Visit to the Pura Saman Saraswati, Ubud

Tips & Ideas for you Visit to beautiful Ubud

For all those of you lucky enough to visit Ubud, Bali, here’s a post full of useful tips & ideas for this beautiful place.

  • As this is an extensive blog post, we recommend you to study the Index below. This way, selecting the topics that interest you.

Visit Ubud: Introduction

Ubud is considered Bali’s cultural center & one of its main tourist attractions.

So popular, it also has become a favourite place for thousands of expats from all over the world to stay forever.

As we knew beforehand it’s going to be busy after our relaxed stay in Pekutatan, we doubted if it was a good idea to visit Ubud. In the end though, we’re glad we did.

Although certainly a tourist spot, it’s really a special place with a unique vibe. A historical cultural center of Bali for sure, but also a perfect base for all kinds of fun activities.

Think about:

  • Hiking or biking through the outlying rice fields
  • Conquering one of the nearby volcanos
  • Visiting the local waterfalls
  • Joining a jeep tour
  • Participate in a cooking class
  • or a Woodcarving workshop
  • Learning how to make batik
  • Or silver jewelry

Besides all these Things to do in & around, I also will give you tips for the best hotels in 3 categories (budget – midrange – high end) & some favorite places to eat. Personal choices of course, but happily shared.

Last but not least, Ubud is a paradise for all of you who like to shop for unique, affordable artwork & other souvenirs.

  • IMPORTANT MESSAGE: Throughout this post you’ll find affiliated links & ads provided by the travel platforms like Trip.com & GetYourGuide. Links & ads that may help you plan & fill in your next trip to Indonesia.
  • If you click on them & buy a ticket for a museum or a tour a small commission of your purchase will go to me (Paid by the provider, without any extra cost to you!).
  • If you first want to learn a little bit more about me, the blog writer, please click on: Better call me Art.

Short History of Ubud

Before visiting a particular place, it’s good to learn about its past. In this case to understand why Bali – and Ubud in particular – is so unique.

  • !!! If however you already know enough about the history of Bali & Ubud. Or aren’t that interested for the moment, click on the next post segment: Things to Do in Ubud
Ubud’s Legendary start

Although the region was inhabited in prehistoric times, Ubud’s official history begins with a legend. The arrival of Rsi Markandya. A Hindu sage from Java who reached the area during the 8th century.

  • With his arrival, the area converted to the Hinduism. A religion which 90% of present-day Balinese still practice, while most Indonesians on the other islands today adhere to Islam.

While meditating at the confluence of two rivers, he decided to found a temple. The Gunung Lebah Temple, nestled on the valley floor near the Campuhan Ridge. Nowadays the starting point for a popular hike (see below).

  • Ubud was originally an important source for medicinal herbs & plants. A place traditionally known for healing & spiritual practices. In fact, its name – derived from “Ubad” – literally means “medicine” or “healing”.
Majapahit collapse & Javanese invasion

After the collapse of the Hindu Majapahit Empire in East Java, a mass exodus of nobles, priests, artists & intellectuals fled to Bali. The arrival of this Javanese elite soon led to a flourishing of the Balinese culture.

  • Today, most modern-day aristocratic families on Bali trace their lineage back to Java & the Majapahit Empire. Through time, they’ve managed to preserve their rich Hindu-Javanese customs & traditions.
  • Booktip: If you want to know more about the Majapahit Empire, I highly recommend you to read: Van der Linde, Herald, Majapahit – Intrigue, betrayal and war in Indonesia’s greatest Empire, 2024. (We bought our copy in one of several Periplus bookstores in Ubud).
From small settlement to power base

For centuries, Ubud remained a modest settlement within the rival Hindu kingdoms that ruled the island.

It wasn’t until the 19th century that a branch of the Sukawati royal family established a firm political power base in Ubud. Building their own seat of power – the Ubud Palace/Puri Saren Agung.

