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Yes, Ubud is touristy, of course, it is! It’s in Bali, it’s cheap and it offers something different compared to other places on the island. Despite the huge amount of tourists, Ubud is a special place. It still has charm and it still feels chilled out. This could be attributed to that countryside air. It is very rare that a destination can stand up to heavy tourism, keeping alive what made it so special in the first place. Ubud does just that! This Ubud Travel Guide is designed to help you decide what to do inside the town and in the amazing countryside surrounding it. The central location of Ubud makes it the perfect place to base yourself for a few days and go exploring. Maybe once you’ve seen Ubud, you, like many others before you, will decide not to leave this paradise.
Currency Converter – 10,000IDR = €0.58/£0.52/$0.68
Where To Stay in Ubud
The major activity in Ubud is centred around Jalan Raya Ubud. This street is in the heart of the town. Use this as a centre point for booking your accommodation. Once you are within walking distance of here then you have made a good choice. I stayed at Laksita Hostel, a 10-minute walk from Jalan Raya Ubud. It turned out to be a good choice in a town where most of the reviews were mixed. You can choose to stay a bit further afield as there are many guesthouses and hotels out near the rice paddies. Whilst the view is beautiful and they could be quite peaceful, getting to and from town is not convenient. Whether it’s making your way to a less central hostel with your bags or returning home after dinner in the dark, it didn’t seem like a convenient place to stay.
When To Go To Ubud
Luckily Bali isn’t affected much by the changing of seasons. Temperatures tend the stay at quite a consistent heat for the majority of the year. This makes Ubud and Bali a great place to visit all year round. The most popular time to visit is in the summer months of July and August. This is also when the weather is slightly hotter than the other months of the year. Because the weather is never what you would call bad here, I would tend to avoid going during these months and visit at a time when there are slightly fewer tourists.
What To Do in Ubud
Inside The Town
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
The most popular attraction in Ubud by far is the Monkey Forest. Set in a beautiful forest walk you will find some small temples that are nothing spectacular. However, the main attraction is the huge amount of monkeys. Free roaming and, as always, mischievous, you need to keep your wits about you. Apply some common sense and they won’t go near you. It is great to see them roaming free and in such large numbers. The grounds of the forest are huge and you can’t access it all, but you will not be short of entertainment during your time here. Entrance is 50,000IDR and you would be foolish to miss it.
Walk the Rice Paddies
Although some of the more impressive paddies are located outside the town, there are a few inside to take a stroll through. With very few visitors, they make for a peaceful walk in the countryside. At times, the view will open up and you can see the fields stretching over the hills. You will find one located to the west of Jalan Raya Ubud, just take the next right turn after the Museum Puri Lukisan. This is one of the most popular and central walks in Ubud. You will find a number of nice cafés and Warungs dotted along the path, where you can grab a drink outside and take in the views.
Campuhan Ridge Walk
Similar to a walk through the rice paddies, Campuhan gives you an amazing view of the landscape. Although the path doesn’t actively go through the paddies for an extended period of time, the elevated view makes up for it. It has some great opportunities to take photos of very picturesque scenery. There are plenty of cafés to stop and take a break. Karsa Café was the best located and has a better view than any of the others.
Visit a Traditional Balinese Dance Show
You can’t walk two minutes down the road in the evening without someone offering to sell you a ticket to a dance show. These entrancing dance shows have been happening for years in Bali and Ubud is by far the area of choice for watching one. There are so many that happen every night in the town. However, it would make more sense to book your ticket through your accommodation to get the best deal. Expect to pay anywhere between 75,000IDR – 100,000IDR for a ticket.
Temple Hop
Ubud is full of beautiful small temples. Take some time to walk around town and see each one. They are all different and have unique designs to discover. Most are free to enter. Remember to dress respectfully and to follow the rules, usually posted at the entrances.
