Welcome. I'm no travel guide, but here are some ideas, things and places I love:
If you're coming to Bali for the first time, this paragraph is for you:
Tampons are expensive here and only available in areas with Western shops, bring a supply.
Bring your medications (although many are available over the counter), mosquito spray, activated charcoal and antihistamines, plasters (band-aids), nail files, silicone earplugs and, any natural products.
A surge protector, if you're bringing electrical, camera and computer gear.
If you have larger than average feet, bring all the shoes you need.
Alcohol is expensive here - if you drink, hit duty-free on your way in.
And tea bags :)
Cautions
Never leave valuables out in the open. Always lock (or hide) whatever is lockable, wherever possible.
Try not to wear easy-to-snatch bags while riding bikes - especially for women alone at night. Put the bag down by your feet or under the seat.
Once dark, try to take well-lit roads, and travel with friends.
There are frequent ATM scams - check the machine seems to be in order before you use it.
Overstaying your visa is expensive - best not.
Alcohol frequently contains methanol. Only drink legit brands. Be cautious.
Food + Drink
Alive Wholefoods health store Canggu
Anomali Coffee best beans — Black Pearl
Apsara - modern Indian, Ubud. Favourite ♡
Bali Buda WIFI-free restaurant & health store, Ubud, Sanur and Kerobokan.
Bambu Indah Escalator Sunset Bar over Sayan, and the river pools, restaurant and hotel. The BEST place in Ubud ♡
Bella by Sage Penestanan vegan Italian (calzone and cheesecake)
Bisma Eight boutique hotel and cafes/bar.
Cafe Vida Canggu - amazing organic menu.
Clear Cafe Ubud - plenty of choices for any diet.
The Elephant Ubud - fresh air and stunning views of Campuhan Ridge - wine, coffee, food (laksa)
Five Elements bamboo hotel and spa, Bali.
Green Habit whole food store Ubud and Kerobokan.
Moksa plant-based restaurant and permaculture, Penestanan.
Muse - great food for those north of Ubud. Indian, breakfast, salads, matcha, cacao and more.
Peloton Canggu. Coconut lattes, gf cakes and crazy salads.
Room 4 Dessert desserts and cocktails from Will Goldfarb (Chef’s Table), Ubud.
Sage Ubud cauliflower wings and the tempeh taco bowl.
Sayan House sunset drinks over the valley.
Sayan Point - close to Sayan House (above) this has the very best view of the Sayan Ridge, daytime or sunset.
Seniman Coffee Jalan Sri Wedari. Arguably the best coffee in Ubud.
The Shady Shack Canggu - vegetarian food, surfer's breakfasts and smoothies.
Ubud Nasi Campur has a great list of tried and tested nasi campus. Wayan's Coconut, Penestanan UBUD - Classic Green juice, coconut water, jamu, kefir.
Usada food, culture, workshops Ubud (jackfruit and moringa curry)
Wearables
Elppin - Carina Hardy’s nipple-inspired jewellery, Ubud
Ananda Soul Creations - spiritual adornment
Fineline by Katahati - Ubud and Canggu
Frockk - linen and cotton clothes, Ubud and Canggu
Pithecanthropus - batik-inspired clothes and accessories, excellent tailoring
Biasa - stunning clothes, Ubud and Seminyak
Things to do + Places to visit
Ubud Open Studios explore Ubud’s art studios during this annual event. 2023 April 28-29th
Misool Eco Resort diving in Raja Ampat, Indonesia
TEDxUbud annual local TED talks
Ubud Writers Readers Festival - annual literary festival. Hands down my favourite Bali event.
Hotel Tjampuhan Spa Ubud - a unique jacuzzi experience and ice plunge pool
Bali Kite Festival Sanur - check the dates for each year.
Ibuku bamboo architecture with Elora Hardy
Green School Bali take a tour of the school
Green Village - blow your mind on the tour of the stunning bamboo village, and enjoy lunch by Ibu Kadek
Kul Kul Farm study permaculture and bamboo design at Kul Kul
Charlie's Chocolate Factory Jasi/Jasri
Tirta Empul Bali's finest water temple
Threads of Life Ubud - sustaining the textile tradition of Indonesia. Learn batik and indigo dyeing.
Ubud Food Festival the new annual food celebration
Bali Spirit Festival yoga, dance, martial arts, music and more
Balinale International Film Festival
Healers + Massage + Natural Products
Chris Skidmore Ubud - cranial sacral and astrologer
Delphine Pinaudeau - Osteopath, Canggu
Eve Kundycki - love and relationship therapist
Bioresonance Bali - wholistic balancing for hormone bacteria, fungus, parasites problems.