Under the Dutch, who colonized Ubud & surrounding area around 1900, everything changed. Bit by bit losing its political power, Ubud cleverly managed to convert itself to Bali’s cultural capital, protector of local art.

Modern history

From that time on Ubud attracted many artists. Local, national & in the end also international artists. Resulting nowadays in a large expat community. Besides, the thousand upon thousand of tourists which arrive in Ubud daily.

We ourselves had to adapt to the amount of fellow foreigners after our trip through Java & Pekutatan on the much less-visited southwestern coast of Bali. But quickly managed to do so.

Ubud is a touristy place, but – besides the many hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, art studios, yoga places & massage salons – it’s still blessed by the presence of a unique vibe in & around.

Impressions of our visit to the Pura Taman Saraswati in Ubud, Bali

Visit Ubud: Things to Do

The little town of Ubud is centrally located on the island of Bali. As Bali’s cultural center it’s best known for its beautiful Hindu temples, several art museums, authentic Balinese dance performances & green area around.

Ubud Palace & Temple

An absolute MUST visit in Ubud is the Royal Palace – the Puri Saren Agung. Built by the Sukawati royals, who managed to convert Ubud from a small settlement into a city of prestige (see Short History above).

  • The original palace – built in the first quarter of the 19th century – was heavily damaged by the devastating 1917 earthquake. As a result, many structures had to be rebuilt or restored afterward. All in the same eye-catching, colorful Balinese style.

The Sukawati’s still reside in the palace today. However, a significant portion of the grounds are open to the public & free to visit.

  • Opening hours are 7 am – 5 pm daily. Entrance is FREE.
Impression of our visit to the main palace in Ubud, the Puri Saren Agung
Impression of the main Royal palace in Ubud, the Puri Saren Agung.

Despite the daily crowds, it’s really a beautiful spot to visit. To stroll around and get a taste of the Balinese past & present.

Balinese Dance performances at the Palace

Every evening you can enjoy traditional Balinese dance performances in the inner courtyard of Ubud’s Royal Palace.

  • The performances starts 7:30 pm & last for about 1.5 hours.
  • You can either purchase tickets on the spot a few hours before the show, but you have to buy them in time. Or you – to be sure – by the tickets beforehand through the following link:

To buy your tickets in advance, go to: Dance performance at Ubud’s Palace

  • As it usually gets crowded, I highly recommend you – after buying your tickets – to get to the palace early for the best seats (around 6:30pm).
Visit to the Balinese dance performance at the Royal Palace of Ubud.

Other dance performances

There are dance performances throughout Ubud every day. Even at some hotels & restaurants.

Most are worth your visit, but if you want to witness a historical dance performance in an authentic setting, I’d recommend you to either go to the palace. Or else, get a ticket to the Kecak & Fire Dance Performance.

Impression of a visit to the Ubud Kecak and Fire Dance Show.

To get a better idea of this spectacular show, go to:

Kecak and Fire Dance Show

Pura Taman Saraswati

Besides the Royal Palace in Ubud, another MUST visit is to the beautiful Pura Taman Saraswati temple. Also called the Water Palace Ubud.

  • A temple built in 1951/52 dedicated to Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, wisdom, art, music & learning.

As ever this eye-catching temple complex is surrounded by beautiful green areas. In this case a pond full of lotus blossoms. All in all, a relaxing, inspiring place to visit in Ubud.

Impressions of our visit to the Pura Taman Saraswati.

TravelTip: Entrance price includes rental of a mandatory traditional Balinese sarong & sash, for all visitors.

Mount Lebah Temple

The Mount Lebah Temple or Pura Gunung Lebah is another impressive temple you can’t miss. Not only because of its history & its mesmerizing beauty, but also because of its location.

  • The Mount Lebah Temple is one of the oldest in Ubud, dating back to the 8th century (see Short History above). It sits atop a rocky promontory, right where two rivers come together – the Oos & the Cerik.
Visit to the Gunung Lebah Temple, Ubud, Bali
The impressive Gunung Lebah Temple, Ubud.

