Ubud Bali highlight - place of interest

Ubud Monkey Forest

Ubud Monkey Forest, also known as the Sacred Monkey Forest of Padangtegal, is
one of Ubud’s most popular attractions; a natural forest sanctuary that is home to a
horde of grey long-tailed macaques. The site is well preserved thanks to a
community-based management program. The forest is also conveniently positioned
near Ubud Town Centre, and within easy walking distance from guesthouses and
resorts along the main roads of Jalan Hanoman and the namesake Jalan Monkey
Forest. Besides watching playful monkeys in their natural habitat, swinging through
canopies, lazing along pathways or feeding on bananas, the site offers cool walks
along paved pathways through a leafy nutmeg forest. Beautiful ancient temples
with guardian statues covered in moss also feature throughout the forest. Those
staying outside of Ubud and coming for a day tour usually have the Ubud Monkey
Forest as a must-visit, combined with sightseeing highlights at the Ubud Royal
Palace and shopping sprees through the expansive Ubud Art Market, all only a 10-
minute drive away.

Deep inside the forest lies the 14th century Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal.
Another site of interest is the Pura Prajapati, which is dedicated to village funerals.
Most mossy relics and statues are under dense foliage with little sunlight, giving
these smaller sites their mysterious and ancient feel. Banyan tree roots hanging
over shadowy dragon staircases offer exotic photo opportunities. You can also
discover an ancient bathing temple, located northwest of the main Ubud Monkey
Forest grounds, known as Pura Beji, accessible down a flight of stairs and next to a
stream.

Being a tourism attraction, the Ubud Monkey Forest is well known for its
conservation efforts. Research and studies are regularly carried out for observing
the monkeys’ health, diet and breeding habits. Over a hundred macaques inhabit
the forest, divided into four different known troops. While it is always tempting to
touch or feed the monkeys, you are advised against it. They are wild animals.
Another rule of thumb is to avoid wearing any loose jewellery or apparel – the
macaques may easily snatch a necklace or bag for something interesting enough to
eat.

Ubud Monkey Forest has local guides and staff ready to assist you during your visit.
The Wenara Wana staff may also try in assisting you with retrieval of any ‘items’
stolen by monkeys. Guides are also a great source of information about the cultural
and historical significance about the sites and temples within the sanctuary
grounds. As with any holy site in Bali, women during their periods aren’t allowed to
enter any of the temple grounds. Public admission is IDR 40,000 for adults and IDR
30,000 for kids.

Opening Hours: Mon - Sun 08:00 - 18:00 Location: Jalan Monkey Forest,
Padangtegal, Ubud Tel: +62 (0)361 971 304 Website: How to get there: Start from
the Ubud main road and enter south into Jalan Hanoman, which leads you to a right
turn towards the sanctuary.
Tegallalang rice terrace
Tegallalang Rice Terraces in Ubud is famous for its beautiful scenes of rice paddies
involving the subak (traditional Balinese cooperative irrigation system), which
according to history, was passed down by a revered holy man named Rsi
Markandeya in the eighth century. Tegallalang forms the three most splendid
terraced landscapes in Ubud's shared region, with the others being in the villages of
Pejeng and Campuhan. The Tegallalang rice terraces alone offers a scenic outlook
that spreads down before you and away to the rice paddies on the slopes across the
valley. The high roadside location is cool and breezy and it is a well-known spot for
tourists to stop and take photos. Painters and nature lovers also enjoy visiting this
spot, and there are numerous art kiosks and cafes near the ledge offering their
ware.
Tegallalang rice terraces offer a perfect Bali photo opportunity with its dramatic
views. The vista sprawls down and away to the rice terraces on the slopes across
the valley. A local elder, a farmer who owns the land invites visitors to sample his
green coconut drink, as well as to purchase woven hats that he makes from
coconut leaves as well as posing with visitors for a small fee. This ancient valley has
a timeless quality whether there are tourists there or not. The small village of
Pakudui, a craftsman’s dominion located in Tegallalang, is a journey of witnessing
the splendour of local talent at its best. Here you will find an extraordinary variety
of ornamental woodwork and various carvings. The villagers here are avid Balinese
craftsmen and have taken up different forms of sculptures, either handed down
through generations or as a result of an ever-growing creative process using the
most natural of all media – wood. But through your village tour in Pakudui you will
notice the recurring presence of one particular mythical Balinese figure - the
Garuda. Amongst the carved mythical lions, horses, human figures, dogs, dragons,
vases, frogs, kangaroos, cats, ornate totems, panels, doors, windows, tables and
the many brilliant forms of creativity – extending even to large-scale dinosaurs –
the Garuda seems to be majestically ever present amongst the creations.
Some souvenir sellers and the old farmer will seem occasionally pushy, but there
are no fixed prices, so have those bargaining skills at hand or best still, remind
yourself that you are just there for the picture. A ‘modest fee’ for the posing farmer
is at your own discretion. While the rice terraces serve as a highlight photo-op in
the Tegallalang area, souvenir shopping options abound along the roadsides, and
the trip to Pakudui village is worth its while. Pakudui is reachable after a right turn
up from the famed rice paddy outlook. Find magnificent carvings and wooden art
forms lined up along the small and winding village road.

10 most photographed in Ubud : Tegallalang Rice Field, Goa Gajah, Puri Saren
Royal Palace, Ubud Monkey Forest, Campuhan Ridge, Saraswati Temple, Gunung
Kawi Temple, Tirta Empul Temple,Tegenungan Wfall, Ayung River

Campuhan Ridge Walk

Campuhan Ridge Walk is a free and easy nature trek, popular among repeat visitors
to the central highland town of Ubud. The area provides a great retreat from the
more hectic southern parts of the island, but this trail presents an even more
pristine outback to escape from the contemporary boutique, guesthouse and
restaurant-lined Jalan Raya Ubud. While the hike lets you enjoy cool fresh air and
probably the most gorgeous hillside vista in the region, it also allows you to shed
off some calories too with its nine-kilometre hill track. Getting to the starting point
is relatively easy. Those staying at the Warwick Ibah Luxury Villas and Spa have
the best starting point to the Campuhan Ridge Walk, as the main access is a
concrete path just down from this boutique hotel’s main entrance. Smaller
letterings under the signage of the Warwick Ibah, bears “Going to The Hill” with an
arrow pointing left, and as soon as you take on this path, the verdant surroundings
of the Campuhan Valley immediately come to sight, lined by dense tropical foliage.
A small bridge over the revered Campuhan River leads to the majestic Pura Gunung
Lebah temple complex. Signs before the temple clearly show the directions to follow
along the route, which borders the eastern walls of the temple. These intricately
carved walls and the towering ‘meru’ tiers of the shrines visible from the path
provide an exotic and cultural touch to the beginning of this nature walk. You might
meet a few fellow trekkers on their way back from their earlier jog, but most of the
time you’ll have the path to your own. A few hundred meters and up the slopes
from the temple, the view widens to reveal the vast hills that make up the valley
hinterland. The best time to enjoy the Campuhan Ridge Walk is early morning and
late afternoon, when the temperature is cool and when the skies show their best
hues during sunrise and sunset. Slopes as far as the eye can see are an undulating
sea of green, covered in tall reed grass, which at times are harvested by the locals
for thatched roofing that is typical in traditional Balinese architecture.
The Campuhan Ridge Walk spans an approximate nine kilometres in total, passing
over the lush valley of the Sungai Wos River. On clear mornings or afternoons, you
can enjoy a breathtaking backdrop of Mount Agung and outlying small village
houses girt by rice fields. Continuing north along the ridge the tall grass transforms
into the paddies of the small village of Bangkiang Sidem. Karsa Café of the Bali Rice
Terrace Villas resides here, providing a convenient pause for refreshments or a
quick bite while admiring the view. Leisure walkers may take the trek back to Ibah,
while the more serious and curious trekkers can continue west towards the
outskirts of Bangkiang Sidem, down to the Sungai Cerik River then climbing up
towards the hills of Payogan in the village of Kedewatan. On your way back, relieve
your muscles with a great Balinese massage at your Ubud hotel or at one of the
small spas that line the main Ubud road.

