Wellness in Ubud: 13 Must-Dos for Self-Care on Your Itinerary
Last Updated on March 6, 2026
There’s something about Ubud’s energy that encourages you to turn down the volume of the outside world and look inward, a completely different way of experiencing movement and spirituality.
Spirituality and wellness in Ubud are commercialized more than ever. Yet when you step away from the noise and retreat into the surrounding nature (a presence that feels all-embracing, grounding, and almost protective), you understand why Ubud is considered Bali’s spiritual soul.
After spending six months living in Ubud, I’ve had experiences I still can’t stop talking about. Practices that brought me clarity, inner calm, and a sense of ease within myself and my body that I had never truly felt before.
In this article, I’ll share these activities so you can add them to your itinerary and discover a side of Ubud that often gets overlooked in a typical travel plan.
This article may contain affiliate links. This means that if you purchase through one of the links, I may be paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the blog and allowing me to keep sharing meaningful travel experiences with you.
Don’t have time now?📌 Save it for later!
Recommended in This Article
1. A Different Balinese Purification Ceremony
I know, there’s nothing new about it.
Everyone talks about the Balinese purification ritual, also known as Melukat. It’s one of the most popular experiences in Bali, but let me tell you, there are different ways to experience it. After witnessing how the Melukat is performed in different settings, here is what you should know.
Most people practice the ritual at Pura Tirta Empul, which is undoubtedly worth seeing for its history, architecture, and atmosphere.
However, it isn’t necessarily the best location for a ritual meant to be deeply meaningful, one that should be practiced with care, intention, and, above all, silence.
Melukat is a purification ritual traditionally practiced by the Balinese during auspicious moments symbolizing new beginnings, such as the new moon and the full moon.
Using holy springs passing through water temples, rivers, and waterfalls, participants cleanse themselves of negative energies believed to be held within the body. Through prayer, mantra repetition, and meditation, they express gratitude and present their intentions and wishes to the gods.
When approached with intention and respect, this ritual can be truly transformative.
The best way to experience it is with a private guide and visiting smaller, lesser-known temples such as Pura Mengening or Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu. Beyond their stunning architecture, these temples are quieter, surrounded by nature, and ideal for a more intentional and intimate experience.
Where to Book Your Balinese Purification Ceremony
2. Ecstatic Dance Session
Of all the experiences I tried during my time in Bali, ecstatic dance was the one that surprised me the most.
In this context, ecstatic simply means pure expression of the body through dance. How many times have you gone out dancing and felt judged, first and foremost by yourself?
During an ecstatic dance session, that doesn’t happen. The body is carried by tribal and Afro-inspired music, with immersive beats that allow emotions to be released on a somatic level, leaving the mind with no time to analyze or judge.
Ecstatic dance sessions are often hosted in yoga centers. There’s no alcohol, no phones. People of all ages, backgrounds, and identities come together simply to dance, alone or with others, without judgment. It’s one of the most liberating experiences I’ve ever had.
In Ubud, The Yoga Barn hosts weekly ecstatic dance sessions, and other centers, such as Alchemy, also organize events. In general, the best way to find one is to check the schedules of local yoga studios. If a session is happening, you’ll likely find it there.
3. Attend a Yoga Class
Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced yogi, attending a yoga class in Bali is an experience worth having.
Coming from Italy, where movement is often seen as an obligation, being surrounded by people who genuinely love to move and feel completely at ease in their bodies revealed a completely different world to me.
And teachers seem to feel it too. Whether they’re local or expats, it’s as if Ubud has an impact on them, transferring its calm, almost motherly energy.
Their passion shines through as they teach, and after every class, you leave feeling lighter, calmer, and somehow more energized.
Ubud’s ever-present nature becomes part of the experience itself, whether it’s the jungle visible through the wide windows of a yoga shala or the steady sound of tropical rain during the practice.
There are many yoga centers in Ubud, but some of my personal favorites include The Yoga Barn, Radiantly Alive (especially slow flow classes with Marlene), and Heart Space for Yin yoga.
Related Articles
4. Visit Ubud Sari Health Resort for A Traditional Massage
You’ve probably heard how affordable massages are in Bali, and it’s true.
That said, not every wellness center offers the same quality. Sometimes, it’s worth spending a little more for a great experience.
Ubud Sari Health Resort is the perfect balance between a fair price and an incredible massage. It was the first massage I had in Ubud, their signature massage, and it was amazing. While slightly more expensive than other local options, it’s far from a luxury spa splurge, and the quality is remarkable.
