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Indonesia has stunning scenery, incredible biodiversity, and a rich cultural heritage. While I loved our honeymoon there and we did many things right, there were a few things I wish we’d known beforehand. Here are my top 5 essential tips to help you have a smoother, more enjoyable trip.
1. Leave Extra Time for Bali Traffic
Much of our tour time in Bali was spent in stop-and-go traffic. If you’re prone to car sickness like me, bring motion sickness meds. I didn’t have any on hand, but luckily we booked private tours so I could move to the front seat when I started to feel sick. The Google Maps time estimates can be inaccurate, so if you have any time constraints like flights or reservations make sure to leave ample time.
2. Stay Sun-Safe in the Water
On one of our tours, we snorkeled at three different spots and forgot to reapply sunscreen between sessions. We ended up with very painful sunburns on our back sides! The hotel we stayed at charged a big premium for aloe, so bring your own just in case and apply reef-safe sunscreen religiously.
3. Bring Your Own Snorkeling Mask
I was nervous about snorkeling since I’m not the strongest swimmer, but this snorkeling mask made it so much easier. I could breathe normally through my nose and mouth, float with a life jacket, and see clearly underwater. Even if you prefer a standard mask, it’s still worth bringing your own for comfort and sanitation.
4. Avoid Entering Indonesia via Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta’s airport doesn’t have the e-VOA fast-track machines that Jakarta and Bali offer. We ended up waiting over an hour at customs to be processed manually. If you can, fly into Bali (Denpasar) or Jakarta to save time at immigration.
5. Start Tours Early to Beat Crowds
The earlier you begin your day, the less time you’ll spend in traffic and lines. We found attractions much quieter early in the morning, and the cooler morning weather made exploring far more enjoyable.
Looking for things to do in Indonesia? Check out my 5 favorite things from my honeymoon in Indonesia!