For adventurous travelers and newlyweds, Ubud, Bali is the ideal honeymoon destination. Plan a romantic honeymoon in Bali and experience genuine hospitality, tranquillity, and adventure.
Why We Chose Ubud, Bali for our Honeymoon
We considered Mexico, the Caribbean, and even far-flung locations such as the Maldives for our honeymoon. We knew we'd be away for a long time for our honeymoon (three weeks in all! ), so we wanted to make the most of it. Mexico and the Caribbean were ruled out because we knew we could easily create a week-long getaway out of them in the future. The Maldives seemed appealing, but we ultimately chose not to go because of the time, expense, and lack of activities.
I've always wanted to visit Bali but didn't know where to begin or what to expect other than it's a great place to eat, pray, and love! Canggu, Kuta, Ubud, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua, and Seminyak are the most popular tourist destinations in Bali, according to my research. Ubud, which is perched high in the jungle of central Bali offers a more romantic experience for honeymooners.
For us, Ubud seemed like the most romantic and peaceful location, while also being close to a variety of adventurous activities for us to try. We went in December, so it was technically rainy season, and being by the beach might not have been as enjoyable as being in the rainforest. We traveled to Thailand for the second portion of our honeymoon, which was "Summer," and we planned to explore the beaches there, so we decided to go ALL IN with Ubud.
At first, I wondered if I would regret not spending four days in Ubud and four days on the beach, but after all was said and done, I am so glad we stayed the entire time in Ubud! :) If you're considering a honeymoon to Ubud, I recommend staying for a week so you can experience both adventure and relaxation at some of the world's best resorts!
How to Get to Ubud
You will most likely fly into Kuta's major airport, Ngurah Rai International Airport, and then need to arrange transportation to Ubud. This drive can take about 1-1.5 hours depending on where you stay. We had the opportunity to purchase a private car shuttle to our airport when we booked our hotel through Agoda; it was just about $16.50 more, so it was a terrific value given our hotel was 90 minutes away!
HolidayTaxis.com was the company that took us to our hotel. You DO NOT want to rent a car or a motorcycle, especially if you have never visited Asia before. The volume of traffic and people on the road astounded and overwhelmed me.
If your taxi driver offers to take you to other parts of Bali during your vacation, don't be startled. Our taxi driver offered us their WhatsApp number in case we needed to contact them for transportation in Ubud. Which we did (again! ), and I'll explain why later.
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Best Resort in Ubud, Bali for your Honeymoon
When deciding where to stay in Ubud for your honeymoon, think about how near you want to be to the town center and what activities you want to do. If you like a more laid-back atmosphere, consider staying outside of town and higher up in the rainforest. There is plenty of nightlife, restaurants, and things to do in downtown Ubud, so if you want to stay close to the excitement, there are many lodging options for you to choose from.
We used Agoda.com to rent the "Premier Valley Pool Villa" at Komaneka Tanggayuda. I was first hesitant to book a hotel through a third party, but it has since become my preferred option! OMG, I almost died and gone to HEAVEN when we arrived to our hotel!
Our Komaneka Tanggayuda Experience
What to Expect on your Arrival
We felt thoroughly taken care of from the time we arrived at our hotel, and it was the ideal spot to start our honeymoon. We were greeted with hot tea and cookies when we arrived, which was wonderful after a long day of travel. My husband dislikes tea, yet for some bizarre reason, he grew hooked on it in Bali! I believe it is because they use fresh lemongrass and ginger rather than tea leaves.
After we were settled into our room, we were greeted with a lovely bath filled with rose petals, which was really romantic for us honeymooners.The bathtub overlooks the pool and the jungle, and it was the first thing we did after a long flight!
Our room overlooked the jungle, with the famed volcano Mt. Batur visible in the background! We'd only be able to see the volcano in the mornings when the sky was clear and there were no clouds. I liked being able to check in with her in the morning to see if she was displaying her beauty for us!
The Food at Komaneka Tanggayuda
Every single day, the breakfast at Komaneka was insanely fantastic. Every morning, you get a new Juice option, a carb option (bread/croissants), a bran option (oatmeal/cereal), and a main meal.
The main restaurant, where breakfast is served every morning, has a beautiful view of the pool and jungle. Nothing beats waking up to the sounds of the rainforest and a wonderful breakfast prepared for you.You can also have breakfast in your room, which we did on occasion when we had to wake up early.
The bottom level area beside the pool is available for lunch, so kick off your shoes and sit on the ground level for lunch!
The Pools at Komaneka Tanggayuda Resort
We spent a lot of time in our own private pool. On the grounds of the Komaneka resort, there are two beautiful pools. The main pool overlooks the lush rainforest, while another pool looks out over the rice paddies in the distance.
There's also a large jacuzzi area that's beautiful and secluded, where we definitely enjoyed a few Bintangs!
