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25 Best Things to Do in Ubud (Bali)

Ubud is located in the uplands of Bali and is a completely different atmosphere to brash and busy areas like Kuta or Seminyak. This part of the island has long been known as its cultural capital and you will find colorful art galleries, engaging museums, and dainty temples all over the area.

There is also the beautiful Royal Palace in the center of town and all of the cultural attractions are set against valleys and terraces of jade-hued rice fields. Ubud is also the home of some of the finest dining in Bali and there are a wealth of healthy restaurants here serving up vegetarian and vegan fare, or you can head to some of the resorts in the area and enjoy some upscale dining.

Ubud is also close to a range of other famous Balinese attractions like the sacred bathing waters of Tirta Empul, and if you want to experience the best of the culture here then make sure not to miss an elegant Balinese dance performance.

Here are the 25 best things to do in Ubud …

1. Have dinner at Locavore

Locavore is the most famous restaurant in Ubud if not in Indonesia.

Having won a host of awards, this is the place to come if you want to try some of the best fusion food around.

The chefs, Eelke Plasmeijer and Ray Adriansyah cook locally inspired dishes made from food sourced in the area and they serve up tasting menus that can stretch to nine courses.

Meals here usually last upwards of three hours and you can also choose dishes paired with wines to make sure you get the best out of your meal.

Most dishes are fusion based so they mix local elements with foreign techniques.

Famous dishes include smoked catfish and pork shoulder and, needless to say, you will need to book in advance if you are hoping to visit.

2. Enjoy the views at the Campuhan Ridge Walk

If you want to get out and about in Ubud and take in the best of the local scenery then head to the Campuhan Ridge Walk which is located slightly out of town.

The walk will take you through a lush area of gorgeous hills which overlook an exquisite valley and you can meander along the ridge from the pretty starting point of Gunung Lebah Temple.

There is a dedicated path here that you can follow and this is one of the nicest ways to take in some of the less developed areas around Ubud.

3. Admire the Museum Puri Lukisan

Ubud is known for being the cultural capital of Bali and it still has the highest concentration of art galleries on the island.

One of the best museums to visit if you want a slice of the modern arts scene in Ubud is Museum Puri Lukisan where you will find a wide range of art work on show which comes with English language explanations of the history of art in this part of the world.

The museum was the brainchild of Rudolf Bonnet, Walter Spies, and local artist Cokorda Gede Agung Sukawati who was a prince and a member of the Royal Family of Ubud.

If you love art, then this is one of the best places to learn all about it, including non-religious art works which can be hard to find in other galleries.

4. Visit Pura Taman Saraswati

This quaint little temple is dedicated to the Hindu goddess of wisdom and art called Dewi Saraswati.

To that end, you will find gorgeous carvings of the goddess all over the building as well as fountains that gush from the front of the temple and fill a large limpid pond area.

The pond is covered in lush lotus blossoms and it is customary to bathe or drink the waters in order to harness some of the power of the goddess.

There are also dance performances held here in the evenings when the temple is illuminated against the night sky and is even more magical than during the day time.

5. Stop for a cup at Coffee Studio Seniman

As a self-styled ‘coffee studio’, this coffee shop is known as one of the best places in Ubud to stop and grab a cup of coffee.

The brews here all come from the region and you can sit in one of the relaxing rocking chairs and enjoy the serene environment.

They take their coffee seriously here and you can enjoy a huge range of beverages including siphon and pour-over and sample some of the best Indonesian beans in the business at the same time.

They also serve food here which is a mix of local and international fare as well as alcoholic drinks in the evenings.

6. Visit Threads of Life Indonesian Textile Arts Center

This gorgeous textile gallery is not to be missed in Ubud and is also part of the Threads of Life charity which helps the local area through the sale of sustainable textiles.

All the pieces here are made using natural dyes and with a range of weaving techniques found around Indonesia.

This means that you can enjoy centuries of handicrafts traditions here and there is an adjacent shop where you can pick up a few of your own pieces as souvenirs of your trip.

If you want to get hands on then you can also join one of the in house textile-appreciation courses.

7. Explore Puri Saren Palace

Puri Saren Agung is also known as the Ubud Royal Palace and is close to the Ubud Art Market so you can easily take in both places at the same time.

It is located in the center of the city and dates from the 1800s when it was built during the reign of Ida Tjokorda Putu Kandel.

The Royal Family still lives in sections of the palace which is also used for ceremonial reasons but you can still walk around the gardens here and enjoy the Balinese ornate architecture.

It is also known as the best place to come in the evenings if you want to take in a traditional Balinese dance performance.

8. Enjoy Museum Rudana

This pretty museum overlooks some lush emerald hued rice fields and belongs to a Balinese politician called Nyoman Rudana and his wife, a fellow art lover called Ni Wayan Olasthini.

The museum spans three floors of art related memorabilia and you will find some 400 pieces which include vivid traditional paintings as well as antique pieces like a calendar that was made in the 1840s.

There are also modern pieces of art here and there is also an adjacent gallery where you can buy your own pieces of Balinese art work.

9. Have lunch at Alchemy Cafe

One of the local legends in Ubud is Alchemy Cafe where you will find some of the best raw and vegan food on the island.

All products are made onsite and you can enjoy plates such as vegan cheesecake and a full salad bar.

As if that wasn’t enough they also make raw vegan chocolate at their in house chocolaterie or you can just enjoy one of the raw pressed juices.

There is also an adjacent health store and a holistic clinic upstairs where you can get a range of beauty treatments.

10. Sample the delights at Gianyar Night Market

The Gianyar Night Market is found a little way outside the center of Ubud but it is well worth visiting if you are looking for something to do in the evening.

The night market is known for its delicious food and you will find a range of typical Balinese snacks such as satay, fried bananas, and dainty little cakes.

There is also the ubiquitous roasted suckling pig for which Bali is famous as well as other items for sale like clothes and toys.

11. Visit Goa Gajah

Goa Gajah means Elephant Cave in Indonesian and is one of the top attractions on the island of Bali.

It sits just outside Ubud in Bedulu Village and is an impressive archaeological wonder made up of a large temple complex.

To get to the cave you will need to walk down a flight of stairs and will then get to a charming courtyard that is the entrance to a cave that is said to date from the 11th century.

Inside the cave you will find a range of cave paintings as well as a small shrine used for meditation, and on the outside you can also enjoy a full Hindu temple complete with a resplendent bathing pool and some gushing fountains.

12. Take a class at the Yoga Barn

Ubud is known for its yoga retreats and one of the best-loved is the Yoga Barn.

Here you will find a range of classes for all different levels of ability and there are five different studios to choose from which have been designed to be open plan, meaning that you can take in the idyllic surroundings at the same time.

You can either come here for a class or stay longer and sign up for a cleansing program which requires a three day commitment.

13. Watch a Legong dance performance

One of the best cultural attractions in Bali is the Legong dance which is based on a legend from East Java that dates from the 12th century.

It is the story of a maiden who was kidnapped and then imprisoned and much of the story is dedicated to telling the tale of how she is freed.

