Ubud is rich in beauty and culture making it a fantastic place for any traveler. You`ll find yoga, organic food, and adventure around every corner. Whether you are hiking up volcanoes, exploring waterfalls, or enjoying the Balinese food; there is no shortage of things to do in Ubud.
Explore the Campuhan Ridge Walk
This walk is easy, beautiful and free making it one of our favorite things to do in Ubud! The ridge walk starts behind the Warwick IBAH villas and spa which you can easily walk to from the main streets. The path is about 2 kilometers each way full of jaw dropping jungle views. There is literally zero shade.. so plan to go early in the morning or later in the evening to beat the heat.
Hike Up a Volcano for Sunrise
A Trek Up Mount Batur is one of the most popular and spectacular things to do in Ubud. Waking up at 3 am for the challenging hike is 100% worth it once that sun starts to come up. Expect to pay around 924,000 IDR ($70 USD) which includes transportation, a guide and lunch. Trust me; you do not want to miss these views!
Learn About Balinese Culture on a Downhill Bike Tour
A downhill tour with Green Bike Tours is suitable for all experience and fitness levels. We learned so much about the Balinese culture and the rice fields are breathtaking. We started the morning off at the famous Tegallalang rice terraces, followed by a coffee plantation visit. We took our time and sampled many types of coffee and tea while enjoying our fantastic pancakes.
Next we biked to a local family’s home to learn about their way of life. Part of the fee you pay for the tour goes to this family which we loved! Even though there was a language barrier they were very inviting and extremely sweet. Once leaving their home we spent the morning biking through small villages and incredibly scenic rice fields. At the end of the tour we arrived at a beautiful hotel with a view for a delicious meal! The price is IDR 500,000 ($37 USD) per person and that includes transportation and lunch.
Try Something New at The Green Village
The Green Village is a very cool community built of bamboo with the goal of self-sustainability. Take a tour of the unique buildings or sign up for a workshop. Options range from learning how to build bamboo structures to building and playing a traditional Balinese bamboo instrument.
Swim in an Infinity Pool
There are so many infinity pools in Bali its hard to keep track! And to be honest; they`re probably all fantastic.. the views are stellar pretty much everywhere you go. With that being said; there are a few that stand out above the rest. The Hanging Gardens of Baliis a world renowned luxury resort famous for their infinity pool. To indulge and stay the night costs over $500 USD; but you can get a day pass including meals and spa packages for $100-$200 USD that include pool access.
For a more affordable option; check out The Munduk Moding Plantation is about 1.5 hours north of Ubud. This resort is absolutely breathtaking and well worth the drive. The infinity pool offers unbelievable views from the jungle down to the ocean and some of the rooms even offer a private pool. If you book in advance you can stay for a reasonable price (around $150 USD/night). If you wait too long to book or don’t have the budget to stay; you can always stop in for lunch to enjoy the view and some fantastic food.
Sample Local Food
Experiencing Balinese food was without a doubt one of our favorite things to do in Ubud. I still day dream about the fresh veggies, the the fried bananas and don`t even get me started on the peanut satay! Biah Biah is a tapas style restaurant that allows you to try many different local dishes in one meal. The portions are perfect, the atmosphere is charming, and the prices are unbeatable at less that $1 per dish!
Explore Tukad Cepung Waterfall
Located 30 kilometers north west of Ubud; Tukad Cepung is one of the most unique waterfalls in all of Bali. The river can be viewed from the top of the cliff but to see the falls you will need to trek down a few hundred steps into the cave. Your effort on the steps will reward you with less tourists than many of the other surrounding waterfalls! Try to go early on a sunny day to enjoy the light beaming in.
Go Shopping at the Local Markets
The streets of Ubud are lined with local stalls and shops! Spend some time browsing through a variety of spices, coffee, tea, household items and different local food. You can also shop for all sorts of clothing, local artwork and pretty much anything else you can imagine. Remember to offer 50-60% of the initial price when haggling at a shop where the prices are not labeled.
Drive a Motorbike
Although many people find it intimidating; driving a motorbike was one of the best experiences we had in Bali. Its a great way to get around because you aren’t limited in where you can go and it is certainly the cheapest way to travel. You drive through beautiful rice fields, amazing small towns and places you would never even know about if you didn’t have a bike to get there.
Related: Renting a Motorbike in Bali
Take a Yoga Class
In Ubud you will find no shortage of unique yoga classes options. Whether you are a beginner or have been practicing for years; you are sure to find somethings that you enjoy. Our favorite was the Yoga Barn which offers classes taught by fantastic instructors in a beautiful location. The average price for a yoga class in Bali is around 100,000 IDR ($7.28 USD).
So now you have our list of the top 10 things to do in Ubud! Make sure to check out our full blog post on Backpacking Bali for more information on restaurants, accommodation, and transportation along with a map of the island. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comment below; we hope you have a fantastic trip!
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