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Indonesia etiquette: what to wear and how to behave
Cover your shoulders and knees once you leave the beach and tourist areas, and hand everything over with your right hand: those two habits avoid most faux pas. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world and society is modest, but Indonesians are very forgiving of visitors who make an effort.
Clothing-wise, swimwear and short shorts stay on the beach and by the pool. In towns and villages, light trousers or a skirt below the knee and a top with sleeves work perfectly, for men too (singlets and bare chests stand out). To enter a mosque you need long clothing, plus a headscarf for women; in Bali's temples, a sarong (a length of fabric tied at the waist) is compulsory and usually lent or hired at the entrance.
The gestures that matter:
- Your right hand to give, receive, pay and eat: the left is for hygiene. For extra politeness, rest your left hand on your right forearm as you hand something over.
- The head is sacred: don't touch it, not even a child's.
- Feet: shoes come off before entering a home or a place of worship, and you never point your feet at someone or at a shrine.
- Pointing with a finger is rude: indicate people or things with your thumb, other fingers folded.
- Public displays of affection stop at holding hands; kissing in public shocks outside tourist areas.
- Your tone: raising your voice or losing your temper makes everyone lose face, starting with you. Smiles and patience get you much further.
Add to that jam karet, 'rubber time': a 10am meeting can start at 10.45 without anyone minding. And always ask before photographing someone, especially in a place of prayer.
The rules tighten during Ramadan (see Travelling in Indonesia during Ramadan: what to know) and in Aceh, the only province that applies sharia law (see Drugs, new criminal code: which Indonesian laws affect tourists?).
Tip: always keep a sarong or a large scarf in your daypack: it covers your shoulders in town, works as a skirt in a temple, a headscarf in a mosque and a towel on a boat.
Information checked in November 2026.
More landmarks in this section
- Do I need a visa for Indonesia?
- What are the entry requirements for Indonesia?
- How much does a trip to Indonesia cost?
- Is Indonesia safe to visit?
- Should you worry about volcanoes and earthquakes in Indonesia?
- What vaccinations do I need for Indonesia, and is there malaria?
- What currency does Indonesia use and how do you pay?
- Which SIM card or eSIM should you get for Indonesia?
- Do you need travel insurance for Indonesia?
- Travelling in Indonesia during Ramadan: what to know
- Drugs, new criminal code: which Indonesian laws affect tourists?
- What should I pack for Indonesia?