TravelTip: The complex is open to the public, but only partially. If you have plans to visit while in Ubud, wear respectful clothing. That is, cover your shoulders and tie a traditional sarong & sash around your waist.

When you plan to visit the Campuhan Ridge (see below), you will automatically encounter the temple. As it’s the starting point of the hike.

Visit Ubud: Art Museums

It will be NO surprise Ubud, as the cultural heart of Bali, harbors several first-rate art museums – besides, even more art galleries. I’ve selected three museums which are not to be missed by admirers of Balinese artwork:

Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA)

Probably the most famous Art Museum of Ubud, is the one founded by Anak Agung Gde Rai. Formerly a seller of handicrafts & artwork, but nowadays better known as a collector of Indonesian artwork.

Visit to the Agung Rai Museum of Art in Ubud.
Entrance to the Agung Rai Museum of Art, Ubud.

The museum is set within beautiful tropical gardens. Located a little to the south of Central Ubud. Opens daily between 9 AM and 6 PM.

To get an idea of the collection, go to: Agung Rai Museum of Art, Ubud

Neka Art Museum

Another excellent Art Museum was founded by another local art dealer, Pande Wayan Suteja Neka.

Although it’s somewhat smaller than the Agung Rai, their collections are comparable. The biggest difference being the fact that the Neka takes you on an interesting historical journey through Balinese artwork.

Visit to the Neka Art Museum, Ubud.
Visit to the Neka Art Museum, Ubud.

The Neka Art Museum is located a little to the North of Central Ubud & opens daily between 9 AM & 5 PM.

To get a better idea of this museum, click on: The Neka Art Museum, Ubud.

Museum Puri Lukisan

Last, but not least, there’s the Museum Puri Lukisan, the Palace of Paintings. While the oldest art museum in Bali (1956), its collection is mainly focused on modern traditional art from the island itself.

Visit to the Museum Puri Lukisan, Ubud.
Museum Puri Lukisan

The Puri Lukisan is located in the heart of Ubud. Beautifully set in tropical gardens & lotus ponds which connect four open-air pavilions. Open from 9 AM until 6 PM.

TravelTip: If you plan to visit at least one art museum with young children this museum is the best option.

For more info of this museum go to: Museum Puri Lukisan

Visit Ubud: Walking Tours

The Campuhan Ridge Walk

The beautiful Mount Lebah Temple is a starting point for your hike along the Campuhan Ridge. An ideal way to escape the busy city center for a while, notwithstanding the presence of many fellow-tourists along the way.

Entrance to the trail is FREE, but it’s (almost) inevitable to avoid ending up at one of the many food & drink stalls along the way. And why not? Some of them provide a relaxing vibe & beautiful views over the rice fields.

Impressions of our visit & walk along the Campuhan Ridge, Ubud.

TravelTip: The Campuhan Ridge Walk ends in the small village of Bangkiang Sidem. From there you can either turn around, heading back the way you came. Or else, loop back through the river valley to central Ubud.

  • Walking the ridge back & forth to the village is about 5 km/ 3+ miles. The loop is more like 8km/ 5mi.

Sweet Orange Trail

Another highly popular hike leads along the Sweet Orange Trail. A well marked path which also begins in the central part of Ubud & is FREE of charge.

The trail leads to the Kajeng & Subak Juwuk Manis rice fields. As with the Campuhan River Valley you’ll encounter many food, drink & coffee stalls along the way.

  • Depending on the path you’ll choose, the total distance of this trail is only between 2 to 3km/ 1.2 to 2 miles.

TravelTip: If you choose to walk this trail, look out for the famous Sweet Orange Warung. A perfect spot for a bite & a drink overlooking the rice fields around.

Visit to the Sweet Orange Warung, Ubud.
The inviting Sweet Orange Warung.

Bali Bird Walking Tour

In & around Ubud you can find many exotic birds (over 100 species have been spotted in the area). If you know where to look, of course.

