The following content was provided by our group member Li Wallis and rearranged by us:
This time, I want to share my travel experiences in Bali with everyone. Bali, known as the ‘Island of the Gods,’ attracts tourists from all over the world with its stunning natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and friendly locals. During this trip, we experienced everything from visa processing, private car services, to various attractions and restaurants, immersing ourselves in the local culture. Of course, we also encountered some minor incidents. I hope my sharing can provide some reference and help for friends planning to visit Bali, making your journey smoother and more enjoyable.
Visa:
Since we saw many people encountering issues with the electronic visa (eVOA) in the group, we decided to opt for the visa on arrival. Upon arriving at the airport, we waited in line for about 15-20 minutes before it was our turn, which was relatively acceptable. However, even though the visa processing was quick, baggage claim still took some time, so we felt a bit helpless while waiting for our luggage😅. Therefore, if you choose to get a visa on arrival, please allocate sufficient time to handle possible delays.
Private Car Driver:
When booking private car services, everyone must not overly trust online reviews. We booked a service based on a recommendation from a group member in a Facebook group called ‘X Brother Private Car Driver Team,’ but the actual situation was not as smooth as expected🥲. The assigned driver, ‘Special X,’ was not very proactive, responded to messages very slowly, and was careless in arranging the itinerary. Every time we arrived at a destination, he wouldn’t notify us proactively; we had to ask to find out.
The driver said the fee included gasoline and parking, but when we went to the Cliff Road, we were asked to pay Rp5000 for parking when purchasing tickets, and this fee ultimately fell on us. Since the driver was always the one communicating with the ticket seller, he couldn’t have been unaware of this parking fee. This made us feel that the driver was not honest, which was very dissatisfying😅.
On one occasion, when we were settling the bill, the driver informed us that an additional Rp50,000 would be charged due to it being a holiday. This left us quite confused, as I had specifically confirmed the price twice before departure, and the driver had assured me there would be no changes. This last-minute price hike left us feeling dissatisfied. Therefore, when booking private car services, it’s crucial to carefully verify the price and terms to avoid encountering similar situations.
Further reading: 【Bali Private Driver Recommendations】Comprehensive Guide to Bali Drivers Based on User Reviews: Find the Right Driver for You Through Real Feedback
Attractions and Restaurants:
Tanah Lot Temple:
Provided by Li Wallis
Tanah Lot Temple is a stunning and worthwhile destination. The temple is built on a rock by the sea, surrounded by water during high tide, creating a unique landscape. The sunset here is particularly spectacular, so it’s recommended to visit in the evening to witness the magnificent sea sunset. Quick reference: Must-Visit Attractions in Bali: Detailed Guide to Tanah Lot Temple, Tides, and Surrounding Attractions
🛕🌊🌅 Tanah Lot Temple, Bali’s must-visit sunset sanctuary, offering breathtaking sea views and a religious atmosphere ▶Klook Discount
Further reading: The Ultimate Canggu Adventure Map: 100 Must-Visit Spots in Canggu
Uluwatu Temple:
Provided by Li Wallis
Uluwatu Temple is equally beautiful, perched on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean, offering spectacular views. However, the monkeys here are quite cunning and may snatch your glasses, hats, or phones, so be extra cautious with your belongings. Quick reference: Bali Uluwatu Temple/Lover’s Cliff Travel Guide: Must-See Highlights and Practical Tips
🛕🌊🌅 Uluwatu Temple, a magnificent cliff-top attraction where you can also enjoy traditional fire dance performances ▶Klook Deal
Broken Beach:
Provided by Li Wallis
Broken Beach is another must-visit spot. We recommend arriving early; when we got there before 11 AM, it wasn’t crowded yet, allowing us to take plenty of beautiful photos. Later, as the crowd grew, taking photos became more challenging. After capturing Broken Beach, don’t rush off—continue walking to reach a stunning beach. Quick reference: Bali Batu Barak/Tanah Barak: The Blue Road/Broken Beach’s breathtaking journey
🏖️🪨🌊 Explore the beauty of the Blue Road cliffs, where every shot is Instagram-worthy! ▶Klook Deal
Nearby, there’s a seaside restaurant called Pawdwa Seaview. We ordered pasta, salad, rice, and calamari rings—four dishes in total—plus two drinks, spending over Rp400,000. Enjoying our meal with a sea view was incredibly relaxing 😌.
Further reading: 【Uluwatu Guide】50 Recommendations for Things to Do, Eat, and Enjoy in Uluwatu
Tirta Empul Temple:
Provided by Li Wallis
Tirta Empul Temple is a place worth visiting. If you plan to take a holy dip, remember to bring a change of clothes. Additionally, there are beautiful rice terraces nearby. We enjoyed two drinks at a café next to the terraces while soaking in the scenery—it was very idyllic. Further reading: 【2025】Complete Guide to Tirta Empul Temple: Bali’s Most Sacred Purification Water Temple Experience
🔱💦 Tirta Empul Temple in Ubud is Bali’s famous holy water temple, renowned for its purification rituals 🙏 and sacred springs 💧, believed to bring blessings and good luck ✨ to devotees and visitors alike! ▶Klook Special Offers
Further Reading: 100 Ways to Deeply Understand Ubud | Exploring the Charm of Ubud](/blog/2023-11-17-655054b1fd897800011d2d/)
Jimbaran:
Li Wallis shares
We opted not to dine on seafood by the beach in Jimbaran as we heard prices were steep, with some spending over Rp1 million on seafood. Instead, we ate at Waroeng Pan Yoga, ordering a large fish (actually two, perhaps due to a shortage of big fish😅), fried calamari rings, squid skewers, and clams, plus two drinks, all for just over Rp200,000. We enjoyed our meal, and the quality was good! However, it might be a Jimbaran specialty that the seafood is a bit charred🤣.
Further Reading: Jimbaran Free Travel: Recommended 30 Attractions Full Guide
Souvenirs:
Li Wallis shares
The souvenirs at Ubud Market are almost identical, with nothing particularly enticing us to buy. Instead, we found more joy browsing the supermarket, even though prices were slightly higher. We unexpectedly discovered Bali Galeria Mall, which was fantastic to explore! It has a supermarket, souvenir shops, and restaurants, everything you could need. We initially wanted to find a post office to send postcards, but it was already closed🥲. So, friends planning to visit the post office, remember to go early. In the end, we bought stamps at the airport and found a mailbox.
Further Reading: Recommended by Netizens: Six Categories, Over 20 Bali Souvenir Recommendations: Perfect Choices to Preserve Precious Memories
Other Thoughts
- Some restrooms require payment, and when you’re in a hurry, you just have to pay the Rp3,000 (~USD$0.20) 😅😂
- Prices at the airport are extremely high, so it’s recommended to buy all your necessities and souvenirs before heading there. For example, bubble tea costs Rp65,000 (~USD$4), Vietnamese sandwiches are Rp120,000 (~USD$8), and large Aqua water bottles are Rp20,000 (~USD$1)
- Don’t forget to bring reusable bags! We only found out Bali doesn’t provide plastic bags when shopping at the supermarket, and ended up buying a Rp15,000 (~USD$1) reusable bag - it was really expensive 🥺.
Also check out:
Bali Travel Guide: 18 Common Mistakes and Tips to Avoid Them
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