Ubud, Bali is a must-do location when planning your Bali trip. Ubud is located among bright green rice terraces, misty rain forests, and cascading waterfalls.
Ubud is packed with yogis, expats, and artists. Not to mention Ubud is a foodies heaven. There are tons of five-star restaurants to choose from — offering traditional Balinese food and vegan spin-offs.
Ubud partly became what it is due to Elizabeth Gilbert’s book & movie — Eat, Pray, and Love. This put Ubud on the map and has since grown into one of the most popular tourist destinations.
Although you’ll be far from the only tourist in town, this shouldn’t scare you off. There’s plenty of nature and private villas where you can escape the tourist scene.
So let’s go chasing waterfalls, wander through rice fields, & hang out with monkeys. Follow me, and I’ll give you the perfect guide to Ubud!
1. Get lost in the rice terraces
The vibrant colors of the rice terraces in Bali are unmatched. The rolling hills and shades of green paint a beautiful picture in the sky.
We visited the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, which are only about 20–30 minutes away from Ubud central. You can enter the rice terrace path for free. You will find donation boxes where you can leave cash for the local families who own the land. There are many other entrances where locals try to charge you for entering, so look for the opening with steps going down.
Once you have entered, you can trek up and down the hills in between the rice fields. You will see locals trekking the fields with baskets on their heads and working on their farms. Every corner we turned, I found remarkable scenery. The sun shining down on the terraces made the views feel unreal.
If you want to go on the famous Bali swing or get a picture in the nests, no worries. You will find several places along the trek. The swings usually cost $15 for one person and $30 for a couple to swing. The nests are generally only a few dollars or donation-based. My boyfriend and I did the couple’s swing, had an absolute blast, and got awesome pictures.
2. Monkey around at Monkey Forest Sanctuary
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is set in a Hindu Temple complex. This sanctuary was built to protect the monkeys while still allowing them to roam free and be fed various times a day.
As a visitor, there are many guidelines that you should follow to keep you and the monkeys safe. You should not feed the monkeys or have any food on you when entering the forest. Also, you should not look the monkeys directly in the eyes.
Roam the park and watch the monkeys care for their children, climb the trees, and play with their mates. At the lake, you can watch as the monkeys push each other in the water!
Admire the sacred monkey temples, gigantic old trees, and the greenery that makes up the sanctuary as you wander.
You can take incredible shots of the monkeys as you explore. Just be careful to keep your belongings close and secure. The monkeys can unzip backpacks!
3. Go hunting for waterfalls
Ubud has tons of remarkable waterfalls and perfect spots for cooling off. There are so many waterfalls, and it’s hard to choose which you should visit.
My partner and I decided to dedicate a whole day to discovering the waterfalls around Ubud. We hopped on our motorbikes and found some epic spots.
–Tukad Cepung Waterfall: The most famous waterfall here is housed inside a tavern. You can reach the waterfall by following a scenic path as you tread the ankle-deep water. You can head right or left when you get to the bottom of the staircase. Either direction leads to some of the waterfalls.
The most majestic waterfall located inside the cave will blow your mind. When you enter the small cave, all you hear is the water crashing down. The light shining through the top of the cave makes for impressive pics of the waterfall.
–Goa Rang Reng Waterfall: This waterfall is easily reached from Ubud central. To visit the first waterfall it is a short downhill journey. Although this waterfall is not huge, it is unique. In addition, it’s less touristy compared to many of the other waterfalls.
You can climb up the sides of the waterfall to reach the top. Take a seat in any of the natural jacuzzi ponds as you soak up the peaceful surroundings.
Air Terjun Tibumana: This waterfall is known for its majestic views and for being a perfect spot to take a refreshing dip in the water.
It is surrounded by a rainforest, birds, and butterflies. This location is honestly picture-perfect. The path to reach the waterfall is well maintained, with sets of stairs that lead you down. Come early to avoid the crowds!
4. Discover your inner yogi
Ubud is known as yogi & hippie central. On every corner, you will find a yoga studio. With no shortage of beautiful studios, you can find the best studio for your yoga needs or wants. It’s genuinely a yogi’s dream come true.
