Short answer: For a social stay with a rooftop pool and free daily yoga, book 1. Pillow Inn. Couples and first-time solo travellers are happiest at 2. Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel, and if you want to slow down with yoga and a calm boho vibe, go for 4. Arya Wellness - female only. Ubud books out fast in dry season, so compare live prices across Hostelworld and Booking.com on Hostelz before you lock anything in.
So you’re backpacking to Bali and Ubud made the list. Good call. Below are the 3 best hostels in Ubud, plus a handful more that are worth knowing about.
You’re about to find crystal clear pools, rooftop bars and dorms that are nicer than they have any right to be. All in some of the coolest hostels on the island.
Our favorite hostels in Ubud are:
- Pillow Inn - best for Solo Travelers
- Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel - best for Couples
- Sunshine Vintage House - best for Cozy Hostel
- Extra: Arya Wellness - female only - best for Female Solo Travelers
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
1. Pillow Inn
2. Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel
3. Sunshine Vintage House
Backpacking Ubud is affordable, and you’re surrounded by rainforest and rice paddies the whole time.
Ubud sits in the middle of Bali. Think rice terraces, yogis, yoga retreats, slow mornings and the kind of scenery that fills up a camera roll. It’s the go-to spot for solo travellers, couples and backpackers alike.
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…
- are tired of crappy hostels!
- want a social Hostel to actually meet people
- are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience
We’ve also thrown in 14 things you’ll want to know before you go, so Bali doesn’t blindside you the way it did us the first time.
Looking for 5 Star Hostels? We don’t have one in Ubud yet. Over in nearby Canggu though, there’s the lovely Kos One Hostel. Have a read of our guide to the best hostels in Canggu, all compared.
And here are all the best hostels in Bali.
- Introduction to Ubud Hostels
- Best Hostels in Ubud Compared at a Glance
- 3 Best Hostel in Ubud
- How to Pick the Right Ubud Hostel
- Best Hostels in Ubud for Solo Travelers
- Cheap Hostels in Ubud
- Party Hostels in Ubud and Bali
- More Ubud hostels worth a mention
- Promo codes
- 14 Things you need to know BEFORE traveling to Ubud
- Best Time to Visit Ubud
- How Many Days in Ubud?
- Getting to Ubud & Around
- Is Ubud Safe?
- Map with Hostels + TOP Sights
- FAQ
- Flights to Ubud
Planning some yoga in Ubud? We also have a detailed guide to the best yoga retreats in Ubud.
Quick Introduction to Ubud Hostels
Average price for a bed: A dorm bed can be as cheap as 4.50€ up to 12€ per night. A private room in an Ubud hostel starts around 12€ and climbs to about 50€.
Hostels here get properly cheap if you’re happy in a dorm. Those numbers are a rough guide, not a promise. Prices move with the season and holidays, and they move a lot. Worth running your dates through Hostelz to compare what Hostelworld and Booking.com are actually charging before you commit.
Always double-check live rates on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Check-in and check-out: Check-in is usually from 15:00 (3pm), check-out before 11:00 (11am). Most places store your bags if you arrive early or leave late. Just ask whether luggage storage is free or costs extra.
Where to stay in Ubud, and a word on “hostels”: Same story as a lot of countries. Plenty of places listed as hostels aren’t really hostels. Calling a homestay a “hostel” has become a bit of a trend, and naming it one doesn’t make it one. Pay attention when you’re picking a place.
Here’s our guide to what is a hostel? if you want the full breakdown.
Since you’re here already though, this guide sorts it out for you.
Quality of hostels: There are some genuinely cool, photogenic hostels around Ubud, Canggu and the rest of Bali. Choose well and the standard is high. Most places in this part of the world are on the small side.
Party hostels: Ubud isn’t really about partying. If you came to Bali to go hard, base yourself in Canggu instead, where the surf-and-party hostels are. Jump to the party hostel section for more.
Best Hostels in Ubud Compared at a Glance
Short on time? Here’s the quick version before we get into the detail.
| Hostel | Best for | Vibe | Area | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Pillow Inn | Female solo + social butterflies | Lively, pool-party energy | Central Ubud | Rooftop bar, two pools, free daily yoga |
| 2. Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel | Couples + social solo travellers | Relaxed but social | Central, by the Yoga Barn | Garden pool, cinema room, airport shuttle |
| 3. Sunshine Vintage House | Rest + a slower, local stay | Calm, homey, vintage | Padang Tegal, quieter edge | Balinese family compound, big free breakfast |
| 4. Arya Wellness - female only | Yoga lovers + slow travellers | Boho, wellness-leaning | Central Ubud | Yoga sessions, pool, chic boho design |
🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
- 23 clever items: the hostel packing list to download
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
The 3 Best Hostels in Ubud are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Ubud.
