How to see Balinese culture, tradition, and beauty of nature in one day in Ubud

Who hasn’t heard of Bali, hands up. Anyone? I guess there are no many people around here, who haven’t seen photos of the beautiful temples, and rice fields or is familiar with “Eat, pray, love” book and film, which Julia Roberts made so memorable. This book seems to inspire many people to travel to Bali, change their lives or follow their dreams. There are even stories written about how this book affected some people’s life journeys, like this one for example. Bali is undoubtedly beautiful and it does not need much advertising, the bestselling story however put the Indonesian island high on the dreamy travel destinations list.

Bali is not big, but surely rich in hidden gems that would take many trips to discover. Ubud is the place that probably every person going to Bali visits. It is a nest of spa and beauty centers, Hindu temples and yoga.

My first stop in Bali was Ubud. I spent there a few days, but I could as well stay some more. Udub is a place where one should be able to soak the atmosphere rather than rush through it. Many people I’ve talked to regretted not staying there long enough. Whether it was 3 days, two weeks or a month it seemed to be too short to satisfactorily feel Ubud.

Use my favourite travel resources to plan your dream trips

Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
World Nomads and EKTA travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
Jack’s Flight Club is a service that can save you hundreds of dollars on flights, it works especially well in Europe.
Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money.
Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.

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If you’ve been following my travels for a while, you probably know that I usually plan all the parts of my trips by myself. Occasionally however, I like to join an organized tour to take me to places I don’t know about or I just don’t feel like going to on my own. I was quite excited to see Ubud and its surroundings with a small family agency- Amansuka Tour as they tailored the trip according to my preferences. Our guide and driver, Wayan, is one of the brothers running the agency and he knew absolutely everything.

There was no rushing or questions unanswered. He took us to quieter parts of Bali surrounding Ubud and with kindness and enthusiasm introduced to us the history and customs of the island. The day was packed with attractions and places we could visit, the main ones listed in this post.

Visit Balinese villages and houses to see an everyday way of living

Visiting local villages seems to be a popular activity among tourists. With rapidly spreading tourism in Bali it seemed to me that the formed image of the island formed in our minds by Instagram, the internet, or the infamous “Eat, Pray, Love” is disappearing. Most places were prepared for tourists to come and visit, but at the same time, the local people continued their daily routines and traditions. Visiting villages might be a way to see some of the preserved areas still unspoiled by crowds of visitors. I really hope that the hunger to get instagrammable photo won’t cloud the judgment of some tourists, that seemingly blinded behave in a far from respectful manner. Wayan took me to a small village with no tourists at all, where kind local people shared a bit of their everyday lives with me.

Visit art village

Bali is full of little villages specialized in some kind of art, from wood carving to waving to glass blowing and ceramics. Wayan took me to some of the places to see (and warned me that I will be asked multiple time to buy something).

Tirta Empul temple

Tirta Empul is one of the most visited temples in Bali and quite frankly it is quite understandable. It is a temple where you can do purification and recharge your spiritual strength. When we got there, the place was packed with people. Both locals and tourists engaged in the purification ceremony, which was very new to me. It is really beneficial to have a guide with you there as there is so much to understand and learn. We spent there quite a while as Wayan gave me a really good lesson about the place, its importance and the rules that have to be followed there.

If you choose to do the purification ritual, bring with you dry clothes for change and a dry sarong as you won’t be allowed to visit the rest of the place otherwise.

Explore things to do in Ubud:

Watch classical Balinese Barong dance

What a show! Yes, it was specially organized for tourists and yes, it was totally worth it despite all my usual reservations regarding tourist-oriented shows. Balinese culture is rich and rituals and religious traditions still are alive on the island.

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A few tips before you travel to Bali

Bali is probably the most popular island in Indonesia and being quite small it gets crowded easily. Try to get up early for a beautiful sunrise and avoiding the crowds to get a deeper feel of this beautiful place.
Taxis in Ubud are quite expensive, much more than in other parts of the island. Negotiate prices as some drives try to overcharge tourists.
The traffic is just terrible. The little streets get blocked by the number of cars, so the best option seems to be walking as much (and as far) as possible, renting a bike or a scooter (although I saw some accidents as the drivers do not seem very careful there and tourists are not used to the way of driving in Indonesia).
It is not only useful but very important to have insurance for traveling to Indonesia in general.
Choose flights between island rather than boats. It saves time (although it can be more expensive) and many boats, especially the ones that run overnight, are not safe sometimes and overbooked.
If you visit other islands and choose to take a flight, I hugely recommend you book a flight in advance, at least a few days. Many local airlines do not accept foreign cards for booking, but Garuda Indonesia does and I was very happy for choosing them over the other airlines. From what I saw at the airports I flew to (and it was many over 5 islands), the flights were frequently canceled or delayed, or overbooked. If any natural disaster occurs, the airports are full of people trying to leave and the flights are full. Having my booking with Garuda saved me from sleeping for a couple of days at the airport waiting for an available seat (what had happened to many people I met).

Search best flight options to Bali through SkyScanner.

Coffee plantations

I love coffee, that’s not a secret (although I must confess that I have been silently enjoying green tea much more recently). Visiting coffee plantations in Bali is a little bit different that doing so in Colombia, for example. The first and main reason that comes to my mind is the special kind of coffee that is produced there: luwak. There, you can learn how the most expensive coffee in the world is produced and try it for as little as $4. Wayan took me to a beautiful plantation, where (again!) there was almost nobody, so I could enjoy tasting different kinds of coffee and tea with a rice terrace in the background.

