The following content is provided by fellow traveler Yang Fangyu and adapted with permission.
Although this Bali trip was only 5 days and 4 nights, it felt like the actual playtime was too short after deducting the travel time on the first and last days! This itinerary was more tiring and not the kind of relaxing vacation. Bali’s traffic is prone to congestion, so it’s recommended to wake up early to fit in more activities.
Pre-Trip Preparations
- E-Visa on Arrival: Remember to apply for the e-visa on arrival before heading to Bali.
- Tourist Tax: Be aware of paying the tourist tax.
- Fill Out Arrival Form: Complete the arrival form.
- Currency Exchange: It’s advisable to bring USD and exchange it for IDR locally.
- Sun Protection: Bali’s sun is very strong; forgetting sunscreen can easily lead to sunburn.
- Internet Usage: It’s recommended to use an Esim card. I purchased the ‘Global Travel Expert’ Esim card on Shopee, which offers stable speeds unless in remote mountainous areas. Buying it the day before ensures it’s ready for use the next day, very convenient.
- Water Activities and Photos: If planning to take photos after water activities, remember to bring a 220V hair dryer.
- Massage Experience: No matter which massage shop you choose, it feels like a lottery. Fortunately, our massage experiences were always good, even at randomly selected roadside shops.
- Photography Tips: To capture Instagram-worthy photos, it’s recommended to study poses beforehand and practice shooting techniques with your travel companion. I’m the one who doesn’t know how to take good photos.
- Tipping Etiquette: Bali is a country where tipping is customary. The basic tip is usually around IDR 10,000 (approximately USD 0.65). Avoid giving coins or very small bills as it’s more polite.
- Charger Adapter: Remember to bring a charger adapter or ask the hotel if they can lend one.
- Additional Taxes: Some restaurants and massage shops may charge additional taxes, and credit card payments might incur a 3% surcharge.
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Itinerary Planning
May 30
1. Currency Exchange
- The first thing to do upon arriving in Bali is to exchange currency into Indonesian Rupiah for convenient spending during the trip.
2. Check-in at Ubud Hotel
- Time: 15:00
- Location: Soulshine Bali
- Highlights: This hotel features a stunning pool with a waterslide and excellent service. The room rate includes breakfast, making it ideal for travelers who plan to spend more time at the hotel. Great value for money at around USD$260 per night.
3. Massage
- Time: 18:30
- Location: Pertenin Body Care
- Experience: The massage was incredibly relaxing and effectively relieved travel fatigue.
- We chose a late session and tried the less common four-hand massage—a cool experience!
4. Dinner
- Time: 8:30 PM
- Location: Arcadia Restaurant
- Highlights: The set menu dishes at this restaurant are exquisitely prepared and delicious, attracting mostly foreign clientele. The service is exceptionally attentive, and the ambiance is wonderful. The set menu costs approximately USD$48, with an additional 11% dining tax and 4.5% service charge.
Today’s itinerary is relatively relaxed. After exchanging currency, check into a high-value hotel in Ubud, enjoy a soothing massage, and end the day with a delightful dinner at an elegant restaurant, fully preparing for the adventures ahead.
May 31st
1. Hotel Breakfast in Ubud
- Time: Depart at 8:00 AM
- Location: Soulshine Bali
- Highlights: The hotel offers a lavish breakfast, making it a perfect start to the day.
2. ATV Riding
- Experience: Operating an ATV isn’t easy, but for thrill-seekers, paying extra to have an instructor drive can be incredibly fun.
ATV riding is a blast! (Courtesy of Yang Fangyu)
Editor’s Note: Ubud’s ATV tours typically traverse tropical rainforests, rivers, tunnels, and rugged mountain areas, immersing you in an exhilarating adventure. This high-speed journey through nature allows you to experience Ubud’s diverse landscapes and scenery in a short time, making it a favorite among adventurers.
Another exciting option is the “Volcano ATV Tour,” where you’ll traverse dense forests, climb black lava slopes, and conquer challenging off-road terrains. Guided by experienced instructors, you’ll navigate through diverse landscapes, fully experiencing the thrill and excitement that ATV riding offers.
3. Ayung River Rafting
(Provided by Fangyu Yang)
- Preparation: Rafting involves some walking, so it’s recommended to wear comfortable shoes and bring a waterproof bag. If you want to take photos after rafting, consider bringing a hairdryer and shampoo.