Ubud Sari is a holistic wellness retreat located in the center of town, featuring bungalows, a restaurant, and a spa.
The different spaces are scattered throughout a beautiful garden filled with tropical plants, lotus ponds, and wooden bridges, where it’s impossible not to feel a deep connection with nature.
Simplicity and harmony with the natural surroundings seem to be the guiding values of the entire space.
Massages take place in wooden pavilions where the only sounds you hear are those of nature itself. Each treatment also includes access to the steam room and a cold plunge, creating the perfect wellness ritual to complete the experience.
5. Visit INKA Spa for A Spa Splurge
I’ll admit it, I was guilty of more than a few spa splurges while living in Ubud. The main reason? I was given a 50% discount at INKA Spa once, and after that, I simply couldn’t bring myself to go anywhere else. That’s the risk.
INKA Spa is one of the most luxurious spas in Ubud (even though, honestly, prices still feel incredibly low compared to what I would have paid in Italy). The service is exceptional, and even before the treatment begins, the space itself feels intentionally designed to help you unwind.
Every package includes a welcome drink, a foot purification ritual, and a herbal tea served after the treatment. Before your massage or facial, you’re asked to fill out a short form to share your preferences and any specific needs, ensuring the experience feels completely personalized and comfortable.
And of course, the quality of the treatments is outstanding. I visited INKA three times, twice for their detox facial, which somehow feels as relaxing as a full-body massage, and once for a deeply restorative sports massage. Honestly, it’s the best spa experience I’ve ever had.
6. Take A Rice Field Walk at Sunrise or Sunset (or Both)
There’s something truly therapeutic about starting or ending your day with a walk in Ubud’s nature. To avoid being cut off by the scooters, the best way is usually to explore one of the many rice-field trails.
The calm and beauty of the surroundings, the vibrant colors, the green of the palm trees, and the glow of the rising or setting sun create some of the most stunning views in Ubud.
If I had to recommend specific rice fields to explore, I’d suggest the Sari Organik Walk, especially in the early morning when the sun is still low.
It’s ideal because there’s little traffic at that hour, and a few cafés open early, around 7:30–8:00, perfect for stopping for breakfast with a view.
For evening walks, the rice fields around Penestanan are my go-to. You won’t see anyone, aside from a few expats heading home. These paths are perfect because they lie to the west of Ubud, offering the best vantage points for watching the sunset paint the sky.
7. Join a Sound Healing Session
I’ll be honest, when I first arrived in Bali, I was extremely skeptical about sound healing. It took me a while before joining my first session.
Pure sound healing sessions are usually held in calm, intimate environments and involve instruments such as Himalayan singing bowls, chimes, and gongs. Participants lie down while the vibrations of these instruments guide them into a meditative state.
At the same time, the body begins to release tension and stress, often leaving you feeling more balanced, grounded, and even improving sleep.
These instruments are also often incorporated into meditation or yin yoga classes.
After my first yin yoga session with sound healing, I felt a sense of relief I hadn’t expected. Lighter. Calmer. Happier. It became easier to feel grateful and less reactive to small things.
Now, it’s an experience I genuinely crave from time to time. And if you’re feeling doubtful, I truly encourage you to give it a chance.
One of the most renowned sound-healing centers in Ubud is The Pyramids of Chi. Sessions are held inside pyramid-shaped structures designed to amplify and distribute sound vibrations throughout the space.
If you’d prefer to experience sound healing within a yoga practice, my favorite yin yoga sessions with sound healing take place at Heart Space.
8. Join a One-Day Wellness Retreat
Longer retreats often require a significant investment of both time and money. But in Ubud, there are so many opportunities to join shorter retreats, even just for a day, and they can still be powerful enough to create a real inner shift.
These one-day experiences usually include yoga classes, lunch, and the chance to spend the day in a beautiful wellness space, often with access to a pool, sauna, cold plunge, and other facilities. It’s a way to immerse yourself in the retreat atmosphere without committing to an entire week.
Two of my favorites that I personally joined were the one-day wellness retreat at Solana Bali, a charming wellness resort located just outside Ubud with views over the jungle and the Agung River valley, and the one-day package at The Yoga Barn.
The Yoga Barn’s package, especially for the price, includes an incredible amount: three classes, a massage, lunch, a fresh juice, and even a small goodie bag. It’s one of the easiest ways to experience the retreat lifestyle, even if only for a day.
