One day · Central Ubud · Operator facts checked
One Day in Bali: Free, Guided and Evening Ubud Plans
Live check just now: Guided Monkey Forest visit from US$20.00
Find your Bali experience
One Ubud route, three decisions
Bali is too spread out for a useful all-island one-day checklist. Base this day in Ubud or arrange your return transport first, then stay within its walkable centre.
- Begin at the Campuhan Ridge entrance near Jalan Raya Campuhan and take the exposed walk while the morning is cooler.
- Walk back east toward Ubud Palace and the art market opposite it; see the public courtyards and browse without rushing.
- Continue south along the town streets toward Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.
- Enter the sanctuary only on a paid tier, before its 17:00 final admission; otherwise finish on the public street.
- Return to your Ubud base, or use your arranged pickup. The evening performance is a separate optional return to the palace.
| Option | Our verdict |
|---|---|
| Campuhan and town | Every tier uses the same ridge, palace-area and market walk; no cross-island transfer is built into the day. |
| Monkey Forest | Free: end outside. Mid: guided sanctuary admission. Splurge: the same sanctuary visit plus a separate evening show. |
| Finish | End near the forest or your pickup point; return to the palace only if the booked performance fits. |
Free: ridge and town streets
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The free route gives you a landscape walk and central Ubud without an attraction ticket. Treat palace residential or sacred spaces as closed unless local signs invite entry.
- Follow the public Campuhan Ridge path in the morning, then retrace to the town centre.
- See the accessible palace courtyards and browse the art market across the road without buying anything.
- Walk south toward Monkey Forest Road, then finish outside the sanctuary gates or at your planned pickup.
| Item | US$ per adult | € |
|---|---|---|
| Campuhan Ridge public path | US$0 | ≈ €0 |
| Palace-area and art-market public walk | US$0 | ≈ €0 |
| Monkey Forest exterior only | US$0 | ≈ €0 |
| Total | US$0 | ≈ €0 |
On your own
Best if you want Ubud scenery and streets without a fixed ticket or meeting time.
With a guide
Pay only if the sanctuary visit or cultural interpretation changes what you want from the day.
Free-route admission: free; meals and transport to or from Ubud cost extra.
Prices checked 18 Sep 2026 · per adult, selected experiences only; food, transport and accommodation excluded
Mid: a forest visit for about US$20
Add Monkey Forest if its wooded paths and macaque habitat matter more than another drive to a waterfall. The selected product combines admission and a guided visit; compare its inclusions before paying.
See or book a guided Monkey Forest visit
- Complete the Campuhan, palace and market walk before your forest booking time.
- Arrive at the sanctuary entrance before 17:00, when final admission closes.
- Keep food and loose objects secured, and do not feed or touch the macaques.
- Finish at the sanctuary exit; leave the evening uncommitted unless you add the show tier.
Good to know
- The reviewed forest visit includes sanctuary admission and an English guide; check its meeting point and inclusions.
- The forest is open 09:00–18:00, with final admission at 17:00.
| Item | US$ per adult | € |
|---|---|---|
| Guided Monkey Forest visit, from | US$20 | ≈ €18 |
| Campuhan and town public walk | US$0 | ≈ €0 |
| Total | US$20 | ≈ €18 |
On your own
Choose a self-paced sanctuary walk if you prefer no fixed guide meeting time.
With a guide
The selected visit adds an escort and admission; check meeting point and cancellation terms before booking.
Selected forest experience: about US$20; food and transport are separate.
Prices checked 18 Sep 2026 · per adult, selected experiences only; food, transport and accommodation excluded
Splurge: forest and dance, about US$30
Keep the same daylight walk, then return to the palace for a separately booked evening performance. This adds live Balinese arts without sending you across the island.
See or book the Ubud Palace performance
- Book the guided Monkey Forest visit and the palace performance separately; confirm both dates and meeting instructions.
- Finish the sanctuary during its daylight opening hours, with time for dinner before returning north.
