Travel guide · Indonesia
Ubud Travel Guide 2026: Monkey Forest Prices, Batur Treks, Best Months and What to Skip
Tegallalang rice terraces, north of Ubud Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0
Ubud is the inland town in Bali's Gianyar Regency where most visitors go for temples, rice terraces, the Monkey Forest and a pre-dawn climb up Mount Batur. The choices that shape a stay here are when to come (the rains peak from December to February), whether to trek Batur or ride up in a jeep, and how to move around a town with no train, slow buses and patchy ride-hailing. This guide puts current official prices, a month-by-month weather table and catalogue prices for 1,440 tours side by side, so you can plan with numbers rather than guesses.
Ubud at a glance
Ubud is not a city in the administrative sense: it is a town inside Ubud District, which had 74,800 residents in the 2020 census, and the central village itself covers less than 7 km². The name is usually traced to the Balinese word for medicine, a nod to the herbs that once grew here. Its fame as an arts town dates from the 20th century, when painters such as Antonio Blanco and Arie Smit settled in and the royal family of Puri Saren Agung turned part of the palace into one of the first hotels in the 1930s.
| Where | Gianyar Regency, central Bali; about 35–40 km by road north of Ngurah Rai airport |
|---|---|
| Getting in | Visa on arrival IDR 500,000 (30 days) for British passports; Bali levy IDR 150,000; All Indonesia arrival card |
| Currency | Indonesian rupiah (IDR); pay in rupiah, change money only at licensed changers |
| Weather | Highs 29–31 °C all year; about 2,244 mm of rain a year, wettest January (325 mm), driest August (90 mm) |
| Top ticket | Monkey Forest IDR 130,000 adult (official) |
| Emergency | Dial 118 for an ambulance; tap water is not safe to drink |
| Closed island-wide | Nyepi, the Day of Silence (19 March in 2026); the airport shuts for the day |
Ubud in pictures
Tap a photo to enlarge it. Photos: Vyacheslav Argenberg, Jakub Hałun, Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia, Fabio Achilli from Milano, Italy, Eka343 — Wikimedia Commons.
What do you need to book or pay before you go to Ubud?
Pay the IDR 150,000 Bali levy online and file the arrival card; almost nothing in Ubud itself needs advance tickets
Two things belong on your to-do list before the flight. First, the Bali tourist levy of IDR 150,000 per foreign visitor, which you pay on the provincial government's Love Bali portal by bank transfer, virtual account or QRIS; the voucher arrives by email with a QR code. Bali's tourism office says tourists who have not paid can be refused entry to attractions. Second, the free All Indonesia arrival card, which covers customs and health and must be completed online within 72 hours before you land.
British passport holders can buy a 30-day, single-entry visa on arrival for IDR 500,000 at the airport, by cash or card, with proof of an onward ticket. Your passport needs at least six months' validity on arrival and two blank pages. If you want to skip the queue or need a longer visa, apply on the official immigration site (evisa.imigrasi.go.id) at least a week ahead; a visa approved after you have entered the country is not valid. GOV.UK warns of visa scams, so use only the government links.
| What | Cost | Book ahead? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bali tourist levy | IDR 150,000 | Yes, online | Love Bali portal; voucher by email |
| All Indonesia arrival card | Free | Within 72 hours of arrival | Ignore sites that ask for payment |
| Visa on arrival (UK passport) | IDR 500,000 | Optional (e-visa) | 30 days, single entry |
| Monkey Forest | IDR 130,000 adult / IDR 100,000 child | Optional | Online or at the lobby |
| Tirta Empul | IDR 50,000 adult / IDR 25,000 child | No | Melukat bath has no extra fee |
| Ubud Palace Legong show | Around IDR 100,000 | No | Buy at the palace gate; unreserved seats |
| Mount Batur sunrise | Tour price | Yes, the day before | Local guide needed |
The official Monkey Forest site lists IDR 130,000 for adults, while many blogs still repeat IDR 80,000–120,000. Budget for the official figure. Many other sights are paid at the gate, so keep small rupiah notes for entry, sarong hire and parking.
