Things to Do in Ubud Beyond Temples

Things to do in Ubud beyond temples are easy to find once you look past the carved gates: rice terraces, waterfalls, village workshops and slow-paced days you can plan with a scooter or car from SiapPergi.

Most first-time visitors to Ubud plan their days around Pura Tirta Empul and the Monkey Forest, then run out of ideas by the third day. The town and the villages around it hold far more: working rice fields, jungle rivers, art studios, cooking kitchens and hillside cafés. The sections below are a practical guide to filling your days without buying a single temple ticket.

Walk the Rice Terraces Early

The valleys around Ubud look their best in the first two hours after sunrise, when the light is soft and farmers are already working the paddies. Several paths start from the edge of town and loop through the terraces for an hour or two.

• Go before 08.00 to avoid the midday heat and the crowds.
• Wear shoes you do not mind getting muddy; the paths between paddies are narrow and can be wet.
• Carry small rupiah notes for a cold drink or a snack at a family warung.
• Ask your host or the local team which path is open that week, because access can change after rain.

Find Waterfalls and Jungle Rivers

The area has a string of waterfalls reached by short walks down stone steps. Expect slippery surfaces and take each step slowly. Avoid swimming in rivers after heavy rain, when currents rise quickly and can catch even strong swimmers off guard. Wear footwear with grip rather than flip-flops, and keep your phone and wallet in a dry bag.

Entry fees and opening hours at individual sites can change. Check the current rules on the official site or ask at the entrance.

Join a Cooking Class or Market Visit

Bali cooking is built on base spices (bumbu) pounded by hand, and a half-day class is one of the most useful things you can do in Ubud. Many classes begin with a morning market visit, so you see the vegetables, herbs and chillies before you cook them. It is a good way to learn what goes into dishes you will later order at local warungs.

1. Pick a class that includes the market visit, not just the kitchen.
2. Ask whether vegetarian options are available before you book.
3. Book a morning slot, then keep the afternoon free for something calmer.

Visit Craft Villages and Art Studios

Ubud has a long tradition of painting, woodcarving, silver and textile work. Several nearby villages specialise in a single craft, and many studios will let you watch the process from start to finish. Choose two or three rather than rushing through a long list. Bargaining is normal in traditional markets but less common in named galleries, where prices are usually fixed. Ask before you photograph artists at work.

Slow Down in Cafés and Yoga Shalas

Some of the best hours in Ubud are spent with a view. Hillside cafés overlooking the valleys, yoga studios with open-air shalas and quiet bookshops combine easily into a relaxed afternoon. Plan at least one slow day per trip so you are not moving from site to site from breakfast to dinner.

Getting Around Ubud Without Stress

Traffic in Ubud is heavy at midday, and the roads that lead into the valleys are narrow. A scooter gives you the flexibility to stop at a waterfall or turn off to a village on a whim, while a car suits groups, families or rainy days.

• Scooter: from Rp70.000 per day (24 hours) at SiapPergi, with 2 helmets included.
• Car: self-drive cars from Rp310.000 per day.
• Minimum rental is 2 days.
• Scooters require a motorcycle licence. Foreign visitors need their home licence plus an International Driving Permit with the motorcycle category. Licence and permit rules are set by the authorities and can change, so confirm them with the official source before you travel.

How SiapPergi Helps in Ubud

SiapPergi delivers scooters and cars to your hotel, villa or Ngurah Rai Airport anywhere in mainland Bali, including Ubud, at the same catalogue prices. Delivery is included, there is no deposit, and your passport is not held. You pay in Indonesian Rupiah when the vehicle arrives, so there is no online payment to set up. When the team meets you, you show your driving licence and the handover is done on the spot.

Book on WhatsApp at +6281808001102 (07.00–23.00 WITA), in English or Indonesian. Send the model you want, your dates and your hotel or villa address. You can compare options on the scooter rental and car rental pages.

For a closer look at the area, the Ubud scooter rental page explains delivery options, and the how to book guide walks you through the steps. If you would rather have a driver for longer day trips, see car rental with driver for routes in Central Java and Yogyakarta.