I think about Ubud as we ride through a silent back road that takes us through lush paddy fields. It’s just rained and the countryside is alight with neon greenery. Paddy fields stretch out as far as the eye can see. Cool breeze pushes against the fabric of my kimono as I think about this gorgeous, wonderful haven that we stumbled on last month. Ubud – she’s a li’l bit of heaven with a wild side! Fluidity is the word that best describes our month in Ubud – days flow into each other, hours swim into one another. We become one with curtains dancing around our room, languorous massages, the sound of rain and falling leaves against the windows, bike-rides along dusty alleys, and sumptuous organic meals. We swivel and feel like we’re drifting into our version of Utopia, with eyes-half closed. Ubud, it feels like homecoming.
A MINI GUIDE TO LIVING IN BALI
Accommodation in Bali
Ubud, with its labyrinth of smoothie bars, yoga studios, tie & dye boutiques, bohemian retreats, vegan eateries, and sun-hazed countryside is truly our ticket to the moon. I cannot wait to be back. We did venture out of the haven that is Ubud several times during our time in Bali. The bustling resort areas of Sanur, Nusa Dua, and Kuta are similar to other beach-side getaways in South-East Asia. But unlike Ubud, they don’t scream special at all. If you’re a beach bum, we suggest avoiding Nusa Dua or Seminyak and renting an AirBnB villa in Canggu or a scenic hotel in Uluwatu instead.
As for me, my heart belongs to Ubud, so here’s a couple of recommendations for those of you who are planning to visit Ubud soon (you lucky, lucky souls!). If you’re here for a shorter time, you can choose a hotel that suits your budget. There are plenty of affordable, mid-range, and luxury options to choose from. In each case, we’d suggest choosing a place with a view. It’s good to wake up to a gorgeous view! Two hotels we would recommend in Ubud are Maya Ubud and Desa Visesa.
If you’re there for longer, we suggest booking an apartment. We always stay in a little cottage overlooking paddy fields, 20 minutes from Ubud, that we found on Air B&B. As I’ve said many times before, we enjoy living in apartments that offer a kitchenette to cook the occasional meal and a li’l work space when we’re in a city for more than a week. It needs to feel a bit like home right?! Our cottage has a bit of both. But consider yourselves warned. Living amidst nature, in a cottage overlooking paddy fields, has its disadvantages – a swarm of mosquitoes follows thunderstorms, roosters wake one up at 6 am, and the surroundings can get squelchy in the rain. But waking up to this view, meeting locals and chatting with them on a daily basis, and living in the lap of Mama Nature is truly incomparable. We love villa rentals for long-term stays but would suggest a hotel for a shorter stay.
Cost of living in Ubud
It’s possible to get a visa on arrival that lasts for 30 days. If it wasn’t for the visa, we would’ve stuck around for much longer in Ubud. Expect to spend around $1200-$1400 in a month for accommodation, fuel, bike rental, activities, and all meals if you’re on a moderate budget. Here are some costs that you might find useful:
Bike rental: $3/day or $40/month. If you’re quoted a higher price, bargain. Don’t rent a car in Bali. Roads are narrow and navigating hard.
Petrol: Petrol is sold by the bottle in most parts of Ubud. 1 bottle should cost IDR 8000 (approx. USD 0.60/£0.40). If you’re quoted a higher price, bargain.
Meals: You can get a plate of scrumptious Nasi Goreng or Mie Goreng for as little as $0.50 at most streetside shacks. The cost of meals in restaurants varies according to the restaurant (see below) but it’s hard to spend over $15/£12 on a meal unless you’re dining at a high-end hotel.
Fruits: If you love your fruits and veggies, you’re in for a treat in Ubud. Bananas, mangoes, papayas, watermelons will seduce you as they did us. You can buy one of each for a cumulative sum of $4-5 (£3) – yep that’s true! Shop at the huge Coco-Market at the beginning of Ubud’s city centre if you want to save yourself the trouble of bargaining with local vendors. There are several other supermarkets (Delta Dewata, Bintang, Indo Mart) strewn all over town.
Accommodation in Ubud: If you’re in Ubud for a short time, you can find some amazing hotels for $150/night or apartments at $30/nights. If you’re in Ubud for a longer period, it is possible to rent private villas for anywhere between $500-$2500/month, depending on the amenities you want.
Spas in Ubud
Luxury Spas
For an indulgent luxurious spa experience like no other, we love the spa at Maya Ubud. In fact, we’d go so far as to say this is the most scenic spa we’ve ever seen. It’s won several Best Spa accolades, which is why we ended up there in the first place. We opted for their signature couples massage, which is a 90 minute massage in an open-air massage room followed by their pièce de résistance – a decadent Balinese flower bath overlooking a gushing river and the rainforest. We felt like new people after being slathered with delicately fragranced oils for a couple of hours and savouring a bath with an enviable view while munching on fruit skewers and a light yogurt parfait. A spa treatment at Maya Ubud is the perfect way to celebrate an occasion, be it a birthday or an anniversary, or just indulge yourself on holiday.
Mid Range Spas
- A mid-range spa offers great value for money is The Udaya’s Kaveri Spa. Udaya Resort and Spa puts together iconic flower baths and provides a relaxing experience. It is located close to Ubud centre and provides the perfect excuse to pamper yourself on your holiday in Ubud Opt for a couples massage, body scrub, and flower bath package if you have a couple of hours. You won’t regret it.
- If you’re looking for a complete wellness experience then Five Elements is a great option. The wellness retreat offers a range of body and soul-nourishing treatments including body massages, superfood facials where guests faces are massaged and pampered only with edible items (no chemicals here!), and flower baths with a range of revitalising and cleansing herbs like ginger and lemongrass. We suggest combining your visit to the Five Elements spa with a meal at their Sakti Dining Room. The restaurant is the epitome of vegan fine dining for us. Dishes are colourful, healthy, and vegan all at one. We love their jackfruit tacos, pesto barley risotto, and diary-free desserts. If you go during the day, you must ask for a table overlooking River Ayung.
