Ubud is often regarded as Bali’s cultural and artistic capital. What seems to most outsiders like one small town, Ubud actually consists of fourteen villages, each run by its own Banjar, or village committee. Throughout Ubud are some remarkable places to eat, drink, learn and explore, all amongst a general feeling of peace and well-being.
GETTING HERE
The easiest way to get to Ubud from the Airport and the regions in South Bali is via taxi. Some taxis are metered, but many drivers will want to set a rate before leaving, generally around IDR 300,000.
GETTING AROUND
Central Ubud can be covered on foot, but you will need some form of transport to explore the extended vicinity.
Most local transport comes in the form of SUVs or minivans that can be hired with a driver for specific trips. Look for the circular yellow “E” logo on the windshield certifying them as Ubud Transport Association members. You can (and should) haggle over the price and pay less than for the equivalent journey in a metered taxi. A short trip should be not more than Rp 30,000, and drivers will be glad to wait for you for a return fare.
Many hotels are located out of town and are happy to offer regular, complimentary drop-off and pick-up services to central Ubud. Expect to pay higher than taxi prices if you intend to go further afield.
As elsewhere in Bali, motorbike rental is widely available, and you will not be short of options. Riding a motorbike in Bali is not for the faint-hearted, though, and unless you have an international motorcycle licence, not legal. This option should only be considered if you are an experienced rider in your home country. Expect to pay around IDR 50,000 per day for a late model motorbike in good condition. Look for rental agencies on all the main streets, or ask your hotel to organise one for you.
If you’re not comfortable riding a motorbike yourself, you can always catch a ride on an Ojek or motorbike taxi.
You can rent bicycles for about IDR 20,000-30,000 per day. The roads in Ubud are not ideal for bike riding, as there is traffic and no designated bike lane. However, a trip through the rice paddies is a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Ubud is quite hilly, so make sure you are prepared for a workout!
GETTING CONNECTED
The area code for Ubud is 0361, so +62 361 XXXXXX for international callers.
All major Indonesian mobile telephone networks have full coverage of the Ubud area. If you need to make an international landline call, there are many public phone shops (wartels) in the town.
Most dedicated internet cafes provide computers with fairly low-speed access at a low price. For the fastest connection in town, head to Monkey Forest Road to find Hubud, a community co-working space offering access by the day or package of hours – refreshingly, Skype is encouraged!
In cafes and restaurants, free Wi-Fi for customers is increasingly widespread. If you have your own laptop and don’t need high speeds that’s probably the easiest option.
