Lonely Planet Indonesia: Plan the Trip of a Lifetime | Detailed Itineraries & Maps | Insider Tips | Covers Java, Bali, Sumatra and more

by David Eimer

Lonely Planet's local travel experts reveal all you need to know to plan the trip of a lifetime to Indonesia.

Discover popular and off the beaten track experiences from visiting the dozens of golden beaches along the coastline of Gunung Kidul to taking a diving tour of the Liberty shipwreck in Bali, and trekking through the rainforest in little-visited Gunung Palung National Park.

Build a trip to remember with Lonely Planet's Indonesia travel

Our classic guidebook format provides you with the most comprehensive level of information for planning multi-week tripsUpdated with an all new structure and design so you can navigate Indonesia and connect experiences together with easeCreate your perfect trip with exciting itineraries for extended journeys combined with suggested day trips, walking tours, and activities to match your passionsGet fresh takes on must-visit sights including Prambanan, Tumpak Sewu, and Pulau MenjanganSpecial features on where to spot wildlife, volcano climbing guide, Borneo river cruiseExpert local recommendations on when to go, eating, drinking, nightlife, shopping, accommodation, adventure activities, festivals, and moreEssential information toolkit containing tips on arriving; transport; making the most of your time and money; LGBTIQ+ travel advice; useful words and phrases; accessibility; and responsible travelConnect with Indonesian culture through stories that delve deep into local life, history, and traditions Inspiring full-colour travel photography and maps Covers Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, Papua, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi 

Create a trip that's uniquely yours and get to the heart of this extraordinary country with Lonely Planet's Indonesia.

640 pages, Paperback

Published July 16, 2024

Reviews

[Kirsten Brinkers]

Kaft tot kaft. Dikke aanrader.

[Marie]

I used to love Lonely Planet guides. I’d read them on the way to a destination and actually learn something: history, culture, context. There was always a substantial introduction to the country, followed by detailed sections for regions and cities. They felt like real companions while traveling: something you could keep returning to, discovering new places and ideas along the way.

This new Indonesian edition was the complete opposite experience.

I spent over a month traveling with it and didn’t find a single piece of genuinely useful information. That’s not an exaggeration. I kept opening it, hoping it would become helpful at some point, but it never did.

What’s missing is striking. There’s almost no background on history or culture, nothing that helps you understand the country before or during your trip. When it comes to specific places—museums, temples, sights—you often don’t get even basic practical details like how to get there, opening hours, or ticket prices. These used to be standard in Lonely Planet guides, and even if slightly outdated, they were incredibly valuable.

Now the content feels thin and oddly repetitive. Sometimes, entire paragraphs seem to say the same thing in slightly different words, without adding any real substance.

What I miss most is the sense that the authors actually knew the place—that they had been there, experienced it, and were guiding you through it. Older editions felt like traveling with someone knowledgeable at your side. This one feels impersonal and strangely detached, to the point where I genuinely wondered whether the authors had even visited Indonesia.

I honestly don’t understand what the purpose of this book is anymore.