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Voykit pocket guide · Indonesia
Ubud
Ubud is a sunrise-and-evening town: do the Campuhan ridge and the Monkey Forest early, rest at midday, and book a driver for anything outside the centre — the airport is 1.5–2 hours away, so a late landing decides whether the villa door is open.
Ubud is a set of villages joined by a few busy roads. Distances look short on a map and take twice as long in traffic, pavements end without warning, and monkeys, dogs and motorbikes share the same lanes. The trips that fail are the late landing with a two-hour drive to a locked homestay, and the scooter without a licence. Four walking clusters cover a first visit; rice terraces and waterfalls are driver days from one kept bed.
- Country
- Indonesia
- Best months
- Apr · May · Jun · Sep · Oct
- Time zone
- Asia/Makassar
- Stay
- 2 days: Ubud centre + Campuhan ridge; Monkey Forest morning
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- IDR
- Money
- Cash rupiah for warungs, markets, drivers and temples; cards and QR (QRIS) at cafés, larger restaurants and hotels. ATMs are common on Jalan Raya Ubud; use ones attached to bank branches, cover the keypad, and decline dynamic currency conversion.
- Daily spend
- Budget Rp 350,000–700,000 excl. bed · Mid Rp 700,000–1,800,000 excl. bed · High Rp 1,800,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Buy a Telkomsel, XL or Indosat SIM (or an eSIM) at the airport, a phone shop on Jalan Raya Ubud, or online; registration with your passport is required for physical SIMs.
- Emergency
- General emergency 112 · Police 110 (check) · Ambulance 118 or 119 (check)
- Plugs
- 230 V, 50 Hz; two-round-pin European sockets (type C/F). Bring a universal adapter.
- Tipping
- Not expected at warungs. Round up ride-hail and driver fares by about 10%; 5–10% for good service in restaurants that do not add a service charge (many add 10–15% plus tax).
- Water
- Do not drink tap water. Use sealed bottles, refill stations at cafés, or a filter; ask about ice in drinks at small stalls.
- Toilets
- Cafés, warungs and museums; public toilets are paid (Rp 2,000–5,000). Carry tissue and change; squat toilets are common in older places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (café) | Rp 35,000–60,000 |
| Nasi campur at a warung | Rp 20,000–45,000 |
| Bintang beer, 620 ml | Rp 40,000–70,000 |
| Short ride-hail car | Rp 25,000–60,000 |
| Scooter rental, per day | Rp 70,000–120,000 |
| Sealed water, 1.5 L | Rp 6,000–15,000 |
| Massage, 60 minutes | Rp 100,000–250,000 |
| Museum entry | Rp 85,000–100,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS)
- DPS to Ubud: one prebooked driver or an airport-counter taxi, 1.5–2 hours — the risk is not the ride but a villa that stops answering the door after 22:00.DPS to Ubud: one prebooked driver or an airport-counter taxi, 1.5–2 hours — the risk is not the ride but a villa that stops answering the door after 10:00 PM.
By rail and road
| Station | Serves | To the centre |
|---|---|---|
| Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) (Bandara Ngurah Rai) | All international and domestic flights | Car 1.5–2 h, sometimes 2.5 h in rush or rain |
| Padang Bai ferry and fast-boat port (Pelabuhan Padang Bai) | Lombok, Gili and Nusa boats | Car 1.5 h |
| Sanur fast-boat harbour (Sanur) | Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, Gili boats | Car 45–75 min |
| Ubud shuttle and tourist bus offices | Kuta, Sanur, Canggu, Lovina, Padang Bai (check operators) | On foot |
Typical fares
- Airport (DPS) → Ubud, private car
- Rp 350,000–550,000, 1.5–2 h depending on traffic
- Short ride-hail ride in Ubud
- Rp 25,000–60,000
- Driver for a day
- Rp 700,000–1,000,000, 8–10 h
Show 8 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Eat, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk inside a cluster in the morning; ride-hail or a hired driver between clusters and for day trips. There is no metro and taxis are limited; scooters are cheap but risky without a valid licence.
| How | Fare | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | Free | Inside a cluster |
| Ride-hailing car (Grab, Gojek) | Rp 25,000–60,000 in town | Between clusters, bags, evenings |
| Motorbike taxi (ojek via app) | Rp 10,000–30,000 | Short hops if you are experienced |
| Private driver with car | Rp 700,000–1,000,000 a day | Day trips to Tegallalang, Tirta Empul and waterfalls |
| Scooter rental | Rp 70,000–120,000 a day | Experienced riders with an international licence |
| Bicycle | Rp 50,000–100,000 a day | Village lanes and rice-field paths |
| Shuttle and tourist bus | Rp 50,000–150,000 | Longer runs to Kuta or Sanur |
Fares are estimates; check before you ride.
