10 Incredible Budget Honeymoon Destinations in Asia

WOOHOO, party time! You are getting married, congratulations! You now get to have the extremely FUN job of planning a honeymoon! And we have great news. Even if you need to do a budget honeymoon, we have some absolutely incredible budget honeymoon destinations for you. In this article, we are bringing you 10 amazing honeymoon destinations in Asia that you can visit without breaking the bank. These 10 cheap honeymoon destinations are beautiful, full of adventure, and will be a trip you will absolutely never forget.

Are you ready to get into the 10 best budget honeymoon destinations in Asia? We sure are! Without further ado, let’s get into it.

Kerala, India

Suggested by: Athul from Our Backpack Tales

Known as God’s Own Country,  Kerala is famous for its backwaters, delicious food and it’s various ecotourism choices. One of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world,  Kerala has a lot to offer to those seeking an adventurous or spiritual getaway. 

Spending a weekend in a houseboat, floating through the pristine backwaters of Kunarakom or Alapuzha, is the perfect way to kick-start your honeymoon in Kerala.  These houseboat stays are loved for its variety of seafood options and other local dishes of the South.

Wayanad, with its mountains shrouded in mist, is a must visit place when visiting Kerala. Wayand is a destination packed with a lot action! From trekking up to the Chembra Peak for amazing views an a romantic heart shaped pond, visiting the Kuruva islands, or admiring the cave drawings at the Edakal Caves, there is something for everyone!

Munnar and Kolukkumalai are exotic destinations to enjoy a romantic sunrise and evening walks through the foggy tea plantations. The Athirapally waterfalls are some of the most iconic waters in India and is a beloved spot for tourists and locals alike. Since many of these spots are under constant surveillance, appropriate fees are collected for entry. 

Kerala is also known to have some of the best beaches and beach resorts in India like the Kovalam, Varkala,  Cherai and Payyambalam beaches among others. There is also has a wonderful selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods that are so unique in flavor they will be a delightful treat to your taste buds. Kerala is a great place for a budget honeymoon getaway!

Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

Suggested by: Trijit Mallick from Budget Travel Buff

Year after year, Phi Phi island is one of the most popular budget honeymoon destinations in Thailand. Honeymooners from all around the world come to Phi Phi island to spend their special vacation on a budget. Located in between Krabi and Phuket, it offers crystal clear waters, powdery white sand beaches backed with palm trees and numerous water activities.

Thailand is a tropical country, so you can expect hot and humid weather here. November to April will be the best time to visit Phi Phi island, where temperatures range between 71°F-86°F (22°C to 30°C). There are many romantic things to do in Phi Phi Island, but here are a few suggestions!

• Take a long stroll along the beach hand in hand with your beloved one.
• Go snorkeling in the crystal clear water and explore the marine life of Phi Phi.
• Enjoy the breathtaking view of the famous Maya Bay.
• Explore the Ton Sai village in the evening. It is a little quaint village that you can explore on foot. Enjoy the picturesque sunset with your partner with two glasses of wine.
• Simply relax at the beach with your new spouse, enjoying the serenity and tranquility of nature.

Phi Phi Island is a cheap destination with plenty of quiet accommodations in Phi Phi Don island. You can stay at any of the small beach hotels near Ton Sai village area. I highly recommend staying at Gypsy Sea View Resort for cheap prices and a beautiful outdoor pool.

Kapas Island, Malaysia

Suggested by: Hannah from Hannahs Happy Adventures

I first visited Kapas island with my boyfriend during our time in Malaysia and I knew immediately I would love to return as part of my honeymoon. The island is a stunning slice of paradise that can fit a tight budget. It truly gives you the best of both worlds.

The island has crystal clear waters and beautiful sandy beaches. Although it’s only located 15 minutes from the mainland, it hasn’t been built upon in the same way as similar islands in South-East Asia. This means it maintains its pristine conditions and is the perfect hideaway honeymoon. It also costs significantly less than many of these other islands.

Wandering along the empty beaches will give you plenty of alone time as newlyweds. End your days with a romantic candlelit dinner on the beach watching the sunset on the horizon.

Fill your days with the many free activities that are available on the island. You can snorkel from the beaches themselves onto some beautiful coral reefs or hike through the jungle. Kayaks are also available for hire for a small fee.

If you’d like to explore further, Kapas island is one of the cheapest places to scuba dive in south-east Asia, costing less than $300 USD for your PADI open water. There are also some cheap snorkeling tours for around $10 USD per day.

There are plenty of budget friendly accommodations on the island as well. The best place to balance a tight budget and romance is Qimi’s Chalet. Here the rooms are built into the trees and, although basic, have a beautiful honeymoon feel to them. Each room even comes with a private balcony! Kapas island is a great budget friendly destination full of adventure, stunning views and delicious food!

