Why Ubud? 12 reasons Ubud is a must stay during your Bali vacay.
Located in the heart of Bali, Ubud is a melting pot of nationalities, ages and backgrounds. Its location means cooler temperatures and fresh mountain air. Even the name Ubud – derived from the Balinese word ‘Ubad’ means medicine and was inspired by the abundance of medicinal plants, herbs and healers in the area.
But why leave Bali beaches behind and head for the hills? Here are 12 good reasons why!
No. 1 Health, Healing & Wellness – The ideal place to reset, renew & revitalize, Ubud offers an abundance of opportunities for those seeking self-care and wellness. From full moon and new moon ceremonies to massage, sound healing and spa treatments, Ubud presents a host of alternative healing modalities. Looking for ayurvedic retreats, wellness workshops or seminars on holistic health? You’ll find options from 1 day to 1 week and more! Due to the increasing number of people inquiring about Ubud self care, wellness and healing options we created 2 special packages that include some of the most popular and practices plus some new ones to try.
Self Care & Healing Package HERE
Rejuvacation Package HERE
Custom Package HERE
No. 2 An Artisan’s Paradise – Art lovers are spoilt for choice in and around Ubud and it’s no surprise why. The first foreigners to visit the area were artists; mostly painters, and by the 1930s Ubud’s cluster of quiet villages became known as a cultural centre. Whether your passions are painting, illustrating, interior design, photography, ceramics, glass blowing, leatherwork, weaving, wood carving or costume design, Ubud abounds with must-see museums, galleries and some of the greatest short courses and interactive classes on the island. Surrounding villages specialise in certain crafts; Mas for woodcarving, Batubulan for stone carved statues and Celuk for gold and silversmiths.
No. 3 Culture Hub – Bali is renowned for its unique culture and wherever you are on the island you’ll find evidence of Hinduism in their beautifully crafted offerings. But it’s not only these fascinating religious traditions captivating Ubud visitors. On any day or night of the week, tourists can find cultural celebrations, colorful ceremonies, traditional Gamelan music, Balinese dance and fantastic live musicians in Ubud Town. Be immersed in the Balinese culture, music and performance and witness local ceremonies and celebrations.
Dance performances in Ubud see HERE:
No. 4 Get Back to Nature – Discover Bali’s natural beauty at your doorstep with a bounty of rice field walks 15 mins from Bisma Cottages. Take a few steps out of the bustling town centre and you’ll be strolling through serene rice terraces, immersed in emerald green and the sounds of nature. Venture a little farther out of town to discover Bali’s very own UNESCO World Heritage listed Tegalalang Rice Terraces and an abundance of secluded waterfalls well worth the day trip. Ubud’s iconic Monkey Forest is a must do and only 5 minutes from Bisma Cottages. More than just a place to stay, Bisma Cottages also offers consciously curated tours and packages featuring the best of the local area and culture.
See Back to Nature Package HERE
See 20 things to know before visiting Ubud Monkey Forest HERE
No. 5 Adventure Playground – For those who like to step out of their comfort zone and seek adventure, Ubud is an adrenalin junkie’s playground! Get wet with whitewater rafting and quad biking or dare to see the mountains from a different perspective on the Bali Swing and zipline. Ubud’s central Bali location provides an excellent and convenient base from which to plan day trips to the island’s North or East.
See recommended Ubud activities HERE
No. 6 Culinary Delights – With too many to mention, Ubud boasts some of Bali’s best restaurants catering to every culinary taste. Numerous Ubud eateries have achieved international acclaim with visitors from far and wide jostling for a seat! Sample Indonesia’s famous Bebek Goreng (fried duck) or longtime local favourite, Babi Guling (suckling pig). The destination of choice for many international chefs, Ubud is a culinary feast for vegans, vegetarians & foodies seeking out gastronomic delights and delicious desserts from renowned restaurants the likes of Locavore, Mozaic and Room for Dessert. Try juicy ribs from local legend Naughty Nuri’s or hang with the cool crowd at Lazy Cats and Simply Social.
No. 7 Shoppers’ Paradise – Love to shop? Ubud is retail heaven offering up everything from local markets overflowing with traditional trinkets to high end boutiques. The recently rebuilt Ubud Markets is a one-stop-spot for souvenirs or you can take a stroll up a side street and barter with local stallholders for anything from clothing and carvings to hand-woven Balinese Batik. Monkey Forest Road and Jalan Hanoman feature stylish boutiques and beautifully crafted jewelry while Jalan Andong is famous for quality homewares.
No. 8 Famous Festivals – Attracting thousands of annual visitors for their festivals alone, Ubud is renowned for hosting some of the most popular events on the island. March-April sees Ubud come alive with colour and culture during the Bali Spirit Festival. An opportunity for those seeking a sense of self and rejuvenation, the festival invites global delegates to take a journey to spiritual health and celebration. For more of a culinary experience, the Ubud Food Festival showcases some of Indonesia’s most talented chefs, producers and entrepreneurs featuring a host of gastronomic delights. Acknowledged as one of the best music festivals in South East Asia, Ubud’s Jazz Festival is in August and features international and local artists celebrating a cross section of Jazz culture. Two decades on since its inaugural event in 2004, The Ubud Writers and Readers Festival is recognized as one of the world’s premier literary and artistic events, attracting guest speakers and literature lovers from all over the world to this annual five-day festival.
