UBUD, BALI IN 3 DAYS

If you’re headed on a Bali trip it’s likely you’ve heard of Ubud! This small town on the island of Bali Indonesia is known for yoga and healthy food. It was our first stop on our trip to Bali. Max and I are into health and wellness so we absolutely loved Ubud. Its trendy relaxed vibe makes it unique from the other cities in Bali island.

Below I’ve outlined everything you need to know before visiting Ubud Bali Indonesia. From the best way to spend 3 days in Ubud to where to stay and when to visit, I’ll cover it all. If you’re looking for a little more information on the best things to do in Ubud click here. I’ve outlined the tops things to do and see on a trip to Ubud, Bali.

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The island of Bali experiences two main seasons, wet and dry. The best time to visit Bali is during the islands dry season between April and October. With that said, there really isn’t a bad time to visit Bali! Since the island is situated close to the equator the weather is typically tropical aka hot and humid year round.

Busy season is between July and August as well as throughout the month of December. If you’re looking to visit when it’s a little less crowded, I recommend going to Bali on the off months. May, June, and September are ideal!

Since Bali is relatively small, you can visit Ubud on a quick day trip from most places on the island. I know a lot of people do this but I recommend setting aside at least 3 days in Ubud. You’ll be rushed on a day trip. Between the culture, rice terraces, and restaurants in town there’s a lot to do! My husband and I spent nearly a week in Ubud and it wasn’t nearly enough! Although, I absolutely love Ubud so might be biased :)

The best thing about Ubud and Bali in general, is you can find great accommodation for next to nothing. Max and I spent two weeks on the island and didn’t spend more than $40 a night! Our room in Ubud was actually $13 a night including breakfast – crazy. With that said, if you’re looking for luxury, you can find some pretty boujee hotels!

I recommend staying in town because the city is extremely walkable. We loved the convenience of staying in town. I’ll touch on transportation below but there’s a lot of traffic in Bali so we preferred being able to walk.

As I mentioned, our room in Ubud was $13 a night. It’s pretty basic but the location is hard to beat since it’s in the heart of Ubud. It’s great for backpackers and budget travelers! Our friends stayed at COMO Uma in Ubud so we spent a little time there pretending to be fancy. As a luxury resort, the grounds are spectacular! The resort is about a 30 minute walk from the center of Ubud so you’ll likely have to drive.

Hotel Suggestions:

• Backpacker: Rumah Ary Homestay & Spa
  
• Mid-range: Anumana Hotel
• Ubud Resorts (luxury): COMO Uma

Another great thing about visiting Bali is how easy it is to get around. You can either rent a scooter or private car with a driver. Scooter rentals are as inexpensive as $3-$4 per day. If you’re thinking of renting a scooter check whether or not you need an international drivers license prior to your arrival in Bali. While rentals are cheap, personally, I wouldn’t rent one! The roads in Bali are stressful, busy, and chaotic. Another option is to rent a private car with a driver. We did this a few times throughout our stay in Bali and it was fantastic! We arranged a car through Klook which cost $30 per day (10 hours).

While I’ve listed a few inexpensive ways to travel around Bali, we found taxi’s were quite expensive. There’s a grey area when it comes to ridesharing apps in Bali. Certain areas ban Grab and Uber. There are usually signs posted in town if this is the case. The laws are constantly changing so we didn’t risk it throughout our stay. Most homestays, hotels, and resorts will be more than happy to arrage transportation for you.

Top Travel Tips:

• Pack bug/mosquito spray! It’s easy to find in stores in Bali but I recommend packing at least 1 bottle. The bottles are really small so you’ll go through them quickly. Soffell worked well for Max and I but if you’re trying to avoid chemicals we love Tiger Balm!
• Many establishments accept credit cards but carry cash with you just in case. I always take money out of the ATM at the airport so I’m prepared. If you do a lot of international travel it’s worth looking into a debit card that doesn’t charge ATM fees.
• Pack a shawl or sweater as well as loose pants. Oftentimes temples require your legs and shoulders to be covered. However, most temples will provide covering.
• Bali Belly: We didn’t have any issues with food in Bali. I ate plenty of salads and raw vegetables. We were careful where we ate but found a ton of cool trendy Ubud restaurants.
• Last but not least – the traffic in Bali is next level. So just be mentally prepared!