Tegenungan Waterfall
Tegenungan Waterfall is one for nature lovers who happen to be staying in Ubud or
have neighbouring Sukawati among their tour itineraries. The falls are conveniently
located halfway between Ubud and Bali’s provincial capital of Denpasar, and is
considered the closest natural attraction of its kind that you can reach within only a
half-hour transfer southeast from Ubud town. Getting to the falls is a pleasant drive
down paved village roads lined with stretches of green rice fields on both sides.
Upon reaching the end of the road, you are welcomed into a newly built parking
and welcoming area, with ticket booths up front (tickets are IDR 10,000 or just
under a dollar per person). This area is lined with art and souvenir shops, together
with small local ‘warung’ stalls selling snacks and cold drinks. The largest restaurant
here, Bebek Tamarind, serves great local dishes such as its signature Balinese style
crispy fried duck, and is a good spot to hangout before or after going down to
Tegenungan Waterfall. The falls are only several minutes’ walk down the trail
beyond the shops, where you’ll enjoy the impressively green valley panorama with
cascading water as a centrepiece. Dense foliage frames the falls, and the water
volume is impressive at almost any time of year, but normally at its strongest
during the wet season (October to April). You can go down to the vast pebbly base
and enjoy a dip in the plunge pool, but this is not advised after heavy downpours,
due to the risk of flash floods.

Goa Gajah Temple (Elephant Cave)

Goa Gajah’s name is slightly misleading, lending the impression that it’s a gigantic
dwelling full of elephants. Nevertheless, Goa Gajah ‘Elephant Cave’ is an
archaeological site of significant historical value that makes it a special place to
visit. Located on the cool western edge of Bedulu Village, six kilometres out of
central Ubud, you do not need more than an hour to descend to its relic-filled
courtyard and view the rock-wall carvings, a central meditational cave, bathing
pools and fountains.

Goa Gajah dates back to the 11th century, built as a spiritual place for meditation.
The main grounds are down a flight of steps from the roadside and parking area,
which is lined with various art and souvenir shops and refreshment kiosks. Upon
reaching the base you will come across a large ‘wantilan’ meeting hall and an
assortment of large old stone carvings, some restored to their former full glory. The
pool, excavated in 1954, features five out of supposedly seven statues depicting
Hindu angels holding vases that act as waterspouts. Various structures reveal Hindu
influences dating back to the 10th century, and some relics feature elements of
Buddhism dating even earlier to the 8th century. The cave is shallow; inside are
three stone idols each wrapped in red, yellow and black cloths. Black soot lines the
cave’s walls as result from the current-day incense burning. Several indentations
show where meditating priests once sat. The northern side of the complex is
dominantly Buddhist while south across the river it’s mostly Shivaite. At the
southern end are beautiful rice fields and small streams that lead to the Petanu
River – another natural site entwined in local legends. Goa Gajah was built on a
hillside and as two small streams met here forming a campuhan or ‘river junction’,
the site was considered sacred and was built for hermetic meditation and prayers.
Even though the site’s name translates into ‘Elephant Cave’, you won’t find any
pachyderms here. Various theories suggest the origin of the name, such as back in
time the Petanu River was originally called ‘Lwa Gajah’, meaning the ‘River Gajah’,
before it came to be called Petanu River. Other sources state that the ‘Gajah’ or
elephant aspect came from the stone figure inside the cave depicting the Hindu lord
Ganesh, who is characterised by an elephant’s head. Ancient inscriptions also allude
to the name Antakunjarapada, which roughly translates to ‘elephant’s border’. The
cave’s entrance shows a menacing giant face with its wide open mouth as the door.
Various motifs depicting the forest and animals are carved out of the outer rock
face. The giant face was considered to be that of an elephant’s.
The complex is open daily 08:00 - 16.00. As with any temple in Bali, women during
their periods are forbidden entrance and wearing a sarong and waist sash is a
must. These are available for rent at the entrance. Goa Gajah temple celebrates its
'piodalan' temple anniversary on an 'Anggara Kasih Prangbakat' Tuesday on the
Balinese 210-day Pawukon calendar, corresponding to different dates on the
Gregorian calendar each year (consult a local). Entry tickets are 15,000 rupiah for
adults and 7,500 for children.
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun, 08:00 - 16.00 Location: Bedulu Village, Jalan Raya Goa
Gajah, Blahbatuh, Gianyar How to get there: Go east from Ubud approximately
3km towards Jalan Raya Goa Gajah

Pura Taman Saraswati

The Pura Taman Saraswati is a beautiful water temple in central Ubud, accessible
from the Jalan Kajeng side street off the main road of Jalan Raya Ubud, just behind
Café Lotus. The temple is a great stopover along your leisure walks through Ubud
town, offering sightseeing and photo opportunities with its classical Balinese temple
architecture and a beautiful foyer featuring ponds filled with blooming pink lotuses.
Entry into Pura Taman Saraswati is free but, as with any temple visit in Bali, a sash
and sarong around the waist is compulsory. You can also drop into Café Lotus for a
minimum dinner cover charge of IDR 200,000 or USD 15, which will get you the
best view over the lotuses and to the temple’s open stage, where regular traditional
dance performances are held in the evenings from 19:30. You can enter the temple
behind its amphitheatre at any time of the day and admire the calming atmosphere,
architectural features and sandstone bas reliefs that honour the Hindu goddess of
knowledge and arts, Saraswati.
Pura Taman Saraswati Temple Location: Jalan Raya Ubud, Ubud

Pura Gunung Kawi

Gunung Kawi Temple complex, locally referred to as Pura Gunung Kawi, is one of
Bali’s most unique archaeological sites, comprising a collection of ancient shrine
reliefs carved into the face of a rock cliff. The main site overlooks the sacred
Pakerisan River, which also flows by the Tirta Empul Temple a kilometre up north.
Across the river from the ancient reliefs is a temple courtyard featuring old Hindu
shrines in a more contemporary architectural style, which is attended by pilgrims
especially during its ‘piodalan’ temple anniversaries. Bali’s Pejeng region is famous
for its rich collection of archaeological sites, and Gunung Kawi Temple is a popular
stopover on itineraries through the central uplands of the Gianyar regency. The
temple complex is easily located, only a few hundred meters east from the Jalan
Raya Tampaksiring main route, from where you continue down on foot to a paved
walkway that is lined with art shops and small local warungs. Along the further 300
steps towards the river, lush paddy terraces and gorgeously green valley go
together to transport you back in time away from modernity. There is a similarly
named temple, Gunung Kawi Sebatu.

