I got back a few weeks ago from an extended trip traveling throughout Asia. I plan to write about my experiences over the next few weeks in a series of posts. Here are my takeaways as a transgender man visiting Indonesia.
Disclaimer: For the most part, I am cisgender-passing. Strangers generally assume I am queer, but don’t make the connection that I am transgender.
I don’t hide my transgender identity, but transmasculine people are invisible – and there is a time and place to push visibility versus safety. Always use caution when traveling, especially if you are visibly transgender.
Why I Chose Indonesia (And Why Most Americans Don’t)
Americans don’t think about Indonesia. Lots of Americans don’t even consider traveling beyond Mexico. To the American mind, Indonesia is an expensive flight to the other side of the world, where there are more ideal destinations nearby – like Hawaii, the Philippines, and Japan.
I won’t lie. Indonesia wasn’t at the top of my list. It wasn’t even on my radar as a destination until traveling with some Australians the year before. But my trip out of the country was going to be about two months long, and I planned to visit other countries nearby.
Indonesia at a Glance
I spent two weeks exploring the islands surrounding Bali and Lombok. The country contains over 17,000 islands and possesses a massive amount of natural diversity. Bali has an impressive beach and vacation culture that caters to international tourists looking to relax.
Here are some of the most important things to know about Indonesia.
Population & gEOGRAPHY
287 million people live in Indonesia, making up 3.47% of the global population. It’s the fourth most populous country, just behind the United States, China, and India.
Over half of the country lives on Java Island. Even though Indonesia has over 17,000 islands, only 922 are officially inhabited. Indonesia is classified as newly industrialized, but development varies drastically by region. High-speed rail connects Jakarta and Bandung, but islands like Nusa Penida don’t even have paved roads.
Health, Safety, and Common Travel Risks in Indonesia
Always visit your primary healthcare provider before traveling abroad. Your provider will administer and prescribe necessary vaccinations and medications for your travel.
The CDC recommends the vaccinations and medications for the following:
- Chickenpox
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
- Influenza
- Measles-Mumps-Rubella
- Polio
- Shingles
- COVID-19
- Chikungunya
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Japanese Encephalitis
- Malaria
- Measles
- Rabies
- Typhoid
- Leptospirosis
- Melioidosis
- Schistosoasis
- Dengue
- Zika
- Hantavirus
- Tuberculosis
Bali Belly is the local name for traveler’s diarrhea, caused by contamination in food and water. Tap water is NOT recommended for drinking; always use bottled or filtered water.
Bali Belly can last 24 hours to four days and isn’t life-threatening for most people with strong immune systems – although it may feel otherwise. If your symptoms don’t alleviate after rest, visit a local clinic to get checked out.
Beyond tap water, the most common causes of Bali Belly are from non-commercial ice and food washed with unclean water – like salads and unpeeled fruits.
Language Barriers and Communication
Over 700 languages are spoken in Indonesia! Bahasa Indonesia is the only official language, but it’s only the primary native language for 20% of the population. Indonesia is the world’s second most linguistically diverse country, second only to Papua New Guinea.
The average Indonesian is at least bilingual or trilingual. They will know their local regional language (ex. Balinese, Javanese, Minangkabau), Bahasa Indonesia, and one outside language like English, Chinese, and Arabic.
English is commonly taught in primary and secondary schools throughout the country, but that doesn’t mean locals are fully fluent. Many regular people have an understanding of English similar to that of an elementary student – which is enough to navigate daily life.
Tourist hot spots and guides have greater foreign exposure and nuanced vocabularies. In contrast, rural areas will have poor English proficiency, which will make it impossible to travel without assistance.
The good news is that you’ll always be around people who understand English. The bad news is Google Translate won’t be much help. Look up simple phrases local to the areas you will be visiting.
Religion & Cultural Expectations
Indonesia is predominantly Muslim, which makes up 87% of the population. Halal is the norm, so it’ll be harder to find pork at restaurants. You’ll also regularly hear the daily Adhan on mosque loudspeakers – regardless of where you are. It’s pretty loud, although it’s not hard to tune out.
