Indonesia
Indonesia etiquette and culture: dos, don'ts and local customs
Use your right hand for giving, receiving and eating, keep feet off furniture and away from people, and cover shoulders and knees at active temples and mosques. Greet with a nod or a light handshake; some Indonesian women, especially in Muslim regions, prefer not to shake hands with men. Customs vary by island — check local practice.
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GuideIndonesia
Key facts
- Handscheck
- Right hand for giving, receiving and eating; left hand for washing (check)
- Feetcheck
- Avoid pointing a foot at a person or a shrine; do not step over someone seated on the floor (check)
- Headcheck
- Do not touch an adult's head (check)
- Temple dresscheck
- Shoulders and knees covered at active temples; sarongs and sashes are commonly lent or rented at the gate (check)
- Shoescheck
- Off before entering a home, a mosque or a temple courtyard (check)
- Greetingcheck
- Nod or light handshake; some women will not shake a man's hand — a nod is fine (check)
- Tippingcheck
- Not expected; round up, and tip drivers and guides (check)
- Ramadancheck
- Eat, drink and smoke discreetly in public during daylight in Muslim-majority areas (check)
- Currencycheck
- Rupiah (IDR, Rp); roughly Rp16,000–17,000 per US$ — check
By passport, month and cost
Etiquette does not change with your passport, but the situations you meet do. This table is about when the rules bite hardest and what getting them right takes. Costs are 2026 estimates; check locally.
| Situation | What changes | Cost or effort |
|---|---|---|
| Bali temples | Sarong and sash commonly required at active sites; some gates lend or rent them, others ask for a donation (check) | Sarong and sash often lent free or rented for a small donation — 2026 estimate; check |
| Aceh, Padang, Madura | More conservative dress and behaviour expected; fewer handshakes across genders (check) | No cost; pack a light long-sleeve layer |
| Ramadan (dates move each year) | Daytime eating and drinking in public is frowned on outside tourist areas; some businesses adjust hours (check) | Plan meals around iftar; check local opening hours |
| Business or government office | Long trousers or skirt, closed shoes, collared shirt (check) | One outfit in your bag |
| Village or family home | Shoes off, sit on the floor, accept the food offered (check) | Small gift of fruit or sweets is welcome |
| Weddings and ceremonies | Wait to be invited to eat; the eldest or guest of honour is served first (check) | No cost; watch and copy |
Regional and site rules vary; confirm at the gate or with your host.
Notes
Bali is the exception that proves the rule. Balinese Hinduism puts offerings (canang sari) on pavements, dashboards and shrines; step around them, never on them. Some temple gates state that menstruating women should not enter inner courtyards — this is site-specific, so check at the gate. Do not sit higher than a priest, and do not point your feet at an altar.
In Muslim areas, Friday around midday is prayer time and some shops close. During Ramadan, restaurants in tourist zones generally stay open, but eating on the street in daylight draws looks; check local practice. In Christian Flores and North Sumatra, Sunday morning is quiet and churches fill; dress as you would at home.
Tipping is not expected, but rounding up and tipping drivers and guides is normal and welcome. Bargaining is expected in markets, not in shops with fixed prices; smile, keep it light, and walk away if the price does not suit. Never lose your temper — a raised voice loses the argument and the goodwill.
This page is general guidance, not a rulebook. Local customs vary by island, by town and by family; watch what people around you do and copy it.
FAQ
Sources and checked
Questions people ask
What should I know about etiquette and culture in Indonesia?
Use your right hand for giving, receiving and eating, keep your feet off furniture and away from people, and cover shoulders and knees at active temples and mosques. Greet with a nod or a light handshake. Customs vary by island, so watch what people around you do (check).
How much does it cost?
Etiquette itself costs nothing. If you plan to visit active Balinese temples, a sarong and sash are commonly lent free or rented for a small donation — 2026 estimate; check at the gate. A modest long-sleeve layer helps in conservative areas such as Aceh. Tipping is not expected; rounding up is enough.
When should I plan for it?
Plan before you arrive, not after. Check whether your trip falls in Ramadan (dates move each year) if you are heading to Muslim-majority areas, and pack a shoulder-covering layer and a sarong if active Bali temples are on your list. Read up on the specific island you are visiting.
Do I have to cover up at every temple in Bali?
At active temples, yes — a sarong and sash are commonly required at the gate, and most sites lend or rent them for a small donation (check). Shoulders and knees should be covered, and you should not enter an inner courtyard during a ceremony unless invited.
Can I shake hands with Indonesian women?
Offer your hand but do not insist. Many Indonesian women, especially in Muslim communities, will not shake a man's hand; a nod and a smile is the correct alternative and is not rude (check).
Is it rude to use my left hand?
In most contexts, yes. The left hand is traditionally used for washing, so give, receive, eat and pass things with your right (check). If you are left-handed, you will be forgiven, but try to use your right when handing something to someone.
What should I wear outside temples?
Light, modest clothing works everywhere. Shorts and sleeveless tops are fine in Bali beach areas and big-city tourist zones, but cover up in villages, government offices and conservative regions such as Aceh and Padang (check).
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialIndonesia.travel — official tourism portal
- officialMinistry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Indonesia
- secondaryWikivoyage — Indonesia
- secondaryOpenStreetMap