What to do as a family in Ubud, Bali?


Hop on the ride as we spill the beans on our recent trip, kicking off with a chill stop in Jimbaran. Picture this: feasting on scrumptious seafood barbecues, a fam tradition that's super close to the airport and gives you killer sunset views. Then, off we went to Ubud, our second time around.

Now, Bali's cultural hotspot, Ubud, dished out a mix of cool experiences. We're talking dance shows that had our kiddo, Scarlett, hooked and some touching moments at an orphan center.

Sure, Ubud doesn't offer beachy vibes, and walking around might not be a breeze, but trust us, it's got its own groove. Tag along as we spill the deets on this unique spot—from hitting up awesome restaurants to zipping around waterfalls on scooters. Oh, and we even dipped our toes into luxury camping up in Munduk, making memories under the stars.

Join us as we spill the highs and lows of our Ubud adventure. Yeah, there might not be a beach, but it's got a vibe that's totally its own thing.

Best restaurants and cafés in Ubud

Arcadia

If we really wanted to detail all the nice places we ate in, this list would never end so I wanted to make this into a short list. I don’t think Ubud could make anyone unhappy, it has everything, local, fancy, vegan, meaty etc.

The Blue Door Bar: Music Vibes and Genuine Brews $$

Location: Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Experience: The Blue Door Bar delivers cool live music, delightful cocktails, and the rare treat of REAL draught beer. The friendly staff left a positive impression, making it a spot we would have explored further if time permitted.

Batubara Wood Fire: Quality Cuts and Wine List $$$

Location: Jl. Raya Pengosekan Ubud No.108, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Experience: Batubara Wood Fire impresses with good cuts and a nice wine list.

Nostimo Greek Grill Ubud: A Plate of Greek Delight $$

Location: Jl. Raya Ubud, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Experience: Everything on the plate at Nostimo Greek Grill Ubud was delightful, for a cheaper eat we can also recommend Cupit which in another grill restaurant with very high quality (but is slightly outside of the city.

Minang Vegan $

Location: Nyuh Kuning Rd, MAS, Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali 80571, Indonesia

Extremely tasty vegan version of local foods. Their rendang is particulary tasty and it is very cheap.

Other special mentions go to Arcadia (perfect date night), Murni’s Warung (nice setting, local), Ocin Babi Guling dan Samsam (pork roast), Putri Minang Jaya (Local), Kebun Bistro (French

Where did we work from in Ubud, Bali?

Ubad is very well known spot for digital nomads however I must say we weren’t amazed by the coworking options.

Bali Family Hangout

With a bit of creativity you can make the most of this place thanks to the comfy tables and the fast Wifi. As always, we work around Scarlett’s naps or we take turns. The place is lovely and we particularly liked it for the food. Indeed the mix of local and western food was pretty delicious.

Mushroom Café

This little café offered a good option for our day to day and came in cheaper than Outpost.

General review of the Outposts of Ubud.

The space is okay but we didn’t like it as an environnement for work. It is quite expensive but nowhere close to the functional side of a WeWork or a Space. There is a lack of alternatives which makes you end up there but after 2 weeks we decided not to renew and work from cafés instead where the wifi was equally average.

Both outposts have the « non quiet » area outside which means that potential important calls (admitting you don’t get a booth which is a claustrophobic dark room) can get interrupted by loud geckos or massive rainfalls. Chairs and desks not super comfortable (and the desks are just tables and quite low with non adjustable chairs) and will make your back feel funny after a day of work.

Who looked after Scarlett in Bali?

We split Scarlett’s time between Ubud Little Sunshine (10am to 1pm) and then our sitter for afternoons. Feel free to reach out by email if you would like an introduction.

Recommendations for stays in Ubud, Bali

getting a nanny in ubud

We rented out a Villa with friends for the first two weeks and then when they left we moved to Ubad Retreat for our second stay with them. It is a family owned business with lush nature and probably one of the kindest families we had the opportunity to meet. We can only recommend.

rice terrasse near ubud and mount batur

What to do in Ubud for one month?

In Ubud, our days were enriched with a blend of captivating cultural activities. Scarlett, captivated by Balinese music, thoroughly enjoyed both free and paid dance shows. The main stage provided a vibrant display, while Laka Leke, a local restaurant, offered three shows per week, with Wednesday's performance being a standout. Another heartwarming experience was at the orphan center, where Saturday shows showcased the cultural richness of Bali. Beyond the rhythmic allure of dance, we ventured into the natural wonders of Ubud through waterfall hopping—a truly cool and refreshing experience. Additionally, the cultural tapestry extended to the numerous temples that dotted the landscape, each telling a unique story, and the breathtaking rice terraces that stood as a testament to Bali's rich agricultural heritage. Ubud unfolded as a treasure trove of cultural exploration and natural beauty, offering a diverse array of experiences for every day of our stay.

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