Ubud Starter Pack

Fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), about 1.5-2 hours from Ubud

Private transfer: ~$25-40 USD. Many hotels arrange pickup.

Grab/Gojek: Available from airport. ~$10-15 to Ubud.

Shared shuttle: Various services offer shared transport from airport.

Car rental with driver: Convenient option, ~$50-60/day including driver.

Traffic: Can double travel time, especially 5-8pm. Plan accordingly!

Tip: Ubud is inland and elevated - the drive takes you through beautiful rice terraces.

Visa on Arrival (VOA): 30 days, extendable once for another 30 days (~$35).

B211A Visa: 60 days, extendable. Apply online or through agent before arrival.

Digital Nomad Visa (Second Home Visa): 5-10 year visa for remote workers with income proof.

KITAS: Longer-term stay permit for work, retirement, or investment.

Visa runs: Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Timor-Leste for resets.

Ubud has many visa agents: They can handle extensions and paperwork.

Overstay penalty: ~$100/day. Immigration takes this seriously!

Ubud is cooler: Higher elevation means pleasant 75-85°F typical.

Wetter than coast: More rainfall, especially in wet season. Bring rain gear!

Dry season (April-October): Less rain, but Ubud still gets showers.

Wet season (November-March): Daily tropical downpours, lush green landscapes.

Mornings are best: Clearer skies before afternoon rains (wet season).

High season: July-August, December-January. More crowded, higher prices.

Tip: Pack layers for cooler evenings and always have a rain jacket handy.

Emergency Services

Police

Ambulance

Ubud Care Clinic

BIMC Hospital Ubud

For serious issues, BIMC Kuta or Siloam Hospital (45 min-1 hr away).

Save these numbers to your phone before you need them!

Scooter/motorbike: Essential for exploring! Rent ~$50-80/month. Watch for slippery roads.

Walking: Central Ubud is walkable, but everything else requires transport.

Gojek/Grab: Works in Ubud. Essential for getting around without a scooter.

Car with driver: Good for day trips. ~$50-60/day.

Cycling: Some people cycle, but hills and traffic can be challenging.

Traffic: Better than Canggu but main roads still get congested.

Rice terrace roads: Can be narrow and steep. Drive carefully on a scooter!

Tip: Get a scooter but be extra careful on wet, slippery roads.

SIM cards: Telkomsel has best coverage. XL and Indosat also work.

Buy SIM: At airport, phone shops, or small stalls in town.

Home internet: IndiHome, First Media. Quality varies by location.

Coworking: Outpost, Hubud (the original!), and many cafe-workspaces.

Cafe WiFi: Ubud has amazing work-friendly cafes with good WiFi.

Starlink: Growing popular in areas with poor connectivity.

Tip: Hubud pioneered coworking in Bali. Outpost is the current favorite.

Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). $1 ≈ 15,000-16,000 IDR (check current rate).

ATMs: Available in central Ubud. BCA, Mandiri, BNI.

ATM fees: ~$3-5 per withdrawal. Withdraw larger amounts less often.

Cash is king: Most local shops, warungs, and markets are cash only.

Cards: Accepted at upscale restaurants, hotels, and yoga studios.

Money changers: Use reputable ones. Avoid street changers.

Wise/TransferWise: Essential for getting money to Indonesia.

Tip: Always have cash. Many places don't accept cards.

Central Ubud: Walking distance to restaurants, yoga, shops. Can be busy and touristy.

Penestanan: Artists' village west of center. Quieter, jungle vibes, short walk to town.

Nyuh Kuning: South of center near Monkey Forest. Local feel, good value.

Tegallalang: North near rice terraces. Beautiful but more remote.

Sayan/Kedewatan: Luxury resort area. Stunning river valley, high-end.

Mas: South of Ubud. Local village, more traditional, affordable.

Rental prices: $300-800/month for nice villa depending on location and amenities.

Healthy food capital: Ubud is famous for organic, vegan, and health-conscious cafes.

Babi Guling: Roast pig - Ibu Oka is famous, but try local spots too.

Warungs: Local restaurants with authentic food for $2-4.

Café scene: Incredible healthy cafes. Kismet, Alchemy, Sage, Clear Cafe.

Smoothie bowls: Ubud perfected these. Try at almost any cafe.

Vegetarian/Vegan: More options here than almost anywhere in Asia.

Groceries: Bintang, Coco, and organic markets. Better selection than other Bali areas.

Tip: Ubud is food paradise for health-conscious travelers.

Rice terraces: Tegallalang is famous, but Jatiluwih and Sidemen are less crowded.

Campuhan Ridge Walk: Easy sunrise walk with beautiful valley views.

Waterfalls: Tibumana, Kanto Lampo, Tukad Cepung. Many within 30 min.

Mount Batur: Sunrise trek to active volcano. Popular early morning tour.

River rafting: Ayung River offers whitewater rafting through jungle.

Monkey Forest: Sacred forest in central Ubud with hundreds of macaques.

Tip: Ubud is about jungle, rice paddies, and nature - not beaches!

Yoga: World-class studios. Yoga Barn, Radiantly Alive, Intuitive Flow.

Meditation and retreats: Many options from day courses to week-long retreats.

Art and craft: Museums, galleries, traditional dance performances.

Tirta Empul: Water purification temple. Spiritual experience.

Cooking classes: Learn to make Balinese food. Many options available.

Balinese dance: Traditional performances at Ubud Palace nightly.

Markets: Ubud Art Market for crafts and souvenirs (bargain hard!).

Day trips: Beaches (1.5 hrs), temples, waterfalls, Mount Batur.

Yoga: The main activity! Every style imaginable, from beginner to advanced.

Hiking: Rice terrace walks, Campuhan Ridge, Mount Batur sunrise trek.

CrossFit: CrossFit Ubud and functional fitness studios.

Gyms: Nico's gym, Body Factory, and hotel gyms.

Running: Morning runs along rice paddies and quiet roads.

Cycling: Mountain biking through rice terraces. Guided tours available.

River rafting: Ayung River rafting is a fun workout.

Swimming: Many villas and hotels have pools. Public pools available.

Spiritual center: Ubud attracts people seeking wellness, yoga, and personal growth.

No beaches: Ubud is inland. Coast is 1-1.5 hours away.

Rain: Be prepared! Ubud is wetter than coastal areas.

Temple etiquette: Dress modestly, sarongs required. Temples are sacred.

Monkeys: They steal! Keep bags closed and don't wear shiny things to Monkey Forest.

Water: Tap water is not potable. Use bottled or filtered.

Ceremonies: Frequent Hindu ceremonies may close roads. Be flexible.

Pace of life: Ubud is mellower than Canggu. Embrace the slower vibe.