Our Honeymoon in Bora Bora
Bora Bora was our first big trip as a married couple and the kind of place we never imagined we'd actually go. We knew it'd be expensive, but wanted to do something that felt once in a lifetime, especially because we didn't grow up traveling. Bora Bora felt crazy and unreal, but it truly was the perfect honeymoon. To keep the planning simple and manageable, we booked the entire trip through Costco Travel.
This trip was the starting point of learning how we want to travel. We learned what we value, what we overthink and where convenience is absolutely worth paying for.
The Breakdown
Destination: Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Trip Length: 5 nights
Trip Timeframe: Mid-November
Total Spend: $12,014.47
Booking Platform: Costco Travel
First-Time Traveler Score: ★★★★☆
First Impressions
We went in November, which is considered rainy season, but it barely rained even a full day while we were there. Bora Bora was so beautiful; the kind that doesn't feel real. Everything looked photoshopped, so picture perfect.
Our Stay
We stayed at Conrad Bora Bora Nui in an overwater bungalow. The experience was so luxurious and the view so surreal. The bathroom amenities were all Byredo Mojave Ghost, which is one of our favorite fragrances.
The welcome surprised us the most. The hotel had printed one of our engagement photos and displayed it on our bed when we arrived, which they found by looking up our wedding website on The Knot. It was so thoughtful and especially meaningful as newlyweds coming straight from our wedding.
One thing we didn't expect; however, was how much conditions can vary by location. The water near our bungalow was too rough to swim the entirety of the trip, while the opposite side of the resort stayed calm. The hotel did offer a room switch, but we decided not to since we didn't expect to stay in our bungalow much during the trip.
Activities
The first thing we booked was a couples massage because we were so sore and exhausted from the wedding. It was one of the best decisions of the trip. We had a private room with showers a hot tub, and they also served fresh fruit and champagne to enjoy after the massage. It definitely helped us relax and look forward to the rest of the trip.
Another highlight was a snorkeling excursion. We swam over coral reefs and saw manta rays and small sharks, which was easily one of the most intimidating but memoable experiences of the trip.
We also did a private lunch on the resort's private island. It was nice, but we wouldn't necessarily recommend it. There wasn't much to do beyond the meal itself, and it felt more like something to fill time than a must-do experience.
Dining
The resort had several on-property dining options to try, which gave us a variety without needing to leave the resort.
Iriatai - main restaurant serving classic French cuisine for breakfast and dinner
Banyan Chinese Restaurant- Chinese cuisine
Tamure Beach Grill- Casual beachfront Mediterranean+ Polynesian dinner & show
Upa Upa Louge Bar - Mediterranean and Polynesian dishes
Tarava Pool Bar- Mediterranean + Polynesian dishes
One of the biggest benefits of booking through Costco Travel was that our package included daily breakfast and a nightly three-course dinner. For a destination like Bora Bora, where dining costs add up quickly, this took a lot of pressure off and made budgeting far more predictable. We only had to think about lunch, most days, we skipped it entirely since we ate a lot at breakfast.
When we visited, the resort wasn't very crowded, so reservations were easy and the staff knew us by name, which made the experience feel personal and relaxed. That said, if the resort is busier, we'd recommend making dinner reservations in advance and checking restaurant hours and event nights ahead of time. Some venues have limited seating or special programs that can affect availability.
While there were a handful of dining options, the food wasn't as bold or memorable. Everything was well prepared, but wasn't as flavorful or exciting as we had anticipated. Banyan, out of the choices, was our favorite.This trip helped us realize how much food shapes our travel experience. Bora Bora truly delivered when it came to it's scenic beauty and relaxation, but dining wasn't the highlight for us.
Things We Learned (So You Don't Have To)
Planning a trip to Bora Bora? Here are some of our personal insights and tips:
Get groceries in Vaitape: Take the boat to Vaitape (main town and habor of Bora Bora) earlier in your trip and stop by Chin Lee Supermarket for snacks and drinks, including alcohol. These are significantly more experience at the resorts, so it helps to stock up at the start of your trip so you don't overspend on snacks and cocktails.
Dining locally: There are a handful of local restaurants in Vaitape that are worth checking out if you don't have a dining package: Bora Bora Beach Club, Bora Bora Yacht Club and Restaurant Saint James.
Handle seat upgrades before you get to the airport: If you're hoping to check-in early or upgrade seats, do it online or in advance whenever possible. The airport in Bora Bora is outdoors and lines can get very long, especially for return flights. We waited a long time to check-in and saw others who wanted to upgrade that couldn't, which added unnecessary stress at the end of the trip.