- If you love organic and natural body treatments then Skin Spa offers a variety of treatments using pure oils and natural products. It’s perfect for a frequent pamper session because most treatments cost less than $10/£7.
Budget Spas
- If you love getting your massages in rooms that open up to fields and have a spacious feel to them, then try Sedona Spa on Jalan Campuhan. The rooms are beautiful and the massages are relaxing.
For more frequent massages (bi-weekly or even daily if you like ;-)) there are dozens of spas and massage parlours in Ubud, especially on Jalan Monkey Forest – here 1 hour Balinese massages range between USD 5-15. Everything from pedicures and manicures to foot reflexology treatments and back massages is on the menu. As a thumb rule, we would suggest not opting for the cheapest $5 option as those often tend to translate to cramped and noisy rooms and dirty beds. Having said that, there are lots of good & affordable spas too, so do shop around and take your chances.
Spas to Avoid
- We’re yet to find a $5 spa we would highly recommend but one affordable spa you should avoid at all costs is Inggrith Spa – one of the worst massages of our lives.
- Another spa to avoid is the Clear Spa (housed inside the popular Clear Café) on Jalan Hanoman. While the café has a great vibe and tasty food, the spa is appalling to say the least. Noisy rooms, flimsy curtains dividing the massage cubicles, and bad masseuses are only the tip of the iceberg here. You can get much better massages for the same cost elsewhere in Ubud. Avoid it!
Restaurants in Ubud
There is no shortage of good restaurants in Ubud – you can get everything from Indonesian specialities like Nasi Goreng, Nasi Campur, and Babi Guling (roast suckling pig) to pizzas and hamburgers at Ubud’s eateries. But it’s the swarm of raw, healthy, and frequently vegan eateries that REALLY excited us in Ubud. Not finding enough healthy food on the go is one my pet peeves about travelling – in Ubud there is too much healthy food going around and that can never be a bad thing. Here are some of our favourites and a couple of hyped eateries that we didn’t really like:
FAVOURITES:
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Warung Abe Do
This tiny eatery tucked away in one of the by-lanes (Jalan Tirta Tawar) of Ubud is a right gem. It serves dozens of green smoothies (oh yes!), fruit smoothies, and cold-pressed juices at reasonable rates. It also serves some seriously scrummy food : we loved Gado Gado (Indonesian steamed vegetables topped with peanut sauce) and the grilled chicken breast served with a potato and garlic mash. The vegetables come from an organic farm around the corner, so the produce is as fresh as it gets. We went to Abe Do almost everyday for our green smoothies and loved exchanging tales with the owner, Nyoman, who is quite a character 🙂 A meal (main-course+smoothie) for 1 at Abe Do will set you back by USD 6-7 (£3-4)
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Warung Gurihan
Now if you like going off-the-beaten-path and really listening to locals’ recommendations, try visiting Warung Gurihan in Mas village. The shack is about a 20 minute drive from Ubud, so venture to Warung Gurihan only if you’ve rented a bike to get around in Ubud. The shack is usually jam-packed with locals. Try the chicken teriyaki or grilled fish. If you’re vegetarian try the BBQ’d tempeh, BBQ’d aubergines with some steamed rice and their signature sambhal (Indonesian sweet chilli paste). A meal for 1 at Warung Gurihan will set you back just by USD 3-4 (£2-3). We promise you you will go back for more.
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Acai Queen
One of my favourite new eateries in Ubud, Acai Queen is easily the most instagrammable place in town. It’s tucked in into a little lane in the centre of Ubud and is ideal for a light meal. Try their signature acai bowls (the tropical bowl is my personal favourite) or the avocado toast. The refreshing food and bright purple interiors, dotted with pineapples is bound to leave you feeling zingy. Try it out if you enjoy healthy desserts! Expect to pay around USD 8 (£6)/person.
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The Seeds of Life
A tiny raw-food café on Jalan Gautama, just off Ubud’s busy centre, The Seeds of Life, is incredible for a healthy breakfast. Try their Acai bowl or chia pudding. If you’re a health nut, they also offer a sugar-free vegan ice-cream – nom! Expect to pay around USD 10 (£7)/person.
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Soma Café
Soma Café, also located on Jalan Gautama, serves a selection of healthy food and (you guessed it) smoothies. They pride themselves on their range of organic high vibe meals in a typically Balinese alfresco environment. Eating at Soma’s can be an incredibly soothing experience – they have a gorgeous courtyard dotted with palm trees and fresh coconuts. We spent dozens of hours working there while sipping on a drink. Most smoothies and drinks cost around USD3 (£2)
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Sari Organic
Sari Organic is a bit of an institution in Ubud – you need to walk through lush paddy fields for 20-30 minutes to reach this eatery. The menu has a bit of everything – great salads, smoothies, and cocktails. The best thing is obviously the view – there’s nothing quite like sipping on coconut water and devouring tender coconut meat while looking out to miles upon miles of paddy fields 🙂 It can get very hot and humid in Bali. If you’re not up for the 20 minute walk, try driving to Warung Pulau Kelapa on Jalan Raya Sanggingan . You can drive right up to this restaurant, which overlooks paddy fields. There is an organic farm next door and you can pick and choose vegetables for your own meal. A meal here will set you back by USD 7-8 (£5-6)
If you want a calorie-laden meal or two, the unimaginatively titled Mamma Mia has authentic Italian pizzas, Warung Little India and Mumbai Station has decent Indian food, and Cinta Grill has some juicy and scrumptious burgers 🙂
THE ONES THAT DIDN’T QUITE MAKE THE CUT
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Kafe
Kafe is one of the pioneers of the raw food movement in Ubud. We went there with great expectactions but didn’t love it as much as we expected to. While the salads are amazing, the cooked food is a bit lack-lustre and overpriced.