No. 9 Safe for Solo Travelers – A popular place to wander day or night, Ubud is safe to travel solo, offering numerous places to connect with like-minded adventurers. With a number of coworking spaces and welcoming cafes, Ubud is a destination of choice among digital nomads and single travelers. Many hostels, guesthouses and hotels like Bisma Cottages are designed with individual travelers in mind, offering competitively priced short or long-term accommodation packages to suit your needs. At Bisma Cottages, location is key with many of the town’s main attractions within walking distances. Guests also have the option of booking Bisma’s car and driver to take one of their curated tours around local sites in and around the Ubud area. Like anywhere, be proactive and take the same safety precautions as you would at home.
See Solo Girls Package HERE
No. 10 Family Friendly – a fantastic place to base yourself for family adventures, Ubud is central to so many activities and attractions popular with families couples and solo travelers. Ubud not only boasts a bustling café culture with a variety of options to satisfy the fussiest of diners, there are ample opportunities to enjoy cultural shows and entertainment without noisy nightclubs and booming beach clubs. Accommodation choices for families range from budget friendly guest houses and hotels with adjoining rooms to entire villas with butler and babysitting services. Set back from the street and away from sounds of traffic, Bisma Cottages offers one and two bedroom Balinese style cabins set amongst tropical gardens. Families needing more space, can book Bisma’s Deluxe Cottage complete with extra living area and stunning rice field views.
See Rooms HERE
See Family Packages HERE
No. 11 Mature Age Adventurers – age is no barrier in Ubud! Brimming with tradition, temples, spas, culture, cuisine, history and some of the most picturesque and accessible walks in Bali, Ubud is an appealing choice for mature aged travelers looking for a Bali break minus the manic pace of the Southern beaches. Book into an intimate boutique property like Bisma Cottages for peace of mind when Mum and Dad plan their next Bali break. Bisma’s travel guides possess a wealth of knowledge about the local area and can take the stress out of planning an itinerary. They also speak excellent English. Managed by an Australian who has made Bali her home for over a decade, Bisma Cottages adopts the personal approach, making every effort to accommodate guest preferences.
No. 12 Why Ubud Over Other Areas – flights can be exhausting and sometimes the first thing you need is a good night’s sleep and a little pampering. Not as fast paced as other popular tourist spots such as Canggu and Seminyak, Ubud offers a relaxing start to your Bali holiday with one of its best spas only a two-minute walk from Bisma Cottages. Take time to catch up on extra sleep, adjust to new time zones and temperatures, enjoy the sounds of nature (not motorbikes!) and relax at the pool or spa. Top Travel Tip: No time for those essential beauty services before leaving home? No need to panic. There are amazing nail, hair and sugaring salons all within the Ubud town area.
Still trying to decide? Here’s a quick comparison of 3 other popular areas tourist destinations in Bali:
Canggu is fast paced and popular but traffic often causes delays getting around. Long loved by surfers, the beach is great for walks but not so much for swimming. Visitors to the area are spoilt for choice with Beach Clubs the drawcard.
Seminyak is famous for luxury beach front hotels and remains a mecca for foodies and shoppers. Exclusive boutiques and fine dining restaurants line the streets.
Uluwatu serves up amazing surf breaks and views but reasonable physical fitness is required to access those white sand beaches, many only swimmable at low tide.
Ubud definitely has a different energy than other areas, but don’t just take our word. Read what our guests have to say about their Ubud experience.
*The reasons I love Ubud are abundant! Firstly, the Balinese people are the friendliest and most welcoming I have ever met in my life. Secondly, the wellness scene is the best in the world (in my experience). Want the best massage? ✔️ Ancient sound healing? ✔️ How about a traditional Balinese healing ? Ubud truly has it all. Thirdly, can we talk about the food for a minute? Ubud has an Ubud-ance of fabulous offerings, from vegan cafes to high end and Netflix-featured tasting menus, Babi Guling (believe me it’s incredible!) to life-changing tacos. If you are after some good food Ubud is the place for you.
*Before I visited Ubud I had already spent a month in Indonesia island-hoping and never made it to Ubud. Big mistake! On my second visit Ubud was priority number one on my hit list. So much so, I didn’t leave for five months! Ubud came onto my radar because of a movie you might have heard of (ahem Eat Pray Love ahem) and, after more research, it was a no brainer. I saw through my research that Ubud has less inflated prices than tourist hotspots such as Kuta and Canggu, and the deal was sealed.
*When I left Ubud I cried. And I’m currently in the process of returning for good. That is what I would call The Ubud Effect!
*Visit Ubud. It will change your life. And you may, like me, find yourself designing your life to return forever 💖
*Leaving Ubud is like leaving my home. I adore every single thing about this magical pocket on our precious planet. I find myself flipping through photos on my phone, of water temples, crazy monkeys and happy memories with friends that feel like family, and aching to return as soon as possible.