Why Spend Your Honeymoon in Bali?
Not only is Bali, Indonesia, one of the more reasonably priced destinations, but it offers a diverse range of activities and landscapes that will suit every type of honeymoon couple. Those looking to relax after a busy year of wedding planning will revel in the upscale resorts, private pools, and healing massages.
Whereas active couples, who want to discover and explore, will find a wealth of experiences, from local cooking classes to white water rafting through jungle rapids. Here are just some of the things you can look forward to on a Bali honeymoon!
Spa & Massage
The healing nature of Bali makes it a mecca for spa and massage, whether you’re looking for alternative therapies, natural hot springs, traditional Balinese massage, or yoga classes. After a busy time of wedding planning and festivities, this is the perfect way to unwind with your partner. We recommend booking a memorable honeymoon couples treatment or one of the famous island spa resorts with private pools.
Cultural Experiences
Known as the ‘Island of the Gods’ for its layers of spirituality, if it’s culture you’re after, then a honeymoon in Bali is for you. The island is peppered with incredible temples that stand out with their beautiful detailing in the green tropical landscape. Each one is an incredible place to take a quiet moment of reflection with your partner.
For something more creative, witness some of the fantastic cultural traditions on the island, like the Kecak fire dance on the cliffs of Uluwatu or the famous Bali kite festival held in July.
Tip: One of the most unique things you can do on your honeymoon in Bali is to take part in a marriage blessing in one of the many sacred temples. During this ceremony, the priest will bless couples with prayers and holy water to unify and harmonize them going forward—a beautiful way to experience Balinese culture.
Paradise Beaches
Although the beaches of mainland Bali might not be the sandy island paradise you’d imagined, these black sand beaches have their own unique beauty and are fantastic for learning to surf on your Bali honeymoon.
However, if you want the true ‘island’ experience, head for the many islands off the fringes of the mainland, where you’ll find no cars, bamboo beach huts, and endless seafood BBQs. From leisurely snorkeling with turtles in the Gili Islands to deep sea diving with manta rays off the cliffs of Nusa Penida, these islands offer a myriad of mind-blowing experiences on a honeymoon in Bali.
This luscious nature is utilized to the fullest for adventure activities, whether it’s ziplining through the treetops, trekking to the summit of volcanic craters, or white water rafting through powerful waterfalls. Trying these new and exhilarating experiences with your partner is the perfect way to strengthen your connection post-wedding.
Food Heaven
While Bali has always offered a world of flavor for visitors, in the last few years, with the rise in the popularity of the island, the gastronomical scene has rocketed to a whole new level. Dine on cheap eats in authentic warungs and fusion food in Bohemian Canggu, or opt for a candlelit dining experience on the beach. Don’t forget to grab a pre-dinner cocktail at one of the many famous beach clubs on the island — the perfect place to watch the sun go down.
Wherever you go, you’ll find many new and exciting restaurants popping up, some with Michelin stars and renowned chefs from around the world who have chosen to call Bali home.
Tip: To make more of a dining experience on your honeymoon in Bali, we recommend joining one of the many family-run cooking schools on the island. During class, you’ll learn more about authentic ingredients and Balinese recipes.
The Best Areas to Stay
Whatever kind of Bali honeymoon you’re looking for, Bali will provide you with a vacation to remember. Although small, the island offers various landscapes and accommodations, so where you stay will depend on what you’re looking for. For example, if you’re after spirituality and culture, the sacred landscapes and temples of Ubud are your best option.
Alternatively, for the true island experience with paradise beaches, snorkeling, and no cars, choose islands like Gili Air that lay just off the mainland. Here are some of the best areas to stay on your honeymoon in Bali.
Ubud (Best for Spirituality)
The luscious greenery, staggered rice terraces, and bamboo houses of Ubud offer the perfect quintessential Bali scenery. The town itself has creative art markets, excellent restaurants, and plenty of beautiful accommodations. Most hotels also provide in-house yoga classes, meditation, and treatments.
Tip: Immerse yourself into the tranquility of Ubud life by staying on the fringes of the rice terraces. You’ll also find typical bamboo house accommodations dotted around town and amongst the trees.
Uluwatu (Best for Surfing)
The dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and fantastic waves have put Uluwatu on the map as a honeymoon destination for those looking for a bit of everything. Known as one of the best surfing spots on the island, it’s perfect for both more experienced surfers and first-timers.