Bali exists as an exception, where the population is overwhelmingly Hindu. 85% of the island adheres to Balinese Hinduism, which is a unique blend of traditional Hinduism, Buddhism, and indigenous beliefs. You’ll see a lot of Canang Sari offerings on the ground, at entrances, and near shrines – be mindful of where you walk and don’t step on them.
Indonesia officially recognises six religions:
- Islam [87%]
- Hinduism [2%]
- Buddhism [1%]
- Confucianism [0.05%]
- Protestant Christianity [7%]
- Catholic Christianity [3%]
Despite the climate, Indonesia expects you to dress modestly. It is more relaxed in Bali and Jakarta, but be prepared.
Both men and women need to wear clothing that covers the shoulders and knees, especially in temples, mosques, and other religious sites. Sarongs are almost always available for free or a small rental fee. Some mosques require women to wear headscarves.
Indonesia has intense blasphemy laws that can be discriminatory to anyone not affiliated with the six official religions. The 1965 Presidential Decree and Article 156(a) of the Criminal Code criminalize deviations from the six religions.
Insulting or defaming religion can earn up to five years in prison. Freedom of religion is severely restricted, and Indonesia’s blasphemy laws have been used in conjunction with the Information and Electronic Transaction Law to prosecute religious minorities.
On the northwestern tip of Sumatra, the semi-autonomous province of Aceh is the strictest. Aceh is authorized to implement Sharia law, which regulates public dress codes, access to gambling and alcohol, and interactions between unmarried men and women. Aceh is allowed to utilize corporal punishment, but does not permit the death penalty.
Currency, Prices, and Budgeting
The official currency of Indonesia is the rupiah (IDR). Technically, rupiah can be divided into 100 cents, similar to the US dollar, but rupiah’s massive inflation makes it obsolete.
At the time this post was published, exchange rates were as follows:
- 1 USD = 17,311 IDR
- 1 GBP = 23,395 IDR
- 1 EUR = 20,271 IDR
- 1 AUD = 12,404 IDR
- 1 CNY = 2,531 IDR
- 1 INR = 182 IDR
Indonesia is a predominantly cash-based economy, so make sure to regularly withdraw cash from nearby ATMs. Debit EDC machines are common in major tourist spots, but most merchants will charge a small fee for every card-based transaction. Small stores, like warungs, are cash-only.
YSK: Indonesian currency uses a lot of zeros. Merchants will shorthand prices, and you’re expected to connect the dots. No, that restaurant menu isn’t advertising a steak dinner for 100 IDR. Handicrafts like bracelets and wood carvings are 50,000, not 50.
Like the rest of Asia, Indonesia uses QRIS-based wallets, where customers pay via QR codes. The most commonly used QR wallets accepted include DANA, GoPay, OVO, and ShopeePay. However, these apps require registration with a local Indonesian phone number. If you’re set on this route, you’ll need an Indonesia-based SIM card.
Generally speaking, Indonesia is cheap. Food and accommodation are a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere, even in tourist hot spots like Bali. Budget travel will run you around 400,000 IDR per day, but costs can be cut as low as 50,000 IDR if you plan well.
Climate and Best Time to Visit
Indonesia is directly on the equator. As a result, its tropical climate doesn’t have extreme summers or winters – although the weather still varies based on the wet and dry seasons.
The average temperature is 82°F/28°C year-round, and humidity is generally 75% or higher. The dry season spans from May to September, providing summer skies and (slightly) lower humidity, while October to April features intense tropical downpours during the wet season.
Visit during the dry season for premier surfing and hiking, but be prepared for higher prices and bigger crowds. I visited during early February, which is when Indonesia starts to finish its heaviest rainfall. It didn’t cause me any significant issues other than one day that the streets were flooded on Gili Trawangan, forcing me to stay inside. Boats and ferries may also have to postpone journeys during poor weather, so prepare for potential delays.
Winds are predictable, so monsoons and typhoons are considered low threats for the region. Typhoons can occur anytime during the wet season, but are most likely to hit from December to March. Indonesia sees about eleven typhoons per year, primarily on the Lesser Sunda Islands, Java, and Sumatra.
Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and has the highest number of active volcanoes in the world. Across its 17,000 islands, there are 130 active volcanoes like Merapi, Semeru, and Anak Krakatau. These volcanoes are great tourist attractions, but can still be dangerous.
The Indonesian government surveys volcanic sites 24/7 to advise locals with a four-level warning system. The 2024 eruption of Lewotobi Laki-Laki resulted in ten deaths, while Marapi’s 2023 eruption caused 23 deaths. On the other hand, Anak Krakatau erupted in 2018 and killed 437 people.
Observation lowers risks associated with volcanoes; remember that danger is always present.
Minor earthquakes are extremely common throughout Indonesia, ranging in magnitude of 5.0 or lower every day. Larger earthquakes are less common: Indonesia usually sees one 7.0 earthquake per year and one 8.0 or higher every five to seven years. As such, Indonesia experiences tsunamis every four years on average.
Major Holidays That Affect Travel
Festivals and public holidays can change a trip. Ramadan, for example, brings vibrant street life during the evenings but is also accompanied by closures and reduced working hours. Here are the most notable events to consider in Indonesia.
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Isra Miraj (Varies)
- Imlek (January or February)
- Ramadan (February or March)
- Nyepi (March or April)
- Wafatnya Isa Almasih (March or April)
- Idul Fitri (March or April)
- Hari Buruh (May 1)
- Kenaikan Isa Almasih (May)
- Waisak Day (May)
- Idul Adha (May or June)
- Hari Lahir Pancasila (June 1)
- Hari Kemerdekaan Republik (August 17)
- Tahun Baru Hijriyah (June, July, or August)
- Maulid Nabi Muhammad (August or September)
- Hari Raya Natal (December 25)
Is Indonesia Safe for LGBTQ+ Travelers: What You Need to Know
Even though Bali has earned Indonesia a laid-back reputation, it still has strong religious roots. Equaldex ranks Indonesia 12th out of 100, similar to countries like Iraq, Algeria, and the United Arab Emirates.
Same-Sex Activity
Indonesia does not have any national sodomy laws. The Penal Code does not prohibit sexual activity between consenting same-sex adults.
Parliament passed a law in 2022 that criminalizes any sexual activity outside of marriage, but the law must be initiated by a family member and is explicitly meant to combat sexual violence and child abuse.
The only provinces that do not allow same-sex activity between consenting adults are Aceh and Sumatra Selatan. Aceh is authorized to use Islamic Sharia-based criminal law, but is not permitted to use the death penalty. Under the Qanun Jinayat, same-sex activity in Aceh can be punished with up to 100 public lashes or up to 100 months imprisonment.
Censorship
Indonesians do not have the same freedoms of information and free speech as Americans do. The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs actively blocks websites and applications they deem to violate social morality, national security, or religious harmony.
The Ministry primarily blocks sites that promote gambling and nudity. Some websites, like Reddit and Imgur, are blocked entirely; others, like Facebook and Roblox, require age verification. Mass censorship leads many citizens and foreigners to use VPNs, especially when needing to access queer topics.
Parliament passed legislation in 2022 that criminalizes criticisms of the sitting president and vice president. KUHP applies equally to offline and online speech. Further, KUHP applies to Indonesian citizens and international travelers. “Attacking the honor or dignity” of the government can result in up to three years’ imprisonment.
The Ministry takes additional steps to censor media that “promotes” LGBTQIA+ topics. This, along with Indonesia’s other censorship laws, has led to instances of police raids in consensual adult queer gatherings under the pretext of pornography. Three Indonesian men were arrested in 2025 for managing a normal LGBTQIA+ group on Facebook and face up to 12 years’ imprisonment for “distribution of obscene material through electronic media.”
Recognition of Relationships
Indonesia does not recognize same-sex marriages, civil unions, or domestic partnerships. Same-sex marriages have been explicitly banned since 1974 via Article 1, which states marriage is a “physical and spiritual bond between a man and a woman as husband and wife.”
Military Service
Technically, there are no laws that prohibit LGBTQIA+ individuals from joining Indonesia’s military.
Indonesia maintains a volunteer army and does not require conscription. However, several soldiers have been fired under the ST/1648-2019 Telegram, which authorizes military courts to punish servicemembers caught engaging in same-sex activity.