Shopping
The town centre doesn’t have a shopping mall or masses of western stores. However, there are plenty of shops and markets. Some outlet stores such as Ralph Lauren and Nike have set up shop here. Avoid these and check out the market stalls and independently owned shops. Here you can pick up some very unique souvenirs and woodwork. My favourite shops are those that sell paintings. They are such great value and I couldn’t help but grab a couple. It’s very easy to haggle with the salespeople, especially those at the back of the market that maybe don’t see as many customers. Don’t be afraid to ask for a better deal. You’re guaranteed to pay much less than the original asking price, once you play your cards right.
Outside The Town
Nungnung Waterfall
35km outside of the town is an amazing waterfall that is worth travelling for. It is the most popular in the area but that doesn’t make it overcrowded. It does involve quite a lot of steps down to the falls, which of course means you have to walk back up to leave. Brave the trek and you will be rewarded with an amazing sight. The entrance is only 10,000IDR (+2,000IDR to park a scooter).
Tegalalang Rice Paddy
Less than 10km north of the town is by far the most popular rice paddy in the area. Get here early to avoid the buses of tourists that will inevitably turn up mid-morning. Sunrise is a good time to visit here and watch the night turn to day over the fields. Entrance here is free but if you wish to interact or take pictures with any of the local workers then you are expected to tip a small amount.
Mount Batur
Possibly the star of the show, not just for travellers based in Ubud, but all of Bali. In the north part of the island is Mt. Batur, where you can book a sunrise trek up the mountain that will leave you speechless. Unfortunately, though it is busy with almost constant traffic on your trek to the top. This does make it slightly easier to climb, but if you have any sort of limited mobility then this is not for you. Tours here are very well priced, you should not have to pay any more than 320,000IDR, a bargain in my opinion. Tours will start as early as 2 am. Brave the early start, it is well worth it!
The Balinese Gates
If you have ever seen pictures of Bali on Instagram, then you have definitely seen these gates. They are tall, wide and in a certain light, look like there is nothing beyond them. People regularly seek these out, in the hope of capturing that perfect travel photo. One of the most convenient to get to is at Handara Golf Course, north of Ubud.
What To Eat in Ubud
Run’s Warung
You will find this small but popular restaurant on Jalan Jembawan. Walking to it, I was sure that it was going to be empty as it is on a quieter street, but in fact, it was quite busy. The food is simple but delicious. They serve typical Indonesian food at a good price. A meal here shouldn’t set you back any more than 30,000IDR. They serve a good plate of Mi Goreng (Fried Noodles) but I enjoyed their Tempe and Tofu Curry, which was very tasty.
Warung Lokal
Similar to Run’s, Warung Lokal offers delicious Indonesian food at a good price. It’s only a small establishment that fits maybe twenty people, but it is worth the small effort of getting a table. Service is good and what comes out of the kitchen is amazing. Try their Fried Tempe with Vegetables, one of the best meals I had in Indonesia. The food is competitively priced. A meal here shouldn’t set you back any more than 40,000IDR.
Umah Pizza
In most countries, and islands especially, pizza always seems to be an expensive meal. Not at Umah Pizza! This lovely pizza shop gets crazy busy due to the deliciousness of the food and the super low prices. A medium Margherita pizza costs just 29,000IDR. If you are hungry I would recommend getting a large, but whatever you choose, be sure to visit here. The pizzas are handmade and baked in a wood-fired oven. Also, for chocolate fans, I have to recommend the chocolate mousse for dessert. It’s perfect for sharing and costs 22,000IDR. This spot is not to be missed!
Warung Biah Biah
Another restaurant that serves up good, traditional Indonesian food. Prices here are very competitive and the food is tasty. The menu is also quite extensive so you will be spoilt for choice. The only downside to dining here is that there tends to be a line outside waiting to get in. If you have no problem waiting then be sure to eat here.