The Rooms
At Komaneka Tanngayuda, all of the rooms are luxurious and romantic. The rooms are large, clean, and minimalistic in design. They pay attention to the tiniest details, rose petals were sprinkled on the bed and sun hats were put in the rooms for us to use by the pool! They were mindful that we were on our honeymoon and went out of their way to make our stay memorable.
We also enjoyed a Spa day at the hotel after a long day of hiking. We loved the full-body massages, then used the steam room and sat in the jacuzzi with a cup of tea. Truly a dream honeymoon destination and experience!
We enjoyed this Komaneka location because it was only 20 minutes from downtown but it seemed like you were in your own own jungle hideaway. When you wish to leave the property, they have a shuttle that takes you to various downtown places, which we used virtually every day.
Activities Near Downtown Ubud
Downtown Ubud is surprisingly trendy, with a plethora of local restaurants, shops, temples, and other attractions.
Visit the Ubud Market
Where is the Ubud Market?
The Ubud Art Market is easy to spot because it is in the heart of Ubud. The Market is made up of several buildings and a single long street where traders set up shop for the day. While similar things can be found in shops all around Bali, the Ubud Art Market is likely the most recognized for souvenirs and Balinese handicrafts, which are ideal to bring home for family and friends.
Take a stroll through the famous market and collect as many items as you can! There are a plethora of hidden alleyways and shops to explore. To cool off, buy a fresh coconut and stroll through the market, admiring the amazing handcrafted products on sale. If you want to secure a good deal, you might even attempt bargaining with the local merchants.
The Ubud Art Market is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. About 9 a.m., vendors will begin to set up and open their stores, and around 10 a.m., the crowds at the market will begin to grow. We would avoid going to the market in the afternoon since between 1 and 4 p.m., buses full of visitors arrive looking to shop.
Visit the Monkey Forest Sanctuary
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is conveniently located near downtown, so you can simply go here and visit the Hindu temple that the monkeys have commandeered. There are walking routes throughout the property, and the monkeys are free to go wherever they wish! I was a little concerned coming here because I'd heard movies of monkeys stealing items and groping people, but as long as you keep to yourself and don't taunt them, you'll be OK.
Hike the Campuhan Ridge Walk
The Campuhan Ridge Walk is accessible from downtown Ubud. This link will lead you to the road where you may begin your hike. Because there is no shade in the afternoon, I recommend doing this hike in the morning. This entry contains a temple at the start of the trip, and you can walk down to the "Pont de Campuhan," an iconic bridge into town and over the river. This was probably one of my favorite things to do in Bali!
The climb is lush and beautiful, with a 360-degree view of the green jungle. You'll arrive at a little village with a few cafes and galleries if you walk far enough. Make sure to protect yourself with sunscreen and a hat!
We purchased artwork to take home with us! This was the ONLY memento we purchased, and we are thrilled to have been able to help a local artist. The costs are 70% less than what you would pay in town. He was able to roll the paintings up for us so that we could store them easily in our backpack.
Eat at Lotus Cafe
While walking around town, you might discover Lotus Cafe, but what you don't see from the outside is the beautiful temple that sits on the premises. Lotus Cafe was a fantastic place to eat lunch, with breathtaking views and authentic Indonesian cuisine. We sat at the tables near the pond, criss cross apple sauce on the ground.
You might notice Lotus Cafe as you walk around town, but what you might not see from the outside is the gorgeous temple that resides on the property. Lotus Cafe was an awesome place to dine out for lunch and you'll get to enjoy amazing views and authentic Indonesian food. We sat at the tables by the pond where you sit criss cross apple sauce on the ground :) What I like about Ubud is that there are so many historic temples to see and admire whether walking around or dining.
Visit Waterfalls near Ubud
You'll need a transportation to go to some of the most secluded waterfalls. This is where our driver, who had driven us from the airport to our hotel, came in handy. He instructed us to text his WhatsApp number and they would provide for a driver/translator if we required one. They set us up with a full day of tourist activities the first time we hired them, which was great because we got to see a lot of Ubud and had a tour guide. Although you can get the same experience through Viator, which I had not know prior!
We wanted to take a detour and see some waterfalls that aren't frequented by tourists. We had to haggle with their supervisor a little to gain permission to travel where we wanted, but we ended up paying $60 for a driver for the day (no translator).
Tibumana Waterfall
Tibumana waterfall is one of Bali's best-kept secrets and one of the most beautiful places to visit. The route to Tibumana waterfall is scenic, passing through small towns and natural scenery. You'll observe endless rice fields and palm trees as you come closer to Tibumana waterfall. Take your time to admire the rice terraces and locals at work in this true Balinese setting.
