Friends, ready for an island that still feels like a secret? Sumatra trades crowds for crater lakes, pine-cool highlands, and wave-brushed shores.

Use this stop hit list—north to south—to plan an easy, value-savvy loop with typical costs, travel times, and simple logistics baked in.

Banda Aceh

At the island’s tip, Banda Aceh pairs modern museums with quiet coastal views. Learn the story of Lampuuk’s shoreline, then browse breezy cafés and handicraft stalls. Fly into BTJ from Jakarta or Medan; taxis to the ferry pier run $3–$6 by app.

Pulau Weh

From Banda Aceh, boats to Pulau Weh take 45–90 minutes ($3–$6 economy; faster boats a bit more). Base in Iboih or Gapang for glassy coves and reefy snorkel spots; half-day snorkel trips run $15–$30, intro dives $40–$70. Hire a scooter for $7–$10/day and circle turquoise bays before sunset.

Bukit Lawang

Four hours by car from Medan, this riverside village borders Gunung Leuser National Park. Permits and guided jungle treks typically start around $25–$35 per person (half day) and $60–$90 (overnight, meals included). Expect swinging-vine trails, calm river tubes ($5–$10), and simple eco-lodges from $12–$35.

Gunung Sibayak

Base in Berastagi (2 hours from Medan) to summit this friendly volcano for sunrise. Trailheads are close; allow 2–3 hours up and 1–2 down. Pack a headlamp and wind layer; optional local guide $10–$20. Pair the climb with a stop at Sipiso-Piso waterfall (entry a few dollars).

Lake Toba

Ride 5–6 hours from Medan to Parapat, then ferry ($1–$2, 30–60 minutes) to Tuk Tuk on Samosir Island. Midrange lakeside rooms with balconies run $20–$50; scooter rentals $7–$10/day. Spend days swimming, cruising to lakeshore villages, and watching violet sunsets from hot-stone terraces.

Lake Maninjau

This West Sumatra caldera (12 miles long) sits two hours from Bukittinggi via the winding Kelok 44 road. Do a full loop by scooter (1–2 hours with photo stops). Lakeside guesthouses start at $12–$25; sunrise mist and evening breezes make doing “nothing” feel like a plan.

Bukittinggi

Use this compact hill town as your West Sumatra base. Walk the canyon overlooks path toward Koto Gadang. Day hikes on nearby Mount Marapi leave before dawn (permits via local outfitters). Budget rooms $15–$35; scooters $6–$9/day.

Harau Valley

Two hours from Bukittinggi, Harau’s emerald paddies and vertical cliffs beg slow days. Call ahead for homestays ($12–$25) and borrow a bicycle to waterfall-hop. With few formal resorts, you’ll trade amenities for hush-quiet evenings and bright, starry skies.

Padang

Gateway to the west coast, Padang rewards food lovers. Build a plate at a nasi padang restaurant and pay only for what you eat—local mains typically $1–$3 each. Evenings, stroll the beachfront for grilled seafood and sunset color. Ferries and flights connect onward to island arcs.

Kerinci Seblat

Southeast from Padang, Indonesia’s largest Sumatran park hides hot springs, high waterfalls, and forest trails. Guided day treks run $25–$45; longer routes include village stays. Time visits for dry windows if you’re chasing the rare, giant jungle bloom (ask rangers about current sightings).

Mentawai Islands

From Padang, fast boats reach Tuapejat in 3–6 hours depending on sea conditions ($20–$35). Non-surfers still score: shell-white beaches, canoe rides through mangroves, and low-key homestays from $15–$30. Bring cash; ATMs can be limited, and crossings are weather-dependent.

Nias Island

Flights from Medan or boats from Sibolga deliver you to a coastline laced with sandy, mellow bays. Beyond the headline wave, visit traditional stone-paved villages and watch the famous “stone-jump” sport. Beach bungalows from $20–$45; rent a scooter to scout pink-hued sands.

Bintan Island

Closest to Singapore yet firmly Sumatran, Bintan mixes calm lagoons with mangrove tours and dune-like sandscapes. Resorts range from $60–$200+, while independent guesthouses hover $25–$50. Fill days with paddleboarding, coastal cycling, and island-hopping to quiet coves.

Belitung Isles

Direct flights from Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore often drop under $100 one way. In Tanjung Tinggi, granite boulders cradle clear water perfect for lazy swims. Charter a half-day boat ($40–$60 for 4–6 people) to Lengkuas Island’s sugar-white beach, then snorkel over bright sand gardens.

Getting Around

Sumatra is huge; string short flights with scenic drives and ferries. Typical city taxis by app run $2–$6; private cars with drivers cost $45–$70/day for flexible stops. Scooters are the budget star ($6–$10/day)—carry an international permit, a helmet, and rain gear.

Stays & Costs

Guesthouses: $12–$35; midrange hotels: $35–$80; polished island resorts: $90–$200+. Simple local meals run $2–$4; coffee and fresh juices $1–$2. Activities (boats, guides, permits) vary by site—bring small bills and confirm what’s included.

Conclusion

Lykkers, Sumatra shines when you mix crater mornings, village rambles, and island afternoons. Which stop calls you first—the lake-ringed caldera, the friendly highland town, or a quiet cove with water the color of glass?