Best Babymoon Destinations

“Babymoon” is a special getaway for parents who want to have a little couple time before the baby arrives. My husband and I were actually traveling around the Philippines -- Bacolod, Dumaguete and Boracay -- before I discovered that I was pregnant when we got back. While they’re great babymoon spots, I planned another trip in my second trimester. 

Are you planning a babymoon, too? Here are my top foreign and local destinations.

FOREIGN DESTINATIONS 

Japan
Everyone I know loves Japan. There are also lots of direct gateways from the Philippines. You could choose Osaka, Tokyo, Fukuoka, Hokkaido, or Nagoya, depending on your personality and the things you enjoy. 

If you love food, you can go to Osaka. It’s most famous for the term “kuidaore” which means “eat until you drop” – suitable for the always-hungry moms-to-be. If you love big cities, choose Tokyo and shop till you drop. If you prefer the quiet countryside, visit Nagoya and see Begonia Garden at Nabana no Sato. If you love cold weather and want to experience snow, Hokkaido’s perfect for you. If you’re into history and nature, Fukuoka has castles and temples to offer. 

In general, Japan has a little bit of everything. It’s also one of the best countries you could visit whilst pregnant, because it’s very safe. 

Korea 
It’s definitely one of your dream destinations if you’re into Hallyu (Korean Wave). There are three direct gateways from the Philippines: Incheon, Busan and Jeju (chartered flights via PAL). 

If you love shopping and Korean beauty products, you must drop by Seoul. If you want to immerse yourself in Korea’s rich culture, visit Busan. And of course, if you’re feeling romantic, you must go to Jeju. It’s actually a top honeymoon destination for Korean couples, and possibly for babymoons, too.  

Taiwan
There are two direct gateways. You could either enter from Taipei or Kaohsiung (via AirAsia). Everything is also accessible via train. If you love shopping in Japan, there are a lot of Japanese brands in Taipei. Pregnant moms may also find a stop at Taichung or the countryside very relaxing.  It’s only an hour ride via bullet train and you can choose between the mountain side or the sea side seats.

These are my top three picks if you want to travel abroad. All of them are commuter-friendly, and you can take the train to explore the city. All are short-haul flights, with Taipei taking only 
2 ½ hours away from Manila. Budget-wise, Taiwan is the cheapest. Personally, I chose Osaka, Japan as my babymoon destination because it is the country that I’m most comfortable in.  

LOCAL DESTINATIONS 

Bacolod 
They serve the best food – chicken inasal and kansi! Although their white beaches are quite far from the city, there are many museums or cafes that you can check out while you’re there. My favorite Bacolod beach is Carbin Reef, a tiny marine sanctuary that accommodates about 100 people at a time. 

Dumaguete
Visit Manjuyod Sand Bar, which is called “The Maldives of the Philippines.” It’s quite a journey from the city, but if you get lucky, you will get to see dolphins and even swim with them! 
 
Boracay
For a fast, convenient trip, book Caticlan. The flight from Manila is less than an hour long, and from Jetty port you can take a 10-minute ferry ride. Boracay is my go-to beach and I highly suggest it for babymoons just because it feels like home. 
 
TRAVEL TIPS FOR PREGNANT MOMS 

• Travel after your first trimester, just to be safe. 
• If traveling on your second trimester, get clearance from your oby-gynecologist stating that you are asymptomatic and fit to fly.
• Pregnant women are not allowed on non-pressurized planes. Double check when booking. 
• Choose a short haul flight so you won’t strain yourself. 
• Choose direct flights instead of those with layover. 
• Get travel insurance. It’s important to have it in case of emergency and you need to go to the hospital. 
• Skip risky activities like skiing or snowboarding.
• Bring an emergency kit. 
• Avoid eating street food and make sure your food is well-cooked. 

Savor your babymoon, because it might be one of the last times you’ll have couple time for quite a while. Or if you don’t want to travel far, stay in the city and have a staycation. The most important thing is to enjoy your time together and have fun! 
 
 
 

Reference

About The Writer

Ashley Dy-Pineda

Ashley Dy-Pineda is a 30-year-old lifestyle and travel blogger. She’s married and a new mother of a 1-year-old baby boy. She started blogging in 2009, mainly about her daily outfits. It evolved to a personal and travel blog when she moved to Japan. She lived there for 6 years and traveled to most of Japan’s 47 prefectures before returning to Manila for good. Currently, she’s blogging about lifestyle and travel, but her favorite topic is her baby’s monthly milestones. Her interests revolve around fashion, cruelty-free beauty, travel, Japanese & Korean culture and now, motherhood.

The views and opinions expressed by the writer are his/her own, and does not state or reflect those of Wyeth Nutrition and its principals.