Here are a few that are worth checking out:
–Intuitive Flow: The studio offers lush views of the misty green forest that sits below it. Not only does the studio have great views, but the classes feel peaceful and welcoming. Come here for a more intimate class, where the instructors will work one on one with you. They offer courses such as Vinyas, Hathaway, Yin, Prana, and restorative classes.
–Radiantly Alive Yoga: This spot has studio rooms filled with glass windows and even open-air rooms that allow you to connect with nature. This yoga sanctuary has all the mats, cushions, and blocks for you to get nice and cozy. They offer classes such as gentle flow, vinyasa, mobility, and Hatha. Afterwards, you probably need some food to fuel your body. No worries, just stop at the cafe that is conveniently connected to the studio. They serve up healthy and delicious meals.
–Ubud Yoga House: If you want to take advantage of the natural beauty that exists in Ubd, then I recommend stopping at Ubud Yoga House. This spot is located among the bright green rice field. The studio is entirely open air. You can take advantage of the sounds of the birds and fresh morning air blowing the trees. They offer an abundance of classes such as sunrise and sunset yoga, candlelit yoga, and gentle jungle yoga.
5. Wind down with a massage
Ubud is known for being a health and wellness hot spot. And Balinese massages are known around the world. So why not indulge when you’re in Ubud? You can find a vast array of spas to meet any of your health needs. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing flower bath, a chakra massage, hot stone massage, or aromatherapy Ubud’s got it.
Here are some of my top picks:
Ubud Traditional Spa: From the start to finish, this place will make you feel like royalty. They will warmly welcome you by picking you up from your villa and upon arrival, you will be given a cold towel and a refreshing beverage. Afterward, you will be guided to your room for any of their magnificent treatments. Once you have thoroughly relaxed and finished your treatment, you will be taken back to the waiting room for some tea and fruit. The royal massage is highly recommended.
Karsa Spa: Karsa Spa is another Spa that is guaranteed to knock your socks off. It’s located in the heart of the rice fields, and jungle. Which makes for a peaceful environment to get a massage. The ambiance of this spa will instantly relax your mind from the nature to the calming music, to the professional masseuses. If you are thinking about doing the ridge walk, you can finish your trek with a massage here. After that 40 minute trek through Bali’s heat, it only feels right that you take a load off at this spa.
-Jaens Spa Ubud: Have you been scrolling through Instagram and dying to get that flower bath. Well, Jaens Spa is the perfect spot for one. Maybe you want to treat yourself to a few treatments. Relax, Jaens Spa offers incredible packages that include massages, facials, flower massages, and body scrubs. The masseuses are well trained to ensure that you leave feeling rejuvenated. The attentive staff will bring you refreshments and offer pickups and drop off services.
6. Eat healthy, local, and delicious food
If you are heading to Bali for a wellness retreat and are looking forward to finding some fresh eats, then look no further.
Ubud’s restaurants cater to the health-conscious tourists and expats that are visiting or residing there. Across the board, you can eat delicious smoothie bowls packed with tropical fruits, colorful salads, chemical-free meat, and fresh seafood. All the die-hard healthy eaters will love all the locally grown food found in Ubud. The choices are unlimited catering to vegans, vegetarians, gluten-free, you name it & you will find a spot that meets your needs.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Clear Cafe: I have never been inside a restaurant that has matched the ambiance and decor that Clear cafe has. Upon entering, you take off your shoes and make your way into the spinning door. The restaurant has two floors of seating, with a variety of seating styles. You can sit on a couch, booth, or on cushions on the floor. The touches of nature, such as the pond with fish inside and flowers scattered around the restaurant, make the atmosphere feel tranquil. They have a menu that caters to both vegan, vegetarian, and seafood lovers. Tons of delicious fresh brewed teas and juices to sip on with your meal. The portions are plentiful and the service is on point.
Mother: Another beautifully decorated and equally delicious spot is Mother. This spot has options for everyone — including vegetarians, meat lovers, and our gluten-free friends. This restaurant is perfect for a snack, a full course meal, or to sip some coffee while you do some work on your laptop. We tried their smoothie bowls, which were packed with healthy and tasty ingredients, and their sweet pancakes. The full menu of mindful dishes will leave you wanting more.