- Pillow Inn – best for Solo Travelers
- Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel – best for Couples
- Sunshine Vintage House – best for Cozy Hostel
- Extra: Arya Wellness - female only - best for Female Solo Travelers
These are our favorite hostels in Ubud. We want to make your life even easier, so we put all accommodations on a map for you. We even added our own tips for favorite restaurants, things to see, and more.
1. Pillow Inn
2. Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel
3. Sunshine Vintage House
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Pillow Inn |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | Arya Wellness - female only |
| 🥳 Party Hostel: | Pillow Inn |
| 👩❤️👨 Couple Hostel: | Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | The Onion Collective |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | Sunshine Vintage House |
1. Pillow Inn (rooftop pool, bar + daily yoga)
Pillow Inn is a one-of-a-kind hostel in Ubud, built with a new generation of travellers in mind.
It’s usually the small details that win, and Pillow Inn nails both the small and the big. We loved the rooftop terrace and its view, and, obviously, the big pool.
Their motto says it better than we can:
We are not selling the beds! We are selling the vibe, the atmosphere, you are part of our Pillow Gang family. This is your home far away from home!
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
About those beds. Each pod comes with a curtain, safety box, mirror and reading lamp. There’s a big locker under the bed too, so your stuff is tucked away and out of sight.
Female solo travellers, go for the 12-bed female-only dorm. Every dorm here is en-suite, which is a genuinely nice touch.
Read: Why Female Dorms? 7 Pros and 3 Cons
And the social side? Consider the following:
- Rooftop bar + 2 swimming pools
- Free daily Yoga every day
- Bla Bla Bla restaurant on-site
- Movie & Pizza evenings
- Beer Pong competitions
- Pool games
There’s also a garden with a reading corner, books, a hammock, and that rooftop bar where you can catch palm-tree views and a decent sunset.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all served in the restaurant, and guests get 10% off the food menu.
Keen to get out? The nightlife, restaurants and sights are all walkable from our favourite Ubud hostel. It’s about 15 minutes on foot to the Monkey Forest and the Campuhan Ridge Walk, and the palace, market and galleries are close too.
Note: ask about airport pick-ups and scooter hire.
Pillow Inn is the coolest hostel in Ubud for:
- Female solo travellers
- Social butterflies
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel
Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel sits in the heart of Ubud, minutes from the main shops, restaurants and the world-famous Yoga Barn. Plenty of people rank this one as their number one.
Want to relax and be social at the same time? Head to the big garden, which wraps around a great pool and lounge area.
There are free yoga classes, a cinema room, and a free healthy breakfast in the Ubudian cafe. Puri Garden is an easy recommendation for solo travellers who like a social atmosphere, big beds and staff who actually help.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
There’s a cinema room with free movies and a big common area built around the pool and garden.
The interior is modern and well designed. It’s a nice mix of a little luxury and a lot of style, and a lovely place to chill, chat and recharge in Ubud.
Hostel Highlights:
- Swimming pool
- Airport shuttle (very useful!)
- Outdoor pool
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Very good breakfast
Location: Just 2 minutes from The Yoga Barn, a 5-minute walk from the Monkey Forest, and about 15 minutes to the market.
A great choice for:
- Couples
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. Sunshine Vintage House
Sunshine Vintage House is a charming little spot with a vintage concept that actually works. It’s in the heart of Ubud but away from the busy centre, tucked into the quiet Padang Tegal Village inside a traditional Balinese house compound. Calm, cool, and a good place to unwind.
Stay here and you’re welcomed like family, which pulls you into the everyday Balinese way of living. The style is vintage, but the comforts are modern. Every room has air conditioning, a hot shower, an en-suite bathroom and free Wi-Fi. You also get free water refills, tea and coffee, and a proper breakfast to start the day right.
One of the best things about Sunshine Vintage House is how much they help you do. Sharing tours, cycling, rafting, trekking, they can sort most of it. They’ll also arrange pick-ups, drop-offs and fast-boat tickets if you want to island-hop, or help you rent a bike or motorbike to explore at your own pace.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
The location does a lot of the work. You’re close to the Monkey Forest, Ubud Palace and Saraswati Temple. If you want to go further, Ngurah Rai International Airport is about 34 km away, and the hostel runs a paid airport shuttle.
