Never been to Ubud? Got a million questions? We’ve covered it all here. Find out the what visa option is best for you, learn how to avoid dodgy ATMs and most importantly, follow our tracks to all the seriously delish foods & cosy stays. There are so many options for hotels, restaurants and activities in Ubud; so, we do the hard work (ahem, it’s really fun actually) of visiting and testing them all in order to recommend only the best to you.

CHOOSING A VISA

FREE VISA ON ARRIVAL
(a.k.a. Tourist Visa)
30-days
A free Visa on Arrival is available to the countries listed here.
It allows people to visit Indonesia for a holiday, working is not permitted with this visa. This visa cannot be extended, visa holders must leave the country before or on the 30 day mark. There are numerous visa options available for those who wish to stay longer. Click on the link below to see more options.

GETTING TO UBUD

The most efficient mode of transportation to/from the airport is taxi. Bali has a few different types of taxi vendors however most taxi’s are individual drivers in private cars/vans. The trip from the airport to Ubud or vice versa should not cost more than Rp.300k (even after midnight).

TRANSPORTATION IN UBUD

There is no public transportation available in Ubud. Depending on where you are staying will determine how many restaurants/attractions are within walking distance. Some hotels offer free shuttle services into town. For those experienced driving a motorbike you can hire them starting from Rp. 50k per day.

Taxi drivers line the main roads offering both car and motorbike taxis; the latter being the cheaper option. You can barter the prices with these drivers. When you find one you like it’s a good idea to take their phone number so you can call on them for future trips.

ETIQUETTE

Ubud is a particularly pious culture on the island, with Balinese Hinduism being the predominant religion. Despite the development and amount of tourism in the town, the culture and devotion to religion remains strong.
It is important for visitors to respect local customs and culture. Unlike coastal towns such a Kuta, where etiquette has been decimated by tourism, it is still expected that tourists visiting Ubud have an awareness of appropriate behaviour & dress. A few guidelines for clothing:

• Cover up your shoulders & wear a sarong when entering a temple
• Don’t walk around Ubud shirtless or revealing your belly
• Address elders with the title ‘Ibu’ for a woman or ‘Pak’ for a man.

Check our detailed ‘Etiquette in Ubud’ guide here.

Major Holidays

Balinese Hinduism is a religion reliant on ceremonies, and as Ubud is Bali’s hub for spiritual activity, it is unlikely that a day will pass where you won’t see traces of a ceremony. Most day-to-day activities aren’t affected beyond the occasional traffic jam. There are three major Indonesian/Balinese holidays that

NYEPI
If you’re lucky enough to come to Bali during Nyepi you will be witness to an experience unlike any other in the world. Nyepi is the Balinese New Year, a time of cleansing, when the it is believed that evil spirits are released from the earth through a day of silence. The island pauses, no one is allowed to leave their home/accommodation and little to no electricity is used. If you’re in town during Nyepi keep in mind you won’t be able to leave your accommodation for 30 hours during the silent period.

GALUNGAN & KUNINGAN
Two major holidays that occur every 210 days and are 10 days apart, starting with Galungan and concluding with Kuningan. Large picturesque decorated bamboo poles (penjors) line the streets during this time when the ancestral spirits visit the Earth. On the days between Galungan and Kuningan life goes on as normal, however during the first and last days of the holiday some venues may be closed for part or all of the day.

EID AL-FITR
The Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. As Bali’s predominant religion is Hinduism this holiday doesn’t affect the functioning of the island as it does in Java (hello traffic jams!), however many Javanese in Bali return home during this time so you may find some of your favourite eats closed from anywhere between a week to a month, as the owners spend time with family.