Book your coffee plantation tour here.

Later I learned that many places producing luwak coffee do not treat the animals very nicely, so it gave me a reason to do some ethical thinking and I came to a conclusion: I do not have the need to drink luwak coffee or buy it in the future.

Rice fields

What is one of the first images that comes into your mind when you think of Bali? Let me guess: rice fields. You probably have seen some beautiful photos of Tegalaland rice fields not far from Ubud. This place was, as suspected, high on my list. Wayan however decided that I would not be as speechless as I thought and instead, he took me to different rice terraces.

There were smaller but equally beautiful and the best part yet: no tourists. Too bad though that day the weather was a bit capricious and the grey sky and annoying drizzle limited photo success.

This rice terraces tour has over a thousand of 5-star reviews and it seems one of the best in Ubud for visiting rice terraces.

Kintamani

Kintamani is a little village, from which you get a beautiful view of the volcano Batur. There is many things you can actually do there, but as part of a day trip getting the view was enough for me, especially that it really, in a very visual way, gives an idea of the power of volcanoes. As it erupted not very long ago and the lava flew down the valley, you can clearly see the burnt area and the formations it made.

Explore tours in Bali:

Batur temple

Once in Kitamani we went to visit Batur temple. It is one of the most important and the biggest mountain temples in Bali. It is very big and spacious and the day we went there, there were no people at all.

Where to stay in Ubud

Ubud, located in the heart of Bali, is renowned for its lush greenery, vibrant arts scene, and tranquil atmosphere. Here is a guide to some of the best hotels in Ubud, catering to various tastes and budgets:

Luxury Hotels

Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
- Overview: Nestled by the Ayung River, Mandapa offers a luxurious sanctuary with traditional Balinese architecture and stunning natural surroundings.
- Features: Private pool villas, personalized butler service, a world-class spa, and gourmet dining.
- Highlight: The immersive cultural experiences and serene spa treatments.
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan
- Overview: Located amid the verdant rice terraces and lush jungle, this resort offers an exquisite blend of modern luxury and traditional Balinese culture.
- Features: Spacious villas and suites, a comprehensive wellness program, and an organic garden.
- Highlight: The dramatic suspension bridge entrance and the Sacred River Spa.
COMO Shambhala Estate
- Overview: A wellness retreat known for its holistic approach to health, set in a secluded jungle location.
- Features: Personalized wellness programs, expert practitioners, and nutritious cuisine.
- Highlight: The tailored wellness experiences, including yoga, pilates, and Ayurvedic treatments.

Mid-Range Hotels

Alaya Resort Ubud
- Overview: Situated in the cultural heart of Ubud, this resort blends contemporary comfort with Balinese charm.
- Features: Beautifully designed rooms, a spa, and a rice paddy-view pool.
- Highlight: Its central location, allowing easy access to Ubud’s main attractions.
Ubud Village Resort & Spa
- Overview: A peaceful retreat with lush gardens and traditional Balinese villas.
- Features: Private villas, a tranquil spa, and cultural activities.
- Highlight: The serene environment and the resort’s commitment to sustainability.
Bisma Eight
- Overview: Combining modern design with traditional elements, Bisma Eight offers a unique boutique experience.
- Features: Stylish suites, a rooftop infinity pool, and an on-site organic farm.
- Highlight: The contemporary design and panoramic views of the surrounding jungle.

Budget-Friendly Hotels

Bali Bohemia
- Overview: A vibrant and artistic hotel located next to the famous Monkey Forest.
- Features: Colorful, bohemian-style rooms, a lively restaurant, and frequent live music events.
- Highlight: The unique artistic decor and the lively atmosphere.
Ubud Aura Retreat
- Overview: A budget-friendly retreat focused on wellness and relaxation.
- Features: Simple, comfortable rooms, a small spa, and yoga classes.
- Highlight: The affordable wellness programs and the peaceful ambiance.
Adiwana Resort Jembawan
- Overview: A boutique wellness resort offering a tranquil escape in the heart of Ubud. It has over two thousand of 5-star reviews- it’s definitely a unique place to stay.
- Features: Cozy rooms, a holistic spa, and a focus on health and wellness.
- Highlight: The emphasis on health and rejuvenation at an affordable price.

Tips for Choosing a Hotel in Ubud

Location: If you want to be close to the action, choose a hotel in central Ubud. For a more tranquil experience, opt for hotels on the outskirts.
Activities: Many hotels offer cultural activities such as cooking classes, traditional dance performances, and guided tours. Check if these are of interest.
Wellness: Ubud is known for its spas and wellness options. Consider hotels that provide yoga, meditation, and spa services if relaxation is a priority.

Mindful moment

Bali is a place that reflecting should be easy. Now overcrowded by tourists, it moves towards commercialism, however the spirituality of the island and the locals is very much alive. It struck me enormously while in Bali that the visitors often forget that the culture and tradition is strongly rooted in religion and spiritualism on the island. Instead the chase of a perfect photo became a priority for so many people and what it leads to is forgetting that the island does not belong to the tourists, but the locals, who often struggle with the habits of the crowds from all over the world. What can you do? While you are chasing the waterfalls, temples and sunsets, remember that being respectful and mindful of the traditions is actually the way to see the place better and more consciously. Why I mention this? Because it will make your trip much better and the people living there will continue welcoming us, visitors, with a big smile.

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