Ubud - the heart of Bali

This small town, located in the central part of Bali Island, is surrounded by picturesque rice terraces, jungles, and waterfalls. Here, you can find everything needed for a perfect holiday: from relaxing spa treatments to active pursuits like trekking and rafting.

Ubud is often called the "heart of Bali," and for good reason. Many scenes from the film adaptation of the international bestseller "Eat, Pray, Love" were filmed in and around Ubud. In this article, we’ll explain how this town earned such fame and why it’s one of the most visited destinations in the region.

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Where to Stay in Ubud

Ubud offers a wide range of accommodations, from budget guesthouses to luxury hotels. The area is home to numerous hotels and resorts with Balinese themes, embracing a philosophy of relaxation in harmony with the island’s nature. Hotels in Ubud lack ocean access but are surrounded by lush green jungles.

If you’re planning a vacation in Ubud, consider these popular accommodation options:

• The Kayon Jungle Resort - A luxurious 5-star resort designed for honeymooners, romance, wellness, and relaxation. Welcomes guests aged 15 and up. Beautiful, authentic villas and suites offer all the amenities of a luxury hotel.
• The Westin Resort & Spa Ubud. A 5-star hotel from a global chain, offering a unique concept of restorative holidays. Features a scenic pool with jungle views, spacious rooms, and suites with natural design and modern amenities.
• Puri Wulandari. A beautiful, modern resort hotel nestled in Ubud’s forests. Offers authentic open-plan villas, 5-star service, Italian cuisine, and spacious family accommodations.
• Raka Rai Bungalows - A budget-friendly, authentic option within walking distance of the Monkey Forest, market, and Ubud Palace. Rooms feature balconies or terraces, and there’s a small pool with views of the green forest.
• Ubad Retreat - An affordable hotel with comfortable rooms equipped with LED TVs, air conditioning, and spacious bathrooms. Offers two pools, a spa, and a restaurant serving Western and Indonesian cuisine for about $40.
• The Runik Ubud - A 3-star hotel with well-maintained grounds, a pool, garden, restaurant, and bar, located in central Ubud. Bicycle rentals are available.

The Westin Resort & Spa Ubud

Food and Restaurants in Ubud

Ubud boasts a variety of dining options, offering Balinese, international, and vegetarian cuisine. Savor authentic Balinese dishes at local warungs (street eateries) or indulge in fine dining at world-class restaurants. Notable spots include:

• Apéritif Restaurant - A 1920s-style venue for fine dining enthusiasts, offering a daily tasting menu paired with stunning views of Ubud’s lush jungles. Home to the island’s finest wine cellar.
• Mozaic Gastronomic Bali - An iconic fine-dining restaurant with over 20 years of history. Uses traditional Balinese ingredients and organic produce, with multiple dining rooms and a world-class wine cellar.
• The Sayan House - A renowned Ubud restaurant blending Japanese and South American cuisine, with picturesque views of vibrant tropical sunsets.
• Avocado Warung Ubud - A cozy eatery focusing on vegetarian dishes at affordable prices, featuring avocado in most dishes.

Note that prices in Balinese cafes and restaurants may exclude taxes and service fees, so the final bill could be higher than expected. To avoid surprises, confirm these details in advance.

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Transport in Ubud

Ubud is about a 1.5-hour drive from the airport. You can reach the town by taxi, rental car, or hotel-arranged transfer. Bus services are also available.

For getting around, Ubud is compact and can be explored on foot or by renting a bicycle or scooter.

Travelers looking to explore beyond Ubud can use Perama Tour’s bus services, which provide convenient shuttles to major Bali attractions like Kuta, Sanur, Canggu, and Lovina.

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Ubud - Bali’s Cultural Center

Ubud is the heart of Bali’s art and culture, ideal for immersing in Balinese traditions like dance, music, and cuisine. It’s home to numerous museums and galleries showcasing works by local and international artists, sculptors, and photographers.