Verdict: Pay the levy and fill in the arrival card at home, then book only the Batur sunrise and any class in advance. Everything else in Ubud is cheaper and simpler bought on the day.
When is the best time to visit Ubud?
April to September is the best time to visit Ubud; December to February is the wettest stretch
Ubud sits inland and gets far more rain than the beach towns, about 2,244 mm a year. Temperatures barely move: daytime highs sit between about 29 °C and 31 °C in every month, and nights drop to around 20 °C in the middle of the year. What changes is rain. August is the driest month at about 90 mm, while January brings around 325 mm. Bali's wet season runs roughly from November to March, and north Gianyar, where Ubud lies, tends to enter the dry season around May, later than the south coast.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain mm | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29.7 | 21.7 | 325 | Wettest month |
| February | 29.9 | 21.7 | 292 | Very wet |
| March | 29.9 | 21.4 | 215 | Easing; watch for Nyepi |
| April | 30.5 | 21.0 | 108 | Good |
| May | 30.2 | 20.7 | 124 | Good |
| June | 29.5 | 19.9 | 129 | Good, cooler nights |
| July | 28.8 | 19.7 | 175 | Good, coolest month |
| August | 29.0 | 19.8 | 90 | Driest |
| September | 29.7 | 20.3 | 123 | Good |
| October | 30.4 | 20.9 | 170 | Shoulder; writers' festival |
| November | 30.5 | 21.4 | 201 | Rains return |
| December | 30.1 | 21.6 | 292 | Very wet |
Monthly figures are modelled averages for Ubud from Climate-Data.org, as cited on Wikipedia; Indonesia's met agency does not publish a station table for the town.
Two dates matter beyond the weather. On Nyepi, the Balinese New Year, the whole island stays indoors with lights off and Ngurah Rai airport closes for the day; in 2026 it fell on 19 March, and sources give 8 or 9 March for 2027, so check before booking flights. In October, the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival fills the town (21–25 October in 2026). Mount Agung can also close for temple ceremonies: in 2026 it was shut from 28 March to 24 April.
Verdict: Come between April and September if hiking and terrace views are the point. In the wet months, keep a spare day for anything weather-dependent, such as the Batur sunrise. Avoid flying in or out on Nyepi.
How do you get from Bali airport to Ubud, and how do you get around?
A pre-agreed taxi or app ride is the practical choice; the IDR 4,400 bus only suits travellers with time and light bags
Ubud is roughly 35–40 km north of Ngurah Rai International Airport. There is no rail link. Fares from the airport taxi counter are commonly quoted at IDR 300,000–500,000, rising to about IDR 600,000 for villas north of the centre; ride-hailing apps usually come in at IDR 250,000–400,000. Sources disagree, so confirm the fare at the counter or in the app before you set off.
| Option | Price | Time | Best for | Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport taxi counter | About IDR 300,000–500,000 | Depends on traffic | Late arrivals, families | Pay at the counter, not to touts |
| Grab or Gojek | About IDR 250,000–400,000 | Depends on traffic | Arrivals with a working SIM | Pickup bans in parts of central Ubud |
| Trans Metro Dewata bus (K2B then K4B) | IDR 4,400 per ride | About 2.5–3 hours | Light luggage, tight budgets | Fewer trips since 2025; e-money card or QRIS |
| Hired car and driver | Agree a day rate | Door to door | Day trips to east, north and west Bali | Agree the price before you set off |
| Scooter | Varies | Fastest in traffic | Experienced riders only | International Driving Permit and helmet required |
Inside Ubud, the centre is walkable: the palace, Saraswati Temple, the Monkey Forest and the start of the Campuhan Ridge Walk are all close together. Getting picked up is trickier. Some central streets are 'local transport only' zones where Grab and Gojek cars may not collect passengers, so drivers may ask you to walk to a pickup point; drop-offs are usually fine. For a metered taxi, UK advice is to use registered firms such as Bluebird and to check the driver's identity.
