As I write this from a quiet corner of Ubud, Bali, surrounded by lush jungle and the soft rhythms of nature, I’m reminded why this island has captivated travelers and creatives for decades. With butterflies dancing through vibrant flora, a curious lizard hunting for breakfast just beyond my balcony, and monkeys leaping freely from tree to tree, Bali’s energy is both wild and grounding. I’ve spent the past few days immersed in the island’s culture, nature, and food scene, experiencing firsthand the kind of magic guidebooks only hint at. In this post, I’m sharing not just my travel tips, but real moments and insights from my time here to help you plan a Bali experience that’s both meaningful and unforgettable.
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Where is Bali Located?
Bali is a tropical island and province located in Indonesia, nestled between the islands of Java and Lombok in the heart of Southeast Asia. Known for its lush landscapes, volcanic mountains, and vibrant culture, Bali is one of the most visited destinations in the region. The capital city of Bali is Denpasar, which serves as the main hub for local government, commerce, and travel. While many international visitors fly into Denpasar, most choose to explore other parts of the island, my favorite part of the island is Ubud. Ubud is known for its scenic jungle beauty, rich traditions, and slower pace of life.
About Ubud, Bali
Ubud is located in the uplands of the beautiful island of Bali. If I were to travel to Bali again, I would absolutely recommend staying here instead of in popular cities like Kuta or Denpasar. Those destinations are worth a visit, but only as day trips. Ubud truly gave us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the culture and tranquility of Bali. In every place I travel to, I try to learn something new. When I reflect on our time in Bali so far, one word stands out: gratitude. If you’re planning to visit this beautiful destination one day, keep reading as I share my favorite places to stay, eat, and explore!
Where to Stay in Bali
If you’re planning to visit Bali with a group or as a couple, I recommend reaching out to the Villa Manager for Manipura Estate. I’ve told so many of our friends to stay here, and each have come back with nothing but wonderful reviews! The gardens and landscape alone are absolutely beautiful and peaceful:
The manager of the Manipura estate is Putu Setiawan (iputusetiawan44@gmail.com), and he truly made us feel like family! The Manipura Estate is a private paradise featuring four spacious bedrooms inside the main house, plus an optional private villa on the property. It also has a large infinity pool and a loving staff that takes care of your every need. Putu was kind enough to pick our group up from the airport and transport us to every restaurant and activity we had planned for the week.
Property Details at the Manipura Estate
If you’re looking to capture one of those dreamy photos on one of Bali’s famous swings, look no further, this property has its own swing, too! It hangs from the second story of the mansion and overlooks the pool, making it the perfect backdrop for unforgettable vacation shots.
Another lovely feature of this property was the staff. Our plan was to stay here for a week and explore other parts of the island, but it’s hard to leave this sanctuary. Every morning, we were greeted by smiling, loving faces who were willing to pluck fresh coconuts for us and prepare beautiful breakfast meals, either at the table or out by the pool.
Things to Do at the Manipura Estate
During our first evening, we connected to the house’s Bluetooth speaker and enjoyed a backyard, poolside cookout, Bali style! We loved the food so much that, on another evening, Putu was kind enough to arrange a private cooking class in our home so we could learn traditional Balinese cooking techniques.
This was the first time I had ever roasted anything in a banana leaf instead of aluminum foil!
If you’re looking to unwind and spend a full day at the villa soaking in nature and the views, I highly recommend booking an outdoor massage right on the property. The staff was prompt, and the experience was incredibly peaceful.
Where to Eat in Bali
One of the best parts about venturing out to eat throughout Bali was the experience! At every place we visited, we had the opportunity to take in the natural surroundings, enjoy fresh food, and connect with incredibly friendly people. Here were some of our favorite spots from our travels:
Bebek Bengil – (Such a vibe!)
The Bebek Bengil is a beautiful property to visit, nestled in the middle of a peaceful rice field. The staff was very friendly, everything was clean, and the food was incredibly fresh! Three things stood out to me in terms of atmosphere: you’re greeted with a rose basin to wash your hands (how cute!), each dinner party feels very private (we enjoyed our own outdoor dining tent), and there were so many beautiful spots to take photos.
They’re known for their crispy duck, but I wasn’t too thrilled about the flavor. However, all of their chicken and seafood dishes were delicious and cooked to perfection. A must-visit for lunch or dinner!
Warung Mina
The Warung Mina was also a beautiful, charming place to visit, especially during the day. Each table has its own outdoor seating tent, and ours was surrounded by goldfish! The food was excellent and fresh, and the price point was very affordable. It was truly the perfect place to escape, enjoy nature, and savor a great meal.