Where the stairs end, proceed through a stone archway with small pillars each
holding an earthen vase filled with holy water, which you sprinkle onto yourself
before further entering. Inside, the view opens to the main site with ten seven-
metre-high shrines carved into the rocky hillside. There are four on the west side
and another five on the eastern side of the river, while to the south across the
valley hides one other. Legend goes that these are the memorials of the deified
Balinese King Udayana, his concubines and family, which leads to Gunung Kawi
temple being widely considered as the tomb site of the Warmadewa Dynasty.
Small stone caves that actually serve as meditation sites complement the shrines,
where Buddhist monks used to sit and contemplate. Indeed, Balinese history has
shown that the two religions coexisted in harmony. Across the river and beside the
first rock shrine complex is the functional temple courtyard that the locals
essentially refer to as Pura Gunung Kawi. Inside is what you would commonly find
in any other Balinese temple courtyard, complete with various shrines surrounding
the temple’s main grand pavilion or ‘bale’. As with any other temple visit in Bali,
proper attire comprising a sarong cloth with a sash around the waist is required,
and women during their periods are not permitted entry into the Gunung Kawi
Temple complex. The sash and sarong are available for rent with the ticket
purchase at a booth before the stairs down to the valley. The temple is decorated
during its ‘piodalan’ temple anniversary every year following the Purnama Katiga or
‘third full moon’ on the Balinese calendar, allowing for a more festive and exotic
setting for photographs.

Following are the corresponding dates for the future anniversaries at Gunung Kawi
Temple. 05 September 2017 26 August 2018 14 September 2019 02 September
2020

Location: Tampaksiring, northeast of Ubud

Pura Tirta Empul

Tirta Empul is an important temple complex and holy mountain spring, located in
the village of Manukaya in central Bali. The site serves as a legendary setting of a
traditional tale about good versus evil. It is also a national cultural heritage site.
The complex, built circa 960 AD, is also a silent witness to the old Balinese kingdom
years, particularly at the time of the Warmadewa Dynasty. Another nearby and
prominent site on top of a hill is the presidential palace, Istana Tampaksiring, built
during the years of the nation’s first president, Soekarno. Tirta Empul, meaning
‘holy water spring’ is actually the name of a water source located within the temple.
The spring feeds various purification baths, pools and fish ponds surrounding the
outer perimeter, which all flow to the Tukad Pakerisan River. Various sites
throughout the region and many other archaeological relics relate to local myths
and legends.

As is common with Balinese temples, the Tirta Empul Temple complex has three
key divisions, namely a front, secondary and inner courtyard. Visitors to Tirta
Empul first come upon the lush gardens and pathways adorned with statues and
tropical plants that lead to its entrance. After stepping through this typical 'candi
bentar' (temple gate), a vast walled courtyard welcomes visitors to the bathing
pools where a large 'wantilan' meeting hall stands at the right. Inside the central
courtyard, referred to as ‘madya mandala’ or ‘jaba tengah’, pilgrims first approach
a rectangular purification bath where a total of 13 elaborately sculpted spouts that
line the edge from west to east. After solemn prayers at an altar-like shrine, they
proceed to enter the crystal-clear, cold mountain water. With hands pressed
together, they bow under the gushing water of the first spout, carrying on to the
eleventh. The water from the last two of the 13 spouts is meant for purification
purposes in funerary rites. The myth behind the curative and purifying spring tells
of a Balinese ruler, known by the title Mayadenawa, who is depicted to have defied
the influence of Hinduism and denied his subjects religious prayers and practices.
The legend goes that this eventually angered the gods, and in a campaign, god
Indra sought Mayadenawa’s subdual.

The hide-and-seek tactics of Mayadenawa fleeing Indra’s troops took place at

various places all over the region, from the rivers Petanu to Pakerisan, and up to
the north of Tampaksiring. Hence, the names of the sites and natural features all
reflect an episode from the tale, such as Tampaksiring - tampak meaning 'feet', and
siring meaning 'sideways', depicting an episode when the fleeing king left his
footprints up the hill. It was here that through his magical powers Mayadenawa
created a poisoned spring from which Indra’s exhausted troops drank and
succumbed. Indra noticed the fall of his men, and soon thrust his staff into the
ground where a holy purifying spring spurted out, to cure the troops and to even
bring some of them back to life. This escapade became the legendary background
to the holy spring of Tirta Empul, as well as the holy days of Galungan and
Kuningan celebrated by the Balinese Hindus.

As with any Bali temple tour or a visit to a holy place, it is always important to
dress respectfully. The simple Balinese temple visitor dress code is a traditional
‘kamen’ wrap around the lower body plus a sash around the waist. Women during
their periods are prohibited entry to any temple or sacred site, and may enjoy the
sights and attractions in the outer perimeters only. It is tempting to try out the
purification bathing ritual yourself; however the formal routine is strictly meant for
pilgrims and devotees. You might want to consult your guide who may ask a temple
authority for further details. Far at the front of the temple complex is a large
parking area with its eastern side lined with art markets and rows of shops selling
various curios and souvenirs. There are also several warungs or food stalls selling
local food, snacks and refreshments.
Tirta Empul Temple Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 Location: Manukaya village,
district of Tampaksiring, Gianyar, central Bali.

Ayung River Rafting

Ayung River rafting in Bali offers an exciting day out at the location where the
island’s white water rafting adventure scene was first introduced. As Bali’s longest
and largest river, Ayung River and its rafting offer a thrilling pastime that also
offers sightseeing opportunities of Central Bali’s upland, where you get to cool off
under a waterfall, wade through or jump into crystal-clear freshwater pools, and
catch the occasional sight of exotic birds and wildlife. The Ayung River rafting valley
location lies northwest of the Ubud main hub, and the river runs down an
approximate 75km, where different white water rafting operators take their various
starting and finish points. Some take off at the Petang village, roughly an hour’s
drive from Denpasar and others further up north in Campuhan, passing by unique
bat caves in the valley. Overall, the white water rafting adventure lets you enjoy
Bali’s real natural beauty while sharing the fun and thrills with friends.
Ayung River rafting in Bali comprises class I and II rapids, with water levels
fluctuating at different times throughout the year, but it is suitable for all
experience levels. Usually, the journey is a mix of paddling action and steady
cruising – just after you wind through among Central Bali’s most verdant
landscapes and relax to enjoy the view, another of the random rapids in the route
thrusts you and your team into some more fun and action. As a pack of four on a
rubber raft led by one tour guide, you paddle through foam and dodge boulders and
various obstacles in between calmer checkpoints. At other times, it can be a total
contrast, steadily cruising downstream throughout the whole tour that requires no
paddling at all. The route takes you through the valley that is lined with many
farming villages and some of Bali’s most beautiful boutique resorts, such as the
Royal Pita Maha. Several white water rafting operators in cooperation with the local
villagers have even added gorgeous features to the sightseeing route, only visible
to rafters, such as an episode from the Ramayana epic carved into a rock face.

Sobek, one of the leading adventure and white water rafting operators in Bali,
offers its two-hour ride in an Ayung River rafting tour led by well-trained guides and
assisted by professional staff. The tour usually includes a half hour preparation with
leading safety equipment and a technical and safety briefing. You are recommended
to bring an extra set of clothes and to wear light clothing and sunscreen. On every
trip they supply a water resistant protective bag to contain all your valuables. At
the end of the white water rafting tour, there are clean and well-maintained shower
facilities and changing rooms providing fresh towels, and lunch is served on its
terrace river café with gorgeous views.

Location: Ayung River, Central Bali

Ubud Art Market

The Ubud Art Market, locally referred to as 'Pasar Seni Ubud' is located opposite the
the Puri Saren Royal Ubud Palace and is open daily. Here you can find beautiful silk
scarves, lightweight shirts, handmade woven bags, baskets or hats; statues, kites
and many other hand-crafted goods. Most of the goods found at the Ubud Market
are made in the neighbouring villages of Pengosekan, Tegallalang, Payangan and
Peliatan. The location of the Ubud Art Market which is centred among the art
producing villages, and being just opposite the royal palace which is a centre point
to Ubud itself, make it a strategic shopping place for Balinese handicrafts and
souvenirs. The Ubud market also serves as a setting for the Hollywood movie Eat
Pray Love, which shows a scene where actress Julia Roberts opposite a male
character strolling through the stalls which are frequently visited by foreign and
domestic visitors in real life. Naturally, bargaining is essential.

