All those months of planning leading up to your big day can be the most beautiful yet the most exhausting time of your life. Dreaming of nice long massages with picture perfect rice terrace views? Or perhaps watching an exotic sunset as you walk along clear turquoise waters? It sounds like you need a Balimoon to set the tone right for you to cozy up with your partner and just enjoy being married while doing absolutely nothing. With that being said, there’s no way you’re getting bored even if you choose to not do anything ‘touristy’. You can thoroughly enjoy the natural retreat that you truly deserve while living like a king or a queen without having to spend too much money.
Every town you visit in Bali has something interesting to offer, and as you move around you can truly feel the romance in the air. With hundreds of options thrown at you, it could be a little overwhelming if you don’t plan ahead. If staying away from the crowds tops your list, you can blindly skip places like Kuta and Nusa dua, given that the southern part of Bali attracts the most crowd because of their beaches, nightlife, and water sport activities. Bali has so much more to offer, and there are tons of serene places longing for quiet souls.
Here are the top 3 places you should definitely visit while you’re on your honeymoon to Bali for the true natural retreat.
1. NUSA LEMBONGAN
Southeast to the mainland is the tiny treasure of Nusa Lembongan. With its calm beaches, dense mangrove forests and a wide range of food options, you’d be doing yourself a favor by spending a couple of days here.
Picture credits: Tomasz Baranowski
How to get here:
There is a ferry that leaves from Sanur, multiple times every day. You are better off booking this in advance to get a good deal and more often than not, you might have free hotel pick-up included with the booking.
Where to stay:
Imagine living in a huge hut in the middle of a forest with all basic amenities including WiFi while having the perfect view of the pool and a garden from your balcony. Sankanusa Luxury huts is an amazing experience in itself. Run by a family, this group of 10 bungalows are dispersed efficiently in the heart of Jungut Batu Village to give you the privacy you need. You can hire a bicycle or a car to explore the island or enjoy the best of the island’s food options without leaving your room with Sankanusa’s impeccable room service.
If you’re looking at something more luxurious, with infinity pools overlooking the forest, you might want to check out this gem of a place- The Tamarind resort
What to do:
1. Dream beach – It is definitely as dreamy as it sounds with its white sands spread across acres and crystal clear waters with mild shore breaking waves. This would probably change your idea of spending a day on the beach forever. Most importantly, the cliff views are to die for on this pretty beach.
2. Devil’s Tears – This is, hands down, the best sunset spot on the island. It is definitely not as scary as it sounds and it is in fact one of the most beautiful places to witness the forces of nature in sync with one another. With extremely strong waves crashing against the rock, the water is sprayed back into the ocean with an intense force which is where it gets its infamous name from. Consider yourself super lucky if you witness a rainbow while you’re here.
3. Mangrove forest – Covering the northeast part of the island is this beautiful forest sheltering the coast and preventing erosion. This is an ideal place to while away a couple of hours while taking a boat tour and relaxing with Mother Nature.
2. UBUD
This beautiful village is located at the heart of Bali. Given its cultural heritage, it is definitely a touristy place unless you choose to stay a little away from the village around a sea of rice fields. This is where all your yoga and meditation dreams come true. This place is known for its calming atmosphere where you can discover your inner self.
Photo by Victor He on Unsplash
How to get here:
It’s about an hours’ drive up north from Denpasar. Calls for the perfect road-trip, isn’t it? Hire a car at the airport and enjoy the beautiful scenery as you drive all the way up to this magical village.
Where to stay:
Ubud has a bunch of exotic world-class resorts and spas to choose from. If you’re looking for a truly blissful place to stay, you should check out Bambu Indah, the eco-luxury boutique accommodation which provides an outdoor pool and various massage services. Located on the outskirts of Ubud, it’s about 20 mins away from the cultural center. It is the perfect combination of being surrounded by nature and enjoying the luxury of your resort. You can sign-up for Yoga classes, authentic Balinese massages, or treat yourself with the best Indonesian food served in its most organic form.
For more luxurious stay options, you can check out The four seasons resort Sayan or The hanging gardens of Bali for the most Instagrammable infinity pools overlooking the lush green forests of Bali.
What to do:
1. Campuhan Ridge Walk – Soak yourself in the true beauty of these rice fields by just going for a walk along these walking trails. Campuhan Ridge walk is less touristy and much calmer than most trails. The hotel that you might be staying at might also have a private trail so don’t forget to check that out.
2. Tegenungan Waterfalls – Yes, this is a popular place to visit and you might not be able to escape the crowd while you’re here but how does swimming under a waterfall sound?! Experiencing the water splash all over you while swimming in clear waters is perhaps something you shouldn’t miss.
3. Art markets– No vacation is ever complete without exploring the local markets. The cultural richness of Ubud will ignite every speck of happiness in you with it’s warm and beautiful colors. You might even get to witness a cultural dance while strolling through these art markets.
3. CEPAKA
This tiny village is located in the western part of Bali and it calls for a true retreat away from the bustling streets. When the Balinese say they have the worst traffic, they mean it and this could be your one true escapade. You might literally be the only tourists here.
Photo by Free To Use Sounds on Unsplash
How to get there:
It’s a 35 minute drive up-north from Kuta and it would take about 50 minutes from Denpasar so hiring a car is your best bet.
Where to stay:
Although you don’t have too many options to choose from, Cepaka has some of the cutest villas lined by the beach. For a homely experience, check out Villa Sungai Bali. They do not have a reception desk or bell boys. This place is built to provide you with a 5 star experience where you get your own private villa while enjoying the most beautiful landscapes. This place is the last word when it comes to spoiling and relaxation.
What to do:
Honestly, there’s nothing much to do here other than enjoy the services of the hotel you choose to stay in. For a true Balinese experience, hire a bicycle and wade through the narrow streets of the village while discovering a wide range of food options.
If you’re already caught up with planning for your wedding and just wish you had someone to keep in mind your best interests and organize everything for this much-needed vacation, there are a few globally trusted travel companies like Pickyourtrail that specialize in customizing your vacation as per your requirements. Pickyourtrail also has a wide range of Bali honeymoon packages that you could choose from. Right from all your bookings to on-trip support, you could find your one-stop travel solution right here.
This guide probably covers 5% of what Bali has to offer but for a short retreat with your partner right after your wedding, you might want to keep it simple and relaxing which is what this is all about. You would need a lot more than a week to explore the island completely to do justice but, hey! You’re going to want to go back real soon. Bali is always going to be as friendly and welcoming as ever. Happy Balimooning!