Hanoi, Vietnam

Suggested by: Emily from Wander-Lush

Pretty architecture, colorful flower markets and cosy cafes make Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city, the perfect destination for honeymooners.

Vietnam is one of the best places in world for luxury on a budget, and Hanoi is known for its extremely high quality accommodations and restaurants that you can experience for very reasonable prices, especially in shoulder season (March to May or September to November are both nice times of year).

The nostalgic heart of Hanoi is its Old Quarter, a maze of shops, temples, tea houses and markets. At dusk, couples walk hand-in-hand around Hoan Kiem Lake, one of the prettiest spots in town for sunset. A stroll through the nearby French Quarter and Phan Dinh Phung Street reveals colonial buildings including the gorgeous Opera House, where you can catch an evening show.

Choose a boutique hotel in the heart of the Old Quarter (Hanoi Essence is a terrific choice) or for something a touch fancier, treat yourself to a suite at the InterContinental, which looks out over shimmering West Lake.

There are lots of hands-on activities for couples to enjoy, ranging from cooking classes to DIY craft workshops. Massages and spas, many of them social enterprises, are plentiful and extremely affordable.

Another thing that makes Hanoi an ideal honeymoon destination is its location. From the city, you can easily access some of Vietnam’s most beautiful natural landscapes, including Sapa and Mai Chau (perfect for trekking), Ninh Binh, and the one and only Halong Bay. An overnight cruise on a junk boat is an unforgettable experience for new couples.

Con Dao, Vietnam

Suggested by: Gigi & Nico from Beach Addicted

Con Dao archipelago is a small group of 16 islands that lies in the southern part of Vietnam. Lucky for you, the Con Dao islands are not very well known among travelers, and are a great budget honeymoon destination in Asia!

If you make it to Con Dao, you probably will be staying on the main island called Con Son. Here, we guarantee that you won’t see so many tourists around, which makes it perfect for enjoying your honeymoon. There are a few ways to get to the Con Dao Islands, and we choose the most budget option, which saved us a lot of money. 

Con Dao is a little bit more expensive than the mainland, but you can still find several hotels and restaurants on the budget. There are a couple of expensive resorts on Con Dao, but we stayed at the budget hotel called Song Chi Hotel for $33 USD a night.

Enjoy a lovely dinner at Infinity Cafe & Restro or try the delicious street food at a few local markets. The best thing to do on Cao Dao is rent a scooter, which is very affordable, and drive around to find your paradise beach. There are many beaches on the island. We particularly loved Dam Trau Beach as there are no resorts around, just beautiful nature.

If you want to see more of Vietnam, consider adding Sapa or Halong Bay to your itinerary. If you are looking for a secluded place that is under of radar, then Con Dao is absolutely perfect for spending your honeymoon on a budget.

Kyoto, Japan

Suggested by: Erika from Erika’s Travelventures

Kyoto, Japan might not come to mind for couples looking for a budget honeymoon destination. However, it is entirely possible to honeymoon on a budget in Kyoto.

For a simple double room in a highly-rated hotel, expect to pay about $50-$65 USD per night (look for OYO and Mystays chain hotels). Many Kyoto accommodations offer free or discounted bicycle rentals, which is a perfect way to get around the city at little to no cost.

Many of Kyoto’s highlights can be visited for free, including Arashiyama Bamboo forest, Fushimi Inari Shrine (famous for its thousands of red torii gates), and the grounds of Kiyomizudera Temple and Heian Shrine. Dozens of incredible under-the-radar temples and shrines can be visited for free too.

Join a free walking tour of Kyoto to explore Gion, the Geisha district of Kyoto, or wander through Kyoto’s many street markets and more. In the evenings, head to Yasaka Shrine for free to see dozens of decorative lanterns lit up, or have a drink at historic Pontocho Alley.

 Want to take beautiful honeymoon photos while in Kyoto? Renting a kimon is a popular tourist activity for both locals and foreigners, and can be done for as little as $25 per day. Men’s kimonos are usually dark blues and grays, which make a stark contrast with the bright, colorful, decorative kimonos worn by women.

With these pictures in hand, honeymooning on a budget in Kyoto is sure to be an experience you’ll never forget! 

Ella, Sri Lanka

Submitted by: Lee from The Travel Scribes

After a slight blip on the tourism radar, Sri Lanka is firmly back on the map as a great destination for travellers, particularly those on a budget. And Ella is one of the jewels in the country’s travel crown.

