What you need to know about Ubud – OnBali article

Ahh Ubud... The cultural hub of Bali and, of course, Bali’s No. 1 yoga and wellness destination – what a zen life it is. Yoga flow, meditation, ecstatic dance and sound healing sessions are some of the key offerings here. Don’t worry if you’re not into wellness. Let’s just say that when it comes to adventure, culinary delights, souvenir hunts, or sightseeing, my friend, there’s so freaking much to do!

This article will be your guidebook. Whatever you’re into, we’ll cover it one by one. So, if you’re planning an Ubud trip, read on.

Geographical Location and How to Get There

Ubud is perched on Bali’s beautiful central highlands, making it a popular tourist destination where stunning waterfalls, lush surroundings, sprawling rice fields, and rich Balinese culture grace the area. Being in the centre also makes it accessible from almost any destination, taking only an hour to get here from Ngurah Rai International Airport or Kuta, for example.

Transportation to Ubud is also no big issue at all. Considering it is a popular spot for tourists, you can easily use taxis, scooters, and even shuttles. I would suggest using Gojek or Grab instead. Since it’s so crowded, travelling by car would be a pain.

Top Attractions in Ubud

Sacred Monkey Forest

I know what you’re thinking. It is a real forest, in the middle of the bustling Ubud, yes. And no, it’s not like a zoo; it’s a sanctuary and the animals are freely roaming.

Meeting the cheeky primates of Ubud Monkey Forest is by far one of the top things to do in Ubud, especially for animal lovers! Here, you’ll meet over 700 long-tailed macaques roaming the jungle, eating, swinging, playing, and basically doing their monkey business.

Covering about 12.5 hectares, you can spend a whole day here entertaining yourself with the mischief of those witty monkeys. But one unique fact that you need to know is that Monkey Forest is also a sacred place, where you’ll find three temples where the Balinese perform their traditional ritual events. This just keeps getting better, doesn’t it? I know that you’re excited but take note. The primate residents of Ubud’s Monkey Forest are known for their intelligence, but they’re not always a friendly bunch. There’s a good chance you’ll get mugged without realising it, which happens pretty often. From food, drinks and valuables such as wallets and cellphones too, so it’s best to always keep your bags tightly closed!

Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung)

No trip to Bali is complete without immersing yourself in the cultural side of the island for a dose of healing balm to both your mind and soul – Ubud Palace is where to head next!

Located in the heart of Ubud town centre, this humble palace has been the home of the royal family of Ubud since the late 19th century and witnessed the glory of the Kingdom of Ubud. It is now an important historical landmark in Bali and serves as a museum and centre for traditional Balinese arts. Wander around to see the beautiful and intricate buildings typical of ancient Bali. If you want to stay longer, there are daily dance performances from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM that you can catch as well.

Tegalalang Rice Terraces

Okay, don’t lie, I know this is one of those places you’ve marked on your map. Honestly, I’m not going to beat up on you because this place is indeed very famous among tourists, and it’s been a long time coming. Indeed, I wouldn’t miss the chance to visit a UNESCO world-heritage site either if I were you, especially when staying in the area.

Located on the Tegalalang highway, the site is only a 25-minute drive from the centre (Ubud Palace). There are two routes you can take, via Jalan Sri Wedari or Jalan Andong straight north – whichever your maps say is closest. Since this place is quite popular, you are likely to meet dozens or even hundreds of people during your visit. My advice (if you’re an early bird) is to come in the morning around 7–8. At this time, the sun will be beautifully splitting the sky and illuminating the rice fields, the birds are chirping and you can enjoy it all without too much distraction!

Campuhan Ridge Walk

This is a beautiful paved path along the Campuhan Ridge. Whether you’re looking to burn calories or feast your eyes on the greenery, this place is for everyone. If you walk without stopping, the distance from the entrance to the end of the ridge is about 20–25 minutes one-way. Although if you stop to take it all in or take photos (which you definitely will), it will take much longer. It's safe to say that you can expect to spend 1 to 2 hours here.

This scenic trek is filled with greenery and hills, lush as far as the eye can see, so you won’t get bored. There is no shade along the path, so you can easily overheat. Since this walk is becoming very popular, it’s best to set off early in the morning, around 6–7:30 am, to avoid the pile-up of visitors and have a more peaceful stroll.

