Southeast Asia

Indonesia

From Bali's rice terraces to Komodo's dragons and Flores' volcanoes, Indonesia's 17,000 islands offer a lifetime of budget adventure.

A young girl waving the Indonesian flag in a rice field lined with palm trees

Indonesia’s sheer size means budgets and experiences vary widely, but even Bali — the most developed and touristed island — remains excellent value compared to most beach destinations.

Why it’s cheap

Warung (local eateries) meals cost $1–3, scooter rental runs $4–6 a day, and guesthouse rooms outside the most touristy strips start around $10.

Getting around

Scooters are the default way to get around most islands. For inter-island travel, budget ferries and domestic flights (often under $40) connect Bali, Lombok, Flores, and beyond.

Where budget meets comfort

Ubud and Canggu in Bali offer stylish guesthouses with pools for $15–25 a night — well below equivalent beach or jungle stays elsewhere in the world.