Our picks in Indonesia

Where to Stay
One of the Bali’s most prestigious resorts, Ubud Hanging Gardens offers guests much more than a place to stay. In addition to taking up residence in villas that boast individual infinity pools, guests can indulge their creativity with classes like painting and cookery, while total-body relaxation can be achieved through the yoga and meditation classes offered throughout the day.

The Jimbaran Puri Bali Resort & Hotel has thought of everything, leaving guests with nothing to do except unwind. Choose an individual cottage or luxury pool villa to lay your head, take a dip in the unique horizon-edge swimming pool, and arrange for a massage on the beach or in your room.

For a luxurious experience in the capital city of Jakarta, the Meliá Purosani in Yogyakarta is an exceptional choice. The property boasts beautifully landscaped gardens, lagoons, elegant guestrooms, and a variety of cuisines in their fine dining restaurants. A spa, swimming pool with waterfall and slide, and a fitness centre round out the sumptuous offerings.

For more hotels, visit our Bali Hotels page »

Where to Eat
In Bali, fine dining is all about fresh seafood, and the locals aren’t shy about recommending the restaurants at the Jimbaran Puri Bali—especially its Nelayan restaurant. The menu features fish caught fresh that day and served as dishes like tuna and avocado tartar, steamed prawn salad, buttered red snapper, and sautéed medallions of lobster.

Cengkeh Restaurant in the Juanda area of Jakarta is an intimate, romantic experience for lovers of gourmet food. The choice is unbelievable, and you may need to dine here multiple evenings to work your way through the house specialty—beef ribs with Cengkeh’s secret barbecue sauce—as well as the lengthy menu of meat and vegetable delicacies.

The Kuta area of Bali is home to Sarong, a hip new restaurant that blends the flavours of southeastern Asian countries into dishes that are truly innovative. Both vegetarian and meat-focused menus feature exciting preparations such as tandoori, stir fry, and curry, while the stylish bar mixes up inventive drinks—including grilled cocktails.

Visit the Dining page for more ideas and advice on the best restaurants in Bali »

Where to Go
Coffee lovers can’t make a trip anywhere near Java and not stop in for a coffee plantation tour. Even if you don’t enjoy drinking the brew, you’ll still be spellbound by what you learn at the Losari Coffee Plantation Resort in Central Java. The tour includes information about everything from growing to harvesting to roasting to grinding to brewing—and of course tasting is the best part.

Sumatra is also best known for its coffee, but it’s also a hot spot for surfing enthusiasts. The Lampung district in the south is particularly wave-rich, but waves are a sure thing in many parts of Sumatra from March through November—clear water and consistently stupendous waves add up to tropical perfection.

Bali is a golfer’s dream, with celebrity-designed courses and some of the most beautiful scenery you’ll ever view while on the links. Nirwana Bali Golf Club on the island’s southwest side was created by Greg Norman and has been named by Asian Golf Monthly and Golf Digest as the No. 1 course in Indonesia. Bali Golf & Country Club, located in the upscale area of Nusa Dua, has hosted the Asian Dunhill Masters and was voted one of Asia’s top five courses by Fortune magazine.

For a comprehensive guide to 'must-see' places in Bali, visit our Explore page »

Where to Shop
Jakarta has experienced a boom in luxury retail centres that stock top fashion lines, with Plaza Indonesia, Plaza Senayan, and Senayan City leading the way. Most malls also highlight Indonesian designer boutiques such as Ali Charisma, Ferry Sunarto, Herman Nuary, Kisoon Harto, and Poppy Dharsono.

Balinese arts and crafts are unique and a great way to remember your trip. The Celuk area is renowned for its gold and silver jewelry, with highly skilled artisans. Ubud features many acclaimed art galleries, including Hans Snel, Antonio Blanco, Agung Rai, and Sumertha.

You can’t go home without purchasing a traditional Balinese fabric. The Karangasem village of Tenganan is the only place to find Geringsing, a fabric made from all-natural materials. The traditional, no-chemical process produces cloth that is exquisitely beautiful with a hefty price tag.

Our Shopping page has lots more advice on the best places to shop in Bali »

What to Do
Balinese dance is a unique art form that visitors must see to fully take in the island’s culture. Anywhere there is a festival you can find the kecak dance (which Westerners know as the “monkey dance”) and the barong & rangda dance. The kecak consists of men circling a fire, banging rhythmically on their chests, while dancers act out a famous Hindu epic. Barong & rangda symbolizes the duality of good and evil and takes the form of an entertaining, often-humorous story.

The rainforests in Indonesia are the second largest in the world, so outdoor lovers should take time to trek through some of the pristine stretches, including Bukit Barisan National Park in Sumatra and the Muller Mountain in Kalimantan.

Investigate the art of Bali at the Agung Rai Museum in Ubud, which houses a large private collection of works by Balinese and international artists. Similarly, the Neka Art Museum, also in Ubud, is a celebration of famed Balinese artists, as well as international artists who have been influenced by the island.

Check out the Events page for what's coming up over the next couple of months »