If you would like to visit Bali but are not much of a beach person, don’t fret. You can simply skip southern Bali’s coastal areas and head directly to Ubud—the cultural center of Bali. This magical town has a lot to offer that you will need to stay for at least a few days. And this Ubud travel guide will take you to the nook and cranny of Bali’s cultural capital.
Why You Should Visit Ubud
Ubud is a bustling town perched in the heart of Bali. Ubud has always been a haven for craftsmen and artists long before it becomes a top tourist destination in Bali. There are museums and artisan communities you can visit to purchase artwork or handicrafts like wood carvings from local artists.
Ubud may also be dubbed as the center of spiritualism and yoga. This is largely due to Ubud’s inherent spirituality of the culture and its closeness to mother nature. Spiritual seekers, health food enthusiasts, and yoga practitioners of all levels come to Ubud all year round to connect with nature and their inner selves.
Ubud is also a perfect retreat place for families to relax and unwind while enjoying plenty of exciting family activities and top spots. Among other things are Bali Zoo, Bali Bird Park, POD Chocolate Factory, Sacred Monkey Forest, and many more.
For more than three million tourists who come to Ubud every year, this rich-cultural town is one of the many must-visit fascinating places on the island of Bali.
Things to Do in Ubud
Ubud always has something for everyone. Below are some of the many things you can do in central Bali.
1. Strolling around the rice fields
Ubud has so many fantastic places to have relaxing walks. One of the best ones is Campuhan Ridge Walk—a paved route that is a nest at the top of the hill. You can start from Jalan Raya Ubud to marvel at uninterrupted views right before sunset or in the morning.
2. Get a massage
Visiting Ubud wouldn’t be complete without having a nice massage. This town offers plenty of spas and massage parlors at a wide range of price points. If you travel on a budget, Ubud has so many affordable massage places you can try during your stay.
3. Visit beautiful Hindu temples
It’s not without a reason Bali is named the ‘Island of Gods.’ Ubud, in particular, has a lot of Hindu temples to visit, and Saraswati Temple is the most well-known. This worship place is worth visiting, but you will see other beautiful temples of all sizes if you go on foot.
4. Do yoga
If you have never tried yoga before, maybe you will end up liking it after taking a yoga class in central Bali. Ubud is like Southeast Asia’s mecca for yoga. Here, you will see plenty of yoga studios or wellness retreats that you can visit to do yoga.
5. Visit museums or galleries
One of the highlights of this Ubud travel guide is the galleries and art museums that feature various types of art. Things that are about those places is that all the displayed artworks are thoughtfully created by a serious local arts community. Some of the most renowned museums include Museum Puri Lukisan, Neka Art Museum, and Blanco Renaissance Museum.
Best Time to Visit Ubud
Much like other places in Indonesia, Ubud predominantly experiences two seasons: rainy and dry seasons. The dry season normally lasts from April to October, whereas the rainy season typically starts from November until March.
The dry season is the ideal time to thoroughly enjoy your stay in Ubud since the temperatures don’t change much all year round. Yet, if you want to get the best weather, July and August are both great times to visit, although they are also Bali’s busiest months.
September to November and April to June would be the perfect times to visit Ubud. It’s less packed, and the weather is not as harsh as those of other months. Keep in mind to avoid coming around December to early January as it is peak season. Also, it’s unquestionably not a good choice of time if what you desire is a tranquil holiday.
How to Get to Ubud
The majority of visitors to Bali arrive by plane at Ngurah Rai International Airport. So, if you fly into Bali, below are some of the options for transportation to get you from the airport to your Ubud accommodation.
1. By taxi
You can get a taxi from the airport the moment you arrive. This option may not be in your favor because it could be a bit expensive. Therefore, make sure to reserve your taxi right at the airport’s official taxi counter. To save on expenses, find out how much the trip will cost by asking around and negotiating with different taxi drivers.
2. By airport transfer
This is probably the most convenient option to get from the airport to central Bali. You can always arrange a private transfer from the airport with your accommodation. Depending on the area where you stay, they will typically charge you around IDR200,000 to 300,000.
3. By bus
Although it’s not the most convenient choice, this will likely be the least expensive one. The option for shuttles are varied, and you should book the shuttle tickets in advance. Please keep in mind that there are set departure times and maximum baggage allowance.
Where to Stay in Ubud
So, where is the best area to stay in Ubud? You have two options: staying within the town or on the outskirts.
1. Stay within the town of Ubud
Ubud is a relatively small town, and its central area is a perfect place to stay for first-timers. Staying within the town will make it easier for you to wander around the streets, sample various cuisine, visit spas, and browse the shops.
But if you stay in the town, it will be more packed with tourists. If you feel like enjoying some natural beauty, you can go on paddy field walks or hire a private driver to get you to the surrounding areas.
