Hi everyone, I’m planning a trip to Indonesia (Java and Bali) and I’d like to explore on my own, but I’m struggling to find contacts for French-speaking guides—not for a full tour, but for short visits ranging from a few hours to maybe 2-3 days. I checked GetYourGuide and Klook, which seem to fit my needs, but I don’t see any French-speaking guides. Where can I find French-speaking guides locally?

If anyone has any info or tips, I’d really appreciate it! Cheers

Hi there,

We’re planning a 17-day trip to Indonesia starting on April 22nd and would love to hear your suggestions. We’re looking for itinerary ideas or places to see monkeys, birds, and beautiful rice terraces, as well as interesting natural spots like lakes or waterfalls. We’d also like to avoid overly long distances and limit ourselves to a maximum of one internal flight. For the last three days, we’d love to end the trip on a stunning beach with the chance to swim with manta rays. If you have any recommendations, must-see spots, or experiences not to miss, we’d be thrilled to hear them. Thanks in advance for your help! 😊

Hi everyone, I’m happy to be back on the forum, and to be honest, I’ve missed being able to share with this amazing community 😛

I’m starting to plan a trip for September 2025 with my wife. I’d love to visit Bali, and I’ve been reading the forum posts.

Can you tell me if September is a good time to visit Bali?

We’re in our sixties, not exactly high-level athletes, but we do travel quite a bit. We don’t like changing hotels every day—we prefer to stay in one central spot and explore the area around it. If we need to move to make the most of it, I think twice max would be fine.

I’m going to contact a French-speaking guide (I read about it on the forum) to get an idea of pricing and options, but I’d really love to hear from people who’ve already stayed there during this period and get some tips on finding accommodations.

Thanks for your help—I’ll keep reading the Bali posts now 😉

Hi there! We’ll be in Bali from July 28, 2025, to August 28, 2025, and we’d love to know which spots are worth visiting. If anyone has a travel journal or tips to share—especially since we’ll be spending our first week in Uluwatu—thanks in advance for your replies!

Hi there, We're planning our trip to Indonesia and want to take the boat to get from Bali (Padangbai) to Lombok (Senggigi). We found a ticket via the 12go.asia website with EKAJAYA Fast Company. From what I understand, the baggage weight limit is 20 kg per person for the boat. However, we’ll have 2 checked suitcases (from our flight) that should weigh around 30 kg since that’s the max allowed due to our diving gear, etc. Do they actually weigh the luggage? What happens if our bags exceed the weight limit? Extra charge? Have any of you dealt with this situation before?

Hi there,

I saw on the naturist vacations website that there’s a naturist center in Bondalem. That site doesn’t seem to have been active for a long time. Do any of you know it? Is it still open? Thanks for your replies,

Best regards,

Hi everyone, I’m trying to make sure this provider is reliable—they organize private tours in Bali with French-speaking guides. I’m currently in touch with them for a 15-day/14-night trip in May 2026. If you’ve heard of them, I’d really appreciate your feedback—it’ll help put my mind at ease (or not...). Looking forward to your replies,

Hello, We’re planning our trip for next summer, which will be based in Komodo, then Alor, and back to Bali to catch our international flight. To secure that flight, we’re planning to spend our last two full days (actually 3 nights) in Bali. We’ve already visited Bali twice—first time 30 years ago and the second time 12 years ago—and we don’t want to revisit the must-see spots (and definitely not Ubud; I had a bit of a shock there 12 years ago). What could you recommend for activities and hotel locations? We’re looking for fairly exclusive experiences, not too physically demanding since we’re not as young as we used to be. We’re big fans of good food and beautiful landscapes. Can we find a driver/guide for these two days? Thanks in advance for your recommendations

Hi there.

I’m planning to visit Bali at the end of September. I’d love to hear your tips on renting a scooter.

Is it possible to explore the island just using this mode of transport? Are gas stations easy to find? Do I need an international license? (It takes a long time to get one, and I don’t have it yet.) I’ll be staying in Ubud. Any rental places you’d recommend?

Thanks so much!!!

Hi there.

I’m planning to explore Bali solo for two weeks. I’m too late to get an international permit... Is it a good idea to get around with Bluebird taxis? Rates, schedules, reliability...

Thanks for your input! !

Time to hit the road again!

