Indonesia Travel from Canada: The Complete Guide

Indonesia rewards the long trip over. Canadian citizens qualify for a visa on arrival or, better, an e-VOA applied for online before departure: 30 days, extendable once, for 500,000 IDR (about $39 CAD, as an indication). Every routing involves at least one stop, since no airline flies non-stop from Montreal or Toronto: the usual paths run through Taipei, Tokyo, Seoul, Doha or Istanbul, for 22 to 28 hours of total travel. Dry season, May through September, is the ideal window for Bali, Java, Komodo and Lombok. The time difference reaches 12 hours with Bali in summer, so day and night are practically reversed. Once you land, your dollar stretches far: a local meal costs $2 to $6 CAD and a private villa with a pool runs $70 to $180 CAD a night. Our advisors build Indonesia itineraries for Canadian travellers every week — here is what you need to know.

The essentials at a glance

Why Indonesia

One country delivers the temples of Java, the rice terraces and clifftop temples of Bali, the Komodo dragons, sea turtles off the Gili Islands and sunrises over active volcanoes. That is what sets the archipelago apart: in two weeks you can change worlds three or four times without changing countries, thanks to cheap domestic flights (Garuda, Citilink, Lion Air/Batik) and fast boats between islands.

The other argument is the cost of living. At the current rate ($1 CAD for roughly 12,800 IDR, as an indication), a meal at a warung, the local eatery, costs $2 to $6 CAD, and a private driver for the day runs $50 to $80 CAD, fuel included. The flight takes real effort; everything after landing more than makes up for it.

When to go

Getting there from Canada

The Taipei routing, with EVA Air or China Airlines, often gives the best mix of duration and price to Bali (Denpasar airport, DPS). From Toronto, both carriers fly straight to Taipei; from Montreal, itineraries usually connect first through Toronto or Vancouver. Other options run through Tokyo (ANA with Air Canada) or Seoul (Korean Air), while Qatar Airways via Doha and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul depart directly from Montreal, and KLM or Air France serve Jakarta (CGK) via Amsterdam or Paris. Whatever the path, count on 22 to 28 hours door to door, sometimes more with two stops.

Within Indonesia, flights between Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Bali and Labuan Bajo are frequent and affordable; check the on-time record and baggage allowances of local carriers before buying.

The regions to know

Bali: Ubud, Uluwatu and Canggu

Bali packs three distinct moods into one island. In the centre, Ubud lines up the Tegallalang rice terraces, temples, yoga studios and the Monkey Forest, where you keep glasses and phones out of the monkeys' reach. In the south, Uluwatu draws travellers with its cliffs, its surf and its sunset temple, where the kecak dance is performed. To the west, Canggu and Seminyak run on beaches, cafés and nightlife, with a large digital nomad community. Traffic is heavy: allow 1.5 to 2 hours between the south and Ubud. To plan the island area by area, see our complete Bali travel guide.

Java: Yogyakarta, Borobudur and Jakarta

Yogyakarta is the cultural heart of Java and the natural base for Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Access to the upper levels is now limited to timed slots with a guide: book ahead, especially for sunrise, the most sought-after slot. Nearby, the Hindu complex of Prambanan rounds out the day. The capital serves mostly as the country's air gateway; our Jakarta guide covers what to do there in a day or two.

Komodo and Flores

A one-hour flight from Bali lands you in Labuan Bajo, on Flores, the departure point for one- to three-day cruises through Komodo National Park. The highlights: Komodo dragons, viewed only with a ranger present, the Padar Island lookout and the pink beach. The park charges entry fees and all outings are supervised; dry season brings calmer seas for the sailing.

Lombok and the Gili Islands

A fast boat from Bali takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours, on seas that can get rough, to reach the three Gili Islands, each with its own role: Trawangan for the party crowd, Air and Meno for quiet. Diving and snorkelling with sea turtles are the main event. On Lombok itself, the Rinjani volcano climb is a two- to three-day trek, dry season only.

Volcanoes and adventure: Bromo and Kawah Ijen

In eastern Java, Mount Bromo is watched at sunrise from the Penanjakan viewpoint, a classic of any Indonesia trip. Farther east, Kawah Ijen is climbed at night to see its blue flames. The two combine into a two- to three-day overland circuit between Yogyakarta and Bali, a natural bridge between Javanese culture and Balinese beaches.

Budget, in Canadian dollars

The flight is the big-ticket item; nearly everything else costs less than at home. Ranges below are indicative and depend on your dates and the exchange rate:

ATMs are everywhere; stick to bank-operated machines. Rupiah denominations are huge (100,000 Rp is roughly $7.80 CAD): count the zeros twice before paying.

