Indonesia travel guide: what to pack, what to eat & entry rules

What to pack for Indonesia

Indonesia is hot and humid all year, with a drier season and a wetter season whose timing varies between islands. Highland areas, including volcano treks, are much cooler, especially before sunrise.

That is the long-term pattern, not a forecast. Weather in any given week can be warmer, colder or wetter than usual, so check the forecast a few days before you leave — Wayfold does this automatically and adjusts the packing list for your actual dates.

Pack with Indonesia in mind

• Light, quick-drying clothes and swimwear
• A sarong — useful at the beach and required at many Balinese temples
• A warm layer and proper shoes for early-morning volcano hikes
• Insect repellent and reef-safe sunscreen

Start from a full checklist

Combine the points above with a complete list for the kind of trip you are taking:

• Beach vacation packing list · 51 items
• Hiking packing list for national parks · 52 items
• Carry-on only packing list · 45 items

What to eat in Indonesia

These are dishes most visitors to Indonesia will meet, with the usual recipe’s diet flags. Use them as a starting point for menus and for asking questions — not as a guarantee of what is in a particular plate.

• Nasi goreng

  Fried rice with sweet soy sauce, often topped with a fried egg.

  EggSoyShellfish

• Satay

  Grilled skewers with peanut sauce.

  Nuts & peanutsSoy

• Rendang

  Beef slow-cooked in coconut milk and spices (West Sumatra).

• Gado-gado

  Vegetables, tofu and egg with peanut sauce.

  Vegetarian-friendlyNuts & peanutsSoyEgg

• Soto ayam

  Turmeric chicken soup, often with boiled egg.

  Egg

• Mie goreng

  Fried noodles with sweet soy sauce.

  GlutenEggSoy

• Babi guling

  Balinese spit-roasted pork.

  Contains pork

Avoiding pork? In this list, Babi guling usually contains pork.

Meal times, tipping and water

• Bali is mostly Hindu; pork is common there and halal food is less universal.

Local chains you will see

Well-known local names — handy for a quick, predictable meal or coffee:

• Bakmi GM — Noodle restaurants.
• Solaria — Indonesian casual dining.
• Kopi Kenangan — Coffee chain.
• J.CO Donuts & Coffee — Doughnuts and coffee.
• Hoka Hoka Bento — Japanese-style fast food.

General guidance — check locally. Recipes vary between kitchens; always ask about allergens. Checked 30 September 2026. In the app, the food guide marks which dishes fit each traveller’s diet and can show a diet and allergy card in the local language.

Entry rules for US and UK passport holders

A summary of the passport and travel-authorisation rules Wayfold reminds travellers about for Indonesia. Rules change, and your exact situation (other nationalities, long stays, work or study) may differ.

This is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules change — always check the official source before you travel. Rules last reviewed 29 September 2026. For the bigger picture, read what ESTA, the UK ETA and ETIAS are.

Quick answers

Is tap water safe to drink in Indonesia?

Drink bottled or filtered water. Most visitors drink bottled or filtered water and avoid ice of unknown origin. General guidance — check locally. Recipes vary between kitchens; always ask about allergens.

Do you tip in Indonesia?

Not required; many restaurants add service and tax. Rounding up is appreciated.

Is it easy to eat halal or vegetarian in Indonesia?

Halal food: easy to find. Vegetarian food: moderate. Vegetarian-friendly classics include Gado-gado. Recipes vary between kitchens, so always ask.