After dozens of trips to Indonesia spanning Bali, Java, Sulawesi, and the remote eastern islands, we’ve refined our packing system down to what actually matters. The fundamentals don’t change — but the specific gear varies significantly depending on whether you’re temple-hopping in Yogyakarta, diving in Raja Ampat, or trekking up Rinjani.
The Indonesia Basics
Electronics: Indonesia runs on 230V, 50Hz — bring a Type C or Type F adapter (the two-round-pin European style). If coming from North America, you’ll need a voltage converter for anything that doesn’t accept 100–240V input (check your charger — most modern electronics do).
Currency: Bring USD or AUD to exchange on arrival at money changers in Bali or Jakarta — rates are significantly better than airport exchanges or pre-trip bank conversion. The exception is Raja Ampat and remote eastern islands where cash is king and ATMs are unreliable or absent.
Clothing Essentials
Sarongs: Non-negotiable for Indonesia. Required at every temple entrance, useful as a beach towel, skirt, shade from the sun, or lightweight layer on cold bus journeys. Buy them locally for IDR 30,000–80,000 in any market — they’re everywhere.
Lightweight long-sleeve shirts: Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk in rural areas and around standing water. A lightweight linen long-sleeve shirt covers your arms without adding heat.
Sturdy sandals: A quality pair of leather sandals (Birkenstocks or similar) handles 90% of Indonesia situations — temples, markets, beaches, restaurants. Add a pair of lightweight trainers if you’re trekking Rinjani or Bromo.
Swimwear and rash guard: Rash guards are essential for snorkeling — they protect against reef scrapes, jellyfish, and sun exposure on long underwater days. Long-sleeve UPF 50+ rash guards in 2mm thickness are our standard for both snorkeling and diving.
Health and Wellness
Reef-safe sunscreen: Regular sunscreen with oxybenzone and octinoxate is banned or restricted around many Indonesian marine parks — and even where not legally required, it’s damaging to coral reefs. Mineral-based sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) are the responsible choice. Stream2Sea and Raw Elements make excellent water-resistant formulas.
Mosquito repellent: DEET 20–30% for general use; 40% DEET or Picaridin for jungle areas and Kalimantan / Sulawesi / Papua. Dengue fever is present throughout Indonesia’s lower elevations — not something to be casual about.
Oral rehydration salts: The heat and humidity of coastal Indonesia causes rapid dehydration. Carry Hydralyte or similar sachets for recovery after long beach days or intense hikes. Pharmacies (apotek) throughout Indonesia stock them as well.
Stomach medication: Traveler’s diarrhea is common, particularly in smaller towns where water quality is variable. Loperamide (Imodium) for acute relief; azithromycin if prescribed by your doctor for severe cases. Bring a supply from home.
Malaria prophylaxis (selected areas): Bali, Java, and Lombok are malaria-free. Malaria risk exists in: Kalimantan, Papua, Maluku, Sulawesi (rural areas), Flores (some areas), and Timor. If your itinerary includes these regions, consult a travel medicine doctor at least 6 weeks before departure about prophylaxis.
Water and Food Safety
Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Indonesia. This includes Bali and Jakarta — the water infrastructure in most areas is not treated to drinking standards. Buy sealed bottled water or bring a Steripen or LifeStraw bottle for more remote areas.
Ice: Generally safe in tourist restaurants (made from filtered water) but questionable at roadside stalls. When in doubt, skip ice in drinks.
For Divers and Snorkelers
Mask and snorkel: The quality of rental gear in tourist areas has improved significantly, but bringing your own mask eliminates the hygiene question and guarantees a good fit. A properly fitted mask makes the difference between a good and great snorkeling experience.
Thin wetsuit (3mm): Water temperatures in Indonesia generally run 26–30°C — warm enough that a wetsuit is optional comfort rather than necessity. However, a 3mm suit adds 30–40 minutes to comfortable dive times and protects against coral scrapes and jellyfish. For Raja Ampat October–April, the upwellings can bring water temperatures to 22–24°C — a 5mm suit becomes useful.
Underwater camera or GoPro: Indonesia’s reef systems are extraordinary — you’ll regret not having an underwater camera. GoPro Hero 12 with a housing works for snorkeling. For DSLR-quality diving images, consider renting an underwater housing in Labuan Bajo or Raja Ampat rather than carrying one.
For Temple and Cultural Visits
Modest clothing: Shoulders and knees covered is the minimum for entering any mosque or Hindu temple in Indonesia. Carry a lightweight scarf or shawl that can quickly cover shoulders. Sarongs (provided at some temples, more reliably brought yourself) handle everything below the waist.
Closed-toe shoes: Some temple and mosque complexes require shoes to be removed — flip-flops or slip-on sandals that can be easily taken off are more practical than lace-up shoes.
For Volcano and Mountain Treks
Layers: Mount Rinjani, Bromo, and Kelimutu are cold at the summit — temperatures drop to 5–10°C at altitude, and wind chill makes it feel colder. A lightweight down jacket or fleece layer is essential for overnight treks. You’ll carry it most of the day and desperately need it at 4am.
Headlamp: Essential for Bromo (4am jeep departure) and Ijen (2am crater access). Bring extra batteries. Most rental headlamps at the trailheads are inadequate.
Trekking poles: Useful but not essential for Rinjani. The steep, loose volcanic scree on the descent rewards poles for most hikers. Rentable at the trailheads.
What to Leave Home
Formalwear: Almost nowhere in Indonesia requires it. A clean button-down shirt and smart trousers/dress handles any situation you’ll encounter, including upscale Bali restaurants.
Excessive sunscreen (bring reef-safe only): You can buy sunscreen throughout Indonesia — the cost is higher but the availability is good in tourist areas. In remote areas, bring enough for the duration.
Jewelry and valuables: Indonesia’s resort and tourist areas are safe, but drawing attention to valuable items in markets and crowded streets creates unnecessary risk.
Complete Packing List
See our full Indonesia Packing List for the complete gear guide with specific product recommendations, airline carry-on rules, and a printable checklist organized by destination type.