- Duration: ATV + rafting takes approximately 5 hours.
Editor’s Note: For adventure enthusiasts, rafting is an incredibly appealing activity. The rivers around Ubud wind through lush valleys and jungles, offering a fresh and exciting exploration experience. During this adventure, you’ll navigate through scenic landscapes, encountering both rapids and calm waters, allowing you to enjoy a mix of thrill and relaxation. This is not just an adventure but also an opportunity to connect intimately with nature, feeling the vibrant energy of the water, trees, and earth.
4. Instagram-Worthy Swing Photos
(Courtesy of Yang Fangyu)
- Experience: Feel the thrill of swinging while capturing stunning Instagram-worthy photos to create lasting memories
- There are various locations available - ask your driver for recommendations, but prices vary. You can rent outfits. We were lucky to find a good spot where they even helped us take side videos
Editor’s Note: In Ubud, even swinging can become an exotic experience. At specialized spots in Ubud, you’ll find various uniquely designed swings hanging among green trees or facing enchanting valley views. Swinging isn’t just playtime - it’s an excellent way to appreciate Ubud’s beauty in tranquility. Swing freely, let your heart sway with the breeze, and feel relaxed and content.
5. Dinner
- Time: Dinner time
- Location: Sun Sun Warung
- Note: Famous for its dirty duck rice, this restaurant tends to be full during meal times. Takeout dishes are decent but nothing extraordinary
- Dine-in includes 15.5% tax, takeout is 5% less
6. Return to Hotel
- Location: Soulshine Bali
This day’s itinerary was packed with adventure and excitement - from ATV riding to Ayung River rafting, to Instagram-worthy swing photos - all highly recommended experiences. Finally, choose a popular restaurant for dinner before returning to your hotel to rest.
June 1st
1. Ubud Hotel Breakfast
- Time: After breakfast, check out at 11:00
2. Checking into Seminyak Hotel
- Time: 12:30
- Location: Villa DeDayuh Seminyak
- Highlights: This villa comes with kitchenware, a swimming pool, and a bathtub, making it perfect for travelers planning an extended hotel stay. The service is excellent, with detailed responses available via WhatsApp. The price is approximately USD$130 per night.
3. Tanjung Benoa Activities
Sea walking is not recommended! (Provided by Yang Fangyu)
- Time: 13:30
Sea Walking
Our first activity was sea walking. While it sounded exciting, the actual experience was somewhat disappointing. When putting on the helmet initially, water entered without warning and pressed against my face, which was quite frightening. Walking underwater required holding onto a railing, and the scenery wasn’t particularly beautiful.
Parasailing
Next up was the parasailing activity. This experience was truly amazing, especially the feeling of freedom while soaring through the air. Perhaps because we had such great conversations with our instructor, the whole process became even more enjoyable. The parasailing went from air to water and back up again, creating a fun back-and-forth motion that was quite entertaining.
Donut Ride
Finally, we tried the donut ride (also known as the towable tube). It’s said that the donut ride in Taiwan is more thrilling, especially when sitting in the back position. Besides this, Nusa Dua offers a variety of other water activities to cater to different preferences.
Snacks and Tea
After the activities, snacks and tea were provided, allowing everyone to relax after the excitement.
Reminders
- Price Negotiation: The prices for activities are often quoted high, so it’s advisable to bargain or purchase discounted tickets online in advance.
- Photography Fees: If there’s a photography service included in your activity, this will incur an additional charge. The vendor will provide a set of cloud photos and the recorded video.
Editor’s Note: Visitors should be aware that water activities in Nusa Dua are quite popular. It’s recommended to book in advance to avoid on-the-spot price hikes. Booking ensures you have ample opportunity to enjoy all the water activities you desire while avoiding additional expensive fees on-site. At Nusa Dua Beach, let’s set sail together and enjoy this paradise of water activities, offering you an adventurous and joyful maritime journey.
4. Cliffside Attractions
(Provided by Fangyu Yang)
- Highlights: There are two cliffside attractions that require admission tickets, perfect for photo opportunities. There are scenic views along the way, but we didn’t stay long due to time constraints.
5. Jimbaran Sunset
(Provided by Fangyu Yang)
- Highlights: You can choose to ride a horse or camel during sunset for a unique Jimbaran experience.
- Online research shows many sunset photography techniques that can create great memories.
