Key Takeaways: This is a real-world tested itinerary from a July peak-season trip covering Seminyak → Uluwatu → Jimbaran → Ubud. Two most useful conclusions: ① Cross-region drivers in Bali often refuse fares or hike prices mid-route—full-day private car hire (with driver Komang WikaSutresna, contact info at the end) is the most hassle-free solution; ② At Oneeighty Dayclub, arrive within the first hour after opening to snag front-row ocean views, and for the Uluwatu Kecak fire dance, ask your driver to pre-book tickets to skip the queue.
The following content was provided by group member Lian Yuzhun for us to reorganize:
Since we were attending a friend’s wedding, we chose to visit Bali in July. Travel information about Bali is incredibly scattered, and it took us two to three months to piece together our itinerary.
During the pre-trip planning, we discovered that local traffic is chaotic—drivers often refuse cross-region passengers or hike up prices mid-route. To avoid these headaches, we decided to hire a private driver. This not only saved us the trouble of finding rides but also made our trip smoother and more relaxing. Our driver was Komang WikaSutresna (details at the bottom). In the end, we felt that choosing a private driver was a very wise decision!
Day 1:
Seminyak sunset. Photo by Lian Yuzhun
Since we heard Seminyak traffic is extremely congested, we chose to walk around on our own in the morning without a car. We arranged to meet our driver in the evening to take us from Seminyak to our villa in Uluwatu. Komang arrived early at the meeting point and waited for us. We originally planned to go out for dinner on our own after reaching the villa, but Komang checked Google Street View along the way and noticed the road from the villa to the main street was very dark and unsafe to walk at night. When we arrived at the villa, he waited outside until we checked in, then drove us to dinner. This thoughtful service made us feel truly cared for.
Day 2:
In the morning, we went to Oneeighty Dayclub — highly recommend this place. We arrived within an hour of opening, so we snagged front-row seats with an ocean view.
Xiao Jie’s Introduction：
Exploring Oneeighty Day Club: The Ultimate Cliffside Pool Experience in Bali — Pricing and reservation guide
Next, we headed to Blue Point Beach to watch the surf pros show off their skills — it was truly eye-opening.
Xiao Jie’s Blue Point Beach Introduction：
After that, Komang recommended we catch a traditional dance performance at Uluwatu Temple. He even had a friend reserve tickets for us in advance, so we could linger longer at Blue Point Beach without having to rush off to buy tickets.
Kecak Fire Dance: A Must-See Spectacular Performance in Bali (with Booking Info)
Uluwatu scenery. Photo by Yu Zhun
A quick heads-up: Uluwatu Temple is full of monkeys that are even more aggressive than those at Taiwan’s Chaishan. They’ll snatch things from both men and women — we even saw plenty of broken glasses on the ground. So it’s best not to bring any valuables when you go.
Day Three:
Today we were attending a wedding, so we didn’t arrange Komang’s car service.
Day 4:
Today’s itinerary took us from Jimbaran to Ubud. Along the way, we found that the restaurant we planned to visit was temporarily closed. Komang immediately called to confirm and also checked the waterfall’s official website, which showed it was closed due to the previous day’s heavy rain (even though it was the dry season). However, Komang quickly offered us new suggestions, allowing us to smoothly get through the day’s plans. After visiting the waterfall, we returned to Ubud town for a stroll, and finally asked Komang to take us for a massage to end the day.
Also, at Gefecon Villa Ubud where we stayed that night, there was a Taiwanese supervisor who was incredibly warm and helpful—she was happy to answer any questions.
Gefecon Villa Ubud Best price on Agoda
She also recommended we visit Bintang Supermarket Ubud for souvenirs. Later at the airport, we saw the same nuts selling for four times the price.
Video taken by Xiao Jie at Bintang Supermarket Ubud:
Further reading: 【Recommended by Travelers】Six Categories, Over 20 Bali Souvenir Guide: Perfect Choices to Cherish Your Memories
Day 5:
Tirta Empul Temple. Recommended by Yu Zhun
Today’s route was an O-shape, starting from Tirta Empul Temple, then heading to a café with volcano views. We originally planned to visit AKASA Specialty Coffee, but Komang recommended Montana Del Café instead, saying that Taiwanese people seem to love it. Although the weather was bad and we couldn’t see the volcano, the Korean croissants there were absolutely delicious!
