Indonesia is what happens when 17,000-ish islands, hundreds of volcanoes, questionable infrastructure and absolutely no respect for your itinerary get thrown across the equator.
And holy shit, does it work.
Most people hear Indonesia and immediately think Bali.
That’s adorable.
Bali is the gateway drug. Keep going and Indonesia gets progressively more ridiculous. Java has volcanoes that roar like jet engines. Kawah Ijen lets you hike into an acidic crater in the middle of the night because apparently normal sightseeing wasn’t dangerous enough. Komodo has giant prehistoric lizards. Sumbawa has whale sharks. There are waterfalls hiding in jungles, pink beaches, ancient temples, manta rays, volcanic lakes and entire islands most tourists couldn’t identify on a map.
Indonesia routinely looks Photoshopped.
Getting to those places is where the fuckery begins.
Traffic can turn 30 kilometers into a meaningful life commitment. Ferries have an occasionally philosophical relationship with schedules. Roads can deteriorate into optimistic suggestions. Google Maps will confidently send you up a mountain, through someone’s village and possibly into agricultural infrastructure before announcing YOU HAVE ARRIVED.
No, Google. I absolutely fucking haven’t.
But that’s exactly why Indonesia keeps pulling me back.
It’s chaotic, humid, unpredictable, cheap, spectacularly beautiful and almost impossible to fully explore.
Come to Bali. Drink the smoothie bowl. Take the obligatory sunset photo.
Then get the fuck off Bali.
Because Bali is fantastic.
But Indonesia is fucking insane.
Top-Rated Nature Tourism Destinations in Indonesia
Map of Indonesia
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Travel Guides
9EntriesLatest Nature Tourism Destinations in Indonesia
Tumpak Sewu: Worth Every Slippery Fucking Step
Tumpak Sewu is what happens when Indonesia decides one waterfall is boring and dumps a thousand of them into a jungle canyon beneath an active volcano. Getting to the bottom involves slippery trails, bamboo ladders, questionable decisions and getting completely soaked. It’s absolutely fucking spectacular and worth every sketchy step.
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Padar Island: Come for the View, Stay for the Heatstroke
Padar Island is a hidden gem that beckons intrepid travelers with its enchanting beauty and awe-inspiring landscapes. As you set foot on this tropical paradise, you’ll find yourself captivated by the harmonious blend of emerald-green hills, ivory-white beaches, and crystal-clear turquoise waters.
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Pink Beach: The Hidden Gem Everyone Fucking Found
Immerse yourself in the surreal beauty of Pink Beach, Indonesia, where pristine white sands merge with blush-colored waters, creating a picturesque paradise that will leave you in awe.
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Kelingking Beach: A Stairway to Paradise (Now with an Elevator)
Embark on an awe-inspiring adventure to Kelingking Beach, where towering cliffs, turquoise waters, and a unique rock formation resembling a T-rex will leave you breathless, creating a beach experience like no other.
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Madakaripura Waterfall: Where Dry Clothes Go to Die
Madakaripura Waterfall: Uncover the legend of Gajah Mada, enjoy a scenic hike through lush forests, and experience the breathtaking beauty.
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Cikaracak Waterfall: Google Maps Has Entered Adventure Mode
Escaping Jakarta’s smog for Cikaracak Waterfall sounded easy. Then Google Maps activated Adventure Mode and sent me everywhere except the fucking waterfall. Eventually I found it, hiked through the jungle, and discovered something even more shocking: absolutely nobody else was there.
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Tegenungan Waterfall: Nature’s Majesty in the heart of Bali
Chase the cascade! Experience the breathtaking beauty of Bali’s Tegenungan Waterfall. Your adventure into nature awaits.
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Water Blow Nusa Dua: Where the Ocean Chooses Violence
Water Blow Nusa Dua is basically a pile of jagged rocks waiting for the Indian Ocean to lose its shit. Time it right around high tide, and massive waves slam into the coastline and launch seawater straight into the sky, soaking everyone nearby and creating one of Bali’s easiest, loudest and most photogenic little side adventures.
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