SIM CARDS

Getting a simcard is easy-peasy. There are numerous phone shops around town, Jalan Cok Gede Rai (Jl. Peliatan) in particular is lined with them. A simcard will cost approximately Rp. 50k and 4G is available in both Telkomsel and Indosaat networks. Top up credit at any independent phone shop, Indomart or Alphamart convenience stores. Just ask for ‘Pulsa’ (the indo word for phone credit). Rp. 100k will go a long way in calls and text. Adding data can be done at a phone store, via the networks app or by dialling particular codes; we like *123# for telkomsel- ask a local to show you how.

MONEY

Indonesia’s currency is the Rupiah. It roughly converts as $1 USD = Rp. 13,000 or $ AUD = $10,000. You will get better a better exchange rate if you exchange cash as opposed to using an ATM. The exchange rates of ATMs are always significantly lower than the cash exchange stores.

When exchanging cash use fresh notes (no folds, tears etc.) and USD notes should be no older than 2007. There are numerous good cash exchange places. Choose one who doesn’t charge a fee and that looks reputable (i.e. the store is devoted solely to money exchange and is not a mini mart offering the service). Three good ones are:
– Jalan Raya Ubud next to Guardian (near Jalan Tirta Tawar)
– Jalan Raya Ubud next to Igelanca Warung
– Jalan Pengosekan a short walk south of The Yoga Barn (it has orange signage)

If you wish to use an ATM check with your bank to see what international charges apply to you. Each ATM takes a minimum of $2 per transaction. ATMs that are concentrated in a block and located where foreigners frequent are the biggest targets for scams such as card skimming (the ATMs outside Cocomart are often targeted). The easiest way to avoid this is to visit ATM’s that are located within a branch or with security guards attending them. ATM’s dispense either Rp. 50,000 notes (maximum transaction is Rp. 1,500,000) or Rp. 100,000 notes (maximum transaction Rp. 3,000,000)- look for stickers on the ATM to see what notes they dispense.

Where to stay in ubud

There is a huge amount of accommodation available in Ubud with something to suit everyone’s budget. Balinese homestays are a great option for budget accommodation offering private rooms within a Balinese family compound; a great way to get a taste of local culture and make friends. Mid-range budget options are extensive with villas, bungalows guest houses and cottages spread throughout town, some in secluded in rice fields and others smack bang in the centre. Those looking for luxe stays have plenty of options available with numerous high quality resorts & spas in the hood. Pamper, indulge, relax and enjoy the view (because you know it’s going to be good). We carefully curate our portfolio of accommodation to make sure that we only recommend the best for your stay in Ubud.

A few of our favourite stays:

GAYATRI BUNGALOWS
Rooms start from $30 per night.
Traditional Balinese design meets boutique interiors, located in a quiet pocket of central Ubud.

What do to in Ubud

In recent years Ubud had become known as the go-to destination for all things yoga & healing. However before the Eat, Pray, Lovers Ubud thrived as a creative town full of artists. So, no matter what your jam, there’s something for everyone to do in the hood; from relaxing spa days to adventurous bike rides through hidden Bali! Follow our lead as we grow our ever expanding directory of recommendations for things to do in the hood.

A GOOD COMBO OF ACTIVITIES:

Where to eat in Ubud

We’ve done the hard work and literally eaten our way through this entire town to present you with some of the best eats in our ever-expanding directory. Ubud has got it all, a true foodies paradise. We’ve got raw vegan health conscious meals to go with your yoga through to epic burgers with a side of booze to go with your fat pants. There’s not a category of food that you won’t find in this town.

A SELECTION OF YUMMINESS:

AUTHOR

SARA O’BRIEN

Sara is the founder and editor of UbudHood. Originally from Australia, she has called Bali home for the last four years and has no plans to leave. With a serious love for ‘Ubud’ she has combined her love of writing and background in photojournalism to create UbudHood. She is a strong supporter of ethical tourism and believes it’s our duty, as foreigners, to respect cultures that aren’t our own. When she’s not playing with her puppies or eating her way through the hood, Sara spends her time taking photos, listening to live music or whirring herself into a creative storm of convoluted ideas.

Contact: sara@ubudhood.com