Top 5 Things to Do in Indonesia

I got married this year and for our honeymoon, my husband and I spent 11 days exploring Indonesia in August/September. We picked Indonesia because Bali is a popular honeymoon destination and not too far from China (we wanted to visit our families and hometowns beforehand). The itinerary we planned was with a mix of culture, beach, and nature, so we hopped around quite a bit (maybe a bit too much!). We went from Yogyakarta → Bali (Seminyak) → Labuan Bajo → Bali (Ubud). We skipped volcanic treks like Mount Bromo since we didn’t want to do intense hikes on our honeymoon.

Even though we got sunburnt and spent more time in traffic than we’d like, I’m so glad we chose Indonesia. The trip was affordable yet luxurious (we stayed at fancy hotels for under $300 a night) and packed with unforgettable experiences. Here are the top 5 things we loved most about our honeymoon in Indonesia:

1. Komodo + nearby islands

Why Visit:

Komodo Island is the only place in the world to see wild Komodo dragons. Pair that with pink beaches, scenic hikes, and snorkeling, and you’ve got one of Indonesia’s most unique adventures.

Highlights:

• Padar Island Hike → panoramic view of three beaches in different colors (black, white, pink).
• Pink Beach → soft rose-tinted sand, perfect for relaxing.
• Komodo National Park → ranger-guided walk to see Komodo dragons.
• Snorkeling stops → pristine sandbar, colorful reefs/fish, manta rays, and turtles.

How to Go:

We flew from Bali to Labuan Bajo (1 hour) and joined a one-day speed boat tour that took us to all the highlights and included lunch at Komodo National Park. We had such a great time that we wish we had booked one of the multi-day tours where you can stay on a boat and do additional things like watch bats take flight at sunset. Our hotel in Labuan Bajo was incredible too. The views were stunning, and I wish we had stayed longer to enjoy the resort activities!

2. Jatiluwih Green Land (Bali)

Why Visit:

Bali’s largest rice terrace, Jatiluwih offers breathtaking views of endless green paddies stretching across the hills.

Highlights:

• Walk between the rice terraces.
• Dine with a view — the restaurant here serves surprisingly good and legit food. We loved the fried duck and the fried fish that was quite spicy.

How to Go:

We visited as part of a private North Bali tour.

3. Ulun Danu Bratan Temple (Bali)

Why Visit:

One of Bali’s most iconic temples, Ulun Danu Bratan sits in the middle of a serene lake surrounded by mountains.

Highlights:

• The layered temple roofs are made of palm fibers, giving them a cloud-like, fluffy look.
• Beautiful gardens and lake views perfect for photos.

How to Go:

We visited as part of the same North Bali private tour.

4. Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (Bali)

Why Visit:

This lush Ubud sanctuary is home to over 1,200 Balinese long-tailed macaques, making it one of Bali’s most entertaining attractions.

Highlights:

• Watch monkeys swing across branches, groom each other, and play with rocks.
• Spot tiny and cute baby macaques clinging to their mothers.

How to Go:

We visited as part of a private Ubud tour, but this was close enough to our hotel in Ubud where we could’ve gone there by Grab.

5. Borobudur Temple (Yogyakarta)

Why Visit:

Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist monument and a UNESCO site, is a must-see in Yogyakarta.

Highlights:

• Stone stupas with hidden Buddhas inside that have different poses.
• Intricate carvings on walls that illustrate the journey to Nirvana.

How to Go:

We flew to Yogyakarta and booked this private Borobudur + Prambanan day tour. However, the Borobudur Temple comes with its own tour guide and Prambanan the Hindu temple was just ok (Angkor Wat was much more impressive), so we could’ve booked just transportation to Borobudur.