Expect amazing dance moves and hypnotic music and you can watch the dance at a range of venues in and around Ubud such as Puri Saren, Peliatan Village, and Pura Dalem Puri.

14. Take a class at Casa Luna Cooking School

Bali is famous for its food, so if you want to have a go at making some of your own then you need to head to the Casa Luna Cooking School in Ubud.

Not only can you take a cooking class here but you will also get to learn all about the history, culture, and religious beliefs associated with food in Bali, and can then make a variety of Balinese classics.

Each of the traditional ingredients will be explained to you and participants are given recipe cards to take home as well as class notes so that you don’t forget anything you have learned.

Dishes change on a daily basis and you will then sit down and eat the fruits of your labors with all the other class participants.

15. Sample the duck at Bebek Bengil

Another one of Ubud’s most famous restaurants is called Bebek Bengil which translates as the ‘Dirty Duck’. The restaurant backs on to pretty rice paddies and the story goes that when the restaurant was being built a group of ducks waddled through and gave the building its name.

As you would expect, duck features heavily on the men and you can get traditional dishes such as crispy duck rubbed with a Balinese blend of herbs and spices which was first pioneered here in the 1990s, or you can enjoy fusion dishes such as duck salad with melon.

16. Admire the Botanic Garden Ubud

One of the delights of Ubud is that you can find some lovely green spaces in the center of town.

The Botanic Garden was designed by Stefan Reisner, a German journalist who modeled the area on the Royal Garden’s in Berlin using local shrubs to give the gardens their own Balinese identity.

The gardens run over 14 acres and you will find different themed areas as well as some greenhouses and a children’s area.

17. Visit the Agung Rai Museum of Art

The Agung Rai Museum of Art is also known as ARMA and is a gallery and cultural centre rolled into one.

It is the work of Anak Agung Gede Rai and is separated into two buildings which are stuffed with a wide array of art works.

If you want to learn more about the great art scene here and get an overview of the kinds of works produced in Bali then this is a great place to come.

18. Explore Monkey Forest

You can’t come to Ubud and not visit one of its signature attractions which is Monkey Forest.

This is actually a series of three temples that date from the 14th century and sit in a nature reserve which has also been turned into a conservation area.

The complex is now overrun with cute primates, as you would expect from the name, and the monkeys here are said to be spiritual animals that guard the temples.

You can buy bananas to feed the monkeys here but take care with your personal belongings as the monkeys have been known to snatch items like sunglasses from visitors.

19. Go for a spa session at Lembah Spa

Lembah Spa is one of the best spas in Ubud and is located on the majestic Patanu River.

If you really want to pamper yourself then you can choose from treatments that last up to 2 hours and there are even packages available for couples.

Some of the best treatments come with lunch or dinner overlooking the stunning river vistas and you can also swim in the onsite pool.

20. Peruse Neka Art Museum

Neka Art Museum is one of the best museums not only in Ubud but in Bali generally and you will find a huge cross-section of modern and ancient pieces.

The museum aims to tell the story of Balinese art work over the years and also showcases local rising talent.

You will get to learn all about the history of art in Indonesia and you can also find a great mix of pieces including paintings, jewelry, metalwork, and even textiles.

21. Go shopping at Ubud Market

Ubud Market is actually a series of different markets throughout the day and may look familiar as it was used as a location for the film Eat, Pray, Love starring Julia Roberts.

The market sells fruits and vegetables in the morning and in the afternoon you will find arts and crafts pieces on offer which can make great souvenirs.

It gets rather crowded in the afternoons so it is best to get here as early as possible to get the best deals.

22. Blanco Renaissance Museum

The Blanco Renaissance Museum is one of the best-loved spots in Ubud and is the former home and studio of Don Antonio Blanco.

The museum sits on a hill which looks out across jade-colored rice paddies in Campuhan and you will find a great array of art here including paintings, poetry pieces, collages, and even lithographs.

Many of the pieces are modeled on Balinese women and dancers and you can tour the artist’s home which is still run by his descendents.

As well as the museum you can also enjoy an onsite restaurant and wander through the pretty manicured gardens.

23. Enjoy some fine dining at Swept Away Restaurant

If you really want to splurge when you are in Ubud then come to the Swept Away Restaurant which is part of the Samaya Ubud.

The restaurant sits on the river and has a great fusion menu which includes choices like Pulled Chicken in Rice Paper Rolls.

There is also an afternoon tapas menu if you just want to relax here with some light bites or you can have the four course or six course tasting menu in the evening which usually includes plates such as lobster or wagyu beef.

24. Visit the Petulu Heron Colony

The Petulu Heron Colony is a little way out of Ubud but is a great place to come if you are looking for an interesting day trip.

This little village is known for the herons that fly in every evening to settle down in the trees for the night, and there is a slightly eerie feel to the proceedings as the birds are meant to be sacred and represent the souls of the dead.

Still, if you like wildlife then this interesting natural spectacle is a must-see in the Ubud area.

25. Walk through the Tegallalang Rice Terraces

Another attraction not to be missed in Ubud is a trip to the Tegallalang Rice Terraces.

These were created as a result of an irrigation technique called ‘subak’ which creates a stepped landscape and you can visit the terraces after a short drive to the outskirts of Ubud.

Some of the activities here include walking around the terraces and you can even learn how to plant and harvest rice.

There are also some souvenir stands here and it is best to visit in the morning or late afternoon as the sun can be fierce in the middle of the day.

Many people who visit Ubud consider a trip out here to be the highlight of their holiday in Bali .

25 Best Things to Do in Ubud (Bali):

• Have dinner at Locavore
• Enjoy the views at the Campuhan Ridge Walk
• Admire the Museum Puri Lukisan
• Visit Pura Taman Saraswati
• Stop for a cup at Coffee Studio Seniman
• Visit Threads of Life Indonesian Textile Arts Center
• Explore Puri Saren Palace
• Enjoy Museum Rudana
• Have lunch at Alchemy Cafe
• Sample the delights at Gianyar Night Market
• Visit Goa Gajah
• Take a class at the Yoga Barn
• Watch a Legong dance performance
• Take a class at Casa Luna Cooking School
• Sample the duck at Bebek Bengil
• Admire the Botanic Garden Ubud
• Visit the Agung Rai Museum of Art
• Explore Monkey Forest
• Go for a spa session at Lembah Spa
• Peruse Neka Art Museum
• Go shopping at Ubud Market
• Blanco Renaissance Museum
• Enjoy some fine dining at Swept Away Restaurant
• Visit the Petulu Heron Colony
• Walk through the Tegallalang Rice Terraces

Ubud Bali Travel Guide: 31 Best Things To Do

This Ubud travel guide is the culmination of our many years spent exploring the artistic and cultural center of Bali island. No trip to Indonesia would be complete without a visit to Ubud Bali!

This town and tourist hotspot is full of interesting markets, palaces, jungles, and temples to see, and of course lots of great cafes, restaurants, and comfy luxury hotels. It has all the sights and charms of Balinese culture.

After you’ve exhausted all of the top things to do in Ubud, there are even more waterfalls and rice terraces to see in the nearby areas of Tegalalang, Gianyar, and Bangli, which can be reached in 15-30 minutes.

