From Beaches to Jungles: What to Pack for Indonesia
Packing for Indonesia can be tricky—trust us, we learned the hard way! During our two-month adventure across its islands on our world trip, we faced everything from scorching sun to tropical downpours. Whether you’re lounging on the beach, trekking through lush jungles, or watching the sunrise from a volcano, having the right gear makes all the difference. This guide will help you pack smart, so you’re ready for anything without overloading your bag.Suitcase or Backpack?
Indonesia can be challenging to navigate, making a backpack an ideal choice for travelers. With its vast diversity, you’ll likely be hopping between cities, islands, and flights, and a backpack will simplify your journey, saving both time and money. Whether you’re exploring bustling urban areas, remote beaches, or jungle treks, a backpack will be much easier to carry across uneven terrain, non-existent or damaged sidewalks, and even on boats.
We suggest packing light— the less you carry, the smoother your trip will be.
We typically organize our clothes in packing cubes for quick access: one cube for bottoms, one for tops, one for outdoor clothing, and so on. We also pack our shoes in fabric reusable bags. It ultimately depends on your packing style.
READ | Our Worldtrip Packing List
BUY | Osprey Aether 55 (55L)
Our Daypack Items
We have a list of essential items we always pack in our daypack, no matter where we are. You’ll find the list below.
A helpful tip for traveling in Indonesia: bring your own toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and liquid soap in a small refillable bottle. Public restrooms may not have these supplies. In Indonesia, the “bum gun” and a bucket with water and a mug is commonly used for cleaning instead of toilet paper. If you are not familiar with this, carry your own in case of an emergency.
Mosquito repellent and sunscreen are also a must. We love the mosquito repellent cream in Indonesia. They have many nice smells, it’s not sticky, and very cheap. Sunscreen on the other hand can be quite expensive.
READ | Everyday Essentials: The Must-Have Items in our Daypack
BUY |
Fjällraven Abisko Hike Foldsack (25 L)
Clothing
Packing for Indonesia is all about staying cool and comfortable while being prepared for different climates and activities. In places like Bali, Lombok, and the Gili Islands, lightweight clothing is perfect for beach days and wandering through markets. Knee-length dresses or skirts are useful for visiting temples or like Borobudur in Java, where modest attire is required.
Flip-flops are great for sandy beaches, but for exploring waterfalls in Ubud or hiking Mount Rinjani, you’ll need sturdy sneakers or hiking shoes. A light rain jacket or umbrella is essential, especially in Java’s humid jungles or during sudden tropical downpours.
If you're taking a boat trip, a waterproof bag keeps your gear dry. And no matter where you go, sun protection—like a hat, UV-blocking sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen—is a must for Indonesia’s intense tropical sun.
Dressing Respectfully
Indonesia is the biggest Muslim country in the world. Please be mindful and wear conservative clothing when visiting this beautiful country. When visiting temples, palaces, and other cultural or religious sites, it’s important to dress respectfully by covering your shoulders and knees, as you won’t be allowed to enter without doing so. We encourage you to avoid wearing short, tight and revealing clothing.
If you are visiting Bali, you can wear less conservative clothing but DO NOT wear bikinis, go shirtless, or wear see-through dresses outside the beach! Yes, many tourists feel entitled to do so, but this is not part of Balinese culture. We encourage respectful behavior at the places we visit.
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Menstruators Essentials for Indonesia
For menstrual cup users it is easy to clean your cup on the go. Most of the toilets have a bum gun and/or a faucet for the bucket and mug. You might not always find hand soap, so bring a small refillable bottle along.
You will be able to find pads without any issue, but tampons are a rare find.
Sustainable Recommendations
For your Daypack
We always bring our reusable water bottles, as they can be refilled with filtered water for free at most accommodations, including Indonesia.
A reusable bag is another must-have, perfect for grocery shopping or beach trips. It’s also handy for rearranging items at the airport, helping us transfer things into our carry-on. For hikes or visits to street food markets, we suggest packing collapsible food containers, along with reusable cutlery and metal straws.
Additionally, we keep a small reusable bottle of sunscreen in our daypack, making it easy to reapply throughout the day.
READ | Eco-Friendly Travel: Sustainable Essentials for Your Packing List
Laundry
We recommend packing light, as doing laundry in Indonesia is quick and easy. You get your clothes washed for a small fee at your accommodations. Most of them offer laundry services, they normally charge per weight.
Don’t forget to pack a laundry mesh bag for both sustainability and to protect your delicates while traveling Thailand.
Health & Safety
Safety
Indonesia is a safe country, with low crime rates. Pick-pocketing might happen. We advice you to stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas.
Learn more about how we prioritize safety while traveling here.
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Health
Vaccinations
No specific vaccinations are required for entry into Indonesia unless you're traveling from a country with a risk of yellow fever.
We advice you to consult with a healthcare provider before traveling.
Recommended Vaccinations for Indonesia:
Routine Vaccinations: Make sure you’re up to date on the standard vaccinations, including:
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP)
Polio
Influenza
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Hepatitis A: The virus can be spread through contaminated food or water, and it’s advisable for travelers to get vaccinated before visiting Taiwan, particularly if you plan on visiting rural or less-developed areas.
Hepatitis B: It is recommended for travelers who may have exposure to blood or bodily fluids, such as those planning on staying long-term, seeking medical treatment, or engaging in high-risk activities.
Typhoid: If you plan to visit more rural areas or eat food from street vendors, the typhoid vaccine is recommended as it protects against foodborne bacteria that can cause infection.
Japanese Encephalitis: This is recommended for travelers who will be spending significant time outdoors in rural areas or near farms, particularly during the warmer months when mosquitoes are more prevalent.
Rabies: Rabies is a major concern in Thailand, it’s recommended for travelers who may have close contact with stray dogs and monkeys.
Travel Insurance
Travel health insurance is essential for any trip, covering unexpected medical expenses such as doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and emergency treatments. It ensures you receive the care you need while protecting you from high medical costs. This is especially important when traveling to unfamiliar destinations or regions with limited healthcare access, where quality medical treatment may not be readily available. To help you find the best coverage for your trip, we’ve put together a guide.
READ | Travel Insurance
Payment Methods
Indonesia can be very credit card-friendly country and some shops accept card payments charging small transaction fees. However, it’s still good to carry some cash, especially for small eateries and night markets. ATMs are widely available.
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