Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world spreading across Southeast Asia and Ocenia with its more than 18.000 islands. Only a third of Indonesia’s islands are inhabited and there are around 300 ethnicities coexist across this beautiful archipelago. There are 8 main regions in Indonesia which are islands grouped around the large one and surrounding small islands. These regions are named; Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, Bali, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, Maluku and Papua.
Table of Contents
- Honeymoon in Indonesia at a glance
- Honeymoon destinations in Indonesia
- Things to do in Indonesia on honeymoon
- Best time to visit Indonesia
- Useful information for Indonesia
Honeymoon in Indonesia at a glance
Indonesia is one of the all time favorite honeymoon destinations in the world. From golden beaches to untouched tropical forests, Indonesia and from majestic volcanoes to breathtaking coral reefs; Indonesia offers everything you could ask for in a honeymoon. Whether you want to have a honeymoon full of adventure or a laid-back romantic time on a gorgeous island, you will definitely find what you are asking for among the endless options in Indonesia.
There are many luxury resorts across the Indonesian archipelago, located on heavenly islands, the most famous being the Bali Island. Yet, new resorts are being built to with outstanding facilities and services to raise the bar even higher.
If you are on a budget, you can still enjoy the Indonesian honeymoon experience and discover this amazing country. In addition to the luxury resorts we mentioned, there are also many affordable ones that you can choose. Luxury villas with private pools are also available in Bali and many other islands with prices not as high as you might think.
Honeymoon destinations in Indonesia
Without a doubt, Bali Island is the most famous honeymoon destination in Indonesia. This marvelous island deserves its fame because it offers everything you can ask for in your honeymoon. Pristine nature, lush green tropical forests, perfect beaches, luxury resorts, picturesque rice terraces, majestic volcanoes and mountains makes Bali an attractive honeymoon spot. Unlike many honeymoon destinations in the Southeast Asia, Bali is more than a sea-sand-sun destination. Cultural Landscape of Bali is very rich; the island is home to impressive temples, old villages and tranquil temples. Some of these locations are UNESCO World Heritage Sites attracting people from all over the world.
Neighboring the island of Bali to the west, Lombok is another famous destination in Indonesia. It is a beautiful as Bali but not as crowded as Bali. It’s a perfect place for a relaxing honeymoon. Lombok is very suitable for adventurous couples as well. You can try diving, water sports, hiking and trekking to make the most of your honeymoon in Lombok. If you are looking for a little more tropic getaway, Gili Islands located on the northwest of Lombok are must see. These three Islands named Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno have different characters and all of them are worth visiting.
Last but not least Raja Ampat Archipelago consisting of 1500 small islands is another famous place to spend your honeymoon. This archipelago in the West Papua province of Indonesia is like a destination itself within the country, consisting of many islands spread across the sea where you can find wonderful resorts and hotels. Many resources rank Raja Ampat as one of the best places in the world for diving thanks to its incredibly rich marine biodiversity. About 75 percent of worlds known hard coral species are contained in the region, which makes Raja Ampat officially the ecosystem with richest biodiversity.
Things to do in Indonesia on honeymoon
- Hiking through the rice terraces
- Trying diving, snorkeling, surfing and various water sports
- Exploring natural wonders of Indonesia such as volcanoes, waterfalls and canyons
- Visiting majestically beautiful temples
- Visiting Komodo Island National Park
Best time to visit Indonesia
Indonesia can be visited all year round thanks to its tropical climate. The average temperature remains around 27-29°C throughout the year. The sea is always warm enough to swim and many activities can be done anytime of the year. In order to plan a perfect honeymoon without any risk of sudden downpours, it would be wiser to visit this amazing country during the dry season. Like many other Southeast Asian countries, Indonesia has both dry and wet seasons. However, since Indonesia is spread across a very large area with multiple honeymoon destinations, we suggest you to do your research about your destination before you go.
Dry season in Indonesia usually spans between April and September. This period is the most popular time to visit Indonesia. August is the driest month and therefore it’s a perfect month to spend your honeymoon. The wet season is between October and April, January being the wettest month. During this season, daily tropical downpours occur which usually last for a couple of hours. For example in Bali, the chance of seeing an extreme monsoon rain is very small. What you will see in Bali during wet season is usually just couple hours of downpour or rainfalls during the night.
If you would like to avoid crowds and find a better deal for your accommodation and plane ticket, shoulder months are ideal for you. May, June and September are the shoulder months of the dry season. Although you may experience a sudden downpour of rain, weather during the shoulder months are very pleasant in general. By the way, there is nothing to be scared of about rainfall if you keep your holiday spirit and try some alternative activies. In a tropical climate, sometimes rainfalls are a relief from the heat.
Useful information for Indonesia
- More than 700 languages are spoken in Indonesia but the official language is Indonesian. In major tourist destinations, there are enough bilinguals who can speak English.
- Local currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (Rp). You can find ATM machines in the bigger cities and major touristic destinations. We suggest you to always carry some cash with you in smaller denominations because most of cab drivers and the smaller merchants at the local markets only accept cash. Keep in mind that many everyday purchases in Indonesia require bargaining.
- Tipping is optional but expected for many services in big cities. In tourist destinations like Bali, most of the restaurants include a service charge in the bill therefore there is no need to tip extra. Taxi drivers and masseurs sometimes expect tip and you can offer small tips out of politeness.
- During your stay in Indonesia, always prefer bottled water instead of tap water.
- If your trip will include island transfers by small planes or boats, packing light will be wiser.
- You may want to bring water-proof backpack or a dry bag to protect your camera and other electronics from rain and the sea.
- Bring a mosquito repellent with you.
- Bring an umbrella or a lightweight rain jacket and a pair of comfortable shoes for hiking and sightseeing.
- Although the main religion in Indonesia is Islam, the country is also home millions of Christians, Hindus and Buddhists. Most probably, you are going to visit temples of different religions during your holiday. Therefore, always be respectful to different religions and local people in the country and try to avoid verbal arguments. When you are visiting a temple or a mosque, you should follow the etiquette and dress accordingly.