Exploring Bali on a budget motoring holiday
DENPASAR : Bali is a legendary tourism destination, made even more appealing by the Indonesian rupiah being cheaper versus the Malaysian ringgit this year.
And a self-drive motoring holiday with a budget rental car is an amazing way to experience the rich motoring culture in Indonesia.
Since the main beaches of Kuta, Kegian, and Seminyak are jammed with traffic during the day, plan your route to bypass these town centres.
On major intersections, observe how Indonesian motorists carefully and calmly manoeuvre around kerb-parked cars that often obstruct traffic, without any animosity.
Renting a small car like a Toyota Agya or Daihatsu Ayla (like a Perodua Axia) costs from RM50/day. Driving in Bali is easy since traffic is a keep-left system like in Malaysia.
Clean and comfortable three-star hotels start from RM130/night. The variety, quality and price of Western, especially Mediterranean, cuisine here is unprecedented in Southeast Asia.
Yamin Vong with a Toyota Agya that rents for about RM50 a day. (Yamin Vong pic)
A budget-friendly Bali road trip itinerary
1. Start your motoring holiday in Denpasar
After landing in Denpasar, pick up your rental car. Book ahead to get the best bargain. It helps if a previous customer of the car rental company recommends it to you.
You can drive clockwise or counter-clockwise around Bali. If your sole objective is to drive around Bali, buy the latest 10th edition map of Bali from Indonesian publisher, Periplus, and use it together with Google maps to plan each day's route.
But if you can only squeeze 10 days for your tour and you have an affinity for hot springs and thermal baths, plan a more direct route covering beach and mountain resorts boasting hot springs and spas.
Arrange for the rental car to be sent to your hotel after your overnight stay at Seminyak or Kuta, And if you are in Seminyak, enjoy the cuisine at Luciano's Kitchen.
The owner and chef is a married Spaniard, and the restaurant offers the best tasting Mediterranean food in Bali minus 5-star prices.
Besides its outstanding beauty, the West Bali National Park is home to much of Bali's diverse animal and plant life. (Yamin Vong pic)
The West Bali National Park in the north-western tip of Bali is a good destination for Day 1 of your self-drive road trip.
Stay at the luxurious Dynasty Resort (with a super-premium glamping tent at RM1,000/night) or the more affordable Odiniya Resort (RM80/night). However, be prepared for rough roads that may test the suspension of your small car.
For hot spring lovers, Mimpi Resort (around RM360/night) is a must-visit, featuring four natural thermal baths. Nearby, there are day trips available to Menjangan Island, which include snorkelling at three sites praised for their coral reefs.
2. Lovina Beach: dolphin watching and relaxation
Continue east along Bali's north coast to Lovina Beach, famous for its playful dolphins.
The best time to see them frolicking two kilometres offshore is between 7.00-8.00am. Local boats take tourists out for close encounters, and the sight of dolphins racing alongside the boat is unforgettable.
Traditional outrigger boats called 'pinisi', seen here racing with dolphins, which make their appearance at 7.30am. (Yamin Vong pic)
3. Kintamani Highlands: volcanoes and hot springs
From Lovina, drive about three hours south to Kintamani, a highland region with breathtaking views of the twin Caldera lakes of Kintamani and Batur.
The cooler climate is a refreshing break from Bali's coastal heat. Budget-friendly hot springs are available for day use, while Batur Green Hill and Hot Spring Resort offers stunning lake views and an on-site hot spring pool.
The hot-spring bath at the Caldera Kintamani Hotel offers a breathtaking view of Batur Lake. (Yamin Vong pic)
4. Ubud: culture, food and traffic
After relaxing in the highlands, head to Ubud, Bali's cultural heart. Avoid driving in the town centre – traffic is chaotic, even for motorcyclists.
Instead, stay at BelVilla Y Resort (RM130/night), just one kilometre from the town centre, allowing you to explore on foot.
Ubud is perfect for food lovers, offering everything from Mediterranean cuisine to authentic Balinese dishes.