For the real birdwatcher there’s the option to go on an interesting tour. Field trips, accompanied by professional local guides which will show you where the most exciting birds live & how they live.

To learn more about this tour, go to: Bird Watching Tour in & around Ubud

A pair of beautiful Jalak Bali or Bali Myna, one of the most exotic birds on Bali.
The beautiful Jalak Bali or Bali Myna is one of the most exotic birds on Bali.

Ubud Monkey Forest

A highly popular attraction near Ubud’s city center: the Sacred Monkey Forest.

  • For the Hindu population of Bali the “sacred” refers to the forest as a spiritual place. As well as the monkeys/macaques which are revered as the guardians of the three Hindu temples within the forest.
Statue at the Monkey Forrest in Ubud, Bali.

Hundreds of monkeys live in this tropical jungle park. For most people the macaques are the main attraction, but BE AWARE you may be the main attraction for them.

  • On the internet you can read many reviews of visitors who got attacked or bitten by the monkeys. Although true – we saw it happen – I personally think when you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you either. Just keep your distance & protect your stuff (especially food).

To be honest, we didn’t plan to visit the Monkey Forest beforehand. However, when we had some time to spare before heading out to our next destination – Sidemen – we decided to have a go.

In the end, we considered it a nice walk through a beautiful semi-cooling jungle, full of monkeys(!).

Visit to the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud.
The Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud.

The Sacred Monkey Forest opens daily from 9 AM until 6 PM. (Last visitors allowed in at 5 PM).

Most people visit the Monkey Forest in Ubud on their own, but others opt for a guided tour. A tour which is informative, but also protects you & your children if need be.

For more info, go to: Sacred Monkey Forest Guided Tour.

Visit Ubud: Where to Stay

If I don’t stay in an Airbnb or find a good accommodation through HomeExchange, I generally book a hotel with Booking or Expedia.

However when travelling in Southeast Asia I opt for the Singapore-based Trip.com, which often offers the best price & service.

In this segment I’ll present you with Ubud favorites in 3 categories (budget – midrange – high end).

All centrally located, featuring a pool – a MUST in tropical Ubud – & serving a good breakfast (which may, or may not, be included in the room price).

Visit Ubud: Best Budget Hotel

As the best budget option in Ubud’s center I’d like to recommend the Yuliati House. More than a hotel, it’s actually a homestay. A place run by a local family – welcoming & friendly, but also respectful of their guests’ privacy.

The Yuliati House offers clean, spacious rooms with private balconies, set in a beautiful garden, blessed by a lovely, cooling swimming pool.

As the family also lives on the premises – again, respecting your privacy – you get a perfect idea of an authentic Balinese residence. Including the personal household temple (Pura Keluarga), the shrines & statues. .

In addition to welcoming you, the family is on hand to assist with anything you need. They can offer local recommendations, accommodate special breakfast requests & help arrange scooter rentals, taxis, massages & more

To learn more, click on: Yuliati House, Ubud

Visit Ubud: Best Mid-range Hotel

The Alam Indah Ubud is located on the southern edge of Ubud. Very close to the surrounding jungle. An area which houses the Sacred Monkey Forest (see above).

The commercial center of the city is a 15 minute walk away. However, the Alam Indah provides a shuttle service if you’re tired of walking through the tropical heat along the busy traffic.

The spacious rooms & bungalows – full of eye-catching Balinese architectural elements -are also surrounded by a beautiful tropical garden. Complete with ancient trees, fountains & small Hindu temples.

Besides providing a tranquil, relaxing place to stay, this hotel also provides all kinds of extra services & has an excellent restaurant on its premises.

Central area of the Alam Indah hotel in Ubud.
Central area of the Alam Indah Ubud.

To get more details about this hotel, go to: Alam Indah Ubud

Visit Ubud: Best High End Hotel

If looking for an even more modern & luxurious accommodation, have a look at the Alaya Resort Ubud. A highly popular boutique hotel, located right in the heart of Ubud. Close to all the major attractions.

