10 best things to do in ubud

Ronda and I spent a week in Ubud and loved every minute of it. If you’re trying to figure out what to do in Ubud, Bali, this is the list I wish I’d had before we arrived. We liked it so much we came back for 2 more nights after the Gili Islands. The attractions in Ubud range from ancient temples to wild monkeys to rice terraces you can actually walk through — there’s enough here to fill a week and still leave things undone. These are our favorites. Follow us @LiveTravelTeach for more from Indonesia.

We highly recommend getting travel insurance before heading to Ubud. I use World Nomads and love the peace of mind I get knowing that if I get hurt I’ll be covered.

1. Sacred Monkey Forest

All right, on our list of fun things to do in Ubud, Sacred Monkey Forest is the very first entry. Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest was by far my favorite experience during our stay. I loved it so much that I went back a second time. Monkeys are my favorite animal and you might remember my favorite photo from last year. But even if you aren’t a monkey fan you will certainly have a great time! At 40,000 IDR it’s a bargain and the fees go towards conserving the natural habitat. This is one of the top attractions in Ubud you simply cannot miss.

Over 600 monkeys live in this forest at the heart of Ubud. There are dozens of park rangers around at all times making sure tourists don’t overstep the boundaries with mother nature. The monkeys here are as close to wild as a human can safely interact with. They are quite friendly but be careful — they are still wild animals. Don’t take valuables or anything loose that the monkeys can steal.

The Best Attractions in Ubud, Bali

2. Kecak Fire Trance Dance

Another must-see activity in Ubud, Bali is the Kecak Fire Trance Dance. There are different dances every night at temples around the city but this was by far our favorite. We saw a Barong dance one morning and while interesting, the Kecak Fire Trance Dance was infinitely better.

One reason the Fire dance is so much more enjoyable is because the accompanying music is provided by almost 100 chanting men dressed in traditional garb. A story unfolds with exquisitely designed costumes, masks, and a few surprises. Thus, it is one of my favorite fun things to do in Ubud. The 75,000 IDR admission fee goes to the temple and is well worth the price. Ask your hotel or just about any local on the street and they’ll sell you a ticket.

Make sure you arrive early! The first show we arrived 20 minutes early for a 7:00 show and were able to get decent seats. We loved it so much that we went to a second at a different temple. We arrived 30 minutes early to a 7:30 show and ended up needing to stand to see past all the people! The later show was a little nicer but it really doesn’t matter which you see as long as you go.

More to Do in Ubud, Bali

3. Tegalalang Rice Terraces

One of the most beautiful things to do in Ubud is visiting the Tegalalang Rice Terraces. Sit and enjoy a meal overlooking them or trek through these stunning landscapes. Tegalalang is actively farmed by the local community and yields a crop 3 times every year. At any stage of the harvest, you’re sure to enjoy the scenery.

To get here hire a driver from Ubud and add it to a tour package or spend the whole day. We saw the Elephant Temple (Goa Gajah) and watched a show in the morning before our rice trekking.

Make sure you wear shoes that can get muddy (or flip flops like we did!) At various places along the paths locals have donation booths and will ask for a few dollars as toll or to buy a coconut.

Where to Go in Bali, Indonesia

On our trek, we met Wajah, an old farmer and his topless grandmother wandering the fields. Yes, she seemed a little crazy but, hey, it gets hot in Bali. She disappeared into the rice paddies where Ronda and I bought a coconut from Wajah who serenaded us with a traditional song while we soaked in the scenery. This is the kind of thing that keeps bringing people back to Ubud.

4. Beji Ayu — Ubud’s Most Sacred Healing Sanctuary

While you’re in Indonesia you should treat yourself to at least one massage. Consider it an essential part of all the fun things to do in Ubud. Ronda and I wandered along Monkey Forest Road and found a sign for Beji Ayu. I am convinced that their self-proclaimed “most sacred healing sanctuary” is completely accurate after an hour massage followed by a gorgeous flower bath while we listened to the tropical birds.

The couples package costs about 330,000 IDR. At less than $15 per person for a 90-minute treatment, this place is a steal! Whatever you get, I’m sure you’ll feel perfectly relaxed at the end.

