Mini Guide to Indonesia

Raja Ampat

Considered one of the top diving spots in Indonesia, Raja Ampat is an archipelago comprising of more than 1,500 islands. It’s located in the West Papua province and is also part of the Coral Triangle, which contains the world’s richest marine biodiversity and is sometimes called the “Amazon of the Seas.” Apart from scuba diving and snorkeling, visitors can see the amazing caves in Tomolol or the “Sea Ghost” phenomenon, a mysterious light that wanders around the ocean’s surface every year.

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Tanjung Puting National Park

Tanjung Puting National Park was established in 1982 and covers an area of 416,040 hectares. It’s located in the Central Kalimantan province, in Borneo Island, and considered to be the easiest place to spot orangutans. It comprises mainly of black rivers and swampy coastal terrain, and most tours will take you deep into the jungle to see these marvelous great apes above “klotok,” the traditional riverboats.

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Safety and Health

Indonesia is generally a safe country. Although the crime rates are growing, you’ll rarely be faced with violence or gun crime, and you’ll more likely to be scammed or have your bag snatched in busy markets.

Make sure you take Malaria tablets if traveling to remote areas, take your Hepatitis jabs as it’s a common disease, and use insect repellents because of widespread Dengue Fever. Do not consume or traffic drugs or you could be subject to the death penalty.

Photographed and edited by Janos Csongor Kerekes / Getty Images