Planning a Trip

Getting There -- Many hotels in the area offer pickup service, and taxis connect from the airport, about an hour away. Bemos drop you in the center of town, while the tourist shuttles have their own stops, usually on one of the two main drags.

Getting Around -- Central Ubud is small enough to see on foot, and hotels away from the main action generally provide regular shuttles into town. The main street is Jalan Raya, which runs east-west; Monkey Forest Road runs perpendicular. Transport touts in town are quite aggressive; minivans are for hire on every corner for either day trips or the short jaunt across town. A superb private driver is Gusti Ngurah Nariasa (tel. 081/23928171), who often works for the Chedi Club.

Ubud is a good a place to rent a motorbike (about Rp50,000/US$5.50/£3.05 per day) if you're an experienced rider. Bicycles are available for hire at two or three street-side locations along Monkey Forest Road for about Rp10,000 (about US$1.10/£0.60).

Visitor Information & Tours -- The information kiosk, on Jalan Raya (tel. 361/973285), on the south side of the main street near the intersection with Monkey Forest Road, is a good place to start. There are also travel agencies all over town, each offering competitive prices for day trips and shuttles to other tourist areas.

Fast Facts

Currency Exchange -- There are a number of small ATMs on the main road and along Monkey Forest Road. Storefront money changers are at every turn.

Internet Access -- There are Internet cafes every few steps in Ubud, but for the best service, head to the center of town and find Ubud Music, next to Ary's Warung on Jalan Raya (tel. 361/972515), one of only a few with broadband.

Mail -- The post office is on the main road, but very far to the east. Major hotels offer postal service.

Telephones -- The area code in Ubud is 361.