Asia’s Top Destination In 2025 Is A Perfect Add On To A Bali Vacation

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Being the beginning of the year travel magazines and influencers are all sharing their hot takes for travel in the year ahead.

TimeOut Magazine has named the Indonesian island of Sumba as the best place to visit in Asia in 2025, and we know that this stunning island makes for a perfect second half of a two-stop vacation starting in Bali. 

TimeOut Magazine has revealed its top eight best places to visit in Asia in 2025. In first place is Sumba in Indonesia, followed by Siargao in the Philippines, and in third place is Da Nang in Vietnam.

In fourth place is Tainan in Taiwan, Ipoh in Malaysia, Osaka in Japan, with Nan in Thailand coming in seventh place and Lijiang in China completing the top eight.

Sumba is a magical island, far bigger than Bali, to travel from west to easy would easily take 7 hours by car. Yet this incredible island is brimming with cultural wonders to explore, is currently free from crowds and is home to some of the best surf Indonesia has to offer. 

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You may have already heard of Sumba, thanks to the island’s most famous hotel. NIHI Sumba. The hotel sits at number ten on the 50 Best Hotels in the World list for 2024. It is best known for its herd of horses, which guests can ride along the private beachfront. 

TimeOut’s Delfina Utomo explains, ‘Known for its idyllic beaches like Nihiwatu (once voted the world’s best beach) and dramatic landscapes of rolling savannahs, this remote island is perfect for travelers seeking adventure and tranquillity. Don’t miss exploring Weekuri Lagoon, a natural saltwater pool perfect for a refreshing swim.’

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While a stay at NIHI Sumba will set guests back at least USD 1,500 per night, there is an incredible range of hotels and luxury villas to be found across Sumba. Lelewatu Resort Sumba is totally dreamy, and The Sanubari is a 5-star gem to behold. 

Must visit attractions in Sumba include Nihiwatu Beach, the Weekuri Lagoon, the rolling, verdant Waririnding Hills and the iconic Prajing Village, the jewel of Sumbanese culture.

For tourists looking to bring something a little different to their Bali vacation in 2024, we can highly recommend splitting a two week holiday between Bali and Sumba. In fact, it’s easier than ever to make this dreamy combination work.

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As of January 2025, there are four daily flights between Denpasar and Sumba’s Tambolaka Airport (TMC). The flight services are operated by Wings Air and Nam Air and depart from the domestic terminal at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. 

Nam Air departs from Bali to Tambolaka daily at 9 am and 11.40 am, touching down at 10am and 12.40pm respectively. Wings Air flights depart Bali for Tambolaka everyday at 9.10am, touching down at 10.10am, and at 1.20pm, arriving at 3.05pm. 

The return flight, from Tambolaka to Bali, departs on Wings Air every day at 11.15 am and 3.35pm. The Nam Air service departs Tambolaka at 4pm and 4.20pm every day, touching down in Denpasar at 5pm and 5.40pm.

Tambolaka Airport is a domestic airport only, meaning tourists must return to Bali in order to catch connecting international flights to their home countries. 

In 2025, we expect to see more promotions for vacation and travel destinations around Indonesia.

With over 17,000 islands in the archipelago, there is a wealth of cultural and natural diversity to explore.

As Bali lovers are becoming increasingly aware of the impact of mass tourism development in the central south of the island, returning visitors to the island are on the lookout for destinations that feel undiscovered and truly authentic.

There are many ways to explore Indonesia’s hidden gems while on vacation in Bali. The first is to explore lesser-known destinations within the province like North Bali and West Bali, and the second is to explore add-on destinations like Sumba. It’s never been easier!