Shopping in Indonesia

If you want to do some shopping when you are travelling in Indonesia then you will be spoiled for choice. Indonesia has a diverse range of shopping options and you can find items such as local snacks, spices, and world famous textiles and clothes. This archipelago also offers you a number of different ways to shop, from informal, bustling markets to modern and engaging malls in all the major cities. Indonesia also has a well known handicraft scene and this makes it the perfect spot to pick up a few souvenirs such as wood or stone carvings, jewellery or even musical instruments.

Places to shop in Indonesia

Night Markets

Indonesia is covered in traditional night markets which make a great place to shop for gifts and souvenirs. As the name suggests, these markets open as the sun goes down and you will find them in almost all big cities as well as smaller towns.

Night markets across Indonesia usually sell a selection of items such as textiles, clothes, food and handicrafts such as wooden carvings and ornaments. They also usually sell food so this is a top spot to shop for delicacies such as prawn crackers and sauces that you can take home for a taste of Indonesia long after you have left the archipelago.

Shopping Centres

Almost all Indonesian cities have a number of shopping malls. These usually have a mix of international shops and local stores, so if you want to buy upscale local fashions then these are a good choice. They are also a solid option if you are looking for international brands which are often cheaper in Indonesia than abroad. Most malls sells clothes, electronics, food items and, in well known tourist areas, handicrafts such as carvings or paintings.

Street Markets

Street markets are ubiquitous across Indonesia and even small towns and villages will have their own market. This is the place to come if you want to buy a selection of local produce such as crisp fruits and vegetables as well as snacks like crackers and other local foodstuffs. Depending on the area, some markets also sell local products like souvenirs, wood carvings, jewellery and ornaments. This is more common however in tourist areas such as Bali Lombok and Jakarta.

Shopping Streets

There are a number of famous shopping streets across Indonesia and these usually consist of small shops selling local products. One of the most famous is Jalan Malioboro in the city of Yogyakarta which sells traditional batik textiles and other souvenirs. If you are in Bali then you can walk along famous shopping artery Jalan Legian which is known for its souvenir shops that sell everything from t-shirts to colourful masks, sandals, jewellery and other handicrafts.

Can You Bargain in Indonesia?

Bargaining is very common in Indonesia although this depends what you want to buy and where you are in the country. If you are shopping for food items in a local market then these are usually sold by weight and are a fixed price, often set by the kilo. In this case, bargaining is not considered appropriate and you should not attempt to do so.

If you are buying handicraft items or clothes however, then bargaining is common. As a rule of thumb, offer what you are comfortable paying for the item rather than knocking off a set amount like 30% as the mark up used by sellers varies from area to area.

If you are shopping in a mall then items are usually set price and you should not attempt to bargain. This also applies to chain shops in the street, but if you want to buy something from a small, family owned store then you may be able to bargain.

The 10 Best Things to Buy in Indonesia

1. Coffee

Indonesia is known for its delicious brews and many visitors may want to pick up a bag of beans or ground coffee. Different areas of Indonesia have different kinds of coffee, but some places known for their delicious beans include Sumatra, Aceh, Bali and Jakarta. If you buy coffee in a supermarket you can expect to pay around IDR 35,000 for 200 grams but prices can rise to IDR 95,000 for 200 grams depending on the quality of the beans.

2. Textiles

You will find colourful textiles all over Indonesia and the techniques used depend on where you are. Across the entire archipelago however you will find batik which is made by dripping wax on fabric to make patterns and then dipping it in coloured dye. You can buy batik in both high-end stores and in local markets depending on the quality you want, and prices vary accordingly. You can get a cheap batik shirt for as little as IDR 50,000 but prices can rise to IDR 1,000,000 or more for more elaborate pieces such as dresses. If you are really in the market for high-end pieces, then you could even pay up to IDR 7,000,000. Places like Solo and Yogyakarta in Java are both known for their amazing batik pieces.

3. Stone carvings

Stone carvings are popular across the archipelago although one of the most famous areas for stone carving production is Batubulan in Bali. Here you will find stone pieces which are carved into the shape of iconic Balinese deities and many of these tell stories from the Ramayana or the Mahabharata. Traditional Balinese stone often has a blue or black hue and you can custom order pieces if you have your own design idea.