Here’s my Ubud travel guide, with a list of some of the very best things to do in Ubud Bali!

Table of Contents show 1) Where To Stay 2) Where Is Ubud Bali? 3) How To Get Around Ubud Bali 4) Best Things To Do In Ubud Bali 5) Ubud Temples 6) Ubud Waterfalls 7) Other Top Things To Do Near Ubud 8) Ubud Bali Itinerary 9) Is Ubud Safe? 10) When To Visit Ubud Bali 11) More Bali Travel Tips 12) Ubud Hotels 13) Bali Private Driver & Motorbike Rental

Where To Stay

The Kayon Resort

Adiwana Unagi Suites

Pondok Serayu

Umah Dajane Guesthouse

Where Is Ubud Bali?

First things first — where is Ubud Bali located?

Ubud is located in the highlands of the Gianyar regency, in the heart of Bali, Indonesia. It’s about 40 kilometers north of the Bali airport, which is a 1 hour drive.

The main Ubud tourist area is concentrated near the Ubud town center, which is packed with hotels, restaurants, markets, activities, and attractions like the Bali Monkey Forest.

However, the areas surrounding Ubud (like Tegalalang, Gianyar, and Bangli) also have some nice accommodation, and there are lots of waterfalls , temples , rice terraces, and other things waiting to be explored.

The best things to do in Ubud Bali include markets, palaces, and rice terraces.

How To Get Around Ubud Bali

If you’re staying near the Ubud town center, it’s pretty walkable and most things are close enough to be reached on foot.

However, if you want to do some exploring outside of town, you’ll need to rent a scooter or hire a private car and driver (both of these can be booked online). Airport transfers to Ubud from the Bali airport can also be arranged with your hotel or booked online .

Taxis are available for short rides around Ubud, but the prices are wildly inflated for tourists. It’s possible to use ride-hailing apps like Grab and Go-Jek , but you have to be discreet because the local taxi mafia is very protective of their turf, and may cause trouble if they see you using one of these apps in Ubud.  

Best Things To Do In Ubud Bali

1. ubud monkey forest.

Seeing the cheeky Bali monkeys should be somewhere near the top of your Ubud to do list, and the Sacred Monkey Forest is the most popular place to do it.

Swing by the famous Ubud Monkey Forest for a funny experience getting your pic taken with the Balinese macaques.

There are hundreds of them living in the jungle here, and they’re (mostly) friendly to outsiders.

Read More: Ubud Monkey Forest

2. Ubud Market

Just up the street from the monkey forest, you’ll find the Ubud art market.

It’s full of interesting handmade Balinese souvenirs and trinkets for sale, including wood carvings, coconut bowls, rattan hats and bags, and paintings of rural life, with scenes similar to what you can witness in the Ubud area.

You can also find the usual tourist items like shirts and fridge magnets here. Feel free to haggle for lower prices, because some of the sellers start a bit on the high side. Haggling is expected, and it’s part of the fun.

3. Ubud Restaurants

Ubud has great restaurants and cafes everywhere you look.

A lot of places serve familiar Western foods and fresh fruit juices (including smoothie bowls ), but don’t forget to try the local Indonesian dishes too, like chicken satay and nasi goreng.

This is far from a complete list, but here are some great restaurants to check out in Ubud:

• Breakfast — Watercress Ubud , Milk & Madu , Suka Espresso , Social Monkeys , Bittersweet , and Lazy Cats Cafe
• Dinner — Restaurant Locavore , Copper Kitchen & Bar , Hujan Locale , Ibu Susu Bar & Kitchen , Embers Restaurant , and The Grill At Luxe
• Ethnic — Omiiku (Chinese), Fu Shou Noodle Club (Chinese), Toro Sushi Cafe (Japanese), Pesona Lounge (Indian), Uma Cucina (Italian), Nostimo Grill (Greek), Pica South American Kitchen (Peruvian), Sweet Orange Warung (Indonesian), Bebek Bengil (Balinese), and Wanara Spice (Balinese)
• Dessert — Caramel Patisserie & Cafe , Monsieur Spoon , Daily Baguette , Yogurt Republic , Room4Dessert , Frozen Yogi , Gelato Secrets , and Tukies Coconut Shop

Of course, Ubud also has plenty of cheap and authentic Indonesian ‘warungs’ (little family owned restaurants) if you look in the side alleys and outside of the main town center. Bali is pretty much a foodie paradise for any kind of budget.

We plan to cover food and restaurants in more detail with another Ubud travel guide later on, so remember to bookmark this blog and check back later!

4. Balinese Massage

Practically every third building in Ubud is a massage shop.

Balinese massage is fantastic and the prices can be very affordable, at 150k Rupiah ($10 USD) or less for a 1 hour body massage.

It’s the perfect way to unwind after a full day of hiking or touring.

5. Ubud Royal Palace

On the corner of the Ubud town center is this fancy palace from the 1800s, with amazing Balinese stone carvings and courtyards. It’s a quick stop (15 minutes) but very worthwhile!

Read More: Ubud Palace

Ubud Palace

6. Tegalalang Rice Terraces

Bali’s most famous rice terraces are at Tegalalang, just a 15 minute drive north of Ubud.

Here, you can see layered rice paddies with bright green colors. The water flows through the terraces in steps, irrigating the rice for the farmers while creating a beautiful landscape.

There are foot paths to walk through the whole valley and see the terraces up close. It’s one of Bali’s most iconic sights!

Read More: Tegalalang Rice Terrace

7. Bali Elephant Sanctuary

Mason Elephant Park is a rescue park opened in 1997, and they do a lot of great conservation work for the Sumatran elephants, which are critically endangered on their home island of Sumatra in Indonesia.

We had a great experience here, and I have to say every aspect of the park is very well managed and nicely maintained. The elephants are happy and healthy, and you can tell they love the attention from humans.

The park is a 30 minute drive from Ubud.

Read More: Bali Elephant Sanctuary

Ubud Temples

8. saraswati temple.

The Saraswati water temple is in central Ubud and it has some of the coolest wall patterns and carvings you’ll see in Bali. The doors are insanely detailed and elaborate. Flowers, dragons, demon figures, and more.

Read More: Saraswati Temple

9. Pura Dalem Temple

This is another temple in central Ubud and it’s known for having some of the most bizarre and intricate statues of any of the Bali temples. Creepy demon goddesses, lions, and other creatures stare back at you here.

10. Goa Gajah Elephant Cave

This is one of the oldest temples you can visit in Ubud, and also one of the weirdest. Goa Gajah dates back to the 9th century. The doorway to the cave is really bizarre and unique, and it feels like you’re walking into the belly of some rock monster!

The inside of the cave has a narrow path that goes about 15 meters deep, where you’ll find some Hindu incense baskets burning, and the outside of the cave has a photogenic banyan tree with giant roots.

Overall, Goa Gajah one of the most peculiar temples in the Ubud area.

Read More: Goa Gajah Temple

11. Samuan Tiga Temple

This is a big temple from the 10th century between Ubud and Gianyar, just 800 meters from the Goa Gajah temple or a 10 minute drive from central Ubud. This temple is unusually quiet and only a few tourists seem to know about it, but it’s popular for Hindu ceremonies.

