Ubud Guide
Ubud suits travellers who want culture, rice terraces and wellness inland, while Bali's south-coast towns like Seminyak and Canggu suit beach, surf and nightlife. Many visitors split a trip between the two. Riviera Boutique Hotel is a base in central Ubud on Jalan Raya Pengosekan, inland from the coast.
A guide from Riviera Boutique Hotel, a boutique hotel in central Ubud.
Last updated 6 October 2026
It comes down to the trip you want. Ubud sits inland in the hills of Gianyar and leans toward culture, temples, rice terraces and wellness, with greener, cooler surroundings and quieter evenings.
The south-coast towns are where the beaches, surf and nightlife are. Neither is better on its own; they answer different moods, and plenty of visitors give a week to both.
No. Ubud is an inland district in the hills of Gianyar Regency, so there is no beach in the town itself. The regency does reach the sea on its southern side, and its coast has a string of beaches: Ketewel, Purnama, Masceti, Lebih, Saba and Keramas.
Keramas, in the Blahbatuh district, is the best known of them for surfing, and it was on the 2013 men's world championship tour as the Oakley Bali Pro. Seminyak's beach clubs and Canggu's surf breaks are further away, on the south coast. Travel time from Ubud to any of them depends on the route and traffic, so check a current estimate before you go.
Ubud is Bali's arts and culture town. It is the base for the Sacred Monkey Forest, the palace and temples, the Campuhan Ridge Walk and the rice terraces, and it has the island's deepest concentration of spas and wellness. Being inland and a little higher, it feels fresher than the coast, especially in the evenings, and its nights are calmer.
The south coast is the beach side of Bali. Seminyak is known for its dining, shopping and beach clubs, Canggu for surf, cafes and a younger crowd, and Kuta for a busy, budget-friendly strip near the airport.
If your idea of Bali is sand, surf and late nights, these are where to base. They are busier and warmer than Ubud, and closer to the airport.
Yes, and it is a common way to plan a week or more. Many visitors give a few nights to Ubud for the culture and the hills and a few to the coast for the beach, moving once rather than day-tripping back and forth. From Riviera to Ngurah Rai International Airport on the south coast is 33 to 36 kilometres, about an hour by car on the routes Google Maps showed on 16 October 2026. Arrange the transfer with a driver and check a current estimate on the day.
For the Ubud half of a trip, a central base does the most with the time. Riviera Boutique Hotel is on Jalan Raya Pengosekan in the central belt, with the walkable sights close and every day trip starting nearer the main roads. Its spa, cafe and coffee lounge, and Kumo dining are on site, so the inland stretch of the trip can be as slow or as busy as you want.
| Ubud | Beach towns (south coast) | |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Inland hills, rice terraces, greener and cooler | Coast, beaches and surf |
| Best for | Culture, temples, wellness and quiet | Beach, dining, nightlife and surf |
| Pace | Slower, early mornings | Busier, later nights |
| From the airport | Inland; travel time varies with traffic | Closer, in the south |
See Riviera's rooms in central Ubud, or read our guide to where to stay in central Ubud.
Reviews
For us, this hotel was an absolute oasis of well-being and definitely one of the most beautiful hotels we stayed in in Bali. We would return in a heartbeat and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a special, stylish, and relaxing stay in Ubud. Thank you so much to the entire team for this wonderful time! ❤️🌴 We would love to come back again!
A beautiful boutique hotel in the heart of Ubud with stylish interiors and great attention to detail. I stayed in a Garden View room, which was very comfortable, spotless and peaceful. The staff were incredibly warm, attentive and helpful. I originally booked two nights but loved it so much that I extended my stay by another three. I would definitely return!
A Beautiful modern hotel in the heart of Ubud, very centrally and conveniently located and close to the best shops and restaurants. The hotel has a very beautiful colonial atmosphere, the rooms are clean, modern and stylish. The staff is kind and responsive. It's a great place for a couple or single travellers, it's not really fit for families as it has no infrastructure and special spaces for kids. It's a great place for adult travellers wanting to stay in the very heart of Ubud and enjoy the walking distance to the evening events in Ubud or just visiting the town without the need to use a car or a bike. We will be back!
Common questions
It depends on the trip. Ubud is best for culture, nature and wellness, and Seminyak for the beach, dining and nightlife. Many visitors spend time in both.
Ubud suits first-timers who want culture and nature. A split stay that adds a beach town covers both sides of Bali in one trip.
No, Ubud is inland in the hills of Gianyar Regency. The regency's coast to the south has beaches including Ketewel, Saba, Lebih and Keramas, a known surf break, and the busier beach towns are on Bali's south coast.
No. Bali's capital and largest city is Denpasar, near the south coast. Ubud is a district of Gianyar Regency, whose seat is the town of Gianyar.