A holiday in Bali always calls for some sort of shopping for souvenirs or memorabilia
of the trip, and the best place to make the search would be in the artistic central
region of the island, namely Ubud and its Ubud Art Market. Bali art markets in
general are always on itinerary lists especially as the various items sold are
typically Balinese, unique and some unavailable elsewhere. In Ubud’s case, most
visitors’ favourite leisure includes easy strolls to the heart of the town, made
possible by footpaths that virtually pass every aspect of Balinese culture and life.
Ubud Art Market is one among the laid-back strolls, reachable from the Wanara
Wana Monkey Forest Sanctuary just down south, an approximate kilometre from
the market. ‘Shopping’ here is not always about an actual purchase. Viewing the
various items on display from one stall to another is a highlight on its own, showing
the craftsmanship and the artistry of the Balinese. Admiring all the shops and stalls
usually cannot be accomplished in one day. So if you spot an item of your interest,
you might come back another day to bargain or settle the deal. Compared to art
markets in Bali’s other main tourism destinations such as Kuta, the Ubud Art Market
can be considered to feature higher quality items and a larger mixture. Although
beach cloths and shirts printer with “Bali” on them, and ikat woven skirts, Balinese
style paintings, woodcarvings and woven baskets can be found almost everywhere
on the island, items ranging from quadruple-coloured bohemian skirts of satin,
Moroccan-style oil lamps, quilt-stitched batik camisoles and brass Buddha
statuettes, are somewhat the staple, typical Ubud Art Market curios.

The Ubud market offers not only exemplary Balinese items, but rather a universal
and international assortment, catering to visitors of all tastes. The items found here
also tend to of a higher artistic value compared to other art markets such as Kuta.
Prices vary, depending on your bargaining skills. Haggling is expected and indeed
encouraged as part of the fun of shopping, but do so politely and with a smile. It is
often helpful to decide upon the most you want to pay for an item before you start
bargaining. Unlike the various shops aligning the Monkey Forest Road, most stalls
at the Ubud Art Market bear no barcode or set price, so start bargaining which is a
customary. Start at about half the asking price and go up till a compromise is
reached. Refrain from buying anything if it is the first day of your holiday. Do a little
survey while you’re enjoying your first day and get accustomed with the prices. The
market is open daily from 08:00 to 18:00, and some of the stalls are even open
until late at night. The market is divided into two main allotments. The western
block is the main art market, and an eastern block is a traditional market serving
daily groceries and necessities.

Opening Hours: 08:00 - 17:00 Location: Jalan Raya Ubud main road, opposite the
Puri Saren Ubud palace.

Celuk Village
The village of Celuk, located approximately 4km southwest of the Sukawati District,
is also Bali’s major centre for goldsmiths and silversmiths. The main road of Jalan
Raya Celuk is lined up with galleries and workshops. The village is usually an
included stopover on tour itineraries to the central and northern regions such as
Ubud and Kintamani. The silver and gold shops line the roads approximately 10km
northeast from Denpasar. The village of Celuk is also a link between Bali’s
Batubulan-Mas-Sukawati-Ubud ‘golden pentacle’ of artisans and craftsmen.

The gold and silver items crafted here are of high quality and feature unique and
elaborate designs as the craftsmen are known for their skills and their
industriousness. Almost all of the households in the village are homes to jeweller
families and each Celuk villager possesses artistic skills in developing and executing
intricate designs and varying patterns. The gold and silver items they produce
include souvenirs and mass export items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces,
earrings, studs, broaches and many other Balinese ceremonial accessories and
adornments. As a tourism destination, Celuk welcomes visitors by the day who
come to see the elaborate designing and production processes up close and witness
a work of art in the making. Also, produce can be purchased directly here. Many of
the households act as galleries, showcasing items in their front houses through
glass displays and others are viewable in their workshops. Heading eastward along
the Jalan Raya Celuk thoroughfare, immediately visible are the rows of galleries and
art shops dealing with gold and silver. Several spots also feature items other than
jewellery such as uniquely designed silverware; elephant motif spoons, floral
design-rich forks, plates and trays and more is for sale here

The many rows of art shops welcome not only prospective buyers, but also visitors
who are merely interested in their design and production processes. Finished
products are displayed in 360-degree viewing glass cases, enabling visitors to
inspect the designs from all angles. Should you wish to inspect an item even closer,
you may ask the gallery or shopkeeper to take them out for you, and they will be
happy to explain the process of production and other interesting details behind the
items. Most of the items have small paper price tags in US$ and, in many cases,
IDR. Prices vary according to weight or the intricacy of the design with items such
as small pendants starting from IDR 50,000 or approximately US$ 5.5. Complex,
magnificent items such as silver sail ships in glass displays, or a temple replica
reach a high of about IDR 15 million. Although most of the items bear price tags,
bargaining is still possible. A common rule of thumb when buying items at
traditional art markets also applies here; start with half of the price on the tag.

Location: Jalan Raya Celuk, Sukawati, Gianyar

Sukawati Art Market

Sukawati Art Market, referred to locally as 'Pasar Seni Sukawati', is Bali’s most
distinguished and long-standing art market. It is where visitors can seek and
purchase distinctively Balinese art items such as paintings and sculpted wooden
figures, curios, handicrafts and traditional handmade products. The two-storey
Sukawati Art Market was established in the 80s and is located on the Jalan Raya
Sukawati main road in Gianyar, approximately 20km northeast from the main
tourism hubs of Kuta and Denpasar. The art market’s main building is often packed
with shopping holidaymakers and locals sourcing household and daily necessities. It
is an alternative, inexpensive and complete shopping destination conveniently
situated along most tour itineraries to the central and northern regions of the
island.

Items that visitors encounter at Sukawati Art Market range from framed paintings,
figurines, traditional woven textiles, traditional kites, handmade bags, women’s
accessories, shirts, sarongs, to Balinese ceremonial items and daily local household
items – all at reasonable ‘bargain’ prices. This art market is normally included on
tour itineraries to Bali’s central region, usually after watching the Barong and Kris
dance performances in the village of Batubulan, which is located approximately 4km
southwest from Sukawati. The village of Sukawati forms up the four main shopping
itineraries that Gianyar is best known for; the other three are Celuk, Mas and Ubud.
Prices for Bali holiday cotton shirts for adults and children differ, each depending on
motif, weave and overall quality. Most of the fine paintings on sale here are
generally imitations of the signature styles of various maestros, such as Blanco,
Arie Smit, Bonet and Han Snel. However there are also some Bali ‘Kamasan-style’
paintings. Some small-scale A4-size paintings, some framed and some not, make
for convenient souvenirs to pack and take home.