Vintage charm, a quiet setting and warm hosts. It suits solo adventurers, small groups and couples after a calm base rather than a party. Honestly, if you’ve been on the move for a while and just need to slow down, this is the one.
Location: A short 10-minute walk from central Ubud, 3 minutes to the Yoga Barn and a big supermarket. For something cultural, there are nearby venues running traditional Balinese dances like the Kecak and Barong.
This is one of the best hostels in Ubud for:
- Restful experience
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
4. Arya Wellness - female only
Arya Wellness - female only is the sweet spot for a healthy, eco-friendly, social stay, wrapped in a chic boho look.
Now, I make it sound like you couldn’t possibly mingle here. Not true. This is a social hostel and a great one for meeting people. A lot of travellers end up staying more nights here than anywhere else, bonding over shared yoga sessions and slow days exploring Ubud.
If you’re a slow traveller like me, you’ll love this place.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
What about the location? Arya is right in the heart of Ubud, a few steps from the main sights, shops and restaurants. You wouldn’t strictly need a scooter here, though one still helps for getting further out.
Arya Wellness Retreat is the best choice for:
- Female solo-travellers
- Yoga Lover
- Everyone looking for a retreat and explore Ubud slowly
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
How to Pick the Right Ubud Hostel
Too many good options? Here’s the cheat sheet, matched to who you are and how you travel.
- Couples: 2. Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel for the garden-and-pool combo, or The Onion Collective if you want a huge private room.
- Solo and social: 1. Pillow Inn. Easy to meet people at the pool and head out together.
- Female solo: 1. Pillow Inn for its 12-bed female-only en-suite dorm, or 4. Arya Wellness - female only.
- Slow travel and yoga: 4. Arya Wellness - female only, hands down.
- Rest and quiet: 3. Sunshine Vintage House, on the calmer edge of town.
- Groups and friends: Wayan’s Family Hostel or Puji Hostel Ubud.
- Party: honestly? Not Ubud. Point yourself at Canggu.
- Cheapest right now: prices swing hard by season, so compare live rates on Hostelz and book whatever’s best value for your dates.
Best Hostels in Ubud for Solo Travellers
As a solo traveller, you’re probably weighing up amenities against atmosphere.
Maybe you want a bit of privacy, or a hostel that organises activities so you don’t have to plan everything alone. Solo backpackers are the best, so it’s only fair we point you at hostels that get it.
Our favourites, again, are:
- Arya Wellness Retreat – female solo traveler
- Pillow Inn – perfect for solo travellers
And we found one more solo-friendly Ubud hostel worth adding to the list.
Wayan’s Family Hostel
Close behind is the more traditional Balinese-style Wayan’s Family Hostel.
Forget taxis. You’re right in the middle of Ubud, minutes from the main sights. It’s a cosy place that takes a maximum of 22 guests at a time.
There’s a range of bed sizes, king, double and single, and every room has an en-suite.
Ideal for solo travellers who want some quiet.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Hostelworld
What about the cheapest hostels in Ubud?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Ubud.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Ubud
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
Hostelgeeks Tip: Dorm prices in Ubud swing wildly between platforms and seasons. Run your dates through Hostelz to compare Hostelworld and Booking.com side by side, then book whichever comes back cheapest.
Party Hostels in Ubud, Bali
So you want a party hostel in Ubud?
Straight up: Ubud is not a party destination.
The town and surrounding area are the cultural heart of Bali, known for traditional crafts, dance and ceremony. Rainforest, terraced rice paddies, Hindu temples and shrines. That’s the scenery that made this place famous.
We weren’t kidding when we called Ubud the Instagram side of Bali.
For an actual island party, head to Canggu or over to Gili Trawangan and Lombok, and stay somewhere fun.
Read our guide to the best hostels in Canggu, where we compare party hostels, surf spots and even a 5 Star Hostel.
That’s also where you’ll find the wilder bars.
None of that means Ubud is boring or yoga-only, mind you. To meet cool people and still have a great time, stay at Pillow Inn.
You can always meet folks at the pool and head out to explore the scenery together. The hostel even throws pool parties.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
More Ubud hostels worth a mention
Tired of us going hostel, hostel, hostel? Well, that’s the job. We want you in the best possible place, the kind you’d happily call a certified backpackers’ house.
