Key Takeaways: A real-life review of a 6-day, 5-night trip for six to Bali and Komodo Island. ① Heavy traffic in tourist areas (especially Uluwatu, Ubud, and Jimbaran from 1 PM to 7:30 PM; Google Maps estimates should be multiplied by 2.5-3 times). ② Weak airport Wi-Fi; it’s best to prepare a roaming plan or a local SIM card (Telkomsel costs around USD$10-16 for 14GB). ③ Baggage claim can take nearly an hour, longer than the immigration process itself. ④ The whole group got gastroenteritis; bringing stomach medicine is crucial.
The following content is adapted from a travelogue shared by group member Sandra Yun:
This was a trip for the six of us, and we chose to visit Bali and Komodo Island in September 2023. We were initially filled with anticipation for a fulfilling vacation, but little did we know the journey would be full of surprises and challenges. Although it was only a short 6-day, 5-night trip and we didn’t manage to complete our entire itinerary, everyone had a fantastic time. Unfortunately, on day four, the entire group came down with gastroenteritis, which instantly dampened our energy. By around 8 PM, we could only rest in bed. Even so, this journey left us all with plenty of wonderful memories. Here are some of our practical experiences, hoping they’ll be helpful for future travelers!
1. Recommended Private Driver: Gede Arimbawa
What touched us most on this trip, besides the beautiful scenery, was our private driver, Gede Arimbawa! He was not only thoughtful but also incredibly kind and helpful. He respected our itinerary and offered practical advice at the right moments, making our days in Bali go smoothly. Whether it was reminding us about travel times or helping us book restaurants and activities, his service gave us immense peace of mind. We highly recommend this wonderful driver! 🥰
Gede has received tons of great reviews in the community! Check it out here
2. Airport Arrival: EVOA Fast Track
The entry process was quite smooth. We used the EVOA fast track and encountered no obstacles at all; the customs officers didn’t ask any questions. However, waiting for our luggage was a long ordeal, taking nearly an hour!
Editor’s Note: For the latest Bali entry procedures, please refer to 2025/08 Bali Entry Using ‘All Indonesia’ Arrival Card | A 1-Minute Guide to the Latest Process: Disembark → Customs → Baggage Claim
3. Airport Wi-Fi Is Terribly Weak!
As soon as we arrived at Bali’s airport, we found the Wi-Fi there was incredibly weak, likely due to too many people connecting at once. Luckily, a fellow traveler had Chunghwa Telecom’s roaming service; otherwise, we wouldn’t have known how to contact our driver. If you plan to buy a local Telkomsel SIM card, it costs around USD$10 to USD$16, including 14GB of data. However, in some remote areas (like the Labuan Bajo island-hopping region), the signal still isn’t strong.
Further Reading: 【Essential for Bali Travel】How to Get Bali Internet/SIM Card?
4. Traffic Conditions in Bali
During this trip, we found that traffic jams in busy areas are really severe! Especially between 1 PM and 7:30 PM, the congestion in Uluwatu, Ubud, and Jimbaran is particularly crazy. Although Google Maps estimates short travel times, the actual journey often takes 2.5 to 3 times longer. It’s recommended to avoid long-distance travel during this period.
Editor’s Note: Don’t Trust Google Maps in Bali!
5. Spa Booking Tips
If you plan to enjoy a spa in Bali, it’s best to book in advance via WhatsApp or ask your private driver to help with the reservation. Especially for highly-rated spas, showing up on the spot often means no availability. If you ask your driver to book, they may need to pay a deposit first, so think carefully before canceling; otherwise, remember to reimburse the driver for the deposit.
Further Reading: 【Essential】Bali Highly-Rated Spa Recommendations Collection: Easier to Find by Area
6. Getting Around the Island
Since our trip also included island hopping, we only had three days on Bali. Yet we chose to visit three different areas, and ended up spending every day stuck in traffic. If you want to explore more spots, it’s best to stay 1–2 days in the same area so you don’t waste precious time on the road.
