The beauty of backpacking through Indonesia is that there’s something for everyone. For surf lovers, Lombok is paradise. For divers, sites like Wakatobi Islands and Bunaken Islands are a dream. For yoga enthusiasts, Ubud offers the ultimate zen experience. And for those who just want to relax on gorgeous beaches and enjoy the best nature has to offer, most destinations in Indonesia will deliver.
The types of activities and ventures you have to choose from are vast, and you want to be prepared for any and all you decide to take on during your travels. So when you’re trying to decide exactly what to pack for Indonesia, you want to be sure to pack smart.
Once you’ve covered all of your Indonesia packing essentials and checked off the list, you can relax and focus on the fun stuff – like having a trip of a lifetime.
Let’s begin!
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The Ultimate Indonesia Packing List
How you pack for Indonesia will largely depend on what activities you have in mind. For relaxing in Bali, you can get pretty far with beach wear and backpacker standard uniform. On the other hand, other islands are more conservative and require a bit of modesty. Then, you need to factor in any kind of specialist, outdoor camping type gear you plan to use.
Whether you fly right into Bali or stay in Batam after sailing over from Singapore ready for an overland adventure, there are a few things any traveller to Indonesia needs.
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Best Backpack For Indonesia: Nomatic Travel Bag
Before you even take on the task of figuring out what to pack for Indonesia, you’ll need an amazing backpack to pack it all into. For all types of travelers and destinations, our number one recommendation is the Nomatic Travel Bag.
The Nomatic travel bag covers every detail to make backpacking travel the best experience. Because of its smart design, it manages to provide loads of packing space in a convenient, carry-on size package! Its handy built-in pockets make plenty of room for all the necessities on your what to pack for Indonesia checklist – you’ll find separate compartments for important items like shoes, water bottle, electronics, underwear and socks. As an added bonus, there’s also an RFID-safe and cord management pocket.
You have a choice between backpack or duffel bag carry, and extra carrying comfort for your back thanks to its innovative strap system and detachable sternum strap. And its black, waterproof material is every bit sleek and modern as it is durable and tough. There is a reason why most Broke Backpacker staff swear by this backpack.
Best Suitcase For Indonesia: Nomatic Carry-On Pro
Backpacks not your thing? That’s ok. Our friends at Nomatic are back again with a great alternative to their badass Travel Bag; the Nomatic Carry-On Pro.
This suitcase is ultra-durable, sleek, and comes with a handy tech compartment for transporting your laptop and other electronic bits. Nomatic has been an industry leader when it comes to travel gear and that reputation is reflected in the quality build design and functionality of the Carry-On Pro suitcase. Top tip – there are often some bargain domestic flights within Indonesia which you can take full advantage off if you travel carry-on only.
Check out our Nomatic Carry-On Pro review to learn more about this epic suitcase.
Best Camera For Indonesia: GoPro Hero9 Black
For most of us, our smartphones now feature cameras with stunning photo capabilities.
But… if you are an aspiring photographer who wants to take next-level photos and video beyond iPhone selfies, I recommend going with an action camera like the GoPro Hero9 Black.
It does deliver pro-quality video and gives you a bunch of a different angle options and shooting speeds to work with for photos (including a selfie-mode).
Think of a camera purchase like this as a long term investment that will have you capturing epic shots well beyond your time exploring here.
If you are looking for something cheaper for video specifically, check out these epic GoPro Alternatives.
Packing Cubes For Indonesia – Wandrd Packing Cubes
In case you have never used them, packing cubes are little compression cubes that allow you to neatly pack clothes in in order to help facilitate better packing. They allow you to pack more stuff, and to keep it all better organised.
For the longest time, I thought that packing cubes were a superfluous indulgence, but boy was I wrong. Now I never travel without a few. These ones from WANDRD are great quality and excellent value for money. Get them on your Australia packing list now!
Best Sim For Indonesia – HolaFly eSim
The good news about Australia is that there is extensive 4g and 5g Internet coverage offering ready access to taxi apps and food delivery apps. The bad news is that your native SIM card will most probably not work and so you will not be able to access any of this online goodness until you rectify that particular situation.
You can waste time hanging around phone shops queuing to get a plastic sim or you can simply install a eSim onto your phone before you leave home. You just access the HolaFly site, choose the relevant package, download it and off you go – you are online the moment you land at the airport. eSims are easier to set up and better than the environment than plastic sims. The downside is that not all phones are eSim ready.
