Labuan Bajo to Ubud: Returning to Bali's Cultural Heart
We returned to Ubud, Bali's cultural heart. Our flight from Labuan Bajo was slightly delayed and the ride from the airport took ages, reducing our time in the charming Ubud center.
We really loved Ubud and could have spent more time wandering its streets, exploring rice terraces, visiting temples, and soaking up the artistic atmosphere. The town is known for its traditional crafts, yoga studios, organic cafes, and proximity to cultural sites like the Tegallalang rice terraces and Monkey Forest.
Unfortunately, tight travel schedules meant our Ubud visit was brief - just a stopover on our way to the Gili Islands.
Did you spend time in Ubud? How long did you stay? What were your favorite Ubud experiences - rice terraces, temples, yoga, or the food scene? Share your Ubud recommendations below!
Labuan Bajo to Ubud
- Flight from Labuan Bajo to Bali (Ngurah Rai Airport): ~1 hour. Multiple daily flights available. Book in advance during peak season.
- Airport to Ubud: 1.5-2.5 hours depending on traffic. Arrange airport transfer in advance or use ride-hailing apps. Traffic can be heavy!
- Ubud: Bali's cultural heart in the central highlands. Known for arts, crafts, yoga, organic food, rice terraces, temples, and monkey forest. Less beachy, more cultural than southern Bali.
- Ubud deserves 3-5 days minimum to explore properly. We had too little time and wished we'd stayed longer!
Note:
Ubud remains one of our favorite places in Bali. Even a brief visit reminded us why - the cultural richness, artistic vibe, and natural beauty are special. Next time, we'll stay longer!