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Bebek Bengil – Dirty Duck Diner
Bebek Bengil (fried duck) is a local speciality and Dirty Duck Diner is THE place to sample it. We gave it a go but we didn’t really enjoy the artery-clogging meal. The deep fried duck reeked of oil and it was all too much. Give it a go if you enjoy deep-fried foods but avoid it if you’re a healthy eater. 1 portion of Bebek Bengil costs USD 10 (£6).
Cafés in Ubud
A couple of Bali’s cafés got a huge stamp of approval from our resident coffee geek. After examining the beans, smelling the coffee, talking to baristas, and rolling the final product (always an espresso shot in Vid’s case!) on his tongue, Vid’s decided he really enjoys the coffee at Anomali Coffee on the main high-street (Jalan Raya Ubud). Sewing machines are converted into tables and tin cans are used as chairs at Anomali Coffee. The industrial warehouse feel made us miss London!
The other café that boasts of great coffee is Seniman Coffee Studio. The coffee studio is located on Jalan Sri Wedari. Coffee at Seniman is an ornate affair and each cuppa comes with an entourage of flowers and nibbles. Coffee at both these cafés ranges between USD 3-5 (£2-3). If you want something cheaper, try a cup of local coffee or bubble coffee (cold coffee with condensed milk and gelatinous tapioca pearls) at any of the stalls lining Ubud’s alleys. A cup will set you back by USD 0.50
Things to see in Ubud & Excursions from Ubud
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Saraswati Lotus Temple, Ubud Centre
This lotus temple, smack back in the middle of Ubud centre, has an unassuming exterior but is stunning on the inside. It also houses a couple of cafés – Starbucks and Lotus Restaurant – so you could contemplate it’s beauty over a cup of coffee or watch an Indonesian dance performance there. We suggest going to the temple at sunset because it’s specially intriguing at that hour. Entry is free.
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Sanur Beach
If you’re craving some time at the beach, head to Sanur Beach, 45 minutes away from Ubud. The drive to Sanur isn’t great but the beach front offers a couple of great restaurants, shacks, and plenty of water sports opportunities. It is also quieter and more relaxed than the public beaches at Nusa Dua and Kuta.
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Day Trips and Excursions from Ubud
There are so many excursions on offer in and around Ubud – everything from visiting waterfalls, hiking volcanoes, and exploring paddies is on the cards. Read our detailed article on our favourite excursions in Bali to decide which ones you would like to pick for yourself
Shopping in Ubud
We have a detailed video on shopping in Ubud – here you will find all information including our favourite shops in Ubud, how much to pay for items, where to bargain and where not to bargain, and what snacks to pick for friends and family back home. Here it is:
Highlights of a stay in Ubud
We came to Ubud for a month just to spend time in the lap of Mama Nature – we didn’t want to do too much, see too many sites, or tick things off a checklist. Ubud is the perfect place to resonate and we can’t wait to be back. Here’s what we loved the most:
- The food : I don’t think I could rave about Ubud’s organic and raw food scene more if I tried. It’s heaven if you have a soft spot for green smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and healthy food.
- The paddy fields : If you read the reverie at the beginning, you’d know that Ubud’s lush green paddy fields have a way of making us feel at home
- The people : Balinese people are just so warm and friendly. Our hosts, Wayan and Komang, had so many tales to share and invited us to be part of celebrations in their village on numerous occasions. We loved meeting their family and dining with them. So many restaurant owners we met would just join us for a meal and tell us amusing tales about Indonesian idiosyncrasies. We were welcomed with huge smiles wherever we went and that’s how we’ll remember the island.
- The pace of life : We wanted languor to be the defining characteristic of our career break and we can’t think of a better place to experience this. Ubud’s countryside and its villages are the perfect anti-dote to the rat race that is city life. Here life seems to unravel in slow motion, everyone is up for a chat, and no one is in a rush to be at ten places all at once. Food and drink is savoured as its meant to be, not gulped. Conversations are revelled in and tangled thoughts get time to unravel under magic sun beams. Nirvana or my ticket to the moon, those are the only descriptions I can think of 🙂
FYI (when not to choose Ubud for your holiday)
Ubud might be perfect for bohemian dreamers, nature lovers, yogis, and those who enjoy slow travel but it might not be for you if:
- you like to party late into the night. The ultra-bohemian and spiritual vibe ensures most people are asleep by 10.
- you want to spend time bumming by the beach (the nearest beach is over 1 hour away!)
- you want to shop at malls – you’ll get plenty of local handicrafts, trinkets, and tie-dye garments here but there is nothing by way of malls or hectic night markets.
Are you obsessed with South East Asia too? Read all our posts on Asia here
This looks like an ideal destination to relax and rewind.
It’s perfect for long-term travellers Lila 😀
Hey Savi and Vid. Ubud looks heavenly. When is the best time to visit bali? Planning to travel there in month of jan next year. ??
Hey Aditi – check out The Ultimate Guide to visiting Bali – we have an entire section on the best time to visit Bali https://www.bruisedpassports.com/wheres/bali-two-week-itinerary-planning
Do you have any one-week itinerary planning?
You can tailor it easily – Just split your time b/w Ubud and Canggu and include the activities that suit your preferences 🙂
And how they will know if you are menstruating?
Physical policing is next 😉 Just kidding – as with most propaganda, this works on a mental level. We’ve spoken to loads of locals here (mostly observing Hindus) – religious mores are sacrosanct to them and they wouldn’t dream of toying with ‘rules’ or defying them, however lopsided they may be!
