The Ultimate 3 Days in Ubud Itinerary

Looking for the best 3 Days in Ubud Itinerary…?  Well, look no further, because I’m here to help!  No trip to Bali would be complete without spending a few days exploring the beautiful, relaxing, and spiritually transformational area of Ubud, and I’ll tell you everything I know about the best places to stay, things to do, and various insider travel tips! 

While I would argue that most people flock to Bali for its famously stunning beaches, unbeatable sunsets, and excellent surfing condiditions – Ubud offers a completely different experience!  It’s the “Spiritual Capital” of Bali, and the entire Ubud area has a much different vibe than the rest of Bali.  Known for its top-rated lush rice terraces, jungle luxury resorts, yoga studios, meditation retreats, spiritual healers, and dozens of phenomenal cafes – it’s certainly a unique destination in the world, and I honestly think everyone will easily fall in love with Ubud!

It may be one of the cheaper areas for budget travelers and backpackers in Bali, but is also is home to some of the most luxuriously expensive resorts with unbelievable infinity pools!  

I also just finished my massive new article titled, “The ULTIMATE BALI Itinerary | How to Plan the Perfect Bali Vacation“, so definitely check that out as well!  I spent days writing it, and it’s one of the most comprehensive guides and itineraries to to the “Island of the Gods”. 

So without further ado…here’s what I would do if I had three days in Ubud!

Where To Stay in Ubud For Three Days 

First things first on this Ubud Itinerary, you’re going to need to book somewhere to stay ! I’ve experienced at a wide variety of accommodations and on different budgets in Ubud now (as I’ve been quite a few times)!

There are SO many amazing resorts and accommodation options in the Ubud area, and it really just depends on what you’re looking for. Some of the best places to stay in Ubud are going to be about 15+ minutes away from Ubud, but are well worth it. It also depends if you’re loyal to a hotel brand like Marriott or Hyatt, as that has become a huge factor in my travels lately. I have HOTEL STATUS on both Marriott & Hyatt, and I love receiving free upgrades when traveling around Bali. Sometimes I’ll book the cheapest room option, and get upgraded to a suite just because I have elite status (so something you should consider).

With all that being said, here are my personal favorites for different options:

The Westin Resort & Spa Ubud (Marriott) –  I had the pleasure of staying at the Westin in Ubud for 10 days (and got a great deal because it was while the country was closed to most tourism. The rooms/ beds are insanely comfortable (The Westin Heavenly Bed lives up the name), the infinity pool in the jungle is jaw-dropping, and it’s not too far from Ubud. The staff were all incredibly helpful, there was a gym I used every morning, and it was an amazing place to stay to base yourself for 3 days in Ubud! 

The Westin Resort & Spa Ubud

The Alila Ubud (Hyatt) –  For those travelers loyal to Hyatt, I recently stayed at the Alila Ubud and it was quite magnificent! While it is roughly a 15-20 minute drive North of Ubud, the food, pool, rooms, and staff were all exemplary! You’ll like encounter some monkeys around the property, and will feel quite secluded when you look out into the jungle.

Alila Ubud Swimming Pool

Royal Villa Jepun: (HOTEL) Quality and comfort at an unbeatable price! It’s well located, has an amazing pool, and is super luxurious for the price!  Read some of the reviews, and I’m sure you’ll be booking a few nights here!  The staff are also incredibly friendly, and will go above and beyond to make sure you have the best time in Ubud!  

Wayan’s Family  Hostel Ubud: (HOSTEL) This family-run hostel & guesthouse is widely reviewed as one of the best hostel in Ubud. Great value for money, swimming pool, and comfortable rooms – perfect for backpackers in Ubud!

Bebek Tepi Sawah Restaurant and Villas: (LUXURY) Rooms vary in prices, but they range from around $100-$190 U.S.D per night depending on which villa you choose.  They’ve got free wi-fi, breakfast included, a restaurant, pool, hot tub, spa, and so much more!  You’ll love it!

Getting Around Ubud | Travel Tips

The most common and easiest way to explore Ubud is going to be on two wheels! Now, if you’ve never rented a scooter before, I wouldn’t really recommend learning to drive one here in Ubud.  The city center can get extremely busy at times with intense traffic, so it’s best to only drive a scooter if you’re skilled, comfortable, and confident!  

