Ubud is a relatively small island located in the center of Bali and is considered a cultural center, Ubud located in the foothills of the district Gianyar. Ubud located 35 km northeast of Bali’s International Airport. Ubud is about two to three hundred meters above the sea level and surrounded by rice fields, which makes the temperature feel colder than the other tourist destinations and for various reasons ubud is an attractive tourist spot because of Ubud is a small island but has a variety of attractions, many kinds of crafts can be encountered there as unique bamboo crafts and furniture, wood and stone carving and many other crafts. Ubud is famous for it’s regularly nightly traditional dance performances, which are part of the traditional culture and are arranged for tourists on a regular schedule. Hindu-Balinese ceremonies take place on a nearly daily basis, especially in the European summer, which is the driest and coldest season here.
The accommodations in Ubud are also more reasonably priced than in the beach towns of Bali. One of visitors summed it up this way: Kuta is madness, Sanur is sterile, and Nusa Dua is culturally isolated; Ubud is the place to go. Central Ubud can be reached on foot, but you will need some kind of transportation to explore the beauty around like a minibus and Shuttle Bus. Bemo ply the main routes in and around Ubud, and stopped at Ubud market at the intersection of Jl Monkey Forest and Jl Raya Ubud. Most minibus stopped running in the late afternoon.
Things to do
Here are a list for things to do in Ubud :
- Enjoy the beauty of the rice terraces around Ubud
- Visit Pura Taman Saraswati.
- A walk in the Monkey forest
- Museum Puri Lukisan
- Enjoy a Yoga lesson
- Bike your way through Bali’s countryside
- Wander around the Ubud palace grounds
- Visit Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA)
- Dine at Mozaic
- Explore the Treetops of Bedugul
- Visit Gunung Kawi
- Watch the herons at Petulu return home
- Experience a traditional dance show
- Renew your energy with a spa and massage treatment
How to get there
- By bemo, There are regular public bemos from Denpasar’s Batubulan terminal to Ubud which will take about an hour. Most bemos run in the early morning, and you will not find any after 4PM.
- By taxi, If you want to take a taxi to Ubud from South Bali, it is best to charter the vehicle for a return trip, otherwise, you’ll be hit with a 30% fee for going out-of-town. Metered fares, one-way and not including surcharge, are around Rp 150,000 from Denpasar and Rp 200,000 from Kuta.
- By Homestay Car, If you have a reservation at a homestay and the owner has a vehicle, they will offer to pick you up at the airport for Rp 250,000. Check when you make your reservation. They will wait for you outside the arrival hall with your name on a sign. A convenient option especially if you arrive at night as they take you directly to the homestay.
- Self-drive, Driving in Bali is a cheap, fun and relatively safe experience. Despite the apparent madness, motorists are generally tolerant and will give way. Keep your eyes peeled for the green road signs sparsely located along the road. Bear in mind that Ubud is in the Gianyar regency, so do not panic even when road signs indicate Gianyar only, as labels tend to be inconsistent.
