Bali or Fiji for a Honeymoon?

Bali and Fiji offer a distinctive romantic experience. Choosing between them is not easy when you are planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip. 

This Bali or Fiji for a Honeymoon Guide gives you honest side-by-side comparisons across cost, convenience, experiences, and more. 

Bali vs Fiji — Cost

Bali is more affordable than Fiji for flights, stays, and day-to-day spending. 

A white sand honeymoon beach with a swing hanging from a palm tree

Bali vs Fiji — Time of Visit

DestinationPeak Season (Dry Season)Busiest MonthsShoulder Months
BaliMay to OctoberJuly and AugustMay, June, and September 
FijiMay to OctoberJune, July and AugustMay and October

What to expect in peak season:

  • Clear skies
  • Low humidity
  • Lots of sunshine
  • Outdoor activities
  • Cooler nights
  • Higher prices
  • Bigger crowds

What to expect in shoulder months:

  • Mostly dry weather
  • Fewer tourists
  • Better deals on stays and flights

Bali vs Fiji — Getting Around

A taxi driver talking to a customer

Bali:

  • Scooters: Great for short distances and flexibility in commute, but traffic can be intense.
  • Taxis and Ride Apps: It is easy to book them in tourist areas like Seminyak, Ubud, and Canggu.
  • Private Cars: Good for day trips. But they are more expensive and often get stuck in traffic.
  • Buses: Available, but the schedules are irregular. Tourists do not use them commonly.
  • Ferries: For trips to Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and the Gili Islands.
A sea plane in Fiji

Fiji:

  • Ferries: Needed to reach most island resorts. Main routes start from Nadi or Suva.
  • Taxis: Available on big islands like Viti Levu, but they cost more than in Bali.
  • Buses: For long distances on major islands.
  • Resort Transfers: Many resorts offer boat or seaplane transfers.
  • Walking: Tourists prefer walking on small islands.

Key Differences:

  • Bali uses taxis, ride-hailing apps, and scooters. Fiji relies more on boats and resort transfers.
  • Bali has traffic, but you can move between towns easily.
  • In Fiji, it is simple if you stay in one place. Exploring beyond your resort takes planning.

Bali vs Fiji — Stay Options

An aerial view of Viceroy Bali resort

Bali:

Budget-friendly: Hostels and guesthouses offer the lowest rates. They offer clean rooms, basic comforts, and shared spaces for travellers to interact. Most are near cafés and local food spots.

Mid-range: You will find villas or boutique hotels with a pool. Rooms are clean and usually include a private seating area. Many include breakfast and feel clean and comfortable.

Luxury: A private resort with a pool, spa, and full-time personal staff will fit into this category. The resort provides all essential experiences like dining, spa, pool, views, and activities within the property itself. An example is Ubud’s Viceroy Bali, a luxury resort with its own private helipad and private heated pools.

Unique Stays: Bali has some of the most interesting accommodation choices in the world. Think; jungle treehouses, mountain cabins, luxury tents and plush resorts with private waterfall or river views.

Honeymoon overwater bungalows in Fiji

Fiji:

Mainland resorts: These resorts are on larger islands like Viti Levu. Rooms are modern and near the beach. Some resorts are family-friendly. Others cater to couples. You will have easy access to towns and roads.

Island resorts: These properties are on smaller, separate islands. You will reach them by boat or plane. Most are all-inclusive. They are quiet, beachside stays with fewer guests.

Overwater bungalows: The accommodations are built on stilts over the lagoon. They offer privacy, direct sea access, and views from your bed. They are common in high-end island resorts.

Private island resorts: You will find only a single resort on an entire island. Stays include meals, transfers, and full privacy. There are fewer rooms and no outside visitors.

Bali vs Fiji — Dining

A fine dining dish from Bali

Bali
Bali offers a wide mix of food — local, international, and plant-based. You will find cafés by the beach, jungle, river, and roadside.

Dining out is flexible. Most places do not need reservations. Menus are easy to read, and food suits many diets. Local places cost less, especially street food and small cafés.

One evening, you could try grilled satay at a night stall. Next, you might book a quiet seafood dinner by the sea.

Bali offers up some of the top dining spots in the world. Whether a fine dining restaurant, beachside restaurant or local warung, there is no shortage of food options.

Local dishes worth trying: Nasi Goreng, Satay, Babi Guling, Mie Goreng, Bebek Betutu.

A local dish from Fiji consisting of fish, coconut and vegetables

Fiji
Most meals in Fiji are served at your resort.

But the food has strong roots in local culture. You will taste seafood, coconut, taro, and tropical fruit. Flavours are shaped by Fijian, Indian, and Polynesian cooking.

Dining is scenic and calm, often by the beach or under palm trees.

Some resorts host lovo nights, with food cooked underground and shared over music.

Local dishes worth trying: Kokoda, Lovo, Rourou, Fijian-style curries, Palusami, Duruka.

An island in Fiji with clear blue water surrounding it

Bali vs Fiji — Natural Beauty

Bali

Bali is diverse — rice terraces, jungles, waterfalls, and volcanoes all within a few hours’ drive.

The coastline changes by region. Some beaches have strong waves and black sand, better for surfing or sunsets. Others, like Sanur or Nusa Dua, are calmer and good for swimming.

A split stay between the inland and coast helps you experience both sides of Bali.

Fiji

Fiji is built around the sea. Most resorts open directly onto soft, white-sand beaches with clear water.

You can swim, snorkel, or just float in the lagoon. Coral reefs are often just offshore, and the pace is slow and peaceful.

You will be on the beach from the moment you arrive – no long drives or shifting zones.

The Beach Verdict

If beaches are your top priority, Fiji wins. 

The water is clearer. The sand is softer. And every stay keeps you close to the ocean.

Bali’s coastlines are more varied. They suit travellers who want beach views plus mountains, culture, and adventure. Bali is also known for its surfing appeal.

Bali vs Fiji — Key Honeymoon Experiences

An ocean view cliff in Bali

Bali

  1. Campuhan Ridge sunrise walk
  2. Ubud jungle swing
  3. Private waterfall hike (Tibumana or Sekumpul)
  4. Tegalalang rice field picnic
  5. Uluwatu cliff sunset
  6. Frangipani flower bath
  7. Candlelit beach dinner
  8. 7-course meal at Apéritif Restaurant
  9. Tirta Empul purification
A person snorkelling in Bali

Fiji

  1. Sunset walk on Natadola Beach
  2. Snorkelling or diving in coral lagoons
  3. Private beachfront dinner under the stars
  4. Couples’ massage in a spa bure
  5. Island-hopping by boat or seaplane
  6. Sharing a kava ceremony
  7. Exploring a hidden waterfall on Taveuni
  8. Going on a private sunset cruise
  9. Picnic on a secluded sandbank

Viceroy Bali in Ubud, Bali offers a luxurious honeymoon package. It includes accommodation in a luxury Bali suite or pool villa, a seven-course degustation dinner, couples’ spa treatment, sparkling wine, red roses, a honeymoon cake, a flower petal bath, and airport transfers. Book now.

Patrick Farrell

Patrick Farrell is the General Manager of Viceroy Bali and has over 10 years experience working in luxury travel and hospitality. Particularly passionate about luxury health and wellness travel, Patrick thrives on creating unique, holistic experiences for luxury hotels.