Now if you’re a smart and responsible driver, you shouldn’t have any issues at all though, and riding around Ubud can be an adventure all on its own! The roads are pretty well maintained, and there’s something so magical about zipping by beautiful rice terraces, gorgeous temples, and lush jungle streets!  I love driving around Ubud on my scooter, and it’s actually one of the things I miss most about Bali!!  

Now if don’t want to rent a scooter, the next best thing is going to be the Go-Jek or Grab Rideshare App!  It’s basically like the Indonesia version of Uber, and you can request rides (and even sit on the back of scooters) for dirt cheap.  This is going to be the best for your more relaxing days, where you only visit a few places. 

Finally, another great way to explore Ubud is Hire a Car with Private Driver for 10 Hours!!  It’s super cost-efficient, and you get a local driver who will drive you all around Ubud, the rice terraces, temples, and anywhere else you want!  It really is an epic deal, especially if you’re traveling with a partner or group of friends!

Best Ubud Travel Insurance

It’s unfortunately all too common that people come to Bali, get into a scooter accident, and end up needing a lot of medical attention! This, as you can imagine, is not cheap, and while the Bintangs and good vibes are, don’t expect medical treatment as a foreigner to also be great value! These bills will really add up, and sometimes they won’t even operate before they know you’re covered!  I’ve had at least four friends now get in serious accidents, but only half of them had travel insurance to cover their needs! Trust me – especially if you plan on driving or getting on the back of a moto (which you most likely will), you’ll want peace of mind to make sure you’re covered! You also need to consider other issues that could arise, such as theft, boats sinking or water damage, or catching dengue… trust me when I say these warnings aren’t to scare you, but real-life examples I’ve seen during my time in Bali!

I highly recommend HeyMondo due to their extensive range of cover for all situations and trip lengths, their fair pricing, and their handy app which allows you to not only manage any claims within the app, but also access free assistance online so you don’t need to rack up an expensive phone bill while in Indonesia where the charges are steep!

So, whether you need a single trip cover for two weeks in Bali, or an affordable annual cover for multiple trips worldwide, be sure to buy your travel insurance before you travel, and relax during your trip knowing that HeyMondo has your back. Nowadays I would never travel without insurance again, especially after hearing so many of those (expensive and dangerous) horror stories from other travellers I’ve met! 

Still planning your trip? You can always just get a no commitment travel insurance quote now, so you have an idea of how much extra to budget for your vacation!

The Ultimate 3-Days in Ubud Itinerary

Alright, now that we’ve gone over your accommodation options and some travel tips, let’s dive into my fully Ubud travel guide for how to spend 3 magical days exploring the jungle!

Ubud Itinerary Day 1: Tegalalang Rice Terraces & Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

Let’s start off your Ubud itinerary bright and early and head down to the famous Tegalalang Rice Terraces!  Bonus points if you gather the strength to wake up for the sunrise! The way the morning light shines through the palm trees is so peaceful and picture perfect!  

Located just about a 20-25 minute drive north from the city center of Ubud, the Tegalalang Rice Terraces are truly magnificent, and you can easily spend several hours walking around the sprawling valley, getting lost in the beautiful green scenery.  

Do a tasting of delicious Balinese Luwak coffee and smoothie bowl at one of the cafes perched at the top of the hill, and be sure to do some souvenir shopping along the main road as well!  

There are a ton of fun things to do around the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, but one of the most iconic activities would do the “Bali Swing”, which there are literally dozens around the area. You can also do zip-lining across the rice fields – unfortunately I was too heavy to do this during my last visit, which was a cruel sign from the universe to start my diet! 

If you’re looking for a place to relax for a couple hours after walking around the rice terraces, then I’d definitely checking out Tis Cafe! It has a small but beautiful infinity pool, and the food is delicious and affordable. 

Tis Cafe Ubud

Once you’ve properly explored, photographed, and marveled at the Rice Terraces for a few hours, it’s time to make your way over to the Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest!

“The Ubud Monkey Forest lies within the village of Padangtegal, which owns it. The village’s residents view the Monkey Forest as an important spiritual, economic, educational, and conservation center for the village. There are many points of interest that you can see here. Other than around 700 monkeys, you also can see 186 species of trees in 12.5 hectares of forest, where will allowing you to get abundant of fresh air.” – Ubud Monkey Forest

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

The entrance fee is a bargain at only 80,000 IDR (6 U.S.D), and I personally think it’s worth every single penny!

