Why Are Foreign Travelers Looking for a Cooler Side of Indonesia?

JAKARTA – Indonesia is offering international travelers a different way to experience the country: cool mountain escapes, volcanic landscapes and local culture far from the heat and crowds of the coast. From Berastagi in North Sumatra to Dieng in Central Java and Sembalun in Lombok, Indonesia’s highlands are emerging as an alternative to the country’s better-known beach destinations.

The trend comes as Indonesia’s international tourism continues to grow. Statistics Indonesia recorded 8.98 million international tourist visits between January and July 2026, up 5.23 percent from the same period last year. The government is targeting between 16 million and 17.6 million international tourist visits for the full year.

Bali remains one of Indonesia’s strongest international tourism gateways, but the government is increasingly promoting destinations beyond the island through nature, culture, gastronomy, wellness and adventure tourism. That strategy is creating new opportunities for Indonesia’s mountain regions.

Berastagi: A Cool Highland Escape

In North Sumatra’s Karo Regency, Berastagi offers an experience far removed from the tropical image commonly associated with Indonesia.

Located in the highlands, the town is known for its cool climate, plantations, fruit markets and views of Mount Sibayak and Mount Sinabung. In September 2026, international visitors from Asia and parts of Europe were again seen exploring Berastagi after tourism activity temporarily slowed following volcanic activity at Mount Sinabung. A local hotel operator said visitors were drawn partly by the area’s cool mountain air.

For international travelers, Berastagi offers something they may not immediately associate with Indonesia: misty mornings, low temperatures, plantations and small-town life beneath volcanic peaks.

Dieng: Where Indonesia Can Freeze

Further south, Dieng Plateau in Central Java can offer an even more unusual experience.

During the dry season, the highland occasionally develops frost, locally known as embun upas. In July 2026, temperatures in Dieng fell to around minus 6 degrees Celsius before sunrise. The phenomenon became a tourism attraction, contributing to higher visitor numbers. Local tourism data recorded 131,970 visitors in June, while 67,421 visitors had already arrived during the first nine days of July.

Dieng also combines the cold climate with ancient temples, volcanic craters, colorful lakes and dramatic sunrise views.

Sembalun: Mountains Above the Tropics

On Lombok, Sembalun offers another version of Indonesia’s highland experience.

Located around Mount Rinjani, the area is surrounded by wide savannas, rolling hills and agricultural landscapes. It also provides access to one of Indonesia’s most famous mountain trekking routes.

The attraction is not simply cooler weather. Sembalun combines adventure, dramatic scenery and Sasak culture, giving international visitors a more immersive experience of Lombok.

The growing attention to mountain tourism is also reflected in Indonesia’s tourism strategy. In June 2026, the Indonesian Mountain Guides Association held the Indonesia Mountain Tourism Festival in Kintamani, Bali, highlighting nature, culture and conservation-based mountain tourism.

Indonesia therefore has an unusual advantage for a tropical destination: travelers can experience a beach one day and a cool volcanic highland the next.

As international travelers search for more diverse experiences, Indonesia’s highlands are giving them another reason to explore the archipelago beyond Bali.