Summer seems to be the best time weather-wise for Bali. And since summer’s when we can take a long trip, let’s go for Bali... even though we know it’ll be *packed* with people! So we’ll steer clear of the island’s south...

Our current plan (19 days on the ground, 7 stops): - 4 Nights (3 days) in Ubud 2 days for rice terraces / activities (Tegallalang, Campuhan Ridge, Monkey Forest, Bird Park, coffee plantation, market (?), dance "pestacle," cooking class and/or spa) 1 day with a driver for the Temples (Pura Gunung Kawi, Tirta Empul Spring, Pura Mengening, Goa Gajah...) - 2 nights in Sidemen (1 day for Pura Kehen + Batur Caldera + Pura Besakih and 1 day to relax in the rice terraces) - 3 nights on Gili Meno (Rest and beaches) from Padangbai - 2 nights in Amed (1 day from Padangbai with the Abang rice terrace and Tirta Gangga baths, and the next day a boat tour in Amed) - 4 nights in Pemuteran (1 day for transfer and rest, 1 day to visit Kawah Ijen, and 2 days of snorkeling at Menjangan Island) - 2 nights in Munduk (1 day with the Dayang rice terrace and the 3-waterfall hike, 1 day at Pura Ulun Danu Bratan) - 2 nights in Jatiluwih (1 day in the rice terraces, and on the last day, we’ll stop by Pura Taman Ayun in Mengwi and Pura Tanah Lot before catching our red-eye flight).

Accommodations in homestays or hotels. Transportation to be arranged on-site with the lodgings (?) Boat to Gili Meno to book in advance (?) Kawah Ijen excursion to plan ahead (?)—check with the homestay (?)

Thanks for your thoughts/comments to help us explore this destination...

Hi there,

I’m heading to Bali at the end of August and I’d love to know if there are any transport options like buses. I’m planning to visit Tirta Empul temple and then make my way to Penelokan. Are there any local transport solutions, or is it necessary to hire a driver?

Hi there! I’m heading to Bali for 15 days between July and August. I’d love some ideas for fun itineraries where I don’t have to switch accommodations more than 3 times. I’d like to explore nature, culture, and also enjoy some beach time. Thanks in advance for your suggestions!!

Hi there, I’m so excited to reopen the Asia/Indonesia forum! We’ve got a trip planned for spring, and we’re planning to spend a few days on Java before wrapping up in Bali. For Java: Yogyakarta / Bromo / Ijen For Bali: Ubud / Amed See you all on the forum soon!

Hi there,

My partner and I are planning a trip to Indonesia in September-October 2026. It’ll be our first time in Asia, and we’re thinking of hitting the classic spots in East Java and Bali, then wrapping up with a cruise around Komodo for some snorkeling/diving. Here’s a rough draft of our itinerary—I’m wondering if it’s doable.

20/09: Flight from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, arrive around noon, afternoon/evening and overnight in Yogyakarta. 21/09: Borobudur 22/09: Prambanan 23/09: Travel to Bromo (Cemoro Lawang) 24/09: Bromo 25/09: Kawa Ijen 26/09: Travel to Bali, overnight in Pemuteran 27/09: Excursion to Pulau Melujan, overnight in Pemuteran 28/09: Travel to Munduk, overnight in Munduk 29/09: Explore Munduk and surroundings, overnight in Munduk 30/09: Explore Munduk and surroundings, overnight in Munduk 01/10: Route to Ubud (via Pura Ulu Danau Bratan, Jatiluwih?), overnight in Ubud 02/10: Explore Ubud and surroundings, overnight in Ubud 03/10: Explore Ubud and surroundings, overnight in Ubud 04/10: Travel to Denpasar, flight to Labuan Bajo, overnight in Labuan Bajo 05/10: Komodo cruise 06/10: Komodo cruise 07/10: Komodo cruise, flight to Denpasar in the late afternoon/evening or overnight in Labuan Bajo. 08/10: Flight to Denpasar (if not taken the day before), afternoon in Jimbaran, overnight near Denpasar 09/10: 10:00 AM flight Denpasar - SIN, overnight in Singapore 10/10: Flight SIN-YQB

Thanks for your thoughts—and for your time!

Hi there, My partner and I are planning to travel during the last week of August and the first two weeks of September for a trip to Bali and Lombok. In terms of time allocation, do you think we should spend more time in Bali or Lombok?

