Ubud

Ubud is located 35 km northeast of Bali's International Airport. It is attractive to tourists for a variety of reasons. On a relatively small island with a horde of attractions, Ubud is centrally located, and even the closest beach is only 15 minutes away.

The Ubud area is around two- to three hundred meters above sea level and surrounded by rice fields, which makes it noticeably cooler than then other tourist destinations in Bali. Neighbouring villages are well known for unique bamboo crafts and furniture, wood- and stone carving and many other crafts.

Ubud is famous for it's regularly nightly traditional dance performances, which are part of the traditional culture and are arranged for tourists on a regular schedule. Hindu-Balinese ceremonies take place on a nearly daily basis, especially in the European summer, which is the driest and coolest season here.

Ubud is popular in part today because it is the best place in Bali to break out of the tourist mode and get off the beaten path, although far from undiscovered. Hotels are plentiful; home stays and Indonesian guesthouses (losmen) are easily available to the foreign tourist. Many tourists simply base their entire stay in the city and travel to other destinations from Ubud.

Accommodations in Ubud are also somewhat more reasonably priced than in the beach towns of Bali. But atmosphere is perhaps the major attractions. One visitor summed it up this way: Kuta is madness, Sanur is sterile, and Nusa Dua is culturally isolated; Ubud is the place to go.

Far removed from the drunken bikini scene in Kuta, Ubud can be described as a magical, wonderful, cultural center. Above all, it is famous as an arts and crafts hub. Half (if not more) of the town and nearby villages seem to consist of artists' workshops and galleries, mostly retailing cheap reproductions for tourists. There are some remarkable architectural sights, artistic gems to be found, and a general feeling of well being to be enjoyed thanks to the spirit, surroundings and climate.
Orientation

Orienting yourself in Ubud is fairly straightforward. The town sprawls around for several kilometers in all directions, with all of the small villages within a 5km radius of the central market being loosely referred to as "Ubud." If you choose a reasonably central place to stay, it's easy enough to walk about on foot. Central Ubud has three main streets, Jl. Raya Ubud (the "Main Road" of Ubud), Jl. Monkey Forest and Jl. Hanoman. At the intersection of Jl. Raya and Jl. Monkey Forest is the Ubud Market, the Ubud Palace and the main bemo stop. Jl. Monkey Forest, south to the Monkey Forest itself, is the most built up in the area, and home to a wide array of accommodation, art galleries, cafes, restaurants and cafes, and essential services (schools, sports field, pharmacies, travel agents, etc). Jl. Hanoman, which runs parallel to Jl. Monkey Forest, is a bit quieter and makes for more pleasant walking. To the immediate west and northwest are the villages of Campuhan and Kedewatan, home to some of the most upmarket hotels in the area with views over the Agung River valley. Directly to the south, past Monkey Forest and still within a half hour walk of the central market is Padang Tegal, which then morphs into the southern villages of Nyuh Kuning, and Pengosekan, about 3 km from central Ubud. Directly to the east is the village of Peliatan, and then Teges, home of the Goa Gajah elephant cave.

Ubud is 43 km from Kuta and 30 km from Denpasar. Normal driving time from Seminyak is 45 mins to 1 hour.
By plane

There are pre-paid taxis from Denpasar's Ngurah Rai airport. Check current prices on the notice board in the taxi office just outside the arrivals hall.
By bemo

There are regular public bemos from Denpasar's Batubulan terminal to Ubud.
By taxi

If you want to take a taxi from southern Bali, it's best to charter the vehicle for a return trip, otherwise, you'll be hit with a 30% fee for going out-of-town. Metered fares, one-way not including surcharge, are around Rp 50,000 from Denpasar and Rp 100,000 from Kuta.
By Shuttle Bus

Perama Shuttle Bus offers regular direct transfers to Ubud from Denpasar's Ngurah Rai airport, Sanur, Lovina, and Candidasa/Padangbai that are convenient and inexpensive. (E.g; 4 times per day from Ngurah Rai Airport, Rp 30,000). Inconveniently the Permana Shuttle Bus terminal isn't located right in the centre of Ubud, but about 2 km south of the town centre, in Padang Tegal (on Jl. Hanoman, just south of the Intersection of Monkey Forest Rd).

The town of Ubud has few sights within walking distance, and you'll need some form of transport to get to the temples in the vicinity. The easiest option is to join a tour, or just charter a taxi/bemo for a few hours.

* Botanic Garden, Kutuh Kaja, +62 361 970 951,. The recently opened Botanic Garden is a wonderful way to spend a few hours walking around and exploring the valley that it fills. It is best to go in the morning and avoid the afternoon heat.

* Monkey Forest, south end of Jl. Monkey Forest; . A forest full of ravenous monkeys, so don't bring any food or risk bites and rabies injections. Stroll through to find Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal, a Temple of the Dead.

* Museum Puri Lukisan (Museum of Fine Arts), Jl. Raya Ubud (spot the sign and cross the bridge to enter), . Three buildings showcasing traditional and modern Balinese art. The displays are musty and English labeling is a little spotty, but some of the works, particularly the carvings, are quite amazing. Entrance Rp 20,000.

* Museum Rudana, Jl. Cok Rai Pudak 44, Peliatan, Ubud, . Ph : Tel: +62 361 975779, Fax : +62 361 975091. E-mail: rudana@senatorrudana.com. Run by its owner and sole artist Nyoman Rudana.

* Seniwati Gallery of Art by Women, Jalan Sriwedari 2B, +62 361 975485, Banjar Taman, Ubud, . The Seniwati Gallery features art by women; "Seni" is Indonesian for "art" and "Wati" means "women".

All of the following temples cost Rp. 6000/3000 adults/children, and can be reached by taking bemos towards Tampaksiring. Everybody must wear a sash, available at the entrance for a Rp. 1000 donation, and either long pants or a sarong (from Rp. 5000 from hawkers).
Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah)

Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah)

* Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave), 3 km east from Ubud. A popular little excursion from Ubud, the centerpiece here is a cave, whose entrance is an ornately carved demon's mouth. Inside are some fragmentary lingam and yoni (phallus and vagina) statues, as well as a statue of Ganesha. Statues stand guard around pools near the entrance and a little path leads to a waterfall, rice fields and some Buddhist stupa fragments.

* Gunung Kawi (Poet Mountain), Tampaksiring, 18 km northeast from Ubud. Entrance fee is Rp. 6000, sarong is rented for free. Dating from the 11th century, this is presumed to be the burial complex of King Anak Wungsu and his many wives. Reached by climbing down 371 steps, the location at the bottom of a steep valley lined with paddy fields is stunning. The smaller complex on the south side of the river is presumed to be for the king's wives, while the larger complex is thought to be for the King himself and perhaps his concubines. You must take off your shoes before entering into the central pura complex. About one km downstream there are further tomb cloisters. On the way back up, take a break at Cafe Kawi, which has cold drinks (Rp. 10,000 & up) and fresh breezes (free).

* Tirta Empul, Tampaksiring, 20 km northeast from Ubud. One of the holiest temples on Bali, built around hot springs that now bubble eerily in the central courtyard. Balinese themselves come here to bathe and purify themselves physically and spiritually, and during Galungan the sacred barong masks are bathed here. The complex dates to 960, but the present buildings are all modern reconstructions.