Holiday in Ubud, Bali

When is the best time to visit Ubud?

The dry season from April to October is the ideal period for Ubud and Bali. April to June combines excellent weather with lower prices than the peak months of July and August, and fewer tourists at the popular rice terraces and temples.

July and August are the busiest and most expensive: book 10 to 14 weeks in advance. The wet season runs from November to March: expect daily afternoon showers of 1 to 2 hours and lush green rice fields. January and February are the wettest. Even then, Ubud is pleasantly warm at 27 to 30 degrees year-round. The wet season attracts fewer tourists and sometimes offers better hotel deals.

The best neighbourhoods in Ubud

• Ubud Centre Around Monkey Forest Road and Pasar Ubud (the market), the lively core with shops, restaurants and galleries. Perfect base close to all sights.
• Penestanan The "artists' village" west of the centre, surrounded by rice fields. Quiet lanes, yoga studios and relaxed coffee bars. Popular with long-stay visitors.
• Campuhan Hilly neighbourhood along the Campuhan River, famous for the free Campuhan Ridge Walk with panoramic views over jungle and rice fields.
• Tegallalang Approximately 9 kilometres north of the centre: home of the iconic rice terraces. Best photography light early in the morning.
• Nyuh Kuning Greener and quieter than the centre, with traditional Balinese ceremonies, fewer tourists and more authentic warungs.

Top 5 sights in Ubud with real prices

• Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary A sacred forest with over 1,000 macaques spread across three Hindu temples. Entry IDR 100,000 on weekdays (approx. 4.90 euros) and IDR 120,000 at weekends (approx. 5.86 euros). Open daily 08:30 to 18:00. Go early for fewer crowds.
• Tegallalang Rice Terraces The most photographed rice fields in Bali: emerald green stepped terraces 9 km north of the centre. Donation of IDR 15,000 to 20,000 (approx. 1 euro) at entry gates. Swing activities and photo points cost IDR 10,000 to 50,000 extra. No card payment: bring cash.
• Tirta Empul Temple A sacred spring temple from the tenth century, famous for ritual cleansing ceremonies in the holy springs (Petirtaan). Entry IDR 75,000 (approx. 3.66 euros), including sarong. Daily 07:00 to 17:00. Clothing must be covered; sarong provided on site.
• Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) Bali's largest art museum featuring works by renowned Balinese and international artists, including Walter Spies. Entry IDR 150,000 (approx. 7.30 euros). Daily 09:00 to 18:00.
• Campuhan Ridge Walk A completely free walking route of approximately 2 kilometres through jungle and rice fields west of the centre. Best time is early morning (07:00 to 09:00) for the light and the cool temperatures.

Flights and transport from the Netherlands to Ubud

There are no direct flights from the Netherlands to Bali. From Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) you fly via a stopover to Bali Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS). The most popular routes are:

KLM has the largest share on the AMS-DPS market (~40%) and offers good connections via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. Singapore Airlines flies via Changi Airport, the world's most popular stopover for this route. Turkish Airlines offers an alternative via Istanbul, sometimes with lower fares. Total flying time is approximately 16 to 17 hours; door-to-door expect 18 to 24 hours depending on the stopover time.

Return tickets from Schiphol cost 340 to 940 euros depending on the season and booking lead time. Lowest fares are found in the wet season (November to March) and by booking 8 to 12 weeks in advance. From Eindhoven, take the train to Schiphol (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes) or fly via another European hub.

From DPS to Ubud (35 to 40 km): a private car via a local company or your hotel costs approximately 15 to 22 euros and takes 45 to 90 minutes depending on traffic. Shared shuttles are cheaper (4 to 5 euros) but you sometimes wait 1 to 2 hours. Note: Grab and Gojek are not permitted to pick up passengers at the airport; book a taxi via the official desk or in advance through your accommodation.

Costs and budget for a holiday in Ubud

Ubud is affordable by Bali standards. Hostel beds are available from 8 euros per night; mid-range hotels with a private pool cost 33 to 52 euros per night. A 4-star resort costs approximately 105 euros. Eating at a traditional warung costs IDR 25,000 to 50,000 per meal (1.22 to 2.44 euros). Tourist restaurants charge 10 to 25 euros per person.

Do not forget the one-off Bali tourist levy (Love Bali Retribusi): IDR 150,000, approximately 7.30 euros per person. Pay online via lovebali.baliprov.go.id before arrival. Payment kiosks are also available at DPS on arrival.

Insider tip: yoga retreats outside the centre at local prices

The yoga industry in Ubud has grown large but expensive: drop-in classes at the well-known studios along Jalan Hanoman cost IDR 165,000 to 175,000 (approximately 8 euros).

Longer-stay visitors in Penestanan and Nyuh Kuning find smaller independent studios offering classes for IDR 80,000 to 100,000 (approximately 4 to 5 euros). The atmosphere is quieter and groups are smaller. Ask your accommodation or the local market for recommendations rather than searching online.