Ubud is unlike anywhere else in Bali. Sitting inland among terraced rice fields, river gorges and ancient temples, it attracts a very specific kind of expat — those who value culture, spiritual life, nature and a slower pace over beach clubs and nightlife. If that sounds like you, Ubud may be the most compelling place in all of Indonesia to call home.
Why Expats Choose Ubud
Ubud suits those who want to live inside Bali rather than beside it. The town and its surrounding villages offer a more authentic Balinese experience than the southern coastal strip — ceremonies happen in the streets, gamelan music drifts through the evenings, and the landscape of terraced paddies and volcanic highlands is extraordinary. The expat community here tends to be wellness-oriented, creatively inclined and rooted in the natural environment.
Housing in Ubud
Ubud’s property market is more village-centric and less villa-resort than Canggu or Seminyak. You’ll find a mix of traditional Balinese-style compounds, modern eco-villas, and long-term rental homes tucked into the rice fields or hillsides above the Ayung River. Prices are generally lower than the southern tourist corridor for equivalent space, though premium locations with rice field or valley views command a premium.
Many landlords still work through personal referrals and local networks. The Ubud community is tight-knit; word-of-mouth and local Facebook groups are among the best ways to find the right place.
Schools in Ubud
Green School Bali
Jl Raya Sibang Kaja, Abiansemal, Badung | [www.greenschool.org](http://www.greenschool.org)
Green School is Ubud’s most internationally recognised educational institution — and arguably one of the most distinctive schools anywhere in the world. Its campus of stunning bamboo structures beside the Ayung River is immediately striking, but the school’s real distinction is its sustainability-focused curriculum from pre-school through to secondary education. It draws students from across the global expat and international community and has attracted widespread attention for its pioneering approach to education and environmental responsibility. Among the most-searched school names for Bali among relocating families.
For families outside the Ubud area, other schools serving older students in Sanur and Canggu may also be worth considering. Tuition at international schools typically runs USD 8,000–20,000+ per year — visit in person and verify current accreditation before enrolling.
Healthcare Near Ubud
Ubud does not have a major international hospital within the town itself. For serious medical needs, expats typically travel to private hospitals in Denpasar or the Kuta corridor. This is an important consideration when choosing Ubud as your base — it is worth confirming the fastest route to your preferred hospital before you commit.
Ayurveda Health Centre, Ubud
Banjar Nyuh Kuning, Ubud | Tel: 0361-971-118 or 085 85725-9947 | [www.amrtasiddhi.com](http://www.amrtasiddhi.com)
Personal consultations with an Ayurvedic practitioner, treatments, dietary and lifestyle advice, and stress management and detox programmes. Well-regarded within Ubud’s wellness community.
As always for Bali expats: comprehensive international health insurance with medical evacuation coverage is essential.
Dining in Ubud
Ubud has one of the finest restaurant scenes in Bali — not just for the food, but for the setting. Eating among rice paddies or above a jungle ravine is a genuinely unique experience.
Locavore — one of Bali’s two Michelin-starred restaurants, Locavore is based in Ubud and has set the standard for fine dining in Indonesia. Hyperlocal ingredients, a tasting menu format, and a genuine commitment to Indonesian culinary heritage make it unmissable for serious food lovers. Book well ahead.
Locavore NXT — the more accessible sister concept, offering a hyperlocal and seasonal menu in a relaxed setting. Farm-to-table done right. Book ahead.
Seasalt at Alaya Resort Ubud — relaxed yet refined seaside-style dining with signature dishes seasoned using traditional Kusamba sea salt. The Sunday brunch — unlimited-to-order seafood, premium meats and live music — has become something of a local institution.
Warung Murni (near Ubud) — worth a trip for the spectacular ravine view alone, but the food holds its own too. A classic Bali experience that long-term residents continue to return to.
Kampung Kafe, Tegallalang — on the road north of Ubud, set among the rice terraces. A genuinely beautiful setting with good food and the kind of view that reminds you why you moved here.
