If you and your partner love vacations and have always dreamt of going to a tropical island, your dreams are not far away. There are not just one but several options for you to choose if you want to go on a trip that you will remember for a lifetime. The honeymoon is the most exciting time when you go to a place you’ve never been with the love of your life. Choosing a good location for your honeymoon is crucial as you might not choose the best place. All these trips have different prices, locations, and accommodations. Since different couples look for different vacay locations with various motives, we have compared three exotic and tropical places to make it easier for you to decide.
This article sums up everything, including the budget required for all three places, namely, Bali, Maldives, and Bora Bora. Stay tuned with us till the end to know more about these places!
Bali Vs Maldives Vs Bora Bora: Which is the best for a honeymoon/vacation?
There has always been a debate among travelers as to which of Bali, Maldives, and Bora Bora are the best and most preferable locations for a honeymoon and vacation. But the answer is not that simple. Different visitors are looking to suit different needs. While some people may want to experience a luxurious vacation and not really stress about how much is going from their pocket, other visitors are cost-sensitive. Likewise, a season in one place might be better to spend than in another. There are also many other factors that one needs to consider when they are planning for a getaway.
Bora Bora is a tiny South Pacific island situated in the northwest of Tahiti in French Polynesia . This island is surrounded by a blue lagoon, coral reefs, and a sand-fringed motus (islets). Mount Otemanu is located in the middle of this island, making it more of an attraction for tourists. This mountain is a dormant volcano. Likewise, there are several tiny as well as sophisticated hotels or bungalows that the visitors can stay in when they are here. These bungalows are right above the water which makes the vacation experience even better. Moreover, scuba divers and swimmers are everywhere. Swimming and scuba diving in the blue lagoon and going through the coral reefs give visitors the experience of a lifetime.
Maldives has to be one of the most fantastic and dreamy places to go to if you are looking for the right vacation ideas! The spellbinding view of the turquoise water, mini-hotels, fresh breeze, and coral reefs are enough to keep visitors coming into the country. There is simply no reason as to why a person would not enjoy their time here. There are also special packages for vacations for couples that they can take great enjoyment of in their honeymoon. Likewise, walking through the white sand and then going for a swim in the blue lagoon is simply what a person can dream of.
Bali, in the province of Indonesia at the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands, offers the visitors not just an island experience on their honeymoon or vacation but will also bring them close to the culture and traditions of Indonesia. To the southeast, there are also other islands like Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan . The rice fields, volcanic mountains, cultural heritages, as well as the natural beauty of the island are more than enough to get hundreds of visitors per season every year. Bali is by far one of the most visited holiday locations in the world. Hence, you can expect lots of crowds of tourists from all around the world when you are in “the Land of Gods.”
Which season will be best to visit: Bali, Maldives, and Bora Bora?
There are several reasons that are considered the most preferable to visit all these places. Starting off with Bali, you can go there during the month of April to October . These months are fairly warmer, and you get to experience the sunny and bright side of Indonesia. The island is more vibrant and is exactly what it stands for during April, and the season here remains almost the same till October. However, when you visit in November or before April, you might not get to feel the authentic beach and island vibe of the location. Hence, going on a vacation or a honeymoon here has to be scheduled between the sunnier parts of the year to get the fullest experience of Bali island.
Going to Maldives would be best during March and April . The crowd is comparatively low during these months. Likewise, the prices of air as well as hotel tickets are higher during the Easter season. Hence, it would not be wise to go there during these seasons. March and April are both sunny and hot and give you the right vibe for a good vacation to a country that is famous for scuba diving and swimming. You really cannot miss out on basking in the sun outside your hotel and walking through the white sand here. The ultimate experience can only be collected here during the summer when there aren’t many visitors.
A large number of tourists visit Bora Bora from May to October . Hence, you should not visit the island when there is a large number of tourists coming in. The amount of tourists is a great factor that either makes your experience better or worse. And a small number of visitors alongside you and your partner is what you should be looking for. While May to October is quite rainy in Bora Bora, months from November to April are almost always free from an excessive number of tourists. Hence, when you come to Bora Bora from November to April, there will be a hint of chill, yet you will not regret having come there during these months. Furthermore, the island is located in a sunnier part of the world, which makes planning your visit from November to April worthy.
What can you expect from the holiday: Bali, Maldives, and Bora Bora?
You can expect different things from all three locations; Bali, Maldives, and Bora Bora. One of the most important things that all three places have in common is that they are all islands. You will get to see the turquoise water as well as walk in the sand, just like you may have seen in movies. The locations are truly out of one’s fantasy world. And the pictures that you have always been seeing of these places are not very different from how they look in real life.
