The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Visiting Ubud: getting around, visas, weather, cultural etiquette and more!
Embark on an unforgettable journey to Ubud, Bali, with our comprehensive guide tailored to enhance every aspect of your visit. Whether you're a first-time traveler or a seasoned explorer, discover insider tips and invaluable advice on navigating this enchanting cultural hub. From navigating the island's weather and transportation options to immersing yourself in local customs and finding the perfect accommodation and dining experiences, our ultimate guide covers all the essentials for a seamless and enriching adventure in Ubud. Get ready to unlock the secrets of this picturesque paradise and create memories to last a lifetime.
JUMP AHEAD TO A SECTION
Weather & Climate in Ubud
Getting Around Ubud & Airport Transfers
Bali Visa Requirements
Money Exchange, Cash Withdrawals & Making Payments in Bali
Purchasing a SIM card & Internet Access
Major Holidays on the Island
Cultural Etiquette
Medical Advice & Safety for Travellers
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT BALI? WEATHER & CLIMATE IN UBUD
Ubud, located in the heart of Bali, experiences a tropical climate with two distinct seasons: wet and dry. The dry season, from April to September, is characterized by sunny days and minimal rainfall, making it an ideal time to explore the town's lush landscapes and outdoor attractions. June & July tend to be the coolest months of the year. However, this is also the peak tourist season, so expect larger crowds and higher prices. The wet season, from October to March, brings frequent rain showers and higher humidity, but it also offers a quieter atmosphere and more affordable accommodations. Ultimately, the best time to visit Ubud depends on your preferences for weather, crowd levels and activities. For example; if you’re looking for an adventurous holiday hiking volcanos and riding bikes, dry season will be best. If you’re down for some chill yoga, delicious foods and spa-treatments, you will still be able to have a great time during wet-season.
The peaks seasons are also influenced by variables such as school holidays abroad, people escaping winter in their home countries and holiday periods in Java (lots of local tourists). Overall, the busiest week of the year is the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
GETTING AROUND UBUD & AIRPORT TRANSFERS FROM NGURAH RAI
There are multiple ways of getting around Ubud and finding airport transfers to your accommodation. Fortunately, you’ve got us here to guide you with all the available options. In terms of pricing you can expect; airport transfer to Ubud will cost IDR 350,000 to IDR 500,000 ($35-50 AUD/$21-30USD), traveling from one location to another in Ubud can be anywhere from IDR 30,000 to IDR 120,000 ($3-12 AUD/ $1.90-7.45 USD) and day trips with private transport vary between IDR 400,000 to IDR 700,000 ($40-70 AUD/ $24-43 USD).
Ride-hailing services: Grab & GoJek (GoCar) are trusted & convenient ways to get around, and can be ordered using their respective applications. Pay using cash or with pre-loaded money via GoPay or OVO. If you’re traveling between locations in town, it is the most economical way to travel. However for airport transfers, it is generally pricier than pre-booking private transport. We recommend this method for getting from one location to another within Ubud.
Hotel transfer: when booking your accommodation see if they can provide you with a driver pick-up at the airport for free or at an additional cost. They may also be able to offer a driver to run you to places around town, or for day trips. We recommend this method for airport transfers.
Pre-Book Private Transport: until the rise of Gojek & Grab this was the most popular method for getting around Bali, and many people re-use the same trusted drivers over and over again when they return to the island. Consider asking a friend who has traveled to Bali if they can recommend a driver you can connect with via What’sApp. We recommend this method for day-trips and airport transfers.
Connect with a driver in-person: private drivers line the streets of Ubud & the exits of the airports, if you’ve not got your ducks in a row to pre-book your travel this is another option when you’re on the go. However, it will require a little more haggling.
Bluebird Taxi’s: a method that isn’t as popular as it once was, given that applications like Go-Jek & Grab now dominate the market. Bluebird Taxi’s operate on a traditional taxi meter, they’re available from the airport but not many of them hang around Ubud town.
BALI VISA REQUIREMENTS
TOURIST VISA IN BALI
The majority of tourists traveling to Bali can obtain a visa upon landing at Ngurah-Rai International Airport in Denpasar. This visa allows people to visit Indonesia for a holiday, working is not permitted. There are two kind’s of tourist visas:
“Visa-Free Special Visit for Tourism: this is valid for citizens of 9 different countries (listed in the dropdown below). It is a visa that is free of charge and permits a 30-day stay on the island which cannot be extended.