The Alaya Resort offers over a 100 spacious deluxe rooms or suites with private balconies overlooking the tropical garden & swimming pools. All areas – including the rooms – are decorated with traditional Balinese artwork.

Besides an excellent restaurant with Indonesian & International dishes, the resort also offers classic Balinese body treatments & massages. As well as, several cultural experiences such as yoga & Balinese cooking classes.

Although most sites define this hotel as Midrange, I consider it a High End option. A beautiful hotel/resort ideally located, with excellent service & a friendly staff.

Bird-eye view of the Ayala Resort Ubud.
Bird-eye view of the Alaya Resort Ubud.

To learn more, click on: Alaya Resort Ubud

Visit Ubud: Where to Eat

There are hundreds of places to eat in Ubud, so instead of making an exhaustive list, I’ll share our personal favorites from our stay. They offer a diverse range of choices, but all specialize in Balinese cuisine.

Ibu Susu

Located in the heart of Ubud, this was our favorite, the Ibi Susu. Surprisingly nice, delicious well-thought-out dishes, accompanied with a friendly service.

To learn more, go to: Ibu Susu restaurant, Ubud

Restaurante
Warung Pondok Madu

After traversing Java – where pig meat is seldom served – we craved pork. We had some in Pekutatan already, but obviously not enough.

So the first night in Ubud we visited the Warung Pondok Madu which specialises in pork ribs. Wassing it down with a few Bintangs. As the restaurant was packed & smoking hot, all in all an unforgettable experience.

Siboghana Waroeng

To balance it all out, the next day we visited the vegetarian restaurant Siboghana Waroeng for lunch. Set in a cozy, green setting, served by friendly people.

We loved the Sate Lilit & Gado Gado.

  • I personally think the Indonesian or Balinese cuisine – more than many others – is perfectly suited for vegetarians & vegans.

The Siboghana Waroeng, vegetarian option in Ubud.

To get a better idea yourself, click on: Siboghana Waroeng

Visit Ubud: Tours in & around

As with hotels, restaurants, museums, it’s possible to make a long list of interesting & fun activities you can undertake in & around Ubud. In this post segment I’ll give you a selection of the most popular ones.

To book the best tours, I prefer to book through GetYourGuide.

  • GetYourGuide is a travel platform founded in Zwitserland (Zurich) in 2009, which relocated to Germany (Berlin) in 2012.

Operating in cooperation with local tour operators worldwide nowadays. Profesional, affordable & trustworthy (with a 24 hour refund policy if you for some reason have to cancel a tour).

Ubud’s Journey from Past to Present

The Past & Present Tour is a unique journey through Ubud’s interesting history – up until today. Guided by a knowledgable local professional.

A tour which includes visits to: the Lebah Temple, Campuhan Bridge, Museum Puri Lukisan (The Palace of Paintings), the Ubud Royal Palace & Puri Kantor Heritage Hotel.

To learn more about this tour (3 hours), go to: Past & Present Tour Ubud

Ubud Village Tour

Another interesting & fun tour of Ubud is the Authentic Village Tour.

As the Past & Present Tour – presented above – you’ll visit several historical monuments, but will also explore Ubud’s vibrant Market, including several tastings.

To get a better idea of this tour (3 hours), go to: Ubud Village Tour

Ubud Highlight Tour

A popular tour which combines worthwhile stops in Ubud & around is the: Full Day Highlight Tour

This unique tour starts in Ubud with a visit to the Monkey Forest, the Ubud Palace & local Art market. After which the guide will lead you to the beautiful rice fields of Tegalalang, the Tirta Empul Temple & the Tegenungan Waterfall.

To learn more about this tour (8 hours), go to: Highlight Tour Ubud & around

Full Day Instagram Tour

Opting for the Full-Day Instagram Highlights Tour you head out of Ubud to – as you would guess – to the most photographic spots around.

