Indonesia
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
Indonesia is highly regarded for its affordability, diverse landscapes, and favorable dry season (June–August), though opinions on Bali are polarized. While the islands offer world-class snorkeling and rich culture, major cities are often criticized for overcrowding, pollution, and poor infrastructure.
Pros
- Highly affordable travel costs, including very cheap hostel options
- Diverse landscapes ranging from tropical beaches to cultural temples and mountains
- Ideal dry season weather from June to August, making it a top choice during those months
- Excellent snorkeling and clear-water activities in areas like Komodo, Flores, and the Gili Islands
- Generally perceived as safe, with some users feeling safer there than in major European cities
Cons
- Overcrowded and polluted urban centers with significant trash issues
- Unstable internet connectivity, particularly in less developed regions
- Slow inter-island transport, often relying on time-consuming ferries
- Bali is frequently described as overly touristy and may not suit all travelers' preferences
Caveats
- Locals at popular sites like temples may frequently request photos with foreign tourists, which can become overwhelming
- Infrastructure for digital nomads is often lacking outside of major hubs like Bali and Lombok
- Language barriers can make it difficult to have a truly 'local' experience outside of English-speaking tourist areas
Best for
- Budget backpackers
- Snorkeling and diving enthusiasts
- Travelers seeking a mix of nature and culture beyond just beaches
- Visitors planning a Southeast Asia trip during the June-August window
Avoid if
- You require high-speed, reliable internet for remote work
- You are sensitive to urban overcrowding and pollution
- You want to avoid highly commercialized and crowded tourist zones
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 18-month half-life. The evidence comes from a window between January 2025 and March 2026, with a median source age of approximately 207 days.
Sentiment
46 positive (77%) · 8 mixed (13%) · 6 negative (10%)
Trust + time weighted score: +68% · raw score 67%
What redditors said (10 of 60)
Après si je dois vraiment choisir, l'Indonésie a été mon 1er voyage très loin, seul, avec mon sac à dos, il a donc une saveur particulier.
Despite this, I couldn't resist this country, which looked incredible, so I went for a month.
It can EASILY be cheap especially if traveling southeast asian countries (ex: vietnam, thailand, indonesia) and hostels always exist too. You can literally find hostels in vietnam for like $4-8 a night.
I really liked Indonesia as well other than the touristy parts of Bali, which wasn't at all my vibe.
We have been in Indonesia for a week or so now and the amount of locals, especially during our visits to temples, who ask to take a photo with her is crazy! At one point a genuine queue started to form and security had to come over and disperse the crowds.
Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Turkey. My understanding is also that seafood doesn't need to be halal? Pretty much go anywhere in Asia lol.
Indonesia and Vietnam generally cost less than Thailand. Among SEA, Indonesia has the best weather in June, but it's also their high season. It's great for snorkelling.
Indonesia has better weather in those months.
It feels like Thailand and Indonesia they dominate in the tourists.
Go to Indonesia and skip Bali. There are many other places in Indonesia.