(The following text and images are provided by group member Chuang Ling Chun, and we have re-edited them with permission)
Photo: Provided by Chuang Ling Chun
Trip Overview
- Travel Dates: April 12 to April 17, 2023
- Travelers: 2 people (Mom + her boyfriend). I arranged everything for my mom, and they went on their own.
Pre-Trip Preparation
I gathered valuable Bali travel tips from a Facebook group. Now back in Taiwan, I hope to share my mom’s travel experiences to help others plan a wonderful trip.
Foreword:
Key Takeaways: Practical tips for planning a Bali trip for elders—① Complete visa, customs declaration, and tourist tax online in advance; it only took about 30 minutes to exit the airport after arrival; ② Online tourist tax payment often fails on the first try, just wait a moment and retry; ③ If the elders are vegetarian, be sure to confirm vegetarian restaurants before including them in the itinerary.
Since my mom is busy with work, I planned this trip for her. She loves photography and isn’t picky about food, but she’s a vegetarian, so I had to find restaurants offering vegetarian options in advance (she’s easygoing—just needs a filling meal without meat).
Visa + Customs + Tourist Tax: I handled all their pre-trip procedures online, and they walked out of the airport in about 30 minutes.
Also, when paying the tourist tax online, I noticed the first payment attempt always fails—you need to wait a bit and try again for it to go through.
Private Car & Guide: I arranged a private car and guide for my mom—Ani and her husband. In online communities, someone recommended a guide-plus-driver service, which I thought was a great setup. Luckily, I booked Ani, and she and her husband served as our guide and driver.
Leftmost is Ani, rightmost is her husband. Photo: Chuang Ling Chun
Read more: Bali Private Car Hire Guide – Costs, Booking, and Benefits
Mom said Ani always has a smile on her face, is very easygoing, and was highly accommodating to their free itinerary. Both Ani and her husband worked in Taiwan for many years, so communication with her was smooth. Their rates are very reasonable—even with a guide-plus-driver setup, the price is within the average range. If you’d like to contact Ani, her Line ID is agussolihin72.
Day 1: Uluwatu Temple Adventure
My mom’s Bali adventure kicked off at Uluwatu Temple. Although the weather wasn’t ideal and they missed the sunset, they still felt the mystical charm of this sacred temple. They wanted to buy tickets for the fire dance on-site, but unfortunately, they were all sold out, so they missed out on Bali’s most stunning fire dance performance.
Uluwatu Fire Dance Illustration
Further Reading: Kecak Fire Dance: Bali’s Must-See Spectacular Show (with Booking Info)
On the first day, I arranged for them to stay at the PinkCoco Uluwatu hotel. Though the exterior is a bit kitschy, you can snap pink-tinted photos anywhere you look.
PinkCoco Uluwatu
▶PinkCoco Uluwatu Booking Link
Day 2: A Magical Journey in Ubud
Photo: Provided by Chuang Ling Chun
Knowing my mom loves taking photos, Ani recommended a swing experience—400k per person, plus 200k for a dress rental, which was well worth it. The photographer’s skills were top-notch; for about USD$39 per person (600k), you can get shots as stunning as these. I’d also advise anyone hoping for that fairy-tale flying shot to rent a dress—their specially made skirts are extra long and wide, creating that ethereal floating effect in the air.
Ubud Swing Deals Here:
Ubud Swing: The 8 Best Swing Photo Spots in Bali | Ubud Swing & Dress Rental Guide
Photo: Provided by Chuang Ling Chun + Screenshot from the web
In the evening, they checked into the Mason Elephant Lodge. The close encounters with elephants there were unforgettable. I had stayed here a decade ago, and those fond memories are still etched in my heart. This time, they got to interact with the elephants up close. My mom said one of the most memorable experiences was when the elephants personally carried them from their room to the dinner venue. Even more fortunate, during their stay, they happened upon the owner’s birthday celebration and were invited to join the dinner banquet for free.
For travelers who love elephants, this is a fantastic experience. The elephant park seems to treat the elephants well, not just as tools for making money, and the park’s revenue is used for Sumatran elephant conservation. Aside from elephant riding and bathing, there are no other animal performances, so even those with concerns can feel at ease. Visitors also have the chance to buy fruit for about $3 USD to feed the elephants by hand. If you want to experience riding an elephant to a meal, you’ll need to dine at the park (you can choose a meal-inclusive package when booking or purchase it separately). For those who don’t want to spend extra, you can still get up close with the elephants and enjoy their gentle and adorable nature. (PS. Elephant riding has been completely banned across Bali starting in 2026.)
Mason Elephant Park Discounted Tickets
Day 3: Climbing Mount Batur
Photo: Provided by Chuang Ling Chun + Online Screenshot
I arranged for them to take a jeep up Mount Batur, which was a unique experience—none of the Taiwan tours they’ve joined offer this kind of activity, and I highly recommend it to friends.
In the evening, we checked into Oculus Bali, where we enjoyed a stunning view of the volcanic lake from the window, which was truly refreshing.