Now I’ve experienced some pretty awful monkeys in South-East Asia before, but the monkeys at the Sacred Monkey Forest were all extremely well behaved.  I loved how they interacted with the guests, would let you get close to take pictures, and won’t harass you.  You can also purchase some bananas to feed them, and get some fun photos of them on your shoulder! 

Fair warning though: monkeys are infamous for being quite mean as well!  Do your best not to bother them in any way, and avoid eye contact, and don’t smile at them.  I’d also be very cautious with any valuables you have on you.  Monkeys have a tendency to grab items and run away!  I’ve seen people have their wallets taken from a monkey!

Finish your evening with a sweaty yoga session, relaxing massage, or simply knock back a few Bintang’s at one of Ubud’s Nightlife hotspots!  My main advice would be to tire yourself out through the day though, because the next item on the itinerary has an extremely early wake-up time (but it’s 100% worth it).

These two activities are two of most iconic Ubud things to do and should not be missed, and it’s best way to start your Ubud explorations! 

Ubud Itinerary Day 2: Sunrise Hikes & Ubud Cooking Class

Now I fully understand that no one likes waking up between 2 & 3 A.M, especially if that’s for an intense hike…but there’s a reason why this adventure has become of Bali’s most famous tourist attractions! And out of all the places to do it while you’re in Bali, I’d recommend booking a tour while you’re in Ubud (it’s just a bit closer and will make for a tad bit easier of a morning).  

There are tons of different options for Mt. Batur sunrise tours, but here are three solid options with amazing reviews to check out! 

“Hike your way up and stand atop the ancient Mount Batur volcano on a day trip from Bali. Watch the sun come up over the sea and feel the adrenaline kick in as you look down on the expanse of the volcanic valley.”

It’ll be an experience you’ll never forget, and your Instagram feed will be looking mighty fine as well!  The pictures you’ll get at sunrise will be nothing short of breathtaking!  I’d recommend doing the mid-tier option, so you can actually walk around the crater!  It’s less crowded for the sunrise, and you’ll get much better photos.  You’ll be able to see Mt. Rinjani in the distance on the neighboring island of Lombok, as well as my favorite island in the world, Gili Trawangan.

Check out this awesome Youtube video for a look at what this activity includes, and for that little dose of inspiration, which you’ll definitely need for such an early 2 am wake up time!

When you’ll arrive back into Ubud, take an hour or two to shower, relax, and perhaps get a foot massage to get you ready for your next activity – a Balinese Cooking Class!  Now, this activity might not excite everyone, but it really is such a fantastic experience, and the local food in Bali is unbelievably delicious!  It’s a fantastic learning experience, and you’re guaranteed to get a tasty meal at the end! 

I always love doing cooking classes abroad, as it’s a fun skill to bring back home and perhaps impress some friends with your newfound Indonesian cooking skills! I promise you, once you do one – you’ll be booking them in every country you visit!

Now there are several great cooking classes online, and here are a few top picks! 

• Balinese Cooking Class for Dinner in Ubud: Dinner Class from 14:30-19:30.  “Discover the unique spices and exotic flavors of Balinese cuisine with a 5-hour cooking class in a traditional home kitchen. Get hands-on as you shop for ingredients at the local market, immerse yourself in Balinese culture in Kelabang Moding Village, and whip up a delicious lunch or dinner under the guidance of an expert chef.” 
  
• Flavours of Bali Local Cooking Class: Afternoon Class from 15:30-21:00.  “If you have a keen interest in Balinese cuisine, then this cooking class in Ubud is for you! Learn to prepare authentic dishes from a certified cook in a traditional open kitchen. You’ll get hands-on practice in a 6-hour session, starting in the morning (with a market tour) or afternoon. Numbers are limited to a maximum of 12 for a small-group learning experience with personalized attention. Includes round-trip transport from Ubud hotels.” 
  
• Ubud Balinese Cooking Class at an Organic Farm: “Discover the culinary secrets of Bali at an exclusive cooking class at an organic farm in the lush tropics surrounding Ubud. Visit a local market and experience everyday life, before preparing a regular or vegetarian meal with the help of a chef.”