Family Planning & Adoption
Only married couples are permitted to adopt in Indonesia.
Since Indonesian law defines marriage as the official union between a man and a woman, same-sex couples are not eligible to adopt children.
Discrimination Laws
Zero explicit laws prohibit LGBTQIA+ discrimination, although the government maintains that all citizens are protected under the Constitution.
The Indonesian National Police has prosecuted anti-LGBTQIA+ hate speech since 2015, stating the government has a duty to protect the public’s ability to lead harmonious social lives.
Transgender Rights
Despite a general lack of LGBTQIA+ support in Indonesia, transgender identity (known locally as waria and priawan) has a long history and a greater acceptance rate. While transgender people do experience discrimination and verbal harassment, anti-transgender violence in Indonesia is considered rare.
However, transgender people have begun to experience greater rejection due to the Sharia Muslim population. It is not advised to visit regions like Aceh due to the targeted enforcement of Sharia law.
Transgender Indonesians have had the right to change their legal gender since 1973. A court ruling in 2009 elaborated on previous guidelines that stipulate transgender individuals must undergo gender affirmation surgery to be eligible for a legal gender change.
Gender-affirming healthcare has been restricted in Indonesia since 2023 under Undang-Undang Kesehatan Number 17. Hormone replacement therapy and gender-affirmation surgery are difficult to access locally. As a result, many transgender Indonesians utilize telemedicine similar to QueerDoc or DIY methods.
First Impressions
I arrived after a 28-hour flight at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport around 1 AM. After explaining my testosterone medication to customs, I was ready to sleep in an actual bed, but couldn’t check into my hotel until 3 PM. Luckily, DPS and Indonesia’s other airports have capsule hotels in the arrival area that can be rented.
I spent the night at PassGo, took a shower, and checked out at 12 PM. Immediately, I noticed how warm it was. DPS’s landside is all outdoors – it’s shaded well, but you’ll start sweating after a few minutes unless you duck into one of the air-conditioned shops.
I’m not a fan of taxis. I always feel on edge about the meter and knowing if I’m being charged the right rate. DPS has designated zones for passengers wanting to ride-share with Grab or Gojek, so I fiddled with both apps for the first time and booked a GrabCar to pick me up. It cost 376,000 IDR, which included the roadway toll for the one-hour ride to my first hotel.
Most foreigners will be surprised by local traffic in Asia. Despite how it looks, it’s relatively safe once you understand it. Indonesia’s heat never goes away – some areas are warmer based on ocean breeze and elevation, but you’re never going to be cold.
I was also shocked by the number of statues. Bali and Indonesia as a whole are influenced by Indian Hinduism, creating a richly different atmosphere and architecture, compared to back home, since Christianity looks down on statues and idolatry.
Locals are friendly, albeit it’s always surface-level niceties similar to what you might experience in the American Midwest or South. Most folks are willing to help or answer questions if you’re polite.
tRANS tRAVEL Highlights
Indonesia has many temples and mosques. Visit them! Just remember their rules, like wearing appropriate clothing or a sarong. Religion plays a crucial role in all cultures, so visiting local temples is a great way to become familiar and show your respect.
You may find Kecak shows, which are fire-themed performances that tell the story of Ramayana. The show is in local Balinese, but it’s easy enough to follow along with visual cues and reading the paper program. Enjoy a local Bintang beer and get lost in the story.
Indonesia has beautiful scenery and plenty of outdoor activities. While there, I did whitewater rafting, the sunrise Batur volcano hike, and snorkeled with turtles. I even learned to ride a bike while visiting the Gili Islands and tried yoga in Seminyak.
Indonesia produces the world’s most expensive coffee through civets, nocturnal carnivores similar to a cross between a cat, weasel, and raccoon.
You’ll find lots of plantations and merchants selling Kopi Luwak. Be aware that there are environmental and animal welfare concerns regarding civets since local plantations often poach these animals for coffee production.
Indonesia is home to 20% of all primate species. You’ll see wild long-tailed macaques, Sumatran orangutans, and other species like langurs and gibbons. These guys are used to living around humans, but that doesn’t mean they’re friendly – they’re likely to get aggressive when they feel threatened or want food.
