Hello there Lei Loves! I’ve been really looking forward to sharing a recap of our recent trip to Bali and the time has come! Due to the amount of information, I’ve decided to break up the travel guide into 3 different parts, coordinating with the 3 different areas we explored; the first of which is Ubud. Whether you’re planning a trip to Bali, or just want to learn more about this incredible destination (where more than 4 million tourists visit annually!) I hope that you will find some useful information here. Before diving in, I want to share some general tips to keep in mind:
- Use common sense. Traveling to any destination requires research and common sense tactics. Bali is incredibly safe, but is in a country that is still developing- so make sure you’re aware of your surroundings.
- After speaking with locals, the best time to visit Bali is between March-May. Summer is flooded with tourists, and the fall/winter is their rainy season.
- Be Respectful! Culture and Religion are very sacred to the Balinese. It is their entire life. You will see tons of offerings on the ground at any given point of the day. Do not step on them. If you aren’t sure if you can enter a specific area (there are tons of temples and sacred areas) ASK.
- There are many places that will accept your domestic credit card, but many places that are cash only (especially the markets). You’ll get the best conversion rate by exchanging your money in town, rather than at the airport when you land.
- You can hire a private driver to take you wherever you need to go, for as many days as you need. We booked ours here. I would highly recommend securing a driver for a few reasons:
- Navigation is tricky for a first-timer in Bali. There are no street signs, and because of the terrain, some destinations are just too difficult to access.
- Most taxies are not metered, meaning that the driver can charge you whatever they want (and usually, that doesn’t work out in your favor). A private driver is extremely reasonable in Bali, costing you +/- $50 a day (depending on where you’re going/what your itinerary is).
- Most of the drivers booked through a site as I mentioned above, speak English very well. Our driver Naya, was so helpful in translating for us as negotiating deals for the various activities. He was also so informative and shared lots of facts about the history of Bali.
Now for the fun stuff! This post will be dedicated to Ubud; which some consider the heart of Bali, both in culture and location. This is the place to be if you’re looking for that jungle vibe and there is definitely something very special about it.
Where We Stayed
I want to note that Bali is an extremely affordable destination to travel to. You can find a decent hotel for as low as $20 a night (yes, you read that correctly.) In fact, Bali has so many budget-friendly options, that even the more luxurious choices are still affordable when traveling from the US. Kuinise and I figured that we might as well ‘splurge‘ because where else could we afford such extravagant accommodations? We booked the Presidential Suite at Anusara Luxury Villas, which was hands down my favorite ‘home away from home’ during our trip. Hospitality in Bali is unparalleled- they don’t overlook a single detail. We were greeted every night after our excursions with rose petals on the bed, fresh drinks, and cool towels to refresh ourselves from the humidity. It was heaven. Our rate included breakfast each morning- which consisted of coffee, eggs, bacon, toast, pancakes, fresh seasonal fruit, and freshly squeezed juice. The perfect fuel for our busy days. Our suite had a full-sized kitchen, an Infinity pool, and 2 large bedrooms. It also had an outdoor shower and bathtub. It was more than enough room for the 2 of us, and would be perfect for a group trip!
What We Did
There is no shortage of activities and excursions in Ubud. Kuinise and I like to fill our days with as much as possible, so we got to experience a lot of what this amazing town has to offer. First up, was the famous Bali Swing– the perfect place to capture breathtaking photos, and swing high above the luscious jungles of Ubud. This is one of the pricer things we did (costing around $35 USD per person) likely because it is geared toward tourists- but it is absolutely worth doing. There are a few different photo ops in addition to the swings themselves, and the ticket price includes lunch. You also have unlimited range of the park, so you can stay as long as you want. I wore a flowy maxi dress because I visualized capturing some dramatic photos, but you can wear whatever you feel comfortable in (most people were in shorts and tanks).
Sacred Monkey Forest
This is another popular attraction in Ubud, and one of my favorite places that we visited. There are over 700 monkeys that roam the nearly 27 acres of land that the forest covers. Our driver warned us that the monkeys are very rascal, and advised us not to bring along any loose belongings (hats, sunglasses, etc.) There are also a few rules to follow, such as 1) don’t look them directly in the eye (they take that as a sign of aggression and will attack), 2) don’t feed them. Overall, it is so amazing to see these creatures interact with one another and the land. It’s an experience unlike anything you’d see here in the US- where the animals are in cages. Here, they stroll freely and love to cause mischief on unsuspecting tourists 😉
Ubud Art Market
I couldn’t wait to explore the markets, and Ubud Market is one of the largest. Here you’ll find everything from sarongs, woven baskets, furniture from local artisans, wood carvings, Balinese paintings, and beyond. Like swap meets or markets here in the states, you’ll find a lot of similar merchandise from each vendor so don’t be afraid to negotiate on prices. And bring an extra suitcase with you for all of the swag you’ll be bringing back home!
Tegalalang Rice Terraces
You will see rice terraces everywhere in Bali, but Tegalalang is one of the most beautiful and lush. I’d recommend going closer to sunset as it will be less crowded and temperatures will likely be cooler. We enjoyed walking along the tranquil rice paddies and taking in the views. As you walk the path, you’ll notice little huts. These belong to the locals, and they will ask for a small donation. If you do plan on visiting these rice terraces, it’s a good idea to bring a few small bills with you to be courteous to those that tend the fields. Tegalalang also has a few swings of their own (similar to the Bali Swing I mentioned) and is also the location of the famous ‘Love Bali’ sign.
Mason Elephant Sanctuary
This was such an unforgettable experience. Mason Elephant Sanctuary is home to over 3 dozen Sumatran Elephants and was established in the ’70s as a response to poaching that was widely diminishing the Elephant population. While similar kinds of places can hold awful reputations for their abusive training techniques, this park prides itself on providing the highest quality care, and has become a safe environment for these gentle giants. You can actually stay at the park in their beautiful lodging accommodations, where you can get a room that overlooks the elephants. We opted for a day trip and had the opportunity to bathe a baby elephant (bucket list- check!). This will likely be the priciest activity you do- costing you around $80 per person, however, once you’re in the park you can stay for as long as you’d like (you’ll only get to wash the elephant for about 15 minutes, so have your camera ready!). You can watch them roam, feed them, and explore the gorgeous property.
Thank you so much for reading! Be on the lookout for Part 2 // Nusa Penida coming next week. Which of these activities would you want to do?
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