Ubud Waterfalls

12. layana waterfall.

This is one of the easiest waterfalls to visit in Ubud. Layana is just a 10 minute drive from the Ubud town center.

As an added bonus, there’s a warung above the waterfall where you can eat with the view — but it’s totally optional, you don’t have to order anything to visit the falls.

Read More: Layana Waterfall

13. Tibumana Waterfall

Tibumana used to be a secret waterfall, but it’s exploded in the last couple years and now every Instagrammer comes here. It’s still worth a visit!

The road to this one winds through some green rice fields and palm trees, so it’s a great scenic drive, and there are a couple of smaller waterfalls you can also see nearby.

Read More: Tibumana Waterfall

14. Suwat Waterfall

This waterfall is an up-and-coming hidden gem near Gianyar and Ubud. It’s good for swimming and there’s even a neat little bamboo raft you can paddle around on.

The hike to Suwat Waterfall is short and easy, and takes you through a small bamboo forest and other tropical foliage along the way.

Read More: Suwat Waterfall

15. Taman Sari Waterfall

Just 500 meters from the entrance to Tibumana is a separate path that leads to Taman Sari Waterfall.

Also called the Pengibul Waterfall, it’s a small 2-step cascade with no crowds, and you can reach it in 5-10 minutes of walking, so it’s definitely worth checking out while you’re at Tibumana!

Read More: Taman Sari Waterfall

16. Goa Rang Reng Waterfall

Watch out for slippery rocks! Goa Rang Reng has 3 different waterfalls, but my favorite is the first one, a big sloped cascade that looks like a natural Slip N Slide.

17. Kanto Lampo Waterfall

Kanto Lampo is a cascade of waterfalls running over the rocks into a natural pool below. As an added bonus, you get to see some creepy carvings in the rock walls nearby.

This is a really nice waterfall and I’d definitely rate it as one of the best things to do in Ubud!

Read More: Kanto Lampo Waterfall

18. Tegenungan Waterfall

Tegenungan is the busiest and most touristy waterfall in Bali. Don’t go here to escape the crowds, but it’s still a nice spot for lunch, and chances are you’ll be driving past it at some point anyway!

Read More: Tegenungan Waterfall

Other Top Things To Do Near Ubud

19. kemenuh butterfly park.

This is a small park with hundreds of butterflies, but the best part is getting to hold an Atlas Moth, the biggest moth in the world. They also have giant stick bugs from Borneo.

Read More: Bali Butterfly Park

20. Bali Zoo

The Bali Zoo has a lot of great wildlife, including some species that are local to Indonesia. You can get your picture taken with tropical birds here, and the park facilities and animal care seem to be top notch too.

Read More: Bali Zoo Review + Photos

21. Bali Bird Park & Reptile Park

This park has more than 1,000 birds and reptiles ranging from tropical parrots to Komodo dragons. The grounds have an ancient ‘Angkor Wat’ theme that fits perfectly with the wildlife, and everything is very well managed.

22. Mas Wood Carving

Balinese wood carvings are some of the best in Southeast Asia, and the carvers at Mas village are known for being some of the very highest quality. Warning though, some of these can be very pricey. Research and haggle before you buy.

23. Goa Giri Campuhan Waterfall

The Bangli area has lots of great waterfalls and it’s not far from Ubud. Start with Goa Giri Campuhan waterfall, in the north. This one is hidden and you have to sneak through a couple of cool caves to reach it.

24. Goa Garba

This is an ancient cave temple and 12th century archaeological site in Pejeng village.

Goa Garba was a school and place of study for the Balinese kings and their children. Today, it’s a peaceful hidden spot in the jungle where you can see some ruins and escape the tourist crowds.

Read More: Goa Garba Temple

25. Gunung Kawi Ruins

Of course I can’t do an Ubud travel guide without mentioning Gunung Kawi!

In my opinion, this is one of the most unique and interesting temples in Bali. Gunung Kawi is actually an underground temple carved into the side of a cliff.

It’s an 11th century temple, and the age of everything here is obvious when you look at it.

Read More: Gunung Kawi Temple

Gunung Kawi Ruins near Ubud

26. Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple

The name and location of this temple is very close to Gunung Kawi, but this one is not near as famous. This is a water temple with a nice jungle setting.

27. Tirta Empul Spring

This is one of the most well known temples near Ubud, partly because of the Hindu holy spring where visitors (including tourists) are allowed to bathe and pray, if that’s your thing.

Read More: Tirta Empul Temple

28. Batuan Temple

This is an ancient 10th century temple located in Batuan village, halfway between Ubud and Sanur. The whole temple grounds are open to tourists, and a lot of the buildings and carvings are different from what you normally see at other Balinese temples.

29. Sangeh Monkey Forest

The Sangeh Monkey Forest is another protected jungle area in central Bali with hundreds of friendly (but wild) monkeys to play with.

If the Ubud Monkey Forest is too crowded for your liking, you might want to check out the one in Sangeh instead. It’s only 30 minutes from Ubud, but it’s quieter, cheaper, and less crowded.

Read More: Sangeh Monkey Forest

30. Taman Ayun Temple

I think this is one of the best temples in Bali — very photogenic, but away from the major tourist areas so it doesn’t get too crowded. Taman Ayun is pretty close to Abiansemal and the Sangeh Monkey Forest.

Read More: Taman Ayun Temple

31. Mount Batur Sunrise Trek

The Mount Batur hike in east Bali is a popular day trip from Ubud, especially for sunrise, where you can catch epic morning views from the top of an active volcano!

Read More: Mount Batur Sunrise Trek

Ubud Bali Itinerary

Here’s what a sample 3-day or 4-day itinerary for Ubud Bali could look like:

• Day 1: Ubud Center . Visit the Ubud Monkey Forest , Ubud Market, Ubud Palace , and Saraswati Temple . If monkeys aren’t your thing, substitute that for the Campuhan Ridge Walk or Sayan Point.
• Day 2: Ubud Terraces & Temples . Visit Tegalalang Rice Terrace , Gunung Kawi Sebatu Water Temple, Tirta Empul Temple , Gunung Kawi Temple , and Goa Gajah Temple . If you want to focus less on temples, you could substitute one of these for a visit to a scenic Bali swing instead.
• Day 3: Waterfalls Near Ubud . Visit some nearby falls like Goa Giri Campuhan Waterfall, Kuning Waterfall, Tibumana Waterfall , Taman Sari Waterfall , and Goa Rang Reng Waterfall.
• Day 4 (Optional): Explore South of Ubud . Visit sights south of Ubud like the famous Mas wood carving shop, Kemenuh Butterfly Park , Tegenungan Waterfall , and the Bali Bird Park & Reptile Park.

You can take a look at my full blog post about this Ultimate Ubud Itinerary for more detailed information and photos!

A fancy door at the Ubud Palace

Is Ubud Safe?

Yes, Ubud is very safe. It gets more than 4 million visitors a year, and it’s generally known as one of the safest areas in Bali. Just take normal precautions and you shouldn’t have any issues.

