Hotels in Ubud

Located amongst the rice paddies and steep ravines of the central foothills of the Gianyar regency, Ubud is a prominent town on the Indonesian island of Bali. Long promoted as a centre for Indonesian art and culture, Ubud has developed a strong reputation for tourism, particularly for backpackers and those touring Southeast Asia. Though it has a permanent population of just over 110,000 residents, Ubud receives more than three million unique foreign visitors every year.

In keeping with many Indonesian destinations, there are plenty of different hotel options to accommodate all of the world travellers that pass through Ubud during the year. From backpacking to luxury Asian getaways, there is accommodation available to suit all types of holidays and budgets. You will indeed find the kind of hotel you are looking for when researching what Ubud offers.

Neighbourhoods of Ubud

Ubud is divided into several different and unique neighbourhoods, each offering its own distinct atmosphere. There is no doubt that Ubud city centre is the main area for backpackers visiting the town, but other popular backpacker locations include Pengosekan and Goa Gajah. Those seeking a more quiet and relaxed environment might want to check out Penestanan or Peliatan. In contrast, to experience the very best nightlife that Ubud offers, venture towards Campuhan to enjoy the busiest and liveliest parties.

What to see and do in Ubud

Ubud is a town that has very much adapted to tourism. There are various sights and attractions for visitors to experience. Some of the most popular include:

• Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary — a temple complex where the town’s primates can live in safety
• The Museum Puri Lukisan — an attraction dedicated to important Balinese works of art.
• Ubud Palace — a culturally significant palace with magnificent Balinese architecture.
• Goa Gajah — an ancient temple and sanctuary complex, also known as the Elephant Cave, with many interesting statues, carved walls, fountains and bathing pools.
• Saraswati Palace — one of the most iconic sights in Ubud, this glorious water palace has a lotus pond at the front entrance dedicated to the goddess of wisdom, knowledge and arts.
• Monkey Forest Road — a popular, bustling street for shopping and eating out.

What to eat in Ubud

The food that you will find in Ubud very much keeps in the tradition of classic Indonesian cuisine. Some of the most popular and beloved dishes you will see offered include:

• Bebek Goreng, a signature dish of local crispy duck.
• Mixed Balinese satay, a quintessential Indonesian combination of satay beef, chicken and prawns.
• Bebek Betutu, a delightfully tasty and local-style steamed duck.
• Bubur Injin, a sweet dessert made with black rice, dark palm sugar and coconut milk.

Typical events and festivals in Ubud

The history of Ubud is explained through its combination of religious, cultural festivals and modern beach-based parties that attract tourists from all around the world. Some of the most popular events staged in and around Ubud throughout the year include:

• Bali Spirit, a festival that starts in March and ends in April.
• Galungan & Kuningan, a colourful festival that takes place in April.
• Idul Fitri Festival, an annual event held every May.

Keen foodies will also enjoy the Bali Vegan Festival that is staged every October.

How to move around in Ubud

It is important to note that there is no official public transportation system in the small heart of Ubud. Tourists can and are encouraged to explore the town on foot for the most part, but if you want to venture downtown to Ubud, you can also find a network of tour buses to take you to wherever you want to go. Be prepared, however, to experience some classic Indonesian traffic jams along the way! Private drivers and taxis are available across the town, and you're likely to find that you won't be able to walk more than a hundred feet without being offered transportation by one of the friendly locals. A non-mechanical form of travel is present in the form of push-bikes, which are readily available for rent across the town.

The climate in Ubud

The climate in Ubud is extremely warm and humid all year round. The temperature rarely falls below 25-26° C in any given month. Highs are commonly between 29-30° C during the warmest times of the year. The rainy season lasts from December to March, usually bringing a combined average of around eight days’ worth of rain every month. It is much drier from July to September. As a result, these few months experience the highest number of tourists, especially those who love football!