Let’s face it, Ubud is the dream. It’s the cultural heart of Bali, bursting with adorable shops, traditional arts, and tasty eats.
It’s the kind of place that you don’t have to plan for. Without even trying, it will make you fall in love pretty hard, and never want to leave.
Lucky for you, you don’t have to. Well, not really.
Ubud happens to be situated in the perfect spot to combine the art of leisure with a few tasty bursts of adventure.
If you are planning to take a gap year in Asia or go backpacking to Indonesia, you really need to add Ubud to your itinerary.
Here’s my quick list of things to check out while you’re in the area:
1. Unexpected Gems
I mentioned that Ubud is a place you don’t have to plan for. What I mean is, Ubud has a wonderful ability to catch you off guard.
No joke, every time I stepped out my door I was confronted by some form of pop-up event that had the entire community out celebrating, and it wasn’t even a special time of year. We’re talking city-wide parades and shadow puppet shows that take up entire blocks of the town.
Even planned excursions, like the famed Kecak dance performances, are nothing like what you’d expect (or at least, I didn’t).
Having not researched the dance beforehand, I was mesmerized by the temple grounds and open air fire that the emphatic dancers spun, jumped, and chanted around in their epic tale of Hanuman.
2. The Rice Paddies
The wonderful thing about the rice paddies is that, as soon as you set foot on the path, you’ll feel like you’re a thousand miles away. The trails are fairly well known to tourists, being only a few steps away from central Ubud, but if you don’t mind getting up early it’s a perfect spot for an easy morning walk.
The rice paddies are actually one of the things I miss most about Bali. There’s something distinctly calming about walking down those narrow walking paths, surrounded on all sides by lush greenery and Bali life.
Keep your eyes peeled for banana spiders (don’t worry, not poisonous) and local birds, and make sure to wear your sunscreen as there’s little to no shade.
3. Beaches
Ok, you’ve got me, there are no beaches in Ubud itself, but Bali is a small place, and just one hour east of Ubud is the town of Padangbai, featuring some outstanding beach-side spots.
The first place you’re going to want to check out it the secluded White Sand Beach. This beach is just as magical as it sounds and it is easily one of the most beautiful beaches in southeast Asia. It’s essentially a couple of beach huts servicing a stretch of white sand and bright blue seas. Pure Perfection.
Once you’ve had your fill of the White Sand Beach, make sure to take in some snorkeling in the Blue Lagoon. The lagoon is an enclosed bay, safe from the current, and featuring a wide array of brilliantly-coloured sea life. End your day in one of Padangbai’s numerous little cafes or bars (e.g. Babylon Bar or Martini’s).
4. Balinese Eats, Ubud Style
Straight up, Ubud has some amazing food. I mean, they have a monthly food truck park…’nuff said.
Do yourself a favour and check out Casa Luna as soon as possible–I guarantee it will become one of your fav spots. This colourful restaurant sits in the heart of Ubud and features an delectable daily menu, Sunday donuts, and live jazz every week.
For more traditional eats, head over to Rodah Family Homestay. The restaurant there specializes in local fare and hosts a Balinese feast every Sunday at 7pm. This is also a really great place to go for a massage, or to laze by the on-site swimming pool.
5. The Bat Cave
Yep, Bali has bat caves – who knew? The one closest to Ubud is Goa Lawah, and it’s a bit of a must-see. Little warning: the caves themselves are kind of gross. They’re smelly and dark, and it’s impossible to get a good pic of the bats in their natural environment.
When you arrive at the caves, you’ll be asked to put on a Balinese skirt if you aren’t properly attired. You’ll then be given a tour of the temple, including a history of the space and a glimpse at the famed bats. It’s not the most glamorous outing, but it’s certainly memorable…which is kind of the point of travel, isn’t it?
6. Bonus: Epic Day Trips
First up, Kuta – land of burned beach bums, fast food joints, and weekend warriors. An hour south of Ubud, this is the place you go to lounge in a sea of westerners, surrounded by the sound of crashing waves. Take a moment to walk on the boulevard and through the back alleys – this is where you’ll discover the best food (e.g. Black House Burgers) and super unique shops.
Next up, Sanur. On the road from Kuta to Ubud, Sanur is a quiet little seaside port full of colourful fishing boats and fantastic eats.
While locals lovingly call it ‘snore’, I found it to be a nice little diversion from the bustle of Kuta, and a perfect day trip from Ubud. After checking out the beach, head into town for some carrot cake (don’t ask, just find it), and a pint at the local Canadian bar.
Go Discover Ubud
Ubud is one of those places that allows you to indulge in the leisure-loving side of life. I mean, as much as as I love the idea of constant adventure (and I do!), sometimes it’s nice to just sit back and soak in the beauty of one particularly outstanding place. In Bali, this is the place.
Keen to see more? View our guide to the best islands to see in Indonesia.