Cantika Spa Ubud - hair cream baths and a very chilled vibe
Marina - French osteopath and cranial sacral +33 6 75 44 17 29
Sera - the best facial massage in Ubud
Sensatia - island wide, locally made natural skin, hair and body products
Starchild Massage Penestanan Ubud
Shambala Spa (formerly Shangrila) Ubud
Utama Spice - locally made organic products, incense, and Bali’s most popular bug spray
Sauna Steam Cold - Ubud
The Ark - far infrared https://www.thearkbali.com
Amati Spa - Korean spa https://amatispabali.com
Arte & Bamboo Tea Villas (Russian) https://goo.gl/maps/yA3rSPDmqkZDeLKB8
Bali Dacha https://taplink.cc/balidacha
Dragonfly Village https://www.dragonfly-village.com
Good Day Resto & Pool Bar +62 821-4782-2909 https://gooddayubud.com
Gunung-An - traditional steam https://gunung-an.com
Hot Stone Club Ubud https://hotstone.club
The Mansion https://mansionwellness.com
Mekar Ubud Jungle Spa Bali https://g.co/kgs/EZc67u
ParQ 2 saunas and 2 pools https://parqubud.com/wellness/hothaus/
Putri Bali Spa https://maps.app.goo.gl/aJjRzBhg7ARFCFXt9
Teplo Concept (Russian) Jl. Sandat, Ubud https://www.instagram.com/teplo_concept/
Titi Batu - sauna and cold https://www.titibatu.com
Tjampuhan Spa - trad sauna, steam, epic cold plunge. (Many steps) https://tjampuhan-bali.com
Ubud Fitness (opening in May) https://ubud.fitness/
YogaBarn — far infrared https://www.theyogabarn.com/bali-holistic-healing
Sauna Steam Cold - Uluwatu
Kayu Mama https://www.kayumamabali.com
Sauna Steam Cold - Canggu
Yoga
The Yoga Barn Ubud
Ubud Yoga Centre Ubud
Intuitive Flow Penestanan
Radiantly Alive Ubud
Samadi Yoga Canggu
Uluwatu Surf Villas Uluwatu
Ashrams + Retreats
Soulshine Bali Michael and Sara Frant’s hotel and yoga retreat.
Nirarta Centre for Living Awareness Sideman
Way of Mastery Alam Cinta, Ubud
Ratu Bagus Shaking Ashram, Karangasem
Munivara Ashram Junjungan, Ubud
Landih Ashram Bangli, Kintamani. Bali’s Vipassana venue.
Gaia Oasis North Bali
Prana Veda Sanctuary, Bondalem
The Retreat Bali [Golden Rock], Ahmed
Body & Mind Retreats - retreat facilitators all over Bali
Dragonfly Village - retreat, yoga space and community sauna nights
Accommodation
There are literally thousands of homestays, hotels and spas in town. I've at stayed those marked*
Bambu Indah Sayan*
Harvest Moon and River Moon at Desa Bulan.Lotunduh*
Soulshine Retreat Lodtunduh*
Turtle Bay Hideaway Jasri*
Mimpi Hotsprings Menjangan*
Ubud Bungalows - a few steps back from Monkey Forest Road is this peaceful oasis. Clean and quiet.*
Katamana Seminyak*
Kuta Beach Heritage Hotel, Kuta*
Padang Padang Surf Camp, Uluwatu. A surf camp for beginners*
Gravity Hotel Uluwatu* (a lovely property, but not for the mould sensitive)
Villa Campuhan Jasri. Easily my favourite piece of Bali coastline. Stunning.
Omunity Sudaji North Bali - waterfalls and incredible local food
Melati Cottages Penestanan
Gerebig Bungalows Penestanan. One of the oldest homestays in Ubud.
Uma Sari Penestanan
de Munut Penestanan
TokoToko Bungalows Sangginan
Jati Homestay Jalan Hanoman
Ubud View Jalan Hanoman
Madra Homestay Peliatan. Since 1973, a quiet place to learn about Bali. Home of Ketut Madra, dancer, musician and painter.
Ubud Aura next to The Yogabarn
Swasti Eco Cottages Nyuh Kuning
Fivelements Mambal
Ananda Cottages Jalan Sanggingan, Campuhan
High end hotels are easier to find & choose, so I'll leave you with 'the cheap list' of homestays, courtesy of Ubud Readers and Writers Festival.