Scooters are everywhere, but GOV.UK is clear that a UK licence on its own is not enough: you need an International Driving Permit, and moped crashes in Bali have risen sharply, some of them fatal. Bali's own rules require a valid licence and a helmet.
Verdict: Take a taxi or app ride from the airport and walk within central Ubud. For day trips, a hired driver or a tour beats the bus. Skip the scooter unless you already ride at home and carry an International Driving Permit.
What are the best things to do in Ubud?
Ubud's sights split into three groups: the town itself (Monkey Forest, palace, temples and the ridge walk), the temples and terraces in the surrounding villages, and Mount Batur. The list below is ranked: tier 3 is worth planning a day around, tier 2 is worth fitting in.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: go at 9:00 am opening, without food in your bag Must do· 9:00 am, 1–2 hours
The sanctuary is a temple complex and nature reserve owned by Padangtegal village. It covers about 10 hectares and holds three temples, apparently built around 1350, including Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal. The official site says more than 1,054 long-tailed macaques live here in a semi-wild state. It opens daily 9:00 am–6:00 pm (last entry 5:00 pm) and costs IDR 130,000 for adults. Staff feed the monkeys; visitors may not, and monkeys bite people who touch them or tease them with food.
Mount Batur sunrise: worth the 2 am start if you are reasonably fit Must do· Pickup about 2:00–2:30 am
Batur's summit stands at 1,717 m. Tours collect Ubud guests at around 2:00–2:30 am, drive for one to two hours depending on the trailhead, and climb for roughly 1.5–2 hours in the dark to watch sunrise from the top. A local guide is required in practice, arranged through the village guide association, and Bali's 2025 rules expect visitors at natural sites to use a certified guide. Check the volcano's alert level on MAGMA Indonesia before you go.
76 Top-rated Batur sunrise treks tours on Excurgo · from $10, typical $35 per person · rated 4.9 across 10,723 reviews
If the hike sounds too much, sunrise jeep tours drive up to a viewpoint instead; they cost around $27 against $35 for a guided trek. The jeep trades the summit for a seat. Mount Agung, Bali's other sunrise climb, can close for temple ceremonies, as it did for four weeks in 2026.
Tirta Empul: take part in the purification bath early in the morning Must do· 8:00–10:00 am
Pura Tirta Empul at Tampaksiring dates from 962 AD and is built around a holy spring. Entry is IDR 50,000 for adults. Visitors of any faith may join melukat, the purification bath, at no extra charge: wear a sarong and shawl, start at the left-hand spout and move right, and skip the two spouts reserved for death ceremonies (staff will point them out). Bring dry clothes. The official tourism site suggests 8–10 am; full-moon and Kuningan days are much busier.
Tegallalang rice terraces: worth an early visit, but budget for small extra fees Worth it· Early morning
Tegallalang is the best-known terrace near Ubud, and it comes with several small fees: a small entry charge usually reported at IDR 15,000–25,000, then farmers on the paths asking for donations of about IDR 10,000–20,000. The swings above the fields are a separate business, from about IDR 100,000. A tourist died at a Tegallalang swing in 2018, and a local study found safety rules there were not fully applied, so check the harness and listen to the briefing.
236 Ubud highlights tours: Monkey Forest, terraces and temples tours on Excurgo · from $10, typical $40 per person · rated 5.0 across 36,378 reviews
Campuhan Ridge Walk: free, about 2 km, best at sunrise Worth it· 6:00–7:30 am or late afternoon
The ridge walk starts near Pura Gunung Lebah, where two rivers meet; legend credits the temple's founding to the sage Rsi Markandya in the 8th century. A paved track of about 2 km climbs the grassy ridge, free and open all day. Go early or late: there is no lighting after dark.
