Ubud - Bali's cultural heart

Also known as the cultural heart of Bali, Ubud is famous for its beautiful rice fields, traditional art and culture, sacred temples, and relaxed atmosphere. It is one of the places where many digital nomads find their home, and after spending a few days there, I absolutely understand why. More about the cultural heart of Bali in this blog!

Can you spot the volcano in the background?

How to get to Ubud?

Ubud is about 1 hour drive from the capital Denpasar. In Ubud itself, the traffic is quite busy and chaotic, because the main road is not very wide and you will definitely get stuck here. Once a bit more outside of Ubud, the traffic isn't too bad.

 

Update 04-2023:
Hearing from some Balinese and news articles, it seems Bali wants to ban scooter rentals for tourists. This would be very unfortunate for those who like to explore the island by scooter, because for me it was the easiest way to explore the area around Ubud. Before you leave for Bali, check carefully what rules apply, so you won't have any (unpleasant) surprises.

    What to do in Ubud?

    More than enough to do in cultural heart of Bali: from visiting temples, rice fields or climbing an active volcano!

    Visit temples!

    Ubud has several ancient temples that play an important role in Balinese culture and religion. Several are located in Ubud itself, but there are also several temples to visit a little outside of Ubud.

    • Saraswati Temple (Ubud Water Palace)

    Located in the heart of Ubud (along the busy street) is the Saraswati Temple, also known as the Water Palace of Ubud. A water temple with beautiful lotus flowers on either side! Follow the flowering path to the Balinese architecture and brilliantly colored doors.

    • Ubud Palace

    Practically next to the Saraswati Temple (Ubud Water Palace) is the Ubud Palace. This beautiful temple has elaborate stone doors with flowers, monkeys and rather interesting faces.

     

    Near these temples, plenty of vendors will talk to you asking if you want to buy a ticket to one of the local dance shows. Indeed, Ubud is known for its traditional Balinese dances, such as the Kecak Dance, the Barong Dance, and the Legong Dance.

     

    You can attend one of these colorful and expressive dance performances to experience Balinese culture. Personally, I had already seen the Kecak Dance in Uluwatu, so I was fine with skipping the dance shows in Ubud.

    • Pura Tirta Empul

    The Pura Tirta Empul is a sacred Hindu temple built around a sacred spring, located in Tampaksiring, about 15 kilometers northeast of Ubud. It is an important place of worship for Balinese Hindus and is known for its purification rituals.

     

    Visitors can participate in a purification ceremony, immersing themselves in the sacred spring and following the ritual purification ceremony, accompanied by a local guide. You pay this guide at the end of the ceremony on a donation basis.


    It is a unique and spiritual experience to participate in this ancient tradition and experience the sacred springs of Pura Tirta Empul.

     

      Cost overview

      • Entrance fee: IDR 50.000
      • Renting a special sarong for the ritual and a locker: 25.000
      • Guide: Donation (between 35.000 and 75.000)

      Total: 110.000 – 150.000 (€7,00 - € 9,50)

      • Goa Gajah

      Goa Gajah, also known as the Elephant Cave, is an ancient Hindu temple dating back to the 9th century. Located on the outskirts of Ubud, it is known for its unique architecture and history. The entrance to the temple is decorated with a sweeping entrance in the shape of a demon mouth, which is said to represent the entrance to the underworld. Inside the temple you will find a sacred cave with statues of Hindu gods and a meditation room. The temple also has beautiful gardens and fountains to explore.

       

      At this temple, by the way, immediately after parking the scooter, I was accosted by one of the vendors with the almost imperative request to buy a sarong. If you say no, they try to appeal to your feelings by talking about "good luck" and "good karma. In any case, know that you get a sarong with your entrance ticket (IDR 50.000).

       

      Tip: In Bali, at practically every tourist opportunity, you will encounter vendors who sometimes aggressively try to sell their offerings. They sometimes really try to appeal to your feelings and won't take no for an occasional no. If you are not interested, my advice is: walk on and thank the sellers for their offer: tidak, terima kasih (means no, thanks).

