Indonesia is a great country to see with your family. Its unique cultural and traditional heritage makes it interesting for children and a dreamy family vacation spots. With over 17,000 islands, it will keep you occupied and have one of the best travel experiences in your life.
Around 10 million tourists come to Indonesia every year and enjoy its diverse offer. From temples, over sandy beaches and to the festivals, this is an attractive destination to visit with your family. Therefore, here are some amazing things you can do with kids in Indonesia.
1. Meet Komodo Dragons
Komodo dragons are animals that not many people have an opportunity to see. They are dangerous, but still fascinating creatures that you shouldn’t miss to see. After all, your kids will brag forever that they’ve seen a real dragon and that alone will be one of the highlights of your vacation.
These amazing creatures live on Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Montag and Padar islands and you can apply to go with one of the tour groups or hire a private guide. Of course, these lizards are venomous and dangerous so respect all the safety guidelines and make sure your kids understand them.
2. Hiking and sightseeing
Usually, when you mention Indonesia to people, they immediately imagine wonderful beaches and incredible food. However, this country is full of landscapes that even the children wouldn’t want to miss. Although hiking seems like something tiring, in Indonesia this activity is anything but ordinary and your kids will love it.
There are many hiking trails you can take and enjoy breathtaking views. Hike up the volcano of Mount Rinjani in Lombok which is actually partially active and the second highest in Indonesia after Mount Bromo in Java you can also see. Sipiso-Piso Waterfall in Sumatra is 120 metres tall and has 600 steps from top to bottom. The best thing about it is that you can take a dip there so bring your swimsuits with you and enjoy the pool below.
Multi-coloured lake on Mount Kelimutu is a sight to remember with waters changing colours from blue, green and black, depending on the season. If you want to show your kids something truly otherworldly, take them to Kawah Ijen on Java. You can observe a volcano crater with blue fire there which is best seen during the night and happens due to the sulphur in the water.
3. Visit the orangutans
Indonesia has a rich and beautiful wildlife which you should certainly see as much as possible. Besides the Komodo dragons we already mentioned, there are Sumatran tigers, rhinos and elephants, to name a few. However, orangutans are the species you shouldn’t miss and a unique opportunity to see them in their natural habitat.
Tanjung Puting National Park and Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Centre are one of the destinations where you can see these beautiful animals accompanied by an expert tour guide. We share almost 97% of genetic code with these creatures and children will be overwhelmed by that fact and possibility to see them.
4. Discover Bali
The most common tourist destination in Indonesia is Bali. Besides the wonderful beaches you can enjoy in this island-province, there are many other things you probably never imagined to experience here. Choose one of the Bali rentals, like Bingin villas and enjoy a luxurious stay with your children. What is more, you won’t even have to worry about a thing! There, you’ll have a private pool, your own staff and you are guaranteed privacy, which makes this place a perfect family accommodation.
Visit chocolate factories in Bali like Big Tree Farms or go to the number one waterpark in Asia Waterbom Bali. Your kids will love cruises on the ocean and opportunity to snorkel and see some of the amazing marine life. In addition, for some leisure time, enjoy the white-sand beaches and see-through waters which are a great chance to try some water sports like surfing or scuba diving.
5. Water activities
Indonesia has a rich and magnificent ocean life and you and your family can observe them in person. You can take some scuba diving lessons and go on the tours to see the coral reefs. One of the most exciting things would be to see sharks up close while swimming in the box beside them.
Kayaking and snorkelling are the usual activities on the beaches and your kids will surely have fun observing fish and collecting seashells. There are extreme water sports like parasailing, flyboarding or rafting, so make sure that they’re appropriate for children as well.
6. Temples of Indonesia
Indonesia is full of ancient Hindu and Buddhist temples that testify about its rich traditions and customs. Take your family on the tours to see them and hear stories about their origin. Most of the temples are located within the lush landscapes overlooking the ocean, rice fields or jungle which makes them unique sightseeing destinations.
Ratu Boko Temple in Java is in ruins but there is still enough of spirituality this place offers. It’s located on the high plateau which offers an amazing panoramic view, especially during sunset. Sewu Temple will be an interesting sight for children because of it statutes at the entrance and architecture as though from a fairytale.
Pura Luhur Uluwatu is a small temple above the sea situated on a cliff and dedicated to the Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa – a Supreme God of Hinduism in Indonesia. This temple in Bali is one of the main tourist attractions and is one of the four built to protect the island from evil.
Borobudur in Java is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. It survived bombings, earthquakes and volcanic activities and is still standing above the green rice fields. It resembles a pyramid with statues positions on each of its five stories. On the top, in the centre, there are 72 statues of Buddha built by hand.
All in all
If you wonder where to go with your family next, pick Indonesia for your vacation. This country offers a variety of amazing things to do as a family, as well as to learn something together. You will not only experience a fun time with your children but also a quality one with memories to remember fondly.
