Vacations are supposed to be the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Too much relaxation, and you come home feeling bored. Too much adventure, and you’re exhausted. The difficulty, of course, is finding a place where you can have a good mix of both. Bali is one of those places, and the town of Ubud is the premium location for a great holiday.

From the Balinese word for medicine, Ubud provides emotional medicine for those who come to visit. Whether you’re seeking the adventure of ATV rides through rice paddies, zip lining through the trees, enjoying a traditional Balinese meal, or sightseeing around some of Bali’s most beautiful temples. Bali has everything you’re hoping to find, with Ubud leading the way. Adventures in Ubud always seem to top my favorite to-do outdoor activities list whenever I’m on the Island of the Gods.  

Bali is an island off the coast of Indonesia and has been a tourism hotspot since the 1960’s. The culture is warm and inviting and the people, predominantly Hindu, are hospitable and kind. The local cuisine has a ton of exotic flavors which is dominated by pork, chicken and fish dishes. It comes in a variety of spices, with basa rajang as the most basic spice mixture. It’s a blend of garlic, red chilis, and a mix of other spices, and the taste matches the exotic warmth of the islands. You can stop into a warung (street restaurant) and pick up some bebek betutu (crispy duck) with a local brew - a Bintang. But don’t have too many before you head out for some thrill seeking.

Ubud offers visitors more than wonderful food, happy faces and rich culture. For those that need to get their adrenaline fix, Ubud can deliver a shot or two of blood pumping activities to keep you satisfied. I live my life (or I try to) in a circumference of balance, whether it’s diet, mental, or physical. This holds true on my holidays as well. I’m happy to have a day at leisure, though I also like to have a day of adventure to balance. For holiday-ers like me, seeking outdoor activities in Ubud, check out the list below for a few suggestions.

ATV Rides in the Rice Paddies

Nothing spells adventures in Ubud like beautiful surroundings, a fresh breeze, and the smell of gasoline as you jump and ride through a Balinese rice paddy. After some training on the small track and a set of safety equipment, take off and explore the island on these fast moving 4 wheeler. Local guides take you through the amazing countryside, while you enjoy the scenery as well as the fun. Take a break and get some of the most spectacular photos you’ll ever have, and enjoy the beautiful weather of the island. There’s nothing like an ATV ride in a rice paddy in the pristine countryside. After a fun ride and some delicious local fare, cut out and explore Ubud with your friends. There’s plenty of Bintang to be had!

Zip-line Rides

If you want to see the beauties of Bali, and at the same time catch an adrenaline rush, there’s nothing better than a screaming ride on a zip line through the Balinese forest. Your guide will give you some needed safety instructions, put you in a harness, and help you to properly clip on to the line. Push off, and you’ll feel the rush of high speed motion with your feet dangling below you. The awesome acceleration will take your breath away, and the beauties of the forest will stun you! Keep your phone on ‘record’, and you’ll have a great video to remember the trip by.

White Water Rafting

The peak of adventure in Bali is the fantastic trip through the rapids down the longest river in Bali, the Ayung. The class III rapids are thrilling, and the guides will be careful to keep you in waters that you’re comfortable with. The river winds through a gorge with steep walls, and you can see some spectacular resorts perched above. The staff is incredibly professional, and the equipment is in top-notch condition. The entire experience is a perfect mix of safety and excitement, and after two hours on the water, the lunch and hot shower after your ride will feel spectacular.

Quiet Activities

When you’re finished with your adventures, take some time for yourself, and go shopping in the boutique stores of Ubud. If you’re into history, enjoy the spectacular architecture of the ancient Hindu temples. The Pura Desa Ubud, or the ‘town temple’, is the main temple of the city and is a truly remarkable work of art. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (home to the rare crab-eating macaques) contains the Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal, or the temple of death devoted to the worship of the god Shiva, the transformer. The temple, built in 1350, is still a hub for religious devotees from around the island. After seeing the city and enjoying the day, stop into a local warung and enjoy some of the local favorites like lawar, a traditional dish made up of fresh veggies, shredded coconut, a variety of meats, and…yes…fresh blood. It sounds a little garish, but it’s a delicious dish!

Bali is truly the ideal vacation location, and Ubud is the best of both worlds, relaxing and invigorating, luxurious and isolated. Enjoy the trip - it will be the vacation of a lifetime!