Elephant: This environmentally conscious restaurant offers a 100% vegetarian menu but many dishes can be made vegan and gluten-free. This hot spot is sandwiched between Ubud’s breathtaking jungles and rolling hills. People rave about the views, so it’s no surprise many people hang out here for hours. They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Come any time of the day & enjoy locally sourced gourmet food 🙂
7. Shop for cute handmade souvenirs
Ubud is not only known for its health scene but also it’s art scene. Ubud central is packed with boutiques, art markets, and souvenir shops. Ubud’s art markets are perfect to find paintings, carvings, knick-knacks, and woven bags. Most markets and locally-owned shops will not have the prices marked so you can try your hand in haggling. You can also find shops selling designer brands, if that’s more your style. So if you’re in need of a new handbag or looking to get all your friends a keepsake then follow me!
Here are some of the best spots to find unique souvenirs:
Ubud Art Market: This centrally and locally run spot has many different vendors selling their handcrafted products. I bought cute wooden carved bowls and cutting boards here. The most popular item to buy here is the handbags. They have a variety of items on display such as sculptures, macrame decor, jewelry, and lightweight clothing. Here you will have to break out those bargaining skills.
Sukawati Art Market: This is another excellent spot to find typical Balinese souvenirs. You will find lots of crafts, food, clothes, bags, and sculptures here. This market is famous for its paintings, so be sure to check out their selection of pictures. The market is narrow and tends to be crowded but is still well worth a trip there. It’s yet another place that you will need to use your bargaining skills.
Jalan Raya, aka Shopping Street: This street has rows and rows of shops selling various items. You can find high-end jewelry and others selling antiques. Here, some of the higher end shops will have set prices but many others you can bargain the prices. There are many cafes on the road, in case you need a quick caffeine break before you get back to shopping.
8. Find lush greenery without leaving the city at Campuhan Ridge Walk
The Campuhan Ridge walk is a scenic trail located only minutes from Ubud central. This trail will take you through the tropical jungles of Ubud. You will go up and down the carved valleys. You will encounter a vast range of birds, lizards, and bugs along the way. If the heat starts to get to you, no worries, there are some cafes located along the way to keep you fueled. It’s about 2–3km trek, and it is recommended you get there early to beat the heat.
9. Bath in holy spring water for ritual purification at Tirta Empul Temple
Tirta Emupul is a Hindu Balinese temple. It is a magical & fascinating place. The waters are supposed to have healing and rejuvenating properties. You are welcome to join in the ritual with the natives in the two large pools of natural spring water. In the water, people queue to cleanse different aspects of their life by standing under the spouting water from a sequence of stone sculptures.
You are not obliged to participate in the cleansing ritual. You can always watch the ceremonies or explore the Temple.
Tirta Empul Temple was founded around a large water spring in 962 A.D.Tirta Empul means Holy Spring in Balinese. This Temple is a great place to get a more in-depth look into Balinese culture and history.
10. Find your own private oasis in forests of Ubud
When planning your Ubud trip, you want it to be as relaxing and luxurious as possible. There are plenty of villas to make your stay in Ubud unforgettable. You can find villas secluded in the jungle, others that overlook rice terraces, and spots with 5-star service. Depending on your budget, you can find villas that are economical and more luxurious.
Here are few mid & low priced villas:
Mid:
Bambu Indah
These insane villas are built entirely of bamboo and antique Japanese teak wood fitting. Each house is unique and different from the next. This oasis is located on the outskirts of Ubud. Bambu Indah offers panoramic views of mountains, rice paddies, and hills. From the moment you walk in, it will be like you entered another universe.
This spot offers fantastic amenities such as an outdoor pool, massage services, and yoga lessons. Car rental, sightseeing arrangements, and airport pickup. Don’t forget to check out the mouth-watering Balinese home-cooking restaurant. Don’t feel like leaving bed? No problem — room service is available!
Mid:
Anusara Luxury Villas
This is another tranquil oasis, surrounded by the rice fields. These peaceful villas offer private outdoor pools and an on-site restaurant. This villa is styled with a blend of traditional and modern Balinese designs. Dine and layout by the pool in the outdoor seating area. The hospitable staff will make you feel comfortable and relaxed from start to finish. The views of the jungle and rice fields are incredible to wake up to. This escape from reality is conveniently located near Ubud central, and they offer shuttle services.