At groundlevel, there are many stalls offering clothes, sarongs and fabrics of
different sizes, colours and patterns. These can be seen hanging from the ceilings
and stacked neatly in various piles. As turnovers are relatively high, produced
motifs are never the same from time to time. Aromatic and aromatherapy items
such as sandalwood oil-infused fans, incense sticks and colourful jelly candles can
be found at the back areas of the art market. Bedcovers in abstract and splashes of
colours as well as in creative forms of artistry, depicting birds and wildlife to
portraits of famous figures such as Gandhi and Lennon are eye-catching features at
the front stalls of the art market. Here items are stacked, rolled, hanged and
displayed fully open.
A rule of thumb on bargaining is to start at half the offered price, which is possibly
the actual production cost of the item itself. On your first visit, better spend some
time browsing through the whole market premises for similar items of interest and
compare to get the general idea of the prices. Besides the stalls, there are peddlers
who actively offer their ware to visitors. Patience is needed, as it is easy to find
yourself getting overwhelmed by their constant hassle. Compared to other art
markets in the island’s main tourism areas in the south such as Kuta and Nusa Dua,
the prices offered at the Sukawati Art Market are widely considered by the locals to
be cheaper. With the rampant openings of similar ‘souvenir centers’ referred to
locally as ‘Pusat Oleh-Oleh’, the fate of traditional art markets such as Sukawati
and others have been in the spotlight for quite some time. However, the public
continues to favour shopping at these traditional markets as they are much more
fun with bargaining and do not make commission deals with tour bus drivers as the
new souvenir centres normally do. To get a wholesale price and enjoy the fixed
prices for each item, visit Pasar Pagi Sukawati (Sukawati Morning Market), a short
distance west from the Sukawati Art Market, open from 07:00 to 11:00, also sells
handicrafts similar to Sukawati Art Market.
Sukawati Art Market Opening Hours: 08:00 – 19:00
Location: Jalan Raya Sukawati, Gianyar
How to get there: Sukawati Art Market is located along the Jalan Raya Sukawati
main road 20km northeast of Denpasar; 4km north from Batubulan’s performing art
centres, and 10km south of Ubud.

10 best restaurants in Ubud

Bebek Tepi Sawah

Bebek Tepi Sawah Restaurant, the signature restaurant of the namesake Bebek
Tepi Sawah Villas and Spa in Peliatan, is one of the best places in the Ubud area
where you can enjoy great local and Indonesian cuisine in a unique, alfresco dining
experience. Its rustic Balinese setting comprises raised thatched roof bamboo
pavilions in different sizes surrounded by rice fields that cater to groups of varying
sizes, from families and small groups, large festive banquets, and even romantic
candlelit moments. Come for dinner and you will be treated to a soothing
experience as the rice fields are lined with oil torches with the natural sounds of
crickets mixed with the flowing music of traditional Balinese gamelan. Dancers and
Balinese musicians provide diners with live entertainment to complete this rustic
Balinese dining experience. Saturday evenings from 19:30 onwards particularly
feature dancers performing a lively Joged Bumbung repertoire accompanied by a
bamboo orchestra.
While those staying at the villas have easy access to the restaurant compound, the
venue is open for public and has quickly gained popularity among local and
international visitors. Bebek Tepi Sawah is also a popular lunch stopover on tour
itineraries through the Ubud and Gianyar region, including the Goa Gajah Temple
which is only 1.5km down the Jalan Raya Goa Gajah road. Brainchild of Balinese
artist and Peliatan local Nyoman Sumerta, who decided to expand and integrate his
longstanding art gallery with plush villas and this one-of-a-kind restaurant, his
enterprise covers a total of 2.6ha and makes good use of its heritage landscape. Its
name means ‘duck alongside paddies’, which perfectly fits its offerings. The
signature menu item of Balinese style crispy fried duck is a mainstay favourite,
which comes served with three different types of traditional sambal sauces:
tomato-chilli blend, aromatic chopped shallots with chillies and lime, and sliced
chillies in soy sauce. An alternate version of grilled duck is also available.

Other Bebek Tepi Sawah Restaurant favourites include ayam asap goreng, a fried
smoked chicken served with stir fried water spinach and sambal sauce, and spicy
grilled spring chicken that it interestingly lists on the menu as ‘grilled cock fighting
chicken’. Ubud has been famous for its grilled pork ribs, served at several key
restaurants located all over the region, and this restaurant has its own take on the
mouth-watering favourite. Juicy to the bone, the grilled marinade ribs are tender
and infused with flavours, served with Balinese sides of stir-fried snake beans in
coconut curry, with sliced cabbage and tomatoes that come as standard

Bebek Tepi Sawah family recipes are well maintained, making it a great place to
savour rich Balinese flavours and fall in love with the spiciness of the cuisine. There
is also seafood on the menu, the likes of the fried or grilled gourami and prawn.
Balinese must-tries besides the signature duck, include the bebek betutu and ayam
betutu (slow-cooked smoked duck and chicken, the poultry equivalent of Bali’s
amazingly juicy pork ribs or spit-roast babi guling ‘suckling pig’). Prices of the
dishes range between IDR 51,000 to 95,000. Under the Indonesian selections,
there is a localised version of chop suey, and interesting items such as curried
seafood with vegetables and steamed rice, chilli prawns, and the inseparable nasi
goreng fried rice and Bali’s own nasi campur mix of rice with fried shrimp, chicken
satay, veggies, eggs, sambal and crackers. If you can’t handle the spice levels,
there’s a satisfying list of Western and Asian selections, from Nicoise salad and
shrimp cocktails, to mushroom soup, vegetarian dishes and tempura.
Formerly Tepi Sawah Villas and Spa.A restful retreat set amidst beautiful tropical
garden, Villa Bebek Tepi Sawah offers spacious Balinese style accomodation,
ultimate privacy, a friendly atmosphere, together with excellent, personalized
service, while promising seclusion, Villa Bebek Tepi Sawah is within easy reach of
the highlights of Ubud.Discover the Balinese style thatched roof villas overlooking
verdant rice terraces, decorated with selected paintings and artifact by Ubuds
famous artist combined with modern facilities the indoor bathroom and outdoor
shower blend seamlessly with exotic tropical landscape Tepi Sawah Villas & Spas
comprises luxurious villas in five different categories set amongst lush greenery and
fine landscaped tropical gardens.
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun, 10:00-22:00 Location: Jalan Raya Goa Gajah, Banjar
Teges, Peliatan, Ubud Tel: +62 (0)361 975 656

Bebek Bengil
Bebek Bengil, ‘dirty duck’ in Indonesian hence the restaurant’s moniker, the Dirty
Duck Diner, boasts a specialty menu offering Bali’s ‘original crispy duck since 1990’,
as well as duck satays and smoked duck (which has to be ordered a day in
advance) together with a host of other international and Indonesian selections. The
first restaurant is located midway along Jalan Hanoman in the village of
Padangtegal in Ubud, before the turn right that leads to the famous Ubud Monkey
Forest Sanctuary. The restaurant is part of the Agung Raka group that is behind the
Agung Raka Bungalows and the Agung Raka Fine Art Gallery, as well as another
branch of the Bebek Bengil restaurant up Jalan Monkey Forest road.

Bebek Bengil 1 (the first, original restaurant) features spacious dining settings with
good daytime views provided by its lush crafted gardens and landscaping inspired
by its natural rice field surroundings. The restaurant features wooden-based décor
with raised platforms and optional dining spaces on two levels, as well as outdoor
seating in its gardens. Innovative à la carte dishes include satays, fish and chips,
and finger foods and ultimately the most popular crispy duck, which is steamed
with a blend of Balinese spices and then quickly deep-fried at a high temperature
for a very crispy result and delicious taste.

Also found on the menu at Bebek Bengil are a range of western snacks and
appetizers such as guacamole served with melinjo or paddy oat crackers, roasted
tomato salad, organic green salad tossed with avocado and tomatoes, Ginger
Rogers chicken salad with pineapple and cashews, fish and chips , French fries,
grilled chicken sandwich with foccacia bread, and clubhouse sandwich. The Bebek
Bengil crispy duck main course highlight comes with a choice of sautéed potatoes
and a side salad or steamed white or yellow (turmeric infused) rice and Indonesian
vegetables. Chicken options come in the choice of ginger chicken, chicken Kiev, and
chicken teriyaki.

