When you think Ubud most people would associate it with the Eat, Pray, Love movie, while others would say ‘traffic’. The truth is Ubud post-Covid has become super busy and often overcrowded. But don’t get a bad impression of it, it’s totally up to you how will you experience this part of Bali! The truth is Ubud is wonderful, exotic and mystic. This was my second time in Ubud, this time I was planning to stay for few weeks but eventually I got grounded there, because of my spinal discs emergency! After hospital and two physio clinics I landed in my heaven bungalow to recover /thank God for this family place!/. While I was trying to get back on my feet I started putting together a plan of things to do in Ubud.. anything unseen and undone wanted!
Unseen things to do in Ubud!
While I was still moving slow I decided to look for some outdoor activities that would entertain me. Any hiking adventures had to a wait and while the popular sites like the Sacred Monkey Forest, the Palace and Ubud Art Market have their charm, I was looking for some tropical scenery in less crowded places.
Ubud accommodation.
Most importantly, you need to choose the right Ubud accommodation. Try avoiding the city center, there are great things to see but you can still visit them and you don’t need to stay in the crowded and noisy city.
Ubud is traffic! that’s why you need a bungalow on the outskirts of Ubud and a motorbike.
I stayed in Telaga Homestay Ubud – an exotic bungalow with a magic garden and a private massage hut 10 meters from my terrace. There was a luxury white baldahim bed with a basic bathroom. This is one of the most amazing families I’ve met in Indonesia during many years of traveling. Breakfast is extra $2 😉 There’s a kitchen accessible and they also serve food in the house, delicious vegetarian dishes ranging from $5-$10/per dish. The price was just $15 per night – that’s right! Pre-booked massage is available in the nearby hut, the lady is fantastic!
Ubud resorts & luxury villas.
If you are looking for spacious Ubud resorts and luxury air-conditioned villas with private pool, free WiFi, free private parking to stay outside of Ubud here are few top picks:
- Pradnya Villa by Prasi – top luxuries villa with À la carte breakfast with fresh pastries, pancakes and fruits are available every morning at the villa.
- Very affordable Le Sabot Ubud located only 2 km from Ubud Palace, with outdoor pool.
- Ubud Lestari Villa is situated in Ubud and has a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk, bar, garden, sun terrace and outdoor pool.
- One of the most wonderful places to stay is Amaya Sebatu Villa, featuring a garden, private pool and garden views, located in Ubud.
- Or browse on Booking.com
Why to stay on the outskirts of Ubud?
NO 1 reason to stay on the ouskirts of Ubud is peace, no traffic, no noise but tropical flora and amazing jungle scenery. Additionally you can observe the real Balinese life. Staying with this family I learned 10 times more about their belives, traditions and habits than ever before, although I was attending cultural events and was trying to get involved with local communities.
You can still pop in to the city during the day. While driving through rural areas you’ll be able to gain insights into rice planting – the daily lives of local farmers.
Secondly – everything is 5 times cheaper: tropical fruits /green coconut is $1/, papaya, pinaple, small bananas.
How much is a motorbike in Ubud?
There are plenty of motorbike rentals in Ubud offering different types of scooters and bikes. I took one with a bigger engine to drive comfortably. Normally prices range from IDR 70,000/day and week rentals from IDR 55,000/day.
Hiking Ceking Rice Terraces.
Ceking in my opinion are the most spectacular rice terraces in Bali and of the best things to do in Ubud. Ceking/Tegalalang rice terraces are located central Bali, 10-15 minute drive north of the tourist town of Ubud (9 kilometeres from Ubud Palace).
With a little bit if freestyle traveling you’ll be able to reach Ceking Rice Terraces – located near Tegallagan Ricefields. With a short drive from Ubud you find incredible local attractions among tropical green scenery and places to chill and relax. In Ceking Rice Terraces you will find:
- hiking trails along rice terraces and scenic views,
- Ubud swing – and many other swinngs are hidden along the rice terraces – so you don’t need to try the one at the entrance,
- swimming in a exotic swimming pool towering above the rice fields in one of the restaurants,
- unique photo spots,
- coffee shop,
- amazing restaurants along the way with a view over the rice terraces, fabulous outdoor sitting and plenty of swings 😉
Ubud coffee plantations.
ENTRY FEE: Entry ticket to Ceking/Tegalalang rice terrace is 50,000 IDR (around 4 USD).
It is a beautiful hike through stunning rice terraces. If you take a longer path (30 minutes loop) you will be able to grab a cup of coffee in KUBON COFFEE. They also sell coffee.