You’ve got our favourites above. If you want even more options, here they are:
- Kuna Bali
- Green Paddy Hostel & Villa
- Sunshine Vintage House
- Ubud Rice Field House
- Puji Hostel Ubud
- The Onion Collective
And a reminder: we usually nudge you toward hostels over Ubud hotels, mostly because they’re cheaper. Ubud’s hotels have a good reputation too, but the hostels are worth a shot.
Kuna Bali
Update: Arya Monkey Forest is now called Kuna Bali. Before that it was Arya Hostel Ubud. Don’t let the name changes throw you. Same hostel, same location. We keep this guide as current as we can.
Kuna Bali is a little oasis hidden on a quiet, peaceful street just behind the Monkey Forest Sanctuary.
The staff genuinely go the extra mile. Guests notice the small stuff, like being remembered by name. Nice, right?
The place is spotless, and the pool is a good spot to meet other travellers.
Hostel Highlights:
- Yoga Sessions!
- 24 Hour Reception and Security
- Bicycle Hire
- Housekeeping – it is so clean!
- Speedy WiFi
- Laundry Facilities
- Luggage Storage
- Tours and Travel Desk you should consult for their fun tours
What about the location?
Very central. Remember, Ubud is quite spread out, though the centre itself is small.
You’re a 15-minute walk from the Ubud Palace and a 10-minute bike ride from the Monkey Forest. Check our handmade map for exact locations.
You can rent a bike or motorbike here too. Highly recommended, but wear a helmet and drive carefully. Enough travellers get hurt on scooters. Try not to join them.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Green Paddy Hostel & Villa
Green Paddy Hostel & Villa does good deals on day trips and runs a free shuttle into town.
The atmosphere is properly chilled, and the view from the pool is made for doing nothing.
Want to get out and feel Ubud’s culture, the market, the palace, Goa Gajah, the rice terraces? The staff are happy to help you plan it.
They’re genuinely useful when it comes to plotting adventures, and they’ll point you toward options that save money.
Hostel Highlights:
- Swimming pool
- Free WiFi
- Outdoor pool
- Airport shuttle
- Free parking
- Non-smoking rooms
Location: In Ubud, 1.2 km from Elephant Cave. The Monkey Forest is 1.7 km away and Ubud Market 1.9 km. Nearest airport is Ngurah Rai International, 28 km out.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Sunshine Vintage House
Sunshine Vintage House is lovely, and you’ll feel at home fast.
The common space is cosy, the dorm is comfy and clean, and there’s a good breakfast plus all-day coffee, tea and water.
The staff are warm and full of recommendations. That hospitality is a big part of what makes a Bali stay stick.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Ubud Rice Field House
Want to escape the busy streets? Ubud Rice Field House is a good shout. A pretty little hostel out in the rice fields.
If yoga’s your thing, there are classes nearby. The atmosphere is relaxed, so it’s an easy place to just chill.
Hostel Highlights:
- 24 Hour Security
- Housekeeping
- Internet Access
- Late check-out
- Laundry Facilities
- Luggage Storage
- Tours/Travel Desk
Location: A 5-minute walk from Ubud’s main street. It’s 4.76 km from Ubud Palace, 5.86 km from the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and 2 km from Alila Ubud Gallery. Nearest airport is Ngurah Rai International, 32 km away.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Hostelworld
Puji Hostel Ubud
The view here is the whole story. Puji Hostel Ubud is a relaxing spot for backpackers who just want to slow down.
At night all you hear is nature. Good value, we reckon.
The one catch: there’s no real common area to mingle, so this one suits groups and families more than solo travellers hunting for company.
Hostel Highlights:
- Swimming pool
- Airport shuttle
- Outdoor pool
- Spa and wellness centre
- Free parking
Location: In Ubud, 500 m from Saraswati Temple. It’s 2.3 km from Legong Dormitory Backpacker and 2.9 km from Hostel Bali Backpackers. Nearest airport is Ngurah Rai International, 38 km out.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
The Onion Collective (community space, luxurious rooms)
The Onion Collective isn’t just a hostel. It’s a work space for digital nomads and a chill temple for everyone else. It’s not really a backpackers’ hostel, but it’s a great place to spend time. If you’re only travelling and not working, there are better Ubud hostels for mingling.
Here you’ve got everything for a solid Ubud stay:
- Homestay w/ shared + private rooms
- Asian-fusion restaurant
- Swimming pool
- Passion Lab workspace
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com
The rooms stand out for how light and spacious they feel, with a real homely edge. Couples will love the huge private rooms. Seriously, they’re a slice of Bali paradise.