Entry requirements and health for Canadian citizens

• Passport valid for at least six months, with proof of onward or return travel.
• Visa: e-VOA or visa on arrival for Canadians, 500,000 IDR (about $39 CAD, as an indication), valid 30 days and extendable once for another 30 days (500,000 IDR more). Apply for the e-VOA before departure on the official site evisa.imigrasi.go.id and steer clear of unofficial websites.
• Bali tourist levy: 150,000 IDR (about $12 CAD) per foreign visitor, payable on the official Love Bali portal (lovebali.baliprov.go.id) before or upon arrival. Keep the QR receipt: checks are carried out at tourist sites.
• Health: visit a travel health clinic six weeks before departure (hepatitis A and B, typhoid; Japanese encephalitis and rabies to discuss depending on your itinerary). Dengue is present everywhere, including Bali: use DEET or icaridin repellent and wear long sleeves at dusk.
• Rabies: keep your distance from monkeys (glasses theft and bites are frequent at Ubud's Monkey Forest and Uluwatu) and from stray dogs; any bite or scratch requires immediate medical care. Tap water is replaced by sealed bottled water; be careful with ice.
• Travel insurance with full medical and evacuation coverage is essential. On a scooter, an international motorcycle permit is required; without it, insurance is often void.
• Check travel.gc.ca/destinations/indonesia for up-to-date entry requirements and official advisories before you go.

Our advice, after sending hundreds of clients

Apply for your e-VOA and pay the Love Bali levy before takeoff: you will clear immigration while others line up at the counter. Book Borobudur time slots and Komodo cruises as soon as your dates are set, especially for July and August. On the ground, the Gojek and Grab apps cost a fraction of taxi fares, but some beach areas are reserved for local taxis; your hotel will point them out. The 12-hour time difference is easier to absorb if you sleep early the first two nights and lean into the sunrises, which are the point of the trip here anyway.

One last piece of advice, the most valuable: skip the scooter unless you carry an international motorcycle permit and real riding experience. At $50 to $80 CAD a day, a private driver turns Balinese traffic into rest time, and two well-built weeks are then enough to combine Bali with Java, or Bali with Komodo, without rushing.

Ready to plan your Indonesia trip? Talk to an advisor who knows the ground — free of charge and with no obligation. 450-628-6241 | 1-866-628-6241 | info@voyagesaquaterra.com — More than 950 advisors across Quebec.

Voyages AquaTerra holds a Québec travel agency permit.

Frequently Asked Questions About Indonesia

Do Canadians need a visa for Indonesia?

Yes, but it is easy to get. Canadian citizens qualify for the visa on arrival (VOA) or the e-VOA, valid 30 days and extendable once for another 30 days, at a cost of 500,000 IDR (about $39 CAD, as an indication). Apply for the e-VOA before departure on the official site evisa.imigrasi.go.id to skip the airport line. A passport valid for six months and proof of onward travel are required.

How long is the flight to Indonesia from Canada?

Count on 22 to 28 hours door to door, sometimes more with two stops, since no airline flies non-stop from Canada. Routes run through Taipei (EVA Air, China Airlines), Tokyo, Seoul, Doha or Istanbul. From Montreal, many itineraries connect first through Toronto or Vancouver before crossing the Pacific.

When is the best time to visit Indonesia?

Dry season, May through September, for Bali, Java, Komodo and Lombok; July and August are peak season, with prices and crowds at their highest. April and October are excellent shoulder months, balancing price and weather. From November to March, the rainy season brings heavy but often brief downpours, rough seas and some closed volcano treks.

Is Indonesia safe for Canadian travellers?

The main risks involve the road and your health. Scooters are the leading cause of tourist injuries, dengue circulates year-round, and monkeys and stray dogs carry a real rabies risk, so keep your distance. Drink only sealed bottled water. Check travel.gc.ca for official advisories before departure.

How much does two weeks in Indonesia cost from Canada?

As an indication, budget $2,500 to $3,200 CAD per person, flight included, backpacker style; $3,500 to $5,000 CAD mid-range with villas and a private driver; $7,000 CAD and up for luxury. On the ground, a warung meal costs $2 to $6 CAD and a driver for the day, $50 to $80 CAD.

What is the time difference between Canada and Bali?

Bali is 12 hours ahead of Montreal and Toronto during daylight saving time, and 13 hours ahead in winter; Jakarta is 11 and 12 hours ahead respectively. Indonesia does not observe daylight saving time. Day and night are practically reversed, so allow two or three days to adjust after arrival.

What is the Bali tourist levy and how do I pay it?

Bali charges every foreign visitor a levy of 150,000 IDR (about $12 CAD). It is paid online through the official Love Bali portal (lovebali.baliprov.go.id), before or upon arrival. Keep the QR receipt: checks are carried out at tourist sites.

Do I need to book Borobudur in advance?

Yes. Access to the upper levels of the world's largest Buddhist temple is limited to timed slots with a mandatory guide. Book as soon as your dates are set, especially for sunrise, the most popular slot. The site is visited from Yogyakarta, the cultural heart of Java.

How do I see the Komodo dragons?

Fly one hour from Bali to Labuan Bajo, on Flores, then join a one- to three-day cruise through Komodo National Park. The park charges entry fees and the dragons are viewed only with a ranger present; the Padar viewpoint and the pink beach are part of most itineraries. Dry season, May through September, brings the calmest seas.

Can I ride a scooter in Bali with a Canadian licence?

An international motorcycle permit is required; without it, insurance is often void in an accident. Helmets are mandatory and scooters remain the leading cause of tourist injuries. Rental costs $5 to $10 CAD per day, but a private driver ($50 to $80 CAD per day, fuel included) is the safer option.