9 Things to do in Ubud

Dear Traveler,

Are you looking for a list of things to do while traveling to Ubud? Then this post is perfect for you! This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the top things to do in Ubud and valuable background information on each attraction, including costs, tourist occupancy, and much more! Enjoy reading!

1. Bali Bintang Rafting

Bali Bintan Rafting is an activity I would recommend to anyone who chases adventure and new experiences. This whole activity was just utterly amazing. It is about 300.000 IDR per person, including food and all equipment like wetsuits. You are then thrown into a boat with total strangers. Going down the wild river and having fun with people you have never met before is just a different kind of adventure and core memory. It was so much fun and interesting to learn more from our guide about the stone cravings alongside the river, plants, and more which you will see when doing this activity. You will also make a quick stop at a waterfall where you even are allowed to jump out and take a quick “shower”. At the end, there will be also a waterslide for you and the boat which makes it so much fun. The price is also food included which you can get at the end of your experience (where you started in the beginning) and enjoy a great view of rice fields with good food. The Rafting was not hard at all and we never felt unsafe whatsoever, but the way to and from the river is very steep and challenging so for anyone who is not good on foot we wouldn´t recommend this activity. But this experience is a must for anyone who likes trying new things and adrenaline kicks! (https://www.balibintangrafting.com/page/welcome-to-bali,-we-are-bali-view-ubud)

2. Pemulan Cooking Class

Do you want to learn how to cook Balinese? A cooking class is a great way to do so. We booked this Pemulan Cooking Class for 450.000 IDR. The amazing thing about this cooking class is that they have different options for vegetarians or vegans as well. The location is a bit outside of Ubud but they offer a pickup service from Ubud and your Hotel and drive you directly to the farm. If you decide to book a morning class, then your class will also take place at a market where you will buy fresh ingredients for your meals. Even if you don´t pick a morning class then you will take a walk through their gardens and harvest ingredients like palm sugar or avocados for the meals you will be cooking later. Our Cooks explained everything we wanted to know about the vegetables etc. and were super friendly. It is very interesting to learn more about how and what grows in Bali. Every team of two has one stove where they cook their own 5-course meal. In the end, you eat everything together with everyone and have time to chat and so on. Like a family! A great opportunity to connect with different people from all over the world, who are also attending this cooking class, and also learn more about the Balinese culture when talking to the cooks and people who live there. We talked a lot to our cooks and learned so much about them, not just about cooking! (https://pemulanbali.com/)

3. Ubud Monkey Forest

Very famous of course we also have to mention the Ubud Monkey Forest which is in the centre of Ubud and easy to reach from everywhere. A nice little walk with a lot of curious friends who sometimes are a bit cheeky. You don´t really have to go into the monkey forest to see monkeys though. Those animals are all around Ubud but the walk is still very nice and calming and you so more Monkeys in one spot of course. Be aware though because those animals are used to people and won´t be scared of you and sometimes try to steal things. One of those sweet little monkeys wanted to steal my water bottle… Maybe keep your food and drinks hidden and everything that is important near your body in a bag or backpack! Just a friendly tip!

4. Tegallang Ricefields and Terraces

A must-visit when traveling to Ubud in Bali is the Rice terraces all around the area. But Tegallang Ricefields and Terraces in particular is very good because it has everything in one place. So all the photo “stations” with the Swing, Nest, different platforms, etc. where you can take pictures, and also a Cafe and Restaurant. Especially the swing is great cause you have someone who will push the swing for you and you can enjoy a nice view from above over the rice terraces while someone takes videos or pictures of you. I think our pictures turned out just amazing because those workers know how to take the best Photos for you. It is also possible to take a walk along the fields and enjoy a chilly drink on top of the rice terraces for a quick break. For 300.000 IDR you have everything included that you can wish for in photospots but the swing for example is just for one-time use only. So there is a limited number of times you can go to those picture places, but it is plenty enough in our opinion. But if you wish to have more time then there is also an unlimited one for a bit of a more expensive price. Feel free to share your photos with us!

5. Waterfalls (Tegenungan, Tibumana, Suwat, Pengempu)

When visiting Bali it is highly recommended to also visit at least one waterfall. Around Ubud are also quite a few beautiful ones that you can easily reach by moped or grab. We visited the Tegenungan Waterfall because it was not far away from the Rice terraces (Nbr. 4) so we just did both in one go. This Waterfall is one of the more well-known ones with many tourists and a nice Club/Restaurant overlooking the Waterfall, but still, it is a very beautiful Waterfall. You can walk around in the water in front and can take amazing pictures from the bridge above. Very cute are the little painters with cute texts and the amazing Beach Club called Omma. Not only the view is great but also the drinks are. Friends of ours also recommended the Tibumana and Suwat Waterfall which should be also very pretty and less crowded. Spending an afternoon cruising around in Ubud and making stops at some waterfalls is an amazing thing to do in Ubud!

6. Pura Tirta Empul – Ubud Sacred Water Temple

Learning more about a culture when visiting a new country or place is so important! You can do this in Ubud by visiting the Pura Tirta Empul a water temple which means that it is a holy spring where water comes directly from Earth. To respect the culture history and Hinduism of Bali you have to wear clothes which you will get the entrance. So colorful towels to appropriately cover your body. At first, you will make a wish and meditate in front of the offerings. The purifying ritual consists of drinking from the fountain three times as well as washing your face, body, and especially the top of your head three times! After you bathed in the water you are completely cleansed!

7. Pura Taman Saraswati Temple / Ubud Palace

Directly in the center of Ubud, straight after a short stop at a Restaurant, you can visit the Ubud Palace. A charming Building with lots and lots of delightful plants and flowers. Great to take pictures of and also learn more about the Balinese culture. Those orange colors that are everywhere are so bright and amazing to look at. The pictures you see of this place don´t do it justice and it looks so much better in person. It wasn´t even run down by tourists when we were there, so we would recommend checking it out if you have time and are in the center of Ubud.

8. Campuhan Ridge Walk

One of the best things to do when the sun sets and the climate is getting less draining then a nice little walk can be a nice end of the day. This walk is very easy and also perfect for seeing the sunset on the horizon. You can walk this Ridge walk as long as you want even if it is just for a few metres. Very nice to see a lot of Ubud from above and it feels like you are completely in nature. Perfect for a nice little evening or morning walk with your friends, partner, or alone to enjoy your time away on holiday. We wouldn´t recommend going during the day because it can get really hot and there are not really shadows around.

9. Bali Quad Biking

The last one is another one for your action and adventure seekers: Bali Quad Biking. You for sure have already seen some videos of this activity but we also wanted to mention how cool it is. This provider in particular is great because they have different tours you can choose from, whatever suits you best. It is completely safe and you can go as fast as you like. It is also possible to sit together on one bike if you want and if you take a child with you. This experience goes from 600.000 IDR and is totally worth the price in our opinion. (https://www.baliquadbiking.com/?gad_source=5&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIu8uR5uf-hwMVOWWRBR1SnhLgEAAYAiAAEgL-FPD_BwE)

We hope this Ubud travel guide helped you in planning your trip to Ubud Bali make sure to give us feedback on things you want us to talk more about or maybe other recommendations for Ubud in the comments! Have a nice trip to Ubud and live a life to remember!