You can also pick between a ladies’ dorm, mixed queen-bed dorms, or what they call a “pool shack.” Yep, right by the pool.
Read: Hostel Room Types – What are the Differences?
This is THE place for digital nomads to gather, get inspired and share their passion.
There are often talks here, plus live music on Sundays and Tarot Nights on Tuesdays.
Psst! If you’re lucky you’ll catch one of the spontaneous Tribe Dinners.
The Onion Collective is the best hostel in Ubud for:
- Digital Nomads
- Couples
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com
Any Discounts?
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. We even have special discount codes we only share in the newsletter.
It is completely free to join!
How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Read: Step-by-Step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Ubud best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand, ask questions, and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app.
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!
14 Things you need to know before traveling to Ubud, Bali
The first time we landed in Bali, we were overwhelmed. No exaggeration.
There’s a lot nobody tells you behind all those dreamy Instagram shots and drone clips.
We were lucky enough to come back a second time. Once our expectations were set right, we fell for the place. Here are our 14 best tips and things to know before Ubud, and Bali in general.
1. Pack a Sarong
You’ll want to see the temples, and Bali’s temples are gorgeous. Easily a highlight.
So pack a Sarong.
You’ll need it to cover your knees and shoulders. Most temples rent one out, but that’s an extra cost each time, and a sarong is handy for a hundred other things anyway.
Read: 23 items for your hostel packing list
Hostelgeeks Tip: Keep the sarong in your day bag, not your main pack. Temples appear when you least expect them, and you don’t want to be the one turned away at the gate.
2. Airport Denpasar
First time flying in, I was genuinely confused about the airport.
It’s officially “Ngurah Rai International Airport,” officially in Denpasar. In reality it’s down in the south-east, right next to Kuta.
Keep that in mind. There’s one international airport on Bali. If you land late, I’d stay in Kuta the first night. Here’s our guide to the best hostels in Kuta Bali.
Which brings us to the next point.
3. Kuta will be your first stop in Bali
We planned to start in Kuta and figure it out from there.
Good decision, as it turned out. A solid launch pad for backpacking Bali and Ubud.
We walked from the airport to Kuta, an easy 25 to 30 minutes on foot.
That let us skip the overpriced taxi scams at the arrivals hall. More on why we avoided ride apps at that point in a second.
Kuta isn’t everyone’s favourite. It’s also said to be dodgy at night, with phone snatchings from passing scooters. Sadly common. It happened to two of our hostel mates, and they’d even been warned.
It tends to happen when you’re walking with your phone in your hand. A scooter comes up behind you, grabs it and rides off.
That said, we never once heard a story like that in Ubud.
4. Corrupt Police
Another unfortunate Bali reality: corrupt police.
The area around Denpasar is especially known for it.
So what happens?
Police will pull over foreigners on motorbikes. Even with a valid international driving licence, they’ll insist it’s somehow illegal.
What do you do when they stop you?
Keep only a small amount of cash in your wallet, say $2 to $5 worth of Indonesian Rupiah (the local currency). If they try to charge you, tell them that’s all you’ve got. More often than not they take it and wave you on.
5. Grab, Gojek, Uber (and the Taxi Mafia in Bali)
From corrupt police to Bali’s famous taxi mafia.
What if I told you a driver once wanted to fight me?
Okay, from the top.
Back when this happened, ride apps like Grab and Gojek were a nightmare to actually use. Different villages and areas were carved up between taxi clans who guarded their turf.
They hated Uber and Grab. There were even stories of taxi drivers hunting down app drivers to rough them up. Grim stuff, and it happened to plenty of hostel mates too.
There were certain zones where you could use the apps, but we never quite cracked the logic.
Back to my story. We were outside of Ubud and ordered an Uber. The third one we booked actually showed. The guy pulled up and asked me to cancel the ride in the app.
I asked him, “Why?”
He said, “I cannot drive with the smartphone. If someone sees me on the phone, taxis will know I am an UBER and I have a big problem.”
So I cancelled.
And that’s when it started. He suddenly quoted a price three times the app rate. I was annoyed that he’d played us, and when I asked, “Do you do this every time?!“, he asked if I wanted to fight and put his fists up.
No thanks. Zero interest in a fistfight. He left, we walked.