Montana Del Café — too bad the weather was poor. Photo by Lien Yu-Chun.
Finally, we went to Tegallalang Rice Terrace. The entrance ticket doesn’t include the swing; if you want to try it, you need to buy a ticket at the gate. There are also special outfits available for rent inside, which make for stunning photos. Although it’s more of an Instagram hotspot, strolling through the rice terraces and listening to the screams of people on the swings was still enjoyable.
For reference: The Ultimate Ubud Guide: 100 Ways to Deeply Explore Ubud | Discover Ubud’s Charm
After the tour, we asked Komang to take us to our favorite restaurant of the trip—Kebun Bistro. Although their famous lamb chops were sold out, the steak recommended by the staff was absolutely delicious! We ordered it medium-rare, and when cut, there was no blood; the meat was incredibly tender, and even the side dishes were tasty. Since it gets busy, I recommend making a reservation during meal times. (Already added to the Ubud Guide Map)
Day 6:
In the morning, we set off from Ubud to Tanah Lot Temple. You may need to wade through water to reach the temple, so it’s best to wear water-friendly shoes and shorts. I’ve heard the sunset view is stunning, but unfortunately, our schedule placed us there at noon, so we couldn’t enjoy it.
Must-Visit Bali Attraction: Tanah Lot Temple Detailed Guide with Tides and Nearby Spots
When we arrived at Tanah Lot, we realized we had accidentally taken the key from the previous night’s hotel. Komang immediately offered to return it for us in a couple of days (after getting approval from the hotel manager, a lovely lady). We were so grateful to him!
After Tanah Lot, we headed to the Canggu area for some shopping and a beach stroll. We stopped by Blacklist Coffee Roasters, recommended by Fei Li, and it turned out to be our favorite coffee of the entire Bali trip.
More Canggu Food and Fun
Canggu is a hotspot on Bali that combines a relaxed atmosphere with trendy vibes. Not only does it boast stunning beaches, but it's also home to many unique cafes, creative restaurants, and boutique shops, making it a favorite among surfers and young travelers. Whether you're seeking natural scenery or looking to explore local culture, Canggu has something for everyone! Want to learn more about Canggu? Click here.
Canggu Accommodation Themes
- Bali Accommodation Recommendations: Top 17 Canggu Stays You Can't Miss
- 16 Private Pool Villas in Canggu: Canggu Villa Recommendations You Can't Miss
- Luxury Resort in Canggu: Regent Bali Canggu
- Bali Group Travel: Canggu Private Villas with 3/4/5/6+ Bedrooms for Family Stays
At the end of the trip, we invited Komang to join us for dinner to thank him for his care over the past few days.
Recommended Private Driver
In summary, for first-time visitors to Bali who want to explore attractions but lack direction, hiring a private driver is an excellent choice. Not only do you get professional advice, but route planning is also more convenient, and you don’t have to worry about luggage.
Our driver, Komang Wika Sutresna, is a very friendly person. When he heard we were attending a wedding, he was delighted and even shared his own wedding video from six months ago, as well as video-called his adorable son. Komang’s English is quite good, and he is very attentive—feel free to ask him any questions during the trip, and he will patiently answer them.
Komang takes every guest very seriously. Throughout our journey, he was extremely meticulous: at each destination, he would get out of the car to guide us on how to explore, and when we went to the spa, he would greet the staff to ensure our needs were well taken care of. Although language barriers prevented deep conversations, communication regarding the itinerary was never an issue. We highly recommend Komang to everyone!
Driver Information:
- ID Line: 31011994bopeas
- Whatsapp: +62 821-4433-9665
- Instagram: kwk.wikasutresna
- Facebook: Komang WikaSutresna
Do you think Lian Yuzhun and their group had an amazing trip? Go ahead and plan your own Bali getaway! Feel free to share your itinerary in the community as well!
Bali Travelogue Treasure Trove
Click here for more Bali travel stories
Want to write a travelogue but don't know where to start? Check out "How to Write an Amazing Bali Travelogue" to make your travelogue shine!
