UBUD or AMED? Choose Ubud or choose Amed for your next stay in Bali?

UBUD or AMED ? If you're hesitating and don't know which place to choose for your trip to BALI, here are the advantages and disadvantages of the 2 sites.

So you can compare and according to your desires, you will select the city that suits you best or, why not, you will decide to visit both!

The city of UBUD

Located in the heart of Bali, the town of Ubud first flourished thanks to the cultivation of medicinal plants. In fact, its name comes from the Indonesian word UBAD, meaning medicine. Later, with the arrival of renowned painters, Ubud attracted artists from all over the world. And for several years now, tourism has been driving the town's economic development.

But why this success?
What are foreigners going to look for in this city?
Why choose this city over another in Bali ?

This is what we will see in the following article to help you choose the best place in Bali!

Choose UBUD for its geographical location

It will take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by taxi to get to the center of Ubud from Denpasar airport.

Ubud is located on the plateaus in the center of the island of Bali in the heart of lush green nature (forests and rice paddies).

The landscapes surrounding Ubud will therefore attract lovers of lush scenery. They can swim in the Tegenungan waterfall, kayak down the Ayung River , visit small, typical villages and temples, stroll along the Campuhan River , and take a walk through the terraced rice paddies…

Its central location in Bali allows you to settle in and explore the different sites of Bali over several days.

Moreover, it is very easy to get around in UBUD : on foot, by bicycle, by scooter or by taxis for more distant sites.

Choose UBUD for its tourist assets

The main tourist attractions:

La monkey forest or his real name “Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary” cf. my article: https://sacavoyage.fr/jour-9-marche-dubud-foret-des-singes-restaurant-ibu-rai/
Temples and Rice Terraces : The temples, in and all around UBUD, are numerous and all equally interesting (Pura Taman Saraswati, Ubud Palace, Ubud Water Palace, Goa Gajah, Gunung Kawi Sebatu…);
You can combine the visits by scheduling, for example, a day to visit the village of Penglipuran , the Kehen temple , the village of Rendang and walk around rice terraces of Rendang …Cf. https://sacavoyage.fr/jour-8-village-de-penglipuran-temple-kehen-rizieres-en-terrasses/
The rice fields above the small village of Tegallalang are also to be discovered;
Its market : cf. my article https://sacavoyage.fr/jour-9-marche-dubud-foret-des-singes-restaurant-ibu-rai/

Choose UBUD for its cultural heritage

Balinese dance performances, yoga classes, meditation sessions, Indonesian cooking classes… It will be impossible to get bored in Ubud and there is something for everyone!

And if you like art galleries and painting, you will be spoiled!

Indeed, you can discover along the streets of small Balinese art galleries but especially beautiful museums such as the Neka Art Museum, the Puri Lukisan Museum, Don Antonio Blanco Museum, the Agung Rai Art Museum (ARMA ) ...

Choose UBUD for its entertainment and restaurants

Is it because of or thanks to tourism… but UBUD is explosive, alive, lively, noisy some would say.

UBUD centre will suit all those who like lively places, bars, nightclubs, etc… And for those who prefer peace and quiet, hotels or guest houses a little outside the city centre will be perfect!

Finally UBUD will especially delight all those who love to eat! Indeed, there are restaurants on every street corner and the majority are very good (Ibu Raï, Melting wok warung…) and not expensive. Note that UBUD is also a paradise for vegetarians and organic lovers ( Wulan Vegetarian Warung, the elephant…).

Another nice and well-known address for combining restaurant and dance show: Cafe Lotus.

Choose UBUD for shopping

Obviously, you can do your shopping at the market but as it is very touristy, the prices are higher than elsewhere.

Otherwise, on either side of the two main thoroughfares of UBUD: Jalan Raya and Dewi Sita , you will find clothing, jewelry, souvenir shops… for all budgets.

And, on Jalan Monkey Forest , which runs from the monkey forest to the art market, you will also find beautiful shops selling paintings, sculptures, jewelry, clothing…

Choose UBUD for its hotels

There is a wide range of hotels for all tastes and ranges, both in the city center and in the surrounding countryside. Prices range from 15 Euros to well over 100 Euros for the most luxurious accommodations.

For my part, I chose a guest house (which was more like a hotel) because of its very low price : ESTY HOUSE.

It was a great discovery and I recommend this accommodation if you are looking like me:

A location in the heart of UBUD, a stone's throw from the market and good restaurants,
A calm location ;
Spacious, clean, air-conditioned rooms with a small terrace equipped with a rattan lounge…
A swimming pool in the middle of a small tropical garden IN THE CENTER OF UBUD!
Free WIFI ;
Good breakfasts included in the price: 20 Euros per night !!!

See this hotel on Booking

What can we fault UBUD?

To be too noisy and with too many people (necessarily because of tourism);
To become more and more expensive even if the prices are still very low (inevitably because of tourism);
To lose some of its authenticity (necessarily still because of tourism)!

Now let's see Amed

Amed , a fishing village located on Bali's east coast , is less affected by mass tourism than the villages on Bali 's south coast . With significant infrastructure development in recent years, Amed offers tourists comfortable and varied accommodations for relaxing and enjoyable stays, along with its magnificent black sand beaches.

Choose Amed for its location

Amed stretches for about ten kilometers along the sea in Northeast Bali and is located a few kilometers from the famous Mount Agung volcano . It is a strategic point for visiting the interior of the island of Bali, easily providing a wide-ranging base to explore the North, the East, and even venture a little to the South.

But, Amed is above all the place you will need to go to in order to get to the GILI Islands or Lombok most easily and quickly (see my article: BALI GILI CROSSING ).

Choose Amed in relation to its tourist assets

Indeed, from Amed , you can easily explore the surrounding area and plan day trips. The main must-see sites around Amed are :

The rice fields of Sidemen,
the Lempuyang temple,
Tirta Gangga temple,
the Unjung Water palace,
Permandian Air Panas (Banjar) hot springs,
Mount Batur,
the Agung volcano,
etc ...

Choose Amed for its beaches and snorkeling spots

The beaches all around Amed are known to be good spots for diving and snorkeling and stretch for more than 10 km.

While all the beaches in Amed are pleasant for snorkeling or diving, there are some must-see spots that I simply must mention:

The Japanese wreck in Lipah Bay;
Jemeluk (about 6 km east of Culik);
The Liberty wreck at Tulemben (approximately 30 minutes north of Amed).

Choose Amed for its atmosphere and calm

With its peaceful atmosphere, you will be able to rest there in peace, far from the crowds and the animations of the other coastal cities of Bali ...

In addition, as there are many expats but also many French and Canadian tourists, many locals speak French in Amed. You will be amazed to hear "and hello, how are you?" "Or" Hello French people, do you need something? ". But always without aggression and without harassment to sell!

Choose Amed for its hotels

Indeed, Amed offers a wide range of affordable and good-quality hotels . You'll easily find a nice place at a good price and in a great location!

Here's the great deal on a cheap hotel in Amed that I found: Hotel Uyah Amed Spa Resort (31 Euros per night including breakfast)