      Discover Balinese art on land

      Bali's rice fields are a true work of art and produce picturesque images. Thanks to the unique Subak irrigation system, the rice fields have also earned a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

      The Subak system is a unique agricultural system that incorporates the traditional irrigation practices of Bali's rice fields. It is a social and cultural system that connects the communities of rice farmers in Bali and combines water management with religious and cultural traditions.

      The Subak system is considered a living cultural landscape and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2012. It includes not only the physical infrastructure of canals, locks and irrigation pools, but also the traditional knowledge, customs, ceremonies and community organization involved in the management of water resources and rice cultivation.

       

      The Subak system is managed by local farming communities and is based on principles of communal management, cooperation and sustainable use of water resources. The system includes a complex network of canals and sluices that distribute and control water to irrigate rice fields at appropriate times. The planning of water use is often determined by communal meetings and rituals, with spiritual beliefs and cultural traditions playing an important role.

      Where can I find all those rice fields in Ubud?

       

      Bali's most famous rice terraces: Tegalalang!

      Tegalalang

      Ubud's most famous are the rice terraces of Tegalalang, located about 30 minutes from Ubud center. With the advent of Instagram, there are more than enough photo spots created around the rice paddies: from swings to restaurants and cafes. Personally, I was unlucky and the rice fields were still muddy, which did not produce that "perfect" picture I was hoping for beforehand.

      Nevertheless, the terraced structure of the rice fields situated in a green valley is really a beautiful sight. If you are on time enough, you can enjoy the beautiful view in peace from the vantage points along the rice field trails.

      For a hiking route, you can navigate to this place on Google Maps. I got there at 06:00 to get ahead of the crowds and was the only one at the rice paddies. Lovely that peace and quiet!

       

      • Around Tegalalang

      After visiting Tegalalang, I started riding around on the scooter and automatically found some beautiful rice fields along the road. Not terraced like Tegalalang's, but at least because they were in full bloom they colored a whole lot more beautifully. To get you started, I share below some 2 locations where you will no doubt encounter beautiful rice fields:

       

       

      The best advice for finding the "secret" rice fields is to simply get lost in the moment while driving around near Tegalalang. You will automatically come across more than enough of them!

      So green all around the rice fields!

       

      Take a walk through the rice fields

      Take a walk through the Bukit Campuhan Ridge: This is a beautiful walk along a scenic ridge with breathtaking views of Ubud's green valleys and rice fields. It is a great way to enjoy the natural beauty of Ubud.

      Besides the well-known Bukit Campuhan rice field hike, there is another slightly lesser-known, but just as beautiful: the Juwuk Manis rice field walk. You can hike this 45-minute trail via Google Maps. The starting point is in the center of Ubud, but is perhaps a bit hidden around the corner by a narrow alley.

       

      Along the way, you can stop at one of the local warung's for a snack or drink, such as Ubud Shanti Warung. You can also stop by the Beluna House of Creatives, a creator cafe to grab your laptop.

      Climbing Mount Batur

      Climbing Mount Batur volcano is an unforgettable experience not to be missed during your trip to Bali. After all, how often do you say you have climbed an active volcano? With a little extra luck, the active volcano offers you spectacular sunrise views from the top.

      To manage your expectations for climbing Mount Batur volcano, I have shared my experiences in this blog.

      • Visit a coffee and tea plantation

        You will probably have heard of it, the Civet coffee. This coffee is also known as the most expensive coffee in the world. In Bali, there are several coffee and tea plantations near Ubud where they would love to introduce you to this unique type of coffee. You get a free tour and tasting of various coffees and teas, paying around €3.25 for the Civet coffee.

        The purpose of this whole tasting is, of course, that afterwards you buy some products for at home in their store.

      Note: At the coffee plantations, the Civet (Luwak in Indonesian) cat is trapped in a small cage. Since they are nocturnal animals, you will therefore only see them sleeping during the day. According to the local guide, they are only exhibited in the cage for a week before they are allowed to go back into the wild; but according to the locals, nothing could be further from the truth. Bit of a shame that they keep these wild animals captive for the tourists.

