The spiritual center of Bali – Ubud
The spiritual center of Bali – Ubud
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Ubud is one of our favorite places in Bali. Although there is no ocean around, there are so many amazing villas, vegan restaurants and yoga studios. If you have little time in Bali, Ubud is the best place to stay and to do day trips to the East or North of Bali. But it’s also the perfect place to stay longer and to soak in the spiritual vibes.
What to do
The chilled and vibrant vibes in Ubud offer the perfect mix. Ubud is the perfect place for good restaurants, yoga and meditation, the most beautiful resorts and airbnbs, beautiful rice fields, temples in the jungle and day tours to explore the area around. There is so much to discover in Ubud and around Ubud. You can easily explore everything with a scooter.
1. Tegallalang Rice Terraces
After a 25-minute scooter ride from Ubud you will arrive at the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, a little North of Ubud centre. We highly recommend to arrive at 6 am for sunrise, because these rice terraces are really touristic. Also at 6am you don’t have to pay any entrance fee. Walk into the valley on the right side / East, where you will find the most beautiful area of the terraces and the best views.
There is also famous picture point, with the perfect morning sun rays in the background, but the owner of these terraces wants to have 100.000 IDR for pictures. Somehow we managed to pay only 20k. In the morning you have the best chance to see sun rays shining through the dust over the fields. It’s so beautiful! You have to fly your drone here, if you have one!
2. Jatiluwih Rice Terraces and Cinta Gembok Bali
The most popular rice terraces are Tegallalang Rice Terraces for sure, but they are quite popular and you will be surrounded by lots of tourists. A secret tip are Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, in our opinion the most beautiful rice terraces in Ubud! They are a little further away from the centre, but it’s totally worth it! The lush green rice terraces look so beautiful in the morning light.
Our guide showed us a secret place next to Jatiluwih Terraces: It’s called Cinta Gembok Bali – we were only surrounded by Indonesian people.
3. Campuhan Ridge Walk
The Campuhan Ridge Walk starts directly behind the Amora Ubud Villas hotel. This 15 minute walk is the perfect connection to Ubud city. You will be surrounded by beautiful rice fields and jungle. In the evening there are loads of frogs. The best time for pictures is definitely sunrise, for sunset there are a lot of people.
4. Tibumana Waterfall
Only a 25-minute scooter ride from Ubud centre you can experience this perfectly falling waterfall in the middle of the jungle in the East of Ubud. They charge 15.000 IDR per person. The way down is easy to walk, no rip-off with guides or extra fees. When we’ve been there we crashed an engagement photo shoot. If you come early, there aren’t a lot of tourists. This waterfall still isn’t that touristic.
Just before arriving at the entry for the waterfall you will drive through beautiful rice fields and a street with palm trees on both sides. Stop at your way back and take some pictures!
5. Tupak Cepung Waterfall
You might know this picture from the sun ray pictures on Instagram. It’s located in the East of Ubud and easily reachable by scooter. If you come early you might be alone here and don’t have to pay any entrance fees. Unfortunately the sun rays are coming a little later, when most of the tourists arrive. To get to the waterfall, you have to climb over a few bigger muddy rocks.
6. Nung Nung Waterfall – day trip
For this waterfall you should plan a day trip if you start with a scooter from in the centre of Ubud. It’s located in the North of Bali and you will need around 1,5 hours to get there. You can combine this one with Leke Leke Waterfall. We arrived there around midday and there were a few tourists. Most of them are standing on the left side, walk the path on the ride side, climb over some rocks and you will find the perfect picture spot! The entrance fee is 10.000 IDR per person. The way down to the waterfall was exhausting.
7. Leke Leke Waterfall – day trip
This waterfall is close to Nung Nung, but a lot more touristic, therefore they charge 50.000 IDR per person. From Nung Nung you will need another 30 minutes. You have to pass a few touristic stalls until you reach the fall at the bottom. there is stone in front of the waterfall which you should climb for a picture!
8. Tegenungan Waterfall
The Tegenungan Waterfalls are very crowded, but if you hike up the stairs and walk along the jungle trail you will be on your own. We even saw some big monkeys there.
Tip: Tibumana Waterfalls are a lot more unknown and also close to Ubud centre.
9. Experience “The Eve of Hindu New Year”
Balinese people create large statues of demons and other evil creatures out of bamboo and paper. These statues are known as ogoh-ogoh. Many of the ogoh-ogoh seen in parades are created by youth groups from Balinese villages. The most impressive ogoh-ogoh are usually created by Balinese artists.
After the ogoh-ogoh are created, they are taken to a large street parade for everyone to see. Each statue has its own performance and sometimes they “fight” with another statue. It is believed that the ogoh-ogoh will absorb the negative energy of the spectators and ward off evil spirits. After the parade, the ogoh-ogoh are burned in a large public bonfire.
