Are you looking for the best day trips from Ubud? This post will be giving you 7 different itineraries for day trips starting and finishing in Ubud, visiting different places around Bali. There are day trips for everyone, ranging from cultural visits to adventure activities like canyoning.

This post is all about the best day trips from Ubud.

Getting Around:

Hiring a private driver:

Bali is an island which is very easy to travel. Transport is available everywhere; however, it seems it has changed since the pandemic to more private cars than the public/ group transport.

Before the pandemic, it was very easy to find shuttle buses to different places in Bali or group tours to visit different attractions for a day trip. However, since the pandemic it seems most of these options have disappeared and now it is primarily private cars.

This is not such a good option for single travellers as it makes the cost more expensive, but I do believe there is also an upside to this. You can rent a private car and driver for around 600K IDR per day, still making it relatively cheap. However, I have gained a lot of knowledge from the drivers I have used for different day trips, as they usually enjoy chatting and telling you about Bali’s way of life, making it a more personal experience.

Personally, I have used Bali Honest Drivers several times, and they have always given me wonderful drivers who are friendly and knowledgeable. This is not sponsored at all, but if you are looking for a driver, this company could be a good option for you.

Who knows, in the future the group shuttle buses may return, but for now this seems the new option.

Some tips when finding a driver:

• Make sure you agree on the price before getting into the vehicle. I always get them to message me the price, so that it is written down, to save any arguments later.
• You can find good drivers on the street (everyone will ask you if you need a taxi). However, do be careful as I have had experiences in the past where these people rip you off!
• A safer option would be to ask your hotel/ guest house/ hostel to organise transport for you. The accommodation is not going to give you someone who would rip you off, as that would make them look bad!
• If you book through your accommodation or a company, before getting in the car, just confirm with the driver the amount.
• You will need to take cash out, as the drivers do not accept card. (Unless you go via Grab/ Gojek).

Renting a motorcycle/ scooter:

The other option you have to travel around Bali on day trips is to rent a scooter. Now, this comes with pros and cons.

It is usually very cheap to rent a scooter (around 80-90K a day + fuel).  Some accommodation (mainly the guest houses) offer scooter rental or there are many shops in the centre of Ubud who offer this service.

Renting a scooter gives you the freedom to explore wherever you want. Personally, that is how I found the Hidden Canyon (day trip number 4 below!). You have the freedom to stop and explore anywhere that you come across and find interesting. It also allows you to grab something to eat anywhere. Typically, the drivers will always want to take you to a particular place, but driving yourself allows you to stop off wherever.

Here are some tips for renting a scooter in Bali:

•  I wouldn’t recommend riding a scooter for the first time in Ubud. Even though the countryside is fairly quiet, the traffic within Ubud itself is quite hectic and not a great place to get used to driving.
• The road rules (generally in South East Asia) are different to Western countries so you need to be familiar with what the locals do and for you to follow the same patterns. What could be safe in a western country, could cause an accident over here.
• Always ask for a helmet (this also is a must if you take a GoJek or Grab. It is not safe to not wear a helmet and you can also get fined).
• Remember to take the phone number of the place you rented the bike. This way, if you have any problems with the scooter, you can get help. This has happened to be on several occasions and after the first time, I have never left without their number. At least then, they can come and rescue you!

Best Day trips from Ubud including itineraries:

1. Tegallalang Rice Fields And Swing

One very relaxing Ubud day trip itinerary would be to go to the Ceking and Tegallalang rice fields. Here, you will be surrounded by beautiful scenery. You can either relax in one of the local restaurants or warungs or wander through the rice terraces. If you wander through the rice terraces, you could spend quite some time here. However, if you are just wanting a quick look and then leaving, you will want to incorporate this into a longer day trip to other places.

There are also many swings here, so if you are looking for that Instagram shot, this could be the place! As well as the swings, there are also many other built monuments where you can pose and have a picture with the beautiful scenery.

In addition, there’s a beautiful fusion restaurant called Tis Bar that serves Asian fusion. It is a beautiful, modern, bamboo restaurant with amazing views over the rice fields and even a two-tier split swimming pool. It is the perfect place to chill for a bit with a wonderful view.