These days it’s easier. Grab and Gojek are legal and work fine across Ubud now, including from the airport. The catch: local taxi groups still block pickups right around spots like the Monkey Forest, the market and Ubud Palace, so you may need to walk a couple of minutes down the road to meet your driver. Prices show upfront in the app, so no haggling. For a day of multiple stops, a private driver is often cheaper and far less hassle than rebooking rides all day.
Here’s a video on grabbing a Gojek or Grab at the airport.
6. Traffic and Infrastructure
Another thing to brace for: the traffic is wild.
10 km can take a full 30 minutes. Even on a motorbike.
The roads simply weren’t built for this many vehicles, and a lot of them are single-lane. So even on a scooter you often can’t squeeze past the cars, because there’s nowhere to go.
Plan accordingly, and budget roughly three times the travel time you’d expect.
Good to know: loads of tour agencies and hotels have cottoned on to the fact that foreigners like being driven around, so they run their own cars. The result is a lot of long, wide SUVs and minivans crawling along with three people inside: the driver and two tourists. Sometimes it looks a bit absurd. Anyway, keep it in mind.
7. The Visa Issue
Check your visa properly before you go.
Loads of nationalities get a visa on arrival, a 30-day one, for example.
Look closely at the expiry date. We didn’t, and it cost us. Both your arrival and departure days count, and we miscalculated. Booked our flight too late and overstayed by a single day.
The fine was $30, and that was the end of it. No other drama.
Still, I’d rather have spent that $30 on something fun.
8. Visiting Temples and Ceremonies
Bali is covered in beautiful temples, from Uluwatu to Saraswati. There’s an endless supply.
The most famous ones are spread out across the island.
The big-name temples in Bali are:
- Tanah Lot
- Uluwatu Temple in Uluwatu
- Besakih Temple in Karangasem
- Goa Gajah Ubud in Central Bali
- Gunung Kawi Temple in the Northeast of Ubud
- Tirta Empul Temple in Gianyar, Central Bali
- Ulun Danu Beratan Temple in Bedugul, Tabanan
- Lempuyang Temple in East Bali
- Taman Ayun Temple in Ubud
- Pura Taman Saraswati Temple in Ubud
We want to single out Tirta Empul. The Tirta Empul Temple (it means “holy water spring”) is one of the most popular sacred springs, just north of Tampaksiring near Ubud.
You can actually step into the water here to take part in the purification ritual.
A pretty unique experience.
9. The Instagram Bali
This might read like we don’t like Bali or Ubud. We do. We love it, truly.
And yes, Instagram Bali is real. We just think it helps to know Bali isn’t only drone shots, avocado smoothies and coconut bowls.
We found a fun video on the Instagram spots and cafés around Bali.
Don’t take it too seriously, mind. It’s very “influencer.”
If you just want to see the place for what it is, scroll on past.
Read: the most beautiful hostels on Instagram
10. Monkey Forest
In Spanish, you say “mono” when something’s cute. “Mono” means cute, but also, well, monkey.
Cute is not the word for the monkeys in the Monkey Forest.
We’ll skip the swear words, but a solid 95% of them are, let’s say, not friendly.
They steal, they scratch, they pee on you. Plenty of the monkeys in the famous Ubud Monkey Forest are basically trained to swipe your glasses or ring, and then a “guide” appears to “arrange” their return for a small fee.
And if one scratches you, you’re looking at medical attention. Maybe even an extra vaccination.
Our recommendation: drive past the Monkey Forest, have a look at the ones sitting near the entrance, and carry on. Save the entry fee (IDR ±50,000 per person) and put it toward something more fun.
Here’s a great video of the Monkey Forest in action.
11. Healthy Restaurants and Food
Ubud especially is where you eat ridiculously healthy and ridiculously well.
For vegetarians and vegans, it’s a genuine paradise. Fresh local food on basically every corner.
Here are our favourite restaurants and cafés in Ubud.
Restaurants in Ubud we like:
- Kynd Community
- The Onion Collective
- Pundi Pundi
- Café Organic
- Sea Circus
- Mrs Sippy
- Alchemy
Cafés in Ubud we like:
- Seniman Coffee Studio
- Watercress Cafe
- Revive Cafe
- FREAK Coffee
- Clear Café
- Monkey Cave Espresso
12. Lazy Day at the Pool – Offers
Fancy spoiling yourself?
You don’t need to book an expensive resort to enjoy one. Loads of them offer a “Lazy Day at the pool.” You pay an entry fee and get access to the pool and the fancy resort areas for the day. Keep an eye out for the offers. We couldn’t find a single site that lists them all.
