# The top 13 things I learned about Indonesia

Riley Quinn · April 12, 2016

> I am just back from two weeks in Indonesia and here is what I have learned this time!

I am just back from two weeks in Indonesia and here is what I have learned this time!

[https://cdn.mightytravels.com/creative/aHR0cDovL3AubWlnaHR5dHJhdmVscy5jb20vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMTYvMDQvMTExNTMxMDAvSU1HXzE5MTAuanBnarr.jpg](https://cdn.mightytravels.com/creative/aHR0cDovL3AubWlnaHR5dHJhdmVscy5jb20vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMTYvMDQvMTExNTMxMDAvSU1HXzE5MTAuanBnarr.jpg) **It's incredibly cheap!**

Outside of Jakarta city center and the Bali tourist towns things are incredibly cheap in Indonesia. A decent lunch can be had for $1, an hour ride with Uber costs just $5, modern chain hotels for under $35 (i.e. the [Holiday Inn Express Surabaya](http://www.mightytravels.com/2016/04/holiday-inn-express-surabaya-review/)) or a luxury stay at the [JW Marriott Surabaya](http://www.mightytravels.com/2016/04/jw-marriott-surabaya-review/) for $50.

**It's very hot!**

Surabaya and Bali are easily in my global TOP 10 of the [worlds hottest places](http://airconco.com/news/the-worlds-10-hottest-major-cities-839.html). Definitely in the same league as [Bangkok](http://www.mightytravels.com/2015/04/top-15-things-to-do-in-bangkok-dont-miss-this-bangkok-guide/) and Yangon.

Jakarta is a bit better (not by much) but Indonesias third largest city - [Bandung](http://www.mightytravels.com/2016/04/my-favorite-things-to-do-in-bandung/) - has a pretty perfect spring-like climate.

**The worlds most friendly people** [https://cdn.mightytravels.com/creative/aHR0cDovL3AubWlnaHR5dHJhdmVscy5jb20vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMTYvMDQvMTExNjEwMzIvSU1HXzMwNzAxLmpwZw==arr.jpg](https://cdn.mightytravels.com/creative/aHR0cDovL3AubWlnaHR5dHJhdmVscy5jb20vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMTYvMDQvMTExNjEwMzIvSU1HXzMwNzAxLmpwZw==arr.jpg)

There is no doubt - Indonesians are the worlds most friendly people. Even in the touristy areas they stay calm. Outside of touristy areas they are incredibly friendly.

**English is rare outside the tourist areas**

That's still a surprise to me - once you leave the tourist hotspots English is a rarity. That's especially surprising since Bahasa Indonesia is using a Latin alphabet and has a good amount of English words in it.

**Bali is just crazy touristy**

It's such a contrast - most of Indonesia is not touched by tourism but the southern towns of Bali are one of the worlds most touristy areas.

**The food is just ok**

The last time I was in Indonesia I got more excited about the food. This isn't Thailand. I usually like the taste and spices in Indonesian cuisine but the meat is often extremely bony and portions small - consisting of mainly rice. There is good food (I liked Sundanese cuisine the most) but it takes time to find it. It's not like a [Bangkok street food](http://www.mightytravels.com/2015/04/eat-fabulous-bangkok-street-food-at-soi-36-near-bts-thong-lo-and-victory-monument/) market where 90% of what you try will be incredible.

**Traffic is manic** [https://cdn.mightytravels.com/creative/aHR0cDovL3AubWlnaHR5dHJhdmVscy5jb20vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMTYvMDQvMTExNTI1NTgvSU1HXzE3MTEuanBnarr.jpg](https://cdn.mightytravels.com/creative/aHR0cDovL3AubWlnaHR5dHJhdmVscy5jb20vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMTYvMDQvMTExNTI1NTgvSU1HXzE3MTEuanBnarr.jpg)

Indonesians are addicted to driving. There is so much driving (in Surabaya people won't cross the street without a car) it's mesmerizing and the road infrastructure is a few decades behind.

The good news - most cars are new and clean - not old clunkers.

**It's crowded**

Indonesian cities are crowded. [Surabaya](http://www.mightytravels.com/2016/04/my-favorite-things-to-do-in-surabaya/), Jakarta and even [Bandung](http://www.mightytravels.com/2016/04/my-favorite-things-to-do-in-bandung/) will make you feel like you are in Japan.

**Bandung is my new favorite city in Indonesia**

This [relaxed, cool mountain city](http://www.mightytravels.com/2016/04/my-favorite-things-to-do-in-bandung/) with great coffee is off the beaten track for now. It's very affordable, comes with scenic views and is organized enough to be able to deal with.

**Coffee culture** [https://cdn.mightytravels.com/creative/aHR0cDovL3AubWlnaHR5dHJhdmVscy5jb20vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMTYvMDQvMTExNTIyNTkvSU1HXzMzNTUtZTE0NjA0MTMzOTU2OTEuanBnarr.jpg](https://cdn.mightytravels.com/creative/aHR0cDovL3AubWlnaHR5dHJhdmVscy5jb20vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMTYvMDQvMTExNTIyNTkvSU1HXzMzNTUtZTE0NjA0MTMzOTU2OTEuanBnarr.jpg)

Some Indonesian cities have a real coffee culture - it's not just the Australians opening up coffee shops and cafes anymore.

Indonesia - a major coffee producer - is emerging as a coffee consuming country.

**Indonesia has a plenty of tourism potential left**

Indonesia has many more beaches, volcanoes, tropical weather and lovely food left. There are several more huge islands like Borneo (Kalimantan), Sulawesi and Papua that see almost zero tourism.

[https://cdn.mightytravels.com/creative/aHR0cDovL3AubWlnaHR5dHJhdmVscy5jb20vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMTYvMDQvMDIwMjEwNDEvSU1HXzMyODIyLmpwZw==arr.jpg](https://cdn.mightytravels.com/creative/aHR0cDovL3AubWlnaHR5dHJhdmVscy5jb20vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMTYvMDQvMDIwMjEwNDEvSU1HXzMyODIyLmpwZw==arr.jpg) **Infrastructure or city planning are not Indonesia forte** [https://cdn.mightytravels.com/creative/aHR0cDovL3AubWlnaHR5dHJhdmVscy5jb20vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMTYvMDQvMTExNTIzMDgvSU1HXzMzNTEuanBnarr.jpg](https://cdn.mightytravels.com/creative/aHR0cDovL3AubWlnaHR5dHJhdmVscy5jb20vd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMTYvMDQvMTExNTIzMDgvSU1HXzMzNTEuanBnarr.jpg)

Most Indonesian cities are a random sprawl and so is the infrastructure. Urbanization and city planning haven't made it to Indonesia yet.

**No more Visa on Arrival**

Indonesia used to torture visitors with a $35 Visa-on-arrival that needed to be paid at the airport terminal. The resulting long lines often made it a pain to get into Indonesia.

This is all gone - just show your passport and your are done!

Canonical: https://www.mightytravels.com/2016/04/the-top-13-things-i-learned-about-indonesia/
Markdown: https://www.mightytravels.com/2016/04/the-top-13-things-i-learned-about-indonesia/index.md