I'm going to split this guide in top 5 attractions and things to do, then my top 5 restaurants and hostels. Beginning with things to do in Ubud:
1. Everyone hears about this place but when you visit it you will understand why everywhere online votes it the number one attraction to Ubud, and that is the monkey forest sanctuary. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity you will get to really get up, close and personal to as many monkeys as your heart desires, safely knowing it's also an ethical place and environment for them to be in. I spent just under 6 hours here just spending time and enjoying having monkeys climb over me, there is also a beautiful stream to see in the sanctuary with ancient amazing Komodo statues. A tip for if you visit is by your bananas outside of the forest as they are much cheaper, but don't bring nuts as you will get told off by the staff for this. But if you forget like I did its 10,000R for a small bunch of 4, which very quickly makes you a target and they will soon be gone.
2. Mount Batur; this mountain is actually a volcano and it is active. The tours up here for very pricey so if it's just two of you going up the volcano get a taxi to give you a lift to the bottom of the mountain and sneak in behind another group and you won't be noticed and if you're scarred off by reviews online- the tour guides do not get angry at you for it, even though it says they do. This is a sunrise tour but don't be disappointed if you don't see it as it is usually misty up there. However I just did it for the hike, there are wild monkeys at the top so don't be seen wandering with food because they can attack you. It's also amazing to see the burnt old lava when you're at the top as you can see a large black patch going all the way down into the village. Book a tour with your hostel it should cost 350,000R if your hostel sells it for more then simply just book via another hostel.
3. The ridge walk, this is slightly unknown to the tourists walk and it's beautiful if you do actually want a 100% chance of seeing a sunrise or sunset. There are cheap restaurants up there too. It's an easy walk and must more for a beginner. The entrance to this walk is outside a hotel called iBau which is strange but it is signposted. This is a lovely undiscovered place and I can't stress how free and enjoyable it is- great for anyone wanting to do a walk on a budget.
4. Visit a Coffee Plantation even if you're not into coffee! This is another free activity but it's so great you get lovely treetop views and get to try coffees or teas you didn't even know existed, an unusual one was sweet potato coffee. Bali is also home to the most expensive coffee in the world which is the only taster you have to pay for if you want too, this coffee actually comes from an animal where they keep in cages at the plantations they only keep one captive for tourists to see, and sometimes they are small cages- don't support these ones, if it's in bad conditions leave and go next door to the next plantation. If you're into spiders this is also a great visit as you can ask the caffeine buzzing staff to get you down a spider from out the fronts of the coffee shop and hold one, they are completely non poisonous and identify as the common Balinese Spider.
5. The Bali markets are a joy to go round if you like finding good deals. I'm not the hustle type so I find them quite hard sometimes but if it helps you should be able to get 2 pairs of shorts for 100,000R - if that helps people who don't enjoy bargaining have a sense of what is fair to pay. You can get lost in all the clothes so save a good day to go round these markets whilst squeezing in the water temple which was my favourite temple. It's hard to find but soon as you find Starbucks just go through the shop and you will get to the temple- typical that Starbucks got in there.
Ubud is fairly expensive for eating and sleeping so I will keep this brief but for those who need help finding good priced accommodation and food read this:
1. Stay at joker hostel 2 it's really cheap and one night a week it's free Balinese styled dinner, they also have great free breakfasts of either scrambled egg with toast and fruit or chocolate and banana pancakes also with water melon if you want it. They serve free tea and coffee all day long and you have full use of the kitchen if you want to cook something for yourself.
2. If you want to experience Balinese food a really yummy cheap place is panorama hotel/restaurant. I find it so delicious here I visited more than once, the inside looks a bit abandoned as every time I went I was the only one their but don't let this put you off as their curries are so good and their Balinese noodles.
3. Fancy a western styled dish? Next to joker hostel 2 their is an Italian, don't go there unless you have money as 2 doors down there is another Italian ristorante and it's half the price. It's e cheapest place in Ubud for a pizza or pasta, they also have a snooker table and a dart board if you want to just relax with your new travelling friends. Tip: if you like coffee the coffee milkshake or the honey and vanilla special smoothie- they are so so good.
I hope you have an amazing time in Ubud it truly is a special place to visit which is full of hidden treasures. I hope you enjoy sharing my favourite things to do in Ubud and find them just as exciting and beautiful.
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