The town of Ubud, in the uplands of Bali, Indonesia, is known as a center for traditional crafts and dance. It is the perfect spot for those who are into art, health, spirituality and it’s only a quick 90 minutes drive from Jimbaran Bay.
On my recent trip to Bali, my grandmother and I knew we had to make a trip there. The drive to Ubud is breathtaking and time passes quickly as you drive by beautiful art galleries, rice fields, and coffee plantations.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
One thing you must do in Ubud is stop by the Sacred Monkey Forest. This sanctuary is an important component in the spiritual and economic life of the local community. My boyfriend warned me before my trip that I should not hand feed the monkeys because they can get aggressive. I am glad we followed his advice! Every person we saw feeding the monkeys bananas got jumped on! They will grab onto anything they can, so keep this in mind before handing out treats!
Ubud Art Galleries
We stopped at a huge art gallery in town and after a long walk through, my grandmother found a piece of art she loved. The beauty of Bali is that negotiating is not seen as rude and is expected! If you plan on purchasing art in Bali; plan on negotiating. We negotiated the price for the artwork my grandma picked out. It took some time but I was amazed that we lowered it by €400 euro.
Ubud Rice Fields
For many people visions of the lush, green rice fields in Ubud are the iconic picture they imagine when thinking of Bali. The rice fields and terraces make a great photo op and you will find amazing ornamental woodwork and carvings here.
Kopi Luwak Coffee
Known as the most expensive coffee in the world, Kopi Luwak is produced from coffee beans that have been digested by the Indonesian animal called the civet cat. Before you get grossed out, the beans are cleaned and processed before being sold!
Hotels In Ubud
This family-owned resort has 25 private pool villas, located in the “Valley of the Kings.” The resort is incredibly private and offers high cuisine and a spa.
The breathtaking Four Seasons at Sayan is a 60-room sanctuary located in the Ayung valley. The lush surroundings are sure to get you in a Bali state of mind!
Ubud Spa to Visit
Fivelements offers more than just spa services. It is a complete wellness destination with wellness consultations, healing and traditional Balinese ceremonies, personal and spiritual health.
Restaurants in Ubud
Read the other posts in my series about Bali here: