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Top 9 Most Favourite Places for Your 2021 Travel Bucket List in Indonesia

 

As the year has just changed and we are getting ourselves ready for new adventures in 2021, it would be a perfect time to plan ahead for your future trip to the places you’ve always dreamed of. After all, it seems that we are going to see the light out of this pandemic situation soon. Keep your hopes up by looking for the best destinations to visit in the future while staying at home and doing social distancing. Of course, we would strongly suggest you put Indonesia on your bucket list, as we have the 9 most favorite destination recommendations that will surely catch your attention.

1 | Bali

Okay, who doesn’t know about this one? Bali has always been the most favorite tourist destination in Indonesia since a long time ago. Also known as the Island of the Gods, its enchanting tropical vibe will immediately welcome you as soon as you step on the island. Pristine beaches, glorious mountains, sacred holy temples, lively nightclubs, and many other hidden gems await in the island with unlimited excitements to be explored.

Batu Bolong temple at Tanah Lot in Bali

Besides many popular spots like Ubud Monkey Forest, Uluwatu Temple, or Kuta Beach, we recommend you to go to Tirta Empul Temple:  a Balinese Hindu water temple situated close to the town of Tampaksiring, Gianyar, Bali. The temple compound consists of a bathing structure or also known by the locals as petirtaan, derived from the root word tirta which means holy water. Balinese Hindus frequently visit this place for purification rituals, because it is believed that this bathing place streams holy spring water. You can also try to bathe in here as long as you obey the local norms and regulations.

If you’re looking for a more scenic place to take pictures at, Tanah Lot would be a perfect choice. Literally meaning “land on the sea”, Tanah Lot presents the image of a Balinese temple (pura) standing high on the rock, facing the wide open ocean with the crashing waves and the cinematic colors of the sky as background.
 

2 | Raja Ampat, West Papua

Those who fancy marine and aquatic tourism  must be familiar with this destination.  It’s a pristine paradise located in West Papua where Mother Nature along with friendly locals welcome you with all the exceptional wonders. Literally meaning ‘The Four Kings’, Raja Ampat is an archipelago comprising over 1,500 small islands, cays, and shoals surrounding the four main islands of Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati, and Misool.

the view of Raja Ampat

For underwater aficionados, Raja Ampat offers some of the best marine experiences in the world. The area of Raja Ampat Islands, which covers 9.8 million hectares of land and sea, is home to 540 types of corals, more than 1,000 types of reef fish and 700 types of mollusks. This makes it the most diverse aquatic habitat for the world's coral reefs and underwater biota. Aside from exploring the surfaces of the water, you can also deep dive and immerse into the otherworldly underwater realms. It’s going to be an unforgettable journey!
 

3 | Jakarta

Mostly known as the huge city with the most hustles in Indonesia, Jakarta (Jakarta Capital Special Region) is where over 10 million people with diverse ethnic group backgrounds from all over Indonesia gather and live in harmony. Roam around the streets and marvel at the landscape of the metropolis. Shop and find good deals in luxurious malls. Immerse into the small streets and find culinary hidden gems on street hawkers.

National Museum in Jakarta

Image by mariaandthecity

Visit the cultural wonders like Old Town Batavia, National Museum, and National Monument and learn the history about this city that once was a legendary harbor town where traders from Dutch and England made their visit. Last but not least, you can also enjoy its limitless family-friendly excitements such as Dunia Fantasi Theme Park, Ancol Dreamland, Sea World, and many others.
 

4 | Yogyakarta

a man riding a Becak in Yogyakarta

Once the cradle of civilization in Java, Yogyakarta is now one of the foremost cultural centers of Indonesia. This area was the throne that created the magnificent temples of Borobudur and Prambanan in the 8th and 9th centuries. Its cultural and historical values are what make this city special. Therefore you can spend your future holiday strolling through the living museum of The Kraton or The Keraton (Sultan’s Palace), stopping by the famous Alun Alun, watching silversmiths craft stunning jewelry pieces at Kotagede, or experience shopping spree up at Malioboro road. Looking for an extraordinary sunrise view? Wake up early and chase the sun in famous temples like Prambanan and Borobudur in the neighboring town of Magelang. Be adventurous, cultured, and joyful at once in this city!

