Ubud in one day: what to combine and what to skip

Start with three priorities

Choose Monkey Forest and central Ubud, or a countryside day built around terraces and a waterfall. You do not have to fit everything in. Transfers, lunch and time to enjoy each stop make more difference than another pin on the map.

The plans below are editorial suggestions, not guaranteed itineraries from a tour operator. Adjust the order to your accommodation, traffic, weather and agreement with your driver. If you are coming from southern Bali, include the return drive in your day's plans.

Plan A: Monkey Forest and Ubud on foot

Choose this day if you would rather spend less time in a car. Start at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, then continue towards central Ubud. Leave room for lunch, a walk and places that catch your attention along the way.

Food and drinks are not allowed inside the forest, and loose belongings should be secured. Do not feed or touch the monkeys, and follow staff instructions. Getting as close as possible is not the point of the visit.

After lunch, choose one area to explore, such as the streets around the palace or market, and leave the rest flexible. Check access to individual spaces locally. Finish with a coffee rather than adding another distant stop simply because it appears close on your map.

Plan B: rice terraces and one more stop

If the countryside is what brought you here, choose the rice terraces around Tegallalang, then add a waterfall or temple that fits the route. The aim is to have time outside the car, not to cover the whole region.

Decide what you want from the terraces: a walk through the landscape, a swing or a photo-focused attraction. These are not automatically the same experience or ticket. At a waterfall, allow for steps and check current access. Do not assume that swimming is part of the visit.

For temples, bring clothing that covers shoulders and knees and follow local rules. Check sarong requirements and any participation in rituals separately. Visiting a temple does not automatically include a ceremony.

A planned tour or your own driver?

Our selection includes an Ubud tour with rice terraces, Monkey Forest and a waterfall. It has a fuller itinerary than the slower plans above. Read all the stops and choose it if that pace suits you. Whether entrance fees are included depends on the option you book.

For a day you can shape yourself, compare a private car with driver. Agree the route beforehand within the area covered by your booking. A driver is not automatically a guide inside attractions, and admission may be extra.

What we would leave for another day

Batur before dawn, a full Ubud itinerary and Uluwatu at sunset are three different outings. Combining them means giving up sleep and time at the places you wanted to see. Give the volcano its own morning, starting with our Batur hike-versus-jeep comparison.

Before heading out, write down three priorities and one optional stop. If traffic or weather changes the day, you will know what to drop without feeling that the entire plan has failed.

Tours are run by local operators; booking and payment are handled by GetYourGuide. We earn a commission on bookings made through our links, at no extra cost to you.

Tags: UbudBalirice terracesMonkey Forest

Sources and fact-check

We checked the facts in this text on 25 Oct 2026 against these sources. Rules, prices and timetables change, so check them before you travel.

1. Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary Ubud – Visit (otváracie hodiny, vstupné); overené 25. 10. 2026 (opens in a new window)
2. Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary Ubud – Guidelines & FAQ (pravidlá návštevy); overené 25. 10. 2026 (opens in a new window)
3. GetYourGuide – Ubud: Full-Day Rice Terrace, Monkey Forest & Waterfall (t841262); overené 25. 10. 2026 (opens in a new window)
4. GetYourGuide – Bali: Private Car or Van Charter with Driver (t111028); overené 25. 10. 2026 (opens in a new window)