Best eSIM for Indonesia (and Bali) in 2026: Complete Coverage & Data Guide

Why You Need an eSIM for Indonesia (and Bali) in 2026

Indonesia received over 16 million international visitors in 2025, with roughly 6 million heading to Bali. Whether you’re dealing with Bali’s chaotic traffic on a rented scooter, hailing a Grab from the Ubud monkey forest, or uploading that cliff-edge photo from Nusa Penida — you need mobile data from the moment you land at Ngurah Rai Airport.

But here’s what most travel guides still forget to mention: Indonesia requires biometric selfie registration for local SIM cards, smaller islands like the Gili Islands and parts of Nusa Penida have little or no coverage, and with over 17,000 islands, Indonesia is a logistical patchwork of mobile carrier access. Coverage differs dramatically between Bali, Komodo, and Raja Ampat — and it’s worth knowing about ahead of time.

This guide covers Indonesia’s mobile networks, island-by-island coverage reality (especially Bali and beyond), the SIM registration hassle you can skip, your dependence on Grab and Gojek, how Bali’s digital nomad scene affects your data needs, and the best way to stay connected across the archipelago.

Indonesia’s Mobile Networks: Which One Should Your eSIM Use?

Indonesia has several mobile operators, but three matter for tourists.

Telkomsel — Best Overall Coverage (By Far)

Telkomsel is Southeast Asia’s largest carrier with approximately 48% market share and by far the best geographical coverage across the archipelago. It’s the only carrier with reliable signal on smaller islands, rural Bali, Flores, Komodo, and remote areas. If your eSIM routes through Telkomsel, you have the best possible coverage for Indonesia. This is not a close race — Telkomsel’s network reaches places where other carriers simply don’t exist.

Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH) — Second Best

IOH holds about 26% market share after the Indosat-Hutchison merger. Coverage is good in Java, Bali’s main areas, and major cities across other islands, but it falls behind Telkomsel on smaller islands and in rural areas. Adequate for Bali-only trips, but falls short if you plan to go island hopping to the Gili Islands or Komodo.

XL Axiata — Urban-Focused

XL Axiata holds about 15% market share with decent coverage in Java’s city centres and popular Bali areas. Rural and remote island coverage is the weakest of the three. Not recommended if you’re leaving major tourist zones.

5G in Indonesia

Indonesia’s 5G is in early deployment, concentrated in Jakarta, parts of Bali (Denpasar, Nusa Dua), and Surabaya. Telkomsel leads the 5G rollout. Real-world 5G speeds reach 100-300 Mbps where available, but coverage is still very limited. 4G/LTE (15-50 Mbps) is the realistic standard for most of your trip. Don’t choose your eSIM based on 5G promises — 4G availability and network coverage matter far more in Indonesia.

Indonesia’s SIM Registration: The Hassle an eSIM Avoids

This is a major practical advantage of eSIM that competitor guides often overlook.

Indonesia requires mandatory biometric SIM registration for all SIM cards. If you buy a physical SIM at the airport or a shop, you must:

• Present your passport
• Take a selfie that’s matched against your passport photo
• Register via an app or the seller’s system
• Wait for verification (can take minutes to hours)

The process works smoothly at airport counters but can be frustrating at smaller shops where staff may struggle with foreign passports in the registration system. Some travellers have reported failed registrations that required multiple attempts.

International eSIMs bypass this entirely. Your eSIM is issued by an international provider, not an Indonesian operator — so Indonesian SIM registration laws don’t apply. No selfie, no passport scan, no waiting. Buy before you fly, activate when you land.

eSIM Coverage in Indonesia by Destination

Bali — Seminyak, Kuta, and South Bali

Coverage: Excellent. Seminyak, Kuta, Legian, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, and Uluwatu all have strong 4G coverage from all three major carriers. Ngurah Rai Airport has excellent signal. The southern tourist belt is well covered — you won’t have connectivity issues here.

Bali — Ubud

Coverage: Good in town, variable in surrounding rice terraces. Ubud centre, the Monkey Forest, and the main roads have reliable coverage. However, the famous Tegallalang Rice Terraces, Campuhan Ridge Walk, and more remote temple areas can have weaker signal, with IOH and XL giving the worst coverage outside the centre. Telkomsel is the most reliable for exploring beyond Ubud. The popular coworking spaces (Outpost, Hubud, Dojo) all have WiFi, but you’ll need mobile data for scooter navigation to get there.

Bali — Canggu

Coverage: Good to excellent. Canggu has become Bali’s digital nomad capital, and the infrastructure reflects it. Batu Bolong, Berawa, and Echo Beach areas have strong coverage. The numerous coworking cafes provide WiFi, but you’ll need mobile data for Grab/Gojek rides between them.

Nusa Penida

Coverage: Limited and patchy. This is where most travellers get caught out. Nusa Penida — famous for Kelingking Beach, Angel’s Billabong, and Broken Beach — has very poor mobile coverage across much of the island. Telkomsel provides basic signal in the main village areas (Toyapakeh, Sampalan), but coverage drops off dramatically at the famous viewpoints and beaches. The roads to Kelingking Beach and the south coast have significant dead zones. Download offline Google Maps and save your accommodation details before taking the boat from Sanur.

Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, Gili Meno)

Coverage: Basic to poor. The Gili Islands have limited mobile infrastructure. Gili Trawangan (the party island) has the best coverage, with Telkomsel providing usable signal in most areas. Gili Air and Gili Meno have weaker and less consistent coverage. WiFi at hotels and restaurants is the primary connection on the Gilis — but it’s often slow and shared among many guests. Don’t rely on mobile data as your primary connection on the Gili Islands.

Lombok

Coverage: Good in main areas, limited elsewhere.

• Mataram, Senggigi, and Kuta Lombok: Coverage from all networks
• Mount Rinjani trekking routes: Signal drops above the base camp area
• South coast surf spots: Coverage varies significantly
• Telkomsel is the most reliable across the island

Komodo and Flores

Coverage: Limited. Labuan Bajo (the gateway to Komodo) has Telkomsel coverage in town. On Komodo Island itself and during boat trips, expect no mobile signal. The boat trip from Labuan Bajo to Komodo passes through areas with no coverage. Flores’ Trans-Flores Highway has intermittent Telkomsel signal between towns, with large dead zones. If you’re doing the Flores road trip, carry offline maps and downloaded content.

Java (Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Surabaya)

Coverage: Excellent in cities. Java’s major cities have strong 4G coverage from all carriers, and Grab works everywhere. Jakarta even has early 5G. Yogyakarta (Borobudur, Prambanan temples) has reliable coverage at all major tourist sites. Bromo volcano’s viewpoints have Telkomsel signal, though the caldera area can be patchy.

Raja Ampat

Coverage: Extremely limited. If you’re heading to Raja Ampat for diving, prepare to be largely without mobile connectivity. Some dive resorts have satellite internet. Sorong (the departure point) has basic Telkomsel coverage. On the islands themselves, this is a genuine off-grid experience.

Grab, Gojek, and the Apps You Can’t Live Without

Indonesia runs on super-apps — you’ll need them and constant data access throughout your trip.

Grab

Grab is the essential app in Indonesia — especially in Bali and Java. It handles ride-hailing (car and motorbike), food delivery, package delivery, and in some areas, payments (GrabPay). In Bali, if you’re not riding a scooter, Grab is the safest and most reliable way to get around. Fixed pricing, GPS tracking, no haggling.

Gojek

Gojek is Indonesia’s homegrown super-app and even more widely used than Grab in some areas. It offers rides, food delivery (GoFood), payments (GoPay), and dozens of other services — all needing data. In Java, Gojek often has better availability and pricing than Grab. Both apps require data for every interaction.

Setting Up Ride-Hailing Apps

Important: Both Grab and Gojek require phone number verification. Set up your account at home using your regular number before travelling. Once verified, both apps work on any data connection — including your eSIM. You don’t need an Indonesian phone number.

Other Essential Apps

• Google Maps — Critical for scooter navigation in Bali. Bali’s roads have few street signs and many unnamed lanes. Without Google Maps, you will get lost.
• Google Translate — Bahasa Indonesia is relatively simple to pick up, but the camera translation feature is handy for reading menus and signs in more local areas.
• Wise (TransferWise) — Many digital nomads in Bali use Wise for payments like villa rentals or diving. The app requires data for transactions.
• WhatsApp — Indonesia is one of the world’s biggest WhatsApp markets. Hotels, tour operators, drivers, and shops all communicate via WhatsApp. You’ll message your villa, your scooter rental, and your dive operator through WhatsApp.

Bali’s Digital Nomad Scene: eSIM for Remote Workers

Bali has one of the world’s largest digital nomad communities, concentrated in Canggu, Ubud, and Seminyak. If you’re working remotely, your connectivity needs differ from tourists.

Coworking WiFi vs Mobile Data

Bali’s coworking spaces — Dojo Bali, Outpost, Hubud, and dozens of cafe-coworking hybrids — provide reliable WiFi for work. But you still need mobile data for:

• Navigation to and from coworking spaces
• Grab/Gojek rides between locations
• Backup when coworking WiFi drops (it happens)
• Working from cafes without reliable WiFi
• Weekend island trips where WiFi doesn’t exist

Data Requirements for Remote Work

• Video calls: 1-2 GB per hour
• General work: 500 MB-1 GB per day
• Monthly budget: 15-30 GB alongside coworking WiFi

How to Choose the Best eSIM Plan for Indonesia

Bali-Only Short Trips (1-7 Days)

Staying in Bali’s tourist belt? 3-5 GB covers daily Grab rides, navigation, WhatsApp, social media, and moderate photo uploads. Hotel WiFi handles the rest.

Bali Extended Stays (7-14 Days)

Exploring Ubud, Nusa Penida day trips, and Canggu? 5-10 GB is ideal. You’ll use more data for navigation and messaging as you move around the island.

Multi-Island Adventures (14-30 Days)

Bali plus Gili Islands, Lombok, or Komodo? 10-20 GB with the understanding that some islands won’t have signal regardless. Better to have unused data than run out on Java or Lombok where coverage exists.

