Bali: the perfect honeymoon destination
The island of Bali in Indonesia is one of the world’s most romantic places, and a perfect honeymoon destination. It offers spectacular beaches, jungle forests, volcanoes and ricefields to explore with your partner. But there’s more than nature! Bali has areas with amazing nightlife and many high-end luxurious resorts and 5-star hotels.
We believe Bali is the perfect honeymoon destination! Bali offers amazing beaches and nature to explore, a unique hospitable culture, delicious food and many romantic activities for couples. All of this can be experienced while comfortably staying in luxury accomodation. Bali has an unmatched offering of affordable luxury hotels and resorts - at a fraction of the price you would pay anywhere else in the world. It is a diverse island, with popular tourist areas as well as secluded spots for you and your partner to retreat to.
Tropical Island
Bali is a tropical island in the Indian Ocean, part of the Indonesian archipelago in South-East Asia. The island’s beautiful landscapes are formed by millions of years of volcanic activity, as well as a humid, tropical climate. Rivers have carved majestic valleys through the island. Bordering the wild Indian Ocean on the south and calm Java Sea on the north, a wide variety of beautiful beaches form the border between land and sea.
Island of Gods
Bali is known as the Island of Gods. It is the only Hindu island in Indonesia, with a very distinct and unique culture. The island features around 20.000 Hindu temples – some of which are very spectacular and open to visitors. The local culture and traditions are still practised all over the island. When traveling around you will very likely stumble upon ceremonies or parades. The Balinese people are extremely hospitable and friendly, and will welcome curious visitors to witness their traditions.
Luxury & Romance
In Bali, your options as a newlywed couple are almost endless. The island is known for its luxurious hotels, fancy beachclubs and fine dining. It is definitely possible to splurge on fancy accomodation for you and your partner. The most spectacular honeymoon suites do come at a cost. However, in general, Bali is very affordable, and the island is great on any budget. Lovely beach clubs are scattered around the island, especially the south. Fine dining restaurants can be found in the Ubud, Uluwatu and Seminyak regions. Some restaurants offer romantic private dining, in a secluded spot surrounded with candle lights!
Bali regions and map
The island of Bali is larger than most people expect, and has many distinct regions. It takes around 3 hours to drive from north to south or from west to east. Most people combine a few regions during their honeymoon in Bali to get a full taste of what the island has to offer. Check out our 8 ready-made Bali Honeymoon Itineraries for inspiration!
South Bali is the most developed and touristy region on the island. This is where you find the most luxury hotels and nightlife. The south is also famous for its beaches and surf. The airport is conveniently located near the popular tourist spots in South bali. Our guide will help you find the right spots in South Bali for a romantic honeymoon. We love Uluwatu, Seminyak and Canggu. We recommend against spending your honeymoon in Kuta - it’s overrun by mass tourism and there are many more romantic places in Bali. Another option in South Bali is Nusa Dua, an area known for its large luxurious resorts right in front of a beautiful beach.
North Bali is a different world, away from the crowds: spectacular nature with dense jungle, 100-meter high waterfalls, volcanoes, crater lakes, calm beaches, hot springs and more. North Bali is where you will still find very traditional Balinese life. Our articles on Amed and Lovina will help you and your partner to find some romantic secluded spots!
Between the North and the South, in Central Bali, you will find the spectacular jungle town of Ubud. Made famous by the Movie Eat Pray Love, Ubud is our favorite honeymoon destination on the island. Check out our Ubud Honeymoon Guide to learn why!
Some more remote off the beaten path destinations in central bali are the Munduk Region on the slope of a volcanic crater and the serene Sidemen village surrounded by rice fields and mountains. While these are more uncommon destinations for a honeymoon, both have a luxury boutique hotel we would recommend, so check our guides!
We have published honeymoon guides to each of the different regions. Use the filter buttons below to find the perfect destination for you and your partner!
Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts
The options for Bali honeymoon hotels are endless. Bali offers spectacular luxury at reasonable cost, especially compared to locations in the Western hemisphere. A 5-star hotel experience in Bali might cost the same as a 3-star hotel in Australia, Europe, or North America. Add the famous Balinese hospitality, and you can be sure to celebrate your honeymoon in comfort and style!
Not all regions in Bali offer the same amount of luxury honeymoon hotel options - but there are great places to stay all over the island for any budget. Uluwatu and Seminyak are your best bets for luxury beachfront resorts, while the jungle town of Ubud is well known for it’s luxury accomodation overlooking valleys, rivers and ricefields.
Make sure to check our list of the top 20 most luxurious Bali hotels for an unforgettable experience. However, no need to splurge every night, even during a honeymoon! We have composed a list of 10 amazing budget hotels, often with rooms under 100$ per night.
We have listed our 3 absolute favorite luxury hotels below. You can’t go wrong on these. But make sure to check out our regional articles for many more great options (including some more budget-friendly suggestions).
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Bulgari Resort Bali (Uluwatu)
15m drive east of Uluwatu, on the cliffs♥Check Availability
✓ Rated ★9.6 at Booking. →
For more amazing Bali hotels, check out our list of most luxurious Bali hotels.
Romantic Activities in Bali
Bali has a wide range of romantic activities to enjoy with your partner. The island is large, so it really depends where you stay! Learn to dive together in Amed, explore Bali’s best beaches and sunsets around Uluwatu, watch Dolphins in Lovina, enjoy fine dining in Seminyak or discover a spectacular jungle together around Ubud. The options are endless…
However if you would force us to choose, these are our favorite romantic activities that make a perfect Bali Honeymoon:
One of the most romantic activities in Bali is watching the sunset. There are many great sunset locations across Bali. Check our overview of The 10 Most Romantic Bali Sunsets for a complete overview.