4. Puppets

Puppet show performances are common across Indonesia and you can also buy some of the ornate marionettes as souvenirs. They are usually made of wood and are known as wayang golek or leather which are known as wayang kulit. If you go to see a puppet show then there is usually a shop attached which sells puppets and you can buy these for as little as USD 50,000. For more ornate puppets however the prices can rise significantly.

5. Jewellery

Indonesian jewellery is very famous in places like Celuk Village in Sukawati in Bali. Celuk Village is known for its gold and silver smiths and you can find a range of pieces such as necklaces, earrings, pendants, and bracelets. Pieces are usually sold according to weight although bargaining is common. Many places will also make pieces to order if you bring your own designs although bear in mind that these are usually more expensive.

6. Gamelan instruments

Gamelan is the most famous instrument in Indonesia and is kind of like a traditional xylophone. You can find gamelans all over Indonesia and they come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. The body of the gamelan is made of wood and often ornately carved, and the smaller versions can make great souvenirs if you have enough room in your suitcase. Again prices vary according to the size and craftsmanship of the piece.

7. Woodcarvings

Woodcarvings can be found all over Indonesia but are especially famous in Mas Village in Bali. There are hundreds of different designs to choose from and you can even get pieces such as ornately carved masks. These usually take the form of famous Hindu deities and some of the best spots to get these in Mas include the I.B Sutarja Mask Carver Gallery and Nyana & Tilem Gallery.

8. Spices

Indonesia used to be known as the Spice Islands during the Dutch colonial period, and with good reason! This part of the world is known for its fragrant spices such as cloves, pepper, star anise and saffron, and with that in mind, if you like cooking then you will be spoilt for choice. You can buy small packets of spices in most Indonesia supermarkets and they are amazingly cheap to purchase. The prices vary according to the spice but you can buy small packets for as little as IDR 20,000.

9. Incense

Incense is burned all over Indonesia and has been for centuries, as it is used in religious ceremonies and as a natural fragrance for home. Incense can be made of different ingredients such as wood, herbs or spices and is sold in all parts of Indonesia, but particularly in Bali. You can buy small, cone shaped packets of incense for as little as IDR 15,000 or larger packets of incense sticks to remind you of the smells of Indonesia long after your trip is finished.

10. Sulphur souvenirs

If you are looking for a more unique gift to bring back from Indonesia then consider travelling to the Ijen Crater in Java where you can buy sulphur souvenirs. The sulphur is mined from the crater and then carved into different shapes, and this is certainly something that you won’t find all over Indonesia. You can bargain on the price of the pieces but expect to pay around IDR 50,000 for a small carving.

The 5 Best Shopping Centres in Indonesia

1. Kuta Beachwalk

If you are in Bali then the best shopping centre to visit is the newly built Kuta Beachwalk which lies along the beachfront on Jalan Kuta. You will find a huge number of international shops here that sell surf and beach clothes and accessories, and there is also a gallery that sells local art work and textiles.

2. Plaza Indonesia

Plaza Indonesia is probably the most famous mall in Indonesia and is located in the centre of Jakarta. The mall has a number of high-end boutiques which sell imported goods as well as upscale foreign and local fashion labels.

3. Taman Anggrek Mall

Located in the west of Jakarta, Tama Anggrek Mall has the claim to fame of being the largest mall in the city. To that end, some 10,000 people are said to shop here every day and there are both local and international shops here. On the upper floors you can also find a large food court, a cinema and, more surprisingly, an ice-skating rink.

4. Malioboro Mall

If you are visiting the city of Yogyakarta then you may want to visit Malioboro Mall which is said to be the best shopping spot in the city and is also located on the main shopping street of Jalan Malioboro. This mall has a supermarket, large department store, and smaller boutiques selling local and international clothing brands.

5. Center Point Mall

If you are travelling to Sumatra to check out the tourist spots of Lake Toba and Bukit Lawang, then you will probably pass through the city of Medan. With that in mind, if you are looking for the best mall in the area then head to Center Point which opened in 2013 and sells high end Western brands as well as upscale Indonesia handicrafts and batik pieces. This means that if you are looking for souvenirs in Medan then this is the best place to find them.