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Ubud

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Bali's Cultural and Spiritual Heart

Bali’s Ubud thrives as a cultural hub surrounded by terraced rice fields and volcanic hills. The town centers on traditional markets where local crafts and fresh produce are sold daily. Daily ceremonies take place at small temples, reflecting deep-rooted spiritual practices visible in everyday life. Walking paths lead to waterfalls and jungle trails offering quiet spots for reflection. Cafés serve coffee grown nearby alongside meals featuring regional ingredients. Ubud balances community traditions with growing tourism while maintaining a relaxed pace that feels genuine rather than staged.

Town in Indonesia
Climate zone: Tropical rainforest

Tropical rainforest: Equatorial climates with year-round high temperatures and heavy rainfall, supporting dense evergreen forests and rich biodiversity.

See climate table
Price level: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury
See price details
Safety: 6.2
General Safety:7
Health & medical:6
Accessibility:4
Tap water:4
Read details
Tourist English: 4/5
Many locals, especially those in tourism, speak good English. English is widely used in shops, restaurants, and for guiding services.
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Ubud Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work
Excellent for culture and tropical nature. Visit temples and art markets, walk rice terrace trails, enjoy yoga and wellness retreats and experience Balinese food.
Place score
7.9
Best at:
Yoga
10
Local cuisine
9
Spa & wellness
9
Street food
8
Markets
8
Personal score
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Log in to see how this place matches your personal travel interests.
Suited for
👶 7
Families
🧓 6
Seniors
❤️ 10
Couples
💻 9
Digital Nomads
Indonesia – Quick facts
Power Grid: 230 V, 50 Hz
Plug: Type C , Type F
Type C:
Diagram of a Type C power plug
Type F:
Diagram of a Type F power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
£1 ≈ IDR 24,141.20
Cashless info: Rating 4/5
Cashless payments are becoming more common in urban areas of Indonesia, particularly in larger cities. Credit cards and mobile payment apps like GoPay and OVO are widely accepted in many establishments.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in Indonesia. A 5-10% tip is common in restaurants, and taxi drivers may expect small tips for good service.
Public drinking: Public drinking is not commonly seen in Indonesia. Alcohol is consumed mainly in licensed establishments such as bars, restaurants, and hotels.
Public smoking: Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, including restaurants, shopping centres, and public transport.
Independence Day
(17 August)
A national holiday with celebrations and ceremonies
Nyepi
(March/April)
The Balinese Day of Silence, celebrated with unique rituals and festivities
Emergency contact: Emergency Number: 112
Taxi apps: GoJek, Grab
Other: Indonesia is known for its stunning natural landscapes, including beaches, volcanoes, and jungles. It is a great destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Ubud, Indonesia
🌦️
Jan
🌦️
Feb
🌦️
Mar
🌦️
Apr
🌦️
May
🌤️
Jun
🌤️
Jul
🌤️
Aug
🌤️
Sep
🔥
Oct
🌦️
Nov
🌦️
Dec
High season: May - Sep.
Shoulder season: April, Oct. - Dec.
Crowdedness: 7 (Many tourists)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Nyepi (Day of Silence), in March or April: the whole island shuts down for 24 hours, airport closed, no one allowed outside
Peak prices and crowds July and August, plus Christmas and New Year; dry season is May to September

Why travel to Ubud?

Ubud offers a beautiful mix of culture, nature and relaxation. The town is filled with art galleries, traditional Balinese performances and bustling markets. You can explore stunning temples, stroll through rice terraces or indulge in yoga and spa retreats. The atmosphere is peaceful, yet alive with creativity. Be mindful, though, as traffic can be chaotic and the tropical climate can be humid and rainy.

🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Goa Gajah
  • 2 Neka Art Museum
  • 3 Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
  • 4 Saraswati Temple
  • 5 Tirta Empul Temple
  • 6 Ubud Palace
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 Ayung Dewata Rafting Start Point
  • 2 Bali Bird Park
  • 3 Bali-swing
  • 4 Taksu Spa & Restaurant
  • 5 Ubud Market
  • 6 Yoga Barn
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Ayung River
  • 2 Bali Butterfly Park
  • 3 Campuhan Ridge Walk
  • 4 Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
  • 5 Tukad Petanu
  • 6 Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
  • 7 Tegallalang Rice Terraces
  • 8 Tegenungan Blangsinga Waterfall
🛍️Shopping
  • 1 Threads of Life
  • 2 Art market
🎈Events
  • Bali Spirit Festival
  • Galungan and Kuningan Celebrations
  • Nyepi (Balinese New Year)
  • Ubud Village Jazz Festival
  • Purnama Full Moon Ceremonies
  • Bali Arts Festival
  • Omed-Omedan Festival
  • Bali Kite Festival
  • Saraswati Day

Knowledge before you go

  • Expect traffic and narrow sidewalks; central Ubud is best explored walking.
  • Book a driver or scooter for rice terraces, waterfalls and temples scattered in surrounding villages beyond the compact center.
  • Dress modestly and carry a sarong; many temples require covered shoulders, knees and respectful behavior during ceremonies.
  • Stay just outside the busiest streets for quieter nights, easy access to cafes, rice-field walks, yoga studios and jungle-view pools.

How to travel to Ubud

Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar is about 1.5 hours away by car. Shuttle services, taxis and private transfers are available. Driving or hiring a driver is common.

Access summary

  • From Bali Airport (DPS): Taxi or rideshare to Ubud, about 1.5–2 hours.
  • From Kuta/Seminyak: Private car or shuttle inland, typically around 1.5–2 hours.
  • From Canggu: Coastal traffic then inland roads, usually about 1.5–2.5 hours.

Where to stay in Ubud

Ubud offers a mix of boutique hotels, luxury resorts, eco-lodges and traditional homestays. Many accommodations focus on wellness, with yoga and spa facilities. Budget to high-end options are available.

How to get around Ubud

Walking and cycling are great within Ubud. Taxis, motorbike rentals and ride-hailing apps like Gojek and Grab are widely used. Public transport is limited, so private drivers are a convenient option for exploring further.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-71 %
Daily expenses in Ubud are around 71% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-20 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to IDR) is 20% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£24
£52
£144
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£11
£30
£75
🍝 Food per day
£11
£20
£64
🚕 Transportation per day
£1
£2
£5
Notable additional fees: Tourist levy IDR 150,000 (£6.21) per person, once per entry, via the Love Bali app or at the airport. Temples and rice-terrace sites charge small fees on top.
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£6.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£2.30
🍟 Fast food combo
£2.30
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£4.50
☕ Cappuccino
£1.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£2
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£0.22
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£3
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£0.55
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£3.40
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£16
🤧 Cold medication
£1.60
💇 Basic haircut
£2.40

Safety information overview

General safety
7
Ubud is generally safe for tourists. Watch out for traffic when walking and be cautious with belongings, as petty theft can occur in crowded areas.
Health & Medical
6
Good medical facilities are available, with clinics and a hospital nearby. Drink bottled water and avoid tap water to prevent stomach issues.
Accessi­bility
4
Ubud has uneven sidewalks and limited wheelchair accessibility. Many attractions involve steps or uneven terrain, so mobility assistance might be needed.
Tap water
4
Tap water is not safe to drink. Stick to bottled or filtered water. Many accommodations provide refill stations for reusable bottles.

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