As such, it is also an equivalently popular destination for couples going on a honeymoon.

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That aside, the waters here too offer some of the best diving sites around the country. The visibility is really clear, allowing views of coral gardens with turtles and rays swimming around.

Things to know:

Just like other islands in the Gili Islands, there are no motorized vehicles used throughout the island.
Only bicycles are allowed as well as cidomo, a horse-drawn carriage.
Going between the Gili Islands would require speedboats and motorized boats.

Jakarta

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah

Found in East Jakarta, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah or Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park is operated by the Yayasan Harapan Kita, a foundation established by Siti Hartinah, the wife of Suharto.

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Covering an area of 100 hectares, visitors can come here for a quick insight into Indonesian culture, with all aspects of architecture, clothing, dances and traditions being put into exhibit here.

Things to know:

In total, there are about five attractions around the park, as well as two water rides.
It is considered among the popular tourist destinations in town, has attracted about 1.2 million visitors.

National Monument

Jakarta is definitely blessed for being the capital, with many attractions that have a close relation to the country's history that could be looked upon much closer by locals and foreign tourists alike.

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One such attraction is the National Monument that is found in Gambir, Central Jakarta. This obelisk monument is dedicated to the fight and struggle of the Indonesian people to obtain their independence, which is also meant to be the national monument of the republic.

What are the Latest COVID-19 Travel Requirements to Indonesia for Filipinos?

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Indonesia is a vast country and we won’t be able to cover a whole lot here, but you can go to Traveloka’s COVID-19 Regulations and Information page where we cover extensive information for each location in Indonesia.

Present recognized Proof of Vaccination showing that the traveler has completed the full dose of vaccine fourteen (14) days before departure. Children between ages 6 to 17 are exempted.
Must have a travel insurance covering Covid-19 treatment and medical expenses. Minimum coverage is USD 25,000.
Must register to the following:PeduliLindungi Mobile application, which can be downloaded via Android or iOSE-HAC (via PeduliLindungi)Electronic Custom Declaration
Fully vaccinated travelers:They are no longer required to present negative COVID-19 test results. It is also applicable to children below six (6) years old.They also don’t have to undergo quarantine.
For partial or unvaccinated travelers:They must secure a Negative COVID-19 RT-PCR Test Result from accredited laboratories. It should be valid within forty-eight (48) hours before departure.They need to undergo five (5) days of quarantine.

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