It’s a cheap way to get the VIP pool experience in Bali without wrecking your budget.
13. Party and Party and Party
Beyond Ubud, Bali has a huge party scene. We touched on this in the party hostels section.
The big party zones are around Seminyak and Canggu, where you’ll find beachfront bars and clubs.
Here’s a detailed guide to nightlife in Bali from the folks at TimeOut.
Australian travellers in particular are known for going all-in here. There’s a bit of everything. “Old Man’s” is one of the most famous bars, a good spot to drink with surfers, bloggers, digital nomads and party people.
Which leads neatly to the next point.
14. Drunk Scooter Driving
Sadly common in Bali: people drink, then ride home on a scooter.
We’ve heard of a lot of serious injuries, people losing fingers or worse, whether from riding drunk themselves or being hit by someone who was.
We’re not trying to scare you. Not at all. We just think you should know it’s a real thing.
Plenty of drunk riders also end up in the rice fields. Don’t be surprised if a mud-caked bike and rider wobble past you.
You’re old enough to travel, so you’re old enough to use your own judgement.
Read: How to stay safe while traveling, on and offline
Read: Safetywing Travel Insurance, does travel insurance make sense?
Best Time to Visit Ubud
Ubud works year-round, honestly, but the two seasons feel quite different.
The dry season runs roughly April to October, and it’s the easy pick for sightseeing: sunny days, lower humidity, clear skies for the rice-terrace walks, waterfalls and temples. June to September are usually the driest, and also the busiest and priciest. Worth booking ahead if you’re coming then.
The wet season is November to March. More rain, yes, but it tends to arrive in short afternoon bursts, and it keeps everything green. Fewer crowds, better prices, and a slower, mellower Ubud if that’s what you’re after.
One thing to plan around: Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence in March. The whole island shuts down for 24 hours, airport included. The Ogoh-Ogoh parades the night before are worth catching, but you won’t be going anywhere the day of.
How Many Days in Ubud?
Two to four days covers the essentials: the Monkey Forest, Campuhan Ridge Walk, a temple or two, the market, and a day trip out to the rice terraces or a waterfall.
If you’re here for yoga, wellness or just to slow down, stretch it to four or five. Ubud rewards the people who don’t rush it. Plenty of travellers plan two nights and end up extending. It happens.
Getting to Ubud & Around
Ubud has no airport. Everyone flies into Ngurah Rai International near Kuta, then heads inland. The drive is around 35 to 40 km but takes 1.5 to 2 hours thanks to traffic, longer during the morning and late-afternoon rush.
Your options from the airport: a pre-booked private transfer (most stress-free, a driver meets you at arrivals), Grab or Gojek (cheapest, prices shown upfront, though availability from the airport can be patchy), an official airport taxi, or a shared shuttle if you’re counting every rupiah.
Around town, central Ubud is walkable, roughly a 15-minute radius before the heat and traffic wear you down. For anything further, Grab and Gojek scooters and cars are cheap, and a private driver makes sense for a full day of temple-and-rice-terrace hopping.
Hostelgeeks Tip: Have small cash on you. Drivers, rental shops and some app rides prefer it, and it’s exactly what you want on hand if the police stop you on a scooter.
Is Ubud Safe?
Ubud is one of the calmer, safer parts of Bali. It doesn’t have Kuta’s phone-snatching problem, and violent crime against tourists is rare. Most of what goes wrong here is avoidable.
The real risks are on the road. Scooter accidents are the big one, so wear a helmet, don’t ride drunk, and take it slow on narrow, unfamiliar roads. Watch for opportunistic scams (that “guide” at the Monkey Forest), keep an eye on the monkeys themselves, and carry travel insurance that actually covers scooter riding. A lot of policies don’t.
Solo travellers, including women travelling alone, generally find Ubud very manageable. Normal precautions, nothing more dramatic.
Our Favorite Hostels in Ubud put on a map + sights
Next up is a handy map with all the coolest Ubud hostels pinned, plus the top sights we’d send you to:
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
- Ubud Palace
- Museum Puri Lukisan
- Monkey Forest Road
- Art Market
- Goa Gajah
- Saraswati Temple
- Campuhan Ridge Walk
- Ubud Market
Like most backpacker hotspots, this area is loaded with cool activities and tours. We’ve pulled together the best of them for you:
- Bali Instagram Tour: The Most Scenic Spots
- Mount Batur Sunrise Trek (+ Breakfast at the top)
- Visit the Ubud Rice Terraces, Temples + Volcano
- Take a trip to the Besakih Temple aka Mother Temple of Bali
- Go nuts on the Ubud Jungle Swing
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Flights to Ubud?