Oh my my! This place looks like a fairytale! The waterfall and the volcano are my faves but your pictures make everywhere and everything look so tempting. 🙂
That waterfall was my favourite bit too – little known and just gorgeous 🙂
Love love love Ubud… It’s delightful… Try the smoothies and grub at Ibu Rai restaurant on Monkey Forest Road… its pretty decent 🙂 Have a blast you guys… <3 🙂
Oooh we’ve left Bali now but will be back in a couple of months and will definitely try Ibu Rai then. Thanks for the suggestion Shilpi 😀
Cannot wait to visit. Looks like a perfect destination to unwind.
It’s an incredible place to unwind Tanvi – Happy New Year to you two 🙂
Firstly, I am just so happy that I came across your website last year. You guys are beautiful and inspiring! Even though a zillion people love travelling, I have hardly seen anyone do it at this relaxed pace. Quitting your jobs was (as I have seen), is(as I just saw in this post) and will be one of your best decisions. Have a GREAT journey. Would love to meet you some day but for now, live your dream and keep these lovely updates coming.
Thank you for these amazing posts.
Much love,
Juhi
Thanks a million for your lovely note Juhi. Travelling at a relaxed pace is absolutely worth it and we love it so. I hope our paths cross soon. Hugs
Wow…All the pics look absolutely pretty! Thanks for taking us through your Bali journey.
– The Muser – Drop by some time.- thatgirlslifestories.blogspot.in
Thanks. Glad you like it 🙂
I love following you with your pictures and posts. Pack me in your backpack , maybe ? 😉
Roota that sounds like a plan 😉
I seriously just fell head over heels in love with your blog after reading this post…
It makes me very happy to hear that Elisa – hope you enjoy following our adventures around the world 😀
I absolutely love your posts and pictures and have been following you from quite some time. I write at The Purple Backpack and have featured one of your photos and this post there on , giving proper credit. This is the post : http://roota.in/ask-me/. Do let me know if this is in sync with your policies. Thanks for inspiring us lot <3
Thanks for including us in your post Roota – of course you can use our photos as long as they’re linked back and credited to us 🙂
Hey Savi & Vid,
I’m glad that I came across your blog just when me and my fiancé are planning our honeymoon. We always wanted to go to Bali but Ubud was not on our plate.
Initially we had thought of staying in seminyak and nusa dua with a day’s trip to Ubud (an itinerary that we got from majority tourist sites). Your blog indeed inspired our traveller instinct (many thanks for that) and this is our plan now.. 2 days in seminyak and 4 in Ubud.. Our ask: since this is the first time we are travelling together and that it’s our honeymoon, is Ubud the place to be?
We shall appreciate your suggestions..
Much love:*
Hey Ankita – so happy to hear you enjoyed our article on Ubud.
As for choosing Ubud over Nusa Dua, it’s purely a matter of personal preference. Ubud offers a quieter, peaceful stay with access to bohemian markets, rice terraces, yoga studios etc while Nusa Dua offers beach bumming opportunities, night markets, and a bevy of massage parlours. Of the two, we love Ubud. Since you’re on your honeymoon, we’d highly recommend Maya Ubud – the resort is extremely tranquil and private and the spa/flower bath rooms (mentioned above) are incredible 🙂 Hope this helps. Congrats on the impending wedding.
Hi Savi and Vid,
I am going to this destination my honeymoon….. oh yeah Bali..
Any thing specific or advise or anything.. which i should know before i go.. please let me know.
Much Much Love* u guys <3
Hey Sukhpreet,
The article contains all the things we did / recommend 🙂 I’m not sure where you’ll be staying, but it’ll be a good to split your stay between a beach side resort and Ubud just so that you get a taste of both 🙂
Have a great honeymoon!
Lucky you, I am Indonesian,,, but never been to Ubud. Thanks for sharing. Ya , I’ve been to Tanah Lot once.
You should try to make it to Ubud- it’s amazing 😀
Such a lovely travelouge..been to Ubud last year and to be honest loved it more than Seminayak..
but as per our itenerary we had planned just 2 days in Ubud ..which was too less..
Ubud was so peaceful and beautiful I just loved roaming around and enjoy the vibe..
Wish I came through this before…I would have definitely planned it differently…
want to go back again and you post just ignited the urge again
Hey Amrita – Ubud is like our second home and we love it so. Glad we’re not the only ones! 😀
What a lovely place to specially loved the Soma Cafe. Adding this place to our travel list…
Ubud has tons of gorgeous hidden eateries, love it 🙂
Hey Savi & Vid,
We are a group of 5 girl friends planning an escape to Bali in September. Would love if you could help us with some awesome accommodation to stay in there. Also, please tell us what all should we do since Ubud sounds more of a peaceful place (which we love), but we also wanted some crazy fun. Waiting for your reply.
PS. Totally in love with both of you and Bruised Passports.
Hey Kanupriya – if you want some crazy fun, we’d suggest staying out of Ubud. It’s too peaceful for a girls trip. There are barely any night clubs or bars in Ubud – you’ll find mostly smoothie bars and yoga retreats in Ubud 🙂 You should check out the beach resorts (Seminyak, we’ve been told, is great for such stuff).
Try Furama Villas next time and Wildernest in India worth exploring
Sure thing 😀
Hi Savi & Vid – really liked your detailed info on Ubud. By any chance, did you visit any other parts of Bali? We are planning to visit in next 3 weeks and are planning to stay in Nusa Dua and Legian region. Any recommendations for places to see or things to do around there?
