Ultimate Guide: Relaxing in Bali | Best Tips for First-Time Visitors

📅 2025.06.02-05
My First Solo Adventure in Bali
If you’re also planning your first trip to Bali, these tips might be just what you need! 😉

I decided to start my journey in Kuta, the heart of Bali’s vibrant and bustling scene, as it seemed like the perfect place for a newcomer to get a feel for the island.

One essential tip: Download the Love Bali app to pay the tourism tax and keep that QR code handy. I wasn’t sure when to show it, but it came in useful when going through customs.

✈️ Denpasar Airport
Arrival 🛬
For Malaysian travelers, no visa is required for a short stay. Simply join the queue and proceed through customs. The key step here is making a declaration. You can find a row of computers near the baggage claim where you can fill out the necessary information, print the QR code, and then scan it at the checkpoint.

I flew with Air Asia, and I recommend checking your flight status regularly. My return flight was changed twice, and I didn’t even receive a notification!

Departure 🛫
If you have some time before check-in on your departure day, you can monitor all flight statuses via the Bali Airport website. This will tell you whether your flight is Scheduled, Check-In, or Boarding.

During my visit, which I suspect was during peak travel season, the airport was incredibly busy. The customs inspection was extremely thorough, with every carry-on bag being carefully scanned. From queuing for check-in to getting through customs, the entire process took at least an hour.

🚗 Grab or Gojek
Upon arrival, head to the counter for directions. You’ll likely be asked, “Taxi?” by many people along the way. I opted for Gojek, wanting to experience the local transportation. Traffic tends to be heavy in the morning and evening, but it’s smoother around noon and in the afternoon.

Gojek Ride fares start from around 5,000 Indonesian Rupiah, while Gojek Car fares begin at about 25,000 Indonesian Rupiah.

Trip Expenses
✈️ Flight: RM 654.50
🏨 Accommodation: RM 637.21 (Kuta Beach Club Hotel)
🏖️ Miscellaneous: 3.2 million Indonesian Rupiah (approximately RM 960)