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People enjoying a vibrant sunset at Kuta Beach, Bali. Perfect for travel and leisure themes.

Southeast Asia

Backpacking Indonesia

Indonesia is a vast island nation where most backpackers start in Bali, basing themselves in surf towns such as Canggu or in Ubud's rice-field interior.

Photo: Tom Fisk / Pexels

Hostel destinations in Indonesia

People enjoying a vibrant sunset at Kuta Beach, Bali. Perfect for travel and leisure themes.

Kuta

Bali's original surf-and-backpacker beach, with Legian and Seminyak up the coastBreathtaking view of towering coastal cliffs with waves crashing in Bali, Indonesia.

Uluwatu

Clifftop surf breaks and sunsets on Bali's Bukit PeninsulaClose-up view of ancient stone sculptures and architecture at Borobudur Temple, Indonesia.

Yogyakarta

Java's cultural capital, with a sultan's palace and Borobudur and Prambanan nearbyStunning aerial photograph of Labuan Bajo islands in East Nusa Tenggara, showing vibrant blue waters and numerous boats.

Labuan Bajo

The harbour town on Flores that opens the way to Komodo National ParkA surfer rides the waves during a stunning sunset on a Bali beach, showcasing water sports excitement.

Canggu

Black-sand surf beaches, rice fields and café culture on Bali's south-west coastScenic view of lush terraced rice fields surrounded by palm trees and greenery.

Ubud

Rice terraces, temples, yoga and art in the cultural heart of Bali

Hostels and backpacking in Indonesia

Indonesia stretches across thousands of kilometres of ocean, and most first-time visitors begin in Bali before heading to Lombok, the Gili Islands, Java or further east. On Bali, the coastal strip around Canggu draws surfers and remote workers, while Ubud in the hills is known for rice terraces, yoga and Balinese arts and temples.

The hostel scene in Bali is wide. Some hostels lean into pools, surf trips and nightlife; others are quiet, garden-style places close to yoga studios and cafés. Many have co-working areas or reliable desks, reflecting the number of long-stay travellers. Elsewhere in Indonesia, hostels are fewer and simpler, and homestays fill much of the gap.