Babi Guling Gung Cung
If you are a meat eater then no trip to Ubud is complete without tying Babi Guling. Suckling Pig, as it is known in English, is a speciality here. Ibu Oka is the most popular place to eat this, but unfortunately, it is known for having busloads of tourists showing up on a daily basis. Down the road is Gung Cung, a small establishment that serves up a delicious and decent sized portion of Babi Guling for 50,000IDR. Pork and Rice, topped with all sorts of ingredients with strong flavours will be sure to leave you wanting more. They only open for lunch though, so make your way there early to avoid disappointment.
Ubud Burger
Right in the middle of the town is a burger joint that will get rid of any western food cravings you have. With a good selection of burgers available, and a great location to eat in, it’s not hard to see why this place is always busy. Burgers here are a little pricy though. Expect to pay close to 80,000IDR for your meal. If you are on a budget, stick to the cheaper pizzas as a way of getting your taste of home.
Best Cafés in Ubud
KAFE
KAFE looks like quite a fancy restaurant and in some ways it is. They serve a full menu of western and Indonesian food at quite a high price. However, they also have delicious coffee and a more than decent dessert menu that makes this a great place to chill out. With couches inside and outdoor seating, you will be sure to feel relaxed here. They also have an extensive list of healthy smoothies available if that is your preference. Avoid meals here and you have got yourself a very affordable, comfy place to grab a cup of coffee or a snack.
Daily Baguette
To the west of Jalan Raya Ubud is Daily Baguette. They sell great coffee at a good price. Their cakes and pastries are delicious as well, even if some of them are quite pricey. Upstairs you will get a terraced view of the street, where you can either relax on one of the couches or people watch from a height. They also have good WiFi which is always a bonus.
Seniman Coffee Studio
Probably the best cup of coffee I had in Ubud. This upmarket spot is a favourite for digital nomads looking to do a bit of work. With seating either inside or out and relaxing music being played over the speakers, it’s not hard to see why. Unfortunately, the coffee here comes at a price. An americano here will set you back 38,000IDR, close to double that of other cafés in the area.
What To Avoid in Ubud
Taxis
If you want a taxi in Ubud then all you have to do is walk two minutes down the road. You are sure to be offered a taxi by someone on nearly every corner. Usually, they are sitting down, holding a white sign. You will be overcharged, though. They are sitting on busy tourist streets for a reason. Instead, download Grab or GoJek and order a taxi through the app. You are guaranteed to get a much better price.
Starbucks
You won’t be short of good coffee during your time in Ubud. Charming little cafés are everywhere. They serve good coffee and tasty snacks and pastries, for a good price. So why pay at least 3 times the price for a coffee in Starbucks? I will admit that Starbucks has a nice outdoor area around the back to chill out in, but that still does not justify paying the high price though. Other coffee shops in Ubud have nice areas to relax in. Avoid this global franchise and spend your money, less money, in one of the independently owned local coffee shops.
Tours
Travel agencies are everywhere in Ubud, all selling the same tours for pretty much the same price. They are expensive though and it can be a much better option to rent a bike and do it all yourself. This not only saves you money but gives you the freedom to change the itinerary to suit you. If you are not confident about riding a bike, then a tour would be a good option. Before booking anything give careful consideration into what is personally the better choice for you. For certain trips like Mt. Batur, you need to book an excursion. Others you could easily do yourself.
Renting a motorcycle inside the town
Traffic in Ubud can, at times, be horrendous. With so many one way streets that create a maze, it doesn’t take long for it to back up. Unless you are planning on spending most of your time outside of the town, skip the bike. It is quicker and more convenient to walk. You will see more of the town and also avoid the headache of trying to park.
Hopefully, this Ubud Travel Guide will help you get the most out of your time there. Indonesia is a great country to be in and Ubud is a small but special part of that. There is a lot to do inside and out of the town. Its lack of a drinking culture makes it chilled and peaceful. A visit to Bali that doesn’t include Ubud is a mistake! You really won’t regret coming to this peaceful paradise.
Click here for my Indonesia Travel Guide
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I was in Ubud last month & agree with a lot of what you said, especially about walking being quicker than bikes!