Budget breakdown for 10 days
A motoring holiday in Bali for two is possible for RM6,000, covering:
Accommodation: Twin-sharing in 3-star hotels (approximately RM130–RM360/night)
Car rental: from RM50/day for eight days (RM400)
Fuel: RON92 petrol (approximately RM3/litre, totalling approximately RM100 for 450 km)
Food and activities: three meals a day, spa treatments, dolphin tours, snorkelling, and hot spring visits.
Final thoughts
Driving in Bali can be slow and intimidating for nervous drivers, but it's an exciting adventure for those who enjoy exercising their driving skills on narrow roads packed with trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles.
If you have motoring or travel tips to share, message Yamin Vong on Facebook.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
6 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Indonesia launches special task force to tackle unruly tourists in Bali
DENPASAR, Aug 9 — In response to a surge in immigration violations and criminal incidents involving foreign visitors, Indonesia's Immigration and Correctional Services Ministry has established a dedicated task force to monitor and manage unruly tourists on the island of Bali, The Jakarta Post reported yesterday. Comprising 100 immigration officers, the task force will carry out frequent and random patrols across 10 of Bali's most popular tourist hotspots, including Canggu in North Kuta, Seminyak, Kerobokan, Matahari Terbit and Benoa Harbours, Pecatu, Mertasari Beach, Kuta, Gianyar, Nusa Dua, and Jimbaran. Patrols will be conducted using motorcycles and cars, with officers equipped with safety vests and body cameras to ensure accountability and safety. Speaking at the task force's inauguration ceremony in Denpasar on Tuesday, Immigration Minister Agus Andrianto emphasised the urgency of the initiative. 'This initiative is a direct response to President Prabowo Subianto's mandate to uphold stability and security in Bali, one of Indonesia's foremost tourist destinations,' Agus said, as reported by the Jakarta-based English daily. The ministry aims for the task force to provide swift responses to immigration violations, deter further offenses, and safeguard local communities from disturbances linked to foreign visitors. Bali has experienced a notable increase in immigration infractions in recent years, largely attributed to overtourism. This is not the first time such an initiative has been launched in Bali. Similar task forces have previously been established, including the 'Satgas Bali Becik' formed in 2023 by the Directorate General of Immigration to combat misconduct by foreign tourists. That task force focused on enforcing regulations and addressing immigration violations to protect the island's social fabric. In addition to these task forces, the Indonesian government intensified penalties for foreigners breaching immigration laws or overstaying visas in Bali. Since 2024, penalties have increased significantly, ranging from 20 years to life imprisonment in extreme cases — up from previous maximum jail terms of one year. These harsher measures formed part of a wider crackdown that also included boosting patrol officers, launching a tourist hotline, and implementing a tourist tax.
Daily Express
a day ago
- Daily Express
Impian Lake emerges as new tourism draw in Kunak
Published on: Friday, August 08, 2025 Published on: Fri, Aug 08, 2025 By: Ibrahim Tabir Text Size: A view at the lake. - Ibrahim Takbir | Daily Express KUNAK: State Finance Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun described Impian Lake in Mostyn here as a unique natural asset surrounded by the Ulu Kalumpang Forest Reserve, with strong potential to attract visitors. Located eight kilometres from the township, the lake has recently gained popularity on social media since opening to the public in April, with its lotus-covered banks adding to the scenic landscape. Advertisement Masidi, a former Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, said the lake's charm lies in its setting amid untouched rainforest. Local residents have welcomed its opening, noting that visitors now come not only from here but also from Tawau, Semporna, Lahad Datu and Sandakan. Community activist Datuk William Chiuh said the lake, believed to have formed from an ancient volcanic eruption, carries legends such as that of a white crocodile, adding to its cultural and historical appeal. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Exploring Bali on a budget motoring holiday