Activities and Things to Do in Ubud

Yoga and Wellness Retreats

Ubud, yoga and wellness are three inseparable things combined into a number of excellent services – Yoga Barn, Lumeria, Ubud Yoga House, Radiantly Alive, Intuitive Flow, Ubud Yoga Center, to name just a few! Yoga in Ubud is truly top class!

The decision to join a yoga retreat in Ubud is invaluable, as it offers the opportunity to deepen your practice in a serene and spiritually rich environment. Yoga retreats in Ubud offer expert guidance, peaceful surroundings, and the opportunity to escape daily stress and reconnect with yourself via yoga and meditation. Anywhere and in every corner of Ubud, all kinds of healing can be found with just a little hunting. Yoga, tantra, colonic, tantric yoga, massage, sacred sound baths, holistic practitioners, theta healing, consciousness access, pranic healing, spiritual counselling, silent retreats, ground alpha attunement, reiki, ayurvedic healing, and anything else you can imagine is possible.

Art Galleries and Museums

As you can probably expect, with art being the cultural heartbeat of Bali, you’ll most likely find an art gallery or art workshop in almost every corner of Ubud. In fact, Ubud’s museums are arguably some of the most iconic on the island, featuring pieces from both local and foreign masters.

If you’re an art enthusiast or simply want to learn more about Bali from the other side, here are some museums in Ubud that you should definitely check out:

1. Blanco Renaissance Museum. This art museum is the home and studio of legendary Filipino-born Spanish painter Don Antonio Blanco.
2. Neka Art Museum Ubud. Founded by Balinese art expert Pande Wayan Suteja Neka, you’ll find over 300 historically arranged collections, ranging from classic Ubud style paintings to classic wayang style paintings, Balinese sculptures, traditional Indonesian daggers, contemporary paintings, and more.
3. ARMA Museum. Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) was founded in 1996 by Agung Rai, a Balinese. The museum was built to be more than just a home for art objects, however, as it is also a centre for visual and performing arts.
4. Puri Lukisan Museum. Founded in 1956 by painter Rudolph Bonnet and Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati, Puri Lukisan Museum is the oldest art museum in Bali.

Traditional Balinese Dance Performances

Last but not least, the most notable Ubud attractions are the Balinese dance performances. Examples have probably been wandering around your Instagram feed when you search for Bali and will have caught your eye. Balinese dance performances are actually everywhere, literally. Starting from the hotel you’re about to book, at the mall and, of course, any tourist attractions. If you’re not sure where to watch it, I’ve got it summed up for you.

1. Ubud Palace. I highly recommend this place for you, because not only are the dancers very graceful, but the texture and colour of the Palace is the perfect backdrop for the dance. The show here starts every day at around 7:30 pm.
2. Saraswati Temple Ubud. The location of this temple is only a three-minute walk from Ubud Palace so, if no tickets are available, you can visit here instead. The dances performed here are diverse, ranging from Janger, Kecak, Legong, and Joged, with the show starting at 7:30 PM daily.
3. Pura Dalem Ubud. This one is only a six-minute walk from Ubud Central. Slightly different from the two above, the show here is only held during weekdays, Monday–Friday starting at 7:30 PM. The types of performances are a little more diverse and, besides Legong, you can also witness Barong and Keris dances.

The three options listed are the most popular and nearby spots for you to watch Balinese shows. For more information about the daily performance schedule, you might want to check out this website.

Practical Information for Tourists

If this is your first time visiting Ubud, renting a scooter or driving yourself is not practical in my opinion. Ubud is quite crowded with tourists and, of course, crowds come with traffic. Driving will be a hassle for you instead of being able to enjoy Ubud to the fullest.

Eateries are everywhere on the roadside, from fancy restaurants to local stalls. So you don’t have to worry about going hungry while walking around the area. Most of them also accept cards, except for small local stalls. Don’t worry though, because money changers and ATMs are all over the place.

Ubud may seem small, but with so many tourist spots and other places of interest, there’s so much more to do than you think! The restaurants are diverse, the attractions are abundant, and these are just some of the reasons why Ubud is perfect for your next escape. So, have a lovely time in Ubud, guys!