Top cultural destinations include:

• Puri Lukisan Museum - Bali’s oldest art museum, housing a collection of modern traditional Balinese paintings and wooden carvings.
• Neka Art Museum - Features a wide range of works by renowned Balinese and expatriate artists, preserving over 1,000 pieces of ancient Balinese art, including paintings, sculptures, and photographs.
• Agung Rai Museum of Art - More than a museum, it’s a hub for fine and performing arts, offering permanent painting collections, temporary exhibitions, theater performances, dance, music, and painting classes, cultural workshops, a bookstore, and a library.
• The Rudana Museum - A three-story museum near Ubud showcasing works by traditional Balinese and international artists and craftsmen.

Many temples and museums host vibrant dance performances, introducing guests to traditional Balinese dances like Kechak, Tek Tok, Legong, and Barong.

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Spirituality in Ubud

Ubud is renowned for its spiritual ambiance, with numerous temples and shrines attracting pilgrims.

Among the most notable temples in and around Ubud are the water temple Tirta Empul, the “elephant cave” Goa Gajah, and Pura Taman Saraswati.

Another popular attraction is Puri Saren Agung, better known as Ubud Palace, a complex of buildings that once served as the royal family’s official residence.

Ubud is also a hotspot for meditation and yoga enthusiasts, with excellent schools and hotels offering facilities to practice and refine these skills.

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Natural Attractions of Ubud

Beyond its rich culture, Ubud is known for its stunning nature: lush greenery, cascading rice terraces, beautiful waterfalls, and caves.

Monkey Forest

Ubud’s most iconic attraction is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, where wildlife and spirituality intertwine. This sanctuary features a Hindu temple complex set in a lush forest, home to hundreds of monkeys. Macaques eagerly interact with tourists but can be intrusive or even aggressive, often stealing food or belongings and occasionally biting. As wild animals, their behavior is unpredictable, so caution is advised when exploring.

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Bird Park

In Gianyar province near Ubud lies Taman Burung Bali Bird Park, home to over 1,300 birds from more than 250 species, alongside a rich botanical collection of palms, cacti, and rare fruit trees.

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Mason Elephant Park & Lodge

In the scenic village of Taro, about 18 km from Ubud, lies the unique eco-hotel Mason Elephant Park & Lodge. Guests can relax in comfortable rooms and suites while interacting with over 20 majestic Sumatran elephants.

Visitors can engage in activities like riding elephants, feeding them, or watching them bathe. The bold can join in fun and unique bathing experiences.

The park also offers other activities, including:

• Strolling the Treetop Walkway, about 5 meters above ground, and taking selfies with elephants.
• Visiting the Elephant Art Gallery and Elephant Museum, featuring one of the world’s few complete mammoth skeleton replicas.
• Enjoying a night safari on elephants, followed by a gourmet dinner in a palm grove by the lake.

Park visits and activities require payment.

Mason Elephant Park & Lodge is popular with celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, Christian Bale, and Richard Branson.

Mason Elephant Park & Lodge

Tegallalang Rice Terraces

Tegallalang is one of Bali’s most popular tourist destinations. A 20-minute taxi or scooter ride from Ubud, these stunning terraces form a cascade of steps on vibrant green hills. Each terrace has a pond for irrigation, creating a breathtaking sight and supporting local rice farming, a staple of Bali’s economy.

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Tjampuhan Sacred Hills

Nature lovers can enjoy a short hike along the scenic Campuhan Ridge Walk Ubud, also known as Tjampuhan Sacred Hills. Rivers flank the hill, enhancing the trail’s charm. Stop for a picnic and enjoy stunning views. The 2-km trail is accessible even for those with moderate fitness levels.

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Rafting on the Ayung River

One of Bali’s most popular outdoor activities, rafting on the Ayung River offers an unforgettable adventure with stunning nature, adrenaline, and positive vibes.

The Ayung flows through picturesque jungles near Ubud, with rafting suitable for all skill levels. Experienced guides tailor routes to your abilities.

During the trip, enjoy beautiful waterfalls and swim in clear, cool waters. Rafting tours may include lunch and ATV rides.

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Shopping in Ubud

Ubud’s streets are lined with shops selling handmade art, souvenirs, baskets, wood and stone crafts, ikat textiles, paintings, and silver jewelry. The Ubud Art Market, a traditional market offering handmade goods, is a tourist favorite.

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