Ubud is located on the Indonesian island of Bali. The town is considered the cultural centre of the island. Many artists find inspiration here. You will therefore find many small shops with art and souvenirs. There is a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
Ubud is located in the jungle of Bali and is surrounded by beautiful sawas (rice fields). Although this beautiful place is frequently visited by backpackers and hippies, tourism is not (yet) as massive as in some other Balinese cities. See the beautiful temples, visit one of the dance performances or let that adrenaline flow during a day of rafting.
Sights and activities in and around Ubud
White water rafting
Not afraid of a bit of action? Then go rafting on the Ayung River. After being hoisted into a life jacket, wearing a helmet and having a paddle pressed into your hands, you are ready to go. The guide tells you what to do and gives clear instructions. There are rough sections, you sail past a waterfall and stop at a place where statues have been carved out of the wall. When you are back on solid ground with a wet suit after about two hours, you have the opportunity to buy photos or a video of your adventure.
Dance performance
Dance performances are held every day at various locations around the city. No need to book in advance. Walk down Jalan Monkey Forest and flyers will probably already be pushed into your hands.
Take a dance class
While you can attend a dance performance, you can also take a private dance class yourself. It's harder than you think and you'll be put into poses you didn't know you could do at all. Great fun to do, though. Don't forget to bring a sarong or put on long trousers as your legs need to be covered.
Monkey Forest
In Ubud, there is a monkey forest you can go to. Really in every corner you will find monkeys. You have the option of buying bananas at the entrance and feeding them. Although many people do this, it is not recommended. The monkeys may scratch or bite you, resulting in the risk of rabies. Watch your belongings too; before you know it, the monkeys will be taking selfies with your camera or making off with your bag.
Stroll down Jalan Monkey Forest
On this street you will find countless cute (art) shops, restaurants and spas. Enjoy! It is also home to a lot of tour operators.
Traditional clothing
Do you like to dress up in your traditional clothes? Then walk into a beauty salon and ask if they can transform you into a real Balinese. They may be surprised but they love it. Count on a lot of attention but it is a great experience.
Practical information about a holiday in Ubud
Staying in Ubud
There is something for everyone when it comes to accommodation in Ubud. You'll find simple hostels and guesthouses for less than a few euros a night, depending on whether you want your own room or not. By the way, many of these places to stay have a swimming pool. If you want to sleep a bit more luxuriously during your holiday, there are plenty of resorts further away from the centre and just outside the city. To find the best places to stay in Ubud, you can search for hotel deals in Ubud (Bali) at all-balihotels.net or find top hotels at tophotels.com.
Eating and drinking in Ubud
Besides traditional Indonesian food which is everywhere on the menu (rice, rice and more rice), in Ubud you can find everything: Thai, Peruvian, vegan or vegetarian. But the menu also features mostly western food. Ubud is known for its warungs, local family-run restaurants. You can also find a nice sports bar in Ubud: The Melting Pot. Mainly filled with Australians but that shouldn't spoil the fun of a game of pool or darts.
Getting to Ubud
Getting to Ubud is pretty easy. You can catch a plane to Denpasar. From here, take a taxi or bemo (local minibus). Ubud is about 28 kilometres from Denpasar. There is a taxi rank at the airport. There are also options for staying near the airport for those who prefer a quick commute. You can find a list of Ubud (Bali) Hotels near Ngurah Rai International Airport online.
From various (tourist) places in Bali, such as Kuta, Sanur and Lovina, shuttle buses run back and forth daily. You can also rent a car with driver from tourist offices to go to the next place. Renting a scooter is also an option.