Those looking for a change, transformation, and spiritual awakening, apart from travelling to one of the world’s most affordable and beautiful town, travel to Ubud in Indonesia. It is a home to great culture, food, restaurants, sightseeing, spirituality, and travel. The Hollywood movie, Eat, Pray, Love was shot in Ubud. Ubud is mostly a retreat for yoga, meditation, and many wellness and adventure activities. It is an adventurer’s delight. The green pastures flanked by water bodies and clear sky are enough to set your body clock to the right timing. You can fine tune your bodily vibes and energies when you visit Ubud, seamlessly integrated into Bali trip packages for a holistic and transformative experience.
You can as well take a short course in ayurvedic medicine and yoga, live in cottages and resorts, go shopping, and have a great time well spent in this part of Indonesia. The festivals of Ubud are the most vibrant and colorful. Commuting within Ubud is easy by hiring a bike and driving around the town all by yourself. Ride paddy fields, historical places, and dense forests make Ubud one of the most popular tourist places to visit in Bali. You can attend the beach parties and enjoy the Balinese dance in this town of Ubud in central Bali.
Tirta Empul Temple, also known as Pura Tirta Empul, is situated in the village of Manukaya, near Tampaksiring town in central Bali. It is renowned for its holy spring which is a major source of fresh water in the region as well. The Balinese Hindus consider this water to be amritha, or holy, and they visit the temple for ritual purification in order to cleanse their souls and protect themselves from evil forces.
Tampak Siring, also known as the Holy Spring Water Temple, is a captivating attraction to visit in Bali. Visitors can immerse themselves in the sacred waters believed to possess healing properties. The temple's serene surroundings and intricate stone carvings create a spiritual ambiance, making it a must-visit destination for cultural and wellness enthusiasts.
The Goa Gajah complex includes a demon-mouthed cave, a sacred pool, a section dedicated to the Buddha, and a meeting hall, making it one of the most revered religious sites in Bali. The cave, known as Elephant Cave, houses a lingam and yoni depicting Hindu God Shiva and his wife and a statue of Ganesha, Shiva's son. There are Buddhist images of stupas and chattras around the pool.
- You can get to Ubud from Bali by bus and taxi. You can land at Bali airport. It is difficult to get through customs.
- You must never touch the head of either children or adults in Ubud, Bali because the head is considered sacred as per their customs.
- Do not do drugs in Ubud, as you will be offered easily during breakfast in the form of a capsule. Strictly say ‘No’.
- Remove shoes when entering homes and temples in Ubud, Bali.
- Always use your right hand for giving money, business card, or eating, as this is a custom of the oriental culture in Ubud and considered unacceptable if you do it with left hand.
- Prefer to eat more of Balinese food instead of Western food in restaurants as they may not taste as you expectations.
- Do not miss the cooking classes in Ubud. You will enjoy working with spices and their staple food.
- Do not look in the eye of monkeys in the Monkey forest, they might give you scratches and injuries.
- When riding around Ubud in a hired bike, always carry a driving license and wear a helmet.
- If you don’t have an international driver’s license, you can get a Balinese drivers license, and also get a driver’s insurance to stay away from the cops.
- Drivers on road honk a lot, and you should too, without getting cranky, when driving around.
- Beware of strong waves when surfing on the beach.
- Internet and electricity in Ubud is bad, so, do not expect a lot of social media updates happening when you are in this town.
- Try the tropical fruits available in Ubud, Bali.
Visit the Monkey Forest: When in Ubud, a visit to the famous Monkey Forest is a must. Tucked away from the bustling streets of Ubud, the forest is a paradise for nature lovers, where you can catch sights of almost 700 long-tailed grey macaques, in addition to giant banyan and nutmeg trees as well as ancient Balinese Hindu temples. During your visit to the forest, you can also spot many different species of rare plants, flowers and nearly 200 different types of trees. You can also enjoy walking on nature trails here, or even feed food to the monkeys if you wish to.