I’ve often brought my camera gear all over Ubud photographing the markets, temples, and rice terraces, and there are usually plenty of other photographers doing the same.

Even around sunrise, people are already jogging the path at Campuhan Ridge Walk and other places in Ubud. Violent crime is rare in Bali, and Indonesia in general.

The main thing to watch out for is drive-by phone snatchings, which do happen in some parts of Bali from time to time, so just remember to put away your phone when you’re near a busy road with passing motorbikes.

When To Visit Ubud Bali

The best time to visit Ubud depends on what you’re looking for:

☁ Bali’s rainy season runs from November to April. The weather during the day can be hot and humid, at 32 to 35 °C (90 to 95 °F), but it’s less crowded during this time, and the rain is normally in the evening or at night.

☀ From May to August, the temps are cooler, and it’s more breezy and sunny. This is the windy season and it’s the nicest weather. It’s also the high season for tourists, so it’s generally more crowded.

In any case, it’s generally possible to experience the sights in this Ubud travel guide all year round!

I love this sign. It’s so authentically ‘Bali’. I want to hang it in my living room.

More Bali Travel Tips

Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoyed this list of the best things to do in Ubud Bali!

We plan to add more tips to this Ubud travel guide in the future, so check back later.

Don’t forget to check out my complete Bali Travel Guide for more tips, info, and photos!  

Ubud Hotels

Bali private driver & motorbike rental.

If you want to explore Bali in the comfort and safety of a private car with an English speaking driver, my top recommendation would be GetYourGuide .

Their price is 650k Rupiah ($45 USD) for a full day of driving and sightseeing in Bali (up to 10 hours) for 1-5 passengers. That's the total price for the whole car + driver + petrol! It's a great deal. They also offer affordable hotel transfers from the airport.

If you'd rather travel by motorbike, they have that too. Their scooter rentals start at 140k Rupiah (~$9) and include a helmet, rain coat, and free delivery in the south Bali area.

We've used GetYourGuide for lots of tours and activities around the world, and they're great! Highly recommended.

Book Now: Bali Private Driver / Scooter Rental  

• Bali Travel Guide – Info, Pictures, & Blog
• Ubud Travel Guide – Best Things To Do In Ubud Bali
• 3-Day Ubud Itinerary – Touring Bali’s Cultural Center
• Ubud Temple Guide – Best Temples In Ubud Bali
• Ubud Waterfall Guide – Best Waterfalls Near Ubud Bali
• Bali Beach Guide – The Best Beaches In Bali
• Bali Waterfalls Guide – The Best Waterfalls In Bali
• Bali Temple Guide – The Best Temples In Bali

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Great and useful information learnt alot thanks is Ubud or Bali disabled friendly?

Hi Fabiana, yes Bali is fairly disabled friendly, although it depends where you go. The temples and waterfalls usually have lots of stairs, for example. But there are still a lot of nice places you can see in a wheelchair.

Thanks David for the useful information learnt I am a disabled person but love traveling and adventure my two kind friends will be with when visiting Ubud, Bali

Welcome! Have a nice trip!

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21 Amazing Things to Do in Ubud, Bali

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Ubud isn’t the kind of place where you need a long to-do list. None of the sights or activities are “must-dos”.

If all you did during your stay was eat, walk through the rice fields, and perhaps get a massage or take a yoga class, then that’s a successful Ubud visit in my opinion.

That said, if you are feeling more active, there are plenty of things to do in Ubud to occupy your time.

Our Ubud travel guide shares our top tips for what to do in Ubud, where to eat and stay, how to get there, and a map with all our recommendations.

Best Things to Do in Ubud, Bali

How to get to ubud bali, resources for planning a trip to ubud, bali, map of best things to do in ubud bali, more ubud posts, 1) stay out of town.

Ubud doesn’t make the best first impression.

We stayed in the centre of town for our first few days and wondered what on earth we were doing there. The centre is congested with traffic, tour groups, and souvenir shops.

There are gems to be found, but to make the most of your stay I highly recommend staying outside the centre, ideally somewhere with a rice field view.

We moved 3km out of town and ended up staying for nearly five months and returned for another five months the following year.

Relaxing by our pool with a rice field or jungle view is an Ubud highlight for us.

There’s a huge range of accommodation in Ubud from budget homestays to luxury resorts.

We use Booking.com to find hotels—choose “view” as one of the room facilities and you’ll find lots of suggestions out of town such as Ayuterra Resort with its gorgeous luxury villas.

If you want to be within walking distance of the centre (probably best if you don’t want to hire a motorbike), there are some lovely options in quiet, scenic locations including:

• Desak Putu Putera Cottages – An affordable jungle oasis with a pool. Our favourite place to stay in the centre.
• Three Dewi’s – A budget guesthouse with rice field views.
• Nur Guesthouse – Lovely rooms and pool surrounded by rice fields. 

If you want to really get away from it all (but still be within a longish walk from the centre), you can stay at Firefly Eco Lodge  in a rustic bamboo treehouse or quirky birds nest in the heart of the rice fields.

This is one of our favourite areas in Ubud (we lived nearby on our last visit), but you will need to walk down a narrow path to get there and be happy surrounded by nature. 

If you end up falling in love like we did and want to stay for a month or more, read how to rent a house in Ubud (it’s easy!).

2) Campuhan Ridge Walk

The Campuhan Ridge is our favourite walk in Ubud—it’s one of the only places to escape from traffic.

There are a few hills, but it’s an easy walk with lovely views of rice fields and down into a valley. There’s not much shade, so it’s best early morning or towards sunset.

Read these instructions on getting to the start of the Camphuan Ridge trail .

The walk from the school car park to  Karsa Cafe (the perfect spot for a break) and back was 3.5km (2.2 miles) and took us 45 minutes.

You can no longer park at the school so allow an extra 10 minutes/1km each way to walk to the start of the trail from the Ubud Art Market .

If you’d prefer to explore with a guide, this Ubud walking tour includes many of Ubud’s highlights including Camphuan Ridge, Monkey Forest, and the Art Market.

3) Rice Fields Walk

Another pleasant hike is the Sari Organik Walk on a flat path through the rice fields towards the former farm and restaurant.

Sari Organik has now closed, but there are lots of other cafes along the way where you can enjoy a drink or meal with a view. Try Cafe Pomegranate , Dragonfly Cafe , or Joglo Organik .

The Ubud Yoga House (one of my favourite Ubud yoga studios ) is also just off this path.

An alternative route is to start at the far end of Jalan Kajeng (look for Kajeng Rice Field on Google Maps) and loop around to the other rice field path.

The downside is that motorbikes drive on these narrow paths.

4) Discover Ubud’s Tranquil Spots

Are you wondering where to go in Ubud to escape the crowds? The centre of town is busy, but you can find beautiful, tranquil spots.

Our favourites are the lotus pond at  Saraswati temple (behind Starbucks) and Taksu Spa , where the river gorge is an oasis from the chaos.

Take the time to wander around and you might be surprised by what you find.