The village of Tegallalang has many souvenir shops if you wanted to shop. They are the general souvenir stores with the typical clothing, handicrafts etc. Be prepared to barter as due to the location, the prices seem to be high!

If you wanted to, near the rice terraces there is also a coffee plantation. It has very mixed reviews! Some people like it, others didn’t. There, it is possible to try the Luwak coffee which is a speciality in Indonesia.

Personally, when I went, I didn’t find it to interesting. It was nice to try the different teas (for free), but it really is a tourist trap if you wanted to buy something in the shop. The prices were high and people said they got something different to what they tried. Also, the conditions the Luwak are in, are not the best, so personally I have never gone back when I have returned to Bali. However, if it is something you have heard about and want to find out more for yourself, you can make your own decision.

All this being said, Tegallalang and the rice terraces have become very popular and therefore have become very touristy. If you are looking for a more low-key experience, either try the Jatiluwih rice terraces located further north (day trip number 7), Sidemen (day trip number 3), or read my post about 29 things to do in Ubud, to find some quieter local rice fields in the centre of Ubud!

2. East Bali – Tirta Gangga Water Palace, Ujung Water Palace, Virgin Beach

If you are looking for culture, a day trip to East Bali could be perfect for you.

Tirta Gangga Water Palace is around 2 hours from Ubud. Here you can explore the beautiful water palace, hop across the water and feed the huge fish! At certain times of the day, you can also see Balinese dance performances which were quite interesting. Just be careful that they do not pull you up to dance with them!

After this, you can head to Ujung Water Palace. This beautiful palace was very quiet when I visited, with far less international tourists, but some Indonesians. Walk around the beautiful and peaceful gardens, climb the huge staircase to have a view from above and relax in the gardens with a cold drink or ice cream.

Once finished at the palace, why not head to Virgin beach. Virgin beach is a beautiful white sand beach, with very blue water on the East coast of Bali. It is the perfect place to have a late lunch in one of the many warungs which dot the beach and take a refreshing dip in the ocean. I had some delicious calamari and salad for 80k while I was there, with a beautiful view out to sea.

Obviously if you have more time and you are not going to stay in Ubud for your whole trip, I would recommend staying somewhere in East Bali for some days so that you can spend longer in these places. A good place to stay could be Sidemen or Candi Dasa.  

3. East Bali: Sidemen

If you would like to be blown away by natural beauty and escape the hustle and bustle of Ubud, Sidemen is the place for you. Personally, I would recommend Sidemen for an overnight stay at least (but I am biased as I loved my time there), but it can also be possible to see it in one day.

Sidemen is in the countryside of East Bali, and Mount Agung towers over the village in the distance. It is a tranquil village, mainly surrounded by rice fields and agriculture.

If you are wanting to see Sidemen as a day trip, I would recommend the following. Contact Sidemen Eco Tours and see if Nyoman would be available to show you around the rice fields. I had an amazing day with him when I went!

For lunch, pick one of the amazing restaurants from my blogpost all about Sidemen to have not only a delicious lunch but also marvellous views out over the valley.

In the afternoon, head to Gembleng waterfall and chill in your own private infinity pool out over the jungle!

Sidemen makes a wonderful day out, but honestly, if you have time, stay for longer. You won’t regret it!

(If you are a party animal, staying in Sidemen may not be the place for you. It is a very quiet place and everything shuts up very early).

4. Goa Gajah, Tegenungan Waterfall, Hidden Canyon

If you are wanting a mix of culture, nature and adventure, this would be an amazing daytrip for you. From Ubud, drive to Goa Gajah also known as the Elephant Cave. The Elephant Cave is a temple complex near Ubud, with a beautiful cave carved into the cliff. If you would like more information about this cave, check this post here which will go into more detail about it!

After exploring this complex, drive to Tegenungan waterfall and see this very popular waterfall. As previously mentioned in this article here, this waterfall has become very touristy and built up, but it is still nice to see. This could also be a good place to find something to eat for lunch as there are many options for different budgets, ranging from the fancy day clubs to local warungs.