Best Travel Towel For Australia – Matador Packable Towel
Towels are essential backpacking gear as a lot of hostels don’t provide them or if they do, they may not really be all that clean. However don’t bring a ‘normal’ towel on your backpacking journeys, they are big and take up loads of room in your pack and they take ages to dry.
Travel pros like use micro-fibre dry towels that roll up into tiny, space saving proportions AND they dry unbelievably quick. Granted, they are not quite as comforting as a cotton towel but its a trade of that travellers need to make. A good micro-fibre travel towers is essential travel gear on any ultimate backpacking gear list.
What To Pack For Indonesia Checklist: Personal Gear
So what to wear in Indonesia? Our tip is to dress for the tropics no matter where are headed. However, do make sure to bring some long skirts or pants for when you visit conservative areas. Indonesia does also get rainy seasons so packing a bit of rain gear is also a god idea.
Want to save money on accommodation?
We got you. For reals.
Salomon X Ultra 3 Low Aero
Visitors to Indonesia have a tendency to underestimate the amount of walking that is part the trip. As well as beaches, Indonesia also offers bustling cities, amazing jungles and lush volcanoes to hike all of which require plenty of walking.
I admit that most shoes that are also good for hiking are not the most attractive pieces of footwear. But they are some of the most comfortable and deliver good ankle support for a long day of walking about town or exploring the National Parks of Indonesia. They are also essential if you want to ride a scooter as they offer your feet protection in case you crash or make an emergency stop.
Check out the women’s Salomon X Ultra 3 Low Aero.
Arcteryx Beta AR
Did you know that the surface of the earth is over 70% covered in water? And you know how that water got there? Yep because it tends to here rain here on planet earth quite a lot! Indonesia does get rainy seasons and it is important to check before you fly whether you are going to hit one. The downpours can be intense so packing a good rain jacket is a must.
There is no such thing as bad weather, only the wing gear for it. Don’t let a bit (of a lot) of rain ruin your trip and make sure you are ready with some top notch rain gear. This is especially vital if you visit Indonesia during the rainy season.
This is our pick of the many rain jackets we have tried. It’s reliable & stylish and looks good worn out in the mountains or in city bars. As far as travel clothing goes, this an integral addition to your suitcase.
Swimwear
As an archipelago nation, Indonesia is not short of beaches and the chances are you that you will be spending a lot of time on them! Therefore, if you are wondering what to bring to Indonesia then start with swimwear!
Even if you are headed to the Bali interior (Ubud for example) then there are endless infinity pools and hot tubs waiting for you not to mention some natural waterfalls.
Travel First Aid Kit
You don’t need to tote around half a pharmacy, but a well-stocked first aid kit should be in all our backpacks. Stuff happens on the road and it’s inconvenient and embarrassing when you can’t manage small situations like a cut finger or hangover migraine.
You can tuck this lifesaver away in a forgotten pocket – and it’ll be there when you need it.
Tip: Add a few bits and pieces to the first aid kit after you purchase it, like extra headache medicine, any personal meds you need (like allergy pills), whatever you take to calm your stomach and a few more plasters.
Travel Insurance From World Nomads
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Planner/Travel Journal
Keeping a journal is one of the best things to do when traveling. The Drifter Leather Journal by Kodiak is our favorite, it works great for digital nomads and organized backpackers and can be used as planner or a dream diary – whatever you want!
Keep on track with your goals, travels and save those precious memories, especially the ones you do not want to share online. This one is bound in beautiful leather so it looks beautiful and will withstand life on the road.
Abaco Sunglasses
A reliable pair of sunglasses is undoubtedly one of your Indonesia packing essentials. Our favorites are Abaco Polarized Sunglasses because they deliver on quality and style.
They’re built tough with triple-layer scratch-resistant lenses and trademarked Adventure-proof Frame Material. You can also customize them with your choice of lens and frame colors to reflect your own style.
Thinksport Safe SPF 50+
By now, all of us are as pasty as the driven snow from sheltering in place for the last six months. Am I right? This means we are even more vulnerable than usual to the sun’s fierce rays. Packing sunscreen for Indonesia may seem like a no brainer, but you would be amazed how many sun-burned cocktail-toting people you see wandering around.
Thinksport Safe SPF 50+ sunscreen gives folks strong sun protection in a non-oily formula that’s free of gluten, paraben, phthalates and biologically harmful chemicals.
Hanging Toiletry Bag
Another backpacker/traveler favorite for staying organized is a hanging toiletry bag. It’s extremely helpful to have all of your accessories neatly gathered in one bag that you can hang for easy accessibility, especially when counter space isn’t plentiful or even available. A well-organized bag is worth having whether you’re tree whilst camping or a hook in the wall – it helps to have quick access to all your stuff.
