Well hello to you my reader chums! Indonesia is one of the best countries I've visited and surprised me in exceptional ways. I fell in love with its nature scene, the beaches, the temples, the food and how every day, the sense of adventure, roaming around. I'm in awe of all the incredible experiences I had and cherish all my memories from 3 weeks in the country.

If you're planning a trip to Indonesia, whether it's long or short, here's everything to know before travelling to Indonesia. 

The weather is different across the country 

When it comes to any trip to Southeast Asia, you need to consider other tropical climates. There's no doubt, it'll always be warm in Indonesia, however, the country does have a dry and wet season. Generally, the dry season is from April to October and the monsoon season, November to March. Although Indonesia is such a large country, the seasons can be different, depending on what part of the country you're in, such as the west is different to the east.

Sort your visa 

Depending on where you're from in the world, check what your visa requirements are. As I'm from the UK, I was able to buy my visa to Indonesia on arrival for around £35 which gave me a 30-day entry into the country. 

Respect the diverse religions

Indonesia is pretty diverse in terms of religion, however, the majority of the country is Muslim. The country also recognises other religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. With that in mind, you need to be respectful of the religions, dress modestly in more residential destinations and be wary of how you act.

There's more to Indonesia than Bali 

Bali is one of the most popular destinations for backpackers and a large reason why many go to Indonesia. However, I had the pleasure of travelling to Indonesia for 3 weeks, visiting more than just Bali. I fell in love with what was beyond the ultra-tourist path, such as Yogyakarta, Malang, Komodo Island, Nusa Lembongan and the Gili Islands, plus many other places to discover. There's no doubt I still adore every inch of Bali and the surfer, hipster vibe it has with the markets, rice fields, beaches, food and serene atmosphere.

Use Indonesian rupees

The currency in Indonesia is the Indonesian rupee. You can order the currency before you jet off to the country or buy it when you land at the airport. I would say, it's always best to have cash across the country, especially when you're outside of Bali. In Bali and the more popular destinations, you can use your card - but it's always best to have cash with you.

Indonesia is rather cheap (outside of Bali)

I was surprised about how cheap Indonesia was for food, transport and activities when I left Bali. Bali is still cheap but a lot pricier than other destinations in Indonesia, due to the tourist appeal. Some meals I could get for £1 or £2 and they'd be delicious. 

Indonesia is massive

I think many travellers go to Indonesia and think of Bali but the country has so much more than meets the eye. As I touched on in my other point, when jetting into Indonesia, ensure you plan more for your trip than island life in Bali. Whether you fancy a taste of the city, visit more off-the-beaten-path locations, learn more about the cuisine or see the quieter beach scene, there are plenty of destinations to choose from.

Travel with an open mind

The best thing about Indonesia is witnessing the natural wonders of its countryside, beaches and meeting the locals and tasting the Indonesian cuisine. The greatest memories come from discovering quaint streets, off-the-path restaurants and new people.

I hope you enjoyed this post. When are you planning to go?

Thank you for reading <3