Ultimate Bali in 9 Days – Day 4
If you have the shortest time to spend in Bali and you do not know where to visit, it got to be Ubud! On reaching Bali, Richie and I headed to the south of the island and spent 2 days in Uluwatu. We explored the best beaches, temples, and eateries there, and stayed in beautiful accommodations. Later, we traveled up north to Ubud to get the taste of “authentic Bali”. Ubud is the cultural and artistic center of Bali, and is the most popular destination of Indonesia. It is a gorgeous village in the center of the island and it has a lot to offer to tourists. Starting from the sea of rice terraces, stunning waterfalls, beautiful temples, traditional dance shows, traditional massages, yoga classes, mountain hikes, to the best places to eat, drink, and shop – Ubud has it all! Here I have enlisted 10 things to do in Ubud – Bali’s most iconic landscape.
Highlights of the Day
- Getting around by scooter
- Tegalalang Rice Terraces
- Tirta Empul Temple
- Drink Coconut Water
- Goa Gajah Temple
- Tegenungan Waterfall
- Lunch at Atman Kafe
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
- Traditional Balinese Massage at Udaya Spa
- Dinner at Earth Cafe and Market
10 Ultimate Things To Do in Ubud
We have got 3 days in Ubud. On the first day, we arrived in Ubud at around noon and checked in at the best ecostay in this art village – the Firefly Eco-Lodge. The place is beautiful and we spent the rest of the day exploring the property. If you are adventurous, I highly recommend you to stay here – you can read all about it here. On the second day, we aimed at exploring all of Ubud, so that on the third day, we could explore North Bali. Here is a list of 10 things we did on our second day in Ubud – you must try them out too!
1. Scootying in Ubud
I highly recommend exploring the beautiful greenery of Ubud by a scooter. You can rent one almost anywhere in Ubud. We rented one from the owner of the eco-lodge we were staying at. It cost us only Rp 70,000 for a day. By far, riding a scooter in Ubud is the best, cheapest, and most efficient method of getting around ever. Exploring Ubud by a car may sound pleasant to you considering the air-condition inside, but please, who says no to the fresh natural air of Ubud? Plus the traffic – you can beat that easily while riding a scooter than a car.
Tip: Do wear helmets, ride carefully, and do not overtake.
2. Sunrise at Tegalalang Rice Terraces
The first stop that you should make is at Tegalalang Rice Terraces. Most of the local Balinese people makes a living as a farmer, specializing as a rice farmer. Hence, there are many rice terraces in Bali. In Ubud, the most photogenic one is Tegalalang Rice Terraces. The entrance fee is Rp 15,000 IDR per person.
Tip: Make sure you come here really early to catch the sunrise gleaming on the beautiful lush rice paddies. This gives you a chance to get the best pictures and to avoid touristy crowds.
3. Holy Spring Water of Tirta Empul Temple
Tirta Empul Temple, locally known as Pura Tirta Empul, means temple of ‘holy spring water’. It is an important Hindu Balinese water temple, which consists of sacred bathing complex. The water is channeled from a holy mountain spring. Balinese Hindu people go there for ritual purification. The entrance fee is Rp 50,000 per person. If you are interested in getting inside the holy water, you have to rent sacred sarongs for Rp 15,000 each.
Tip: Rent a locker for Rp 10,000 to keep all your belongings inside before getting inside the holy spring water.
4. Drinking Coconut Water in a Roadside Warung
Warung means a small family-owned business, like a small restaurant or cafe, or more like a convenience shop, often a front room in a family’s home. You will come across many like these in Bali. Few of them offer really delicious local food. However, when in Bali, we always stop by a warung to drink young coconut water. In Bali, coconuts are really huge and holds a huge amount of water – one is sufficient for two people.
Tip: Kindly say no to the plastic straw, and carry your own bamboo or metal straw. In case you are not carrying one of them, sip on the coconut like a real, wild person. It’s fun, trust me!
5. Pura Goa Gajah or the Elephant Cave Temple
The Elephant Cave Temple, locally known as Pura Goa Gajah, is an ancient temple built in the 9th century. The temple complex is huge with gardens to explore. However, the cave is tiny inside with the presence of both Hindu and Buddhist elements. Mainly, it seems to be dedicated to Hindu Lord Ganesha. As Lord Ganesha represents elephants, hence the name of the temple is justified. The entrance fee is Rp 50,000 per person.
Tip: Many local vendors will try selling sarongs near the parking and shopping area leading to the entrance of the temple. There is no need to buy them as you get free sarongs just before you enter the temple.
6. Visit The Most Famous Tegenungan Waterfall
As the day gets hotter, it is a great idea to to dip into the most popular waterfall in Ubud – Tegenungan waterfall. It is located next to Tegenungan village, in the south of Ubud, away from the regular hustle and bustle. It looks very impressive. However, be prepared for the crowds. The entrance fee is Rp 15,000 per person.