Digital Nomad Stays (30+ Days)

Working from Bali? 20-50 GB depending on how much you rely on mobile data vs coworking WiFi. Check eSimy’s Indonesia plans for the best value on larger packages.

How to Install and Activate Your Indonesia eSIM

Step 1: Buy Before You Fly

Browse eSimy’s Indonesia eSIM plans and select your data package. Purchase from home — no Indonesian SIM registration required.

Step 2: Install the eSIM Profile

Scan the QR code to install. This does NOT start your plan or use data.

On iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Scan QR Code

On Android: Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Add eSIM → Scan QR Code

Step 3: Activate at the Airport

When you land at Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS), Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta (CGK), or any Indonesian airport, enable the eSIM data line. Your plan starts and you’re connected before clearing immigration — ready to book a Grab to your villa immediately.

Step 4: Set Up Dual SIM

Keep your home SIM for calls and SMS. Set the eSIM as data. WhatsApp (essential in Indonesia), Messenger, and all apps work on your original number.

Indonesia Travel Tips That Save You Money

• Set up Grab and Gojek before arriving. Verify phone numbers at home. The moment your eSIM activates at the airport, book a Grab instead of negotiating with airport taxi touts (who charge 2-3x the fair price).
• Download offline maps for Nusa Penida, Gili Islands, and Komodo. These areas have the weakest coverage. Offline Google Maps is your lifeline for navigation.
• WhatsApp is your primary communication tool. Your hotel, tour operator, dive shop, and scooter rental all use WhatsApp. Message them directly instead of using booking platform messaging.
• Carry cash alongside your phone. Indonesia’s warungs (local restaurants), markets, and many shops are cash-only. ATMs are widely available in tourist areas. Withdraw Indonesian Rupiah, not dollars.
• Rent a scooter only if experienced. Bali’s traffic is chaotic and requires constant Google Maps navigation. Mount your phone securely and ensure your eSIM data is active before riding.
• Book Nusa Penida day trips through your hotel. Tours include boat transfers and a driver — you don’t need to navigate the island’s difficult roads yourself, and the driver knows where signal exists for emergency situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register my eSIM in Indonesia?

No. Indonesia requires biometric SIM registration (selfie + passport) for local physical SIM cards, but international eSIMs are exempt. Your eSIM is issued by an international provider and doesn’t go through Indonesia’s registration system. Buy, install, and activate — no selfie needed.

Which network is best for tourists in Indonesia?

Telkomsel has by far the best coverage across Indonesia, with approximately 48% market share and the widest geographical reach. It’s the only carrier with reliable signal on smaller islands, rural areas, and throughout the archipelago. Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison is a distant second. For any trip beyond Bali’s tourist belt, Telkomsel is essential.

Will my eSIM work on Nusa Penida?

Coverage on Nusa Penida is limited and unreliable. Telkomsel provides basic signal in main village areas, but famous viewpoints like Kelingking Beach, Angel’s Billabong, and the south coast roads have significant dead zones. Download offline maps and save accommodation details before taking the boat from Sanur.

Is there mobile coverage on the Gili Islands?

The Gili Islands have basic coverage. Gili Trawangan has the best signal (Telkomsel in main areas). Gili Air and Gili Meno have weaker, inconsistent coverage. Hotel and restaurant WiFi is the primary connection on the Gilis — but it’s often slow. Don’t rely on mobile data as your main connection there.

Can I use Grab and Gojek with my eSIM?

Yes. Both apps work on any data connection including international eSIMs. Set up your account and verify your phone number at home before travelling. Once your eSIM is active in Indonesia, both apps work immediately for ride-hailing and food delivery.

How much data do I need for a week in Bali?

For an average tourist using Grab, Google Maps navigation, WhatsApp, social media, and Google Translate, 5-7 GB per week is comfortable. If you rely heavily on hotel WiFi for uploads, 3-5 GB may suffice. Digital nomads working from coworking spaces should budget 10-15 GB per week as backup data.

Is there coverage at Komodo Island?

Labuan Bajo (the gateway town) has Telkomsel coverage. On Komodo Island itself and during boat trips, expect no mobile signal. The multi-day liveaboard trips to Komodo operate without mobile connectivity. Download all content and save important information before departing Labuan Bajo.

Is 5G available in Bali?

Early 5G deployment exists in Denpasar and Nusa Dua. Coverage is very limited and not a factor for choosing your eSIM. 4G/LTE (15-50 Mbps) is the realistic standard across Bali and Indonesia. 4G is more than sufficient for all tourist needs.

Do I need a VPN in Indonesia?

Indonesia blocks some websites and has intermittent restrictions on certain services. Most tourist activities (social media, messaging, streaming, navigation) work fine without a VPN. If you need to access specific blocked content, a VPN may help, but it’s not essential for the average traveller.

Can I keep my WhatsApp working with an Indonesia eSIM?

Yes — and this is crucial since WhatsApp is the primary communication tool in Indonesia. Set your eSIM as the data line and keep your home SIM for calls and SMS. WhatsApp continues working on your original phone number using the eSIM’s data connection.