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Bali Honeymoon Travel Diary Recommendations & Sharing

2024年6月18日 · 更新於 2026年7月10日 ✏️ 編輯文章

💡 Quick Answer

For our honeymoon in Bali, I drew on many forum members' experiences.

The following content is provided by group member Angel Wu and shared with permission for adaptation.

Key Takeaways: Honeymoon trip tested insights — ① Apply for the e-visa three weeks in advance, and print a paper copy for immigration inspection; ② Allow 1 hour from immigration to baggage claim, then 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 card payments with local currency conversion for the rest.

For our honeymoon in Bali, I drew on many forum members’ experiences. Now I’ve compiled a few highlights worth sharing from this trip, hoping to help fellow travelers heading there soon.

Trip dates: May 19–23, 2024

Visa / Tourist Tax

First and most importantly, 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 immigration. Don’t take any chances; the tourist tax must also be paid online in advance. 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.

Further reading: 2025 Latest Indonesia Bali Entry Using ‘All Indonesia’ Arrival Card | 1-Minute Guide: Landing → Immigration → Baggage Claim Full Walkthrough

Currency Exchange

Due to our itinerary, we exchanged currency directly at the airport (USD to Indonesian Rupiah). Although 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. Wherever 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

Transportation

Bali’s roads are complex, so it’s recommended to call a ride or hire a car 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 the first day when we booked 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

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 in Chinese among ourselves, Budi didn’t intrude 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 trust had been established. 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 full, but he said he would pick us up as long as the destination wasn’t too remote.

包車司機 Budi Arnaya / Angel Wu提供

Photo provided by driver Budi Arnaya / Angel Wu

Regarding the fees, we checked the distances we needed to travel, and the prices were similar to Grab. Below is Budi’s contact information. If you need it, feel free to reach out, 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 also want to book Afternoon Tea/Dining at Hotel Indigo Seminyak

Editor’s Pick: Fine Dining in Seminyak (Map Guide🗺️)

Seminyak boasts a rich selection of restaurants, catering to both international cuisine and local flavors. Enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner on the beach or savor dishes from around the world in an elegant restaurant—it’s an unforgettable experience. Some restaurants offer special menus and cozy dining environments, making them ideal for couples to share a romantic time.

The Restaurant 5-Star Dining Experience

Seasalt Dining Experience at Alila Seminyak

Gorgeous Picnic & Dining at Este Cafe & Resto

MoonLite Kitchen and Bar Booking Deal

金巴蘭四季酒店下午茶。Angel Wu提供

Afternoon tea at Four Seasons Jimbaran. Photo by Angel Wu

The Sundara restaurant at Four Seasons 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 Afternoon Tea at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay

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

Dinner: For two of our dinners, we randomly picked restaurants on the beaches of Jimbaran and Seminyak. In Indonesia, besides the listed price, you can expect up to 21% in taxes (11% government food and beverage tax + 5% to 10% service charge). Some restaurants include tax in their prices, while others don’t, so it’s best to confirm with the staff before ordering. At a beachfront restaurant in Jimbaran, we chose the most basic set meal, which included a bucket of rice, a vegetable dish, a serving of shrimp, a fish, a serving of shellfish, satay skewers, a side dish, two bottles of beer, and several different dipping sauces. The set cost around USD$23, which was a great deal for two people.

這家金巴蘭海鮮餐廳，二人套餐約台幣700。Angel Wu提供

This Jimbaran seafood restaurant offers a two-person set meal for about USD$23. Photo by Angel Wu

The atmosphere at this restaurant is fantastic—you can enjoy your meal with a sea view. For a tourist spot, the price and dining environment are really impressive.

Editor’s note: Angel’s recommended Jimbaran seafood restaurant has been added to 11 Best Seafood Restaurants in Jimbaran, Bali: No-Fail Picks

Tipping

After checking online, I found mixed opinions on whether tipping is customary in Indonesia. From our experience, a few times when we offered a tip, the recipient seemed surprised and a bit reluctant to accept. They only took it when we expressed our gratitude for their service. Basically, we gave 10,000 IDR for rides and luggage assistance, and an extra 10,000 IDR in cash to service staff when paying the bill at restaurants. At the hotel, a helpful staff member took many photos for us and insisted 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 coin denomination in Indonesia is 1,000 IDR, roughly equivalent to USD$0.03)

Further reading: Do You Need to Tip in Bali? How Much to Tip in Various Situations?