OOPS Restaurant & Bar
If you’re looking for a great lunch spot in Ubud where you can feel immersed in the city, I recommend visiting OOPS Restaurant and Bar. Our friend Putu took us here, and we enjoyed lunch on the front deck, facing the bustling streets of Ubud. Everything was absolutely delicious! This location is also very close to the Ubud Art Market.
What to do in Ubud, Bali:
Bali Swing:
Visiting the Bali Swings is such a fun experience! There are swings of varying heights and even adult-sized bird nests to explore. I recommend arriving early, as the lines tend to get long closer to lunchtime. There weren’t many good food options at this location, so it’s best to grab something before or after your visit. I also appreciated how friendly the staff was. Their willingness to take photos for us, along with the option to purchase professional digital shots that can be downloaded to your smartphone before leaving, made the experience even more memorable.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
I never knew I wanted a pet monkey until after I visited the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary! The forest is peaceful, and the trail is beautiful. There are so many monkeys here, you don’t even have to go looking for them! They’re so used to humans, they’ll walk right up to you if you have food.
I don’t recommend wearing anything shiny or loose, like sunglasses. These little buddies are smart and will snatch them right off you! One thing I loved about visiting this place is that each monkey lives freely in its natural habitat, not locked up in a cage. It’s the perfect way to spend an afternoon in Ubud.
Bali ATV & Quad Bike Adventure
When we originally booked this adventure, we thought we were signing up for a peaceful ride through Bali’s lush green rice fields, just as the booking description promised. We did see rice fields, but wow, this adventure turned out to be so much more! Our tour guide literally took us through rice paddies, steep hills, small villages, and even a mud hole for the grand finale.
If you own a GoPro, this is definitely the time to make sure it’s charged and attached! The experience was scary and exciting all at once.
Ladies, don’t make the same mistake I did and book this excursion wearing a cute romper, you’ll be covered in mud by the end, but it’s 100% worth it for the ride and the laughs!
Tip: Wear water shoes or sneakers. You’ll be given a pair of boots to change into.
Visit the Rice Fields
Rice fields are everywhere in Ubud, Bali! We learned from Putu that rice production is an essential part of Indonesia’s economy. Throughout our journey, we would sometimes ask our driver to stop so we could explore the various trails and soak in the natural beauty.
One of the most famous rice fields to visit is the Tegalalang Rice Fields in Ubud (see why I recommend staying in Ubud?!). The Tegalalang Rice Fields are the quintessential spot to stop and take lush, green photos for your memories. You can book a tour or visit on your own.
Finns VIP Beach Club
Finns is located about two hours south of Ubud, Bali in Seminyak. If you’re craving a beach day with luxe treatment, Finns VIP Beach Club should be your top pick! It’s a bit on the pricey side, but absolutely worth the investment.
If you plan to visit, I recommend renting a cabana for the day, arriving early to get the best spot, ordering food and drinks, and simply relaxing while enjoying the music from the all-day DJ. Finns is known for having some of the best sunsets in Bali, and the cabanas stay open until sunset. There’s also a nearby beach bar where you can unwind by the pool with a refreshing drink.
This spot is definitely on my revisit list!
Luwak Coffee Tour
Kopi Luwak is the world’s most expensive coffee, primarily due to its unique production process. If you’re adventurous and enjoy coffee, I suggest booking a tour to learn about how Luwak coffee is made, and to sample various brews of this highly sought-after delicacy.
Luwak coffee (also known as “cat poop coffee”) is produced when the Asian palm civet ingests coffee cherries and excretes the seeds, which it cannot digest. The fermentation that occurs during digestion reduces the coffee’s acidity and results in a smoother flavor.
It’s definitely worth a try, and makes a memorable gift to bring home to friends and family!
Visit the Iconic Handara Gate
If you’re looking for another place to take stunning photos, be sure to visit the Handara Golf Resort and snap a shot in front of its iconic gates. It’s only a 45-minute ride from central Ubud, Bali.
There’s another location for incredible gate photos on the north side of the island, near Pura Lempuyang. I was hesitant to make the journey, however, since the nearby volcano was active at the time.
Visit A Tailor – Anika Tailor
Italy and China aren’t the only places where you can have custom-made suits designed for the fellas, or lovely dresses and business suits tailored for the ladies. Our friend Putu also took us to one of Bali’s best-kept secrets: Anika Tailor. The fabrics and prints in her boutique were absolutely beautiful!
We had handmade, tailored shirts and suits completed in just 24 hours. She also offered a stunning collection of real pearls. If you have the time, be sure to treat yourself and pay her a visit!
If you’re interested in visiting other beautiful scenic destinations, be sure to checkout the following travel guides:
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Bali is an amazing island and there are so many things to see and do, one trip is defintiely not enougha nd happy to know that you had a great time there!
Nnnniiiiiccceeeee….Bali surely looked good on you in 2018. I wonder how it looks now, 5 years later! I wanna live there for about a week.