The following content was provided by fellow traveler Zhang Pingping and has been adapted with her permission
This itinerary was primarily based on suggestions from fellow travelers in our group and my own personal experiences, aiming to provide detailed feedback for everyone. During this trip, we stayed at three different hotels, two nights each, hired a private driver for three days, and arranged airport transfer service for the final day. Below, I’ll share some key points and insights from our journey.
Driver Recommendation
We chose Fovix Ketut, a highly recommended driver from our travel group, and I sincerely recommend him to anyone in need. Despite my extremely limited English proficiency, we managed to get through these days smoothly, thanks to Ketut’s assistance. Here’s a reminder to everyone: don’t be afraid of language barriers; making good use of translation apps and the few words you know will suffice.
Further Reading: 【Bali Guide】What to Do If You Want to Visit Bali but Don’t Speak English Well?
A word of caution regarding booking driver services: always keep your commitments and don’t stand up your driver arbitrarily, as this is the foundation of mutual trust. We communicated thoroughly beforehand, and Ketut helped adjust our itinerary, even recommending spas.
Arrival at Bali Airport
We had already completed the customs declaration, visa, and tourism tax procedures electronically while still in Taiwan, so everything went very smoothly upon arrival at Bali Airport. There were several stages of electronic clearance, all very quick, taking less than ten minutes. The only slight frustration was waiting for our luggage, which took about 30 minutes. Some passengers from the same flight got their luggage much earlier, but ours got stuck on the carousel, sometimes due to the belt getting jammed.
After collecting your luggage, choose the customs lane with the shortest queue. Present your QR code, and you’ll be out of the airport in less than three minutes.
Further reading: 【2026 Edition】Using the ‘All Indonesia’ Arrival Card for Bali, Indonesia｜Master the Latest Process in 1 Minute: From Landing to Customs to Baggage Claim
Itinerary and Transportation
Originally, I thought our schedule wasn’t too packed and would be relaxing, but Bali’s traffic jams really kept us out late every day. I recommend leaving plenty of time to deal with traffic conditions to avoid disrupting your plans.
Internet Usage
My mom and I used an eSIM and a physical SIM card respectively, both from XL. I found that my eSIM frequently lost connection, especially when I urgently needed translation, which was frustrating and forced me to rely on my limited vocabulary. My mom’s physical SIM card, however, worked smoothly throughout. Over the seven days, I mainly relied on hotel WiFi and ended up using less than 3GB of data.
Further reading: 【Essential for Bali Travel】How to Set Up Internet/SIM Card in Bali?
May 29th Private Car Itinerary
Arrival in Bali
On this day, our itinerary started right after landing. First, we exchanged money and did some grocery shopping. Then, we visited a somewhat expensive but very famous pork rib restaurant—Naughty Nuri’s—and enjoyed a delicious meal.
Accommodation and Spa
After dining, we headed straight to our accommodation in Ubud, Purana Boutique Resort. This hotel is nestled in the jungle near the center of Ubud, exuding a natural ambiance. Although there are quite a few insects, the staff is very friendly, and the rooms are exceptionally clean and comfortable, with particularly good beds—highly recommended! The hotel offers shuttle service to the Coco supermarket near the Sacred Monkey Forest, which is very convenient. I suggest staying here, but I wouldn’t recommend the hotel’s breakfast as it doesn’t taste good, despite its attractive presentation XD
▶Book Purana Boutique Resort, see more room types
We enjoyed two delightful spa sessions during our Ubud trip. The first was on the night we arrived, when our driver took us to Jaens Spa Ubud, just two minutes from the hotel. The spa quality here was excellent and reasonably priced. The second session was booked through the hotel the next day.
Zhang Pingping recommends: Jaens Spa, a high-quality spa just a two-minute walk from Purana
Exploring Ubud City Center
On the second day of our stay, we took the hotel shuttle to Coco supermarket and then walked to the Sacred Monkey Forest. The monkeys here are very mischievous, and we even had a thrilling encounter where one tried to snatch something from us. Afterward, we continued to explore the Ubud Market, casually browsing and sampling local delicacies. Although we didn’t have a private car that day, our driver Ketut was still very concerned about us, sending us a message the night before to remind us of shopping precautions, worried that we might get scammed.
