Get back to nature at these five spots in Indonesia and experience the joy of travel

When traveling to Indonesia, some people like to celebrate the festive New Year's Eve by dancing and partying in clubs. Meanwhile, others choose to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and get back to nature. Whether you want to warm up by a bonfire in a thick jacket in a peaceful forest or party on the beach in shorts and bikinis, check out our recommended ways to celebrate outdoors.

1 | Experience a sailing trip in Labuan Bajo, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT)



Surrounded by 80 small islands, the fishermen’s town of Labuan Bajo is a central point for tourists who want to explore the stunning landscapes and beaches nearby.

You can rent a boat from Labuan Bajo and cruise around to famous spots such as Padar Island and Split Beach where you can spend New Year’s Eve. Not only will you be mesmerized by the clear blue waters and green islands during your trip, but you’ll also have the chance to encounter a “living dragon”, the Komodo dragon. Locally known as “Ora”, the Komodo dragon is now protected in the Komodo Island National Park and you are welcome to swim to their natural habitat to observe the ancient lizards.

2 | Glamping at Maribaya Guesthouse in Bandung, West Java



Spend New Year's Eve outdoors! Camping at Maribaya Campground, Jl. Maribaya, Cibodas, Lembang, Bandung will give you an unforgettable year-end experience, although fireworks are missing, it is easy to light a fire in the cold pine forest instead of fireworks. The Lodge Maribaya was built in 2005, originally an outbound area called "Cabin Land and Adventure Park". In 2016, its main business turned into a charming tent in the resort, and since then, the trend of luxury camping tourism has begun.

The pumpkin-like tents allow you to sleep comfortably, as each tent is equipped with a single or double bed, power supply, lights, power sockets and cooling fans. These are the "luxuries" you can have when camping in the forest. There are three types of tents, namely single occupancy, double occupancy and triple occupancy, and you can choose freely. Don't fight the cold weather, each shared bathroom at The Lodge Maribaya has hot water.

3 | Celebrate the joy of festivals with nature at Dieng Plateau in Central Java



Located at 2,200 meters above sea level, Dieng is the highest plateau in Central Java. Tourists usually visit Dieng Plateau for its peaceful atmosphere and cold weather, which helps relieve stress.

If you go on New Year's Eve, you will find more than two outdoor celebrations, such as dangdut music stages and poetry readings hosted by locals. As the bells strike midnight and horns sound, fireworks and paper lanterns will light up the Dieng sky. If you want to spend more time in Dieng Plateau, local guesthouses and homestays are affordable options.

4 | Thousand Islands Tour in North Jakarta



If you are in the Greater Jakarta area and don’t have enough days off but want to escape the concrete jungle to celebrate New Year’s Eve, go to the Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu)!

The Thousand Islands consist of a number of small islands located a few miles off the coast of North Jakarta. Just beyond the dark salty sea of ​​the Bay of Jakarta, the clear turquoise waters of the Thousand Islands are waiting to surprise you. There are several islands known for their beautiful beaches and underwater ecosystems, namely Tidung Island, Pramuka Island, and Macan Island.

Imagine celebrating New Year’s Eve on the beach at midnight and snorkeling in the morning. It’s like you are still in the big durian, but almost surreal. To get to these islands, you can take a traditional boat from Kali Adem Port in Muara Angke or a speedboat from Marina Port in Ancol, North Jakarta. The arrival time is different, depending on the island you want to visit.

5 | Escape to Derawan Island, Berau, East Kalimantan



Do you want to take a longer break for a year-end trip? If the answer is yes, then consider spending the New Year in Derawan Island.

Internationally recognized as one of the best diving spots in Indonesia, these islands have fascinating corals and a variety of fish. A good way to start the new year is to relax on a white sand beach surrounded by clear turquoise waters.

The Derawan Islands consist of about 30 small islands, but tourists can only visit four of them, namely Derawan Island, Maratua Island, Sangalaki Island, and Kakaban Island. In addition to the amazing underwater landscape, the Derawan Islands are also home to many protected marine animals such as green turtles, whales, and dolphins. In one of the lakes in Kakaban Island, you can find stingless jellyfish, and you won’t get hurt even if you swim near them or even touch them.

​In Indonesia, you will never lose your yearning for nature. Get ready to plan your vacation and celebrate the New Year with nature!