Ubud is in the center of Bali; close to amazing waterfalls and nature. I have paired this with the north of Bali because Ubud is a great home base to explore the areas surrounding it.
Some of the activities may an hour or two to get to, but Ubud is definitely the central hub for amazing day trips.
☝️ Be sure to explore all these places on the map by tapping the mapping icon in the upper right corner.
A beautiful photo spot with a magical vibe, depsite just being an entrance to a
golf course. Make sure to get here early to avoid waiting in line for a photo.
This spot is actually just the gate to a golf course, but it's become a popular photo spot. You're going to want to arrive before 10:30 am at the latest to attempt to avoid the crowds. There's usually a wait to take the photo after that. I got there at 8 am and was lucky enough to have it to myself.
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• Explore the mountains, meeting locals who’ll show you their way of life.
• Explore the rice terraces above the incredible Fiji waterfalls.
• Stop off at a Bali swing in a beautiful quiet location.
If you love to take photos for Instagram this could be a place for you.
Personally, I am not a fan as you wait in line and pay $20-$30 USD just to take a photo for around 5-6 swings. It’s simply a business with a great view.
As a tourist, I would avoid here - there are a lot of other swing sets all around Bali for a fraction of the cost, like the one I found at Fiji waterfall.
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• Head to Sekumpul waterfalls, a massive set of waterfalls.
Tip: Always have a poncho in your bag when around Ubud; you can buy these from most stores. Storms tend to come out of the blue in north Bali so it’s best to be prepared.
The beachfront is a beautiful place to catch the sunrise.
I don’t recommend going on a dolphin tour here. From experience, loads of boats chase after a small group of dolphins, disturbing them in their natural habitat.
If you stay the night in Lovina, visit Funky Place, a mediocre restaurant but a
great atmosphere for a fun night.
A beautiful photo spot with a magical vibe, depsite just being an entrance to a
golf course. Make sure to get here early to avoid waiting in line for a photo.
This spot is actually just the gate to a golf course, but it's become a popular photo spot. You're going to want to arrive before 10:30 am at the latest to attempt to avoid the crowds. There's usually a wait to take the photo after that. I got there at 8 am and was lucky enough to have it to myself.
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In & Around Ubud
Coffee Plantations & Chocolate Factory
Great places for coffee, tea, and chocolate lovers.
Make sure you pick the right one - some will feel very touristy or have harshconditions for the animals on site, such as the Civet cats (the animals that create the expensive Kopi Luwak - poo coffee) whereas some will feel very authentic.
Traditional Dance Show
Lots of places in Ubud show the traditional dance. I find it can be a little forced & touristy, so pick wisely.
Yoga
Definitely somewhere to come if you’re a Yogi - there are studios everywhere & foundational to what Ubud is today.
Also known as Elephant Cave. It has a cave opening through the mouth of a demon
There are also holy spring waters - still an active worship site
It’s a good place to visit for around an hour
Home to 10 shrines carved out of the rock face
This is a great place to go with Panca - he'll explain all the history & it's very interesting
Note: There’s a bit of a walk to get here
While this is one of the most iconic temples in all of Bali, it can get a bit touristy. So know that you're coming for beautiful views and photos, but also know that you won't be alone.
Located about 30 minutes outside of Ubud, this is an incredible infinity pool restaurant right in the jungle near a ravine. It's very beautiful. It's a five star hotel but the restaurant itself has incredible food, and reasonable prices. It is an amazing value and the pool itself will pay it all off either way.
Visit at sunset for the best views!
Food prices are average to above average.
Ubud is not exactly the nightlife capital of Bali, but this spot, and the spots surrounding it are a fun social place to grab a drink in the evening. They're generally open until about 1 am.
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Accommodations
As always, check Airbnb and Agoda and read reviews! Some highly reviewed spots:
