The Perfect Honeymoon in Bali (2026 Edition)
By Kate Van Dell for Sebastian Luxe Travel
I met my husband on vacation in 2014. At some point in the hazy, sun-soaked weeks that followed, I mentioned that I’d never want an engagement ring. I’d rather take an incredible trip to somewhere like Bali. He nodded in agreement. Later, we also decided we didn’t want to be in a long-distance relationship. The solution was obvious: three months traveling through Southeast Asia together, with Bali right at the center of it.
Here’s the part where I thought we were basically engaged. He did not, apparently. (A detail I’ve since forgiven him for, though mostly because he carried my backpack through the Hong Kong airport when I was jet-lagged and feral.)
We spent a month in Bali, and it was as beautiful and romantic as everyone says. The kind of place that imprints on you, so that even years later you find yourself daydreaming about the rice terraces or the sound of the ocean at night. I think about going back all the time.
So if I were to plan the perfect Bali honeymoon today, here’s what it would look like: two full weeks, with three distinct chapters, because every great trip deserves a little narrative arc.
Week One: Ubud (The Jungle Chapter)
Enchanting serenity at Capella Ubud — where every moment feels like a dream. Image courtesy of Capella via Fora.
Start in Ubud, where life revolves around wellness, art, and rice fields so green they’ll make you believe in Instagram filters again. This is the place for your private villa with a plunge pool, morning yoga that you’ll either embrace or abandon after one class, and long lazy lunches where you realize nasi goreng is never just fried rice.
Stay:
Four Seasons Sayan: the sweeping epic. Cross a suspension bridge into a lotus pond, retreat to a jungle villa, and let breakfasts turn into afternoons.
Amandari: the whisper. Frangipani blossoms, stone paths, and villas that feel like secret hideaways.
Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve: the sanctuary. Villas opening onto rice paddies or the Ayung River, candlelit riverside dinners, and service that feels telepathic.
Capella Ubud: glamping, but couture. Jungle tents with copper tubs and vintage trunks, part Indiana Jones, part honeymoon champagne.
Do: A private blessing at Tirta Empul, bike rides through rice terraces, cooking classes where you’re bad at pounding spices but excellent at eating.
A Few Days: Gili Islands or Lombok (The Castaway Chapter)
Take the boat to the Gili Islands or hop over to Lombok for a few days. The vibe here is barefoot romance: no cars, just bikes and horses; no agenda, just white sand and turquoise water. It’s the perfect palate cleanser between jungle and coast.
A note of caution: The boat rides can be bumpy. If you get seasick, this is not the chapter for you. Pick a longer stretch in Ubud or head straight to the coast instead.
Stay: Boutique eco-resorts on Gili Meno or Gili Air, or The Oberoi Lombok for something timeless and secluded.
Do: Snorkel with sea turtles, bike around the island in under an hour, attempt stand-up paddleboarding, and nap. Napping is key.
Week Two: The Coast (The Ocean Chapter)
Photo: Amankila courtesy of Amankila via Fora marketing content
End your trip back on Bali’s coast, where the beach meets five-star indulgence. Here you get the spa treatments, the rooftop cocktails, and the chance to just sit with your feet in the sand and think: this is exactly what a honeymoon should feel like.
Stay:
Alila Villas Uluwatu: the drama. Clifftop villas, glass-edge pools, sunsets so good they ruin every other sunset.
Amankila: the grande dame. That three-tiered infinity pool above the Lombok Strait, stilted thatched suites, and a private black-sand beach.
Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay: the classic. Villas that feel like a village, seafood dinners on the sand, timeless romance.
Do: Sunset temple visits (Uluwatu is iconic), private dinners on the beach, and maybe one surf lesson if you want to be humbled on your honeymoon.
Bali Honeymoon FAQ
How long is the perfect Bali honeymoon?
Two weeks. Less than that and you’ll feel like you’re on a reality show called “Honeymoon Speed Run.” More than that and you might start asking your partner if they’ve always chewed that loudly.
When is the best time to honeymoon in Bali?
May to September is dry season, which means sunny skies and Instagrammable rice fields. December to March is rainy season, which means dramatic thunderstorms and you learning that “romantic” is really just code for “we are trapped inside together.”
Is Bali expensive for a honeymoon?
Not really. You can splurge on Four Seasons or Aman and live your best “eat, pray, love” life, or you can stay at chic boutique villas and still feel like a movie star. Bali’s magic trick is that you get five-star everything without needing to sell a kidney.
What makes Bali special for a honeymoon?
It’s not just the beaches. Bali gives you jungle temples, spa days that make you rethink your entire life, food that is technically fried rice but feels like fine dining, and sunsets so good you’ll both pretend you’re “living in the moment” while taking 400 photos.
Do you need a visa for Bali?
For most travelers, you get a visa-on-arrival that lasts 30 days (and can be extended to 60). Basically, yes, you can honeymoon here without too much paperwork. Just double check before you go, because “we couldn’t get in” is a terrible first chapter to your love story.
Pro Tips for Your Bali Honeymoon
Pack lightly: You’ll live in swimsuits, linen, and that one dress you overpack every vacation and never wear.
Bring cash: ATMs work, but small bills make markets and taxis easier.
Spa etiquette: Balinese massages are not the gentle kind. They are intense and life-changing. Prepare to re-meet your muscles.
Sunset strategy: Sunsets are a sport in Bali. Claim your spot early, order a drink, and don’t pretend you’re not taking 75 photos.
Adjust expectations: Bali is magical, but it’s still real life. There are scooters everywhere, monkeys that will absolutely steal your sunglasses, and humidity that doesn’t care about your blowout. Consider it part of the charm.
The Takeaway
A Bali honeymoon is the rare kind of trip that feels like three vacations in one. Jungle, islands, and coast. Spa bliss, beach romance, and a little adventure to keep things interesting. And the best part? After two weeks you’ll leave already plotting your return.
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The Sebastian Luxe Travel Guide to St. Barth — Chic, French, and effortlessly glamorous. Because sometimes you need a Caribbean honeymoon sequel