Bali honeymoon: where to stay and what to do?
Bali is one of the easiest places to get a honeymoon right: private pool villas at prices you won't find anywhere else for that level of comfort, wildly different landscapes less than two hours apart, and a warm welcome. The secret is to combine two or three settings rather than staying in one place.
When to go? The dry season, April to October, is the most pleasant. July and August are also the busiest and most expensive months, as are the Australian school holidays and Christmas. April-May and September-October are the sweet spot: see When is the best time to visit Bali?
Where to stay, depending on the mood you're after:
- Ubud and around: a villa in the jungle or overlooking the rice terraces, with a private pool, often an infinity one. This is the romantic heart of the trip.
- Uluwatu and the Bukit Peninsula: clifftop hotels, hidden coves and the best sunsets on the island.
- Nusa Dua or Jimbaran: big resorts facing a calm sea, a bubble cut off from the world (and, be aware, from Bali too).
- Sidemen or Amed: (almost) complete peace and quiet, far from the crowds, especially in Sidemen. See Why stay in Sidemen instead of Ubud?
- Nusa Lembongan, or the Gili Islands (off Lombok): the castaway chapter of the trip. See How do I get to Nusa Penida, and how many days do I need?
Things to do together:
- A Balinese couples massage, often followed by a flower bath, an island speciality. Every good hotel offers it in its spa.
- The Kecak fire dance at sunset, facing the ocean: see What is there to do in Uluwatu (temple, Kecak, surf)?
- Dinner with your feet in the sand: see Is a Jimbaran beach dinner worth it, and what will it cost?
- Sunrise from the top of a volcano: see Is the Mount Batur sunrise trek worth it, and how does it work?
- Swimming with manta rays: see Where can you swim with manta rays in Nusa Penida?
On budget, a really lovely private pool villa starts at around 2,000,000 rupiah a night (about US$110) outside July and August, and a lot more for the most famous addresses. That said, good deals do exist, especially around Ubud. Mention your honeymoon when you book: many hotels prepare a little surprise (a flower-decorated bed, a cake, sometimes an upgrade).
Verdict: for 10 to 15 days, the winning combination is Ubud, then an island (Nusa Lembongan or the Gilis), then Uluwatu to finish facing the sunset. See How to spend 2 weeks in Bali?
Tip: stick to three places to stay at most: every move costs you half a day of packing and driving, and a honeymoon is best enjoyed slowly. But if you've married an adventurer, the whole of Bali is waiting to be explored!
Information checked in October 2026; prices may change, so check before you go.