Things to Do in Ubud: A 4-Day Bali Guide

The best time to visit Bali is the dry season, from April to October. During these months the weather tends to be drier, with less rain and more pleasant temperatures. Keep in mind, though, that it's also high season, so you may find more tourists and higher prices.

If you'd rather avoid the crowds and pay lower prices, consider visiting Ubud in low season, which is the rainy season from November to March. It may rain more often in these months, but you can still enjoy sunny spells and explore Ubud's beauty with fewer people around. These are also the months when the rice fields look greenest and prettiest, thanks to all the water. It depends on what you prefer!

Rent a motorbike: it's the option most tourists use, because both the gas and the rental are super cheap. It costs about US$5 per day. This option gives you plenty of freedom to explore at your own pace.

Private taxi: it's more expensive, but if you're not used to riding a motorbike, we recommend this option. You can book private transport here.

Day 1

1. Tegallalang Rice Terraces

These are some of the most famous rice terraces in Bali. We recommend going very early to avoid the heat and the crowds.

You usually have to pay a small fee to get in, around 10,000 rupiah (less than US$1).

Walk down into the valley until you cross a small bridge. From there, walk to the other side of the Tegallalang rice terraces. The whole walk only takes 10-15 minutes. To explore every corner of the terraces you'll need between 30 and 90 minutes. Make sure you drink water and bring sunscreen.

Most of the rice fields are fenced off, and if you want to go through for a photo, they'll ask you for something like 50,000 rupiah.

June is one of the best times to visit Bali because it's the dry season, but the downside is that the rice fields lose some of their charm. The first photo shows the rice fields as we saw them at that time of year, and the second shows how they look in the rainy months.

2. Bali Swing

You've probably seen plenty of photos from Ubud of giant swings over the rice fields. It's very popular with tourists, and it looks like fun! We didn't do it because the lines were more than 20 minutes long, but if you want to, prices are quite a bit cheaper at the Tegallalang Rice Terraces.

We asked around: some places want to charge you US$17, but in this area we found places for US$7, with an incredible view of the rice fields.

3. Monkey Forest

It's a huge forest full of monkeys and trees, and it's really worth a visit! Lots of staff are on hand to make sure the monkeys don't attack you, so don't be scared! To keep the monkeys from stealing anything, keep your backpack zipped up and don't carry things in your hands.

The entrance fee is 50,000 rupiah (US$3.50), a bit more than the other places, but it's worth it, not just for the monkeys but because the place itself is incredible!

4. Campuhan Ridge Walk

It's a short walk of 2 km (1.2 miles). Along the way you'll pass rice terraces, warungs (small food stalls) and temples, and the path is paved, so it's very easy to follow.

Entrance is free.

To get there, head to the Ibah hotel, go down the street, cross a small bridge and walk past the temple.

Day 2

On this day we headed to the northwest of the island to visit temples and waterfalls. The drive to this area from Ubud takes about 2 hours.

5. Pura Ulun Danu Bratan

It's a Hindu temple on Lake Bratan, and one of the temples we liked most on the island.

The entrance fee is 50,000 rupiah (US$3.50).

6. Handara Gate

It's a Hindu gate made very famous by Instagram, and it's actually the entrance to a golf club. We didn't think it was an essential stop.

They charge you 5,000 rupiah (US$0.40) to take a photo. It's next to nothing, but it's incredible how in Bali they'll try to charge you for absolutely everything. You may also end up waiting 30 minutes in line for your photo. Since we were already there, we obviously waited ;).

7. Wanagiri Hidden Hill

It's a viewpoint with swings and nests for taking photos, and the view is incredible. It may have become very trendy thanks to Instagram, but if you're in the area, we recommend going.

The entrance fee is higher than usual, around 100,000 rupiah (US$7).

8. Git Git Waterfall

It's a group of several waterfalls, including Git Git and the Twin Falls. The hike to get there is very easy, about 15 minutes on foot.

They charge an entrance fee of 5,000 rupiah (US$0.40).

When you arrive, there are “guides” who want to sell you a tour, saying it's hard to reach the waterfall. Ignore them: the trail is perfectly signposted and it's super easy to get there!

9. Sekumpul Waterfall

These waterfalls are 45 minutes from Git Git and they're truly impressive!

The entrance fee is around 20,000 rupiah (US$1.50).

Once again they'll want to charge you for a guided hike, saying the waterfall is hard to reach. The truth is it's super simple and there's no need to pay any guide.

Day 3

10. Goa Gajah Temple

Also known as the Elephant Cave, it's an important meditation temple. The cave's entrance is a huge elephant carved into the rock.

It costs 15,000 rupiah (US$1) to get in.

11. Saraswati Temple

This temple is dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of speech and the arts. It's surrounded by a pond full of lotus flowers, and it's lovely.

Entrance is free.

12. Ubud Market

The Ubud market is one block from the Royal Palace. It's perfect for picking up a souvenir of the island, and they have really nice things!

This is where you'll put your haggling into practice: sometimes they'll drop the price by as much as 50%.

Do you have 1 more day in Ubud?

A guide to the northeast of the island.

Day 4

13. Tirta Gangga

Also known as the water palace. The prettiest thing to see is the gardens, with lots of fountains, statues and paths that run through the water.

The entrance fee is 20,000 rupiah (US$1.50).

14. Pura Lempuyang

This is another temple that became very famous thanks to Instagram, for the well-known photo at the gate with the reflection in the water, which from what we read is an effect they create with a mirror! Beyond that, it's a very pretty temple with a great view, and one of the most important in Bali.

Admission is by donation.

15. Tukad Cepung Waterfall

It's a waterfall inside a cave, and it's absolutely incredible!

It's about a 30-minute walk to get there, and it's a good idea to wear shoes that can get wet.

There are 2 options:

• Central Ubud: Close to restaurants, shops and cafés.
• Outskirts of Ubud: Incredible views of the rice fields, but you're a bit farther from the center and there are no shops nearby.

We stayed on the outskirts because we wanted to enjoy a good view. We went to 2 hotels: we wanted the experience of having an infinity pool in Bali, but our budget didn't stretch to 4 nights in a hotel like that. So we stayed 2 nights in a homestay and 2 nights in a hotel with an infinity pool!