If you’ve never surfed, Indonesia is a great place to try it. The waves are gentle and consistent, and there are dozens of schools that provide cheap lessons for travelers.
Make sure you visit Indonesia’s beaches during the right time; Indonesia’s predictable winds and ocean currents mean some beaches are disgusting due to trash build-up during certain parts of the year.
Speaking of beaches, remember that Indonesia is significantly more trans-friendly than queer-friendly due to its history. I still haven’t met any cisgender people who recognize my top surgery scar without them being LGBTQIA+ or an ally due to the lack of transmasculine visibility, but I never had any issues being topless. Being visibly transgender, regardless of sex assigned at birth, is generally safe for travelers outside of Aceh and Sumatra Selatan.
Bali has the best LGBTQIA+ scene in Indonesia due to its tourist culture and increased tolerance of Hinduism compared to Islam. However, even Bali has limits, and you won’t see public PDA.
Grindr is blocked in Indonesia, including Bali. You can use a VPN to access the app, but I don’t necessarily recommend it. Grindr notifies others of your identity and physical location. Always use common sense when traveling.
You don’t have to, but it is a good idea to have travel insurance when leaving the United States. Your normal health insurance won’t help you in Indonesia. Travel insurance covers emergencies, including legal assistance.
The two queer scenes are Seminyak and Canggu. Seminyak has Jalan Camplung Tanduk Arcade, a major street that has a variety of businesses and bars. The main Seminyak gay bars are Mixell, Bali Joe, Face Bar, and Bottoms Up. Canggu has Inklusiv Warung and a few bars of its own.
There are no official gay beaches in Indonesia, but Bali’s Batu Belig is popular with LGBTQIA+ travelers. It sits between Seminyak and Canggu and has plenty of quiet cafes.
There are no LGBTQIA+ pride festivals or official organizations in Indonesia. Events and organizations are not legally permitted to exist due to high religious conservatism. However, LGBTQIA+ people still connect through social media groups.
Bali used to have more gay spas and bathhouses before Indonesia started cracking down in 2016. There are still a handful of men-only spas like Elegantz Sauna, Banana Spa, M.A.N. Resort, and Za Sauna Renon.
As long as you are discreet, hotels will be accommodating to same-sex couples. Smaller and family-owned accommodations may provide separate beds for unmarried couples.
Gender Roles, Masculinity, and Passing in Indonesia
Indonesia follows traditional patriarchal gender norms. Tourist areas like Bali are more progressive, but rules remain strict in religious sites.
Both men and women are expected to dress modestly, although this varies based on setting and location. Kebaya and sarongs are common amongst Indonesian women. Muslim women may wear a Jilbab headscarf, while men will wear Blangkon headdresses and Peci velvet caps.
Men are afforded greater flexibility in both formal and casual settings – as long as they still present as masculine.
Indonesian women are expected to manage the home while men work or pursue leadership roles. As expected, the few jobs largely available to women revolve around hospitality.
Sex work is technically illegal in Indonesia, but it still widely exists underground. Despite Indonesia not having any official federal laws regarding prostitution, sex work is banned under general laws that target “immoral” behavior. Some massage parlors and spas offer “plus-plus” services. Other sex workers use dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and IndonesianCupid to find clients.
Airport, Customs, and Entry Process
Like many other countries, Indonesia is transitioning to a digital customs process that can take visitors by surprise. Here are the basics on the immigration and arrival process.
Arrival Process
As soon as you exit your plane, collect your luggage at your designated baggage terminal. Lost luggage should be reported to the staff at the Lost and Found counter. Professional porters can assist with luggage for a small fee.
Complete your Arrival Card. While at DPS, there were no physical paper copies available, and we were expected to connect to the free airport wifi to access the form.
The form can be completed up to 72 hours before arrival. Use the official website to complete it in advance or scan one of the QR signs at the airport. You’ll fill out your passport details, flight information, and primary accommodation address.
Indonesia’s arrival card includes everything for your immigration process – like the health declaration, quarantine information, and customs.
Customs Regulations
Make sure you don’t bring anything into Indonesia that could get you in major trouble.
