THREE MUST DO’S IN UBUD

It’s been over four years since I’ve been to the beautiful island of Bali but I haven’t gone one day without reminiscing on my time there (and I will be back for sure)!

Ubud is definitely one of my favorite towns in Bali. Its located in the center of Bali, and is a dream destination for most people. It has been the islands pre-eminent center for fine arts, crafts, dance and music for centuries. It is surrounded by rice paddies, scenic villages, art and craft communities, ancient temples, rivers, waterfalls, friendly locals (seriously- some of the friendliest people you will ever meet!) and so much more! Ubud is a relatively quiet and peaceful destination, with the exception of the town center and is all about wellness and getting in touch with yourself.

My top three MUST do’s in Ubud are the Ubud Monkey Forest, Kanto Lampo Waterfall and the Tegallalang Rice Fields.

- The Ubud Monkey Forest is home to over 1,000 Balinese long-tailed Monkeys. From the moment you step inside, there are monkeys everywhere! Literally everywhere. There are multiple pathways you can take to get around the forest. There are also three temples in the forest: Pura Dalem, Holy Water Temple and Cremation Temple. 

The monkeys aren’t aggressive in nature however, if they feel threatened they will defend themselves so make sure you obey the guidelines! I personally met the SWEETEST monkey. I went to take a seat a few feet away from one (for a photo op) and the monkey scooted closer to me and eventually rested his head on my leg. 

- Kanto Lampo is definitely a hidden gem in Bali. It is deep in the jungles of Ubud (technically in the province of Gianyar). After parking, it is pretty easy to get to, about a 5-10 minute walk down some stairs. The entrance fee is 10,000 IDR (which is less than $1 in USD). Although it’s not as popular as some of the other waterfalls in Bali, there will still be other tourists there. So, I’d arrive early if you want the place to yourselves!

Also, huge thanks to one of the locals, Made, who held our hand down into the falls to prevent us from slipping and took our photos. And I mean, had a whole photo shoot with us- telling us how to pose and everything. Seriously, shout out to him, he took the best photos and I am forever grateful for his kindness. 

- I am sure you have seen plenty of photos of the lush green, rice terraces in Bali. The Tegallalang rice terraces, located close to Ubud (about a 20 min drive), are probably the most famous on the island. They are positioned in a valley and consist of multiple scenic lookouts over the rice fields. They are so magnificent and breathtaking, it’s no wonder they have become a hot-spot in Bali. 

I would definitely suggest visiting early in the morning to avoid the crowds and that Bali heat! Also, pack water and a snack with you- you never know how long you’re going to be wandering around for! If you’re anything like me, you’ll be stopping every 5 feet to take in all the beauty (and to take millions of pictures).

There is sooo much more to do in Ubud but these were my top three things!

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