Villa Saudara Guidebook

We have many Yoga Studios of which Yoga Barn & Radiantly Alive are the most well known, but there are many more! If yoga is going to be a big part of your visit to Ubud, ask up front about booking a package or bundle of lessons rather than paying each time. You'll often receive a discount for committing to several classes.

Before stepping off the sidewalk to avoid an obstacle, cast a quick glance over your shoulder to ensure that an impatient motorbike driver isn’t zipping along the curb in your direction. People often drive the wrong way on Ubud's one-way streets.

Ubud is blessed with an abundance of good eateries, vegetarian cafes, juice shops, and European-style restaurants. You won’t have any trouble finding healthy food. See our recommendations for some of our favourite restaurants/cafe's. For a 'Fine Dining' experience, you will be spoilt for choice! For a cheap, authentic Indonesian meal, consider eating in the local warungs or find a Padang rumah makan (eating house). You can enjoy a plate of rice, piece of fish or chicken, vegetables, boiled egg, and fried tempeh for around 25,000 rupiah (US $2) or less! Look for eateries with food displayed in the window; simply point at what you want to put on your plate of rice.

Ubud isn’t exactly a “party” place. Regardless, you’ll find a handful of fun options for socialising. Restaurants throughout town advertise evening happy hours with a set list of cocktails on offer. Bands and guitarists entertain at some places in early evenings during happy hour.

Haggle, negotiate, and haggle some more! Ubud is overflowing with boutique shops and galleries, however, asking prices start several times the value of the actual item. Don’t stress: negotiating prices is a part of the culture and can be a fun interaction when done correctly. Note that the 'better' shops will have 'fixed prices' only so please respect that.

Our drivers all speak English (and some other languages) and are highly experienced in where to go in the Ubud area for the best experiences for our guests. So please chat to Made about what you would like to do and he can organise your day for you. Some of our guests wish to hire scooters which we can organise for you but be aware that although the main streets in Ubud operate a one-way system not everyone obeys it. That said, if a policeman catches you, you will be fined. You must also wear a helmet.

Ubud is a pious town where daily life is centred around Balinese Hinduism and it’s ceremonies. The town is considered to be one of the holiest places in Bali. Unlike beach towns in Bali, Ubud is more conservative and less accustomed to bikini-clad/topless tourists. Following the basic tips below can help you respect and preserve the culture: TEMPLES If you want to take some snaps, check in with a local to make sure it’s okay. Some temples forbid photography, but most in Ubud are okay with it. Don’t sit or climb on the monuments. Wear a sarong and cover your shoulders. Ladies aren’t permitted into temples when menstruating. TIPPING Generally, tipping is not customary in Bali. Most restaurants add on a 10-15% service charge, if they don’t it is nice to offer a tip. You can offer a tip to tour guides, drivers, cleaners etc. if you wish to thank them for good service, however it isn’t required. CEREMONIES Ceremonies are the first priority in Bali. People will take days off work, stop traffic and spend days, weeks and even months preparing for ceremonies. As foreigners, it is not necessary to understand all of the ceremonies but it is important to respect the importance of them. When you find yourself stuck in a traffic jam due to a ceremony there’s no need to get frustrated, sit back and take-in the experience we are all on Bali-time anyway. If you’re attending a ceremony, you will need to wear the appropriate attire. Women need to wear a sarong & sash. Men wear a white collared shirt, a sarong, a belt & saput.

A few local words are Salamet Pagi (good morning up until 11am) Salamet siang (11am up until 2pm) Salamet Sor`e (2pm up until 6pm) Salamet malam (evening) Apa Kabah (how are you) Terima Kasih (thank you) (pronounced Treema kasi) Tidak (no) Goodbye : Sampai jumpa Sama Sama : is a response to Thank you, it means you are welcome. Sampai jumpa (pronounced sam pie joompa ) means see you later Selamat Tinngal means goodbye Siapa nama unda means what is your name? Nama Saya ?? means my name is ?? Berapa : how much Mahal : Expensive Murah : Cheap

We provide : International plugs Hairdryers Soap/Shampoo Towels (both bathroom & pool) Local mobile phone (so that you can contact Made or our driver or order "take out" food. Plentiful fresh drinking water Otherwise, BYO!!