Concretely to the Gates of Heaven of the Lempuyang Temple, the former water palace of Tirta Gangga, the Goa Raja Waterfall, the Tegalalang rice fields & others.

A visit to the Lempuyang Temple Complex near Ubud
Photo taken at the Lempuyang Temple Complex.

For more details, go to: Full-Day Instagram Highlights Tour (10 hours).

Waterfall Tour

Around Ubud you can visit some spectacular waterfalls. The following tour includes visits to 3 of them near Ubud, but also stops at the Gunung Kawi Sebatu Water Temple & famous Tegalalang rice terrace near Ubud.

To learn more, go to: The Spectacular Waterfall Tour

Downhill Bike Tour

This tour first leads to the summit of the Kintamani volcano. After enjoying the views from the top you start the bike ride downhill through the tropical jungle.

On the way down you’ll make several guided stops. Including a walk through the beautiful rice fields. As well as, visiting some artisan shops in the rural area around Ubud. Ending the tour with a local meal in Ubud.

For more details on this tour (6 hours), go to: Downhill Bike Tour

Conquer the Mount Batur volcano

Hike to the summit of the iconic Mount Batur & enjoy the panoramic views from the top.

  • Mt. Batur is a still active stratovolcano (last eruption in 2000), located at 38-40 km/ 24-25 miles distance from Ubud. An hour’s drive in early morning traffic.

After conquering the summit & the descent, the guide will lead to a well earned bath at the hot springs of Kintamani. Ending the tour with a visit to a nearby coffee plantation.

To learn more, go to: The full-day Mount Batur guided Sunrise Tour

Mount Batur Jeep Tour

If you don’t feel like hiking to the summit, there’s the option to get there with the following Jeep tour. Also, just before Sunrise.

A tour which also includes a visit afterwards to the Kintamani hot springs to relax.

For more details, go to: Mount Batur Sunrise Jeep Tour

Visit Ubud: Classes & Workshops

Just click on the colored name or picture if you’re interested in a certain class or workshop.

  • Learn how to make Batik

Visit Ubud: General TravelTips

Visa

To get into Indonesia as a Tourist (max 30 days) you need a B1 Visitor Visa, but to enter the highly popular island of Bali you need to take 2 more steps.

  • Be aware – to enter Indonesia & get your visa – your passport has to be valid. That is, comply with the 6-month passport validity rule!
Step 1: Visa to enter Indonesia

Although you buy your incoming visa at every International Airport, I’d highly recommend to request the VOA Online (30 Days), through the official website (!): Indonesian visa application

  • Use the official portal to avoid extra third-party fees. Be aware that the site frequently experiences traffic overloads. If it crashes, simply wait & try again later.
  • Start the process early – at least 48 to 72 hours before departure. Once approved, save the PDF on your phone and print a physical copy just in case.

When you want to apply for a 60 day visa or prolong your 30 day stay you can also use the official government website mentioned above.

Step 2: Pay the Bali Tourist Levy

In addition to your entry visa, the provincial government of Bali collects a mandatory Tourism Fee from all foreign visitors to fund environmental & cultural conservation: Bali Tourist Levy

  • After payment you’ll receive a QR code sent to your email. A code you also save on your phone & which may be asked for when going through immigration at the airport.
Step 3: Fill Out the “All Indonesia” Arrival Declaration 📲

Within 72 hours before landing, you MUST complete the mandatory, FREE arrival form. This combines customs declarations & entry data into a single submission. Here’s the link: Arrival Card Submission

  • As with the earlier steps, you receive a QR code which you can download on your phone.

TravelTip: Having the 3 mentioned QR codes collected on your phone before your flight will save at least 45 minutes when arriving at the Denpasar Airport.

Money

Many businesses accept credit cards, but smaller ones often only cash (warungs, local markets, taxis, small shops, et cetera).

We ourselves did NOT bring any cash to Indonesia – nor rupiah, dollars or euros – but used the ATM’s to get cash.