I’ve already been to Bali back in 2012 and have great memories of it, but it seems like mass tourism has only increased since then… so we’d rather avoid the south of the island.

We’re pretty skeptical about visiting Ubud, but it still feels like a must-see, especially for my partner who’s never been. What do you think? Is there an alternative to Ubud where he could still catch at least one Balinese dance performance?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Hi everyone. I’ve been wondering about the safety of the crossing between Gili Gede in Lombok and Bali via Gili Gateway. I need to get to Bali in early September, and the 2-hour crossing is appealing, but given recent boat incidents, I’m questioning the safety and navigation conditions. If anyone has any info, I’d love to hear it! Flying is still an option... Thanks

Hi there, what do you think of this itinerary, please? Do you think it’s doable? We’re two adults—it’s our honeymoon trip! 🙂 Our main interests lean more toward nature and landscapes than cultural visits (though we won’t rule out one or two temple visits).

01/10/2025 W 10:30 AM – Departure from CDG (overnight flight) 02/10/2025 Th 11:25 AM – Arrival in Denpasar -> Ubud (south of the city) – overnight in Ubud 03/10/2025 F – Excursions around Ubud – overnight in Ubud 04/10/2025 Sa – Excursions around Ubud (Jatiluwih) – overnight in Ubud 05/10/2025 Su – Excursions around Ubud – overnight in Ubud 06/10/2025 M – Ubud -> Amed – overnight in Amed 07/10/2025 Tu – Amed – overnight in Amed 08/10/2025 W – Amed -> Padangbai – overnight in Padangbai 09/10/2025 Th – Padangbai -> Gili Air (first morning boat) – overnight on Gili Air 10/10/2025 F – Gili Air – overnight on Gili Air 11/10/2025 Sa – Gili Air – overnight on Gili Air 12/10/2025 Su – Gili Air -> Nusa Lembongan – overnight on Nusa Lembongan 13/10/2025 M – Nusa Lembongan – overnight on Nusa Lembongan 14/10/2025 Tu – Nusa Lembongan – overnight on Nusa Lembongan 15/10/2025 W – Nusa Lembongan – overnight on Nusa Lembongan (or return to Bali depending on sea conditions) 16/10/2025 Th – Jimbaran or Seminyak – overnight in Jimbaran or Seminyak 17/10/2025 F – Jimbaran -> Denpasar – departure at 6:45 PM (overnight flight) 18/10/2025 Sa 8:00 AM – Arrival at CDG – overnight at home

Thanks in advance for your feedback! [;]

Hello,

We’re heading to Bali as a family (5 people) for about twenty days, from mid-August to early September. Since our English is pretty limited, we’d like to hire a French-speaking driver or guide to accompany us on certain days and show us around the island, picking us up directly from our various hotels.

That said, I imagine this kind of service is probably more expensive than taking a local taxi, right?

Also, which Uber-like app should we use there? And for bookings, which website should we look for accommodations on?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Hi there,

I’m heading to Bali in May and would love to spend 2 or 3 days in Munduk. What are some things we can do around Munduk? Also, do you know if hikes can be organized from there?

Thanks in advance!

Hello everyone!

In early July, we’re heading to Indonesia for a solid three weeks as a family (my partner and I are in our fifties, and we have two daughters aged 17 and 20). We’ll be arriving and departing from Denpasar. Our itinerary is still entirely up in the air, and we’d like to explore islands other than Bali (we’ve already been there a few years ago).

I’d love to gather your tips and great recommendations to help us plan our route. For now, we’re thinking of visiting Lombok, Flores, and the Komodo archipelago. Here are some of our questions: - I visited Lombok myself back in 1999. I loved it, but I’ve been reading very mixed reviews in recent travel journals. Some are as enthusiastic as I was back then, while others are much more lukewarm (due to the overly strict and visible influence of the island’s governor on the population and because of massive hotel projects—I’m not sure if they’re on hold, underway, or completed). What’s the current situation? Is Lombok still a must-visit? And do you have any tips (hotels, places to visit, health, etc.)? - Still on Lombok, I did the Rinjani trek back then. I remember the hike wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t as tough as what I’ve read in quite a few recent travel journals... My partner and I are in decent shape, but that’s about it, and especially, my partner and our two daughters really don’t like the cold. What’s your experience with this trek? And do you have a trekking agency to recommend? (If we do it, I think we’d want to make sure we have good support, including quality gear, tents, jackets, etc.) - Flores and Komodo would be a completely new experience for all of us. Any tips and recommendations are welcome (sightseeing, accommodations, transport, etc.)! In particular, we’d like to explore the Komodo archipelago with a trusted agency that will take the time to show us the archipelago’s treasures in good conditions (safety and "decent" comfort). Do you know of any such agencies? - Are there other nearby islands you’d recommend? Any advice on places to visit and where to stay?