Recommended Reading: A Guide to Living in Ubud

5) Kecak Dance  Performace

Ubud is famous for its traditional dance performances. We didn’t have very high expectations but loved the Kecak dance we saw at the temple in Junjungan village. 

Around 60 sarong-clad men provide the soundtrack of haunting chants, while dancers recreate a story from the Ramayana.

It is less busy and commercial than the performances in the centre—all 150 families in the village are involved and proceeds go towards temple activities.

The Kecak performance takes place every Monday night at 7pm at the temple in Junjungan village on Jalan Tirta Tawar .

It’s one of the best things to do in Ubud at night and you could combine it with a meal at nearby Warung Bintangbali .

Read more about the performance on Till the Money Runs Out .

Another place to see a traditional Kecak Dance with an Authentic Balinese Dinner is at The Tempayan in Ubud’s Tanah Gajah Resort .

6) Rent a Motorbike

Renting an automatic motorbike is the best way to explore Ubud and the surrounding countryside.

You could walk or cycle, but it’s much cooler on the back of a bike. It’s cheap too—from just 120,000 IDR ($7.90) a day, and you don’t need to leave a deposit or show a licence.

The traffic in Ubud can be crazy, so if you are a beginner, practice on the quieter streets outside town, and ask someone to show you the basics.

Honestly, it’s probably best that Ubud is not the first place you ride a motorbike, though—accidents are common.

Once you have wheels, you can head north on Jalan Tirta Tawar , Sri Wedari or Suweta , or east through the tree tunnel to Penestanan village. You can visit many of the places below by motorbike.

If you rent a motorbike make sure your travel insurance covers you as accidents do happen. We recommend SafetyWing , which is available worldwide and covers riding a motorbike.

It’s affordable (kids are even free!) and is ideal if you are on a longer trip as you can pay monthly and purchase it outside your home country. Our travel insurance after departure post has more options.

If you aren’t confident on a bike, consider hiring a driver for a day —it’s an easy and surprisingly affordable way to go Ubud sightseeing.

7) Practice Yoga

Ubud is yogi heaven! Whether you prefer fast-paced vinyasa or gentle yin, you’ll find a class to suit you.

It’s the perfect place to create your own yoga retreat by buying an affordable multi-class pass.

My favourite places to practice are Ubud Yoga House (scenic and intimate), The Yoga Barn (a wide variety of classes but very busy), and Intuitive Flow (quieter classes in a beautiful setting in Penestanan).

Read my Ubud yoga guide to choose the studio that’s right for you.

If you came to Ubud after being inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert, check out this Bali Eat Pray Love Private Tour which includes many spiritual stops including a yoga class at Intuitive Flow.

8) Take an Art or Cooking Class

You can learn plenty of skills in Ubud—check out these classes in traditional Balinese painting , silver jewellery making , and batik making (dyeing cloth with patterns). They are fun for adults and families.

We enjoyed a cooking class with Payuk Bali (now Ketut’s Balinese Cooking Class ) when Simon’s family was visiting. It included a market visit, learning how to make offerings, and plenty of hands-on cooking.

They were very well-organised, had a special vegetarian menu, and the meal at the end was delicious, especially the tempeh satay with peanut sauce. It is definitely one of the best things to do in Ubud.

Paon Bali offers a similar cooking course with excellent reviews. Check availability here .

9) Dine with a View

You are spoilt for choice for restaurants in Ubud with views of rice fields and river gorges.

Some of our favourites include The Elephant , which serves up delicious vegetarian meals with views of the Campuhan Ridge, and Warung Bintangbali for affordable Indonesian dishes with rice field views.

Also, see #3 above for a rice field walk with lots of scenic places to eat on the way.

My Ubud vegetarian guide has more ideas.

10) Splurge on a Gourmet Meal

For such a small town Ubud has a surprising number of gourmet restaurants offering fantastic tasting menus (most with good vegetarian options).

Sure, they are much more expensive than a meal at a warung, but they are great value compared to a similar quality meal in Europe or the US.

Our favourite splurges were at Locavore , Kubu at the Mandapa Ritz Carlton , Mozaic , and Room4Dessert (we have to go back for their new sweet and savoury tasting menu).

Make sure you book a table at these restaurants at least a few days (and sometimes weeks) ahead.

11) Downhill Bike Tour

We don’t cycle often, but the  Bali downhill cultural cycling tour was easy—we hardly had to pedal!

We started with breakfast overlooking the volcano Mt Batur before cycling through the countryside stopping at a family compound, rice fields, and a 500-year-old banyan tree.

The cycle trip is one of the best Ubud activities to see more of the beautiful island and learn about Balinese culture. Check availability here .

12) Brave the Monkey Forest

The Monkey Forest is one of the top Ubud attractions, but we were a little worried about braving the famous monkeys.

It turned out to be an enjoyable walk through the forest with temples and banyan trees that felt like an Indiana Jones set.

Be careful of the monkeys, though—they are thieves and can be aggressive. We didn’t take a bag, sunglasses, or have anything in our pockets (except cash to get in and my camera around my neck), and they didn’t bother us.

Don’t feed them—you will end up with monkeys climbing all over you. This may sound fun, but rabies is prevalent in Bali, and if you get bitten or scratched (a common occurrence), you’ll need a series of injections.

The Ubud Monkey Forest is open daily from 9am to 6pm and costs 80,000 IDR for adults/ 60,000 children, more on the weekend.

If you have limited time in Ubud, you could take a Best of Ubud private day tour which includes the Monkey Forest, rice terraces, Tegenungan Waterfall, the market and more.

13) Pura Gunung Kawi

Pura Gunung Kawi is an 11th-century temple with shrines carved into the rock. It’s one of Bali’s oldest and most important monuments.

The complex is at the bottom of a river valley reached by a steep staircase of 300 steps.

It’s worth it for the beautiful scenery of rice fields, gushing river, and immense stone shrines.

The entrance fee is 50,000 IDR and includes a sarong, which everyone must wear (just wrap it over your clothes).

It’s a 30-minute drive from Ubud and is worth combining with Tirta Empul .

Get there early to avoid the crowds and souvenir sellers—at 8am there were only two other visitors.

14) Tirta Empul Water Temple

The water temple Tirta Empul is close to Gunung Kawi. Balinese Hindus come here to bathe in the holy waters for ritual purification.

I think the temple is best visited with a local who can explain its significance and etiquette.

You can hire a guide at the entrance or book a tour such as this Ubud Tirta Empul Temple Tour or Spiritual Cleansing and Shamanic Healing Tour .

The entrance fee for Tirta Empul is 50,000 IDR which includes the sarong it is essential to wear.

Tourists are welcome to bathe in the holy waters, but we didn’t feel comfortable doing so. If you do decide to, please be respectful and don’t spend too long taking photos.

The temple can be very crowded so it’s best to visit early.

15) Tegenungan Waterfall

Tegenungan Waterfall isn’t huge, but the scenery is lovely, and we enjoyed a swim in the pool.

Again, get there early as it’s popular. Even at 9am on a Saturday it was quite busy although mostly with local kids.

Entrance is 20,000 IDR and there are steep steps to get from the parking area to the falls.

It’s a 25-minute drive from Ubud. If you don’t have your own transport, consider this highly-rated Ubud Spectacular Waterfalls Tour which includes three waterfalls and an optional stop at the rice terraces and jungle swing.

Tegenungan can be combined with the nearby Hidden Canyon .

We didn’t make it down the canyon as it turned out to be more hardcore than we expected—come prepared to clamber rocks and wade through waist-high water. It’s best to hire one of the local guides to show you the way.

The Bali Adventure Tour includes Hidden Canyon, Tegenungan Waterfall, Goa Gajah and Gunung Kawi temples.

16) Tour Bali for a Day

One of the top things to do in Ubud is to hire a driver for the day (from 652,500 IDR) to take you on a temple tour.

We headed north to the temple at Lake Bratan , which we weren’t impressed by. We preferred the much less touristy Pura Luhur Batukau (about 1.5 hours from Ubud). 

I would avoid visiting any coffee plantations—they are touristy and overpriced souvenir shops with caged luwaks (here’s why not to drink gimmicky luwak coffee ) and without much to see.

One of the most popular trips is the highly-rated Bali Instagram Highlights tour to the island’s most scenic spots including temples, waterfalls, and a jungle swing. 

If you have more time, spend a few days travelling in the unspoilt north and western parts of the island—see our off the beaten track Bali road trip for ideas.

17) Visit an Art Gallery

Ubud is a very artsy town. You can visit lots of small studios to buy artwork or bigger art museums to learn about the history of art in Ubud.

I enjoyed the Balinese art at Neka Art Museum the most, although the architecture at the Antonio Blanco Museum was certainly eccentric.

18) Get a Massage

Getting a massage is a popular Ubud activity. It’s not our thing, but if we were to indulge, we’d be tempted by this riverside spa treatment .

I’ve also heard good things about  Cantika (especially the Cantika Zest branch in Penestanan).

Otherwise, you can get no-frills massages all over town for around 100,000 IDR. 

19) Watch a Film

If you’ve been travelling for a while, you might be in need of a movie night. 

Paradiso  is in the centre of Ubud and mostly shows older films, but you can enjoy raw and vegan food while you watch (the 75,000 IDR tickets include 50,000 IDR redeemable against food).

Denpasar Cineplex  is the nearest cinema for the latest releases, but unfortunately, it’s an hour away.

The Executive screen is ultra-comfortable with large reclining seats and only costs 75,000 IDR during the week. 

There are plenty of tacky souvenir shops in Ubud, but there are also high-quality boutiques selling clothes, jewellery, yoga gear, and home furnishings.

You’ll find plenty of options on Hanoman , Goutama , and Monkey Forest Roads .

For cheap clothes and souvenirs, head to the central market on Jalan Raya , but be prepared to bargain.

It can be chaotic, but if you are a shopping fan, it’s one of the best things to see in Ubud.

For delicious jams made from unusual local fruits, go to Confiture de Bali on Goutama street.

Seniman coffee studio is the best place for Balinese coffee beans.

21) White Water Rafting

On our very first trip to Ubud, we went white water rafting on the Ayung River and it was so much fun!

The trip is fairly gentle (it’s usually Class II although expect a more thrilling ride in the rainy season) but you will get wet.

The highlight is the stunning river gorge scenery where you can see waterfalls and monkeys.

Check availability for white water rafting here .

Back to Contents

Public transport is limited in Bali and by far the easiest way to get to Ubud from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) is by taxi.

I recommend booking an airport transfer in advance to avoid dealing with the chaos at the airport.

The drive from the airport takes about 1.5 hours.

• Don’t forget travel insurance —We use SafetyWing (available worldwide) or True Traveller is good for UK and EU residents. Read more about how to buy travel insurance .
• To find accommodation, look on Booking.com for hotels and guesthouses. Or find out how to rent a house in Ubud for longer stays. 
• For flights to Denpasar ( the nearest airport to Ubud) look on Kiwi.com, which offers a lot of flexibility to help you find cheap deals (choose a date range to find the cheapest day to fly).
• Lonely Planet Bali  is my favourite guidebook (I buy the Kindle version). 

I hope you enjoy some of these suggestions on what to do in Ubud.

But remember, if you don’t make it out of your sun lounger overlooking the rice fields, don’t feel guilty. Ubud is best explored at your own pace.

• The Ultimate Guide to Yoga in Ubud
• Best Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Ubud, Bali
• A Digital Nomad Guide to Living in Ubud
• The Cost of Living in Ubud
• Off the Beaten Track Bali Road Trip

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34 Comments

Thanks for sharing your experiences! We went to 3 recommendations of yours, and all were disappointing:

1. The Elephant restaurant was not exceptional, and doesn’t deserve to be in the top 5 restaurants in Ubud. The sampler platter I got was average, and my girlfriends dish has to be returned due to rocks in the rice.

2. The Saraswati temple was a tourist trap in the most dense traffic/tourist zone of Ubud. We drove there seeking peace and refuge, as suggested, and had the opposite experience.

3. The Campuhan Ridge walk was not at all what we thought it would be. The beginning of walk was pretty with jungle and steam, then it became an overly developed strip for tourists to buy stuff, blocking most views of any nature. It is just another commercial zone now.

In addition, all of your links are to 3rd party booking systems, which take high commissions of 25-30% from the local companies. I don’t see how this supports small businesses from a sustainable standpoint, tour companies, etc. Instead, it supports huge global corporate bookings systems that dominate the market.

Booking small companies directly can have a huge impact on their longevity, not to mention there is often more incentive to do so, with a fee more personalized experience.

I hope you keep this in mind, next time you wrote an article.

Reply ↓

Great info, although I recommend booking direct with the Accommodation provider. (I work in the hotels industry and no exactly how it works) The commissions are massive that small businesses have to pay to third party websites. The Accommodation provider will often add incentives like complimentary breakfast/early or late check in/price match or even beat the rate you find on websites like booking.com just to get your business. Travellers, keep it in mind!

fantastic post about Ubud! I am travelling to the east side of Indonesia. It makes me want to go back Ubud to stay for one month.

its quit natural and beautiful believe me every one may like to see himself in these unique place

Thanks for the reminder that you don’t need to pay to have fun? Simple is the best way to go.

Hi, I am thinking of visiting Bali for a volunteer program next year. I want to go from January to March but I read that the rainy season goes from November to March so I wanted to know how rainy it is, does it rain all day or is it cloudy all day? Or does it only rain at night or how is it? I really want to take advantage of my stay there, so I want to make sure it is a good season to visit Bali. Thank you so much, I really enjoy you post!

I would just go. The seasons are all messed up at the moment and we actually found it rained more in the dry season than in the rainy season! It won’t rain all the time and as you are on a extended trip it doesn’t matter so much. You’ll also be visiting at the quietest time of year.

I’m heading to Bali later this week & again in February for a few months.

I am still torn about weather or not to visit the monkey forest. ? I cannot wait to do some yoga there!

Thanks for the tips!

It is a difficult decision. If you would be freaked out if a monkey jumped on you, you might want to skip it. They are a menace!

