Ubud is a must visit destination during your trip to Bali, Indonesia. Ubud is a bustling town known for is lush green rice terraces, stunning traditional temples, as it is the cultural mecca of the Island, and is also a great base for many hikes and waterfall adventures!
In this blog post we are going to be sharing 10 of the best things to do in Ubud Bali, Indonesia. We are sharing some of the most popular tourist destinations, and some of the secret gems and off the beaten path places we think you need to visit in Ubud! Let’s get into it!
1. Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest
This unique sanctuary is home to over 900 Balinese long-tailed macaques and is a must visit destination in Ubud. While some may recommend you skip this, we don’t think you should! It is unique to Ubud and is quite the experience. You can walk among the monkeys and even feed them at various stands located throughout the forest. We were lucky enough to see some babies during our visit!
The entrance fee is 80,000 IDR or about 5 USD on weekdays. It is best to visit in the morning to avoid the heat and the crowds. Definitely be careful as those monkeys can be mischievous!
2. Explore the Ubud Rice Terraces
Ubud is known for being surrounded by lush rice fields. There are a few in the area you can visit, however the most popular and most spectacular is the Tegalalang Rice Terrace! It is best to visit this place right after sunrise to get the golden light beams peaking through the palm trees that surround this multi-level Rice Terrace. There are various entry points, and the fees vary based on where you enter as there is no true “entrance”. When we arrived at sunrise there were no people around and we did not pay an entrance fee as there was no one to pay, however we have heard the fee can vary between 1-5 USD a person.
3. Visit the Tirta Empul Temple
This beautiful temple is famous for its holy water spring. Locals believe that the water has sacred healing powers. You must enter wearing conservative clothing (covering shoulders and knees for both men and women). If you plan on partaking in the water cleansing ritual, Melukat, then ensure to bring a change of conservative clothing for when you depart. The entrance fee is 50,000 IDR or about 3.50 USD per person. This is a great place to immerse yourself in Balinese culture and learn more about their history and religion.
4. Visit Tukad Cepung Waterfall
This beautiful waterfall is located just a short 30 minute drive from Ubud and makes for a great day trip combined some of the other waterfalls in that area. This popular waterfall is located within a cave and if you visit at the right time (usually around 9-11 AM), you will see the cave flooded with incredible light beams glowing through the mist of the waterfall. This waterfall gets very busy, so we recommend arriving earlier in the day to avoid the large crowds. The entrance fee to Tukad Cepung Waterfall is 15,000 IDR or about 1 USD.
5. Explore The Ubud Art Market
This bustling market is the perfect place to find unique souvenirs and gifts. Located in the heart of the downtown area in Ubud, this long, walk-able, street of vendors offer a variety of things to buy such as hand woven purses, unique clothing, and more. Make sure to bargain with the local vendors as it is expected! We would recommend visiting in the early evening to avoid the sunlight and have a more enjoyable shopping experience.
6. Take a Balinese Cooking Class
If you are a foodie like us, you love to eat local cuisine everywhere you go! Taking a cooking class is a great way to learn from a local, make some memories and bring home an incredible dish to wow your family and friends.
We would recommend this cooking class for an incredible learning experience in Ubud! This class if offered in English, brings you to the traditional market to pick out your ingredients for the class and includes hotel pick up and drop off.
Klook.com7. Visit Kanto Lampo Waterfall
Although this waterfall is not the hidden gem it used to be, it is popular for a reason. This is one of the most unique waterfalls we have seen during our travels and we highly recommend visiting during your stay in Ubud. It is very close to Tukad Cepung Waterfall and you could easily visit both. The entrance fee to Kanto Lampo Waterfall is 20,000 IDR or about 1.50 USD. We would recommend arriving in the morning to avoid large crowds and a cue to take the famous Instagram photo!
8. Watch A Traditional Balinese Dance Show
As we said before, Ubud is truly the cultural mecca of Bali and they are also home to some of the most extravagant and traditional Balinese dance shows on the Island. The traditional dance shows tell the story of ancient Balinese gods and godesses through music and dance. Some modern takes also include fire shows. There are many different places you can see a show, however if you want a very traditional and classic show, we would recommend going to Ubud Palace in the city center.