When you get at the Tibumana Waterfall parking lot, leave your car or motorcycle there and walk for another 10-15 minutes. Near the parking lot, there are a few tiny businesses where you may buy water or refreshments. I would recommend carrying your own water because the rates are doubled here.
The hike to Tibumana Waterfall is not difficult and only takes around 15 minutes, although the return trip involves some steep stairs. Swimming with your spouse and admiring the grandeur of Bali's waterfalls is a very romantic experience. To avoid other tourists, I recommend waking up early.
Pengibul Waterfall
Pengibul Waterfall is a larger cluster of waterfalls that provides for a nice swimming hole, and it's in the same village as Tibumana Waterfall!
The entrance price to these waterfalls is minimal, but it covers both Tibumana and Pengibul Waterfalls. We liked going to Tibumana first and then finishing at Pengibul because Pengibul is more of a swimming hole where you can easily spend a few hours splashing around.
Climb around the falls or have a good time swimming in the pools. You must climb to the top of Pengibul Falls and relax in one of the little pools.
Tegenungan Waterfall
The Tegenungan Waterfall is a popular waterfall with a variety of micro-activities. They have access to a bar/restaurant on top of the waterfall, as well as the iconic Bali Swings and other photo opportunities with wicker shaped sculptures (prepare to pay extra for that). The trip to see the falls was short and steep, but it was a beautiful location to explore. It was also really crowded and touristy!
Take a Balinese Cooking Class
We had a great time at Paon Bali Cooking Class, and it was such a unique and interesting experience! We enjoy cooking at home, so learning about Indonesian ethnic cuisines was fascinating. This class was held on Christmas Day, and it helped us feel at ease while we were gone for the holidays. We met several interesting new people and had a good time while doing so.
We very much enjoyed the Paon Bali Cooking class and it was such a fun and unique activity! We love cooking at home so it was cool to learn the cultural dishes of Indonesia. We did this class on Christmas Day which made us feel at home while we were away for the holidays. We got to meet some cool new people and had some laughs while we were at it.
The class even provides transportation to and from your hotel, making it even easier for us to relax and enjoy ourselves! You can read the rest of my review and see the recipes we prepared here.
Full Day Tour of Ubud Coffee & Tea Farm Tour + Rice Fields + Waterfall + Temple + Balinese Dance Show
Our driver, who was described before in the post, had prepared a full day tour for us to see all of Bali's landmarks. Our journey included visits to rice fields, a waterfall, a Balinese dance performance, a temple, and a coffee and tea estate. For these activities, we spent a total of $50, which included a driver and a translator! On Viator, you can also find very affordable full-day excursions that include a variety of activities. I believe this is the exact tour we did.
Visit a Balinese Coffee and Tea Farm
So, if you don't already know, my husband and I are coffee addicts who drink far more than the typical person. We are very interested in having the entire farm to cup experience because I used to work in the coffee industry. We went on a fantastic coffee tour in Costa Rica, and I've been aching to go on another coffee plantation visit ever since. Because of its microclimate, Indonesia is recognized for its great coffee, which is fortunate for us.
Have you ever heard of Java? The coffee slang phrase also refers to a location in Indonesia where coffee is grown. We even tasted the iconic "Luwak Coffee," which is also known as "POOP" coffee. The coffee berries are eaten and digested by the Luwak mammals, commonly known as Civets. They are known for selecting the best berries to eat, resulting in the world's most costly and lucrative coffee.
Everything we tried was INCREDIBLY delicious! AVOCADO coffee was our favorite....wait, what? Yes, avocado skins are dried and ground into a powder, which is then mixed with coffee. Needless to say, we purchased some to savour throughout our stay in Bali and our subsequent travels through Thailand.
Visit a Temple
Our tour took us to Batuan Temple, and to show respect for Balinese culture, the temple presented us with sarongs to wear. Our guide toured us around and explained how Balinese people worship the temples and how they differ from one another. We made the best of our trip by only visiting one temple because we like outdoor activities and adventurous sightseeing.
Attend a Balinese Performance
Our tour guide led us to see a Balinese dance performance, which was a new yet unforgettable experience for us. I wouldn't recommend it as a honeymoon destination because it caters mainly to families. I'm glad we got to experience it, but it's not something I'd go out of my way to do again.
Rice Fields Tegallalang
The iconic Rice Fields were our final stop on our day tour! We did get some rain, and we were really fatigued by this point, so we only stayed for about 30 minutes, exploring some of the other routes. One day, I'd like to return to this village and explore more of the fields.
That pretty much summed up our Bali honeymoon. We did a lot of resting, but we also got in a lot of adventure and culture. If you have the chance to honeymoon in Ubud, I recommend staying for at least a week to see everything and enjoy yourselves. When we return, I'd like to hike Mt.Batur, an active volcano, which I've heard is an amazing experience, but requires getting up really early LOL.