The owner of the place runs yoga lessons preferably idividual or in small groups.
There are few restaurants along the hiking trail in Ceking Rice Terrace. You’ll be able to enjoy your meal accompanied only by nature, there wasn’t anyone beside me.
Relax at the pool bar!
Adventurous traveling helps you discover unique places like Coffee Club Bali – an amazing two level restaurant with swimming pools facing the Ceking Rice Terrces. Visiting the place is one of the best things to do in Ubud, the entry is free since you are expected to make an order. The food us excellent! Grilled fish was majesty. Fresh fruit shakes and desserts are top class. Main dishes are max $15, and given the luxury set-up it is the best unseen place in Ubud ever!
Ubud swing!
Ubud swing is an adventure and a great IG attraction 😉 You will find number of swings outside Ubud towering above the rice fields. Jungle swings range from 10m, to 70 meters above the ground.
Try Balinese massage.
Ubud is famous for Balinese massages, it’s a center of body, soul and mind treatment. Try at least once a holistic spa treatment that harnesses the healing properties of nature, it is one of the best experiences and things to do in Ubud. Or just seek out traditional Balinese massages and try coconut scrubs, herbal baths to rejuvenate your body and mind.
There are many natural oil shops in Ubud. My favourite aroma oil is frangipani – the Bali flower! But the price might reach $25 per small bottle and it is very hard to get.
Ubud private tours.
One of the top adventurous things to do in Ubud is taking a private tour around the region. This 7-hours Ubud All-inclusive tour is booked by thousands of visitors as takes you through all the highlights of Ubud including: Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Tegenungan Waterfall, Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, an art market, Puri Saren Palace (Ubud Palace), Tirta Empul Temple and natural springs.
Two other top adventurous tours in Ubud are:
Visit Pura Gunung Kawi Temple.
Pura Gunung Kawi temple is an ancient site situated in a tranquil valley north of Ubud. Unlike the more crowded temples, the serene atmosphere here allows for quiet reflection. The temple features impressive stone carvings and feels untouched by time.
Gunung Kawi Temple popularly known as The Valley of The Balinese Kings is an 11th-century temple.
Hiking Mount Batur.
For a unique Ubud experience book an early morning trek up Mount Batur to witness incredible volcano sunrise. Mount Batur hike ahould be on your unique itinerary of things to do in Ubud. It’s a magnificent place to watch the nature waking up. The trek is a great outdoor adventure, however be prepared for crowds hiking along. It’s a very popular hiking trail in Bali due to relatively short distance and time to accomploish. However, there are a lot people struggling on the way as a night volcano hike should never be underestimated!
Just know hiking Mount Batur is a huge business for local people and they would encourage you to book the tour saying it’s a very easy trek.. The first part of the trail leads along an asphalt road but for the second part you will be hiking through a steep volcanic terrain. To be on a safe side book a top rated tour.
Hiking Mount Agung.
I would highly recommend to go on a real hiking adventure to reach Mount Agung summit! This is a challenge for adventurous hikers – very difficult ascent but one of the most amazing hiking adventure I’ve accomplished! Hiking both volcanoes is on the top of the list of best things to do in Ubud.
Ubud waterfalls!
Yangapi is the most spectacular waterfall in Bali Island. This powerful waterfall is hidden in a cave, so if you wish to explore this phenomenon you need to make a small effort of getting here 😉
Yangapi Waterfall is a great alternative to Tegenungan Waterfall – the most accessible and popular waterfall in Ubud.
Once you get there you will take a short trek down toward the waterfall through a dense tropical forest. The place is PURE MAGIC! The watrefall is one of the most spectacular things to do in Ubud.
Ubud Monkey Forest.
The Ubud Monkey Forest, officially known as the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, is home to a thriving population of gray long-tailed macaques. Although the place is quite touristic it is well worth visiting. It is a delightful experience for adveturous travelers and an excellent opportunity for photography.
But the Monkey Forest is not just a haven for monkeys. It also plays a significant role in Balinese culture. The sanctuary features several ancient temples, including the revered Pura Dalem Agung, which is dedicated to the god Hanuman.
How to get around Ubud?
The most convenient way to get around Ubud is renting a decent motorbike.
Since there is no ublic transportation in Bali, you will not be able to get on a bus.
Luckily, there’s UBER, highly affordable and reliable way of traveling around the island. Beside my motorbike, I used Uber for everything, Uber Eats, Uber motorbike and Uber car in rainy days. It is perfectly oragnized in Bali and costs very small money.
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