Ubud Palace and a Legong dance: the easiest evening in town Worth it· Show around 7:30 pm
Puri Saren Agung, at the junction of Monkey Forest Road and Jalan Raya Ubud, is still owned by the royal family and stages dance in its courtyard. A Legong performance runs nightly at about 7:30 pm, with tickets around IDR 100,000 at the gate. Seats are unreserved, so arrive 30–45 minutes early for a good view.
Goa Gajah: a short stop on the way to Tirta Empul Worth it· 45–60 minutes
The Elephant Cave sits in a valley near Bedulu, just outside Ubud, with a carved entrance, a small meditation cave and old bathing pools. Entry is reported at IDR 50,000 for adults, sarong included. It pairs naturally with Tirta Empul on the same morning.
A Balinese cooking class or silver workshop: the best half-day for a rainy afternoon Worth it· Half day
Our catalogue lists 49 cooking classes around Ubud, some starting with a market visit, and 24 silver workshops where you make your own piece of jewellery. Both are indoor activities, which makes them the natural back-up plan in the wet months. Classes typically cost around $40 for cooking and $47 for silver.
49 Highly rated cooking classes in Ubud tours on Excurgo · from $18, typical $40 per person · rated 5.0 across 5,463 reviews
Worth skipping or rethinking
- The Gate of Heaven photo as a day trip from Ubud if you hate queues: visitors report waits of 2–4 hours, sometimes 6, for the split-gate picture unless they arrive around 5 am.
- Feeding or touching the monkeys: it is banned, and it is how most bites happen.
- Tegallalang at midday: the light is flat, the paths are crowded and the donation stops add up.
- Nusa Penida as a rushed day from Ubud: the drive to Sanur alone can take up to two hours in the afternoon, before the boat.
What are the best day trips from Ubud?
Batur at sunrise and the east-Bali temples are the strongest day trips; Nusa Penida is better from Sanur
Ubud is central, which makes it a good base for the island's temples and volcanoes. Many sites sit inside Bali's UNESCO-listed subak landscape, inscribed in 2012, which covers the Jatiluwih terraces, the Pakerisan valley around Tirta Empul and Gunung Kawi, Pura Taman Ayun and Pura Ulun Danu Batur with Lake Batur.
| Trip | Getting there | Entry | Tour price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Batur sunrise | Pickup 2:00–2:30 am; 1–2 h drive; 1.5–2 h climb | Guide required | $35 trek / $27 jeep | The best early start in Bali |
| Lempuyang and east Bali | Long day; mandatory shuttle up the hill | About IDR 100,000–150,000 with photo; shuttle about IDR 45,000–50,000 | $56 | Go for the temple, not the queue |
| Besakih | On the slopes of Mount Agung | About IDR 150,000 (2026 reports) | Part of east-Bali tours | Worth it; ignore unofficial 'guide fees' |
| Jatiluwih, Ulun Danu Bratan, Tanah Lot | Full day to the west and north | Jatiluwih about IDR 75,000 | $52 | Best for terraces and lake temples |
| Uluwatu and Kecak dance | Afternoon into evening at Bali's southern tip | Check locally | $45 | Good if you are not staying in the south later |
| Nusa Penida | Ubud to Sanur 35–120 min, then 30–45 min boat | Boat about IDR 150,000–250,000 one way | $90 | Better as an overnight or from Sanur |
Lempuyang runs on a numbered queue for the gate photo, and private cars cannot drive up the final stretch, so everyone pays for a shuttle. Besakih, the mother temple on Mount Agung's flank, is reported at IDR 150,000 for foreign adults in 2026, double what older guides say; all visitors must wear a sarong, and there are reports of people at posts asking for unofficial 'guide' money.
61 West and north Bali tours: Tanah Lot, Ulun Danu, Jatiluwih tours on Excurgo · from $10, typical $52 per person · rated 5.0 across 5,592 reviews
For Nusa Penida, the sea crossing from Sanur takes 30–45 minutes, but the drive from Ubud to Sanur takes 35–55 minutes early in the morning and 75–120 minutes in the afternoon peak. That makes a same-day return tiring; staying a night near Sanur or on the island is the calmer option.