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6. Massage
- Location: Piramid Jimbar
- Experience: The environment here is stunning. Before your massage, you’ll get to feed the fish. Payment is made upfront before the massage begins. Note that shower time is included in the massage duration. The massage itself was very satisfying, but the flower bath may cause allergies, so consider this carefully. All flowers are fresh, so there might be small insects. The flower bath requires an additional payment and deposit. A 2-hour massage costs approximately USD$77, excluding the flower bath with patterned designs. You can confirm the design colors via WhatsApp beforehand.
7. Dinner
- Food: Highly recommend trying Indonesia’s savory egg pancake, it’s delicious.
The day’s itinerary started with a move from Ubud to Seminyak, checking into the resort-style Villa DeDayuh, followed by thrilling water activities at Nusa Dua. In the afternoon, we visited cliffside spots for beautiful photos, watched the sunset at Jimbaran while experiencing horseback or camel rides. The evening concluded with a high-quality massage at Piramid Jimbar and ended the day with a tasty Indonesian egg pancake.
June 2nd
1. Lunch
- Location: Naughty Nuri’s
- Specialty: Must-try their signature pork ribs, the flavor is amazing
Book Naughty Nuri’s Warung Dining Experience
2. Souvenir Shops
- Shopping: It’s best to know what you want to buy beforehand, or you might get overwhelmed. Visit local souvenir shops to pick up some unique items to take home.
3. Kuta Activities
- Location: Kuta Beachwalk Shopping Center, Kuta Beach
- Activities: Enjoy shopping at Kuta Beachwalk Shopping Center, which is right across from Kuta Beach. Relax and soak up the sun and sand. If you’re interested in surfing, give it a try.
4. Finn Beach Club
- Time: Seats start to become available around 17:00
- Tip: Good seats need to be reserved and paid for in advance. The crowd is mostly Westerners, and there’s a pool and a DJ right by the beach. Security is strict, and if you enter without ordering anything, it’s free! Go early to enjoy the food and watch the sunset. This beach club is open until midnight and is a great place to unwind and enjoy the evening atmosphere.
5. Return to Hotel
- Villa DeDayuh
June 3rd
1. Hotel Check-out
- Time: 12:00
- Location: Villa DeDayuh
2. Stopped by to buy delicious brownies on the way
Provided by Yang Fangyu. Editor’s note: The item on the left in the photo is not potato chips! It’s cassava chips.
3. Airport
- Location: Preparing to return, concluding this Bali trip.
The past two days have been relatively relaxing and enjoyable. On June 2nd, we started with delicious pork ribs, followed by shopping at a souvenir store, and then spent a pleasant afternoon at Kuta’s shopping mall and beach. In the evening, we enjoyed a leisurely time at Finn Beach Club. On June 3rd, after a simple check-out and lunch, we headed to the airport to conclude this delightful Bali trip.
How to Shop for Bali Souvenirs?
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- Home Decor Treasures Hunting Guide: Bring the Tropical Vacation Vibes Home!
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- 🛍️Must-Buy Guide for Ubud Market in Bali: From Handicrafts to Art Collections, Shop to Your Heart's Content!
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Recommended Private Driver
When traveling in Bali, finding a good private driver is crucial, especially when you’re tired and translating English can be quite exhausting. We recommend Mang Loco, a Balinese who previously worked in Taiwan. He learned Chinese fluently and amusingly from indigenous people, and his friendly personality makes him feel like a helpful friend.
Tip:
- Trip Planning: You can outline the attractions you want to visit and let the driver help arrange the route.
- Cost Communication: Discuss longer distances and overtime fees in advance.
- Meal Invitation: Drivers usually don’t dine with guests, but if you like your driver, you can invite and treat them to a meal.
Conclusion
Although this Bali trip lasted only a few short days, each day was filled with fresh and exciting experiences. From the cultural journey in Ubud to the leisurely vacation in Seminyak, from the water activities in Nusa Dua to the sunset views in Jimbaran, every moment was unforgettable. Finding a reliable private car driver during the trip not only reduced language barriers but also made the itinerary smoother. Bali’s beautiful scenery and rich cultural heritage are worth savoring by every traveler. Looking forward to exploring this paradise-like island again next time!
Do you find Yang Fangyu’s itinerary exciting? Hurry up and plan your own Bali free and easy trip! We also welcome everyone to share your itineraries in the community!
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