Oculus Bali
▶Oculus Bali Booking Link Trip Booking
Day 4: Exploring Pura Ulun Danu Bratan and Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
Online images of Pura Ulun Danu Bratan and Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
We visited Pura Ulun Danu Bratan and the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces. Although the drive was quite long, the scenery was absolutely stunning. If you’re short on time or not a fan of long drives, you might consider saving this for another trip.
Highly-rated activities in the rice terrace area:
Central Bali Day Tour: Tegalalang Rice Terrace & Sacred Monkey Forest & Elephant Cave
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces Electric Bike Tour
Further Reading:
2026 Complete Ubud Guide: 100 Ways to Dive into Ubud’s Charm | Explore Ubud’s Magic
In the evening, I arranged for them to stay at Grün Canggu Garden. When I first saw its unique design while booking, I was immediately captivated. It feels like a treehouse: the first floor is a staircase, halfway up is the bathroom and toilet, the second floor is a small platform, and the third floor is the bedroom. The room design is very open—except for the enclosed bathroom and toilet, all other areas are open spaces. Surrounded by trees, with the sounds of insects and birds, it feels like being immersed in nature, allowing you to fully enjoy the leisurely vacation.
Grün Canggu Garden
This hotel offers various room types. If you like this three-story layout, be sure to select it when booking.
Day 5: A Luxurious Final Night
Since I arranged for them to stay in a villa on the last night, we wanted to check in early. That day, I asked the guide Ani to take them on a simple visit to Tanah Lot Temple and buy some local specialties.
Tanah Lot Temple Photo: Provided by Chuang Ling Chun
I chose New Pondok Sara Villas in Seminyak as the accommodation, mainly because of its affordable price and the stylish design of the room’s furniture, which also looks great in photos. Despite the low price, the environment didn’t compromise on quality. Additionally, my mom discovered a small massage shop nearby with very reasonable prices—just 100k IDR for a full one-hour body massage.
New Pondok Sara Villas
▶Book New Pondok Sara Villas Trip Booking
Day 6: Farewell to Bali
Since their flight was in the afternoon, my mom and her group headed back to the same massage place from the day before at 10 a.m. for another session. Afterward, they returned to the villa and checked out at noon.
We booked an airport transfer online in advance. The driver arrived early, and the price was reasonable.
▶Highly rated on Klook: Bali Airport Transfer
The advantage of booking online is that you know the exact fare when you pay by card, so you don’t need to set aside cash—just spend every last Indonesian rupiah on the final day! Next time I visit Bali, I’ll definitely use this service again.
Afterword
- If you like mangosteen, be sure to buy some to try. At the supermarket, 12 mangosteens cost just USD$3—cheap and delicious. My mom also asked the guide to take them to a roadside stall for durian; one durian was only USD$10. (Read more: Bali Mangosteen Season)
- When traveling in Bali, you’re likely to encounter heavy traffic and poor road conditions, so Google Maps travel time estimates are just a rough guide. (Read more: Don’t Trust Google Maps in Bali!)
- My mom and her group were very satisfied with Ani’s service, so they gave her and her husband a little extra tip on the last day. We also tipped the luggage handlers and massage therapists as a thank-you. (Read more: Should You Tip in Bali? How Much to Tip in Various Situations?)
- When getting into the car, ask the driver or guide to take you to a trusted currency exchange. (Read more: Currency Exchange Guide for Independent Travelers)
- A local SIM card costs USD$19 for 18GB of data, while a 5GB roaming plan costs USD$16. I recommend using roaming, since my mom didn’t need to look up much during the trip, and most hotels offer free Wi-Fi—5GB was more than enough. (Read more: How to Get Internet/SIM Card in Bali?)
My mom’s verdict on this trip: she had a fantastic time and absolutely loved the photo opportunities. She especially praised the hotels I picked, saying each one was unique and gave her plenty of beautiful shots. For her, as long as she can take lots of photos, it’s a wonderful journey.
She felt that not seeing the sunset at Uluwatu Temple was a big regret! But after trying the swing experience in Ubud, her friends all praised how beautiful her photos turned out.
The private car tour in Bali made her feel free and convenient, and the price was very affordable. The only downside was the food—she didn’t really enjoy Bali’s heavy flavors and wished there were more options with less oil and salt.
This Bali trip was full of surprises and wonderful memories. Whether visiting temples, climbing volcanoes, or getting up close with elephants, every moment was unforgettable. I hope Mom’s travelogue can offer some inspiration and help for those planning a trip to Bali, and I look forward to returning to this paradise island again.
Guide to Traveling to Bali with Seniors:
- Episode 1: Bali Travel Guide for Seniors - Safety, Comfort & Tips
- Episode 2: Complete Guide to Senior-Friendly Destinations in Bali
- Episode 3: How Eccentric Can Seniors Be!? Traveling Abroad with Parents—Beware of ‘Ungrateful Efforts’
Do you think Ling Chun’s itinerary for Mom was amazing? Plan your own Bali free-and-easy trip now! Feel free to share your itinerary in the community too!
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