The following content is provided by group member Angel Wu and shared with permission for adaptation.
Key Takeaways: Real honeymoon travel insights — ① Apply for the e-visa three weeks in advance, and print a physical copy for customs inspection; ② Allow 1 hour from immigration to baggage claim, and scan the e-customs declaration QR code again after collecting luggage; ③ Exchange only a small amount of cash at the airport for emergencies (tips, paying drivers), and use credit cards for the rest, choosing local currency billing.
For my honeymoon trip to Bali, I referred to many forum members’ experiences. Now I’ve compiled several highlights worth sharing from this journey, hoping to help travelers heading there soon.
Trip dates: May 19 - May 23, 2024
Visa / Tourist Tax
First and foremost, the visa. We applied for the e-visa about three weeks in advance, following instructions from forum members and YouTube guides step by step. The e-visa arrived immediately after submission—remember to print it out, as it will be checked at customs. Don’t take any chances; the tourist tax must also be paid online beforehand. After arrival, allow about an hour from immigration to baggage claim to be safe. Once you’ve collected your luggage, you’ll need to scan a pre-filled e-customs declaration QR code before being cleared.
Currency Exchange
Due to our itinerary, we exchanged currency directly at the airport (USD to Indonesian Rupiah). While the exchange rate was naturally not as good as outside, we only exchanged a small amount, so we didn’t mind too much. The money we got was basically enough for tips and paying the driver in cash. For places where we could use a card, we did (remember to choose the local exchange rate), such as when getting a spa treatment or dining at a beachfront restaurant—we also asked in advance if card payment was accepted. This made it convenient to avoid carrying too much cash and saved us the hassle of dealing with unfamiliar currency.
Bali Currency Exchange Guide
- The Ultimate Guide to Currency Exchange and Money Management in Bali/Indonesia: What currency is used? How to get the best exchange rate? Where are the best places to exchange money? Recommended exchange locations
- Indonesia/Bali Currency Exchange: Direct Exchange vs. Exchanging USD First, Which is More Cost-Effective?
- Credit Card Fraud/Fees/Additional Charges: Is It Safe to Use Credit Cards in Bali?
- Bali Money Exchange Horror Stories: Fellow Travelers Share Their Experiences, Don’t Be Fooled by Small Savings!
Transportation
Bali’s roads are complicated, so it’s recommended to call a ride or hire a driver based on your itinerary. Traffic jams are mainly concentrated around the airport area, while other places are relatively better. I’d like to share a local driver named Budi, whom we met on our first day after booking airport transfer through KKday. We found him to be excellent, and for the short-distance transfers in the following days, we contacted him directly via WhatsApp in advance.
More About Private Car Hire
- Bali Motorbike Rental Safety Checklist
- Motorbike vs. Private Car in Bali: Which Should You Choose?
- Find Your Perfect Bali Driver: Real Traveler Reviews
- Bali Motorbike Rental Guide: Prices, Safety & What to Know
- Bali Mandarin-Speaking Drivers, Guides & Car Hire Tours
- Bali Ride-Hailing Driver Scams: How to Avoid Grab/Gojek Traps
- How to Use Gojek Ride-Hailing in Bali
- Private Car vs. Ride-Hailing: How to Choose the Best Option for Your Trip
Budi is friendly and trustworthy. During the drive, you can ask him anything you’re curious about Bali. Although his English has a local accent, we could mostly understand him, and the communication was pleasant. When we chatted among ourselves in Chinese, Budi didn’t interrupt and drove quietly, which made us feel at ease. After a good experience with the airport transfer, we chose him for our other days’ travel because we had built trust. Even when we contacted him late at night (early morning), he always replied quickly and arrived earlier than the agreed time. Budi’s schedule is quite packed, but he said he would pick us up as long as it wasn’t too remote.
Photo provided by driver Budi Arnaya / Angel Wu
Regarding pricing, we checked the distances we needed to go, and the cost was similar to Grab. Below is Budi’s contact information. Feel free to reach out if needed, and you can mention that you were introduced by Mr. Lin Chen Wei from Taiwan (no discount, just a recommendation).
WhatsApp: +62 821-4659-3754
Name: Budi Arnaya
Meals
Our dining arrangements this time mainly consisted of (hotel) breakfast, (hotel) afternoon tea, and dinner.
Afternoon Tea: We chose the afternoon tea at Hotel Indigo Seminyak and the Four Seasons Resort. Both afternoon tea sets are highly recommended.