Verdict: With one free day, do Batur at sunrise. With two, add either east Bali (Besakih and Lempuyang, accepting the queue) or the west (Jatiluwih, Ulun Danu Bratan and Tanah Lot). Leave Nusa Penida for a separate overnight from Sanur.
How many days do you need in Ubud?
Three days covers the town and one sunrise; four lets you add a temple circuit and a class without rushing. Allow one extra day in the wet season, when rain can wipe out a planned sunrise.
1 day
Monkey Forest at 9:00 am, Saraswati Temple and the palace area, Campuhan Ridge in the late afternoon, Legong dance at about 7:30 pm.
Tickets ≈ IDR 230,000 · highlights tour ≈ $40
3 days
Day 1 in town as above. Day 2: Batur sunrise, back by lunch, nap. Day 3: Goa Gajah, Tirta Empul and Tegallalang, or a cooking class if it rains.
Tickets ≈ IDR 355,000 · Batur trek ≈ $35 · cooking ≈ $40
5 days
The three-day plan plus a day in east Bali (Besakih, Lempuyang) and a day in the west (Jatiluwih, Ulun Danu Bratan, Tanah Lot at sunset).
Tours ≈ $56 east · $52 west
How much do tours and tickets in Ubud cost?
Official entry fees in Ubud are low: IDR 50,000 for Tirta Empul and IDR 130,000 for the Monkey Forest. The real spend is transport and tours, because almost every trip beyond town needs a driver. These are current catalogue prices per person for the main kinds of tour bookable from Ubud.
| Activity | Tours | From | Typical | Top end |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Batur sunrise trek | 76 | $10 | $35 | $75 |
| Mount Batur sunrise jeep | 87 | $10 | $27 | $60 |
| Mount Agung sunrise trek | 11 | $54 | $57 | $90 |
| Ubud highlights day tour | 236 | $10 | $40 | $79 |
| Waterfall tour | 155 | $16 | $48 | $78 |
| Tirta Empul and purification | 58 | $19 | $47 | $79 |
| Balinese cooking class | 49 | $18 | $40 | $80 |
| Silver jewellery class | 24 | $26 | $47 | $89 |
| Cycling or e-bike tour | 38 | $22 | $41 | $78 |
| Ayung River rafting | 63 | $19 | $39 | $85 |
| ATV ride | 103 | $14 | $40 | $89 |
| East Bali and Lempuyang | 48 | $21 | $56 | $81 |
| Tanah Lot, Ulun Danu, Jatiluwih | 61 | $10 | $52 | $80 |
| Uluwatu and Kecak dance | 28 | $11 | $45 | $120 |
| Nusa Penida day trip | 28 | $45 | $90 | $125 |
| Blue Lagoon snorkelling | 36 | $16 | $44 | $60 |
97% of tours around Ubud offer free cancellation. Check whether the price includes entry fees and the Batur guide charge.
155 Popular waterfall tours from Ubud tours on Excurgo · from $16, typical $48 per person · rated 5.0 across 7,553 reviews
Where should you stay in Ubud?
Central Ubud for a first visit; Penestanan or Sayan only if you want quiet and accept the logistics
Central Ubud, around the palace and Monkey Forest Road, keeps the main sights within walking distance: the palace, Saraswati Temple, the Monkey Forest and the start of the Campuhan Ridge Walk. Outlying areas swap convenience for calm. Hotels register you with the police automatically; if you stay in a private villa or room, you must register with the local police, and the fine for not doing so is IDR 5 million.
| Area | Who it suits | Getting around | Downside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Ubud (palace, Monkey Forest Road) | First-timers, short stays | Walk to most sights | Traffic and app-pickup limits |
| Penestanan | Longer, quieter stays | Footpaths; motorbike access | Carrying luggage up the paths |
| Nyuh Kuning | Calm village feel near the centre | Walk round or through the Monkey Forest | Longer route into town |
| Sayan (Ayung gorge) | Resorts and valley views | Hotel shuttle or driver | Narrow roads without pavements |
Verdict: On a first trip of three or four days, stay in central Ubud and walk. Choose Sayan for a resort break with a driver, and Penestanan only if you travel light.