The inspiration of the diner's name came when one tropical monsoon morning, as
its construction was nearing completion; a flock of ducks from the adjacent rice
field ran quacking into the establishment and across the floor and tables, leaving
muddy footprints all over the premise. A second branch is just up the Jalan Monkey
Forest, called Bebek Bengil 2. The latest addition to the restaurant brand’s line-up
of restaurants is at The Bay Bali Nusa Dua, featuring a beachfront location in the
premier destination. This latest addition is a unique breakaway from its two first
locations in the central highlands that is Ubud. The restaurant is often packed at
any given day, although diners are used to just walking in and finding their own
favourite available corner. Reservations are recommended, although the former is
much more common practice.

Opening Hours: 11:00 - 22:00 Location: Jalan Hanoman, Padangtegal, Ubud Tel:
+62 (0)361 975 489 or +62 (0)361 977 675 Cuisine: Indonesian, European

Murni’s Warung
One of Ubud’s legendary restaurants is Murni’s, serving great local coffee and
traditional cuisine, plus an iconic boutique that displays rare antiques, collectibles
and exotic gifts from all over Bali and Indonesia. As one of Ubud’s unofficial
landmarks, Murni’s and its eponymous owner and host have warmly welcomed
Ubud visitors (and the likes of Richard Gere and Richard Branson) to the ‘warung’
and shop since 1974. You’ll easily find it at the eastern end of the Campuhan River
Bridge in Ubud, opposite Bridges Bali restaurant and only a minute’s stroll from the
Blanco Renaissance Museum. The bridge at Campuhan is roughly a five-minute
drive from the main Ubud hub and the Puri Saren royal palace. If you’re staying at
one of the hotels in Campuhan, it provides one of the most enjoyable walks in the
Ubud outskirts, under flowering creepers and overlooking the rushing river below.
Your eventual stopover at Murni’s adds to the experience, as you discover exotic
flavours through its restaurant menu and the impressive collection of antiques in its
Warung Shop. Built into the side of the valley, Murni offers multiple levels with a
cosy setting and fantastic scenery.

First stop is Murni’s Shop at ground level, a traditional hut-like structure with wide
glass windows that reveal a trove of wooden figures and old textiles inside. Art
lovers and collectors will love this space, as they travel back in time to the royal
Javanese and Balinese rajadom era through ‘wayang’ shadow puppets, old Balinese
gamelan sets, and Hindu Balinese ritual objects such as a priest’s silver praying bell
and traditional wooden masks of all sorts. You’ll also find a wide assortment of rare
batiks and textiles as scarves and sarongs in exotic motifs, from Java’s Pekalongan
and Rembang to fabrics from other regions in Indonesia. As an avid collector,
Wayan Murni has gathered rare items from her travels around the world and when
she looks around her home and finds too many things, they end up in this shop.
This passion has without doubt made her an expert in Asian antiques and textiles,
and in 2007 and 2009 she exhibited part of her collections at prestigious shows in
San Francisco and LA, and was invited to give a lecture on Balinese textiles to the
Textile Arts Council at the de Young Museum in San Francisco. The rare treasures in
her collection make excellent gifts, but there are some that are too large to take
home in your luggage. That is why Murni’s also offers worldwide shipping services.

After some time at the shop, proceed to the open-air levels of the restaurant, with
comfy rattan furniture and large wooden benches for casual meals and friendly
gatherings. Its menu offers an eclectic mix of local cuisine, but there’s also an
extensive selection of international dishes as well. For those who wish to try some
Balinese flavours, must-tries include the ‘bebek betutu’, Bali’s traditional slow-
smoked juicy duck that comes served with fragrant turmeric rice and the traditional
Balinese ‘urap’ fresh salad mix. With young coconut with lime juice beside your
plate, you have a memorable tropical meal in Bali’s uplands. For some lounging and
cocktails with a view, there’s a lounge bar on the second level.
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun, 08:00 - 22:00 Location: Campuhan Bridge, Jalan
Campuhan, Ubud Tel: +62 (0)361 972 146

Naughty Nuri’s Ubud

Naughty Nuri’s is another of Ubud’s popular little warungs, serving premium grilled
pork ribs. Besides the main highlight of succulent baby ribs generously doused in a
wonderful homemade, sweet barbecue sauce blend, and cooked at its small
roadside grill that invites passers-by, you can also order other local favourites such
as nasi and mie goreng, and a selection of well marinated and freshly grilled satays.
BLTs, burgers and steaks are also available. A cold Bintang is standard, however
signature libations include Nuris’ vodka martini with olives. Opening Hours: 10:30-
22:30 Location: Jalan Raya Sanggingan, Ubud Tel: +62 (0)361 977 547

Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka

Although there are numerous local warungs serving famous babi guling whole spit-
roast pork, this particular spot gets most attention due to its convenient central
location, just beside the Ubud community hall and across from the Puri Saren royal
palace. It always seems packed. The standard serving is a plate of steamed white
rice topped with strips of juicy roast pork, a veggie and shredded coconut mix and
chillies, sliced pork sausages and crackling skin (up to USD 5 or IDR 70,000 per
serving). Opening Hours: 11:00 - 15:00 Location: Jalan Suweta, Ubud Tel: +62
(0)361 976 345

Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu Mangku

This popular warung on the Kedewatan main road serves Balinese-style chicken rice
or nasi ayam, with customers mainly consisting of drivers and tour guides who stop
by and dine with much gusto over the spicy strips and chunks of chicken, soft
steamed rice, fish wrap-style satays, deep-fried crispy chicken skins, half a slice of
boiled and sambal-topped egg, and a salad mix of shredded coconut, chopped long
beans and salted roast nuts. Beware: spiciness levels are typically high. You can
always ask for a non-sambal serving, as well, if you can’t take the heat. Location:
Jalan Raya Kedewatan, Ubud Tel: +62 (0)361 974 795

Laka Leke
Laka Leke Hideaway Restaurant offers lush garden dining with Balinese cultural
dance performances shown regularly. The garden restaurant is located on Jalan
Nyuh Kuning, in the village of the same name, which is a different route that leads
you just behind the Ubud Monkey Forest of Padangtegal. The restaurant features an
outdoor setting with Balinese-style thatch-roofed pavilions set around rice paddies,
and buffets feature chiefly Indonesian cuisine. offering local Balinese favourites
such as ‘nasi campur’, a mixed rice platter, together with signature crispy fried duck
and a wide variety of satays. On Mondays, you can witness a 100-strong dance
troupe performing the famous ‘kecak’ dance which, instead of gamelan instruments,
features an acapella as the base soundtrack to a dance drama that depicts the
pivotal episode from the Hindu epic Ramayana. Cultural dinners at Laka Leke
Hideaway Restaurant start from IDR 375,000 (USD 28) per person, while ala carte
items range between IDR 27,500 and IDR 105,000 (USD 2-8). Come on a
Wednesday and you’ll see the barong and kris dance, telling the story of the
everlasting battle between good and evil. On Thursdays, it’s the fun and interactive
social dance called the ‘joged’, which usually invites you as an audience to join in
and ‘get down’. Saturdays show the amusing ‘frog dance’, which is performed by
Balinese kids in cute frog costumes, depicting the racket that normally takes place
in the rice fields after a rainstorm. Afternoon arts and craft workshops let you take
part in woodcarving, kite-making, bamboo-weaving and gamelan.
Opening Hours: 20:00 – 24:00 Location: Jalan Raya Nyuhkuning, Ubud Tel: +62
(0)361 977 565

Warung Makan Teges

For a cheap place to eat in the Peliatan area, just southeast of Ubud central, this
warung is a good stopover. It serves nasi campur with a varied choice of toppings,
and locals mainly favour its homemade sambal that uses pungent wild torch ginger
among its main ingredients. The warung is relaxed, and service by their Balinese
owners is fast and friendly. Their fresh servings usually get sold out early, right
after lunch time. Opening Hours: 08:00-15:00 Location: Jalan Cok Rai Pudak,
Peliatan, Ubud Tel: +62 (0)361 975 251