Hey Jim – sorry we spent all our time in Ubud. Sorry. Have fun in Bali 🙂
Hey Savi Vid , you guys are quite inspiring , i travelled to bali last year and found it amazing however its ironical that Ubud was only a day trip in my iteneary .after reading your blog I am tempted to visit bali again just for obud.I was wondering if my hometown Kashmir is on your wishlist 🙂 one last request i am married since 3 months but havent planned my honey yet so what place would you suggest for us for monyh of augest…thanks again
Hey Mohammad – thanks a ton 🙂 We do love ourselves a bit of Ubud. We spent a long time in Kashmir just last month – you can see all our updates from there on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BruisedPassports
This is exactly what I was looking for planning a trip to Bali. Ubud was definitely on my list because of the rice fields but wasn’t sure about making it as a base. Thanks to you I am no more confused now. I think it’s the best bet. LOve the last part of the post, “FYI (when not to choose Ubud for your holiday)” 😉
Hehe thanks Pallavi – just thought the disclaimer was necessary because each traveller has different preferences 😀 Have fun in Ubud – do send us photos from there. We’d love to share them with our readers
Hi
Pls can you let me know the details of the cottage that you guys stayed at in Ubud
Hey Shraddha it’s available only for long-term rentals 🙂
Hi. Pls can you recommend an area / road to stay for 2-3. nights in Ubud. interms of convenience to move around in ubud and also with great view.
Hey Shraddha – if you’re there for just 2-3 days then I’d recommend somewhere close to the city centre. Alternatively choose a hotel which has a free shuttle to the city centre. Make sure you send us photos from Ubud 🙂
Hi Guys…
We have planned our Bali trip in early November based on your recommendations.
3 nights in Ubud + 2 nights in Ayana + 2 nights in Seminyak.. Best of both worlds 🙂
That’s awesome Shraddha 🙂 Have fun in Bali
Hi Savi- Lovely post – we are planning to visit Bali In January 2017 so Ubud is definitely on the list – However wanted to check with you if January is a good time to go to Bali as I am being told that it would be a wet season with sporadic rainstorms?
Hey Riddhi – that’s right! January in Bali usually means tons of rain and mosquitoes as well. If you’re there for a long time, you can just duck indoors for a massage or a coffee everything it rains. But if you’re visiting for a short time, then I’d suggest choosing another month as the rains can be a deterrent while sight seeing around the island 🙂
Looking for a travel advisor who can help us plan 6 days in Bali, primarily in Ubud. Any suggestions?
Hey there – we’d suggest booking hotels and flights independently and booking day trips around Bali with a local tour company. We quite like tours arranged by Wayan. You can contact him at wayannom (at) gmail (dot) com 🙂 Have fun in Bali and give our reference if you want 🙂
Hi Savi,
Visiting Bali for my first anniversary. Ubud is definitely on my list of must visit places. I was keen on hiring a scooter for a day to explore the areas in and around Ubud. Does Indian Driving license work in Ubud? What are the other criteria for hiring . Thanks!
Hi Vasundhara,
Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary 🙂
Indian driving license does work in Bali – if you have an “international driving license”, just carry it with you. We drive with only our Indian driving licenses. Please wear a helmet and obey traffic rules – the police in Bali can be corrupt and stop you (and might ask you for a bribe to let you go). Renting a scooter to explore areas around Ubud is the best way to go about it if you can handle the traffic – to be honest, if you have driven in India, you should be fine in Bali.
Hope that helps
Hello there bruised passports!
Greetings from Ireland!
My partner and i are going to ubud this August and cannot wait! Your post just got us so excited!
We are also going to Seminyak and Nusa Lembagnon. Have you ever been to these?
Definitely printing out your restaurant and cafe recommendations and hunting them down :)we love healthy organic delicious food so it sounds right up our street!
Hope you are enjoying Ubud at the moment (yes I follow you guys on Instagram!)
Carrie in Dublin x
Hey Carrie – so happy to hear from you. To be honest, we don’t enjoy the beach areas of Bali – Seminyak, Nusa Dua etc – too much. They’re extremely busy and can get quite touristy. Do look up Uluwatu if you want to spend time around a beach. Loved hearing about your fondness for healthy food – you’ll love it here in Bali. We will be writing another article (a Part II if you may) with more recommendations – do look it up before you leave for Bali 🙂
Hi!
We’re going to Bali for a week in mid Feb. We’ll be traveling with our 16mo baby. We haven’t booked our stay yet, because, we haven’t been able to decide what all to fit into this trip, since we want to cover as much as we can, and, that is the reason we want to book the stay at a convenient spot, so, we could go left-right without spending too much time and money in commuting from one spot to another. We would like to divide our trip into relaxing days where we just eat at different places and/or chill at the hotel and shop (local clothing and handicraft) plus explore on other days.
Candi dasa sounds interesting too; did you explore that part of Bali at all? Would you suggest we just stick to the South?
A friend suggested we keep Nusa Dua as our base and go around from there but I feel that might be a spot too far from most other areas. I wouldn’t mind changing hotels during our stay for varied experiences and ease of exploring.
Suggestions please!
[I discovered your blog last month while planning my trip to Mui Ne (we’re currently based in Vietnam) and loved it. And, I have a feeling I’m going to be a regular visitor before finalizing trips in the future :)]
Hey Divya,
Glad to hear you enjoy our blog 🙂
To be honest, you might not be able to just stay in one place and explore everything in Bali. The best would be to spend a few days in Nusa Dua from where you can explore the southern part of the island and then move on to Ubud where you can spend a few days enjoying the highland feel of the island.
If you make Nusa Dua your base for the entire trip, you might find it difficult to commute to explore certain parts of the island – traffic is a problem in Bali 🙂
HI Savi!!!
I love your posts and the way you people travel. Such beautiful pics.
Me and 3 of my cousins are planning a trip to bali in march. for 8 nights.
We have Ubud and Kuta sea view resort on our mind.
Do you think we should stay 4 nights in Ubud and 4 in Kuta sea view? or should we try exploring some other place too?