- Personal clothing, toiletries, and accessories are allowed without declaration if their total value is under $250 USD. Personal belongings valued at more than $250 USD must be declared.
- Cash valued at more than 100 million IDR ($6,500 USD) must be declared.
- One liter of alcohol per person is allowed without declaration. Any excess must be declared.
- Individuals are permitted to bring up to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 100 grams of tobacco. Any excess must be declared.
- If you are staying in Indonesia for more than three months, you must declare if you are bringing more than two electronic devices – such as phones, tablets, laptops, or cameras.
- You are allowed to bring prescription medication. Indonesia prohibits visitors from bringing Chinese herbal medicines and illegal drugs. Make sure you have reviewed what medications are legal in Indonesia.
- Individuals are forbidden from having firearms, ammunition, knives, stun guns, or other self-defense tools.
- Indonesia has strict laws regarding sexual content. All forms of pornography are illegal.
- Some items, like counterfeit branded merchandise, live plants, and cultural antiques, need special permits due to government restrictions.
Medication Considerations
The only stumbling block I had was with medication. Indonesia can be weird about certain prescriptions – specifically psychotropic medications.
Upon arrival, I had prescription sertraline, topical testosterone, and doxycycline hyclate. My arrival card caused me to have my luggage searched by customs, but I was able to pass through after answering questions and showing both my prescription labels and signed letters from my doctors that I had procured in advance.
Get Your Visa
Show your Arrival Card QR code to customs staff. Based on its information, you’ll either continue walking or be pulled aside.
Indonesia doesn’t usually stamp passports. Your arrival card serves as a digital stamp of your entry and exit into the country.
Make sure your visa is in order, if necessary. American citizens are required to have a visa for any travel in Indonesia. You can apply for and purchase a Visa on Arrival (VOA) at the airport for 525,000 IDR – this is what I did and recommend for other travelers since visa websites are difficult to navigate.
Head to Arrivals
Head to the arrival corridor and choose how you want to get to your accommodation.
There are designated zones for taxis, ridesharing, and public transit depending on the airport.
Apps and Tools That Made Travel Easier
Having the right tech can alleviate so much stress while traveling. These are my top recommendations.
None of these are sponsored – they’re just the apps I found worked best for myself and other travelers.
Americans aren’t fans of WhatsApp. US phones provided easy messaging features before WhatsApp hit the market, so Americans never had a reason to transition to it when rotating social media apps like Facebook Messenger and Snapchat. However, you’ll need WhatsApp if you’re leaving the States.
WhatsApp is the dominant messaging platform in Indonesia. If you book any tours or day trips, you’ll need WhatsApp to communicate with your guide. You can even shop online or browse shop inventories.
Download WhatsApp and get it set up before you leave. WhatsApp requires phone number verification, so do it while you have access to your US number.
Alternatively, you can set up WhatsApp with a local SIM number, but you won’t be able to access that account once the number expires.
Google Translate
Google Translate is generally reliable for basic communication. Having the Google Translate app allows you to translate offline by saving the entire Indonesian module ahead of time. Additionally, the app can translate photos similar to Google Lens and process real-time conversations.
Apple provides the same features as Google Translate as part of its base Apple software. The main difference between Apple Translate and Google Translate is the number of languages offered, since Apple Translate only works for 19 languages compared to Google’s 249. Good news though – Indonesian is one of those 19.
As I mentioned previously, translation apps aren’t super reliable. Only 20% of the population speaks Bahasa Indonesia as their primary native language, which is the form of Indonesian available on Google Translate and Apple Translate. Again, though, the vast majority of the population speaks very basic English.
Google Maps
Google Maps provides reliable navigation and travel estimates throughout Indonesia, although GPS accuracy struggles in rural areas.
Google Maps allows users to download maps for offline use for free, which will save you in a pinch. Offline maps typically last 15 to 30 days before expiring and needing to be redownloaded.
Indonesia has heavy traffic, but Google Maps knows how to handle it when suggesting routes and travel estimates. Just make sure you have it set correctly based on car, motorcycle, or pedestrian routes.
Grab & Gojek
Both Grab and Gojek dominate ride-sharing and food delivery in Southeast Asia. Uber never found its footing here – so make sure you have at least one of these apps installed.
