Key Takeaways: A veteran’s Bali independent travel philosophy — ① Complete e-visa and e-customs declaration before departure; tourist tax is optional; ② Don’t overpack your itinerary; Monkey Forest and Ubud Palace are worth just 5 minutes each—leave more time for spontaneous wandering; ③ If staying at a Villa, don’t cram your schedule; the essence of a Villa is to leisurely enjoy the pool and sunshine; ④ A 10-day all-Villa stay costs about the same as a 5-day, 4-night hotel stay in Taiwan, and independent travel offers more flexibility than package tours.
Bali, a land of stunning scenery, attracts travelers from around the world. In our Facebook group, Chihming Lai, who is neither a professional travel agent nor a tour company employee, makes a special trip to Bali every six months to unwind, soaking up the sun, beer, beach, and bikinis. For him, Bali’s unique slow-living vibe is the island’s greatest charm. Below, he shares his firsthand travel experiences and practical tips.
(The following content is adapted and republished with permission from Chihming Lai.)
Pre-Departure Preparations:
Before departure, he recommends applying for an e-visa online. With a Taiwanese passport, you can use facial recognition at immigration for fast clearance without waiting in line.
After collecting your luggage and before exiting the airport, you’ll need to have your e-customs declaration ready. Be sure to complete this in advance—just scan it at the checkpoint to save significant time. This is crucial.
As for the tourist tax, he feels it’s a personal choice whether to pay or not. He personally supports environmental activities like sea turtle releases, though the use of funds has been questioned—still, it’s a small contribution to conservation. At just 300 TWD (about USD$10), it’s the price of a few beers.
After Arriving in Bali:
- Don’t overpack your itinerary—since you’re only passing through, it’s better to slow down, embrace the local slow-living vibe, wander aimlessly, sip a cool drink, and give your soul a breather.
- Right now, Bali offers a quieter atmosphere, and the beaches are much less polluted.
- For those wondering which attractions to visit, he suggests that while Monkey Forest and Ubud Palace are worth a look, five minutes is enough—no need to linger. Instead, cross the road from the palace to Ubud Market, where you might find more fun browsing. As for the rice terraces, they’re visible along the way, so you can choose to visit them or not. In short, the journey itself is the scenery—just focus on enjoying it and relaxing.
Further Reading: 2025 Ubud Bali Complete Guide: 100 Ways to Deeply Know Ubud | Explore Ubud’s Charm
Accommodation & Itinerary Planning Tips:
- He strongly advises villa guests not to pack their schedules too tight, as that would waste the villa’s purpose and cost. A villa embodies leisure—enjoy the pool and sunshine, sip a drink, and relax. Head out only when you feel like it. Why rush out early and return at dusk? Some guests even stay just one or two nights in a villa before switching accommodations, which is too exhausting. Staying in a villa means truly resting, soaking in the scenery, and savoring lazy moments without overexertion.
- The length of your Bali trip should dictate your itinerary—avoid a whirlwind tour. Traffic here is often congested, roads are narrow and tricky, and hitting all the popular spots is nearly impossible.
- He always travels independently, skipping hotels and staying in villas the whole time without switching. The cost of a 10-day villa stay is roughly equivalent to a 5-day, 4-night hotel package in Taiwan. Independent travel offers more flexibility, free from packaged tours.
- Language barriers aren’t a big worry—a friendly smile is often the best communication tool. Plus, you can use your phone as a handy translator.
Conclusion:
Finally, this frequent Bali traveler sincerely hopes to share travel insights in the community, answer everyone’s questions, and pass on practical tips, because he has truly “fallen in love” with this land and its unique slow-living culture.
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