Chilling at a roadside café while driving across the hilly interior of Bali. (Yamin Vong pic) DENPASAR : Bali is a legendary tourism destination, made even more appealing by the Indonesian rupiah being cheaper versus the Malaysian ringgit this year. And a self-drive motoring holiday with a budget rental car is an amazing way to experience the rich motoring culture in Indonesia. Since the main beaches of Kuta, Kegian, and Seminyak are jammed with traffic during the day, plan your route to bypass these town centres. On major intersections, observe how Indonesian motorists carefully and calmly manoeuvre around kerb-parked cars that often obstruct traffic, without any animosity. Renting a small car like a Toyota Agya or Daihatsu Ayla (like a Perodua Axia) costs from RM50/day. Driving in Bali is easy since traffic is a keep-left system like in Malaysia. Clean and comfortable three-star hotels start from RM130/night. The variety, quality and price of Western, especially Mediterranean, cuisine here is unprecedented in Southeast Asia. Yamin Vong with a Toyota Agya that rents for about RM50 a day. (Yamin Vong pic) A budget-friendly Bali road trip itinerary 1. Start your motoring holiday in Denpasar After landing in Denpasar, pick up your rental car. Book ahead to get the best bargain. It helps if a previous customer of the car rental company recommends it to you. You can drive clockwise or counter-clockwise around Bali. If your sole objective is to drive around Bali, buy the latest 10th edition map of Bali from Indonesian publisher, Periplus, and use it together with Google maps to plan each day's route. But if you can only squeeze 10 days for your tour and you have an affinity for hot springs and thermal baths, plan a more direct route covering beach and mountain resorts boasting hot springs and spas. Arrange for the rental car to be sent to your hotel after your overnight stay at Seminyak or Kuta, And if you are in Seminyak, enjoy the cuisine at Luciano's Kitchen. The owner and chef is a married Spaniard, and the restaurant offers the best tasting Mediterranean food in Bali minus 5-star prices. Besides its outstanding beauty, the West Bali National Park is home to much of Bali's diverse animal and plant life. (Yamin Vong pic) The West Bali National Park in the north-western tip of Bali is a good destination for Day 1 of your self-drive road trip. Stay at the luxurious Dynasty Resort (with a super-premium glamping tent at RM1,000/night) or the more affordable Odiniya Resort (RM80/night). However, be prepared for rough roads that may test the suspension of your small car. For hot spring lovers, Mimpi Resort (around RM360/night) is a must-visit, featuring four natural thermal baths. Nearby, there are day trips available to Menjangan Island, which include snorkelling at three sites praised for their coral reefs. 2. Lovina Beach: dolphin watching and relaxation Continue east along Bali's north coast to Lovina Beach, famous for its playful dolphins. The best time to see them frolicking two kilometres offshore is between 7.00-8.00am. Local boats take tourists out for close encounters, and the sight of dolphins racing alongside the boat is unforgettable. Traditional outrigger boats called 'pinisi', seen here racing with dolphins, which make their appearance at 7.30am. (Yamin Vong pic) 3. Kintamani Highlands: volcanoes and hot springs From Lovina, drive about three hours south to Kintamani, a highland region with breathtaking views of the twin Caldera lakes of Kintamani and Batur. The cooler climate is a refreshing break from Bali's coastal heat. Budget-friendly hot springs are available for day use, while Batur Green Hill and Hot Spring Resort offers stunning lake views and an on-site hot spring pool. The hot-spring bath at the Caldera Kintamani Hotel offers a breathtaking view of Batur Lake. (Yamin Vong pic) 4. Ubud: culture, food and traffic After relaxing in the highlands, head to Ubud, Bali's cultural heart. Avoid driving in the town centre – traffic is chaotic, even for motorcyclists. Instead, stay at BelVilla Y Resort (RM130/night), just one kilometre from the town centre, allowing you to explore on foot. Ubud is perfect for food lovers, offering everything from Mediterranean cuisine to authentic Balinese dishes. Budget breakdown for 10 days A motoring holiday in Bali for two is possible for RM6,000, covering: Accommodation: Twin-sharing in 3-star hotels (approximately RM130–RM360/night) Car rental: from RM50/day for eight days (RM400) Fuel: RON92 petrol (approximately RM3/litre, totalling approximately RM100 for 450 km) Food and activities: three meals a day, spa treatments, dolphin tours, snorkelling, and hot spring visits. Final thoughts Driving in Bali can be slow and intimidating for nervous drivers, but it's an exciting adventure for those who enjoy exercising their driving skills on narrow roads packed with trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles. If you have motoring or travel tips to share, message Yamin Vong on Facebook.