We didn’t plan to experience this massive spectacle but it was absolutely stunning! It’s the perfect way to understand Balinese culture by experiencing a public holiday. If you plan to go to Bali in March you have to go there! Depending on the year Hindu New year is sometimes in the beginning of March, sometimes in the end. It is celebrated everywhere in Bali, but you will see most ogoh-ogoh in Ubud. On the other side, the festival could be more authentic in some smaller villages without tourists.
10. Day of Silence on “Hindu New Year”
On this day all Balinese people participate in Nyepi rituals. No fire or light can be used and nobody is allowed to walk on the streets, nobody is allowed to travel. The Balinese people are fasting during the day and use the time to think about what they can improve next year. Nyepi policemen patrol the island of Bali, so it is not a good idea to get your flight on this day ;). Airports are closed on this day, all people stay indoors or leave the island before!
Balinese people believe that remaining silent for a full day after loud celebrations will trick evil spirits into thinking that the island of Bali is uninhabited. What a great idea right? We highly recommend to stay this night in a beautiful resort with a nice pool and to enjoy a day of relaxation for example in Puri Sunia Resort! No worries, the resorts will prepare a wonderful 4-course menu for you also Balinese people are fasting. In the morning you can do some Hatha Yoga for free.
11. Experience Monkey Forrest
Monkey Forrest is the perfect place to experience the little cheeky monkeys. They are not locked up there, but in the rainforest are hundreds of them. Keep in mind that they love to steal hats, sunglasses, and bags ;). The walk through the rainforest was fantastic and the monkeys even sat on our laps. Be careful that they don’t bite you! They can get a little aggressive sometimes.
12. Explore Pura Tirta Empul
The big water temple is very important to the locals because it offers drinking water from the ground. There are different pools for different meanings, men and women. The locals clean themselves at the 30 different stations, and you are welcomed to join them. They are going in the water with their sarongs and clothes. The entry fee is 15.000 IDR p.P. (1$) and there will be sarongs at the entrance. A knot on the left or right side shows if you are married or not.
13. The Coffee Plantations and Cat Poo Coffee
The coffee plantations are a popular place to visit. They show you 15 different coffee varieties as well as the Cat Poo Coffee. But there is a lot more to discover. Around the plantations, they plant avocado, dragon fruit, coconut, bananas, Curcuma, lemongrass and many more. Sadly the cats have to live in small cages therefore we can’t recommend to buy any of the Vat Poo Coffee. Nevertheless the plantations are really beautiful.
14. Visit Puri Gunung Kawi
Many stairs are leading down to the old graves. People used to carve caves out of the rocks to live in them and to bury their families in the massive rocks. The shrines and temples are located very beautifully in the jungle and we saw at least 50 monks in a meditation course. The entrance fee is 15000 IDR (1$) per person and you have to put off your shoes.
15. Secret tip: Heron Point – Petulu Village
We have a secret tip for you: 10 minutes away from Puri Sunia Resort there is a village with hundreds of Heron Birds coming home in the evening called Petulu Village. Those white and yellow birds look so beautiful and there weren’t many tourists.
16. Go Shopping in the centre of Ubud!
If you like beautiful furniture, wood and linen, you have to take some time to go shopping in Ubud centre and to soak in the chilled and vibrant vibes here. There are so many incredible stores. On the one hand there are cheep local markets where you can buy baskets, dreamcatchers and clothes. On the other hand there are a lot of chic boutiques with beautiful hand made clothes. Buy a beautiful sarong, so you have your own for the temples.
Where to stay
There are so many incredible hotels in Ubud. I guess it’s the place with the most beautiful and chic places for little money. Have a look a booking or airbnb. Of course there are also a lot of extraordinary expensive hotels, but you will also find incredible looking budget hotels!
1. Jannata Resort
The pool with the fantastic platform in front of the jungle is pure magic! You can either book a beautiful room with bathtub in front of a big window to the jungle or you book one of the incredible private villas with a pool. The resort is located in the middle of nature, surrounded by jungle and palm trees. It’s a really peaceful place and the view is one of the best in Ubud.
2. Greenvillage
Green Village is located in the South of Ubud. This place really inspired us with it’s beautiful bamboo architecture, but also with the whole ecological concept. It is closely linked to the Green School with it’s amazing sustainability projects! We found some time to sit back and enjoy this place.
Our awesome host, Pauline, took us on a walk through the surrounding forest and village. We had some bags with us and picked up a lot of plastic, but it’s overwhelming how much there is when you start looking! It was so interesting learning about Green School, farming and the recycling projects!!
3. DDbamboolodge
This bamboo villa is an absolutely secret tip. A brand new place to enjoy nature! There are two villas connected with stone slabs. But the owners plan more villas in the future. The bigger villa has a round ceiling light and an amazing balcony. The smaller villa has a fantastic outdoor hammock on the first floor. You can directly order some food there or get something to eat with a grab taxi.