We’ll have three weeks on the ground... and we like to mix sightseeing with downtime where we just enjoy the moment. So we’re not looking for an overly packed itinerary, but still something rich (no point traveling so far just to lie on a sunbed all day ;-))

Thanks so much in advance for your advice!

Albin

Hi there,

I’m reaching out not for myself for once😛, but for a family member who’s heading to Bali in a month and has a thousand questions. Since she doesn’t spend much time online and I don’t know this part of the world at all, I thought I’d ask for feedback here. Here’s what she’s planning:

Departure Arrival > UBUD UBUD UBUD UBUD UBUD - PEMUTERAN PEMUTERAN PEMUTERAN - MUNDUK MUNDUK MUNDUK - SIDEMEN SIDEMEN SIDEMEN - SEMINYAK SEMINYAK - DENPASAR - Flight to Komodo FLORES/KOMODO/RINCA FLORES/KOMODO/RINCA Flight to DENPASAR - SANUR Departure

She knows UBUD is very touristy but plans to stay there and take day trips from there. Her main question: is it worth going to Flores just for Komodo? Agencies apparently offer mini-cruises for 2-3 days... Type of trip: 2 adults, no kids. They like taking their time and don’t want to rush. I think they don’t mind touristy spots but still hope to find some authenticity. Thanks for your thoughts!

hi, any recommendations for an agency in Bali for the 60-day tourist e-visa?

I’d like to avoid applying for the standard 30-day e-visa and then extending it for another 30 days on the spot (with all the admin hassle and time wasted...)

Hi everyone, I’m currently working on a 30-day itinerary for May/June 2027. 10 days in eastern Java (Malang, Bromo, waterfalls, Meru Beriti Park, Banyuwangi, and Ijen), a short transit in Ubud for a few days, then Flores before heading back to Jakarta. We’ll spend 15 days in Flores (the classic route: Moni, Bajawa, Riung, Ruteng, ending in Labuan Bajo). I’d love some firsthand feedback on flights to Maumere or Ende from Bali Denpasar. I know there are no direct routes and that you have to connect through Labuan Bajo or Timor (I think), which isn’t an issue in itself. But I’ve read here and there that flights to these destinations can be delayed—or worse, canceled—and that it’s better to fly in and out of Labuan Bajo, which isn’t exactly ideal... Thanks for any tips or experiences you can share!

Hi! We (a couple) are heading to Indonesia from July 9th to August 15th (I already know some spots). > We’re hesitating about the direction of the route: Java/Bali/Nusa/Flores/Sula or Java/Sula/Flores/Bali—does it depend on the rain and flights? (That’s my first question, by the way :)) We land in Jkt on the 9th (follow-up question: where to stay? We saw the Wonderloft for 20 €—does that seem reasonable? I used to pay way less a long time ago). We’d like to leave for Borobudur on the 10th in the mid-afternoon (question 2: train or VIP bus—we’ll have just landed—nighttime or not?). Next question: any chill but nice places to stay in Borobudur, Yogyakarta, and Solo? We’re thinking one full day in Borobudur, then Yogyakarta (1 day), then Solo (1 day). Does that work time-wise without rushing?

After that, we’re heading toward the volcanoes (I always mix them up… any tips?) and crossing over to Bali (2 days?). If I’m calculating right, we’ll be in Java from the 9th to the 18th—does that sound okay to you? Or too much? I’m struggling to estimate how long temples and volcanoes take to visit.

Bali: I used to stay around Seminyak or Canggu. What’s the best place to stay now without breaking the bank? Somewhere not overrun by Australian surfers or hipster restaurants? Another question: where and how to rent a scooter in Bali? (So we can easily get to the temples and Ubud?) Is there still a way to see Kecak without it feeling super touristy, or is it just for tourists now?

