Indonesia is a vast archipelago of over 17,000 islands, offering incredible diversity from ancient temples and volcanic landscapes to pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs. Home to unique cultures, world-class diving, and lush rainforests, it's exceptional territory for adventure seekers and culture enthusiasts alike.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Remove shoes before entering homes, mosques, and many temples and warungs
Dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees) when visiting mosques, temples, and rural communities
Friday midday prayers are important for Muslim communities — many shops close briefly between 11:30AM-1:30PM on Fridays
In Bali, white-and-yellow checked cloths (poleng) on temple statues and trees indicate sacred spaces — treat these areas with respect
During Ramadan, eating, drinking, and smoking in public during daylight hours is disrespectful in Muslim areas outside Bali
Nyepi (Balinese New Year Day of Silence) means no flights in or out of Bali, no outdoor activity — plan accordingly if visiting in March/April
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Greet with 'Selamat pagi/siang/sore/malam' (Good morning/afternoon/late afternoon/evening) — Indonesians appreciate efforts to use Bahasa
- Use your right hand for giving and receiving objects, eating, and greeting — the left hand is considered unclean
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially during ceremonies or in traditional villages
- Dress respectfully when visiting religious sites — sarongs and sashes are often provided at Balinese temples
- Accept offers of food and drink graciously even if just a symbolic taste — refusing hospitality can cause offense
- Take off shoes before entering homes and many traditional warungs, even if not explicitly asked
Don't
- Don't touch people's heads — the head is considered the most sacred part of the body in Javanese and Balinese culture
- Don't point with your index finger — use your thumb or an open hand to indicate direction
- Don't raise your voice or show anger in public — maintaining composure and indirect communication is valued
- Don't step on or over offerings (canang sari) placed on the ground throughout Bali — walk around them
- Don't enter temples during menstruation (this is the traditional Balinese custom; signs are posted)
- Don't display excessive public affection — kissing and hugging in public is frowned upon outside resort areas
- Don't wear revealing clothing outside of beach areas — bikini tops and shorts are inappropriate in markets and villages
Local customs
Traditions and practices you'll encounter.
Gotong Royong (Communal Cooperation)
The deeply held Indonesian value of communal self-help and mutual assistance that underpins community life from village clean-up days to collective farming, temple maintenance, and family celebrations. Participating in or acknowledging this community spirit is highly valued.
Canang Sari (Daily Balinese Offerings)
Balinese Hindu women prepare and place small woven palm leaf offerings containing flowers, rice, and incense at their home shrines, temple gates, and on the ground at dawn and dusk. These daily offerings to the gods are a sacred practice — never disturb or step on them.
Musyawarah Mufakat (Consensus Decision-Making)
Indonesian culture emphasizes reaching collective agreement through deliberation rather than majority-vote decision making. This principle of finding consensus through respectful dialogue operates at all levels from village meetings to national government and shapes the indirect communication style.
Slametan (Communal Feast Blessing)
A Javanese communal meal ceremony involving prayers and shared food that marks life transitions, calendar events, and seeks divine blessing for a household or community. Being invited to a slametan is an honor — guests typically receive a take-home portion wrapped in banana leaf.
Nyepi (Bali Day of Silence)
The Balinese Hindu New Year day of complete silence, darkness, and stillness when Bali's entire Hindu community meditates indoors, the airport closes, and no outdoor activity is permitted for 24 hours. The preceding night features spectacular ogoh-ogoh parade of giant demon sculptures through the streets.
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- Handshake common for formal introductions; between Muslim men and women, a slight bow with hand to heart is appropriate if a woman does not extend her hand first; Balinese may press palms together in a prayer gesture
- Dining
- Wait for the host or eldest person to begin eating; complimenting the food is important; it's polite to try all dishes offered; use right hand or spoon for eating
- Dress
- Smart casual for business; modest dress in religious areas; resort wear confined to beach and pool areas; traditional kebaya or batik shirt appreciated at cultural events
- Gifts
- Gifts are not typically opened immediately upon receipt; wrap gifts nicely — presentation matters; avoid giving alcohol to Muslim hosts; food items and quality local crafts are appropriate
- Business
- Exchange business cards with both hands and take a moment to study the card before setting it aside respectfully; hierarchy is important — address the most senior person first; building relationships (silaturahmi) before business is expected
- Tipping
- Not mandatory but appreciated — 10% in restaurants, IDR 20,000-50,000 for drivers and guides, IDR 10,000-20,000 per bag for porters. Service charge (15%) is added at tourist restaurants.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Halo / Selamat datang
Hello
hah-loh / seh-lah-maht dah-tahng
Selamat pagi
Good morning
seh-lah-maht pah-gee
Terima kasih
Thank you
teh-ree-mah kah-see
Sama-sama
You're welcome
sah-mah sah-mah
Berapa harganya?
How much does it cost?
beh-rah-pah har-gah-nyah
Terlalu mahal
Too expensive
tehr-lah-loo mah-hal
Enak / Lezat
Delicious
eh-nahk / leh-zaht
Di mana...?
Where is...?
dee mah-nah
Saya tidak mengerti
I don't understand
sah-yah tee-dahk meng-er-tee
Tolong / Silakan
Please
toh-lohng / see-lah-kahn
Tidak pedas
No spicy please
tee-dahk peh-dahs
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Indonesia.
Main: Islam (87% of population); Hinduism predominant in Bali; Protestant and Catholic Christianity significant in Papua, North Sulawesi, and Flores; Buddhism among Chinese-Indonesian communities
Sites: Istiqlal Mosque Jakarta (Southeast Asia's largest mosque); Pura Besakih Bali (Mother Temple); Borobudur Buddhist temple; Prambanan Hindu temple complex; Cathedral Church of Our Lady of the Assumption Jakarta
Holy Days: Eid ul-Fitr (end of Ramadan — national holiday), Eid ul-Adha, Nyepi (Balinese New Year), Waisak (Buddhist Day), Christmas — all are national holidays in Indonesia's plural state
Conversations: Avoid criticizing any religion, as Indonesia's Pancasila state philosophy (Five Principles) enshrines religious tolerance as foundational — interfaith disrespect is deeply offensive; political discussions about religious extremism or the 1965 communist purge should be approached very carefully