Solo Travel in Ubud: How to Reconnect with Yourself in Bali’s Jungle Heart
- casapohon
- 7 days ago
- 7 min read
Ubud has long been a sanctuary for seekers, artists, dreamers, and wanderers who come not just to explore Bali, but to rediscover themselves. Ever since Eat Pray Love captured the world’s imagination with scenes of quiet rice fields, soulful yoga sessions, and transformative encounters, Ubud has become synonymous with solo journeys of the heart.
But beyond the movie’s romantic lens, this town offers something deeply real: a place where slowing down feels natural, where mornings begin with birdsong and temple bells, and where every walk through the jungle feels like a conversation with your inner self.
Traveling alone here isn’t about being lonely; it’s about coming home to your own rhythm. Between mindful rituals, friendly faces, and the gentle hum of nature, this place reminds you that solitude can be one of life’s greatest teachers.
Is Ubud Safe for Solo Travelers?
If you’re wondering whether Ubud is safe for solo travelers, especially solo female travelers, the answer is a reassuring yes.
Ubud is one of Bali’s most peaceful and community-oriented towns. Its rhythm is slow, its people are kind, and there’s a natural sense of safety that comes from being in a place where spirituality and mutual respect are part of daily life. Balinese locals often greet you with a smile, help without hesitation, and treat visitors with genuine care.
That said, every destination comes with its own rhythms and nuances and knowing a few practical tips can make your solo trip feel even more comfortable:
Local Culture & Respect
Balinese culture is deeply rooted in harmony and respect. When you show mindfulness in how you dress and behave especially around temples and local ceremonies. Always carry a sarong for temple visits and avoid pointing your feet toward sacred objects.
Getting Around Safely
Most solo travelers here get around easily with Grab or Gojek, Bali’s ride-hailing apps. They’re affordable, reliable, and available throughout the day.For short distances, you can also rent a scooter, but if you’re not confident driving, it’s better to book rides instead, as Ubud’s roads can be narrow and winding.
Connectivity & Navigation
You’ll rarely feel “alone” in here, even when exploring solo. Internet connection is excellent across cafés, villas, and coworking spaces. Download Google Maps offline and keep WhatsApp handy, it’s the main communication channel on the island, used by everyone from restaurants to spa therapists.
Nighttime Safety
Ubud isn’t a party destination, and that’s part of its charm. Most cafés and restaurants close by 10 p.m., and streets get quiet soon after. Avoid walking long distances alone at night, especially along unlit paths because visibility can be poor and roads often lack sidewalks.
Solo Female Travel in Ubud
For women traveling alone, this place feels uniquely supportive. Many solo female travelers describe it as a place where they could finally relax their guard. The locals are protective rather than predatory, and where wellness spaces naturally attract kind, respectful communities.There’s a quiet solidarity in the air, a shared understanding that everyone here came seeking peace.
Things to Do Alone in Ubud (That Don’t Feel Lonely)
Traveling solo here doesn’t feel like being alone, it feels like being connected. To nature, to the people around you, and most importantly, to yourself. The town invites a slower rhythm, one that lets you linger longer at breakfast, wander aimlessly through rice fields, and listen, really listen, to what your heart has been trying to say.
Here are some of the most beautiful things you can do while traveling solo in this Bali’s jungle haven, not just to fill your days, but to enrich your stay.
1. Wander the Campuhan Ridge Walk
Early morning is the best time to walk the Campuhan Ridge, when soft light pours over the hills and locals are just beginning their day. This scenic path is one of Bali’s simplest yet most soothing experiences. The path is safe, quiet, and deeply restorative. Bring a water bottle, a hat, and your camera or simply walk without distraction and let the sound of the wind through the grass guide you.
Location: Campuhan Ridge Walk
Tip: Start early in the morning to avoid the heat, and stop by Karsa Café at the end of the trail for a slow breakfast overlooking the rice fields.
2. Spend a Morning at a Café with a View
Ubud’s café scene is perfect for solo travelers, friendly, peaceful, and designed for lingering. Whether you’re journaling, reading, or people-watching, you’ll always find a spot that feels like home.
Try:
Zest Ubud – Plant-based dishes and open-air jungle views.
Sage Bali – Comfort food made with heart and soul.
Pison Coffee Ubud or 7AM Bakers Ubud– For great coffee and cozy corners.
Clear Café – Serene and soulful, with water features and a gentle energy perfect for reading or writing.
Flock Café – For something more modern yet cozy, offering great coffee and comfort food.
3. Take a Creative Workshop in Ubud
From pottery to batik and jewelry-making, this town has long been a haven for artists and makers, making it the cultural heart of Bali. Taking a class is not only a way to learn a new skill but also a path to connection with local artisans, with tradition, and with yourself.