If surfing isn’t your thing, simply relax and unwind at one of the many great beach clubs in the area, watch the incredible sunsets, or witness the incredible Kecak fire dance on top of the cliffs (one of the most unique experiences in Bali!).
The Gili Islands (Paradise Bali Honeymoon)
The Gili Islands is where the real paradise experience takes place on any honeymoon in Bali. These stunning islands lay off the edge of the mainland and are the perfect place to fully disconnect and enjoy quality time with your partner as you walk or bike around the tiny islands, stopping only to snorkel in the crystal-clear waters.
The islands are famous for their abundant marine life, and the chances of swimming with turtles are high! By day, snorkel and relax on the beach (or opt for a more adventurous diving course in the deep blue). By night, enjoy al fresco dining under fairy lights on the beach, sampling freshly caught seafood of the day.
Where to Stay on the Gili Islands
There is a variety of accommodation options on the Gili islands, and choosing which island you’d like to stay on will depend on what you’re looking for on your Bali honeymoon. For example, Gili Trawangan has more bars and restaurants and more lively nightlife in general, with more contemporary accommodation options.
On the other hand, choose Gili Air, and you’ll find many small farms, gardens, and tiny wooden accommodations (more of a typical island experience).
Seminyak/Canggu (Best for Nightlife and Restaurants)
Both these neighboring towns are the perfect places to base yourself for your honeymoon in Bali!
Canggu
Choose bohemian Canggu for a more laidback atmosphere with some of the trendiest bars and restaurants on the island. Days here are spent wandering between upmarket boutiques and creative markets, stopping for delicious brunches and iced coffees before heading to one of the beaches for live music or a surf lesson.
Seminyak
Alternatively, for something a little more upscale and contemporary, choose buzzing Seminyak, which feels more like a small city than a town and offers some of the most luxurious accommodations, bars, and restaurants.
Hotels in Seminyak/Canggu
If it’s a resort honeymoon you’re after, then Seminyak is a great option. However, both destinations are great jumping-off points to other spots on Bali and are within easy access to the airport.
Sidemen (Undiscovered Bali Honeymoon Destination)
Sidemen is one of the more undiscovered spots in Bali — a small village in the Central East of the island, nestled between valleys and shadowed by Mount Agung in the distance. Because it’s still relatively untouched by tourism, it’s the perfect place to escape the crowds and disconnect post-wedding. There may not be beaches here, but you’ll potentially have the waterfalls, rice terraces, temples, and natural walking trails all to yourself!
Tip: Want to do something adventurous while on your Bali honeymoon? Hike to the top of the famous volcano, Mount Agung, which stands at over 3000 meters! Many people climb through the night to catch the spectacular sunrise views from the summit when the clouds below you glow pink and orange.
Hotels in Sidemen
One of the best things about Sidemen is the variety of beautiful bamboo house accommodations on offer. Find one with expansive windows or an open-air roof so you can have unimpeded views of the verdant rice terraces and starry night skies.
Camaya and Veluvana are on the more luxurious side, so they’re perfect for a honeymoon in Bali. You can also afford to spend a big chunk of your budget on accommodation here since everything else is so affordable.
Nusa Lembongan + Nusa Ceningan
Welcome to your honeymoon on Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan, home to beautiful clifftop resorts with infinity pools, beach swings on powdery coastlines, and a wild ocean home to manta rays and dolphins. These fantastic islands are just a short boat ride away from Bali, but they feel a world away when it comes to tranquility and nature.
Hire a motorbike and join the slow pace of life, crossing between the two islands on the famous Yellow Bridge as you make your way to hotel pools and sunset viewpoints. For those who love to dive, this area is the perfect spot to swim with Manta Rays; it’s a truly magical experience to get up close and personal with these gentle giants!
Hotels in the Nusas
The three main islands are Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Penida. However, we recommend staying on Lembongan as it’s a bit more lively and a great base for day trips to the others. Choose one of the luxury sea-facing resorts for the ultimate luxury on your honeymoon in Bali.
Sanur
Palm tree-lined beaches, epic sunrises, and beautiful hotels are what a honeymoon in Bali’s Sanur could look like! The more southern area of Sanur lies close to Denpasar airport and was one of the original vacation hot spots on the island—for a good reason. There are plenty of beautiful hotels to choose from, as well as fantastic shops, restaurants, and even festivals! Visit in July, for example, and you’ll get to witness Bali’s kite festival in full swing, which takes place annually in Sanur.
