In a nutshell
- Ubud sits right in the heart of Bali, and there’s so much to explore — plan for 4–6 days to take in all the highlights in and around Ubud.
- Ubud has great budget-friendly accommodation options, but also some seriously impressive villas with private pools — and they’re more affordable here than almost anywhere else in Bali.
- Our advice: stay a little outside the center, in Peliatan or near the Monkey Forest. You’ll have far less traffic stress when heading out on day trips.
- Our personal favorite is The Studios Ubud in Peliatan — stylish apartments, each with a private infinity pool and stunning jungle views.
The Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Ubud — on a Map
For us, there are three neighborhoods where you should look for hotels in Ubud. Depending on how you plan your time on your Bali road trip itinerary, one area will suit you better than the others.
Here’s a quick overview:
- Central Ubud: as close as possible to the sights right in town
- Peliatan: the best base for day trips into the surrounding area
- Monkey Forest neighborhood: the top pick for nature lovers
Central Location: Staying in Central Ubud
Central Ubud is the right choice if you mainly want to focus on the sights within the city.
Central Ubud is the heart of Ubud. Most of the city’s attractions are here — the Ubud Market, the Royal Palace, the main temples — and you can reach all of them on foot.
That said, the city center is seriously busy. The streets are always crowded, and navigating the traffic on a scooter in Bali is a real challenge. That’s exactly what you’ll need to do to reach the great day trip destinations around Ubud — which is why we’d actually recommend staying a bit further out in one of our other two neighborhoods.
If you still decide on Central Ubud, book a hotel on one of the side streets — it’s noticeably quieter there than on the main roads. And for your day trips, book a private driver or a taxi. That way, the traffic won’t bother you at all.
Advantages of staying in Central Ubud:
- Right in the middle of the action
- Ubud’s highlights are within walking distance
- Lots of hotels and restaurants to choose from
Disadvantages of staying in Central Ubud:
- Very busy and hectic
- Chaotic traffic
Our Hotel Recommendations for Central Ubud
It doesn’t get more central than Chakra Living Ubud. You’re truly right in the thick of things — but you’d never guess it from the peaceful garden with a pool.
At Lasamana Villas Ubud, you get your own little cottage with a private pool right in the middle of one of Bali’s most beautiful rice fields. It doesn’t sound like Central Ubud — but it is. Ubud actually has rice fields right in its center. You get a wonderfully relaxed stay without sacrificing a central location.
Good and affordable
Better
Luxurious
Great for Day Trips: Staying in Peliatan
Peliatan is perfect if you want to take lots of day trips into the surrounding area.
Peliatan is the eastern part of Ubud, and it’s noticeably quieter than the city center. On the side streets, you’ll even get a real village feel.
During our trip through Bali, we stayed in Peliatan — and we’d absolutely recommend it as a base in Ubud. The biggest advantage: you can skip the chaotic city center entirely when heading out on excursions. That’s a huge relief if you don’t yet have much experience riding a scooter.
For the sights in the center, just grab a taxi via the Grab or Gojek apps. It takes about 10–20 minutes to get into town. Some hotels in Peliatan even offer a shuttle service.
Advantages of staying in Peliatan:
- Much quieter than Central Ubud
- More relaxed traffic — great for scooter beginners
- Budget-friendly accommodations and luxury villas at surprisingly affordable prices
Disadvantages of staying in Peliatan:
- Smaller selection of hotels
- Ubud’s main sights aren’t walkable from here
Our Hotel Recommendations for Peliatan
The Studios Ubud is one of our favorite places to stay in Ubud. It’s a stylish hotel in Bali’s jungle that still manages to feel centrally located. The apartments are beautifully designed, and each one comes with a private infinity pool with jungle views. Seriously stunning.
Sawah Villas sits right in the middle of rice fields. For around 100 euros you get your own villa with a private pool. Where else can you afford something that extraordinary? That’s exactly why it’s one of our top accommodation picks for Bali.
Good and affordable
Better
Luxurious
For Nature Lovers: Staying near the Monkey Forest
The Monkey Forest area is the right choice if you want to be as close as possible to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary without being too far from everything else.
The Monkey Forest is a short distance from Central Ubud, which means it’s also a bit quieter and more relaxed here than in the city center. Plus, you have that magical little forest right on your doorstep.
From the Monkey Forest, it’s only about 20–30 minutes on foot to the other sights in Ubud. So a hotel in this neighborhood gives you a genuinely great position for all your plans.
Advantages of staying near the Monkey Forest:
- Quieter than Central Ubud
- Steps away from the Monkey Forest
- Traffic is a bit more manageable
Disadvantages of staying near the Monkey Forest:
- Still pretty touristy
Our Hotel Recommendations for the Monkey Forest Neighborhood
The ARTOTEL Haniman Ubud is a small boutique hotel in Bali with a super stylish vibe. You can take a dip in the infinity pool and be at the Monkey Forest within minutes.