9. Spend The Day at A Wellness Club
If you’re all about relaxation but don’t feel like waking up early for a yoga class or committing to a full wellness retreat, then you have to visit a wellness club.
Most wellness clubs offer day passes that give you access to their facilities. You’ll typically find a pool, sauna, and cold plunge, and sometimes even a gym or movement classes included in the schedule. It’s an easy way to create your own mini-retreat, on your own time.
Day passes usually range from IDR 150K to 300K ($9-$18), a very reasonable considering what’s included.
Two of the most stunning wellness clubs in Ubud are NOVA, which features a gym, hammam, and ARCTIC, with its movement zone for self-practice, wood-fired saunas, and guided steam rituals.
10. Healing Retreat with A Balinese Priestess
When I mentioned spirituality being heavily advertised, I meant that travelers often need to be mindful of where they spend their money and avoid settling for the usual, overly touristy activities.
Authentic experiences do exist in Ubud, but sometimes, you need to look a little deeper to find them. That’s especially true when it comes to healing rituals and ceremonies.
One experience I deeply appreciated was a two-hour healing session with Manis, a trained Jero, or Balinese priestess, who holds the responsibility of leading ceremonies within her local community. The sessions take place in a small, intimate setting, limited to just four participants.
The experience begins with an introduction to traditional healing techniques, followed by prayers and guided meditation.
Each participant then receives a personalized healing session tailored to what their body may need: whether that’s clearing energetic blockages, relaxing the mind, releasing tension, or reconnecting with the spirit.
If you’re looking for a truly Balinese healing experience rooted in Hindu tradition and local wisdom, this is the one I would recommend.
11. Visit a Hidden Waterfall
There’s something primal about visiting waterfalls in Bali. The way they’re completely immersed in nature, untouched, removed from everything, usually surrounded only by the sound of water crashing into the pool below.
Swimming beneath a waterfall, or even just sitting nearby, is one of those experiences that reconnects you with yourself and with the raw energy of the natural world around you.
And of course, I’m not talking about the overcrowded, over-photographed spots.
Around Ubud, there are dozens of lesser-known waterfalls, some quiet, some nearly empty, and others not even officially marked as tourist sites.
You’ll encounter only a handful of people, entrance fees are often donation-based, and they’re the perfect places to pause, take in the view in silence, and resist the urge to rush off to the next destination.
If I had to recommend a couple of waterfalls near Ubud, I’d suggest Suwat Waterfall and Taman Sari Waterfall. Both are relatively easy to reach, not overly crowded, and ideal for a swim, especially Taman Sari.
12. Join a Breathwork or Meditation Session
If you had asked me six months ago whether I’d be capable of sitting or lying still for an entire hour, doing nothing, or simply focusing on my breath, I would have laughed in your face.
Now, I can honestly say there’s something deeply nourishing for both the mind and the soul in knowing that, for one full hour, you’re asked to be. No producing. No achieving. No planning what comes next.
Breathwork, in particular, is often underestimated and far more intense than you might expect. Each session usually covers different breathing techniques to support specific needs, whether that’s calming the nervous system, regulating emotions, or releasing stress.
Meditation and breathwork sessions in Bali typically last around an hour and are offered in most yoga centers. Some of my favorite classes were the Ether sessions at Alchemy Yoga and Meditation Center, as well as classes at The Yoga Barn and Radiantly Alive.
13. Attend a Pilates Class
Last but definitely not least, at least for me, Ubud’s Pilates culture is incredible, both for mat and reformer.
Studios are also one of the easiest ways to meet like-minded people who share your passion for movement.
And since beauty matters too, Pilates studios in Bali are often stunning spaces, bright, thoughtfully designed, and aesthetically inspiring, the kind of places that make you want to come back day after day.
In Ubud, I have two studios I’m particularly attached to. The first is Pilates Ubud, dedicated to the reformer. The quality of the classes is exceptionally high, with just six reformers per session and meticulous attention to form from the instructors.
The second is Collective Club, which offers both mat and reformer classes. The studio itself is beautiful, the advanced classes are truly challenging, and the overall energy is unmatched.
There you go, here are my absolute favorite wellness experiences in Ubud, whether you’re planning a wellness-focused vacation or you want to sprinkle in some movement and mindfulness during your packed itinerary.
If you’re still planning your Bali itinerary, make sure to check my Bali travel guide, and if you have any questions regarding one of these activities or Ubud in general, don’t forget to drop them in the comments. I’m happy to help!