If you’re looking for a relaxing trip to Ubud you’ll want to check out these great infinity pools in Ubud (and other resorts too). Be sure to grab a sweet photo and let me know your favorite of this list.

5. Elephant Temple (Goa Gajah)

Goa Gajah is one of the most recognizable attractions in Ubud, Bali and worth every minute. Bali is known as the Island of the Gods because of its 13,000 temples. Goa Gajah is one of the most famous because of its beautiful elephant carving at the entrance to a cave. It is quite close to Ubud and well worth stopping by. Stroll around the temple grounds to see ancient structures and a beautiful fountain. If you’re lucky an old man will bless you for a small fee or might offer to be your guide. Built in the 9th century, this sanctuary is full of intricate motifs carved throughout.

6. Bedugul Temple

One of Bali’s most iconic photos is of Bedugul Temple sitting calmly on a serene lake with a mountainous backdrop. There’s not much to do other than explore the temple gardens but this picturesque landscape is well worth the trip from Ubud. We combined Pura Taman Ayun and Bedugul for a half-day trip. Ronda and I found a guide/driver when walking Monkey Forest Road and paid about 600,000 IDR for a private car & driver for the whole day.

7. Pura Taman Ayun — (Royal) Family Temple

Yes, another temple on our things to do and see in Ubud list — but this one is magnificent. Our driver told us Pura Taman Ayun was a Royal Family Temple but some careful Googling makes it appear to have been for all families. Either way, this stunning structure is worth stopping by since it’s only 18 km from Ubud. Built in 1634, the ancient buildings are surrounded by a moat and Taman Ayun literally translates to “beautiful garden.” We combined this stop with Bedugul in our half-day trip since you only need an hour or so to walk around the whole complex.

Travel to Bali Indonesia

8. Attend a Yoga Class

Bali is a yoga capital and Ubud even more so — it’s one of those activities in Ubud, Bali that surprises people who didn’t come here for it. Check out Yoga Barn for dozens of different classes all priced at 130,000 IDR. You can find a bunch of other studios that might offer cheaper classes too. Ronda and I found 2 yoga classes later in the trip for only 100,000 IDR each.

9. Eat Amazing Food!

Eating in Ubud deserves its own post — and it’s getting one. For now, know that the food here is one of the best parts of figuring out what to do in Ubud, Bali. Stay tuned for specific restaurant recommendations in a future post but get ready to try some incredible meals. There are dozens of high-end restaurants catering to foreigners with Western or Indonesian meals all for under $10. It’s easy to find a meal for less than $5 and in many cases a snack for less than $1. I loved the Indonesian staples Gado Gado (steamed vegetable salad with peanut sauce & boiled egg) and Nasi Campur (rice with assorted side dishes).

If you’re less adventurous of an eater there are plenty of places to find pasta, pizzas, burgers and even Mexican throughout Ubud. Make sure you check out this food guide for Ubud!

10. Shop, Shop, Shop!

Shopping is one of those fun things to do in Ubud that sneaks up on you. The unique styles of Indonesia are available at markets throughout the city. The best prices were found near the Monkey Forest and in Ubud Market. If you’re headed elsewhere on Bali I still recommend shopping in Ubud since prices got higher and selections worse in other areas. Be ready to haggle! Vendors often agreed to prices less than 1/4 of their initial offer. For a shirt or pair of shorts, they might start at 150,000 or 200,000 IDR and then agree to 40,000 or 50,000 IDR. Have a price in mind before you ask and the trick is to wait. Don’t say anything — vendors might jump from 200,000 immediately to 100,000 just because you stood there. Don’t forget to walk away for the absolute best prices to be shouted as you leave their shop.

Those are our picks for the 10 best things to do in Ubud, Bali. We went back twice and could have stayed longer — these attractions in Ubud are that good.

Still figuring out what to do in Ubud, Bali? A few more ideas from other bloggers:

Try cycling in Bali!
Ever thought of Ayung River Rafting!
Canggu is another hotspot for tourists and expats!