4. Villa Cella Bella
Voted as on of the best airbnbs, this villa definitely keeps its promises. A big living room and kitchen area next to a long pool is the perfect meeting point with other guests. In front of the pool there are 2 nets on different levels to relax and kuddle.
5. Calma Ubud
A unique private resort overlooking a lush valley, emerald green rice terraces and spectacular sunsets. It really feels like a home away from home. Calma Ubud is consciously designed to blend seamlessly with Bali’s natural surroundings. They have ten individually styled guest rooms and suites. Tropical architecture meets Balinese craftsmanship. It absolutely feels like a sublime retreat to unwind, reconnect with yourself and be one with nature in perfect calmness. You can book a special picnic or a flower bath.
6. Adiwana Arya
All Adiwana Arya Villas are built following traditional Javanese House, an antique wooden house. Located in a beautiful secluded area, approximately 15 minutes from the heart of Ubud, Adiwana Arya Villas is a wonderful place to relax. From the pool you have the perfect view of the sunset over the rice fields.
7. The Udaya – Flower Bath
A wonderful big pool area surrounded by the jungle of Ubud and a famous spa – well that’s the Udaya resort. We absolutely loved the famous flower bath with loads of petals and tea and we fell in love with the yoga area on top of the hotel. From the rooftop you can see all the surrounding area.
8. Amora Ubud Villa
This place felt like paradise and we highly recommend spending there at least two nights. They have the most beautiful bungalows with private pools. And the view of the jungle is incredible. The meals are fantastic and it´s only a 15-minute walk to Ubud center along the famous Campuhan Ridge Walk.
9. Really good budget airbnbs:
- Surawan Bisma Ubud (pool, chic rooms, in the center)
- Gek House (super service, best hosts, nice pool, very clean rooms, scooter rental)
Where to eat
Together with Canggu, Ubud is the best place for plant based food! There are hundreds of restaurants, vegan, RAW, organic…It’s heaven! Our most favorite restaurants:
1. KAFE Restaurant
That’s definitely our favorite restaurant in Ubud! We’ve been there several times and loved it every-time! It’s also a good place to work. The coffee is incredible, as well as the bowls or falafel wraps.
2. Moksa Restaurant
This place is so adorable. It’s a little outside of Ubud centre but you have to go to this completely vegan place! They also offer cooking classes and yoga training.
3. The Elephant Restaurant
This restaurant isn’t far away from Ubud centre, but it’s located in a very calm side street next to rice terraces. The vegan cheesecake with raspberries is out of this world!!! We loved this place!
4. ZEST Restaurant
This place is located directly in Ubud centre next to Campuhan Ridge Walk. It’s a common place for vegan food and they offer a big variety of different meals. The location with all the plants is really beautiful, too.
5. Bali Buda Restaurant
Directly in the vibrant streets of Ubud you will find this cute café with lots of vegan options. The bowls and coffee tasted really good and the location felt really chilled!
6. Clear Café
Clear Café is a chilled restaurant in the centre of Ubud. It’s special because of all the plants around the tables and the beautiful wooden elements for example the Hobbit front door.
7. Raw The Seeds of Life Restaurant
This place is for all the people who love or want to try vegan raw food. It’s really famous in Ubud and you can also order something with grab and get it delivered to your accommodation.
8. Alchemy
Everything is designed so beautifully and there are many vegan options in this restaurant. Also they sell so many incredible organic products.
9. Other nice restaurants:
- Down to Earth Cafe (vegan food)
- Casa Luna (in the middle of the center, beautiful located)
- Sage (vegan cuisine, including lots of Mexican-inspired dishes)
- Sari Organik (all about fresh food)
- Kantin (working co-space, vegan)
How to get around – The Taxi maffia
We highly recommend to rent a scooter to be able to explore everything on your own without getting exploited by taxi drivers in Ubud centre. Outside the centre it’s still possible to order a Grab or Uber driver with moderate prices. But in front of most popular hotels and especially in the centre of Ubud it’s nearly impossible to get one, you can only take a taxi with enormous prices. It happened to us twice, that we jumped in a Grab car and a taxi driver pursued us and threatened our driver until we had to get out.
Also we highly recommend to wear a long trousers although it’s really hot and looks silly (for example on top of a shorts, so you can change quickly). There are so many scooter accidents in Bali, I myself had one and covered legs reduces the injuries a lot! I think we don’t have to remind you to wear a helmet too.
Ready for Bali? We promise you will come to this place again and again. At this moment we’ve already been in Bali 3 times…
*Anzeige/ad This article contains recommendations of hotels and restaurants. We collaborated with some of the hotels. However, this article represents our own and honest opinion.
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