Hey Namrata,
4 days in Ubud and 4 in Kuta sound great. You can also look at Nusa Dua instead of Kuta if you like slightly quieter places – Kuta is the party hub 🙂
Dear Savi and vid!
I have written thrice and m not sure it has reached you!
Jus wanted to say I’m inspired by you guys and your journeys!
Thank you for your detailed and captivating account of ubud! My fiancé and I are heading to Bali for our honeymoon and I’ve jotted down the things u wrote for pointers!
Anything romantic you highly recommend?? We will be there in December
Thank you so much! More power to u
Hey Sangeetha -you can go for the flower bath at Maya Ubud recommended above. You can also book a nice villa with an infinity pool near Kuta or Seminyak. Have fun on your honeymoon 🙂
Are Airbnb reliable for booking villas or cottages and safe as well? We’re are group of girls going for the first time so a little skeptical. And what are the other ways to look for to stay in ubud and semniyak
Dear Amisha,
From our experience so far, absolutely safe and reliable. It’s always good to read reviews about the properties too. You can also look at other hotel comparison sites like hotelscombined to find good rates for hotels.
If you’re first time user for AirBnB you can use the link included in our article to get a good discount on your first booking 😀
Hope that helps
Hi Savi & Vid,
Your post was very interesting. Thanks for sharing your experience. My wife and I will be traveling to Bali next month with our 6 month old baby. Is the place safe going with a baby and what precautions we should be taking according to you.
Many thanks,
Manav
Hey Manav,
Yes, it’s absolutely safe to travel to Bali with a baby.
Guys, I love reading your articles/blogs/posts for in them lies inspiration for me to travel and explore the beauty and rawness of natures.
If I am planning for Ubud for say 3 days and 4 nights then what is the best time? Also where to stay and how to get the best air deal?
Hi Diganta,
You could stay in an AirBnB in Ubud. The best time to go would be November – March. As for best airfare deal, we usually check skyscanner 🙂
Thanks for the information. Saw all the pics on Instagram and loved them. What is best time to travel Bali. We are planning to visit in Nov or Dec.
Hey Shruthika – Bali is decent all year round but the months of February and March can get a bit too humid 🙂
Hey Savi & Vid, love all your pictures and blogs about the places you travel.My friends and myself are planning to visit Ubud, Gili and Seminyak later this month. Your take on Ubud is just what we needed. Thanks a lot and keep blogging
We are glad that our blog post on Ubud proved to be helpful to you in planning your trip there.Happy travels and enjoy all you can.
Hi Savi and Vid,
Love you both and your blogs and also your instagram!?
Me and my husband are planning to spend 11 days in Indonesia majorily around Bali.
Can you jot down the places to go apart from Ubud as a suggestion which could a mix between quite places and beaches and night markets.
Hey Isha,
Thanks for your message. All our suggestions and tips are in this article 🙂 Hope it helps.
Cheers
We went to Bali for a relaxing break from the city. We stayed at kupu kupu Barong villas and went for a spa at Samaya! Next time you guys visit Bali, it’s a must try!! You might spot the kupu kupu Barong ( the big butterfly) there
Also the sunset at uluwatu temple followed by the kecak dance is an amazing experience! I can send pics if you want to have a look
Hey Ranjita,
Thanks for the suggestions – we’ll definitely try these out the next time we are in Bali 🙂
I’m traveling to Bali on New Years for 5 days. Looking for a mix of party and relaxation times. Should we stay in Ubud or Seminyak?
Hey in that case we’d suggest Seminyak as it’s hard to find places to party in Ubud 🙂
Hi guys, it was too good a read about ubud. We are planning of our honeymoon in march and wanted to know how the weather would be like in bali at the end of march in terms of rain/insects/humidity. It would be of a great help if you tell us about it 🙂
Hey there is quite a bit of rain and insects in Bali during Feb and March – consider yourself warned 🙂
Hi guys, what a lovely compile of Ubud! Absolutely amazing!! We are planning to go to Bali in June. Just wanted to know what all places to cover if we have a week’s time in Bali. Also, I was reading that weather would be fine during that period. Still want an update from you guys.
keep doing the awesome work! Cheers
Poorva
Hey Poorva – just wrote an article on our favourite day trips and excursions in Bali that you might find helpful. June is usually hot but no rain -so yes, that’s good weather for Bali indeed 🙂
Hey dere.. Iam also planning a trip to bali with my boyfriend… Could u plzz suggest me some beautiful places which are must visit in bali.. And affordable too not that luxurious one. For at least one week..
Hey Amrita – please check out our Guide To Bali here for a detailed list of affordable places to visit and stay in Bali
https://www.bruisedpassports.com/wheres/bali-two-week-itinerary-planning
Love love love reading this blog ! I definitely draw inspiration for travel from you guys. When I want to take a trip to a new place , I first check out if you guys have been there and what are your recommendations for the area !Loved reading this post on Ubud its very high on our list of places to visit !Please always keep posting your favorite places to eat ,thats the part I like reading the most 😀
Also, My husband and I have been looking at Greece and would love to know if you guys have any recommendations for Mykonos and Santorini.
Absolutely Anu – we’re constantly updating the food section of this article. Unfortunately we haven’t been to the Greek Islands in the longest time and I never used to jot down names of restaurants, hotels et al pre-blogging days, so won’t be able to recommend much for Mykonos or Santorini, so sorry about that 🙁
Hi Savi and Vid. I’m planning a trip with friends to Bali from India in May. The really bad reviews of Indonesian airlines has discouraged us from booking our tickets. What’s your suggestion for a safe, cheap and reliable airline to Indonesia?
Hey Parth – try Air Asia or Malindo Air 🙂
Hey guys, Just love ur way of travelling & exploring new stuff..