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 stuck in traffic every day. So we chose an extremely relaxed itinerary. We enjoyed the hotel facilities, indulged in hearty afternoon tea, experienced authentic massages, strolled along three different beaches, and had lovely dinners—it was a fulfilling trip.

SAVA SPA at Indigo

圖左：SAVA Spa / 圖右：SPA 結束小小休息區。Angel Wu提供

Left: SAVA Spa / Right: Small relaxation area after the spa session. Photo by Angel Wu.

At the Indigo Hotel, we chose SAVA Spa. The environment is elegant, the facilities are top-notch, and the 90-minute hot stone massage we experienced was truly impressive.

During the hot stone massage, the therapist constantly checked if the temperature of the stones was comfortable, ensuring they weren’t too hot—a thoughtful touch. Throughout the session, the therapist’s skilled techniques helped us fully relax, providing deep relief and relaxation.

SAVA Spa has only six couple’s treatment rooms, so advance booking is essential to enjoy their premium services. The spa treatments are provided by an award-winning professional team, with every therapist rigorously trained to ensure each guest receives the best experience.

In addition to 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 relieve 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 chance to experience their premium spa services.

▶ Book the renowned Indigo SAVA Spa

Editor’s Pick: Renowned Spa Relaxation in Seminyak

Many luxury hotels and spas in Seminyak offer a variety of services to relax both body and mind. Here, you can choose from massages, body scrubs, and facials, immersing yourself in an authentic Balinese spa experience.

Top-Rated Spas Near Seminyak

Accommodation

For this honeymoon trip, we chose three different hotels: Indigo Seminyak, Apurva Kempinski Bali, and Vivara Bali Private Pool Villas & Spa. All of these hotels have very high ratings on Google, and many details and experiences are well described in Google reviews, so I’ll focus here on sharing insights about the less-discussed candlelit dinners.

Here’s a brief overview of the accommodations:

Indigo Seminyak

英迪格（Indigo Seminyak）

Indigo Seminyak is a boutique hotel full of design flair, perfectly located in the heart of Seminyak. The hotel blends traditional Balinese style with modern design, and both the interiors and outdoor spaces are exquisitely crafted. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, with all the amenities you need for a relaxing stay. We tried their famous SAVA SPA, enjoying a 90-minute hot stone massage that was both soothing and satisfying.

▶Book Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach Booking

Apurva Kempinski Bali

左一The Apurva Kempinski Bali，中間及右圖英迪格. Angel Wu提供

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 amenities. We had an unforgettable time here, enjoying the resort’s many facilities and dining options. The breakfast, in particular, was outstanding—with a wide variety of delicious choices that left us thoroughly satisfied.

Apurva Kempinski Bali

▶Book The Apurva Kempinski Bali

Vivara Bali Private Pool Villas & Spa

Vivara Bali Private Pool Villas & Spa / Angel Wu 提供

Vivara Bali Private Pool Villas & Spa / Photo by Angel Wu

The standout feature of Vivara Bali Private Pool Villas & Spa is that every room comes with its own private pool. The pools are spacious and equipped with 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.

Vivara Bali Private Pool Villas & Spa

▶ Book Vivara Bali Private Pool Villas & Spa Trip Booking

However, another reason we chose this place was the candlelit dinner they offered—though it turned out to be our only disappointment. We knew in advance it was a four-course meal with a bottle of wine, and the price was steep, so our expectations were high. But the actual experience fell short. The dinner started earlier than expected—we had just checked in and weren’t ready—and the dishes were covered in plastic wrap, as if they’d been sitting out for a while. The service was rushed, too: before we finished the appetizer, the main course and dessert were already waiting on the side. The whole experience didn’t match the price or our expectations. Later we found out there was a wedding reception at the hotel that night, and we suspect the quality of our meal and service was affected by it.

Summary

In summary, our 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 with 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” (original post here).

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Visa / Tourist Tax