-
Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam
“Visa on Arrival (VOA)”: this is valid for citizens of 43 different countries (listed in the dropdown below). The visa costs IDR 500,000 ($50 AUD / $30 USD) and can be purchased upon landing in Bali at the counters before the immigration checkpoint at the airports using credit card, debit card, IDR cash or foreign currencies. This visa can be extended an additional 30 days with the assistance of a visa agent.
-
Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, The Netherlands, Timor Leste, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America and Vietnam.
Money Exchange, Cash Withdrawals & Making Payments in Bali
While many establishments in Ubud accept credit cards, it's advisable to carry cash for smaller purchases and transactions; especially if purchasing goods from local eateries and market stalls. ATMs are readily available throughout the town, dispensing Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), but be mindful of potential fees imposed by your bank for international withdrawals.
We advise using ATM’s that are connected to an actual bank (e.g. BCA, Mandiri, BNI) as they often have security guards and therefore less likely to be interfered with by card scanning scams. Inform your bank of your travel plans to avoid any issues with accessing funds abroad.
When exchanging cash in Ubud we recommend going to a reputable money exchange place; look for places with large digital signs listing exchange rates - these are generally very professional. Ensure you count the cash upon collection (don’t just rely on the vendor counting it in front of you). This one is our go-to for money exchanges.
Purchasing a SIM card & Internet Access
BUYING PHYSICAL SIM CARDS
Staying connected during your visit to Ubud is easy with the availability of prepaid SIM cards. Numerous telecommunications providers offer affordable data packages, allowing you to stay connected and access online maps, communication apps, and social media platforms while exploring the town.
You can purchase SIM cards from small phone stores, or official carrier outlets (Telkomsel & Indosaat). You can find many phone stores on Jalan Cok Gede Rai that will supply you with a SIM card & data package.
USING AN E-SIM
Some phones are eligible for purchasing an e-SIM, meaning that you won’t need to buy a physical package online. You can google an international e-SIM if you are travelling to multiple countries. Some Indonesian e-SIM providers include:
WIFI ACCESS
WIFI is available at every hotel, guesthouse and most restaurants in Ubud. Many people opt for using WIFI only and not purchasing a data package, however keep in mind it is harder to organize ride-sharing trips or communicating with your driver when out and about without a data package.
Major Holidays IN BALI
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 traffic jams. There are three major Indonesian/Balinese holidays that you may want to take into consideration when planning your trip to Bali.
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 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 36-hours during the silent period. Many hotels offer all-inclusive Nyepi packages.
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.
CULTURAL 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 & Canggu, 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 basic etiquette in Ubud:
Cover up your shoulders & wear a sarong when entering a temple
Don’t walk around Ubud shirtless, revealing your buttocks or belly or wearing a swimsuit
Address elders with the title ‘Ibu’ for a woman or ‘Pak’ for a man.
Be respectful and kind when conversing with locals; confrontation and aggression is not acceptable
Check our detailed ‘Etiquette in Ubud’ guide here.
MEDICAL ADVICE & SAFETY FOR TRAVELLERS IN BALI
SAFETY TIPS
Ubud is generally a very safe destination for travelers, but it's essential to exercise caution and common sense to ensure a trouble-free experience. Petty theft, such as pickpocketing, is quite rare in Ubud however can be more prevalent in other parts of the island, keep your wits about you regardless.
If riding a motorbike, always wear and buckle-up a fitting helmet, and drive in accordance with local guidelines and rules. Only experienced riders with appropriate licenses should drive motorbikes. Unfortunately, the most irresponsible drivers on the road tend to be foreigners, putting others at risk- please don’t be one of them!
If you require police assistance in Ubud the police station is located on Jl. Andong opposite Delta Dewata Supermarket.
MEDICAL ADVICE
Many travellers to Bali are concerned with getting food poisoning (a.k.a. Bali Belly), whilst a rational fear, don’t let it interfere with your holiday and connecting with the locals. The local warungs aren’t any more likely to make you sick than a fancy restaurant. Many people avoid eating salads and ordering ice in their drinks; we think this is outdated advice that rarely causes Bali Belly (no restaurants/warungs are service tap-water ice!). Your best bet is to ask about the freshness of ingredients and take caution when ordering seafood in Ubud.
The nearest major hospital is called Ari Canti, it located in Mas (south of Central Ubud). If you’re looking for a general clinic in Ubud for consultation with a doctor, we recommend Ubud Care Clinic.
You can familiarize yourself with emergency contact numbers here.