▶ I’d also like to book Afternoon Tea/Dining at Hotel Indigo Seminyak
Editor’s Pick: Fine Dining in Seminyak (Map Guide🗺️)
Seminyak boasts a wealth of dining options, whether you prefer international cuisine or local specialties, there’s something to satisfy every palate. Enjoying a romantic candlelit dinner by the beach or savoring dishes from around the world in an elegant restaurant makes for an unforgettable experience. The special menus and cozy dining environments at certain restaurants are ideal for couples seeking a romantic getaway.
Afternoon tea at Four Seasons Resort Jimbaran. Photo by Angel Wu
The Sundara restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Jimbaran is highly recommended for both its ambiance and cuisine. This afternoon tea experience made our Bali trip even more perfect—definitely worth a return visit.
▶ I also want to book Jimbaran Four Seasons Hotel Afternoon Tea
More Jimbaran Dining and Entertainment Guide
Jimbaran is a coastal paradise on Bali renowned for its romantic ambiance and culinary delights, featuring stunning golden beaches and breathtaking sunset views. The seafood restaurants here are a must-try culinary experience, while luxurious resorts and tranquil fishing village vibes allow visitors to enjoy both indulgence and local life. Whether for family trips or romantic dates, Jimbaran will exceed your expectations! Want to learn more about Jimbaran? Click here
Jimbaran Accommodation Themes
- Bali Accommodation Recommendations: Stunning Ocean View Jimbaran Stays
- 【2026 Bali AYANA Complete Guide】Rock Bar Reservation Tips
- 18 Family-Friendly Resorts with Kids Clubs in Bali｜Best Choices for Family Vacations in Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, Uluwatu, and Ubud
- Bali Family Fun: Fifteen Resorts with Water Slides and Playgrounds
- Bali Group Free Travel: Jimbaran Private Villas with 3/4/5/6+ Bedrooms Recommended for Family Stays
Dinner: For two of our dinners, we randomly picked restaurants on the beaches in Jimbaran and Seminyak. In Indonesia, besides the listed price, you usually have to add up to 21% in taxes (11% government food and beverage tax + 5% to 10% service charge). Some restaurants include tax in the listed price, while others don’t, so it’s best to check with the restaurant before ordering. At a beach restaurant in Jimbaran, we chose the most basic meal set, which included a bucket of rice, one vegetable dish, a portion of shrimp, a fish, a portion of shellfish, a serving of satay, a side dish, and two bottles of beer, along with several different sauces. This set cost around USD$23, which was a great deal for two people.
This Jimbaran seafood restaurant’s two-person set meal costs about USD$23. Photo by Angel Wu.
The atmosphere at this restaurant was fantastic—we could enjoy the sea view while eating. For a tourist spot, the price and dining environment were really impressive.
Editor’s note: The Jimbaran seafood restaurant recommended by Angel has been included in 11 Best Jimbaran Seafood Restaurants in Bali: No-Fail Picks
Tipping
After checking online, we found that some say Indonesia has a tipping culture, while others say it doesn’t. In our experience, a few times when we offered a tip, the recipient was surprised and a bit reluctant to accept. They only took it when we expressed our thanks for their service. Basically, we gave 10,000 Indonesian Rupiah for rides and luggage handling, and an extra 10,000 Rupiah in cash to service staff when paying the bill at restaurants. At the hotel, a helpful staff member took many photos for us and said we didn’t need to tip. So, personally, I feel tipping isn’t mandatory, but it’s a polite gesture. If you do tip, try to avoid giving coins, as that’s considered impolite. (Editor’s note: The largest denomination coin in Indonesia is 1,000 Rupiah, worth about USD$0.03)
Further reading: Should You Tip in Bali? How to Tip? Tipping Guide for Various Occasions in Bali
Since it was our honeymoon trip, even though it was our first time in Bali, we wanted to see many places but didn’t want to be exhausted from traffic jams and rushing around every day. So we chose a very relaxed itinerary. We enjoyed the hotel facilities, had a hearty afternoon tea, experienced authentic massages, strolled along three different beaches, and had dinner—and we still had a fulfilling time.
SAVA SPA at Indigo
Left: SAVA Spa / Right: Relaxation area after the treatment. Courtesy of Angel Wu.
At the Indigo Hotel, we chose the SAVA SPA services. The environment is elegant, the facilities are top-notch, and the 90-minute hot stone massage we experienced was truly memorable.
During the hot stone massage, the therapist constantly checked if the stone temperature was comfortable, ensuring it wasn’t too hot—a thoughtful touch. Throughout the session, the therapist’s skilled techniques helped us fully relax, providing deep relief and tranquility.
