48 Hours in Bali, Indonesia

Ubud is a little piece of paradise located on Bali, one of the islands that make up Indonesia. Here, you’ll find warmth in both the weather and the people. The island is overflowing with hospitality and kindness. 

While you could spend weeks on Bali and never completely experience it all, here is a rundown on must-see highlights that can be seen in 2 days if you only have a limited time in Ubud. 

Accommodations 

Brand new and luxurious, the Kuwarasan- A Pramana Experience located in Ubud, opened its doors in 2019. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, with balconies overlooking either the infinity pool or terraced rice fields. They offer rooftop yoga, tours of the rice fields, and shuttles to and from Ubud’s town center, all at no additional charge. 

The hotel can arrange an airport pickup for a nominal fee. From the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, the drive to the resort is about an hour and a half.

Day 1

Start your day off right with a morning yoga class. The Kuwarasan Resort offered a roof top yoga class every morning. Something about feeling the breeze and hearing the birds chirp while doing yoga is really refreshing and peaceful. 

You’ll definitely want to take advantage of the option to have breakfast served in a floating basket at the pool. Breakfast in an infinity pool overlooking rice fields? Yes, please. This is a unique experience you don’t want to miss.

In Ubud, go to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, where monkeys are freely roaming around the forest. Do not be worried about the monkeys, as long as you respect them and follow the guidelines posted around the site, they should not bother you. 

Do keep in mind that they are wild animals and can be unpredictable. Make sure not to wear any accessories or jewelry, including sunglasses, as the monkeys like these items too. Don’t bring food into the forest, even if it’s hidden in a bag. The monkeys will sense the food, and have no issue with opening up bags. The best idea is to leave any bags at home, just in case a monkey gets curious. Do not try to touch or make direct eye contact with the monkeys, because if they feel threatened, they may attack. Be mindful that you’re in their habitat and be respectful of that. 

There have been no known cases of rabies reported, but if something does happen and you get bitten by a monkey, there is a first aid clinic on site.

The Monkey Forest can be experienced in an hour or two, depending on how quickly you want to move around the park. It’s really an amazing experience to be so close and be able to observe these beautiful animals.

If you’re looking for a unique experience, stop for a fish pedicure. There are several places you can find these between the Monkey Forest and the main part of Ubud. For only a few dollars, you can have the fish nibble the dead skin off of your feet for fifteen minutes. You may not last long if you have ticklish feet, but you’ll get a good laugh out of it!

When in Bali, get ready to be pampered! There are many spas around Ubud, so if are looking at options for a place to treat yourself, you will have plenty of choices! The Kuwarasan Resort has a gorgeous spa, with well priced package options. Indulge in a massage, facial, or body scrub to help you unwind. 

Day 2  

It is easy to hire a driver to take you to the highlights around Ubud. Your hotel can help arrange this for you, or you can find your own among the numerous tourist cabs around town. Oftentimes, they’ll negotiate a price before you leave based on the number of places you’re going and how large the group is.

Get an early start and head to Aloha Ubud Swing right when they open. This is one of the locations of the ‘Bali swings’ you’ll hear about all over town. They offer several packages that give you access to different swing and prop options, as well as the possibility to hire a personal photographer to get photos from the best angle. Don’t worry if you didn’t pack your most Instagramable clothing. They even have long, flowy dresses that can be rented to get that perfect midair shot. Do note that they open an hour earlier for those who purchase the larger package, so check with them to confirm which time is best to arrive. 

Next, head to the Tegallalang rice terraces. For only a donation-based entry fee, you can see the lush fields that are iconic on this area. They do have swings as well, but the prices are higher and there are fewer options here. Take the time to hike down to the bottom of the terraces to have another perspective on the on the rice paddies from below. 

The Tirta Empul Temple is a Hindu Balinese water temple and it fascinating to see. Visitors and locals alike come to this temple to cleanse themselves in a pool of holy water. 

Do note that there are some rules to follow before you enter. A few key ones to note are that females must have their hair tied back, and both males and females must have their shoulders covered and be wearing a sarong. They have a huge pile of sarongs at the entrance that you are able to borrow if you don’t bring your own, although I have heard that sometimes you must pay a small fee to rent them.

If you enjoy bargaining and want inexpensive souvenirs, the market attached to the temple is the place to go. As you walk through the maze of stalls, be prepared for items to be thrust at you and prices to be yelled out to you, getting ever lower as you continue passing by. 

You’ll be ready for lunch after all of that bargain hunting, and Bebek Uma Menuh happens to be in the area. Although this restaurant may be a bit geared towards tourists, the food was delicious. I highly recommend the Chicken Satay, which is an Indonesian speciality.

For your final stop, head over to the Tegenungan Waterfall. To access the falls, you must climb down around 150 steps (and be prepared to climb back up), however there are viewing platforms located higher up if you feel like the stairs aren’t for you. 

Some people swim in the water under the falls, others just go to get nice photos or admire the waterfall. Either way, it’s a nice place to check out. Also, there are changing rooms and restrooms on site, so you can easily change into a swimsuit if needed. 

Back up at the top, there are cafes where you can grab something refreshing to cool off with after climbing all of those stairs in the Bali heat.

Back at the resort, relax by the pool, go to the swimup bar for a banana milkshake or cold drink, and soak up all the warmth of the Bali evening.

While it’s clear that you could spend much more than 48 hours exploring the area around Ubud, it’s still possible to fit plenty of activities and also relaxation even if you don’t have much time in Bali!