Editor’s note: Moving within small zones is the golden rule for Bali travel! Check out the Bali Area Guide
Tickets for the Uluwatu fire dance can be purchased online in advance (photo by Sandra Yun)
Want to budget ahead? Check out the Bali Ticket Price Overview for real-time reference prices on popular attractions, making it easy to compare deals on Klook/Trip.com.
7. Big Price Differences for Water Activities
This time we tried underwater walking and found that the on-site ticket price was twice as high as what our driver recommended! The menu price at the venue was about USD$58, but we only paid USD$26 through our driver. While I’m not sure if this applies to all water activities, it seems booking in advance or arranging through a driver can save you a lot.
15 unexpected water activities: /go/15-water-sports-bali
8. Weather and Queues at Rock Bar
If you’re planning to visit Rock Bar, keep an eye on the weather! The day we went was a bit overcast, so we didn’t catch the sunset, but it meant we barely had to queue. We arrived at 6:00 PM and found plenty of empty seats, allowing us to quietly enjoy the ocean view. Even without the sunset, the stunning seascape was still mesmerizing.
Read more: How to Reserve at Rock Bar (Reservation + Walk-in System)?
9. Observations on Tipping
In Bali, we noticed that many restaurants would return the first tip we gave, only accepting it when we offered a second time. But if you tip housekeeping staff, bellboys, or activity instructors, they are absolutely delighted!
Read more: Do You Need to Tip in Bali? How to Tip? How Much to Tip in Various Situations?
10. Souvenirs: Bali Banana
If you’re looking for souvenirs, Bali Banana is a great choice. There are several shops in the city, but note that while the airport has three branches, they are located at the domestic arrivals/departures and the international departures area after leaving the terminal. If you plan to buy them at the airport to take on the plane back home, you’ll need to walk to get them! It’s better to purchase on Kuta Street on your last day before heading to the airport.
Editor’s note: Bali Banana has multiple specialty stores in Kuta. For locations, please refer to the “Kuta Guide Map”
11. Komodo Island Hopping Tour
We booked our Komodo Island hopping tour on Klook, and it was quite affordable with a well-organized itinerary. We recommend checking with your hotel in advance if they offer pickup service, as some remote areas may not be covered.
Komodo Island (Photo by Sandra Yun)
Klook offers dozens of Komodo tour options—check them out here.
Editor’s Note: We also offer professionally packaged tours for your reference
12. The Importance of Bringing Stomach Medicine
This bout of gastroenteritis taught us a hard lesson: always pack stomach medicine when traveling! The first three days we ate without issues, but on the fourth day—whether from an infection or something we ate—everyone ended up with vomiting and diarrhea. Luckily, we had medication on hand, and by the next day, we were all back to normal.
Editor’s note: These six young women are professional healthcare workers who brought their own prescription medications. For most people, the over-the-counter medicines mentioned in the video above will suffice.
13. Beware of the Motorbike Scam!
In Ubud, we encountered some haggling motorbike taxi drivers. We booked two rides, but they took us to the wrong places and charged us again when we finally reached the correct destinations. This is likely the unlicensed motorbike scam that many travelers mention online—be sure to confirm the route and price in advance.
Editor’s note: You can avoid this by using a ride-hailing app: Essential APP for traveling in Indonesia/Bali: Gojek Full Guide
These are some of our experiences from this trip. There are still many details we didn’t get to share, and I’ll add more if I think of them. Again, a big thank you to our driver Gede, who stayed in touch even after we moved to another island for the last three days, always ready to help us out. Although the trip had its bumps, overall it was a wonderful experience! If you’re planning a trip to Bali, I hope these tips are helpful. Wishing you a great journey! 💼🌞
Do you find Sandra Yun’s itinerary exciting? Go ahead and plan your own Bali adventure! Feel free to share your itinerary in the community group as well!
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