Another great activity for couples on a honeymoon in Bali is visiting a spa, sauna or hotspring - we love it so much that we wrote this dedicated guide with our favorite spots. You’ll feel so refreshed afterwards!
You don’t need to move from hotel to hotel to see most of Bali. A great way to explore the island without a lot of hassle is by booking one of the many Bali day trips. They normally include pick-up and drop off at your hotel.
Romantic Dining in Bali
In most countries, the Michelin Guide sets the record straight. It decides which restaurants deserve their famous stars. Unfortunately, they not operate in Bali or Indonesia. We believe they should! Bali offers world-class fine dining experiences that can compete with some of the finest Michelin-starred restaurants out there.
Most romantic fine dining restaurants can be found in Ubud and Seminyak. We’ve listed a few below. In Ubud, you can even find some options for romantic private dining surrounded by candlelights in a secluded location overlooking the jungle. The perfect dining experience for couples on their honeymoon!
While Canggu and Uluwatu are not offering the same level of fine dining as Ubud or Seminyak, they offer a wide variety of healthy food and varied international dining options – likely to serve the health-conscious surfers staying in these places. Canggu is where you will likely be served the most “Instagram-worthy” plates of beautifully presented dishes.
Don’t just stick to fancy food! You might like to splurge a little on your honeymoon. But don’t forget to try out the excellent local Balinese and Indonesian dishes. Bali is known for its pork dishes, including Sate Babi (grilled pork skewers) and Babi Guling (spicy dish made of suckling pig). Ayam Betutu is a delicious Balinese meal consisting of chicken and rice. Anywhere across Bali you will find Warungs, local family restaurants serving a wide variety of Indonesian dishes. Don’t know what to choose? Ask for Nasi Campur, a bowl of white rice surrounded by samples of the best dishes they have on offer.
If we had to pick our favorite honeymoon restaurants in Bali, these would be our picks:
Best Bali Honeymoon Itineraries
- Visit Multiple Regions: We believe the best way to see Bali, is by spending time in a few different regions. We recommend taking it easy, and staying 3 to 4 nights per region. Traveling can be exhausting, and this allows you to really enjoy the regions you visit. We are sharing our 8 favourite Bali Honeymoon Itineraries here.
- Staying in one place: This is more convenient, especially for couples looking to wind down on their honeymoon after their wedding. You can still discover the island by doing some day trips. We recommend staying in one of the south Bali beach towns (luxury Seminyak, hipster Canggu or calmer resort town Nusa Dua are good options) if you plan to stay in a single hotel. Couples that prefer to stay in the jungle, we believe Ubud is a great base too.
- Bali & other islands: Indonesia has more to offer than just Bali. The tranquil Gili Islands or spectacular cliffs and beaches of Nusa Dua are just a short ferry ride away. The island of Lombok is great for surfing and hiking. Java offers volcanoes, a rich culture and large cities.
Check out our Bali Honeymoon Itineraries for 8 complete itineraries across multiple regions, which we have selected with care based on our experience living in Bali.
The Cost of a Bali Honeymoon
A Bali honeymoon can be expensive, especially when frequenting fine dining restaurants, fancy clubs and the best honeymoon suites. However, a Bali honeymoon is possible on almost any budget. No matter what level of luxury you and your partner prefer, you will be guaranteed to get amazing value for money in Bali. We said it before, but luxurious hotels and restaurants cost a fraction of what they cost in most other countries in the world.
A reasonable budget without going overboard would be around 300USD per night, including food, accomodation and activities. This does require some conscious choices. If you would like to experience the best hotels in Bali, you will likely spend more than that on just accomodation. Some hotels, like the Bulgari or Four Seasons, offer their best honeymoon suites at rates well beyond 1000USD per night. Beach Clubs and nightlife can get expensive too - often expecting a minimum spend for their best tables or sunbeds. Don’t let that scare you however: you can really have a honeymoon in Bali on any budget. There are couples who manage to get by with less than 100USD per night!
Some tips to keep the budget within reason:
- Ubud, Seminyak, Uluwatu and Canggu are known to be more expensive regions, while Nusa Penida, Amed and Lovina are known to be cheaper regions. Combining a luxurious location with a more affordable region might be an option.
- Fine dining with your partner is amazing. But Bali has amazing street food at extremely low prices. Give it a try!
- Especially in Canggu and Seminyak: the beachfront hotels are expensive. Look a little further inland. You can still get the beach experience by visiting a beach club for a day!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bali a good Honeymoon destination?
Bali is a great honeymoon destination. One of the world's most romantic places, that has a lot to offer in nature, culture and affordable luxury. Beautiful beaches, jungle and ricefields. Fine dining and amazing nightlife. Beautiful sunsets and romantic places to explore, discover them all in our Honeymoon Guide.
What is the best region in Bali for a Honeymoon?
Seminyak, Uluwatu and Ubud are the most popular honeymoon destinations in Bali. However the island is very diverse and has a lot to offer for any couple!
Is Kuta in Bali a good honeymoon destination.
We don't think so. Kuta does not have very romantic vibes. This is where you find masses of tourists looking for cheap liquor. Nearby Seminyak has more upscale vibes.
Written by Olivia & Dirk
Hi! We have put together this guide with a lot of care, based on our own experiences. As a couple, we have lived in Bali for the past 5 years, and we fell in love with the island. We have visited every corner of Bali, especially the romantic places ;-). While our articles do contain affiliate links, you can trust us to recommend only the experiences that we love.
Read more about us or let us help you organize your honeymoon for you!