Need some help though.. Planning our Babymoon to Bali in 1st week of March.. We were thinking of staying in Seminyak & Ubud. Any special suggestions?
Thanks 🙂
Hi Ria – you’ll find all our suggestions for Ubud above. But you can check out our detailed article on planning a trip to Bali here for some more ideas https://www.bruisedpassports.com/wheres/bali-two-week-itinerary-planning
Its a great post to read. I am planning a trip in june and this post has just assured my mind to not fickle any more with regards to choosing a destination!
I am also planning on going to gili island. Have you guys been there, if yes, can you please provide me with some idea about the island and if it’s worth visiting it.
Hey Gili Islands are great if you love beaches. Check out our detailed guide to Bali for more ideas https://www.bruisedpassports.com/wheres/bali-two-week-itinerary-planning
Hey. Whats the best place to stay in bali when going with family? And is it safe if i go out alone there.?
Hey Anika – yes it’s safe if you go alone. For best places to stay, you can read our guide to travelling in bali here https://www.bruisedpassports.com/wheres/bali-two-week-itinerary-planning
Hi There, do you guys have an updates since your last month there, mainly food and cafes 🙂 Many thanks!
Hey Meghna – already added our new favourites and updated our articles 🙂
also any waterfalls that you went this time 🙂
Hey Meghna – we visit Tukad Cepung this time around 🙂
Hi Savi and Vid. I am planning 5 days trip to Ubud/ Bali with my wife from India. (1st Wedding Anniversary) Travel dates will be first week of May.
Approximately, What will be the budget? Please let me know approximate costs as per your experience.
Keep traveling, posting updates and take care you both.
Hi Yogesh – this depends on the kind of hotels you choose. Other than that, there is a detailed breakdown of daily costs of food, fuel etc in the article above!
which is the best time to visit Bali?
Year round 🙂
We tried the Cantika Spa in Ubud. It was extremely affordable and we had a great time. I also got their Avacado cream hair spa done and my hair felt like silk for close to a month post other treatment.
All their products are naturally made.
They also have a wide range of natural skin care products on sale which we bought and we loved.
Ooh nice – that sounds amazing 🙂
Hey Savi and Vid!
I absolutely adore your posts and love how beautifully poetic the descriptions are!
Your words and pictures truly send me into a dreamland 🙂 Thank you 🙂
How long are you guys in Bali this time? I am visiting with my husband in a month and would love to bring you goodies from Japan if you want any 🙂
Keep exploring and spreading joy!
Loads of love,
Dipti
P.S: When is your next trip to Japan?
Hey Dipti – that’s so sweet 🙂 We’re leaving in 2 weeks or so, but hope our paths cross sometime in Japan. Have the best time here
Ah…that’s too bad. Have a great rest of your stay in Bali.
Hope you guys visit Japan soon! I definitely recommend autumn.
I would be glad to suggest some offbeat places here!
It will be great to see what magic you weave with your words and pictures upon visiting those places 🙂
Dear Savi and Vid,
I have been researching online about travel bloggers who have visited Ubud and came across your beautiful blog. You guys are so cute together and so inspiring. Thank you for this article , it is packed with lots of info. and I have no words for the photos! Visiting Ubud is my dream but my hubby and I have a beautiful 4 year old daughter and would like to make an informed decision about visiting Ubud as a family. I have a few questions and would appreciate your expert opinion/thoughts please:
1. Would you recommend visiting Ubud with a 4 year old in the tow?
2. Is Ubud a kid friendly place with ‘things to do’ for the kids and kid friendly cafes and restaurants? Also are there any nice hotels/villas who offer crèche services etc. I have read some travel blogs about visiting Bali with kids but not so much around visiting Ubud with kids.
3. Travel wise, can we rent a car with a local,trusted driver and how safe is it? I live in Surrey and have a UK driving license but driving alongside narrow country roads is not my idea of holiday.
4. What is the best time to visit Ubud? We are kind of restricted to the UK school summer holidays (June to August).
TIA and much love,
Yashika xx
Hey Yashika
1) Ubud is peaceful and great with a kid but there aren’t too many kid-friendly activities such as water parks etc here
2) Yes you can find hotels and villas that help with looking after kids too – best to check this before making a booking
3) Wouldn’t recommend renting a self-drive car in Bali at all as roads are extremely narrow. You can rent a scooty or get a car with a driver
4) June to August is a great time to visit
Thanks Savi 🙂 x
Your Blog and Photographs/ Video inspired me to go to Bali. I am looking to visit Bali in January 2019 around 10 to 12 Days. My daughter follows you on Instagram and she may have small vacation after her NEET examination for medical post graduation. So month of January is ideal for vist to Bali ?
We are three Adults , Please guide us.
That’s great. Yes January is a great month to visit Bali 🙂
Hi~ Lovely post. Are there any flights that fly into Bali that are to be avoided?Also, is September a good time to visit?
Hey no all flights to Bali are cool. September is a great time to visit 🙂
Hi guys
Is December a good month to visit Bali?
It can be a little wet but it’s a good month as everything tends to be super lush and green 🙂
Hi Savi and Vid
Such a wonderful shopping suggestions video! Thank you for such great information!
I am travelling to Bali for 4 days with my husband. As our stay time is quite less, we have decided to visit Ubud for a day. Can you suggest a must-do in Ubud as we have such limited time there?
Can you also suggest any shopping street for bohemian dresses and accessories in Seminiyak just like you suggested in the video above for Ubud?
Hey Alisha – would just suggest walking around its local market and going to the rice paddies in Ubud since you have just a day there 🙂
Hey..I have been following you for quite some time now and through your posts it seems you love BALI alot. We have planned our honeymoon in December and shall also be visting bali for 4 days. Most of our stay is in seminyak. Can you suggest some good spa places in seminyak?
