Budget accommodation on the Mentawai Islands — homestays and surf stays
Updated October 2026: This guide is based on our visit to the Mentawai Islands in August 2023, combined with additional […]

Capital: Jakarta
Area: 1 904 569 km2
Population: 270 203 917
Official languages: Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia)
Other spoken languages: more than 700 local languages, most prominent- Javanese, Sundanese, Malay, Batak, Minangkabau, Madurese, Buginese, Ambon, Papua languages and more; foreign languages: English, Dutch
Ethnic groups: Javanese, Sundanese, Malay, Batak, Betawi, Minangkabau, Buginese, Balinese and more Austronesian peoples, Melanesians
Currency: IDR (Indonesian Rupiah) (1 USD = 14,342.35 IDR; 1 EUR = 15,877.70 IDR)
Basic facts: Unitary presidential republic, part of ASEAN.
Travel tips:
1. Indonesia is the largest island country in the world, established on the largest archipelago on Earth.
2. Indonesia is located on both sides of the Equator, so the climate and geographical zone is mainly equatorial, with equatorial rainforests and warm seas with rich marine wildlife.
3. Indonesia is located on the “Ring of Fire”, between the Pacific and the Indian oceans, with about 400 volcanoes. 130 of them are active.
4. Indonesia is the culturaly most diverse country in the world, with more than 700 local ethnic groups and languages. Its motto is “Unity in Diversity”.
5. Indonesia is famous for Bali Island. Bali is prominent for its culture and tourism, but there are many more unique islands, although not so popular, like Sumatra, Java, Nias, Lombok, Komodo, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, Maluku Islands, Raja Ampat, Papua and more.
10 best destinations in Indonesia:
Updated October 2026: This guide is based on our visit to the Mentawai Islands in August 2023, combined with additional […]
Updated October 2026: This guide combines our first-hand experiences from a five-day visit to Sipora Island in August 2023 with
Updated October 2026: Transport connections to the Mentawai Islands continue to change. Mentawai Fast ferry schedules, conventional ferry departures, ticket
Updated October 2026: This guide has been reviewed to clarify the geology and tsunami hazards of the Mentawai Islands, explain
Update (October 2026): The hiking route to Lake Gunung Tujuh reopened on October 13, 2026, following a temporary closure due