5 | Labuan Bajo

Labuan Bajo was actually only a small fishing site situated on the westernmost tip of Flores Island. Now, along with the popularity of Komodo National Park, this destination has become the proxy to countless destinations in East Nusa Tenggara. Belonging to the same group as many other destinations in Komodo National Park, Labuan Bajo is always where you started at, because that’s where the harbor and airport lies. The place offers a range of excitements such as Gua Batu Cermin (The Mirror Cave), Amelia Hills, Rangko Cave, and also Cunca Wulang canyon waterfall, all offer spectacular scenery that will leave you breathless.

a view of Labuan Bajo from above

Enter the zone of Komodo National Park deeper and you will find Pink Beach in Komodo Island, one of the only seven pink beaches in the entire planet. Marvel at the otherworldly beautiful scene and take many pictures and/or drone shots while also enjoying the smooth textures of the pink sands and cool breeze of the sea. Those who want to learn new culture and find life-changing philosophies can also visit Wae Rebo Village, a small and isolated village above the highland in Flores Island that has a peculiar housing structure called Mbaru Niang and has received the Top Award of Excellence from UNESCO in the 2012 UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Awards.
 

6 | Bintan

a glamping tents in the resort in Bintan Island

Leisure and adventure has never been this harmoniously blended into many excitements as in Bintan Island, Riau Islands Province. As the largest island in the Riau Islands, Bintan is one of the most favorable destinations for those who seek the pleasure of luxurious resorts, world-class golf courses, and stunning coastal landscape. If you’re leaning more to the adventurous side, you can try exploring the enigmatic Padang Pasir Busung (sand dunes of Busung), abandoned ship of MV Doulos Phos, or Blue Lake Kawal. Seeking luxury? Try staying at the Trikora Beach Club and Resort, The Sanchaya, or Natra Bintan and experience the maximum pleasure!
 

7 | Lake Toba

a view of Samosir Island in the middle of Lake Toba

Comprising over 1,145 kilometers square area and a depth of 450 meters, Lake Toba is actually more like a sea than a lake. However, due to the fact that it was an ancient crater that was created from a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago, it was then considered as the largest lake in Southeast Asia and one of the deepest lakes in the world. In the middle of the lake, there is Samosir Island, an island where Tomok and Simanindo ethnic groups reside. Find valuable learnings and philosophies from their traditions, such as Tor-Tor Traditional Dance, Sigale-Gale Wooden Puppetry, Ulos handwoven clothes, and many others. Those who fancy adventures might try kayaking around the lake and seeing the exhilarating view of sunset above the boat.
 

8 | Bandung

a man sits on top of a stone in Stone Garden Citatah

When things get too tight and relaxation is needed, people from Jakarta tend to choose Bandung as their short escapade. The cool atmosphere is simply irresistible to those who seek a calm and refreshing journey. Almost every kind of attractions for every kind of tourists exists in Bandung. Fancy adventure? Hike up to the hills of Tebing Keraton or The Royal Cliff, the peak of Moko Hill, Eurad Highland Lembang, or the Stone Garden Citatah and take some pictures to capture the memories you’ve made there. Looking to get closer to the local people and learn their music, dance, and culture? Then you should visit Saung Angklung Udjo or Udjo's House of Angklung. Here you can watch an orchestra of Angklung, the local traditional bamboo instrument, performed by children as well as the performance of Sundanese traditional dance. It’s an all in one destination that you should try to visit at least one in a lifetime!
 

9 | Lombok

a camp on the summit of Mount Rinjani

Popular for its divine beaches, the majestic Mount Rinjani, and extraordinary marine life to explore, the island of Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara has limitless excitement for those who seek the tropical enchantments. Adrenaline seekers can challenge themselves by trekking up to the summit of Mount Rinjani or renting a bike and cycling through the lush rice terraces of Tetebatu. Culture seekers can visit the traditional villages of Sade and Rambitan and engage with the locals of the Sasak tribe to experience their daily life.

For those who dream of running waves, you can visit Mandalika, which comprises 1,250 hectares of coastal beauty. Located in the southern part of Lombok, Mandalika is currently emerging as an outstanding resort with many highlights such as exquisite beaches, high-end hotels, marvelous theme parks, hippest bars and clubs, and the world-class Mandalika Street Circuit. All the more reasons to put this in your travel plan!

 

Those are 9 destinations in Indonesia you must visit immediately after the pandemic ends. Have you planned already? There might still be no certainty about the future yet, but we have been preparing to welcome you back with a tight implementation of Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environmental Sustainability (CHSE) protocols. Therefore, once everything gets better, we will certainly welcome your visit with a warm and sincere embrace.