In Bali, you can expect to see beautiful water bodies as well as flora and fauna. There are enough greens in the area, just as much as there is blue. When you are in Bali, you get the true experience of what it feels like to be on a tropical holiday. If you love to take pictures, there are just so many aspects of the place that are going to attract you. Moreover, this place is known as the land of gods. Hence, you will be coming close to the cultural and religious aspects of the place as well. Bali is best known for its beautiful mountains that are high up from the islands. One can go visit one of these mountains on their trip as well. Surfers have it best here as the place is just as suitable for surfing. The accommodation and services in Bali, though cheap, are very good and facilitative. Sadly, due to an excessive number of tourists, one can find trash here and there during the peak seasons.
Maldives is a very exotic island that has been welcoming visitors for years. In this country, you will be experiencing what it is like to live what one may have always fantasized about. The turquoise water and the mini huts, along with the vibrant and lively nightlife here, are simply amazing. Not to mention the exquisite cuisine that you will find here. Maldives is truly a place you cannot miss out on a vacation. Marine life is just as famous here. Scuba diving and snorkeling are very common. Likewise, you can also watch dolphins on your trip here.
Bora Bora is one of the most common places for vacations where you can expect to get the perfect blend of beach, mountain, and nightlife . The food that is served by hotels here is just as amazing. Most of what you will get to eat here is also as exotic as this place. And you just cannot complain about how nice the people are here. The tourist area of Bora Bora has always been one to attract hundreds due to all these reasons. Likewise, you will see divers and swimmers everywhere when you go there during the peak season. During the night, you can watch dancers perform fireworks and live music, as well as experience dinner parties in different locations on the island.
What will be the visa policies and extensions?
Visa on arrival(VOA) in Bali lasts for 30 days, which is likely to cost you IDR 500,000 ($33 USD) . However, if you want to extend your visa, you can visit the local immigrant center. Applying for a Visitor Visa (B211A) will allow you to spend over 60 days in Bali.
In Maldives, you will be getting a tourist visa, which will last you 30 days. The tourist visa is usually free here, but if you decide to extend the days of your stay beyond 30 days, you will have to pay Rufiyaa 750.
Bora Bora, on the other hand, does not require you to have a visa for a 90-day stay. However, it should be kept in mind that you will need a passport that is relevant for 6 months after you leave your country.
How should the hotel selection be: Bali, Maldives, and Bora Bora? Will it exhaust the budget?
Bali, Maldives, and Bora Bora all have different budgets for their hotels. Similarly, visitors get to choose which hotel to stay in on their visit. One can go from a cheap hotel to a luxurious one as per their temperament and necessity.
In Bali, you will find the cheapest hotels out of all the three vacation options. While the accommodation and services do not vary a lot from the other countries, you will be surprised at how cheap hotels can get. For cheap hotels, Bali can go down to $5 a night; mid-range hotels will cost you $15 a night, and luxurious hotels will cost $248 . Needless to say, the services vary from the cheapest to the most expensive hotels. Some of the top hotels in Bali are the Grand Hyatt Bali Hotel, Bulgari Resort, and AYANA Resort.
Bora Bora has the second most reasonable hotels on our list. The hotel selection can be done based on what kind of services you are seeking. If you are not comfortable with less accommodating hotels, you should either go for mid-range or expensive hotels. The cost for budget hotels in the Maldives is normally $32, mid-range hotels are $72, and luxury hotels are $417 per night. Top hotels in Bora Bora include Four Seasons Resort, Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort and Spa, and Conrad Bora Bora Nui.
Hotels in Maldives also vary as per the amount you are willing to pay and the services you are looking for. You can stay in cheaper hotels at $38, mid-range hotels at $96, and expensive hotels at $438. In Maldives, there are top hotels like The Ritz Carlton Hotel, Four Seasons Resort Maldives, and The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort.
Speaking of budget exhaustion, you should do thorough research about all the hotels before you check-in. If you do not choose the hotels as per your budget, you might not be able to stay till the date you’ve planned. Hence, going through how much you’ve left or how much money you’ve carried is very important.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Maldives or Bali better for a honeymoon?
Bali is preferable for a honeymoon with all types of experiences.
Is Bora Bora or Bali better?
Bora Bora is better for beaches as it is the most celebrated one in the South Pacific.
Is Bali more expensive than Bora Bora?
Bali is more budget-friendly than Bora Bora.
Is Bora Bora good for a honeymoon?
Yes, Bora Bora is an amazing location for a honeymoon.
Is Bali worth it for a honeymoon?
Bali is one of the best places for a honeymoon in the world.
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