Biku, Petitinget (short drive from Ubud) — set in a beautifully restored antique Javanese house, beloved for its lunches, high teas and all-day menu of Indonesian and international dishes.
Mozaic — a revived Ubud institution now under Chef Blake Thornley, with Michelin recognition and a new vision. One of the most celebrated dining experiences on the island.
Spas & Wellness in Ubud
Karsa Spa, Ubud
Set among lush rice fields along the Campuhan Ridge Walk.
A beautiful open-air spa blending local charm with professional service, offering high-quality traditional treatments at very reasonable prices. The signature Balinese massage and chakra healing sessions in open-air treatment rooms surrounded by rice paddies offer an experience that is quintessentially Bali. Ideal for wellness seekers based in or visiting Ubud.
Ubud also has an exceptionally wide range of yoga studios, holistic health practitioners, meditation centres and wellness retreats — arguably unmatched anywhere in Southeast Asia.
Shopping & Markets
Ubud Market — Jl Raya Ubud. A bustling local market for clothing, crafts, souvenirs and everyday goods. Prices are negotiable.
Sukawati Market — Gianyar Sukawati (a short drive from Ubud). A classic destination for art, Balinese textiles, clothing and souvenirs.
Ubud Organic Farmers Market — Saturdays and Wednesdays 9:30am–2pm (verify current venue seasonally). A wonderful range of organic vegetables, fruits, baked goods, skincare, tofu, tortillas, seeds, soy milk and more.
Threads of Life — Jl Kajeng, near the palace. A shop and organisation dedicated to preserving the traditional weaving and dyeing techniques of eastern Indonesia. Fascinating and important work — a must-visit for anyone interested in Indonesian textile heritage.
Things Not to Miss in Ubud
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
Just north of Ubud, these UNESCO-recognised subak irrigation terraces are among the most photographed landscapes in Bali and remain genuinely spectacular. Go early in the morning to beat the crowds.
Neka Museum
An outstanding collection of Balinese and Indonesian art in a beautiful setting. A must for any new arrival to Ubud.
Ubud Writers and Readers Festival
Held annually in October. [www.ubudwritersfestival.com](http://www.ubudwritersfestival.com). One of Asia’s leading literary festivals and a highlight of Bali’s expat cultural calendar.
Mount Batur Sunrise Trek
A short drive from Ubud — a predawn hike to the rim of the active Batur volcano for sunrise views over the caldera and Lake Batur. A genuinely memorable Bali experience. Guides available through most Ubud travel agents.
Yayasan Senyum / Smile Shop
Jl Sriwidari, Banjar Taman, Ubud | Tel: 0813-384-674-98
A thrift shop supporting facial surgery operations for children who cannot afford medical treatment. A wonderful organisation worth visiting and supporting.
Learning & Lessons in Ubud
Ubud has an exceptional range of cultural learning opportunities:
- Cooking Lessons — Casa Luna (Janet de Neffe, Jl Bisma | Tel: 970-708) and Bumbu Bali (Tanjung Benoa, verify current details) are both highly regarded
- Balinese Dance — contact the Bali Cultural House / ask at local cultural centres for current options
- Anggun, Bali Cultural House — Jl Bhineka Jati Jaya 4C | Tel: 763-299. Ballet, Balinese dance; instruction in Japanese, Indonesian and English
- Scuba — Mimpi Resort, Tulamben (day trip from Ubud)
The Ubud Expat Community
The community in Ubud is smaller and more intimate than in Canggu or Sanur, and it tends to self-organise around shared interests — yoga, art, permaculture, spirituality, creative work. The Rotary Club of Bali – Ubud Sunset is active in the area. The Bali Expats Facebook Group and BaliPod.com are both useful resources regardless of where in Bali you are based.
Ubud is one of six areas covered in our Bali Expat Guide series. For other areas, see our guides to Sanur, Canggu, Kuta & Denpasar, Seminyak & Kerobokan, and Bali in General.