- Passes
- No pass. A driver by the day is the normal way to reach rice terraces and temples; agree the price and route in advance.
- Late at night
- No rail on Bali; ride-hailing availability drops late at night and in rain, and some pickup points are restricted by local drivers.
See and do
01Campuhan Ridge WalkCampuhan Ridge
A free ridge path between two valleys, best at first light.
Hours: best 06:00–08:00 · Price: Free · Time: 1–1.5 hHours: best 6:00 AM–8:00 AM · Price: Free · Time: 1–1.5 h · -8.5049, 115.2500
02Sacred Monkey ForestMandala Suci Wenara Wana
Forest, temples and macaques; go at opening.
Hours: best Opening · Price: Rp 100,000–120,000 · Time: 1–1.5 h · -8.5188, 115.2589
03Ubud PalacePuri Saren Agung
Courtyards and the nightly dance.
Hours: best Early morning or 19:00 · Price: Free by day · Time: 20 minHours: best Early morning or 7:00 PM · Price: Free by day · Time: 20 min · -8.5068, 115.2625
04Pura Taman Saraswati
A lotus-pond temple beside the palace.
Hours: best 08:00 or dusk · Price: Free · Time: 20–30 minHours: best 8:00 AM or dusk · Price: Free · Time: 20–30 min · -8.5066, 115.2602
05Museum Puri Lukisan
Painting halls in a shaded garden.
Hours: best Midday heat or rain · Price: Rp 85,000–100,000 · Time: 1–1.5 h · -8.5064, 115.2610
06Babi guling lunch
Roast pork in one dish, if you eat pork.
Hours: best Opening · Price: Rp 60,000–100,000 · Time: 30–45 min · -8.5064, 115.2631
07ARMA MuseumAgung Rai Museum of Art
A broader art collection with a garden café.
Hours: best Mid-morning · Price: About Rp 100,000 · Time: 1.5–2 h · -8.5186, 115.2686
08Ubud Art MarketPasar Seni Ubud
Crafts and gifts, if you bargain.
Hours: best 08:00 · Price: Free to browse · Time: 30–60 minHours: best 8:00 AM · Price: Free to browse · Time: 30–60 min · -8.5070, 115.2620
09Tegallalang rice terraces
The best known terraces, a driver half-day.
Hours: best 07:30 · Price: Driver plus small entry · Time: Half dayHours: best 7:30 AM · Price: Driver plus small entry · Time: Half day
10Tirta Empul
A holy spring temple with a purification bath.
Hours: best Morning · Price: About Rp 50,000 · Time: Half day
Hours and prices are desk estimates (checked 2026-09); anything marked (check) is not confirmed. Coordinates open in any map app.
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tegallalang rice terraces | Car or driver, 25–40 min north | Half day |
| Tirta Empul (holy spring temple) | Car or driver, 35–45 min north-east | Half day |
| Mount Batur sunrise trek | Pick-up around 02:00–03:00, 1–1.5 h drivePick-up around 2:00 AM–3:00 AM, 1–1.5 h drive | Full morning |
| Goa Gajah and Yeh Pulu | Car, 15–20 min east | Half day |
| Tegenungan waterfall | Car, 25–35 min south-east | Half day |
| Sidemen and east Bali | Driver, about 1.5–2 h east | Full day or one night |
Eat
| Where | What · area | Price | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubud morning market stalls | Nasi campur, porridge, sweets · Ubud centre | Rp 10,000–40,000 | Budget |
| Warung Biah Biah | Small Balinese plates · Ubud centre | Rp 50,000–120,000 for a full meal | Budget |
| Local warungs on back lanes | Nasi campur, mie goreng, sate · Across Ubud | Rp 20,000–45,000 | Budget |
| Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka | Babi guling (roast pork) · Ubud centre | Rp 60,000–100,000 | Mid-range |
| Ubud brunch and coffee cafés | Coffee, smoothie bowls, vegetarian brunch · Jalan Hanoman, Jalan Raya Campuhan | Rp 60,000–140,000 | Mid-range |
| Naughty Nuri's Warung | Grilled pork ribs or chicken · Sanggingan | Rp 150,000–350,000 | Mid-range |
| Bebek Bengil (Dirty Duck Diner) | Crispy duck in a garden setting · Padangtegal | Rp 200,000–350,000 | Splurge |
| Fine-dining tasting menus | Modern Indonesian and Balinese · Ubud and Sayan | Rp 500,000–1,500,000 | Splurge |
Per person, one dish or one meal, 2026 estimate. Hours and names change: check the day before.