Zhang Pingping recommends: Sacred Monkey Forest, Coconut Specialty Shop
May 31st Private Car Itinerary
Ubud Jungle Swing
Today’s first stop was the jungle swing in Ubud, a spot recommended by Ketut that’s affordable and doesn’t require long waits. The staff here are great at taking photos and won’t rush you, letting you swing to your heart’s content. However, I swung for so long that I ended up feeling a bit unwell and even threw up, so I forgot the name of the place, haha. (Fovix Ketut added that the name of this place is: Rice Terrace Tegalalangrice)
Zhang Pingping provided: The long dress was rented for 150k, with the option to rent or not
Quick Reference: Ubud Swing: Bali’s 8 Most Beautiful Swing Photo Spots｜Ubud Swing/Dress Rental Guide
Dining at a Restaurant
Mom felt hungry, and Ketut immediately took us to a restaurant with great service and delicious food. The scenery here is also fantastic, making it a great spot for photos. (Fovix Ketut added that the name of this restaurant is: Bebek Tebasari Resto, and it’s best to make a reservation for a good spot)
Zhang Pingping provided: Teba Sari Resto
▶Book Dining Voucher for Bebek Tebasari Resto
Buying Coffee
Next, we asked Ketut to take us to buy coffee and tried some civet coffee. Although the price was a bit high, the taste was really good, and it was (probably) authentic. Mom especially liked it.
Tegenungan Waterfall
Afterwards, we visited Tegenungan Waterfall, which also features a pool club, though we simply played tourists and took some photos. Ketut accompanied us throughout, patiently helping us take pictures despite the sweltering heat - we truly appreciated his efforts.
Provided by Zhang Pingping
Quick Reference: Guide to Three Famous Waterfalls Near Ubud, Bali: Tegenungan Waterfall, Kanto Lampo Waterfall, and Tukad Cepung Waterfall
Want to learn more about Ubud? Click here
Jimbaran Spa
Ketut also introduced us to an amazing spa in Jimbaran - The Calma Spa, which my mother couldn’t stop praising. The service and prices were excellent, leaving us thoroughly satisfied. Afterwards, we were starving, and Ketut immediately took us to a very authentic Indonesian restaurant. The prices were so affordable it was touching, and the flavors were fantastic. We ate to our hearts’ content in a very joyful atmosphere. (Fovix Ketut added that the restaurant’s name is: Waroeng Kampoeng Jimbaran)
Provided by Zhang Pingping
The Apurva Kempinski Bali
Due to traffic, we safely arrived at The Apurva Kempinski Bali at 10 PM. (Editor’s note: For more about Kempinski, see here)
Provided by Zhang Pingping: Kempinski’s Underwater Restaurant
The next day’s free activities at Kempinski Hotel were thoroughly enjoyable. We had lunch at the Koral Underwater Restaurant, and in the afternoon, we took the hotel shuttle to Bali Collection Mall, returning at 17:30. The shuttle provided bottled water, showcasing their thoughtful service.
In the evening, we swam in the luxurious hotel room and enjoyed the hotel’s sauna facilities.
More on Dining and Entertainment in Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua is renowned for its luxurious resorts, pristine white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and comprehensive tourist facilities, making it the top choice for those seeking high-end enjoyment and a tranquil vacation. It also offers premium spa services, water activities, and leisure options suitable for the whole family, making it a paradise for all types of travelers. Want to know more about Nusa Dua? Click here
June 2nd Private Car Itinerary
Tanah Barak
Our first stop today was Tanah Barak. I wasn’t going for a particularly aesthetic photography style, so Ketut couldn’t help laughing while taking my photos. He must have been thinking, ‘This lady insists on jumping for photos even though she can’t really jump,’ making the whole scene quite hilarious.
Provided by Zhang Pingping
Quick Reference: Bali Batu Barak/Tanah Barak: A Stunning Journey Along the Blue Highway/Cliff Road
Uluwatu Temple
Next, we visited Uluwatu Temple. The monkeys here are quite aggressive, so Ketut accompanied us like a bodyguard, sweating profusely as he helped shoo away the monkeys and took photos for us. We’re especially grateful that he carried my mom’s heavy bag, which felt like a rock. Just moments before, we witnessed a tourist’s phone being snatched by a monkey and thrown off the cliff into the sea, making us even more appreciative of Ketut’s protection.