Grab is larger and operates in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Gojek only operates in Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Similar to Lyft and Uber in the US, most people have both apps to compare prices. Gojek usually offers lower prices despite its smaller service area, but I wasn’t able to get Gojek to work correctly with my digital wallet to test out the app. Throughout my trip, I used Grab dozens of times with great success.
There is one notable culture shock when ridesharing in Southeast Asia compared to back home. Motorbikes. Unless you need a full car, you can ride a GrabBike for a fraction of the price. One-way from Seminyak to Sanur takes about 30 minutes and costs 35,000 IDR ($2.25 USD).
Motorbikes are also faster since Indonesian drivers just go with the flow. Bikers swim with traffic between cars to avoid gridlock, which is why that same 30-minute journey easily takes at least an hour by car.
However, compared to other destinations along my trip, motorbikes were the most dangerous in Indonesia. I didn’t have any issues while using GrabBike, but driving is intense, and only half of my drivers ever gave me a helmet.
Rideshare drivers are pretty intense about getting you to ride with them. One of my accommodations was a ten-minute walk from the convenience store – and no joke, each time I walked there, I would be asked by seven different drivers if I wanted a ride. Always book drivers with the app if you can, since drivers like these will use inflated prices when driving you.
12Go
If you need long-distance travel, use 12Go to book trains, buses, and ferries. 12Go is a travel aggregator site that allows users to book routes. It’s a lot easier to navigate compared to physical travel agent offices.
GetYourGuide & Klook
Viator and TripAdvisor are king in the United States, but they’re not common elsewhere. The most common booking sites for Indonesia are GetYourGuide and Klook, which allow you to purchase tickets and tours.
Personally, I recommend glancing through all of the major booking sites since each platform will have different bookings. Tours are available based on individual merchants, so you’ll likely find something cool on GetYourGuide that wasn’t on Viator and vice versa.
Proton VPN
There are hundreds of VPNs out there. Most of them cost money or only provide a limited use before shutting off free service. You don’t have to go with Proton VPN, but it’s my suggestion since it’s a solid free VPN that works as a mobile app, browser extension, and computer application.
Download at least one VPN you know works before traveling abroad. Especially to somewhere like Indonesia, which enforces strict censorship laws – you otherwise won’t be able to access certain websites or apps.
Offline Tools
It’s a good idea to have a mobile tools app that functions without wifi or data. The app I use does money conversion and many other features that have been helpful from time to time. Get the app that fits your needs best.
Speaking of which, I’m also a fan of having the American Red Cross’s free First Aid app. It walks you through different health emergencies, basic aid, and how to get help in a crisis. All of its functions work offline, since that’s the last thing you need to worry about in an emergency.
The American Red Cross also has an app for natural disasters, but it doesn’t work well internationally. Both Android and Apple devices provide natural disaster and emergency alerts based on location. If you want to upgrade this, get apps like Disaster Alert, Smart Traveler, and the International SOS Assistance App.
Life360
While abroad, get at least one GPS location-sharing app. It doesn’t have to be Life360, but Life360 provides a lot of basic functions. The app allows users to share their real-time location for free with select individuals.
Life360’s AI alerts your family if it detects you got into a car crash and allows you to send SOS alerts from the app at any time.
Life360 has great security, so you won’t have to worry about data being leaked by hackers – but Life360 has been in trouble before for intentionally selling user data to third-party data brokers for targeted advertising and analytics. You can turn off or pause your location at any time within the app, but it’s a good idea to have something so your loved ones know you’re moving around.
Other options include Covert Alert, which is a voice-activated location-sharing app that shares GPS coordinates in emergencies, or Google Maps’ innate feature to share your live location via a copyable link.
Final Verdict
Indonesia is a massive country. Over 17,000 islands, each of which is physically and culturally unique.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent in Indonesia, but it’s not a destination I would recommend to everyone. Indonesia is perfect for exploring the outdoors, relaxing, and partying – but it comes with certain stress and limitations. It is definitely worth traveling to, but not for your first or second time out of the country as an LGBTQIA+ person.
Want to learn more about Indonesia? Here are some more great guides.