Tip: The best time to visit the waterfall is early morning when you can have it all by yourself, with no crowds around. If you have time, you must visit the nearby Kanto Lampo waterfall and Tibumana waterfall along with it.
7. Best Vegan Pizza in Ubud at Atman Kafe
Ubud is a haven for vegetarians and vegans. There are numerous restaurants in Ubud that are either strictly vegan or vegan-friendly. If you are craving for the best vegan pizza in Ubud, then you should straight head to Atman Kafe. We made a lunch stop there before heading ahead.
Tip: Try their vegan chocolate ice-cream as dessert after your meal.
8. Meet the Monkeys at Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
The Monkey Forest in Ubud is a natural forest sanctuary that is home to a group of grey long-tailed macaques. The monkeys are very playful and they are very used to humans here, mostly because they are fed. They are not really afraid of us, so you can play with them. The park itself is like a big rainforest, so it is nice to walk through it watching the monkeys play. The sanctuary is managed well by a community-based management program. Hence, there is an entrance fee to the site, that is Rp 50,000 per person.
Tip: Be careful about your unattended belongings or loose jewelries as the naughty monkeys try to steal those away from you. If you have enough time, do not miss the crossing the Dragon Bridge there as you will find a sacred spring at its foot. You can also find an ancient bathing temple there.
9. Pamper Yourself with Traditional Balinese Massage Followed by Flower Bath
Your Bali trip is incomplete if you have missed taking a traditional Balinese massage followed by their famous flower bath. It is also the best way to conclude a long, tiring day of exploring Ubud. There are many places to get Balinese massage; however, we chose Kaveri Spa at The Udaya Resorts & Spa. Richie and I have chosen the Kaveri Signature Couple Package for Rp 1,700,000 including taxes and surcharges.
Tip: You will get many affordable-priced massages, but please do not go for a massage that costs less than Rp 200,000 per person. There are many bad experiences that I have read in various blogs before, hence I want to warn you about the same. It is best to experience massage from a trusted place, even if it costs a bit more. Also, please do take an appointment and do not just show up without prior notice for the best experience. Finally, do conclude your massage with a flower bath.
10. Dinner at Earth Cafe and Market, Ubud
Earth Cafe and Market is “a whole life concept” brand of organic, vegan shops and cafes providing for all your healthy food and lifestyle needs. They have a 100% plant-based menu in their cafe upstairs and an organic market selling healthy items downstairs. We had falafel wraps there for our dinner, before heading back to our accommodation in Ubud.
Don’t Rush, Spend More Days in Ubud
The top 10 things to do in Ubud that I have listed above is a must if you are a first-timer. However, I highly recommend that you do all of these in 2 days, spending enough time in each place. Richie and I almost rushed at every place.
We left our accommodation in the early morning at around 5.30 AM and came back at around 9.30 PM. That’s a very long day though we were pleased to take the massage and flower bath at the end.
We were supposed to change our rooms in Firefly Eco-Lodge from Birds Nest to Bamboo Eco-Cottage. However, as we did not hop in during the check-out time, the staff were kind enough to keep all our luggage in the common living space. On our arrival, they helped transferring them to our new room in the same property. I am always glad to get comfortable beds to sleep on. After such a tiring day, it does not even take 5 min to doze off.
Other Things to Do in Ubud
If you add few more days to your Ubud trip, then I would recommend you to visit the Saraswati Temple during sunrise, hike the Campuhan Ridge Walk, experience yoga in one of the many yoga classes here, learn cooking traditional Balinese food in a cooking class, shop at the local Ubud Art Market, and watch a traditional dance performance in the evening at Ubud Royal Palace. I am going to keep these in my list for my next visit to Bali.
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN IDR)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Day 3 in Indonesia – Ubud, Bali.
- Getting around (scooter hire): 35,000
- Entrance fee of all places including renting sacred sarong and locker at Tirta Empul Temple: 200,000
- Massage Treatment: 850,000
- Food and miscellaneous: 150,000
- Fuel and parking fee: 15,000
Total expense (roughly): 1,250,000 IDR
For a more customized itinerary, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page.
If you are planning for a much-organized, tastefully-curated, stress-free yet exciting vacation, consider booking your holidays at Travel Love Repeat. It is going to be a treat for sure!
Ubud could be my favourite place in Bali. A lovely town set amidst nature and so many things to do in and around. Having this guide really simplifies things. Well written and true to the word. We should maybe make a book of these blogs that you have here. Lovely words. The waterfalls and the photos taken especially the celebration flower bath is amazing. They curated it especially for us ? Bali is love for us. These words do justice to what I felt. Amazing blog. Keep it up and meet me soon ?? Vegan Bali with you was dreamy ?
We are meeting soon. I am thinking of nothing else as of now.
Okay I am complete SOLD with your Ubud travel experience. As of this moment I am texting my boyfriend to check his schedule coz I am really wanting to visit this place and have our long weekend. That celebration flower bath is my weakness.
Let me know if I can be of any help. I have a travel company and we offer the best travel packages in Ubud.