      Visit waterfalls

      Ubud offers not only beautiful rice paddies and temples, but also some of the island's most beautiful waterfalls. The waterfalls are a must-see for nature lovers and adventurers looking for refreshment and breathtaking views. In the rainy season, you have a chance of muddy waterfalls, not so pleasant to take a dip then.

      • Tegenungan Waterfall 

      One of the most famous waterfalls near Ubud is the Tegenungan waterfall. Located just a half-hour drive from Ubud, this waterfall normally offers crystal clear water and beautiful jungle surroundings. When I was there I had bad luck with the mud, a case of expectations versus reality. When conditions are good, it is a perfect place to cool off on a hot day and enjoy the beauty of Bali.

       

      Entrance fee: IDR 15.000 (+/- €1,00)

      Parking: IDR 5.000 (+/- €0,30)

      • Kanto Lampo Waterfall

      Also known as the Instagram waterfall of Ubud, because if you are late here you can join the queue. Local guides know only too well how to take that perfect Instagram photo, so quickly spend between 5-10 minutes photographing someone. I myself got there first thing in the morning, around 8:30 a.m., and was fortunately the first one there. When I had gone for a swim after taking a single photo and left the water at 09:00, there was already a small line.

       

      The waterfall is also part of one of the Instagram tours that some organizations offer. Another reason to visit this waterfall as early as possible.

      By the way, the waterfall itself is absolutely worth seeing! The Kanto Lampo waterfall has a unique shape and offers you the opportunity to stand behind the falling water and feel the power of the waterfall.

       

      Entrance fee: IDR 20.000 (+/- €1,30)

      • Tibuama Waterfall

      Visiting Tibuama Waterfall is mostly about the road to it. Just before you get there you pass a beautiful stretch surrounded by palm trees and rice fields. The waterfall is tucked away in quiet surroundings and surrounded by lush tropical trees and plants. This makes it the ideal place to relax and enjoy Bali's natural beauty.

      Tibuama Waterfall has a height of about 20 meters and falls into a natural pool, which is perfect for swimming and relaxing. The water is crystal clear (if you are lucky with the period you go) and refreshing.

      The waterfall itself is a lot less crowded than Tegunangan and Kanto Lampo waterfalls, making it ideal to visit early in the morning. That way you have the best chance of being one of the few at the waterfall.

       

      Entrance fee: IDR 15.000 (+/- €1,00)

      Parking: IDR 5.000 (+/- €0,30)

      Discover local arts and crafts

      Ubud is known for its rich arts and crafts traditions. You can visit the many art galleries, craft markets and studios to admire and buy local paintings, wood carvings, batik and other traditional crafts (if it fits in your backpack or suitcase, of course).

      Take part in a yoga or meditation session

      Ubud is a popular destination for yoga, meditation and wellness. There are plenty of yoga and wellness centers where you can participate in yoga classes, meditation sessions and other relaxing activities to unwind and relax. For this, The Yoga Barn comes highly recommended: there is a wonderful, soothing atmosphere and lots of choice of various types of yoga.

      Where to stay in Ubud?

      I myself stayed at the Ubud Rice Field House, a small hostel with a garden overlooking the rice fields. Because of the small scale, the service was very personal. Nice breakfast and my bed in the 6-bed room was fine. Located on a side street off the big, busy street in the heart of Ubud, it offers a little escape from the hustle and bustle.

      The hostel can also help you with various tours, including Mount Batur.

      Culinary Ubud!

      Night Markets are definitely my favorite, near Ubud is the Sayan Night Market. Definitely worth a visit to taste various local specialties. From the Bakso soup to serabi solo pancakes. Further recommendations:

       

      • Cafe Pomegranate, great food and a view of the rice fields

      • Suka Espresso Ubud: Modern breakfast, lunch and coffee shop

      How many nights in Ubud?

      I understand why people want to stay here longer, because the atmosphere there is really top notch. 4-5 nights is what I would recommend, so that you have enough time to explore the area around Ubud as well.

       

      From Ubud you can go to:

      • Uluwatu: 1,5 hours
      • Sidemen: 1 hour
      • Nusa Lembongan: 45 minutes to Sanur harbor and 30 minutes on the ferry
      • Nusa Penida: 45 minutes to Sanur harbor and +/- 35 minutes on the ferry