Warung Pulau Kelapa

Warung Pulau Kelapa serves a great variety of Indonesian dishes, from nasi
campur, soto ayam kampung chicken soup, iga penyet grilled beef ribs, and nasi
campur, all made with fresh ingredients. A slight departure from the spicy Balinese
cuisine, the spiciness levels of the cuisine served here will appeal to foreign palates.
Prices range between USD 1 and 4 (IDR 10,000 - 40.000) per item. Opening Hours:
10:00-23:00 Location: Jl. Raya Sanggingan, Lungsiakan, Kedewatan, Ubud, Kab.
Gianyar, Bali 80561 Tel: (0361) 971872

Warung Biah Biah

Tucked away on Jalan Goutama in central Ubud, Warung Biah Biah is a favourite
among long-staying guests, serving small plates such as chicken satays, nasi
campur and several variations of nasi goreng fried rice. Other must-try favourites
include the bubur ayam porridge that is a common breakfast dish for locals, served
with generous chunks of chicken, rice vermicelli and veggies at USD 2 (IDR
18,000). Opening Hours: 11:00-23:30 Location: Jalan Goutama no. 13, Ubud Tel:
+62 (0)361 978 249

Popular Night life in Ubud

Puri Saren
The Ubud Royal Palace is one of the most prominent places in Ubud, as it is smack-
dab on the main Jalan Raya Ubud road and intersection. The palace can also be
regarded as the focal landmark of Ubud. The Ubud palace was built during the
lordship of the late Ida Tjokorda Putu Kandel (1800-1823), and is well-kept by his
successive heirs. A visit to the Puri Saren is on many of the itineraries to the Ubud
area. It has well-preserved Balinese architecture and charming garden settings, and
is best known among lovers of Balinese arts as one of the main sites to view
dramatic evening dance performances.
Puri Saren Ubud is reachable after an approximate hour’s drive north from the
provincial capital of Denpasar. Many visitors find the palace a convenient stopover,
as it is strategically the focal point of Ubud, with the Ubud Art Market, various local
and international restaurants just steps away along the main Jalan Raya Ubud. The
community meeting hall or bale banjar is just across the road, with the famous Babi
Guling Bu Oka warung, serving acclaimed spit roast pig, alongside. The sacred
monkey forest of Padangtegal is just down the southern intersection, following
through the Jalan Monkey Forest Road.
The performance stage, with a backdrop of ornate angkul-angkul traditional gate
and guardian statues, hosts nightly dance performances with gamelan orchestras.
The palace provides a great setting with a gorgeous entrances and exotic
architectural elements. Tickets to these performances usually start to be sold in the
afternoon. The front section of the palace is open to the public. Walkthroughs for
viewing and photos during the day are complimentary. A local guide can be
occasionally met around the wantilan pavilions, who will be able to assist with
visitors’ inquiries about the history and features of the palace.

While in Bali you will frequently encounter palatial structures boasting historical
significance prefixed with the word Puri, literally Balinese ‘royal palaces’. Puri in
general is a house of nobility in Bali especially of Balinese rajas and their kin. The
Puri Saren Ubud Palace currently also serves as a cultural repository of arts, dance
and literature. The palace’s stage and meeting halls are also host international
events, such as the opening ceremonies of the annual Ubud Writers & Readers
Festival.

Laughing Buddha Bar is one of the liveliest spots to enjoy regular live bands that
play Jazz, blues-rock, freestyle acoustic, fusion and world music. This popular
evening hangout just halfway up from the Ubud Monkey Forest also features salsa
nights. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you can savour Asian fusion delights
from its eclectic menu, with cooling ice blended juices, and its ‘Buddhalicious’ line of
signature cocktails. Jalan Monkey Forest is lined with various boutiques, restaurants
and bars, but one venue that seems to constantly get its share of punters in the
evening is Laughing Buddha Bar. For those staying at any of the hotels or
guesthouses in ‘downtown’ Ubud, walking to this spot is a breeze. Passersby are
attracted by its near-street-side band and sound system setup. Step right in and
you instantly become part of the scene.
Inside, day or night, it is a surprisingly cosy place to sit and drink, with a laid-back
vibe, a friendly waiting team and a fantastic playlist. Laughing Buddha Bar features
the island’s greatest Jazz and Blues performers who play regular gigs. Its weekly
agenda roughly comprises The Bali Blues Brothers and The Mushroom Blues Band
playing on Mondays with a powerful lead vocalist Imelda Joplin. On Tuesdays, the
Onik Blues Rock Duo takes to the stage. Occasionally, hot Latin grooves from
prominent Balinese band Tropical Transit fill the air on Fridays, and another round
of Latin music features on Saturday nights with the Buena Tierra band that gets
guests moving. Here, you’ll also encounter the latest album launches from
prominent Jazz soloists. There’s a live band playing here almost every evening from
21:00 to 23:00.

Food selections range from Southeast Asian delights to Tex Mex, such as phad thai,
spicy chorizo quesadillas, wonton noodle soups and ayam panggang kecap
(signature sweet soy sauce-marinated spicy grilled chicken). Laughing Buddha Bar’s
happy cocktail hours feature from 16:00 to 19:00, when you can get a buy-one-
get-one-free deal on arak choices, or buy-two-get-one-free on selected mojitos and
daiquiris. On any other occasion, try their soothing mandarin margarita or
sugarcane mojito, and at lunchtime ask for their freshly pressed sugarcane, rosella
mint or ginger lemongrass juices to beat the heat.
Opening Hours: Mon - Sun 08:00 - midnight Location: Jalan Monkey Forest, Ubud
Tel: +62 (0)361 970 928

XL Shisha Lounge-Bali
XL Shisha Lounge is the only evening hangout in Ubud central with a Middle Eastern
vibe. Here you can chill out in the evenings with regular live music, and a good
selection of tapas and shishas. The little bar and restaurant is easy to find,
positioned right beside Ubud’s soccer field and visible from across Jalan Monkey
Forest Road. Step inside, and you are instantly welcomed to a warm and friendly
ambiance. Ceilings are covered in colourful silken Bedouin tent-like drapes, its
floors are colourfully tiled, and indoor fountains, Moroccan sofas and chairs, and
just a slight hint of Bali through classical paintings are among its décor. Besides
settling for a cold draft Bintang, Heineken or San Mig to accompany your live NFL or
soccer feeds, you can also opt for a good meal or light bite with its variety of
Indonesian and western cuisine. Some Dutch selections are on the menu courtesy
of its owner, the likes of ‘vlammetjes’ beef spring rolls and ‘bitterballen’ beef balls.
Single dishes of favourite morsels start from only IDR 20,000 (USD 1.50). Shisha
pipes are popular here with many groups chilling out on sofas with friends smoking,
chatting and listening to the chilled music. The pipes were flown in from Egypt, with
Al-Fakher tobaccos from The Emirates. Flavours to explore include mint, orange,
strawberry, rose, apple, cherry and melon, which all can be mixed for fruity
sensations. Live music plays between 20:00 and 23:00.
Opening Hours: 11:00 - 03:00 Location: Jalan Monkey Forest 129, Ubud Tel: +62
(0)361 975 751

