Ubud
Rice terraces, temples and the cultural heart of the island — cooler, greener and unhurried, with no beach in sight.
Updated August 2026
Ubud sits inland, about 45–75 minutes from the airport depending on traffic, and it's built around a different rhythm than the coast: mornings at a rice terrace or yoga class, afternoons wandering the market and gallery streets, evenings at a warung or a traditional dance performance. It's the region most first-time visitors use as their cultural anchor, whether for two nights or a full week.
Who Ubud suits
Good for culture, wellness and jungle scenery; not the pick if a beach walk is non-negotiable — the closest sand is over an hour away. Works well paired with 3–4 days on the south coast (see the itineraries for a suggested split).
The Ubud highlights
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
Go at sunrise, before the tour buses. A small donation is expected at each viewpoint along the path.
Ubud Monkey Forest
A shaded sanctuary among moss-covered temple ruins — keep sunglasses and loose items zipped away.
Tirta Empul water temple
A working purification temple where locals and visitors alike bathe in the holy spring — sarongs provided at the entrance.
Yoga & cooking classes
Open-air studios throughout town, plus half-day Balinese cooking classes that start with a market visit.
Homestays to jungle villas
Ubud has the widest spread of accommodation styles on the island, from simple family homestays in the rice fields to elaborate wellness resorts on the river gorges.
| Style | Typical setting | From |
|---|---|---|
| Homestay | Village rooms, breakfast included | USD 15–20/night |
| Rice-field villa | Private pool, terrace views | USD 45–90/night |
| Retreat / eco-lodge | Yoga & wellness packages | USD 60–200/night |
Scooter, or a driver for day trips
Central Ubud is walkable, but a scooter (or a driver for the day) is worth it for the rice terraces, waterfalls and temples scattered around the wider region — most sit 20–40 minutes outside town.
Compare transport options