Your post brings back all the fond memories we have of Ubud! Our first night of our trip earlier this year, we found ourselves in the Ubud Palace, watching the LeGong dance – we were so entranced by Balinese dance, that we watched several other performances over the next few evenings (e.g., Kecak trance and fire “dance”). Because of the culture and all the temples (and the monkeys too). Ubud was our favorite part of Bali.

I’m glad you enjoyed your stay Ann. It’s definitely our favourite place in Bali too.

Just wondering what it is like in Ubud in December both temperature wise and weather-wise. I have read that this is the rainy season but wanted to know what it is really like. Does it rain all day, most days, or does it only rain for an hour everyday at a certain time, etc…..I want to go for a month at this time but not if it is going to be raining steadily for most of the month that I am there. Also, how hot does it get and what is the percentage of humidity? What does it feel like to you? I live in Ontario Canada and in the summer it gets to 30 degrees Celsius with 60% relative humidity and that feels quite hot to me.

Also, did you have to do any travel immunization before you went to Ubud? Is there any health risks that travelers should be aware of? Thanks.

I was really worried about staying in Ubud in December but it was actually fine. It was definitely hotter and more humid than September—about 30ºC and maybe 90% humidity—but it didn’t rain too much, just occasional heavy showers. Obviously, it might be different every year but as Christmas is peak season I can’t see that it’s ever too bad.

You need the standard immunisations for the tropics—typhoid etc. Speak to you doctor about it. Malaria isn’t a problem but dengue can be. All you can do is use bug spray. I’d also consider getting a rabies jab, although they are expensive.

Thanks for such a great guide to Ubud. We arriving to Bali next week and plan to stay in this region for a week so your tips are just in time) We also want to book waterfalls guided tour via The Seven Holiday. Can you reccomend us waterfalls worth to see? Thanks!

Hi. Great post on Ubud. I spent a weekend in Ubud when I was working in North Sulawesi. I tried yoga and visited the rice fields. For the rest of the time, I strolled around town. My latest blog is about my weekend in Bali. I worried that I missed out on mentioning some ‘must-see’ sights in Ubud so I was very happy to find your blog. I would have liked to have seen the waterfalls. You have a great website! Regards from Rose Ann MacGillivray (boomervoice.ca)

We loved climbing Mt Agung through the night to catch the sunrise and whitewater rafting

You are awesome! Congratulations.

This is a really great list of things to do! We rented a motorbike in Koh Lanta but we’re too nervous about the traffic to do it in Bali. One of our favorite things we did in Ubud was water rafting along with the Campuhan Ridge Walk.

Koh Lanta is so much easier to ride a motorbike on than Ubud. Simon was fine as he has a motorbike licence, but I couldn’t face it in Ubud either. We went rafting on our first trip to Ubud years ago. It was rather gentle but the scenery was gorgeous. Glad you have a nice time!

This is a lovely list! It may seem a bit early but I’m thinking of going to Ubud when we visit India in December…. I’m not really sure how many days I will be able to dedicate, but taking a walk through the rice fields is enticing!

When I was in Ubud, I took Bahasa Indonesia classes at the Pondok Pekak Library ( https://www.facebook.com/PondokPekak ), next to the football field. It was a wonderful and fun experience. It really made me connect more with the locals speaking their language (a bit).

I am I love with this place it is incredible and you can do alot of things and is so cheap

Looks awesome! I am hoping to make it to Ubud this year, sounds like a digital nomad paradise from everything I’ve heard so far.

It’s our favourite digital nomad destination—it just beats Chiang Mai which we also love.

Hey Erin – I have heard great things about Chiang Mai as well, hoping to visit there in the same trip. So far I have only passed through SE Asia for a few weeks on the way to Europe for a longer trip, so definitely need to head back for more exploring. I am actually hoping to interview a few digital nomads for my website while I’m in Southeast Asia next – perhaps that’s something you and Simon would be interested in? Would be cool to chat if you’re still about. :)

We’ve actually left Ubud now and are in Vietnam.

Why not add walking along the subak (water irrgation) and planting rice..

Dear Erin and Simon We have just read your latest post and thoroughly enjoyed it. We were in Ubud for about 10 days in January and actually met you while walking down the street, well almost accosted you! Sorry if we surprised you but we were so happy to finally meet you both as you have inspired our travels so much. In our short time there, we did manage to do all on your list except the yoga, movies or the cooking class. We didn’t brave a motorcycle, but did the day downhill cycle tour and also hired bikes the next day and cycled uphill to Pura Gunung Kawi and Tirta Empul Water Temple (thankfully, we are keen cyclists, so didn’t find the hills too bad and needed to work off all the delicious food we ate!). We also really enjoyed the Neka Art Museum, like you, and spent hours in there. The ARMA gallery was a great place to look at art but also wander round the gardens and relax in one of the pavilion cafe. We had a wonderful massage and mandi-lular scrub at The BodyWorks Centre and would certainly recommend that to any of your readers

Anyway, your post is great and glad you enjoyed your 5-month stay. Perhaps we might do that one day, but we have only just started our travels – so too much to see and do to catch you up!

We went to the North coast after Ubud then we headed east and went to Gili Islands. We stayed at Gili Air and ended up staying for 10 days, the reef wasn’t so good as what we saw at Pink Beach near Komodo Island (which was the best we have yet to experience), but the turtles made up for it! Floating with turtles became a new, everyday experience and they seem completely unperturbed by swimmers in the shallows. This did worry us when we saw the small boat fisherman go out with their nets. We are now in Amed waiting for the rain to stop and the sea to value, down so we can do some more snorkelling, as the reef is supposed to be very good here. Helen is also hoping to do a Free-diving course before we both do the 3-day Open Water diving course. We have never tried diving, so thought we would like to experience sea life in the deep and see new and wonderful creatures! We are then flying to Singapore and working our way up through Malaysia (highlands and Coast) and then over to Borneo before a few months home to visit family. We have yet to decide where to go in September – it is hard to decide and we wonder how you must struggle too!

Anyway, keep your posts coming, we love following your travels and reading all about them. Also, great thanks to Simon for the Trail Wallet app, we purchased it before starting the trip and we use it diligently and enjoy tracking our money. So useful for our trip analysis and future planning. Sorry this is more than a ‘comment’, just wanted to drop you a line. Happy travels Jaynie and Helen

It was lovely to meet you both! Thanks for the additional Ubud tips and happy travels!

Wow, how many wonderful places, congratulations on getting to reach them, hopefully one day also get, great pictures congratulations

Thanks for this and keep the Ubud posts coming! It is so easy to just do work with lovely views, go to yoga and fantastic restaurants and forget to go out and “do” anything else! Thanks for the great list and reminder to break out of our Ubud routine.

That’s what we did most of the time and loved it :) Still, there are some things worth doing, and I know you enjoy motorbiking through the countryside as much as we do, and having a goal gets you out and about.

One more post is coming that is full of practical tips for living in Ubud.

Such a lovely post! It brings back so many wonderful memories from my time in Ubud last year, especially the yoga and food.

The yoga and food were my highlights too!

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