- Return to Ubud Palace for your selected show; check which dance is performed on your date.
Good to know
- The palace performance is not part of the forest booking. Its program can vary by date.
| Item | US$ per adult | € |
|---|---|---|
| Guided Monkey Forest visit, from | US$20 | ≈ €18 |
| Ubud Palace dance admission, from | US$7.23 | ≈ €7 |
| Total | US$27.23 | ≈ €25 |
On your own
Keep the mid tier if you would rather finish after the sanctuary than return for an evening show.
With a guide
A guided forest visit plus a separate stage performance adds wildlife context and live arts, with two booking times.
Selected forest visit and performance: about US$30; dinner and transport are separate.
Prices checked 18 Sep 2026 · per adult, selected experiences only; food, transport and accommodation excluded
What it costs, and where to book
| Plan | Tickets and transport | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Ubud public walk | free | – |
| Guided Monkey Forest visit | US$20 | Book a guided Monkey Forest visit |
| Guided forest visit and palace dance | about US$30 | Book a guided Monkey Forest visit |
Prices checked 18 Sep 2026 · per adult, selected experiences only; food, transport and accommodation excluded. Amounts over 20 are rounded up. Ticket prices are per person for the first reviewed ticket and change by date.
Explore Bali Before You Book
Take a virtual drive or walk, then find tours and tickets for the places you like.
Which upgrade earns its place?
Choose the sanctuary for its forest environment, with or without a guide. Add the palace performance only if you can stay into the evening; the two bookings are independent. If your only day starts on Bali’s south coast, arrange both directions of travel before choosing fixed admission times.
Mubboo compares flights and tours and may earn a commission when a traveller uses a partner link. Booking and payment happen with the provider.
Questions people ask
Can I make this day without paying for an attraction?
Yes. Walk the public Campuhan path and town streets, and stop outside Monkey Forest rather than entering it.
Does this plan include the rest of Bali?
No. It deliberately stays in central Ubud; a beach, distant temple or ferry day needs a different plan.
What time must I reach Monkey Forest?
Reach the entrance before the sanctuary’s final admission at 17:00. Its visiting hours end at 18:00.
Are Monkey Forest and the palace dance one ticket?
No. They are separate bookings. Confirm the performance program and both meeting instructions for your chosen date.
Is this a good airport layover plan?
Treat it as a full Ubud day, not an airport layover. Secure your return transport before adding a timed experience.
Plan deeper in Bali
Sources (7)
Every figure above was checked on the dates shown.
- Indonesia Travel — Campuhan Ridge — www.indonesia.travel/de/en/travel-ideas/adventure/15-destinasi-instagrammable-di-bali-yang-harus-sobat-pesona-kunjungi (checked 2026-09-18)
- Indonesia Travel — Ubud Palace — www.indonesia.travel/id/en/destination/bali-nusa-tenggara/bali/istana-ubud (checked 2026-09-18)
- Indonesia Travel — Ubud art market — www.indonesia.travel/hk/zh-tw/travel-ideas/adventure/the-fascinating-gem-of-ubud-bali-explore-the-top-10-must-experience-places (checked 2026-09-18)
- Monkey Forest Ubud — visiting hours and admission — monkeyforestubud.com/visit/ (checked 2026-09-18)
- Monkey Forest Ubud — visitor guidelines — monkeyforestubud.com/guidelines-faq/ (checked 2026-09-18)
- Mubboo Tours — guided Monkey Forest visit — mubboo.flights/api/tours/search?destinationId=98&term=Ubud+Monkey+Forest+Sanctuary+Ticket+and+Guided+Tour¤cy=USD&mode=keyword&sort=featured (checked 2026-09-18)
- Mubboo Tours — Ubud Palace performance — mubboo.flights/api/tours/search?destinationId=98&term=Legong+Dance+Show+at+Ubud+Palace+Bali¤cy=USD&mode=keyword&sort=featured (checked 2026-09-18)