Ubud Bali, one of the top places to visit in Bali Indonesia and for a good reason. The thick jungle feel, beautiful rice terraces, and stunning waterfalls are just some of the must do in Ubud. This culturally vibrant place is one of our favorite parts of the whole island and for a good reason. Whether you have 3 days in Ubud or a whole month you will always something to do. When staying in Ubud center make sure you don’t miss our top things to do.
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How to get around Ubud?
There are two main ways to get around Ubud.
- Rent a motorbike. This is the best and easiest way to get around. If you are not an experienced rider I HIGHLY suggest not riding in Ubud center. Once you are outside the town it’s really not bad but the traffic and congestion in town can make things way more stressful. If you are only spending a day in Ubud then rental cost should be 30,000-50,000 Rupiah ( $2.50-$4USD). If you are spending a week here it should be 200,000-250,000 Rupiah ($14-18USD). Lastly, if you are spending a month here it should be 650,000-750,000 Rupiah ($54-62USD). These tend to be the average rates and I don’t suggest paying anything more than this.
- Hire a driver. If you just can’t handle or don’t know how to ride a scooter that is ok. There are plenty of drivers that will take care of you for the day and drive you anywhere you would like to go. We have never personally done this but I have gotten quotes for it. They seem to all be the same going rate of $45-$55 USD.
** Check out our full guide on all the best ways to get from Canggu to Ubud. **
Best Food in Ubud
I have to warn you this place doesn’t open till 11 Am!
Alright, I’m going to let you in on my biggest secrets. This is the best food in Ubud hands down. Are you ready? Ah, I don’t want to tell you because of it being the best and cheapest food in Ubud!….. Ok, ok here it is. It’s Kedai D’ Sawah! This place is the hidden food gem of Bali. Even when we lived in Canggu we used to drive all the way here just for the best lunch in Ubud( that’s 45 minutes for lunch!). No, really we drove here like every other day for lunch. The main reason is the food is cheaper here than 90% of your nice restaurants. That’s not all, the selection is incredible. They have Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indonesian and even Western food. Its all freshly made and incredibly priced. Not to mention the location and service are incredible. It sits on the edge of this amazing rice terrace and gives you a beautiful view while you eat. I suggest if you are in Ubud Center DONT miss this place. Tell them Divertliving sent you:) You might get a free drink!
So everyone has their own outlook on all the things you must see in Ubud. For this comparison, we are going to mix it up and tell you a wide variety of different things so hopefully, we can cover something for everyone.
Must See in Ubud
While traveling in Bali I suggest you form yourself into an early morning person. I know its vacation and everyone loves to sleep long hours in the Instagrammable Bali hotels but on the days you are going to explore wake up and catch the sunrise. The main reason is things tend to get very packed in Bali during the late afternoon. One of my favorite places to catch the sunrise and I have to say the best in Ubud is Tegalalang Rice Terrace.
Tegalalang Rice Terrace
I would have to say this is the most famous rice terrace in Bali and maybe the best views in Ubud. It is on just about everyone must see in Ubud list. One thing that most people don’t tell you is the best place to actually see and go when in the terraces. From a Photographer’s perspective, we are always searching and hunting for the best lighting well in these terraces the light pokes through the trees in a really incredible way for only a short amount of time right after sunrise. It creates these amazing light rays of a single palm tree and is truly a sight to see. Check the map below to find the exact location. The rice terraces are a 10,000 IDR donation to enter. Although the terrace and Wanagiri Hidden Hills may be the best spots for sunrise don’t forget to check out the best sunset in Bali.**
People always say one of the must-see in Ubud Bali is the Luwak coffee. Even though this is popular it’s just not our favorite. If you insist on going here are our recommendations.