What should you know about rules, safety and money in Ubud?
Dress modestly at temples, stay out of inner courtyards, and drink only from trusted sources
Bali's Governor's Circular No. 7 of 2025 sets out what foreign visitors must and must not do. You must dress modestly at temples, attractions and in public, behave respectfully, use licensed transport and accommodation, and use certified guides at cultural and natural sites. You may not enter the inner and middle courtyards of temples unless praying in Balinese dress, menstruating women are barred from those areas, and climbing sacred trees or monuments or taking nude photos at religious sites is banned.
- Single-use plastic is banned under the circular: plastic bags, styrofoam, straws and drinks in plastic packaging.
- Drugs: zero tolerance, with long prison terms or the death penalty possible. CBD products are illegal too, and police raid venues popular with foreigners.
- New criminal code: from 2 January 2026 it includes penalties for cohabitation and sex outside marriage, prosecuted only on a complaint from a spouse, parent or child.
- Methanol: fake spirits have poisoned drinkers in bars, shops and hotels in tourist areas; you cannot taste or smell it. Be wary of spirits and cocktails, and get urgent medical help if you feel ill after drinking.
- Rabies: Bali has many street dogs and temple monkeys. Get medical help immediately after any bite or scratch.
- Overstaying: IDR 1 million per day, plus possible detention.
- Spas and tattoo parlours: scams are on the rise; agree the price before you start.
Money is rupiah only. Bali's rules require you to change money at licensed changers and pay in rupiah, including by QRIS code. ATM limits per withdrawal usually run IDR 1,250,000–3,000,000 depending on the machine, and some machines hand over the cash before returning your card, so wait for it. Hotel and restaurant bills often include up to 21% tax and service; tipping beyond that is optional, with IDR 50,000–100,000 a day common for a private driver or guide.
Tap water is not safe to drink. For an ambulance dial 118. Medical evacuation can cost tens of thousands of pounds, so check that your travel insurance covers it.
Verdict: Pack a sarong and a shawl, keep small rupiah notes for temple gates, and treat every monkey and street dog as a rabies risk. Those three habits head off most of Ubud's common problems.
What mistakes do visitors to Ubud regret?
- Not paying the Bali levy before arrival. It costs IDR 150,000, takes minutes on the Love Bali portal, and unpaid tourists can be turned away from attractions.
- Using a lookalike visa or levy site. GOV.UK warns of scam sites; use evisa.imigrasi.go.id and lovebali.baliprov.go.id only.
- Budgeting Monkey Forest at old blog prices. The official adult ticket is IDR 130,000.
- Booking a December–February trip around sunrise views. January averages about 325 mm of rain; keep a spare morning for Batur.
- Riding a scooter on a home licence alone. You need an International Driving Permit, and moped crashes in Bali have risen sharply.
- Walking into temples in shorts. Sarongs and modest clothing are required, and inner courtyards are for worshippers.
- Trying to fit Nusa Penida into an Ubud day. Afternoon traffic to Sanur can take two hours before the boat.
- Flying on Nyepi. The airport closes for the whole day.
- Shrugging off a monkey scratch. Get it checked the same day.
Ubud FAQ
How much is the Ubud Monkey Forest ticket in 2026?
The official site lists IDR 130,000 for adults and IDR 100,000 for children. The sanctuary is open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, with last entry at 5:00 pm. You can buy at the lobby or online through the official site.
Do you need a guide to climb Mount Batur?
In practice, yes. The climb is organised through the local guide association at the trailhead, and Bali's 2025 circular requires certified guides at natural sites. Most tours include the guide; check before you pay.
How do I pay the Bali tourist tax?
The levy is IDR 150,000 per foreign tourist. Pay it on the official Love Bali portal (lovebali.baliprov.go.id) by transfer, virtual account or QRIS; a voucher with a QR code arrives by email. Avoid lookalike sites that charge more.