2. Stay on the outskirts
If you prefer tranquil places to stay, staying on the outskirts of Ubud is definitely an ideal option. Plenty of accommodations are available here, and some are only 30 minutes away from the central Ubud. All these hotels are mostly enveloped by beautiful lush green forests or paddy fields, suitable to engulf yourself with nature.
Staying in the outskirts will make you a bit isolated from the touristy Ubud. But it won’t be an issue if you stay in an accommodation with a spa, pool, restaurants, and many other experiences. You will instead get the best time to relax and thoroughly enjoy what the surrounding area of the hotel has to offer.
Where to Eat in Ubud
From local warungs to fine dining establishments, Ubud has it all. These are some of the most recommended places you shouldn’t miss out on during your stay in Ubud.
1. Warung Ibu Oka
The babi guling from Warung Ibu Oka is basically the first thing people hear when it comes to the best Balinese food. It’s a scrumptious suckling pig that is served over steamed rice with side dishes, including pork skin, vegetables, blood sausage, and pork sate.
2. Warung Biah Biah
Warung Biah Biah is one of the most well-known local restaurants in Bali’s cultural capital. They serve a variety of delectable traditional Indonesian dishes, such as nasi campur and nasi goreng.
3. Locavore
If you crave something special, Locavore is where you ought to go. This popular Indonesian-European eatery is renowned for its contemporary dishes made with fresh, local ingredients that are ethically sourced.
4. Bali Buda
Bali Buda is a must-visit cafe for those of you healthy food enthusiasts. This establishment is best known for serving organic dishes at relatively affordable prices. They also have an on-site organic store where you can purchase their freshly made bread and locally grown food.
5. Bebek Bengil
Bebek Bengil is hands down the best place in Ubud and in all of Bali to sample the popular bebek betutu. It’s a savory Balinese fried duck that is served with steamed white rice, sambal, and other condiments.
Best Ways to Get Around in Ubud
To visit all the attractions in this Ubud travel guide, you will need to know how to get around Ubud. Navigating central Bali shouldn’t be difficult for you if you don’t have any mobility concerns. Although you may have to walk a lot, the main attractions Ubud has to offer can be reached on foot.
Much like the rest regions of Bali, Ubud is also best experienced on a motorcycle. Since Bali’s roadways are often relatively narrow, chances are you will experience some traffic jams. Therefore, it’s best to get around on a bike because it is easy to navigate around traffic. Renting motorcycles in Bali is quite affordable—a day’s rental cost starts from around IDR60,000.
You may also consider getting a private driver to take you around in a car you rent. This is your best bet if you can’t ride a bike. This is also your most practical choice if you are traveling in a group to split the expense.
Other ways you can opt for wandering around Ubud are by online motorcycle taxi (GoJek, Grab) and taxi. The former is an ideal option because it is much more affordable than hailing a taxi. Whichever you choose, keep in mind to use the Google Maps app because this helpful app can tell you how to get around the city on public transportation.
Ubud Travel Cost
How much will you need to spend in Ubud? There is no definite answer since it all depends on your preferred style of travel. It can be very affordable or highly exorbitant.
Assuming you will stay in Ubud with one other person in mid-level accommodations, then a starting budget of IDR600,000 for each person in a day should be adequate. Below is a breakdown of costs.
1. Accommodations
This one depends on where you stay. You can reserve decent accommodation for only around IDR70,000 to IDR80,000 per night in Ubud. If you stay in a hostel, you will pay even less than that.
2. Transportation
A one-day motorbike rent costs around IDR60,000 and a full tank of gas costs about IDR30,000. As for a private car charter, it costs approximately IDR470,000 for one-day rent. Both options are great for getting around Ubud, but the latter is the most convenient since it’s not easy to get around in Ubud on your own.
3. Meals
This one depends on what type of establishments you go to. If you want to save on travel expenses, you may want to stick to having Indonesian food at inexpensive warungs. For this, you can expect to spend between IDR80,000 and IDR100,000 a day.
4. Entrance fees
Ubud has plenty free of cost places to visit. However, you will need to prepare around IDR425,000 for ticket fees if you want to go to these attractions: Blanco Renaissance Museum, Sacred Monkey Forest, Goa Gajah, Tegenungan Waterfalls, and many more.
5. Portable WiFi rental
For this, you can share the rental cost with your travel buddy. You will each pay at least around IDR22,000 a day. You can also consider purchasing a local SIM card for about IDR97,000 that you can pick up at the airport.
This comes out to approximately IDR590,000 per person every day if you consider using a private car charter. This suggested budget is a reasonable starting point for those of you who happen to be average travelers. Feel free to adjust the budget as per your own travel preferences.
Plan Your Trip!
We certainly hope this Ubud travel guide helps you to thoroughly plan your trip to the cultural capital of Bali. Some travel tips in Ubud: make sure you rent a portable WiFi device or book a SIM card in advance, consider getting a private car charter for a convenient trip, be prepared to walk a lot, and always check for travel deals to save costs.