Historically, I have been the guy who has my stuff all over the bathroom, so getting one of these things really changed the toiletry game for me. Plus they are not too expensive either. A no-brainer essential.
OluKai ‘Ohana Flip-Flops
Circling back to the footwear question, now we are going to talk about sandals. Whilst good shoes are important for hikes, city tours and riding scooters, a good pair of flip-flops are still a good idea for what to pack for Bali.
Your packing for Indonesia can easily accommodate a few pairs of light shoes and sandals and give your feet some well-deserved cushion and fresh air. These Olukai flip flops are ultra-comfortable, well-made, and come in a variety of colors.
Check out the women’s OluKai ‘Ohana Flip-Flops.
Money Belt By Pacsafe
Whilst Indonesia is not particularly dangerous, crime can still happen and tourists are sometimes targeted.
Therefore it is always a good idea to use a money belt to hide your cash just in case something does go wrong.
Patagonia Fitz Roy Trucker
As you should know by now, the sun in Indonesia is strong and you will undoubtedly be spending a lot of time outside. Having a hat on your Indonesia packing list is a good way to ensure your face is protected from the sun throughout the day.
Patagonia makes great hats. I have probably bought three or four of these over the last five years. Simple. Practical. Comfortable. That is what you are after.
Osprey Daylite Plus
If you intend on doing any hiking, day trips or scooting around the country then you will need a daypack. They are great for carrying water, hat’s and gloves and for packing sandwiches for lunch. We love Osprey products and this daypack is our personal pick.
The Osprey Daylite Plus has a mesh-covered panel to keep your back cool and fresh by minimizing contact with the back of the pack itself and allowing air to get between you and the pack.
Check out our full review of the Osprey Daylite plus for more details.
Additionally, you can attach it to other Osprey packs in case you want to add more capacity and carry just one piece of luggage… but the reviews on this feature are mixed.
Hydroflask Vacuum Bottle 32 oz.
Packing a reusable water bottle is probably the best thing you can personally do to combat single-use plastic bottle use whilst traveling. There is simply zero need to buy plastic water bottles. Whilst drinking tap water in Bali isn’t advisable, there are plenty of water filters you can fill up from.
We love the Hydroflask Vacum Bottle for its quality and because it keeps cold water cold for many hours and vice versa for hot beverages. This bottle is the ideal water bottle to get not just for your Indonesia trip but for daily use. Please don’t be that person buying plastic water bottles. We are all judging you…especially mother earth.
If you go with the Hydroflask, you’ll probably never need to buy another waterbottle again.
Nemo Disco 15
At some point in your trip to Indonesia, you will probably go camping or at the very least will spend a night at a hostel with insufficient bedding, or with dirty bedding that you would rather not lay in. Therefore bringing a sleeping bag is often a great investment.
There are a LOT of sleeping bags on the market today and we have tried a lot of them. The quality and standards varies and not always in correlation with the price – pricey does not always mean better. The Nemo Disco 15 is a great all rounder sleeping bag packing in warmth, durability and a reasonable price tag.
The Basic Stuff To Pack For Indonesia
On top of the essential items listed above, here is an additional suggested checklist of what to pack bring to Indonesia:
- 1-2 pairs of comfortable pants/jeans
- 1-2 pairs of shorts (summer/late spring)
- A few pairs of socks
- (Sexy) underwear x 2/3
- Ladies: a few dresses, pants, outfits, or desired lady apparel for a night on the town. Whatever makes you comfy!
- Dudes: A few collard shirts or something half-way decent for a night on the town. Whatever makes you comfy!
- Smartphone with a good camera for photos if you are not bringing an actual camera
- Portable power bank for charging your phone on the go
- Phone charger
- Amazon Kindle for reading by your infinity pool
- Copy of your passport just in case
- Cash (not too much, there are ATM machines everywhere
- Packable Towel
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Final Thoughts on What to Pack for Indonesia
And there you have it! Your complete Indonesia survival guide with our top-21 needs list, a breakdown of typical weather conditions by season and how to best pack for them, what not to pack and the best travel backpack for Indonesia!
Just focus on packing smart and light; don’t weigh yourself down with the extras. The beauty of budget-style backpacking is that it’s about the adventure, so stay focused on packing functionally and staying safe. All the other things will work themselves itself out. So, gear up and get excited because your Indonesian adventure awaits!
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