Bali seems like a dream come true and is the kind of place that just oozes romance. I would absolutely love to go there one day with my boyfriend and Ubud seems like a good place to start. The flower bath looks like a fun and romantic thing to do too.
You and your boyfriend will have the best time there, I bet!
Despite the increased number of tourists in the area, Ubud still remains one of my favorite places to visit. The sunrise at Tegalalang Rice Terraces is spectacular and also one of my favorites. I would also suggest people not to rush and spend as many days as they can in Ubud. Thank you for sharing this awesome article
Yes Daniel, we rushed a lot. I completely don’t encourage that. People should spend more time in Ubud.
I am already convinces that I need to visit Ubud ever since my friend visited there and showed me her pics.
Now, I’ll all thhe more convinced with your list. I really need look for tickets.
The rice terraces would be my top priority. The vegan pizza sounds delicious. My daughter would have fun visiting the monkeys!!!
Yes Bhushavali, it would be a great family vacation indeed.
O my God are those waterfalls for real? They look like the ones I see in dreams. I am not a religious person but I would love to go for the purification bath in the stream for the experience. Each and eveyr experience you listed here is something I want to do on my trip. Except maybe scootying since I can’t.
I am not religious too, but it was fun experiencing all that.
I love the photo of the rice terraces being illuminated by the rising sun. And the waterfalls looks stunning.Ubud seems to be a great destination for nature lovers. I’d sure try the massage and the flower bath. So relaxing. Ubud’s awesome! Thank you for sharing this.
I am glad.
I keep seeing the most beautiful images of Ubud lately, and Bali is definitely somewhere that’s rising up my wishlist. Your Ubud highlights list all looks wonderful… from sunrise at the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, to the photogenic Pura Tirta Temple, and the Elephant Cave Temple with those amazing carvings! Enjoying natural scenery like the Tegenungan waterfall also appeals and who can resist meeting monkeys in a beautiful sanctuary?
Seriously, there are so many interesting things to do in Ubud. I swear!
Wow.. the photo of the sunrise gleaming at Tegalalang Rice Terraces is amazing. Visiting the sacred bathing complex sounds like an interesting activity. I like visiting temples so the Elephant Cave Temple sounds like a place I’d want to visit. I really like your detailed description of Ubud, just as you did a great job writing about Uluwatu. Thanks for enlightening me on Southeast Asia destinations!
I am so glad, Lora.
You’ve got me excited about going to Bali with all these amazing photos. The shot of the Rice Terraces is incredible, I’d love to be there for sunrise to capture this moment.
Sure Paul.
Your experiences in Ubud were amazing , it shows up in your photo choices! RIght up on my favourites is the sunrise over Tegalang rice fields. My visit to Bali was too short and this blog showed me what I missed out, on the massages and the flower bath definitely will be on my list for next time.
Do contact me for anything related to Ubud.
I visited Ubud a couple of years ago and missed out half of these things! I went to see the rice terraces but now I wish I’d gone at sunrise… absolutely beautiful. I would love to visit the Earth cafe too, sounds lovely!
Yes Lauren, you must revisit Ubud soon.
Ubud is high on my list. This is a great post with details. I would definitely want to spend more than 10 days only in Ubud whenever we go for Indonesia. I love Balinese spa. The flower bath is so interesting. Loved it completely.
Thanks!
Your post made me really miss Bali. I haven’t been to Ubud but will definitely consider during our next trip. I did not realize there’s so much to do and see. I would love to see th Goa Gajah Temple up close.
You got to get to Ubud for the real Bali experience.
What a wonderful post! I love Ubud, one of my favorite citys in Bali, I remember visiting Monkey Forest when I was there a couple of years ago but i would love to see the Tegalalang Rice Terraces since it looks amazing. Thank you for sharing!
Yes, the rice terraces are so picturesque.
Ubud is a lovely place in Bali and you have captured its vibes beautifully. I have been there twice and I love the greenery, the culture, the art that one gets to see around. Goa Gajah temple is old but lovely. Did you try Quad biking in Ubud? I did it last year and it was fun. Ubud has also become a haven for adventure seekers too.
It’s so beautiful.
Bali is high on my list due to its exotic nature and magnificient temples. It is great that you mentioned about renting sarongs for holy dip and I would love to take a dip. The whole process looks very much spiritual as we have to pass through 30 stations. The sculpture of Goa Gajah caves looks stunning. The vegan pizza at rustic Atman Kafe looks delicious. Thanks for sharing all details and full itinerary.
Glad you liked it, Yukti.
Ubud is absolutely amazing and its a pity that I only spent a day there, should have stayed overnight. I did not visit the Monkey Forest (that, I do not regret) because I do not like monkeys at all! The Goa Gajah temple was really nice, and the rice terraces too. Tegenungan Waterfall looks so amazing, wish I had made it there!
No way Medha, you got to revisit Bali and spend a week in Ubud, not a day less than that. Trust me!