Key Takeaways: Our real-life experience on a 6-day, 5-night trip for six to Bali and Komodo—① Heavy traffic in busy areas (especially Uluwatu/Ubud/Jimbaran from 1 PM to 7:30 PM; Google Maps estimates should be multiplied by 2.5–3x); ② Airport Wi-Fi is weak—recommend roaming or a local SIM card (Telkomsel around USD$10–16 with 14GB); ③ Baggage claim can take nearly an hour, longer than immigration itself; ④ Everyone got hit with gastroenteritis—pack stomach meds.
The following is adapted from a travel diary shared by group member Sandra Yun:
This was a trip for six of us girls, and we chose to visit Bali and Komodo Island in September 2023. We went in with high hopes for a fulfilling vacation, but the journey turned out to be full of surprises and challenges. Though it was only a short 6-day, 5-night trip and we didn’t manage to complete our entire itinerary, everyone had an absolute blast. Unfortunately, on day four, all of us came down with gastroenteritis, which seriously dampened our energy—by around 8 PM, we could only rest in bed. Still, the trip left us with so many wonderful memories. Here are some real-life tips we hope will help future travelers!
1. Recommended Private Driver: Gede Arimbawa
What touched us most on this trip, aside from the stunning 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 just the right moments, making our days in Bali run smoothly. Whether it was reminding us about travel times or helping book restaurants and activities, his service gave us total peace of mind. We highly recommend this wonderful driver! 🥰
Gede has tons of rave reviews in the community! Check them out here
2. Airport Arrival: EVOA Fast Track
The entry process was smooth—we used the EVOA fast track and breezed through without any issues; customs didn’t ask a thing. However, waiting for our luggage took forever, nearly an hour!
Editor’s note: For the latest Bali entry procedures, please refer to 2025/08 Bali Entry Using the ‘All Indonesia’ Arrival Card | A 1-Minute Guide to the Latest Process: Deplaning → 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 the high number of users connected at the time. Luckily, a friend in our group had Chunghwa Telecom’s roaming service, or we wouldn’t have known how to contact our driver. If you plan to buy a local Telkomsel SIM card, the price is around $10 to $16 USD, including 14GB of data. However, in some remote areas (like the Labuan Bajo island-hopping zone), the signal still isn’t strong.
Further reading: 【Essential for Bali Travel】How to Get Internet/SIM Card in Bali?
4. Traffic Conditions in Bali
During this trip, we found that traffic jams in the 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. We recommend avoiding long-distance travel during this period as much as possible.
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 spa shops, 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 Guide】Top-Rated Bali Spa Recommendations Organized by Area for Easy Browsing
6. Getting Around the Island
Since our trip also included island hopping, we only had three days on Bali. But we chose to visit three different areas, and ended up spending every day stuck in traffic. If you want to explore more places, 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 areas is the golden rule for traveling in Bali! Check out the “Bali Area Guide”
You can buy tickets for the Uluwatu Kecak Fire Dance online in advance (photo by Sandra Yun)
7. Big Price Differences for Water Activities
We tried sea walking this time and found that the on-site ticket price was twice as high as what our driver offered! The menu price at the venue was about USD$58, but we only paid USD$26 through our driver. I’m not sure if this applies to all water activities, but it seems booking in advance or arranging through a driver can save you a lot.
15 unexpected water activities: https://gobaligo.id/go/15-water-sports-bali
8. Weather and Queues at Rock Bar
If you want to visit Rock Bar, keep an eye on the weather! The day we went was a bit overcast, so we didn’t see the sunset, but we barely had to queue. We arrived at 6:00 PM and found plenty of empty seats, letting us enjoy the sea view in peace. Even without the sunset, that beautiful ocean vista 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. However, tipping housekeeping staff, porters, or activity instructors a small amount always brings a big smile to their faces!
Read more: Should You Tip in Bali? How to Tip? Tipping Guide for Various Occasions in Bali
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’re located at the domestic arrival/departure areas and the international departure area outside the terminal. If you plan to buy them at the airport to take on your flight home, you’ll need to walk to get them! You can also pick them up on Kuta Street on your last day before heading to the airport.
Editor’s note: Bali Banana has multiple stores in Kuta. Check the Kuta Guide Map for locations.
Further reading: 【Recommended by Travelers】Six Categories, Over 20 Bali Souvenir Gift Ideas: The Perfect Way to Cherish Your Memories
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 beforehand if they offer pickup service, as some remote areas may not be covered.
Komodo Island (Photo by Sandra Yun)
Klook offers dozens of Komodo itineraries to choose from — check them out here.
Editor’s Note: We also offer professionally curated tour packages for your reference.
12. Pack Stomach Medicine — It’s a Must
This bout of gastroenteritis taught us the hard way: always bring stomach medicine when traveling! The first three days, we ate without any issues, but on day four — whether from an infection or something we ate — everyone ended up vomiting and having diarrhea. Luckily, we had medicine on hand, and by the next day, we were all back to normal.
Editor’s Note: These six ladies are professional healthcare workers who brought their own prescription meds. For most people, the over-the-counter medicine mentioned in the video above will do.
13. Beware of the Motorcycle Taxi Scam!
In Ubud, we encountered some motorcycle taxi drivers who quoted us a price for two rides. They took us to the wrong place, and when we finally reached the correct destination, they charged us again. This is likely the unlicensed motorcycle scam that many travelers have mentioned online. Be sure to confirm the route and price beforehand.
Editor’s note: Using a ride-hailing app can help you avoid this situation. Check out: Essential APP for Traveling in Indonesia/Bali: Complete Guide to Gojek
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 as I think of them! A big thank you again to our driver Gede. Even though we went to another island for the last three days, he stayed in touch and was always ready to help us solve problems. Although this trip had a few 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 travel itinerary in the community group as well!
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