Bar Luna Apart from hosting talented writers in its regular schedules for lively
literary discussions, at Bar Luna on Ubud's Jalan Gootama you can also enjoy
flowing tunes from live musicians that take to the stage. Enjoy your tapas and
cocktails to the sounds of international guitarists, jazz players and local bands who
dot the agenda at Bar Luna. Among them is Crescendo, Ubud’s own group of five
fab musicians who present a dynamic mix of popular tunes new and old.
Opening Hours: Tue & Thu 20:00 - 21:30 Location: Jl Gootama (behind Nomad’s),
Ubud Tel: +62 361 971 832
Bunute Kafe Located on Jalan Dewi Sri in Ubud, just up north from the Monkey
Forest and at a landmark hence its name, namely a bunut tree or type of large fig,
Bunuté Restaurant & Bar presents a twist in introducing authentic, original Balinese
cuisine to the international dining audience. And it adds to the area's choices of
nightlife scenes as well. The bar offers atmosphere, drinks, and intimacy altogether.
Happy hours feature daily from 18:00 - 20:00, with a free drink for every purchase
of mojitos, margaritas, basil lychee roscas, or Balinese cocktails. The Moko Blues
band performs live every Saturday for jam sessions from 20:00 - 23:00, a Reggae
Nite every Thursday featuring local reggae bands Bingo and Griya Faria, and the
Moonshine Band plays various genres through their top 40 list every Friday from
20:00 - 23:00. Opening Hours: 10:00 - 23:00
Location: Jalan Dewi Sita, Ubud Tel: +62 (0)361 972

Casa Luna Besides the fine selection of Balinese and Mediterranean dishes,
evening guests to Casa Luna are also offered a great atmosphere with Jazz
variations to lounge in and enjoy. Brazilian Jazz fills the air every Wednesday
night, 19:30 - 22:00, where you can unwind to the smooth sultry sounds while
enjoying a selection of tapas and cocktails. Also, the Rio Sidik Jazz Quartet jams
every Sunday night from 20:00 onwards.
Location: Jalan Raya Ubud Tel: +62 (0)361 977 409

CP Lounge is located up along the Jalan Monkey Forest in Ubud, and is a great bar
that runs happy hours, live music and features a live DJ with a dance floor. The fun
and beer come along with three billiard tables and for those still with a crave late
into the night may order from the after hours menu. CP Lounge is the only place in
Ubud that is still open after midnight and which makes it a great place to hang out
and spend your late evenings in Ubud. They also claim to offer the best selections
of cocktails in town, served up by highly skilled bartenders who also put on a show
with their bottles and shakers. Opening Hours: 11:00 - 04:00
Location: Jalan Monkey Forest, Ubud Tel: +62 (0)361 978 954
F
ly Cafe & Cuisine Fly Café is a great hangout that is located on the northern
borders of the main Ubud hub, on Jalan Ray Lungsiakan. The café offers a
comfortable, open style restaurant by day that serves scrumptious, local,
international, and vegetarian cuisine including barbecue ribs, gourmet pizzas and
tasty seafood off the hot grills. Adjoining the café is Warung Fly, which offers
freshly prepared, authentic spicy Indonesian cuisine including whole grilled fish and
spicy fried red rice. While venturing out in the island’s uplands, you can ‘fly’ in here
any day of the week for a delicious value meal in Ubud, and check emails or surf
the web free of charge with your own laptop or Wi-Fi enabled device. In the
evenings, join in on a fun time for the free Friday Night Quiz and Saturday Night
Live Music sessions. Opening Hours: 08:00 - 22:00
Location: Jalan Raya Lungsiakan, Ubud Tel: +62 (0)361 975 440

Laka Leke Garden Restaurant For an enriching dining experience, head up to Laka
Leke on Ubud's Jalan Raya Nyuh Kuning, where you can enjoy a Balinese dinner
feast accompanied by regular cultural night performances comprising different kinds
of Balinese dances. Your Balinese dining experience here is enhanced by the
restaurant's outdoor setting, complete with Balinese style thatch-roofed pavilions
set around Read More... Opening Hours: 20:00 – 24:00
Location: Jalan Raya Nyuh Kuning, Ubud Tel: +62 (0)361 977 565
Laughing Buddha Bar Laughing Buddha Bar is a surprisingly nice place to sit and
drink, with great laid back vibe, a super friendly waiting team and a fantastic
playlist. With street-side tables commanding a view of the Monkey Forest Road, it’s
a perfect place to share some laughs and a cold beer while unwinding to the
soothing live music on Read More... Opening Hours: Mon - Sun 08:00 - midnight
Location: Jalan Monkey Forest, Ubud (opposite Café Wayan) Tel: +62 (0)361 970
928

No Mas Ubud This small bar up from Ubud's Jalan Monkey Forest Road claims to
offer simple bites and stiff drinks in cosy and laidback ambiances, all in a mission to
welcome anyone looking for good company where they can dissolve their problems
- be it anything from failed relationships to bad app ideas. The local bar features
live gigs, ranging from live bands performing Top 40 hits to death metal, and local
and international guest DJs for some good vibes on some evenings in the week. The
bar's well-stocked. A small Bintang is at IDR 25,000 (under USD 2), and there's a
whole selection of boozes and cocktails to try out for an easygoing night up in
Ubud. Opening Hours: 16:00 – 01:00
Location: Jalan Monkey Forest, Ubud Tel: +62 (0)361 9080 800

Siam Sally Besides being a great place to for home style Thai cuisine, Siam Sally
on Jalan Hanoman in Pengosekan, Ubud, features Saturday Jazz evenings with
acoustic bass, vocals, sax from various artists weekly. All that Jazz starts at 20:00
every Saturday. Opening Hours: 10:00 - midnight Location: Jalan Hanoman,
Pengosekan, Ubud Tel: +62 (0)361 980 777

Studio 22K Located next to the entrance of Oka Kartini Bungalows on Jalan Raya
Tebeyasa, only a few minutes’ drive further west from Ubud’s main road, this tiny
elegant bar pours excellent cocktails, has a good selection of wines and plays
excellent music every night. It’s a perfectly simple bar to refuel in after
experiencing some physically demanding activities in the region or after a day
strolling around Ubud’s shopping area. When not in nightlife mode, the place
features exotic textile collections from across the archipelago, as well as a selection
of quality batik items. Location: Oka Kartini Bungalows, Jalan Tebesaya, Ubud Tel:
+62 (0)361 975 624

The Melting Pot Saloon The Melting Pot Gameroom Pub recently opened on Jalan
Hanoman in Ubud, across the road from the rows of restaurants on the other side,
as an international social outlet for citizens of the world, hence its name. The
venue's exterior fashions a large signage above with its name and logo depicting a
globe of the world's flags, and "Pool, Darts, Great Food & Fun" underneath it.
Entering inside, easygoers and billiard lovers will find just what they were
promised. This pub boasts pool tables and relatively cheap games. Sprawled across
one wall are more flags from all nations, that invite guests to climb up a ladder and
freely join in signing on them. Opening Hours: Mon - Sun 12:00 - 01:00 Location:
Jalan Hanoman, Pengosekan,

Ubud Royal Palace (Puri Saren Ubud) The Ubud Royal Palace is one of the most
prominent places in Ubud, as it is smack-dab on the main Jalan Raya Ubud road
and intersection. The palace can also be regarded as the focal landmark of Ubud.
The Ubud palace was built during the lordship of the late Ida Tjokorda Putu Kandel
(1800-1823), and is Read More... SHOW MAP ADD TO TRIP! 17 XL Shisha Lounge
XL Shisha Lounge is the only evening hangout in Ubud central with a Middle Eastern
vibe. Here you can chill out in the evenings with regular live music, and a good
selection of tapas and shishas. The little bar and restaurant is easy to find,
positioned right beside Ubud’s soccer field and visible from across Jalan Read
More... Opening Hours: 11:00 - 03:00 Location: Jalan Monkey Forest 129, Ubud
Tel: +62 (0)361 975 751