Hey Shubhika – most of the good spas in Seminyak are located inside luxury hotels. We’d suggest checking out the spa at the hotel you’ve booked!
Hello Savi and Vid
After following you both on your social media for a while I amso in love with you both that I finally booked a flight for Bali for 5 days .Please do suggest what all places I need to visit according to you both.
P.S. I have also booked Viesa, Ubud one room villa by looking at your gorgeous pictures.
Hey Noopur – that’s awesome. Check out our Ultimate Guide To Bali here for suggestions https://www.bruisedpassports.com/wheres/bali-two-week-itinerary-planning
Hi Savi and Vid……
I am planing my first anniversary trip to bali and UBUD is defiantely part of the plan, there are few questions regarding ubud since u guys spend most of your time there ;
1> Is february a good time to visit Bali.
2> Wether we will be able to see these rice paddy fields in such beautiful manner
3> Also what all other places do u reccomend to visit in bali
Thanks and cheers
Hi Savi and Vid……
I am planing my first anniversary trip to bali and UBUD is defiantely part of the plan, there are few questions regarding ubud since u guys spend most of your time there
1> Is february a good time to visit Bali.
2> Wether we will be able to see these rice paddy fields in such beautiful manner
3> Also what all other places do u reccomend to visit in bali
Thanks and cheers
Hi Dhaval – please read our Guide To Bali here for answers to all these questions https://www.bruisedpassports.com/wheres/bali-two-week-itinerary-planning
Hi Savi and Vid,
I’m considering travelling alone to Ubud, Bali. Is it safe for a female traveller ?
Hey Madhuri – yes it is safe 🙂
You’ll mentioned about udaya kaveri spa. What is the approximate cost for a complete package?
Hi – that keeps changing. It starts at about $30 but you can email the hotel for updated rates!
Hi guyz, do u happen to know where i can get one of those Pineapple shaped bowls/plate as seen in ur photo above at Acai Queen??? Im currently planning my first trip over to Bali next month with my husband (last minute i know) n i wud love to get them when im there. Any idea? Btw… thanks for all ur tips on Bali trip planning. Major help!! Also, my family n I recently went on our first roadtrip in Bavaria, Germany (got lots of guide from ur post ofcoz) n it was awesome!!!! Especially Partnach Gorge…. highlight of my trip!! <3
Hey Roshida,
Glad you enjoyed your road trip in Bavaria 🙂
You can pick that bowl in the market i guess – as for this photo, this was at Acai Queen as you noticed. I’m sure you can get these in Ubud market 🙂
Hi Savi and Vid! I have been following you for more than a year now! I have always been dreaming of traveling like you guys since then and now I finally am getting a chance. I am planning my first ever foreign trip to Bali and I am quite nervous. I have read your guide and two weeks itinerary, I tried to find an apartment on Airbnb in Uluwatu but I didn’t get anything. Where did you stay? I would really love to stay at the same apartments with such a beautiful view of rice fields. Please, can you tell me the name?
And if I am planning a week trip to Bali, should I be renting one apartment for the whole week or should I book different apartments for Canggu, Ubud, Sidemen? Sorry if it’s a stupid question, this is my first time planning a trip all by myself.
Hey Aashi – if you’re going for a week you’re prob better off staying in 2 different areas. Check out our guide to Bali for some ideas https://www.bruisedpassports.com/wheres/bali-two-week-itinerary-planning
Hi Savi and Vid! I absolutely love to follow you and watch you travel. I am planning my first ever foreign trip to Bali. I’ve read every article on your blog related bali and I think I am pretty much full with information.
Only the few common things that a newbie wouldn’t know are missing:
●What should I do for currency? Do I have to exchange it on Indonesian Airport or I have to exchange it here?
● If i am planning a one week trip to Bali and I want to visit few different places like Ubud, Cangguu, Uluwatu and more, should I book hotel in each place or just one apartment for a whole week?
So sorry if the questions are totally dumb, but its my first time planning a trip!
Hey Aashi – it’s best to exchange money there itself. You can also withdraw from an ATM using your credit/debit card for a small fee – that’s what we usually do!
Secondly, if it’s your first time in Bali, you show definitely book hotels in each place instead of booking an apartment for the whole week.I hope you’ve read our Guide To Bali for First Timers here: https://www.bruisedpassports.com/wheres/bali-two-week-itinerary-planning
Hey savi and vid!
Booked our tickets to bali after reading your blog and we can’t wait to explore bali. Since we are planning to stay 4 days in ubud we are not sure if we need to hire a cab with driver for all the 4 days or may be rent a scooter for a day or two? If you suggest renting a scooter where in ubud can we rent one?
Hey they are available literally everywhere. Just ask the owner of your rental villa or hotel reception and they can arrange one for you 🙂
Thank you for this amazing post!
Ubud, beautiful destination, charming people, delicious foods…
Absolutely agree with you – Ubud is our favourite in Bali 🙂
Hey guys! Loved your post. My fiancé and I are planning for week long stay at Ubud in December.
Would you suggest a private villa via air bnb over a resort?
Hi if you’re spending a week, then we’d suggest a luxurious private villa on AirBnB. Pick up that suits your budget 🙂
This Bali Guide has such a piece of nice information. I always pretended to go to Bali Bali watching pictures on the Mobile phone but after reading this informative blog I have an idea of the budget to spend in Bali. I have decided that where I have to go to Bali. What are the places where I must have to visit in Bali and what are the attractions of Bali. Thanks to the author to share this precious blog. I appreciate to you.
Great. You’re welcome!
Nice article and very descriptive information! Thanks for sharing!
Is Bali kid friendly option to travel.. ?? My kid is 2.5 yrs and it shall be his first international holiday and we plan to visit Bali in May last week .
Yes – just make sure you book a hotel with a nice kids club