Set high up in the hills and tea plantations of Sri Lanka, honeymooners will be delighted to land themselves in this exquisite town. Filled with cheap excursions to leafy tea fields, hikes and even a scenic bridge (or two), Ella offers both adventure and relaxation, the perfect mix for the ideal honeymoon.

You can check out the viewpoint at Lipton Seat, located at the top of Poonagala Hill, to see where Scottish tea baron, Thomas Lipton, used to sit and survey his plantation. You can tour his factory, Dambetenna Tea, where the term ‘ceylon tea’ actually came into being. Or you can head out to the renowned Instagram spot, Nine Arches Bridge, to get your requisite shot.

You should also definitely opt to take the picturesque train ride from Ella towards Kandy, through Nuwara Eliya. Renowned as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, this is a must-do for any Sri Lanka itinerary.

One of the best hikes in the area is the one to Little Adam’s Peak, a 30-40 minute jaunt which will reward you with sweeping views across the Ella valley. It’s located right next to 90 Acres Resort and Spa, undoubtedly the best place to stay in Ella. As winner of the World’s Best Mountain Resort a few years ago, you’ll find yourself in the lap of luxury at surprisingly affordable prices. And you’ll be able to watch the sun rise over breath-taking Ella from the comfort of your hillside suite.

Palawan, Philippines

Suggested by: Mitch from Project Untethered

If you’re looking for a tropical honeymoon on a budget, Palawan, Philippines should be top on your list. The definition of romantic activities varies from couple to couple, and in Palawan, there’s something for everyone.

If you are looking for luxury, you can stay in fancy resorts for a fraction of what it would cost in other popular honeymoon destinations like Bora Bora or Maldives. If you are looking for adventure, you can visit stunning off-the-beaten-path destinations like Sabang and Port Barton, as well as the more well-known El Nido and Coron highlights. 

Sabang has a beautiful beach you can visit for free and essentially have all to yourself. Food ranges from $2 to $10 per meal. Accommodation start at as little as $10 per night. No matter which town you stay in, there is food, accommodation, and activities for every budget.

Lastly, if you can swing it, there’s nothing more romantic than hiring a private boat for an exclusive island hopping tour. It’ll run you $100-$150, but will be an incredibly romantic experience for you and your partner.

Gokarna, India

Suggested by: Ellis from Backpack Adventures 

Gokarna in India is the perfect honeymoon destination if you are on a budget. With romantic beaches and affordable resorts you can spend some cozy time together without breaking the bank. It’s a place where you can have a cheap meal on the beach while watching the sunset.

While most people head to Goa for some beach time in India, Gokarna is the more quiet alternative, but with equal appeal. The sleepy temple town in the state of Karnataka has no less than 5 beautiful palm fringed beaches to choose from. Some are so remote that you can only reach them by boat or on foot.

Kudlee beach is the right mix of nice facilities and a scenic long stretch of sand. Popular Om beach is just around the corner which remains a quiet and peaceful place with only a handful of restaurants and hotels. Additionally, Half Moon and Paradise Beach offer nothing but palm fringed sand and beauty. 

If you are up for a more active honeymoon you can also hike the Gokarna Beach Trail. A path of 8 kilometers that connects all 5 beaches. The trail offers wonderful views over the ocean and brings you to Half Moon or Paradise Beach with no one else around. Plan to buy some snacks in town to pack a romantic picnic to enjoy on the beach.

Bali, Indonesia

Suggested by: Sean from Living Out Lau

If you are looking for a honeymoon destination but don’t want to break the bank, consider going to Bali, Indonesia.

A popular tourist destination known for its breath-taking beaches and mysterious jungle vibes, every day in Bali is filled with adventure and excitement. However, if you are a newly-wed couple that enjoys relaxing and each other’s company, there are plenty of cheap private pool villas in Bali. Many of these private pool villas offer romantic honeymoon packages as well, cutting off the preparation and stress associated with such a big occasion.

These awesome private villas allow couples to fully immerse themselves in a relaxing environment, where couples can disconnect with the bustling of their daily lives.

Besides the romantic accommodations, one of the best reasons to visit Bali for your honeymoon is its affordability. If you eat at local restaurants (warungs), a meal can be as cheap as a few USD. Private transportation using taxi-hailing apps such as Grab and GoJek make traveling around the island cheap and easy. If you want to visit some of the more remote locations in Bali, consider hiring a private driver and a car. Doing something like this would cost tremendously in a western country but it is affordable and common in Bali. 

There you have it! The 10 best budget destination in Asia, everywhere from India to Vietnam to the Philippines. These trips are all full of fun, adventure, amazing food and beautiful scenery. You’ll have an incredibly unforgettable time, and you won’t have to break the bank doing it. These cheap honeymoon destinations will be perfect for the best trip of your life.