Getting around Ubud when you are staying north of town

North Ubud is quiet, which is the point of staying here. It is also not a walk-everywhere address. Ubud Palace, the Monkey Forest and the main restaurant streets are about ten minutes away by car, and that ten minutes is the thing to plan around.

Scooter

A scooter is the cheapest and fastest way to move, and it is what most long-stay guests end up on. Ten minutes into town, and you park for almost nothing instead of circling for a car space on Jalan Raya.

The honest version: Bali traffic does not forgive inexperience, the roads north of town have gravel and dogs on them, and rain turns the surface slick within seconds. If you have never ridden, Ubud is a poor place to learn. Ride with a helmet on, and carry a licence that actually covers you in Indonesia - your travel insurance will ask for it if anything happens.

We can arrange a scooter for your stay. The scooter rental page covers what to expect.

A driver for the day

If you are doing temples, waterfalls or rice terraces, hire a car and driver for the day rather than stringing rides together. It works out cheaper than four separate trips, you leave your bags in the car, and somebody who knows the roads decides when to skip a spot because three coaches just pulled in.

That is the other half of what this family does - Cahyana Ubud Experience runs the cars, with the prices published before you book.

Ride-hailing apps

Grab and Gojek both work in Ubud and are the easiest way to get home after dinner. Two things to know. Coverage thins out the further north you are, so a car can take a while to accept at night. And a number of areas around Ubud restrict app drivers from picking up, which is enforced by local transport co-operatives rather than by the app - you will sometimes be asked to walk a street or two to meet the driver.

Walking

There are cafes and warungs within a short walk of both villas, and that is genuinely pleasant in the morning. Walking the whole way into central Ubud is possible but not recommended: no footpath for long stretches, no lighting after dark, and drainage ditches at the road edge.

So what should you do

Most guests who stay a week land on the same mix: a scooter or an app ride for dinner and cafes, a driver for the one or two big sightseeing days, and feet for the morning coffee. Decide the driver days early - the good ones are booked out in July and August.