Indonesia is a beautiful country that doesn’t always get the credit it deserves for its incredible diversity, beauty, food, adventure, and culture. It’s the kind of place that is very real and raw. Aside from the touristy parts of Bali, most people don’t know much about the rest of the country, which is where most of the fun is.

As you plan your trip, you’ll probably think about what to bring with you to Indonesia. I can help you out with that.

Before you do anything else, you’ll need to figure out what you’ll put everything in.

Large Backpack

If you’re going on a luxury trip to a 5* resort with private transfers, you can get away with a hard wheelie suitcase.

But a backpack is a must-have for everyone else who is going to Indonesia. They are light and easy to carry, and they won’t get muddy or wet if you drag them across dirt roads or through ferry terminals.

Backpack Or Daybag To Take Along

A good carry-on backpack is an important part of any list of things to pack for Indonesia. You need this bag that goes over your shoulder for day trips, beach hopping, and scooter missions.

This is where you can keep your water, snacks, phone, camera, sunscreen, and beach towel. You’ll be ready to start the day.

Packing Cubes

No matter where you’re going, you should have packing cubes on your list.

You can use them to sort all of your clothes, from swimwear to underwear to dresses and shorts. They are cheap and usually come in sets of three or four of different sizes, so you’ll get your money’s worth.

They’re not just for clothes, either. While travelling across Indonesia, I used packing cubes for anything from dirty clothes to cosmetics.

Here are my top three suggestions for what to pack for your trip to Indonesia that you might not have thought of.

It’s Warm

Because Indonesia is so close to the equator, it is pretty much always hot, no matter where you are. That means you should focus on summer clothes when you pack. Most of your clothes will be T-shirts, shorts, and skirts while you’re there.

I would suggest that you bring as much clothing as you can that can dry quickly. The better you can get at wicking sweat, the more comfortable you’ll be out there.

Besides that, you’ll want to make sure that everything is as light as possible. This not only helps you pack, but it also means you’ll be carrying less weight around and your clothes will dry faster on their own.

As far as shoes go, make sure you have flip-flops for places like Bintan Island that are near the beach. You should also bring sandals that are more sturdy and airy for walking around the city of Jakarta.

Different Faiths

I didn’t know this at first, but Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, and Buddhism are all popular religions in Indonesia. This might seem like an odd thing to talk about in a post about packing, but I promise there’s a point.

As in many Southeast Asian countries, you’ll feel like Lara Croft or Indiana Jones because there are so many temples to explore.

When you go to these temples, you should be sure to follow local customs. Men and women should wear shirts that cover their shoulders and part of their arms. This means that tank tops are not allowed. Most people can wear flip-flops. Dressing modestly is a good rule of thumb.

I suggest that women pick up a sarong along the way because they are very useful for covering up in these situations.

Beach Towel

Most homestays and hotels in Indonesia will give you bath towels, but you’ll still need to bring a small, light towel for the beach. It should be small enough to fit with the other things in your daypack, so don’t bring a big, heavy towel.

Reusable Water Bottle

Indonesia’s tap water is not safe to drink. Your hotel may give you free water that you can pour into smaller, reusable water bottles. When packing for Indonesia, keep this in mind. If this isn’t an option, buy the bigger 10l water canisters from the corner store and pour the water into smaller bottles for your day trips.

Combination Locks

Even though I’ve taken buses and ferries to get to other islands in Indonesia, I’ve never had anything stolen from me. But it’s better to be safe than sorry, so bring a lock to protect your things.

Toiletries

• Shampoo and conditioner, both in one bottle: To save space on your list of things to bring to Indonesia, I suggest that you use a shampoo and conditioner that can be used on both your hair and body (so no need to bring a separate body wash.)
• Facewash \sMoisturizer
• Body lotion: After being in the hot Indonesian sun for hours, you’ll want to put lotion on your skin.
• Brush and paste for teeth
• Razors
• Deodorant
• Sunscreen: It’s hot in Indonesia. Because the sun is so strong, I suggest you bring 50 SPF for your face and 30 SPF for the rest of your body. Most stores and pharmacies in Indonesia sell sunscreen, but you should bring a bottle with you so you don’t have to worry about shopping when you get here. Use sunscreen that is safe for reefs.
• Hairbrush
• Do not bring too much makeup. Just a little bit of foundation, mascara, and blush is all you need.
• Clips and ties for hair

First Aid Kit

If you’re going far away from the tourist trail in Indonesia, you might need to pack a bigger first-aid kit. But if you’re on a tourist route with pharmacies and grocery stores, you should be able to get most of what you need.

I think you should pack these:

• Hand cleaner or wet wipes
• Painkillers (Paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin) (Paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin)
• Bandages/plasters (Band aid) (Band aid)
• Antiseptic cream
• Imodium Mosquito repellent (e.g. Nobite, Autan, with ingredient DEET or similar)

Insurance For Travel

When you’re hiking up volcanoes, diving with Manta Rays, surfing big swell, driving scooters, and eating street food, you need to be prepared for emergencies.

So many people travel without insurance that it’s scary. Foreigners often end up in the hospital in Indonesia because of motorbike accidents, food poisoning, or even dengue fever. If this happens to you, make sure you’re covered.

When I travel, I use World Nomads because they cover everything from lost or stolen bags to natural disasters and car accidents. They also cover activities like surfing and scuba diving.

Electronics

• GoPro: Buy one if you don’t have one! You’ll want to remember all your favorite times at these well-known places in Indonesia, which are also great for taking selfies.
• A portable battery pack: If you use Google Maps and take a picture every two minutes, your phone’s battery might not last the whole day.
• Adapter: In Indonesia, US plug ports don’t work. Here, the plugs take two round pins like those used in Europe and South Africa. (Type F + G)
• A speaker will come in handy when you’re playing a tough game of cards at your homestay while sipping a Bintang and relaxing. We used ours a lot, but if you’re always going to be moving around, you might not need one.

• Passport (and a visa if you plan to stay more than 30 days).
• Ticket to fly
• Credit cards and debit cards: Bring both because you don’t know which one will cause problems.
• Driving license and International Driving License (if you’re driving a scooter, you need an international license)
• Copy of passport, insurance for travel, driver’s license, and place to stay booking a Passport Wallet to hold your Passport and other important documents (all the above)
• Money bag: Don’t bring a big wallet when you go on day trips or scooter trips. Instead, keep your cards, driver’s license, and other documents in your travel wallet (see above) and use a small money pouch to carry cash for the day’s activities.