If you’re planning your holidays in Bali, you might want to stop in Ubud at some point. Here’s what to do in Ubud in 3 days (or more) and where to stay while you’re there.
We all know that Indonesia is one of my favorite countries out there and if I’d have to be more specific, I’d pick Bali!
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When in Bali most travelers will search for the perfect itinerary. They will likely try to avoid places like Kuta, and they might be looking for something like Uluwatu, Seminyak, Canggu or Sanur.
When it comes to Ubud, let’s say that it will likely be on your list. It’s one of the main stops for a perfect Bali itinerary.
People seem to love rice terraces, monkeys and green surroundings! There’s a lot to do in Ubud and there’s plenty of food to try!
Full disclosure here: Ubud is far from being my favorite, but it’s always a great getaway!
I’m more of a beach kind of person and Ubud is in-land. If you’re a bit more like me, you could also consider visiting Ubud on a short day trip and try to make the most of it without wasting too much beach time!
Let’s look at the options to help you create the perfect Ubud travel itinerary. You can do a lot of things on your own, but you could also organize fun trips in and out of Ubud!
Waterfall Chasing in and Around Ubud | The Best Waterfalls in Ubud
Chasing waterfalls in Bali can sometimes be a mission! If you’re around Bali during the rainy season the waterfalls might be hard to get to. Back in October 2017 my friends and I drove over 2 hours to get to some waterfalls to face a real disappointment.
One of them was closed as it was too slippery, and the other one was savagely brown and suddenly less instagrammable.
The best time to see the waterfalls is obviously during the dry season or simply on a sunny day!
Kanto Lampo Waterfall
Photo by @ericbriggs | Ubud Bali Itinerary
Kanto Lampo is my favorite! I didn’t get to see it the first time, but on the second time, I was pretty impressed!
You can climb the waterfall (and please, be careful out there!), go for a swim or simply make the most of your photography skills.
Click here to find Kanto Lampo on the map! It’s just outside of Ubud!
Tegenungan Waterfall
Apparently prettier on a sunny day, it was quite disappointing during the rainy season. So, if you’re there during this season I wouldn’t recommend it. You can walk around the waterfall or simply admire the view from the restaurant terrace.
Click here to find Tegenungan on the map!
There are other waterfalls in Bali that are worth visiting, so if you’re keen on driving further, you should consider checking out Nungnung waterfall, Gitgit Waterfall or Sekumpul Waterfall which are some of the best waterfalls found in Bali.
Tegalalang Rice Terraces
When in Asia we all have this need to go and walk around the rice terraces. After visiting the rice terraces in the Philippines, I can’t seem to get enough of them! They’re simply beautiful!
Tegalalang rice terraces are located just outside of Ubud and are well known as there are several great viewpoints and they are totally instagrammable.
If you can, try to get there during the morning or late afternoon, otherwise, it could get quite hot during the day. Also, it can get quite crowded so the earlier the better!
Sacred Monkey Forest
When in Bali you will likely have some monkey encounters whether it’s in Uluwatu or Ubud! Ubud is very known for its Monkey Forest (where you can spot around 700 monkeys!). It’s open every day from 8h30 to 18h00 and it costs IDR 50,000 for an adult.
Yoga Classes in Ubud
A lot of people love Ubud because of its free-spirited vibes, as well as yoga options! Of course, you could experience a yoga retreat in Canggu too, but it seems like people prefer Ubud when it comes to a yoga holiday.
There are a few places that are quite popular such as The Yoga Barn and Radiantly Alive.
Cultural Experiences in Ubud
If you’re after a cultural experience while in Ubud there are many to pick from. You could go to a cooking class, attend a dance performance or visit temples.
In Bali they normally have quite a lot of celebrations, festivals and traditions, so something might be happening while you’re there.
Take a Cooking Class in Ubud or Go on a Food Tour
Are you a foodie? If you’re planning on participating in a cooking class while in Ubud, you will have plenty of options!
- Balinese Cooking Class at an Organic Farm
- Authentic Cooking Class in a Local Village
- Full or Half-Day Authentic Food Tour
Enjoy a Dance Performance in Ubud
Balinese dances are quite impressive! I’ve seen a few in restaurants or during celebrating days in Bali and I’m always amazed by the costumes and the interpretations!
To find the perfect Bali traditional dance show you can check out what’s happening at Pura Taman Saraswati Temple. They also organize shows in different hotels and restaurants such as Laka Leke Garden Restaurant, Bebek Tepi Sawah and Arma Museum & Resort.
Temple Hopping in Ubud
There are a lot of temples around Ubud. You simply have to walk around to see them. In fact, it can actually be hard to pick the ones that are worth visiting! Some of the popular ones would be:
- Tirta Empul
- Goa Gajah
- Gunung Kawi
- Pura Taman Saraswati
Best Place to Stay in Ubud
When I was in Ubud I stayed at Solo Villas Bali. It was right in the middle of the rice terraces. Solo Villas Bali is a small resort which makes it private and comfortable as it’s not a big crowded resort.
It was super quiet, in a great location, and absolutely beautiful! The room was huge, the staff was lovely and the bed was AMAZING! Bonus: there’s also a pool!
After spending so much time in a hostel, my getaway in Ubud was a great reward!
If you’d rather stick to a budget, check out the hostel options in Ubud here.
Bali & Ubud Travel Tips
- Rent your own scooter. Having your own scooter gives you more freedom and it’s actually super affordable. You can normally find a scooter for as cheap as IDR 50,000 per day. The fuel is also super cheap (IDR 10,000 per litre).
- If you are not confident with scooters, download Go-Jek or Grab. You can get a motorcycle driver, or even a car, without being ripped off by expensive taxi drivers around Ubud.
- If you’re traveling during the rainy season (normally between October and March), bring a poncho to make sure to stay dry out there! I personally always bring a poncho with me and leave it in my scooter in case of rain!
- Mosquitoes are intense in Bali and especially in places like Ubud as it’s more jungly! Make sure to have mosquito repellant with you.
- Get a SIM card. It can be super useful to find your way and to stay connected. You can get a SIM card in most towns.
- Did you fall in love with Bali? Would you like to stick around? Check out this Guide on Moving to Bali!
- Are you ready to hit the beach again? Check out the amazing options for surfing trips in Bali!