SAVA SPA has only six couple’s treatment rooms, so advance booking is essential to enjoy their premium services. The spa treatments are delivered by an award-winning professional team, with every therapist rigorously trained to ensure each guest has the best experience.
Beyond hot stone massage, SAVA SPA offers a variety of other treatments, such as aromatherapy massage, deep tissue massage, and herbal therapies, each catering to different needs. Whether you want to release stress, ease muscle tension, or simply unwind, SAVA SPA has the perfect option for you.
Overall, SAVA SPA is a fantastic place to relax both body and mind. The elegant setting, attentive service, and professional techniques made our time there truly enjoyable. I highly recommend booking in advance to secure a spot for their excellent spa services.
▶ Book the famous Indigo SAVA Spa
Editor’s Pick: Renowned Spa Relaxation in Seminyak
Many luxury hotels and spas in Seminyak offer a variety of relaxing services. Here, you can choose from massages, body scrubs, and facials, immersing yourself in an authentic Balinese spa experience.
Top-Rated Spas Near Seminyak
- Reborn Wellness and Spa: Try Their Famous 4-Hand Massage!
- Young Spa: Top-Rated Spa in Kuta
- Taman Air Spa: Winner of Indonesia's "Best Independent Spa" Award
- Usadha Spa at Legian Beach Hotel
- Bodyworks Spa
- Padma Spa Treatment
- Goldust Spa: Gold Facial & Body Treatment Experience
- AWAY Spa at W Bali Seminyak
Accommodation
For our honeymoon trip, we chose three different hotels: Indigo Seminyak, Apurva Kempinski Bali, and Vivara Bali Private Pool Villas & Spa. These hotels all have very high ratings on Google, and many details and experiences are thoroughly described in Google reviews, so here I’ll focus on sharing something less commonly mentioned—the candlelight dinner experience.
Below is a brief overview of the accommodations:
Indigo Seminyak
Indigo Seminyak is a boutique hotel full of design flair, with an excellent location in the heart of Seminyak. It blends traditional Balinese style with modern design, and both the interior decor and outdoor landscapes are exquisitely crafted. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, with all amenities, making for a truly relaxing stay. We tried their renowned SAVA SPA, enjoying a 90-minute hot stone massage—the entire experience was soothing and satisfying.
Site introduction: 【Seminyak Accommodation Recommendation】Stay at the 5-Star Beachfront Indigo Resort from USD$161 per night
Apurva Kempinski Bali
Left: The Apurva Kempinski Bali; center and right: Indigo Seminyak. Photo by Angel Wu.
Apurva Kempinski Bali is a luxury resort known for its stunning architecture and infinity pool. Perched on the cliffs of Nusa Dua, it offers breathtaking ocean views and lavish facilities. We had an unforgettable time here, enjoying the resort’s many amenities and cuisine. The breakfast, in particular, was outstanding—with a wide variety and excellent flavors that left us thoroughly satisfied.
Vivara Bali Private Pool Villas & Spa
Vivara Bali Private Pool Villas & Spa / Provided by Angel Wu
The standout feature of Vivara Bali Private Pool Villas & Spa is that every room has its own private pool. The pools are very spacious and feature a fountain circulation system to keep the water clean, making it a highly recommended stay! The large, clean pool was the main reason we chose this hotel.
However, another reason we chose this place was the candlelit dinner it offers—though this turned out to be our only disappointment. We knew in advance that the dinner was a four-course meal with a bottle of wine, and it was pricey, so our expectations were naturally high. But the actual experience fell short. The meal started earlier than expected; we had just checked in and weren’t ready. The dishes were covered in plastic wrap, as if they had been sitting out for a while, and the service was rushed—before we finished the appetizer, the main course and dessert were already waiting on the side. This level of service didn’t match our expectations or the price. Later, we found out there was a wedding banquet at the hotel that night, and we suspect our meal and service quality were compromised because of it.
Summary
In summary, this trip was filled with wonderful memories. Aside from a few minor hiccups, the overall experience was very enjoyable. I hope these insights help fellow travelers heading to Bali, offering more references for choosing accommodations and planning itineraries. Wishing everyone an unforgettable holiday in Bali!
This article is adapted from a post in the Facebook group “Go Bali Go 峇里島旅遊”. The original post is here.
Bali Honeymoon & Couples Essentials:
- Bali Beats the Maldives as the World's #1 Romantic Destination
- Bali Romantic Travel Guide: 36 Things to Do as a Couple
- Bali Ranked #1 Best Honeymoon Destination for 2026 — Why It Beats the Maldives
- Why More Couples Are Choosing Bali for Their Honeymoon — FAQ
- World Travel Awards: Bali Named World's Most Romantic Destination
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