Location: Jalan Monkey Forest, Padangtegal Village, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
Timing: 08:30 a.m. to 05:30 p.m.
ATV Ride: One of the top adventure sports ubud is an ATV Ride. Offering you a chance to explore the beauty and natural landscapes of Ubud in a unique way, an ATV ride lets you drive through the countryside, amidst rice paddies, while giving you a glimpse of the Balinese rural lifestyle. The best thing about this activity is that you can soak in some of the most spectacular vistas of the terraced fields in northern Ubud to the waterfalls in southern Ubud. From driving across varied terrains, to visiting local villages, or even exploring the traditional coffee plantations, this adventure activity has it all.
Location: Ubud, Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
Timings: 08:30 a.m. to 04:30 p.m.
Bali Swing Ubud: When looking for Adventure in Ubud, head to the Bali Swing, located in the heart of Bali. Surrounded by verdant greenery, lush rice paddies and natural landscapes, the Bali Swing is the perfect place for adventure junkies and nature lovers. It is from here where you can enjoy a ride on the swing from a height of around 33 feet to 256 feet in the air, whilst enjoying the phenomenal views around you. Whilst swinging, you can also enjoy sights of surrounding attractions, including Gunung Kawi, Elephant Caves and several stunning waterfalls.
Location: Jl. Dewi Saraswati No.7, Bongkasa Pertiwi, Kec. Abiansemal, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80352, Indonesia
Timings: 08:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m.
Mount Batur Trekking: In search of adventure sports in Ubud during your holiday? Mount Batur is the best place to go to. A trekking experience on this active volcano is amongst the best adventure activities you can do in Ubud. Simply begin your trek to the top of the mountain, soak in the surrounding natural vistas, and witness the most magical Balinese sunrise once you are at the top. The trail to the top of Mount Batur is scenic, and is one of the most adventurous things to do in south Bali. During the trek, you can also enjoy gushing streams, rivulets, waterfalls and several species of flora and fauna.
Location: Mount Batur, Bali, Indonesia
Timing: Open 24 hours
River Rafting: River rafting is yet another one of the top adventure sports ubud. All you have to do is head to the Ayung River, located in northern Ubud, take a small training by experts and begin cruising in the gushing waters of the rivers. As you raft along the 9.6 kilometres of the river, you will also cross several unexplored forests, quaint hamlets as well as stunning rice terraces, among other natural sceneries that you can enjoy. A river rafting experience in Ubud is the best way to explore Bali in all its glory.
Location: Northern Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Timings: 09:00 a.m. to 03:00 p.m.
Mountain Cycling: For a unique Adventure in Ubud, you can also indulge in mountain cycling. This adventure activity lets you explore the countryside of Ubud on a cycle, while giving you a chance to explore the offbeat dirt roads, rice paddies, small villages and other attractions at your own pace. While cycling on the mountains, you can also visit local attractions, such as Lembah Jin waterfall, ancient temples or even stop to sip on some fresh coconut water on the way. Mountain cycling will also help you get that boost of exercise and adrenaline pumping within you.
Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Timings: 06:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.
Rice Field Trekking: Another great Adventure in Ubud is rice field trekking, which you can enjoy in the famous Tegalalang Rice Terrace. Famous for following the traditional water management and irrigation system, a trek along this stunning rice field is nothing short of adventurous. From offering spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes and jungles, to nature photography and sights of varied flora and fauna, a rice field trekking experience is unparalleled. During the trek, you can also learn about the different kinds of farming techniques used here.
Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Timing: 06:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m.
Tubing: Amongst the newer water sports and adventure activities in Ubud, water tubing is quickly gaining popularity among locals and tourists alike. In this adventure sport, you can witness the serene beauty of the Petanu river as you cruise along its waters in a tube. Simply relax in a tube while manoeuvring through 5 kilometres of class II rapids of the river and enjoying scenic views of the villages and forests along the shore.
Location: Petanu River, Pejeng Kawan, Tampaksiring, Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
Timings: 09:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m.