Quick Reference: Bali Uluwatu Temple/Lover’s Cliff Travel Guide: Must-See Highlights and Practical Tips
More Uluwatu Food and Fun
Uluwatu is one of the most popular areas in southern Bali, famous for its breathtaking cliff views, stunning beaches, and excellent surf spots. It exudes a romantic tropical vacation atmosphere, making it the perfect choice for enjoying sunset views and relaxation. If you’re planning to stay in Uluwatu, check out our carefully curated guide to food, fun, and activities to make your trip even more enriching: Uluwatu Travel Guide: Top Attractions and Recommendations
Buying Fruits
Provided by Zhang Pingping
In Bali, my favorite fruit is mangosteen. Knowing our preference, Ketut took advantage of our spa time to search several places for fresh mangosteens. He even bought them for us himself, as locals get them at half the price, but we insisted on paying him. As for durian, we didn’t come across any good quality ones, but Ketut was more professional than the vendors. He would inspect the durian’s quality, and if it wasn’t good upon opening, he would clearly explain it to the vendor, preventing us from buying subpar fruit. He truly solved problems from our perspective.
Seafood Dinner with Sunset View
In the evening, Ketut took us to Menega Cafe, a seafood restaurant with excellent value. Here, we enjoyed a beautiful sunset view. Ketut helped us check the bill to ensure we weren’t overcharged. Mom ordered lobster, two large crabs, and a set meal that included lobster and fish, totaling around USD$100. Even with three of us including the driver, we couldn’t finish all the food and ended up taking leftovers home. The restaurant staff, seeing we were full, kindly advised us not to serve the live fish Mom had ordered, as we really couldn’t finish it.
Provided by Zhang Pingping: Menega Cafe
Accommodation and Surroundings
On June 2nd, we checked into The Oberoi Beach Resort in Seminyak. This hotel was the most attentive and vacation-like of our entire trip.
▶Book The Oberoi Beach Resort and other room types
We strolled around the area, watched the sunset, and enjoyed all the hotel’s facilities, spending a pleasant evening.
Featured in: Bali Accommodation Recommendations: A Guide to Coastal Boutique Stays in Seminyak
June 4th: Return to Taiwan
On this day, we prepared to return to Taiwan. Since Ketut had to attend to his daughter’s matters, he asked his brother to take us to the airport.
Summary and Reflections
This feedback aims to assist friends planning to visit Bali. Due to space constraints, many details couldn’t be fully elaborated, but feel free to exchange ideas (o^^o). Two restaurants weren’t part of our original plan—they were spontaneously introduced by Ketut—but both were excellent. Unfortunately, I don’t recall their names (Editor’s note: We’ve already requested supplementary details from Fovix Ketut).
On the contrary, two popular网红 restaurants we visited—SunSun and Sacred Rice—didn’t meet our expectations. The flavors were average, not premium, and not particularly enjoyable.
Recommended Private Driver
Regarding private drivers, I meticulously selected from several options and was fortunate to choose Fovix Ketut. Ketut treated my mother as his own, constantly caring for her with phrases like ‘Be careful, Mom’ and ‘How are you, Mom?’ In turn, my mother treated him like her own son. In just a few days, we built a strong bond.
Ketut is a cheerful driver in his early 30s with three children. He deeply loves his wife and always beams with joy when talking about her and their daughter. He works tirelessly to serve his clients and support his family. I highly recommend him to Taiwanese friends looking to practice English and enjoy adventurous self-guided travel—you can confidently choose Fovix Ketut.
It’s worth noting that most drivers in Bali have wives and children to care for. Occasionally, unforeseen family emergencies may prevent them from working. I believe this isn’t their intention, so let’s empathize and understand their situation!
Contact Information for Fovix Ketut
Scan the QR Code to add him on Line!
During this Bali trip, I quietly pushed myself to improve my English listening skills. Join the English listening practice team and grow together!
I hope this feedback will be helpful for friends who are planning to visit Bali.
This article is adapted from a post shared in the “Go Bali Go Bali Travel” Facebook group. The original post can be found here.
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