Try:
Studio Perak – Silver jewelry making where you can craft your own meaningful keepsake.
Sari Api Ceramic Studio – Hands-on pottery classes in a peaceful garden studio
Ubud Experience Silver Class – Create your own jewelry.
Paon Bali Cooking Class – Learn traditional recipes and cook alongside locals.
Five Art Studio – Traditional Balinese painting and batik workshops guided by local artists.
4. Recharge at a Wellness Center in Ubud
Here, healing isn’t just an activity, it’s part of the atmosphere. Spend an afternoon letting go at one of the town’s many holistic centers offering massage, sound therapy, and energy healing.
Top places to unwind:
TAO Medicine Ubud – Authentic Taoist healing and bodywork for deep inner balance. (Casa Pohon guests enjoy complimentary return transport for any booked session.)
These spaces are perfect for solo travelers seeking stillness and self-care, quiet rooms where your body, mind, and spirit realign.
5. Visit Saraswati Temple, Ubud Art Market & Royal Palace
As the afternoon unfolds, immerse yourself in the cultural heart of Ubud. Start at the Ubud Palace, where traditional architecture and gamelan echoes take you back to Bali’s royal past. Then wander through the Ubud Art Market, browse handmade crafts. Just steps away lies the Saraswati Temple, a graceful lotus-filled sanctuary dedicated to the goddess of art and wisdom.
Location: Saraswati Temple | Ubud Art Market | Ubud Palace
Tip: Visit during the golden hour for breathtaking light, then stay for an evening dance performance at the palace, a mesmerizing way to end your day. Stop by Café Lotus next to the Saraswati temple for a peaceful journaling session or simply overlooking the temple’s pond.
6. Close the Day with a Melukat Ceremony
For many solo travelers, a trip to Ubud becomes more than a getaway, it turns into a quiet homecoming to the self. One of the most profound ways to experience this is through a Melukat, a traditional Balinese water purification ritual.
This ancient ceremony, guided by a local priest, uses holy water, offerings, and prayers to cleanse the body, mind, and spirit. Locals and travelers alike take part to release emotional weight, clear energy, and invite balance back into their lives.
You don’t have to belong to any religion or background to join, just an open heart and a willingness to be present.
Recommended Places for Melukat around Ubud:
Tirta Empul Temple – The most sacred and well-known purification site, where locals come daily for ritual bathing.
Sebatu Water Temple – A quieter alternative near Tegallalang, surrounded by jungle and still waters.
Mengening Temple – A peaceful riverside temple often chosen for private guided ceremonies.
Where to Stay as Solo Traveler in Ubud
For solo travelers, finding the right place to stay isn’t just about comfort but it’s also about energy. You want a space that feels safe, private, and inspiring. A home that welcomes you to slow down, listen to yourself, and feel completely at peace.
Hidden in a serene jungle setting just a short 10–15 minute drive from Ubud center, Casa Pohon offers the perfect blend of privacy and connection.
Past guests often describe Casa Pohon as “peaceful, safe, and beautifully secluded”, a place where they could finally slow down, listen to the sounds of the forest, and feel completely at home. The lush greenery, wooden interiors, and soothing sounds of nature create a comforting cocoon for those traveling alone.
Whether you’re journaling by the window in Aruna, plunging in Kelana’s pool, or unwinding on Renjana’s terrace with a cup of herbal tea, every moment here invites you to pause and breathe deeper. And if you crave a little company, our warm, attentive team is always nearby, ready to help with anything from arranging a scooter to booking a spa treatment.
This November 2025, we’re offering something special for travelers seeking to slow down: Stay 3 nights or more and enjoy a complimentary Balinese massage for all guests. It’s our way of helping you settle into the island’s rhythm and feel truly restored.
Book directly through our website to enjoy this exclusive offer, valid for November stays only.
Coming Home to Yourself
Traveling solo in Ubud isn’t just a holiday, it’s a quiet reunion with the parts of yourself that often get lost in the noise of everyday life. It’s morning tea with your thoughts, walks without destination, and the gentle realization that you are, in fact, complete on your own.
Just like in Eat Pray Love, something shifts here, not because of grand gestures or picture-perfect temples, but because this place gives you space to listen. The rain, the stillness, the kindness of strangers, everything feels like a mirror, reflecting you back to yourself.
At Casa Pohon, we see this every day. Solo travelers arrive searching for peace and leave carrying something lighter, a calm heart, a slower breath, a softer way of being. Each villa offers the privacy to unwind, yet the connection to nature that keeps you feeling held.
If you’ve been longing for a pause, for stillness that feels like clarity, let Ubud be your beginning.Book your stay at Casa Pohon and start your own chapter of Eat, Pray, Love, one written entirely by you.