Ubud itself has no airport. Everyone flies into Bali via Denpasar’s Ngurah Rai International, which is actually near Kuta rather than in Denpasar proper. From there you’ll grab a car, taxi or scooter to Ubud.
We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.
Skyscanner has a bunch of cool features like Multi-City Trip. Instead of doing this research step-by-step, Skyscanner offers this flight planning tool.
FAQ
Right, you’ve probably found your hostel by now. Here are the questions people ask us most.
What is the best hostel in Ubud?
For a social stay with a rooftop pool and free daily yoga, 1. Pillow Inn is our top pick. Couples lean toward 2. Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel, and slow travellers and yoga lovers go for 4. Arya Wellness - female only. Compare live prices on Hostelz to see which fits your dates and budget.
How much does a hostel in Ubud cost?
A dorm bed runs from about 4.50€ to 12€ per night, and a private room from around 12€ to 50€. Prices climb in the dry season and around holidays, so check current rates before you book.
What's the best area to stay in Ubud?
Central Ubud, around Monkey Forest Road and Jalan Raya Ubud, keeps you walking distance from the market, palace and restaurants. For something quieter, the edges like Padang Tegal or out toward the rice fields are calmer but still close.
Are hostels in Ubud safe?
Yes, Ubud is one of the safer, calmer parts of Bali, with none of Kuta's phone-snatching reputation. The main risk is scooter accidents, so ride carefully and sort out proper travel insurance.
Is Ubud good for solo travellers?
Very. The social hostels here make it easy to meet people at the pool or over breakfast, and organised tours and yoga sessions do a lot of the icebreaking for you.
What's the best hostel for female solo travellers in Ubud?
1. Pillow Inn has a 12-bed female-only en-suite dorm and a sociable crowd, which makes it a strong choice. 4. Arya Wellness - female only is the other one we'd point you to, especially if you're into yoga.
Are there party hostels in Ubud?
Not really. Ubud is the cultural, yoga-and-rice-terraces side of Bali. For proper nightlife, base yourself in Canggu or Seminyak instead.
How many days do you need in Ubud?
Two to four days covers the main sights and a day trip. If you're here for wellness or slow travel, four to five days lets you actually settle in.
When is the best time to visit Ubud?
The dry season, April to October, brings the clearest weather, with June to September the driest and busiest. The wet season, November to March, is greener, quieter and cheaper, with rain usually falling in short afternoon bursts.
How do I get from the airport to Ubud?
It's a 1.5 to 2 hour drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport. You can pre-book a private transfer, use Grab or Gojek, take an official airport taxi, or hop on a cheaper shared shuttle.
Can you use Grab and Gojek in Ubud?
Yes, both are legal and work well across Ubud now. Local taxi groups still block pickups right by spots like the Monkey Forest and the market, so you may need to walk a couple of minutes to meet your driver.
Is Ubud better than Canggu?
It depends what you're after. Ubud is culture, jungle, temples and yoga; Canggu is surf, beach clubs and nightlife. Many backpackers do a few days in each.
Do I need a scooter in Ubud?
Central Ubud is walkable, so you can manage without one. A scooter helps for temples and rice terraces further out, but ride carefully, wear a helmet, and make sure your insurance covers it.
More Epic Hostels
Alright, alright. By now you’ve found your Ubud hostel.
Read: 29 Best Hostels in Bali for backpackers
And we’ve written plenty more guides for you.
We’re here to help you stay in safe, epic hostels around the world. Check out the finest of the lot, the 5 Star Hostels.
For more hostel guides around Indonesia:
- best hostels in Jakarta
- 3 best hostels in Canggu, Bali
- coolest party hostels in Canggu
- Best Surf Hostels in Bali
- 3 best hostels in Gili Trawangan
- best hostels in Lombok
- best hostels in Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembogan
- best hostels in Uluwatu
- best hostels in Seminyak
- best hostels in Kuta Bali
- cool coworking hostels in Bali
Find all our hostel guides around the world here.
Over to you
Do you have any questions left, maybe doubts? Then please leave it in the comment below. We are very keen to help you - and actually you would even do us a favor!
Your question will help us to improve this Ubud guide.
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter, and find the best place on a budget! We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We are constantly updating all our guides to keep them as fresh and accurate as possible.
Safe travels,
The Hostelgeeks
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