When you’re done with your cooking class experience, why not head out into town to one of the many bars and nightlife venues for a couple of drinks.  I’d recommend either the Melting Pot for some pool or head over to the Laughing Buddah Bar for some live music. 

If you manage to do both of these activities in one day, I’m sure you’ll be mad tired though!  It might be a good idea to do these on different days though, it really just depends on your travel style/ interests in them!

Ubud Itinerary Day 3: Temples & Ridge Walks

Now it’s your last day in Ubud, but you still have lots more exploring to do in the area! 

Your first stop is going to be the most popular of many nearby attractions – Mount Kawi Temple. You’ll want to get there early as possible, as there are 300 steps to climb, and you really won’t want to do that in the Bali scorching humidity!  

Once you arrive at the top, you could easily spend an hour or two wondering around the beautiful green area, and photograph the amazing sights.

Image via Wikipedia

Tirta Empul Temple

Your next stop isn’t too far away, and you’ll love a quick visit to Tirta Empul Temple. This is said have a holy spring and it’s common for many Balinese to make a pilgrimage here to bathe and worship underneath one of the 12 fountains.  

“A very active temple built around a bubbling spring, Pura Tirta Empul is an interesting place to observe Hindu devotees purifying themselves by means of ritual bathing. It is especially recommended to visit on a full moon day, which has special significance in the local religion.”

Tegenungan Waterfall

After exploring a couple of Ubud’s main temples, hop on a moto and make the quick 15-20 minute drive down to the Tegenungan Waterfall!  It’s a super scenic waterfall in a gorgeous lush jungle, there’s a nice shallow bathing area, and complete with a fun bar with a pool up at the top.  

There is a small entrance fee and about a 15-minute walk down a relatively steep trail, but it’s a fantastic place to spend an afternoon and escape the heat

Campuhan Ridge Walk

Finally, your last activity for the day is a popular one amongst the locals and the expats in Ubud – the Campuhan Ridge Walk. For a detailed guide, information, and pictures – check out this useful guide from LiveLoveRaw about the Campuhan Ridge Walk.  It’ll go over everything like how to find it (with pictures), fun tips, rest stops, and lots more!  

It’s free, easy, and will be the perfect ending to your time in Ubud.

Campuhan Ridge Walk

Best Food To Try for 3 Days in Ubud

After a solid day of Ubud exploration, make sure you treat yourself to a meal at one of Ubud’s amazing trendy cafes!  Ubud is another fantastic destination for food fanatics, and you could definitely spend 3+ days here just cheacking out as many places as possible, and still barely scratch the surface! 

A few of my favorites you that MUST TRY while in Ubud are: ZEST, Sayuri Healing Food, Alchemy, KAFE, and Clear Cafe. Also, be sure to browse through this article titled, “The 50 Best Restaurants in Ubud” for more info, especially if you’re a foodie it’s a must read!  

As well, if you’re looking for a quality Mexican restaurant, I really do love the food at Taco Casa!  There are a few locations in Bali, but I’ve only ever eaten at the location in Ubud, and it was definitely one of the better Mexican meals I’ve eaten abroad. Being from Southern-California, I’m always looking for a quality burrito!

Ubud Travel Tips

Rent a Moto: Riding around the roads in Ubud and the surrounding areas is extremely fun.  You can rent motos for dirt cheap, and it’s by the best way to explore all the sights.

Bargain: You’re in South-East Asia, and all the souvenirs and activities you book can be bargained down.  Don’t be an ass-hole about it, but don’t get ripped off either!

Hubud Events: Hubud is the local digital nomad / expat community in Ubud.  Check their events calendar to see if anything interesting is coming up!

Bring a Nice Camera: Ubud is absolutely beautiful.  You’ll want to get some amazing photographs of everything you see!

Insect Repellant: There are tons of mosquitos in Bali, and especially in Ubud.  Protect yourself from those tiny bastards!

Am I Missing Anything from my Ubud Itinerary…?

While I know that only spending 3 Days in Ubud isn’t that long, I tried to fill with it lots of fun information! If you think I need to add anything else to this post, feel free to reach out to me, and I’ll sure to get it updated!  I can’t wait to get back to Ubud myself, as it’s such a magical destination to visit!

THANKS FOR READING MY 3 Days in Ubud Itinerary!  

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