TravelTips: Best is to use ATMs attached to major Indonesian bank branches for safety (like BCA, Mandiri, BNI or BRI).

When asked if you want to be charged in your home currency or in local currency (IDR), always choose local currency (IDR).

Personal Safety

As in every other place where (mass-)tourism is the rule, crime is present.

Also in Ubud. However, instead of violent crime you must think of petty theft. Like snatching your bag or your phone.

The best advice I can give you: just be aware of your surroundings in busy areas & guard your belongings. Not much different when walking in Manhattan, Tokyo or Amsterdam.

Respect

I personally think most visitors know this already, but just to be sure: always respect the local people, their culture & their traditions.

Bali’s Hindu majority has made the island what it is today. A natural paradise -colorful, welcoming, friendly, and generally very safe.

They hope to keep it that way. Preserving their way of life, their sacred religion, their deep harmony with the environment, the island’s unique flora & fauna.

It’s no secret that Bali is extremely popular among travelers. The island is continuously visited by more tourists than it has inhabitants. Most come to admire and enjoy the island, its nature, history & culture, but NOT all.

Reason enough for Bali’s government to step in and protect the island, its inhabitants & its culture. Increasingly monitoring foreign tourist behavior. Foremost the south coast, but also in Ubud & other touristic hotspots.

So, be respectful! Concretely, follow the rules. Both the obvious ones & the less obvious ones.

The most important rules being:
  • Remember that you’re entering a unique part of the world. Opening yourself up to a new culture also means – at least partially – stepping outside your own.
  • Respect the rules when visiting Hindu monuments, performances & ceremonies. Dress properly! Cover your shoulders & knees. At most temples men & women are required to wear a sarong, which are usually available.
  • Always use your right hand when handing over money, passing items, or greeting someone. Locals traditionally reserve the left hand for personal hygiene & using it for exchanges or handshakes can be seen as disrespectful.
  • Avoid touching anyone’s head – including young children – as it’s considered the most sacred part of the body in Balinese spiritual belief.
  • If an issue arises with a local, try to stay calm. Raising your voice, swearing or losing your temper is considered deeply disrespectful in Bali and will not resolve anything.
  • Although you can party in Bali, be aware that the government has zero tolerance for illegal drugs. Possession or smuggling carries extreme sentences, including life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
  • Finally, respect Bali’s Day of Silence (Nyepi). Held every March for Balinese New Year, the entire island shuts down completely for 24 hours. Airports, shops & transport. Tourists can’t leave their accommodation, nor make noise.

SIMcard – Stay connected

To stay connected, in touch with the world And foremost family & friends you’ll need a SIM-Card.

The best tip I can give you is to buy a Telkomsel eSIM beforehand. It’s the cheapest option, but it only works when your phone supports eSims.

Here’s the link: Telkomsel eSIM

Alternatively, you can purchase a physical Telkomsel SIM card at the airport. Or else, in a shop, kiosk or counter where they sell phones, accessories & mobile services. You’ll find them everywhere.

Visit Ubud: Internal flights

It’s relatively cheap to book internal flights. So if you plan to visit other islands besides Bali, like Java, Sumatra, Nusa Tenggara or any other, here’s a helpful link to look for a flights & compare schedules & prices:

  • The internal market is dominated by two airline groups, namely Lion Air & Garuda, but this may also depend on where you want to go.

Internal flights page for Indonesia

Visit Ubud, Bali: Conclusion

Ubud guarantees all visitors a wonderful stay. Young or old. Traveling solo, as a family or with friends.

You can choose from a wide range of activities in & around town. Visit cultural highlights, head out on a nature adventure or participate in a fun & creative workshop.

And when you return to your accommodation, you can simply unwind with a massage or a yoga class before heading out for a well-deserved bite & a drink in one of the many restaurants & bars in Ubud’s center.

Overview Indonesia Posts:

Other travel posts written about destinations within Indonesia:

JAVA

BALI

For an overview of all travel posts of my blog, go to: My Home Page

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