Unlike the black sand beaches in nearby Canggu and Seminyak, the beaches in Sanur have beautiful soft white sand and shallow water, which make them popular with both tourists and locals alike. Grab a sun bed and enjoy a traditional Balinese massage on the beach — the perfect way to relax on your honeymoon in Bali!
Nusa Dua (Best for Luxury and Romance)
Nusa Dua might not showcase the most authentic side of Bali, but it’s definitely up there as one of the best places for the traditional honeymoon experience. This is where you’ll find the most luxurious resorts on the island, complete with crystalline private pools, private beach access, and manicured golf courses.
For the ultimate honeymoon in Bali, make the most of this blissful relaxation, enjoying candlelit dinners, exclusive dining experiences, and soaking up the luxury Bali offers.
Tip: Nusa Dua is conveniently located on the island, close to the neighboring towns of Seminyak, Kuta, and Canggu. As such, it’s a great spot to locate yourself to explore other parts of Bali.
How to Visit Bali for Your Honeymoon
Bali has grown in popularity as a honeymoon destination over the last few years, meaning that there are more flight options than ever before from destinations worldwide. Because the island is small, you can fly into the main airport and be transferred to your nearby accommodation in a matter of hours, if not less!
We recommend booking a private driver for your honeymoon in Bali. You can arrange this ahead of your trip and plan your airport pick-up and itinerary with them beforehand. This often works out as being more cost-effective than taking taxis all over the island and allows you to get a local’s insight into the best places to visit in Bali.
Our Favorite Bali Honeymoon Accommodations
- Ubud: Goya Boutique Resort, Bisma Eight, Weda Cita Resort and Spa by Mahaputra
- Uluwatu: Radisson Blu Bali Uluwatu, The Ungasan Clifftop Resort, Bulgari Resort Bali
- Nusa Dua: The Ritz-Carlton Bali, The St. Regis Bali Resort, The Apurva Kempinski Bali
- Gili Islands: Villa Tokay – Luxury Private Villas, Akasia Villas, Jambuluwuk Oceano
- Seminyak/Canggu: Blossom Eco Luxe Villas Canggu, Theanna Villa and Spa Canggu, The Legian Seminyak, Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach
- Nusa Lembongan: Aqua Nusa, Tamarind Resort, Ombak Bay
- Sidemen: Camaya, Veluvana, Samanvaya
- Sanur: Andaz Bali, Sudamala Resort, Hyatt Regency Bali
How Much Does it Cost for a Bali Honeymoon?
As a honeymoon destination, Bali is up there with one of the most affordable. Although prices have increased in line with the island’s popularity, you can still find fantastic bamboo accommodations, upscale resorts, and boutique hotels. What’s more, it’s much cheaper than accommodation in more traditional honeymoon locations like the Maldives or Caribbean Islands.
What’s more, exploring the island is very affordable; many of the main things to do are free, such as exploring the jungles, beaches, and temples, and if you do want to take a tour, you can do so for a very reasonable price. Find the right spots, and you can also eat delicious authentic Indonesian food for next to nothing!
Best Time to Visit Bali for Your Honeymoon
Bali’s rainy season spans from November to April, so if it’s sunny beachside relaxation you’re after, we recommend visiting outside of these months. This would be ideally from April to September when the days are warm, and the oceans are at their clearest for snorkeling and diving.
We recommend avoiding the months of July and August, as it’s the most popular time of year for vacationers. Plus, the more visited areas of Canggu and Seminyak get very busy.
Tip: If you don’t mind some afternoon rains, the rainy season can be an excellent time to visit for fewer crowds and lower prices on your Bali honeymoon.
Do I Need a Visa for a Honeymoon in Bali?
Planning on visiting Bali for your honeymoon for less than 30 days? All you need to do is pre-purchase your visa (e-VOA) before arriving.
The VOA is valid for 30 days, and that visa can be extended for another 30 days in Indonesia (60 days in total if you’re looking at booking an extended honeymoon). You can get a VOA on arrival at the airport (make sure to bring cash) or get your e-VOA visa online beforehand. Both cost 35 USD and can be paid in IDR, EUR, AUD, or USD.
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