Kick off your stay in Ubud with a little yoga session. My favorite spot for yoga is the Yoga Barn. It’s a little oasis in the center of town. There are 7 studios within the Yoga Barn offering about 130 classes per week. Along with yoga classes there are meditation, dance, and healing classes. I took an intermediate level class and it was fantastic! I recommend showing up at least 15 minutes early to class since the grounds are pretty big.

There’s also a small cafe onsite called the Garden Kafe. It’s a great spot to grab a bite to eat and enjoy the atmosphere after class. The food is healthy and delicious.

If yoga’s not your thing, I recommend starting your day off with a relaxing Balinese Massage. You can either book a Balinese Massage through your hotel or at one of the many spas in town. We got a couples massage at Jaens Spa for $13 each! The Spa was nice and the masseuses were professional. If you’re looking to get a bite to eat or drink afterward Suka Espresso around the corner from Jaens Spa. The second level of this trendy restaurant overlooks the streets of Ubud.

After a relaxing morning, it’s time to hit the streets of Ubud. From the traditional Ubud market to cool cafes and shops, there’s a lot to see. Personally, I love the street shopping in Ubud! A few of my favorite items to purchase are coconut bowls, wooden items, and straw purses. Another great spot to see in town is the Taman Saraswati Temple. The Ubud Monkey Forest is in the heart of town and is open from 8:30 am to 6 pm. You’ll have to at least swing by real quick. I’m not going to lie I love/ hate the Monkey Forest but it’s a can’t miss. The monkeys are adorable but it’s overwhelming. Monkeys are known to be quite aggressive so make sure you follow the rules posted while roaming the forest. With that said, it makes for an experience!

One of the best things to do while in Ubud is to head out of town! I recommend renting a car with a driver or a scooter for the day. As I mentioned, you can book a private car through Klook. We had no problem booking a private car last minute (evening prior). You can also book a pre-set private tour. I’ve linked one similar to the first tour we went on combining a temple, coffee plantation, and waterfall.

Start your morning off at Tegallalang Rice Terrace, one of the most famous places to see near Ubud. There are a lot of rice terraces on the island of Bali but Tegallalang is easily the most breathtaking. Try to arrive early since there isn’t much shade at the rice terrace. It also gets a little busy! Tegallalang Rice Terrace is gorgeous so set aside enough time to wander and take photos.

Next on the agenda, my favorite activity in Ubud, visiting the Coffee Plantations! They’re so photogenic; honestly an instagrammers paradise. Anyway, there are a ton of plantations near Ubud. You can either choose one ahead of time or ask your driver for a recommendation. Max and I visited a few throughout our stay. I’ve gone into more detail on our experience here. Most visits begin with a tour followed by a coffee and tea tasting. From there, you’re free to roam the grounds.

After visiting the rice terrace and a coffee plantation, head to a temple. Again, there are a ton of temples on the island so you can ask your driver for a recommendation. If you would like to visit a temple near Ubud, Goa Gajah (Elephant Caves) is a great option. We visited Pura Ulun Danu Batur and it was a trek! If you’re visiting a temple that far I suggest Ulun Danu Beratan Temple.

If you’ve already done a few temples throughout your stay in Bali, visit a waterfall! Tegenungan Waterfall is one of the best in Bali!

Start your last day in Ubud off with the Campuhan Ridge Walk. It’s a quick little hike you can take from the center of Ubud for views of lush rolling hills. There isn’t much shade along the walk which is why I suggest doing it early! You can actually walk the Campuhan Ridge Walk to Jungle Fish, the next spot on my itinerary! I don’t necessarily propose you walk to Jungle Fish but we did it (anything to save a buck, right). If you decide to walk, it’ll take about 50 minutes from the center of Ubud. There’s also a section that isn’t paved.

Once you arrive to Jungle Fish, rest, relax, and soak in the views! It’s the best way to end your stay in Ubud. The food and service is excellent. Jungle Fish is pricey in comparison to everything else on my list. With that said, we visited on a Monday and there were a few promotions available. If you’re on a budget or like a good deal, take a look at the promotions before your visit. Either way it’s worth the visit!

Ubud is such a special town making it a top Bali destination! Between the food and culture, it was my favorite place on the island. I hope you enjoy Ubud as much as we did! If you have any other questions or comments please leave them for me below. Thanks :)

For more on your trip to Ubud (this article will give more detail on some of the sites listed above and more):

• 7 CAN’T MISS SPOTS IN UBUD

Safe Travels,

Sarah :)

I’ve included my top travel essentials for a trip to Ubud below. If you have any questions I would be happy to answer them in the comments below!