They have shows almost every night at 7:30pm and the entrance is 100,000 IDR a person, or about $7 USD. You can purchase the tickets at the entrance and there are refreshments available for purchase inside the gates. (We got HUSTLED by a grandma selling Bintang in here, she opened the beer and upped the price all before we even agreed to pay, so please be cautious).
9. Ubud Water Palace also known as, Saraswati Temple
This stunning temple is located in the center of town and is a must visit during your time in Ubud. The entrance is hidden behind the Starbucks and a long walkway surrounded by ponds full of lotus water flowers lead to the entrance. If you want to enter the temple, you need to wear conservative clothing covering your shoulders and knees for both men and women. Otherwise, if you just want to marvel at the entrance, there is no clothing restrictions.
After your visit, make sure to walk around the area! There are a lot of shops and restaurants to explore, as well as the Ubud Art Market!
10. Watch The Sunrise over Mount Batur
This is a bucket-list thing to do in Ubud. There are two different ways to watch the sunrise here, you can either hike to the top or take a Jeep tour to a lookout point. Both are great options, and allow for people of all ages, and fitness levels to witness one of the most incredible sunrises you will see in Bali! Both tours include a trek to the top (whether by walking or by Jeep), breakfast (coffee + sunrise views = best morning ever!), a visit to the Mount Batur lava fields, a soak in the natural hot springs, and a visit to a coffee plantation.
We did the Jeep tour (our friend broke her foot and still wanted to go, way to go Nadine!) and we had a great time. You can find both tours linked below:
Klook.comBONUS: Visit Goa Rang Reng Waterfall: Ubud’s Hidden Gem
Goa Rang Reng is a lesser known waterfall in the Ubud area and is actually comprised of multiple waterfalls. When you arrive at the parking lot, there is a long walkway with stairs leading down to the two main cascading waterfalls. However, if you are a looking for a real adventure, consult one of the guides and ask them to take you to the waterfall swing!
The waterfall swing is situated in a cave and surrounded by 3 waterfalls. This trek does require walking through a stream and a short swim, so we would recommend wearing footwear you can get wet, and bringing a dry bag with you (we have linked ours here) to ensure none of your belongings get wet!
This is SUCH a hidden gem in Ubud. Our guide told us they only get about 20 people visiting a day which is shocking considering how beautiful this place is. The entrance fee to Goa Rang Reng is 20,000 IDR or $1.50 USD. If you would like a guide to take you to the hidden swing, then they do expect a tip (they make no salary) so ensure to tip them well for their time and effort to get you there safely!
Places To Stay in Ubud
We stayed at a few different hotels during our time in Ubud and these were the ones we would recommend checking out!
Kaamala REsort Ubud
Kaamala Resort Ubud is conveniently located in the town center and is within walking distance to some of the best restaurants, shops and temples in Ubud. Each room overlooks the surrounding rice terrace which is so magical. They have a massive infinity pool overlooking the jungle, with hanging nets surrounding the pool. This property is unlike any others in the area and offers a luxurious retreat in the heart of Ubud. Don’t forget to book a Balinese Massage at their spa here, it was INCREDIBLE!
Also great to note, that Kaamala Resort Ubud is located right next to the Ubud Monkey Forest, which means you can get some visitors on your patio in the morning! So cute!
Stone House Bali
One of our favorite stays throughout our Bali trip, Stone House Bali, is a small, unique, family owned hotel located just a short scooter ride away from the downtown center and is surrounded by rice fields. This hotel has just 6 rooms, but each one has a theme and is different than the others! We stayed in the Treehouse and really enjoyed the views of the rice terrace. The staff here is lovely, and go above and beyond to make your stay special. Every morning, breakfast is served either in your room or at the Great House (make sure to try their homemade English muffins and spicy scrambled eggs.. you will thank us later). In the evening, you will come back to your room to fresh cookies and turn down service.
Final Thoughts
Ubud, Bali, is a destination that is sure to capture your heart! With its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality, it’s a place that makes for a great home base during your visit to Bali.