Coffee plantation Ubud
There are several coffee plantations in Ubud to choose from if you are interested in touring and learning about how the most expensive coffee in the world is made (Luwak Coffee). Some of the top ones are:
- Mas Plantations and Luwak coffee
- Luwak Coffee Bali
- Ubud Me Sari Luwak Coffee Agrotourism
- Ubud Coffee Roastery
If you are going to start your day in the rice terrace Ubud Me Sari Luwak Coffee Agrotourism is right next door. For the most part, they will show you around explain things and allow you to sample tea and coffee. This is normally free but you do need to donate to the guide as well as purchase a single cup of Luwak coffee. This tends to be around 50,000 IDR.
BUT
If you are looking for the most amazing cup of coffee you have ever had look no further then Seniman coffee in Ubud center. This place opens at 5 am so if you want to go before the terraces you can. They have won multiple awards and tend to be apart of the judging team at the World Barista Championships. They take their coffee very seriously and it shows. This is by far the best cup of joe I have ever had.
After you finish catching some incredible light, seeing the early morning sun and getting your required cup of joe hop on your scooter and head to Tibumana waterfall. This is a very well known waterfall so make sure you get here decently early to enjoy the place all to yourself.
Tibumana waterfall
This is one of the many waterfalls in Ubud but one of our favorites and it’s very easy to get to. The locals continue to do a very good job maintaining the place and making it accessible by stairs. When you arrive you are expected to pay 10,000 IDR per person, and there is an additional cost of 5,000 IDR for parking your scooter. This is very affordable and fair considering all the work they put in. They do have someone down by the falls watching you and making sure you are ok. This is for the safety of everyone swimming
Alright, now that we have the two most popular places out of the way we are going to share secret number two with you. This waterfall is not as well known and also not as looked after as Tibumana waterfall but we had a better time here than we did at almost all the other waterfalls in Ubud. If you only have a day and want adventures in Ubud I suggest not missing this one.
Bangkiang Djaran
This is a 10,000 IDR donation to get into but has a series of over 6 waterfalls hidden in a canyon. After the mild trek down the paved stairs, it opens up to a deep canyon on right. This is what makes it so much fun. We spent the afternoon swinging from vines jumping off cliffs and swimming waterfall to waterfall. To be honest, I can’t believe our first year in Bali we missed this, it’s really a Bali hidden Gem. I think this is one of the Best in Ubud. After you are done exploring the canyon you can cross the really crazy bamboo bridge. This bridge towers over the 100-foot drop into the canon but leads you to a really old water temple on the side of the mountain. It’s really an amazing place.
There are tons of waterfalls in Ubud. You can easily spend days here chasing waterfalls in Bali from one to another but if you only have a day in Ubud I suggest these two. They are pretty close to each other so you can hit all this in one day. If you do them in the correct order you should be all alone at both as well. I know this sounds hard to believe but I promise we will help make this a day in Ubud to remember.
Ridge walk
Located right down the road from the Ubud Art Market is Campuhan Ridge Walk along the paved hiking trail that runs over 1.5 km. Don’t worry its a very easy hike and is a beautiful place for sunset. It’s right outside the city so you get a break from the bustling city center. On both sides of the path, you will find deep gorge with lush green fields. It really is a very peaceful walk and can you believe Campuhan ridge walk is completely free.
Make sure before you completely end your day to stop into the market. This is by far the best outlet shopping Bali.
Ubud Art Market
After traveling Bali for over 3 months we have learned a couple of tricks on how to live in Bali on a budget while also getting the most fare cost. This all starts with finding the best deals while shopping. I promise you if you are looking for clothes, souvenirs or any traditional Bali things this is where you will get the best deals. Make sure you bargain with them on the price. Things should be much cheaper here than anywhere else on the island. The main reason for that is most of hand made goods are made right outside of Ubud and Ubud is the central shipping hub to supply all the other markets around the south.
If you have more than a day in Ubud we highly suggest you spend at least two days hopping waterfalls and all the hidden gems of Bali. This really gives you time to relax and get the feel for each and every one. If you plan to only spend a day in Ubud we really hope this helps you plan your day and prepare you for your trip. if you have any questions at all please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.
Bali has so much to offer each and everyone, from the beautiful islands of Gili and Nusa to lush mountains in the north. It seems like this place has tons to add to your Bali itinerary.
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