Sleep
| Band | Price a night | Where | What |
|---|---|---|---|
| budget | Rp 250,000–500,000 | Ubud centre homestays and guesthouses | Homestays (losmen) and guesthouses |
| mid | Rp 600,000–1,500,000 | Ubud centre, Penestanan | Boutique hotels and small villas |
| splurge | Rp 2,500,000+ | Sayan, Sanggingan, Penestanan | Luxury villas and resorts |
Per room per night in IDR, 2026 estimate.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello (Balinese) | Om swastiastuohm swah-stee-AHS-too |
| Good morning | Selamat pagisla-MAHT PAH-gee |
| Thank you | Terima kasihte-REE-ma KAH-see |
| How much is this? | Berapa harganya?beh-RAH-pa har-GAH-nya |
| A bit cheaper, please | Bisa kurang?BEE-sa KOO-rang |
| Not spicy, please | Tidak pedas, yaTEE-dak PEH-das ya |
| No meat (vegetarian) | Tanpa dagingTAHN-pa DAH-ging |
| The bill, please | Minta bon, yaMIN-ta bon ya |
| Please take me to this address | Tolong antar ke alamat iniTOH-long AHN-tar keh ah-LAH-mat EE-nee |
| Stop here, please | Berhenti di sini, yaber-HEN-tee dee SEE-nee ya |
| No, thank you | Tidak, terima kasihTEE-dak te-REE-ma KAH-see |
| Excuse me / sorry | Permisi / Maafper-MEE-see / MAH-af |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Temples: Shoulders and knees covered; wear a sarong and sash. Do not enter the inner area unless you are praying. Women who are menstruating are asked to stay out of temple areas in Balinese custom.
- Offerings: Do not step on the small palm-leaf offerings (canang sari) on the ground or on shrines; step around them.
- Head and hands: The head is respected: do not touch anyone's head. Give and receive with the right hand; do not point with your foot.
- Ceremonies: Ask before joining or photographing a ceremony; give way to processions on the road.
- Greetings: Say 'Om swastiastu' or 'selamat pagi'; a slight bow with a smile works. Use the right hand to shake.
- Bargaining: Bargain at markets with a smile; never at warungs, cafés or shops with price tags.
- Dress: Ubud is casual, but no swimwear in town and cover up away from the pool.
- Photography: Ask before photographing people. Do not use a drone near temples or ceremonies.
Red lines
- Temples: sarong and sash, shoulders and knees covered; do not enter a ceremony unless invited.
- Do not step on offerings on the pavement, and do not climb on shrines.
- Do not photograph people at close range in ceremonies without asking.
Scams and watch-outs
- Unlicensed scooter rental with damage claims: photograph the bike before you ride, and never hand over your passport as a deposit.
- Money changers with a great rate and 'no commission': many shortchange on counting or fold notes; use a bank, an ATM or a changer with a printed rate board and count it in front of them.
- Drivers who quote a low day rate and then add shopping stops at commission shops: agree the route and 'no shopping stops' in advance.
- Ticket sellers at Tirta Empul, Tegallalang or the Monkey Forest road who claim a 'special ticket': buy only at the official counter.
- Sarong and offering sellers at temples who bill for a 'donation' after they tie a sash: ask the price first, or bring your own.
One and two days
1 day
A stopover or a day from the coast. Skip: Monkey Forest and day trips: they need a morning each.
- 06:006:00 AMCampuhan Ridge Walk
- 08:308:30 AMBreakfast at a café
- 10:0010:00 AMUbud Palace and Saraswati Temple
- 12:3012:30 PMRoast pork lunch
- 14:002:00 PMRest or Puri Lukisan Museum
- 19:007:00 PMDance at the palace
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Indonesia Tourism (official): www.indonesia.travel/
- Ubud tourism info (Bali Province): lovebali.baliprov.go.id/
- Wikivoyage — Ubud: en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Ubud
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Ubud
Tolong antar ke alamat ini
Please take me to this address
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
Take me to
- Campuhan RidgeCampuhan Ridge Walk
- Mandala Suci Wenara WanaSacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
- Puri Saren AgungUbud Palace (Puri Saren Agung)
- Agung Rai Museum of ArtARMA Museum (Agung Rai Museum of Art)
- Pasar Seni UbudUbud Art Market (Pasar Seni)
- General emergency112
- Police110 (check)
- Ambulance118 or 119 (check)
The nearest consulates are in Denpasar; write your own consulate's 24-hour line below.
Give your driver a map pin and a nearby temple or bank, not just a street name.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/ubud). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.