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Latest update: 22 January 2023
Hundreds of blogs have already been written about Ubud in Bali. Is this blog necessary? I think so. Not to dampen your enthusiasm about Ubud but to paint a slightly more realistic picture.
Ubud: the center of everything
Ubud is the creative center of Bali, Ubud is the spiritual center of Bali and Ubud is the cultural center of Bali. Pretty clever, that one place is the center of everything, isn’t it? And maybe that’s why it’s the center of nothing. I find it a relief to arrive in lively Ubud after a few days of complete peace and quiet at a yoga retreat. I choose a hostel to meet other travelers. I enjoy the crowds, the smells of food and incense, and the many sights and activities. But wait a minute, wasn’t Ubud supposed to be a party for the soul?
Eat, Pray, Love, but different
I have slightly forgotten the details of the book, and the film Eat, Pray, Love. Other tourists and the residents of Ubud definitely haven’t forgotten about Eat, Pray, Love and regularly remind me. Single women closely follow the moves of Elizabeth Gilbert and/or Julia Roberts: healers, yoga, therapies, and cycling through the rice fields.
The real Ubud is not like in the movie. For example, Julia Roberts visits the Ubud Market in the film. The market was closed for a few days for the recordings, and that’s why the atmosphere in the movie was so serene. In reality, it is teeming with tourists, and I can buy everything my souvenir-loving heart desires (read: I don’t buy anything).
The Monkey Forest Road and Hanoman Street surround the heart of Ubud. These two streets have hundreds of shops, from chic boutiques to simple massage parlors. I set off early in the morning when it’s relatively cool and nice and quiet. If you want to shop in Bali, Ubud is the place to be.
Monkey watching in the Monkey Forest
On the Monkey Forest Road is (where else, right) the Monkey Forest. The forest is jungle-like and is home to almost 700 monkeys. Many people advise against a visit: sad for the monkeys. I took a look there in 2017, a bit naively, and concluded that this Monkey Forest feels a lot more monkey-friendly than the one in Canggu. But yes, some idiotic people always need to bully the monkeys. I am more impressed by the jungle than the monkeys. It’s so beautiful here!
Yoga class at Yoga Barn
I decide to have my own soul party at Yoga Barn. A very famous yoga studio in Ubud. Very well-known, very popular, and massive. I’m a bit confused when I enter the grounds. It feels very commercial to me. I am used to small yoga schools with a very personal atmosphere. Yet here, the yoga class is with sixty (or more?) people. Although attention has clearly been paid to the space, and I look out on a green garden, I can’t get very zen.
Infinite rice fields
The rice fields do make me feel zen. Directly from the busy street, I take a small path (Google Maps location) at restaurant Paon to find myself in the middle of the rice fields after a few minutes. Only a few tourists are bold enough to do this because I am almost alone. However, the path is marked with a sign, so I don’t think I’m trespassing.
But people may be tired of paddy fields. Because if you rent a scooter, you imagine yourself in a green rice field valhalla around Ubud. I opt for a morning walk of officially 3.5 hours and manage to make it last 4.5 hours. Somewhere I took a wrong turn… But who cares if you can clear your head in the countryside? The walk is called Campuan Ridge and starts at the Warwick hotel (Google Maps location). Take lots and lots of water with you, and mosquito repellent is not an excessive luxury either. It is not a challenging walk; you can even do it in flip-flops if you want.
Magical Ubud?
Conclusion? Ubud is well worth a visit. Just don’t expect revelations and life-changing events. The hypnotic, magical effect of Ubud has passed me by. Perhaps you have experienced it?
More Bali inspiration
Useful links for your Bali trip
- Accommodation. My all-time favorite remains Booking.com. Would you rather stay in a hostel? Check Hostelworld.
- Activities. You book the best tours and activities with GetYourGuide and Viator. And Baja Bikes offers excellent bicycle tours.
- Attractions and museums. Check out Tiqets for museum and attraction tickets (and get a 5% discount with discount code KIMOPREIS22)
- Car rental. I often rent at EasyTerra because of their all-inclusive / worry-free offer. Or otherwise, compare prices at Discover Cars.
- Flights. Compare all your options! Definitely check out Momondo, Skyscanner, and Kiwi.
- Money. Your debit and credit cards may not get accepted everywhere. You could opt for a Revolut card as an additional card when you travel.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? For the Dutch readers, please check out these organizations: ANWB vakanties, Sawadee, Tui, Corendon, Shoestring, D-Reizen, and Vakantie Discounter.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high calling and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Train, bus, and boat. Reserve busses, trains, and boats in Bali at Busbud, 12Go, or Omio.
- Travel gear. Buy your gear at Bever or Decathlon, or simply at Bol.com.
- Travel guides. Are you getting all excited about your Bali trip? I understand! To add to your anticipation, you can order a travel guide, for example at Bol.com or Amazon.
- Yoga retreat. Or treat yourself to a yoga retreat in Bali.
Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, I might receive a small commission.
First published: July 2017. Updated since.
