Flying to Indonesia? Here's an Introduction to the World's Largest Island Country!
Indonesia is a fabulous travel destination and is among the busiest ones in the Fareast. Millions of travellers, every year, find their way to this fascinating country to explore the beautiful beaches of Bali and the stunning Hindu and Buddhist temples scattered all across the country.
While many of you may be tempted to find that window seat on flights to Indonesia right away, too eager to explore the many gems of this beautiful country, it would be a little more prudent to learn as much as possible about this world's largest island country, located between Indian and Pacific oceans, before actually landing in the country.
Taking about landing in the country, Indonesia has multiple international airports where you can choose to arrive at. Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (Jakarta), Juanda International Airport (Surabaya) and Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar) are three of the busiest airports in the country, each of them handling millions of passengers every year. Garuda Indonesia is the flag carrier of the country and remains the largest carrier of the island. It is rated as a 5-star airline by Skytrax and is among the most preferred choice of carriers for tourists flying in to the country from different parts of the globe.
When it comes to key tourist destinations within Indonesia, Bali is the obvious favourite of the most who are captivated by the province’s coastal beauty and cultural heritage. Jakarta, the capital and the largest city, is another famous tourist destination of Indonesia. The city is best known for its new age, modern marvels. Lombok, Bandung, Ubud, and Bogor are some of the other key destinations where huge crowds of foreign tourists can often be noticed.
If we narrow down the prospect and talk about specific sites and attractions that seem to have mesmerised tourists the most, the likes of , , , and perhaps take the top honours. But not far behind or rather standing at par are other crowd pullers such as
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In terms of climatic conditions, Indonesia is more or less a year round destination. Still, the best time to be here is the dry season (April to October). But if you are more concerned about the inflating hotel tariffs and expensive air tickets during the peak season, you will be better off enjoying an affordable holiday in the country during the monsoon season (November to March). Along with the weather, the many festivals and events play a crucial role in determining what could be the best time to visit Indonesia. Pasola (February or March), Galungan (July), and National day (17th August) are some of the most colourful celebrations that are loved by the tourists.
One of the best things about Indonesia is its terrific cuisine. Not unlike other Fareast countries, the street fare in Indonesia is incredibly delicious and massively popular. Of course, there are numerous upmarket, fine dining restaurants in the country as well, especially in Bali and Jakarta. Sate (skewered grilled meat served with peanut sauce) and Rendang (spicy meat dish) are just two of the many local delicacies that can be enjoyed by travellers hoping to relish some local favourites.
Last but certainly not the least is a set of useful tips and advice for travellers who are on their way to Indonesia. Nothing ruins a holiday like a bout of illness. So, make sure you are healthy all throughout your trip by sticking to drinking from mineral bottled water. Also, please avoid arak (locally distilled rice spirit). While it is exceptionally famous among the locals in Indonesia, there have been cases where badly made arak has proved to be deadly for tourists. Next, you are advised to keep handy a steady supply of high-SPF sunscreen.