We’re detouring to Nusa Penida: same deal—I want to see rays but don’t necessarily want to dive. I’ve heard the sea can be rough. Where to stay for 2–3 chill days? What to do there? It’s all new to me (haven’t researched it yet).

Then to get to Flores: do we *have* to go back through Bali and take a flight? I haven’t looked into Flores or Sulawesi much yet, so I’m not even sure what questions to ask ;) Feel free to point me in the right direction—thanks!

Sulawesi too—any tips or ideas are welcome!

Thanks so much!

Hi everyone,

Family of 4—2 adults and 2 kids (11 and 15) who are well-traveled. We’re planning a 15-day trip to Indonesia and would love your thoughts on our itinerary. We love discovering local culture, food (!!), seeing beautiful landscapes, and keeping an active pace. We’re not the type to lounge on the beach for 5 hours or spend ages by the pool when we’re halfway across the world. Also, we try to avoid places "ruined" by mass tourism (like Holbox in Mexico, which we loved 10 years ago but not at all on our last visit, or Phi Phi in Thailand, completely destroyed by mass tourism).

Special note: we love traveling by train :)

Here’s what we’ve planned so far:

**Day 1** Arrival in Jakarta, then domestic flight to Yogyakarta. Settle in Yogyakarta.

**Day 2** Borobudur in the morning, then exploring nearby villages.

**Day 3** Prambanan in the morning, followed by culinary discovery / market / local vibe in Yogyakarta.

**Day 4** Train to Jombang, then driver/bus to the Bromo area. Overnight stay.

**Day 5** Sunrise at Bromo, exploring the volcano and sea of sand. Relax in the afternoon.

**Day 6** Travel to eastern Java, then train, ferry, and road to reach Sidemen in Bali.

**Day 7** Sidemen

**Day 8** Sidemen

**Day 9** Sidemen

**Day 10** Transfer to Gili Air (car to the port + fast boat?)

**Day 11** Gili Air

**Day 12** Gili Air

**Day 13** Transfer to Ubud

**Day 14** Ubud

**Day 15** Return to Bali airport, flight to Jakarta, then international flight.

Does this itinerary seem coherent for a family? Does it feel too packed or well-balanced? Would you make any changes to certain stops, durations, or transfers?

Thanks so much for your tips and experiences!

Hi there,

I’d love some tips for great excursions around Benoa.

I’d like to visit UBUD, but how should I do it: by jeep, quad bike, or bike?

David

We’ve already explored Bali, eastern Java, and its volcanoes back in 2013, and we’d love to return to Java to discover other spots that aren’t so "mainstream." There’ll be three of us—a couple and our 25-year-old son. We love nature, small towns, villages, beautiful landscapes, and a bit of beach time... We’re used to backpacking around Southeast Asia. Any tips for exploring some great spots in Java in a coherent way, with 3 or 4 bases for a 3-week trip from late June to mid-July? We don’t want to revisit Bromo or Ijen (they seem way too crowded compared to 2013), and we might swing by Djogja but won’t redo Borobudur or Prambanan (same issue...). Looking forward to your tips! Thanks 🙂

Hi everyone! 👋🏾

We’re in Indonesia right now, currently in Bali, and we’re heading to Sulawesi for a month. We’ll land in Makassar and are thinking of taking a domestic flight to Manado so we can ideally rent a car there and then drive back down to Makassar on our own. We plan to spend about two weeks in North Sulawesi and the remaining two weeks in West/South Sulawesi.

Do you think it’s doable to travel independently like this, or is it better to stick with buses/taxis?

Any good tips for renting a vehicle? Where to pick up and drop off, road conditions, etc.?

Thanks! 😅😅

Hi everyone on the forum, happy to be back! I’m planning a 15-day trip to Flores in October. I’m coming from Bali, which I know well, as well as Lombok and Sulawesi, but it’s my first time in Flores. I’d love to hear about your experiences—what should I see? How long should I stay at each stop? I travel at a relaxed pace and won’t be renting a scooter. I enjoy walking, exploring, and taking it easy—not just lounging on beaches. For some trips, I can hire a driver and car if public transport is complicated. Thanks for your tips! 🙂