What is the best month to visit Ubud?
August is the driest month, with about 90 mm of rain, and April to September is the best window overall. December to February is the wettest period, with 292–325 mm a month. Temperatures stay around 29–30 °C year-round.
How much is a taxi from Bali airport to Ubud?
Taxi counter fares are commonly quoted at about IDR 300,000–500,000, more for villas north of the centre, and ride-hailing apps at about IDR 250,000–400,000. Prices vary by source and traffic, so confirm before you leave. The public bus costs IDR 4,400 but takes 2.5–3 hours.
Can you use Grab or Gojek in Ubud?
Yes for drop-offs, but some central streets are local-transport-only zones where app cars cannot pick up. Drivers may ask you to walk to a nearby pickup point. Registered taxi firms such as Bluebird are the alternative.
Is the Monkey Forest safe?
It is safe if you follow the rules: do not feed, touch or tease the monkeys, and carry no food. Bites happen mainly when people touch monkeys or pull back food. Any bite or scratch needs medical attention the same day because of rabies risk.
What should I wear to Bali temples?
Modest clothing plus a sarong. At Tirta Empul, sarong hire costs about IDR 10,000–15,000 if you bring none, and you need a sarong and shawl to enter the bathing pool. Tourists may not enter the inner temple courtyards unless praying in Balinese dress.
Can you do Nusa Penida as a day trip from Ubud?
You can, but it is a long day. The drive to Sanur takes 35–55 minutes early and up to two hours in the afternoon peak, and the boat takes another 30–45 minutes each way. An overnight near Sanur or on the island is easier.
What happens in Ubud on Nyepi?
On Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence, everyone must stay indoors with lights off and no noise, and the airport closes for the day. In 2026 it fell on 19 March; sources give 8 or 9 March for 2027. Parades of Ogoh-Ogoh figures take place the evening before.
Sources and how this guide is made
Written by the Excurgo editorial team with AI assistance. We are a tour comparison site, not a tour operator, and we have not personally tested every tour. Every fact was researched in official and specialist sources and checked against them before publication; prices, ratings and tour counts come from our live catalogue of 1,440 Ubud tours. Ratings and review counts are collected by Viator and Tripadvisor. Tours are picked by rating weighted by number of reviews (at least 20); we earn a commission from Viator when you book, and it does not affect the order.
- GOV.UK (FCDO) — Indonesia entry requirements: visa on arrival, e-visa, Bali levy, arrival card, overstays (Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK (FCDO) — Indonesia safety: driving permits, methanol, drugs, Nyepi, volcanoes, scams (Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK (FCDO) — Indonesia health: rabies, tap water, emergency number (Oct 2026)
- Bali Provincial Government — Love Bali tourist levy portal (Oct 2026)
- Bali Provincial Tourism Office — Governor's Circular No. 7 of 2025 on tourist conduct (Mar 2025)
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary — official prices and opening hours (Oct 2026)
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary — official site: macaque population (Oct 2026)
- Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism) — Pura Tirta Empul: fees and melukat etiquette (Oct 2026)
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Cultural Landscape of Bali Province (subak) (Oct 2026)
- Indonesia Travel — Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2026 dates (Oct 2026)
- Antara News Bali — Mount Agung closed for ceremonies, 2026 (Mar 2026)
- Wikipedia — Ubud: population, palace, Campuhan, climate table (Climate-Data.org) (Oct 2026)
- Wikipedia — Ubud Monkey Forest: temples, area, rules (Oct 2026)
- Bali Holiday Secrets — Lempuyang, Goa Gajah, Legong show and ATM reports (Oct 2026)
- Bali Untold — airport-to-Ubud bus and transfers (Oct 2026)
Photos come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences (CC BY, CC BY-SA, CC0 or public domain); the author and licence are shown under each one. They show the places described, not the exact tours listed.
Changelog. 19 October 2026: guide published.
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