Once you have finished at Tegenungan waterfall, drive down the road to the Hidden Canyon for some adventure. (Make sure you bring your swimming stuff or a change of clothes and some shoes you don’t mind getting wet. I came across this randomly and had a very wet scooter ride all the way back to Ubud. – It was worth it though).

The Hidden Canyon is also known as Beji Guwang. Prices start from 200K IDR per person, but the price is reduced, the more people in your group. This price includes a guide (compulsory), water, the changing rooms and locker.
The guide will take you through the canyon and you will get wet! You will be climbing, jumping and scrambling your way through the canyon. The rocks can also be very slippery, so be careful.

It is a great way to do something a bit different, away from the crowds!

5. Gunung Kawi, Tirta Empul + Tibumana waterfall

If you are wanting a very cultural and spiritual day, this is one of the best day trips from Ubud for you. From Ubud, drive to Gunung Kawi which will take around 40 minutes. Here take the steps down to the river where you will see a collection of 10 ancient shrines. These shrines are carved into the cliffs.

Wander around these breathtaking shrines, and on the left side (across the bridge), if you walk to the end, you are then able to take a walk through some rice fields along the river. This is a beautiful little extra to the temple complex.

After climbing back up the steps to the car park (maybe stopping at a warung on the way for a cool, fresh juice or coconut), drive around 5km (roughly 10 minutes) to Tirta Empul.

Tirta Empul is a sacred water temple where locals go to bathe in the holy springs. It is also possible for you to join them; however, you must wear a sarong. For more information about Tirta Empul, read this post.

Finally, on the way back from Tirta Empul, take a slight detour to Tibumana waterfall. This is a beautiful waterfall (even when it is pouring with rain, like in the photo) with less visitors. The entrance fee is 20K IDR. It is a nice way to end your daytrip and different from all of the cultural sites.

From Tibumana waterfall back to Ubud it is around a 15km drive.

6. Ulun Banu Beratan Temple and Lake, Bali Botanical Garden, Handara Gate

Another cultural day trip with stunning views, would be a trip to Ulun Banu Beratan Temple. Head to the cooler mountainous area of central Bali to Bedugul. Beratan Temple is an iconic temple of Bali. It is located on the edge of lake Beratan. Take your time walking around the complex and checking out the beautiful views of the lake.

After this, head to the Bali Botanical garden in Bedugul (only 2km away). These gardens are huge and beautiful and attract typically locals. You can watch families having picnics, local dance and fitness groups rehearsing and training, and school kids playing football.  There are 157 hectares of gardens, but there are also some roads so that you can also drive to the different areas. There are many different areas to the botanical gardens. Some of the highlights I would recommend checking out are: The Cactus Greenhouse, the Orchid Gardens with Bali’s biggest display of wild orchids, the Bamboo Forest and the Medical Plant Collection.

After exploring the Botanical Gardens, if you are wanting a beautiful photo opportunity, drive another 6km North to Handara Gate. Handara Gate is actually the entrance to a resort and golf course. However, it has become a popular place for people to take a photo between these grand gates with the mountains in the background. The price is 10k IDR. Depending on the time you go, it could take anywhere from 5 minutes to 2 hours in a queue for the photo!

If you are not fussed about this photo opportunity, you can skip driving up there completely.

7. Jatiluwih Rice Terraces:

If you are looking for a wonderful day out in nature, then this could be one of the best day trips from Ubud for you. Jatiluwih rice terraces are in the middle of Bali and have been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Depending on the time you go, you may see the local farmers planting, maintaining or harvesting the rice. There is a walking trail through the rice fields which is beautiful to do.

There are also many places to take a bite to eat or relax with a drink taking in the wonderful views. These rice fields are getting more well-known to tourists; however, they are still not so touristy as the rice fields near Ubud. So, if you are looking for a more local experience, these rice fields could be better for you.

You must pay to enter these rice fields and it is 40K IDR per person.

I hope this has given you some inspiration for your next visit to Bali and Ubud. These are only a handful of possibilities, other areas that people have recommended to me, but I haven’t yet adventured to include Sekumpul waterfall circuit and Lovina (to see the dolphins). I’ll let you do your own research on them!

I wish you safe travels, experience new things and live the adventure!

Love,

This post was all about the best day trips from Ubud.