Indonesia Bucket List
Just an epic traditional Indonesian bucket list!
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The Ultimate Bucket List of Things to Do in Indonesia…
- Learn how to surf in Bali.
- Go on a Bali swing.
- Go shopping in Ubud.
- Create a Bali Bucket List.
- Make friends with a monkey (at a distance) at the Monkey Forest.
- Lay on a pink beach in Komodo.
- Climb Mt. Batur at sunrise.
- Enjoy Uluwatu Temple.
- Go snorkeling and spot a turtle in the Gili Islands.
- Go to all three Gili Islands.
- Scuba dive the Gili Islands.
- Drink a smoothie on the beach.
- See the multi-colored lakes of Mount Kelimutu on Flores Island
- Take a basket weaving class.
- Drink Kopi Luwak coffee.
- Climb the ‘fidget spinner’ beach on Padar Island.
- Star gaze from a boat in the komodo islands (still the best starts I’ve seen to this day. I literally cried).
- See a Komodo Dragon at the National Park.
- Swim with manta rays in Nusa Penida.
- Enjoy the rice terraces of Bali.
- Take a Balinese flower bath.
- Relax in a pool of flowers at Villa Cella Bella Ubud.
- Visit Tannah Lot (at low tide!)
- Care for elephants with a mud bath!
- Visit the Borobudur Temple in Megelang.
- See the Prambanan Temple in Yogyakarta.
- Try to spot a megamouth shark in Pulau Weh.
- See the orangutans in Tanjung Puting National Park.
- Find Lake Toba, the natural lake that sprung from a crater of a dormant volcano.
- Spot an orangutan in Bukit Luwang.
- Find the Monas in Jakarta celebrating independence.
- Climb Mt. Rinjani (second largest volcano and it’s active!)
- If that active volcano wasn’t enough…climb Mt. Bromo in East Java.
- Experience culture at Tana Toraja.
- Go on a surfing holiday in Mentawai Islands.
- Do a spa treatment at Karsa Spa in Ubud.
- Experience the unique culture and landscapes of the Baliem Valley in Papua.
- Scuba dive Raja Ampat in West Papua.
- Snorkel at Nusa Lembongan.
- Watch a Kecak Dance performance.
- Go dolphin sightseeing.



Things to Eat in Indonesia
- Take a Balinese cooking class.
- Eat a floating breakfast in Bali.
- Eat traditional food anywhere in Padang (West Sumatra).
- Try Sate Ayam (grilled chicken skewer) in Jakarta.
- Savor the famous Indonesia fried rice: Nasi Goreng.
- Visit Bebek Bengil (Dirty Duck) in Ubud.
- Try Rendang (slow-cooked beef dish) in Sumutra.
- Eat Gudeg (unique jackfruit stew) in Yogyakarta.
- Experience Pempek (fish and tapioca dumpling) in Palembang.
- Buy Mie Goreng (flavorful fried noodle) from a street food stall.
- Try some Martabak Manis (sweet thick pancake) from a street vendor.
- Treat yourself to Es Cendol (Pandan Jelly dessert).
- Drink a Bintang Beer on the beach at sunset.
- Sip on some Bakso (meatball soup).
- For the fish lovers, try Ikan Bakar.
- Eat coconut rice (Nasi Uduk) in Jakarta.
- Comfort yourself with Soto Ayam (chicken soup) in Surabaya.
- Celebrate with Tumpeng (rice dish) in traditional Javanese restaurants.
- Treat yourself Pisang Goreng (fried banana)
- Eat Nasi Kuning (turmeric rice) for breakfast.
- Indulge in Klepon (sweet rice cakes).
- Savor Sup Buntut (oxtail soup).
- Try Ayam Goreng (fried chicken).
- Avoid the smell of Durian.
- Spice it up breakfast with Kerak Telor (spicy omelette).
- Eat Ikan Bakar Jimbaran (grilled sea fish) in Bali.
- Buy Tempeh for a healthy option.
- Taste Otak-Otak (grilled fish-cake).
- Indulge in Es Campur (shaved ice dessert).
- Taste the traditional Opor Ayam (chicken cooked in coconut milk).
- Savor the flavorful Lontong Sayur (rice cake in vegetable soup).
- Indulge in Gado-Gado (Indonesian salad with peanut sauce).
- Try the unique Rawon (dark beef soup) from East Java.
- Savor the rich flavor of Sayur Lodeh (vegetable soup in coconut milk).
- Enjoy the savory Ketoprak (tofu, vegetables, and rice cake with peanut sauce).

Best Places to stay in Indonesia
- Watch the sunset over the beach from your private villa (VRBO).
- Swim while looking over the ocean at Koko Beach Villas.
- Sleep on a boat and island hop around the Komodo Islands.
- Enjoy the luxurious St. Regis Bali Resort.
- Take in the Bali jungle views at Tejaprana Resort and Spa.
- Lounge in the pool at The Ritz-Carlton in Bali.
- Immerse yourself in the lush gardens of Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.
- Cross the suspension bridge into the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan.
- See the cave structures at Tjampuhan Spa.
- Enjoy a sunset at Legian Seminyak Bali.
- Stay in the largest bamboo hotel in the world Sharma Springs.
- Bond with elephants at the Safari Park Lodge.
- Relax in a flower bath in Fivelements Retreat.
- Enjoy some African wildlife at the Mara River Safari Lodge.
- Experience the tranquility of Bawah Reserve, an exclusive resort on a secluded island
- Discover underwater magic at Misool Eco Resort in Raja Ampat.
- Escape to the serene Nihi Sumba.
- Reconnect with nature at Menjangan Dynasty Resort, offering beach glamping.
- Find zen in the minimalist luxury of Alila Villas Uluwatu, perched on a cliff with stunning ocean views.
- Explore the artistic heart of Bali with a stay at The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah in Ubud, surrounded by paddy fields.
- Indulge in wellness and yoga retreats at COMO Shambhala Estate near Ubud.
- Revel in the eco-luxury of Jeeva Beloam Beach Camp, a hidden gem on Lombok’s serene coast.
- Experience the charm and history of Java at Amanjiwo Resort, overlooking the iconic Borobudur temple.
- Get a taste of traditional Balinese village life at Munduk Moding Plantation Nature Resort & Spa in North Bali.
- Discover traditional Balinese architecture and culture at The Samaya Bali Seminyak.
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Podcasts on Indonesia
Pink Beaches in Indonesia
Where to Surf in Bali
Did I miss something that needs to be added to the Indonesia bucket list? Feel free to let me know so that I can add it to the list!
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