Why Honeymoon in Kintamani?
When we think of the perfect honeymoon destination in Bali for its natural scenery, mountains, and cooler temperature, Kintamani immediately comes to mind. It is located in Bali’s highlands and offers some of the most stunning views we’ve ever seen. We’ve climbed Mount Batur multiple times, so we know! It is an ideal escape that offers Bali’s natural beauty for couples seeking adventure, and relaxation in a more serene setting, far away from Bali’s busy tourist hotspots.
Stay or Daytrip?
Kintamani is a beautiful region, and you won’t get bored spending 2 nights here. However if you are short on time or just want to experience the sunrise hike and hot springs, it is also possible to visit Kintamani and Mount Batur as a day-trip from your South Bali hotel. To catch the sunrise, you will be picked up around 1:30 or 2AM depending on where you stay, and get back to your hotel around mid-day.
Where to stay in Kintamani?
If you plan to hike up Mount Batur for sunrise, we suggest staying in the Batur town. This way, you can catch as much sleep as possible and don’t need transport in the middle of the night. Our favorite option is The Lava Bali, as it is strategically located and offers rooms with private natural hot spring!
Alternatively, an option with a very spectacular view from your room is the four-star Desa Oculus.
❤️ More Kintamani hotels? You might want to compare prices or check all highly rated hotels for couples in Kintamani for yourself. See all the best Kintamani hotel options here and compare reviews and prices for your dates 📅.
If you follow this link, we've already filtered the list to only show the best options with great ratings of 8 out of 10 or above (but you can easily adjust the filters).
Explore Kintamani
Kintamani is a region of Bali, as well as a village on the ridge overlooking the volcano. Besides spectacular nature, the region has a rich cultural history too. This harmony is still seen today, especially at Batur Temple. As you approach the temple, you’ll notice how it’s beautifully decorated with vibrant red colors and dragon statues on either side. The scent of incense fills the air as you step inside, giving it the spiritual atmosphere. Batur Temple is also significant because it’s the second-largest temple in Bali, right after Besakih Temple. This temple is considered one of the most sacred temples in Bali. It’s part of what is known as the “heavenly temples” of the island, holding great importance for the local community.
One of the things we love most about Kintamani is the cooler climate. It’s such a refreshing change from the heat of Bali’s lowlands. We think a 3-day, 2-night stay in Kintamani is ideal to explore the area because it is the perfect balance of exploration and relaxation without feeling rushed.
For those who love adventure, a sunrise hike up Mount Batur is worth the spectacular top view, while those who prefer something more relaxing can enjoy a quiet retreat at one of the area’s luxury eco-lodges and resorts and chill in the natural hot water springs. Either way, every moment here feels special and we believe Kintamani will give you the unforgettable honeymoon experience you’re dreaming of!
About the sunrise hike: while this is a beautiful experience, it does get crowded. You’ll likely walk up the hills in the dark with at least a hundred other people, more on busy days. You will always have to take a local guide with you and pay the park entrance fee. Your local guide will provide you with a flashlight helmet and usually serve a simple breakfast on top of the mountain. The hike takes an hour or two, and we suggest hiking shoes as its easy to slip in the lava sand (but many people climb up in sneakers too). You’ll be back down around 7 or 8AM depending on how long you’ll stay on top.
There are alternative ways to go up the mountain for those who are not fond of walking. You can be taken to the top by Jeep, or drive up yourself using an ATV. The latter is only possible during day-time. The sunrise can also be spotted from the ridge (most coffeeshops open around 5AM), but the view on top of Mount Batur is more spectacular as you can look beyond Bali over the Lombok sea.
For lovers of coffee there is much to like in Kintamani too. The region has its own coffee plantations, and many great coffeeshops on Kintamani’s ridge are brewing local Kintamani coffee. Some of our favorites include Ritatkala Cafe, Akasa and Paperhills, but for those looking for familiar flavors there even is a Starbucks here now.
One aspect of the local coffee traditions to be aware of is Luwak Coffee, brewed from beans that were first digested by Luwak animals. You will find this coffee in many tourist places across Bali, but questions have been raised around animal welfare.
Activities in Kintamani
You may have noticed by now that most of the things to do in Kintamani and around Mount Batur are active and adventurous things. However, there are ways to enjoy the Batur region without sweat - for example if you go up the mountain by Jeep!
Restaurants and Coffeeshops in Kintamani
If you’re planning a visit to Kintamani, you’ll find that most of the restaurants and cafes here offer incredible views of Mount Batur and the surrounding landscape. While Kintamani may have limited dining options, the best ones are located along the ridge as that’s where you will see most of the great view. Many of these spots are known for their coffee, which makes them perfect for a relaxing break with a view. Here are the lists!
How to get to Kintamani
There is no public transport to Mount Batur. We suggest booking private transport in advance. While it is possible to book a taxi ride with an app like Grab or Gojek from South Bali to Kintamani, the other way around does not work, as Kintamani is outside of the coverage area of these apps.
Kintamani and Mount Batur are located quite far from the airport, at around 2-2.5 hours if there is no traffic. While Kintamani usually doesn’t have traffic issues, the area around Bali Airport does get congested. It is worth adding extra time on your way back to the airport to be safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Kintamani and Mount Batur in Bali?
The Kintamani region with Mount Batur is located in the central highlands of Bali, about 1.5 to 2 hours north of Ubud.
How to get around in Kintamani and Mount Batur?
Taxi apps like Grab and GoJek don't operate in the Kintamani region, but you may find taxis. We suggest staying in the town next to Mount Batur so that all hiking and hot springs are in walking distance.
How far is Mount Batur from Bali Airport
Mount Batur and the Kintamani region is about 2 to 2.5 hours' drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport, but could be longer due to traffic in South Bali.
Are Kintamani and Mount Batur a good honeymoon destination?
It might be for couples that are adventurous, love nature and enjoy hiking. We believe a sunrise on Mount Batur or enjoying a natural hot spring is quite romantic!
How long should we stay in Kintamani?
A 3-day, 2-night stay in Kintamani is ideal to explore the area and enjoy its natural beauty.for honeymoon couples because it is the perfect balance of time to explore and relax without feeling rushed.
What activities can we do in Kintamani?
In Kintamani, you can start with a sunrise hike up Mount Batur. After the hike, you can relax in the natural hot springs along the shores of Lake Batur. For coffee lovers, you can enjoy visiting local coffee plantations to see how Bali’s famous coffee is made and sample it fresh on-site.
Next destinations
Lovina is a small town known for its black sand beaches and laid-back vibe. It’s most popular for people who are interested to go dolphin watching or you can even swim with them too! As you are already quite far up north, it might be worth checking out Lovina as well.
Ubud is one of Bali’s popular towns that’s known for its artistic vibe and vibrant cultural scene, is another excellent choice. It’s well worth the visit for its rice terraces, art galleries, and spiritual retreats. Its a logical next destination if you plan to head south anyway.
Was one remote region enough and do you want to switch it up by spending some time in a bustling beach town with nightlife and boutique shops? We think Seminyak might be worth considering. But be prepared for a bit of a culture-shock after Kintamani!
Written by Olivia & Dirk
Hi! We have put together this guide with a lot of care, based on our own experiences. As a couple, we have lived in Bali for the past 5 years, and we fell in love with the island. We have visited every corner of Bali, especially the romantic places ;-). While our articles do contain affiliate links, you can trust us to recommend only the experiences that we love.
Read more about us or let us help you organize your honeymoon for you!