Ubud Travel Guide for Wellness Lovers: The Best Places for Massage, Meditation, and Mindful Moments

Maybe you’ve had your fill of beach hopping, cliff jumping, and late nights on the dance floor. While those high-adrenaline adventures are part of the Bali experience, there comes a time to slow down, recharge, and reconnect. That’s where Ubud comes in. Known as Bali’s spiritual heart, Ubud offers a peaceful shift centred around massage, meditation, nature, and moments of mindful stillness.

Why Ubud for Wellness?

Ubud’s reputation as a wellness destination comes from several key factors: its spiritual atmosphere, stunning natural surroundings, and a strong focus on holistic practices. The town’s deep connection to Balinese traditions, particularly in healing rituals, is reflected in its numerous temples, ancient sites, and widespread emphasis on mindfulness and meditation. This environment offers a peaceful, grounding space that supports wellness on all levels.

At its core, wellness in Ubud is closely tied to Balinese Hinduism. The philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, which promotes harmony among humans, nature, and the divine, is central to Balinese life and well-being. This approach encourages living in balance with the environment, community, and spiritual beliefs, creating a foundation for well-being.

Wellness Practices to Try in Ubud

Traditional Healing with a Balian

Balinese traditional healers, known as Balian, use a blend of spiritual rituals, natural medicines, and ancient wisdom to address both physical and spiritual ailments. These healers work with energy, herbal remedies, and prayer to restore balance and harmony in the body and mind. One reputable place to experience authentic Balinese healing is Tunjung Bali Healing in Ubud. They offer personalised healing sessions with experienced Balian practitioners who focus on holistic wellness rooted in tradition. Prices for treatments at Tunjung Bali Healing typically range from IDR 500,000 to 1,000,000, depending on the service.

Melukat Purification Rituals

Melukat is a Balinese purification ritual that uses holy water, designed to cleanse both the body and the soul. It is believed to release negative energy and restore spiritual balance. Popular places to experience Melukat include Tirta Empul Temple, where prices vary but typically start from IDR 75,000 for entry, with purification rituals available for an additional cost.

Spa Day at Akoya Spa

One of the best ways to experience Ubud’s wellness is through a Balinese massage, and Akoya Spa at the 5-star resort Viceroy Bali offers a deeply authentic and healing journey. The spa utilises locally sourced botanicals, such as frangipani and ginger, alongside premium products, to enhance the therapeutic effects and connect you to the natural essence of Ubud.

The traditional Balinese massage here is a time-honoured practice influenced by both Balinese and Ayurvedic traditions. It involves a unique blend of pressure, stretching, and energy work to release tension, improve circulation, and promote holistic healing. Before your massage, you can choose from aromatic oils such as vanilla, cinnamon, clove, or frangipani to customise your session.

Balinese Lulur – Traditional Body Scrub

Centuries ago, Balinese rice farmers created a healing paste called boreh using spices like cinnamon, cloves, rice powder, and coconut oil to soothe tired muscles and boost circulation. This evolved into the lulur ritual, a body scrub that exfoliates, detoxifies, and brightens the skin using natural ingredients like sandalwood, turmeric, and coconut oil.

At Akoya Spa, the Balinese Scrub (30 mins, IDR 650,000) is the perfect complement to a massage, helping to improve circulation, relieve tension, and leave your skin refreshed and radiant.

See the full Akoya Spa treatments here

Yoga

Ubud is a global yoga hub, offering classes and retreats that cater to all levels from beginners to advanced practitioners. Practising yoga here goes beyond exercise; it’s an invitation to connect deeply with your breath, body, and the surrounding nature. Many studios incorporate meditation and mindfulness techniques, making each session a complete wellness experience. Whether at a serene studio or open-air pavilion overlooking rice fields, yoga in Ubud nurtures balance and inner peace.

For a truly immersive experience, Akoya Spa offers a Yoga & Spa Combination Package that brings together movement, stillness, and therapeutic care in one carefully curated session. This three-hour journey includes a rejuvenating yoga session, followed by a Balinese Massage, a traditional lulur body scrub, a refreshing yoghurt body mask, and a flower bath ritual to close. This package is perfect for those looking to reset, detox, and reconnect all at once, within a peaceful setting that embodies Ubud’s essence of wellness.

Nature Walks

One of the simplest yet most rejuvenating Ubud things to do for wellness lovers is exploring the area’s stunning nature trails, many of which are either free or very affordable.

• Monkey Forest
  This sacred sanctuary is home to hundreds of playful long-tailed macaques, set among ancient temples and towering trees. The peaceful greenery and spiritual energy of the space make it perfect for a mindful stroll.
  Entrance fee: IDR 80,000 (adults), IDR 60,000 (children)
  

• Tegalalang Rice Terraces
  These world-famous rice paddies offer sweeping, terraced views of Bali’s lush landscapes. Take a walk through the fields, enjoy a coconut by the trail, and appreciate the balance between nature and cultivation.
  Entrance fee: IDR 15,000–25,000 (varies by entry point or donation box; additional parking or photo spots may have small charges)
  

• Campuhan Ridge Walk
  A peaceful trek perfect for early mornings or sunset, this trail offers gentle terrain with scenic views of hills, rivers, and the jungle. It’s one of the best free wellness experiences in Ubud, ideal for meditation in motion.
  Entrance fee: Free
  

• Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)
  Explore the historic Goa Gajah temple complex, known for its ancient cave, sacred bathing pools, and peaceful gardens. These purification pools, adorned with Hindu statues, offer a serene spot for reflection and cleansing. Nearby, a hidden waterfall provides a tranquil place to connect with nature and find calm.
  Entrance fee: IDR 50,000 (includes sarong rental)

These nature walks not only invite movement but also offer opportunities for grounding, quiet contemplation, and deeper connection with the natural world around you, core values of any wellness journey in Ubud.

Chasing Waterfalls for Wellness

Waterfalls have long been associated with healing and wellness, and it’s easy to see why when you experience their natural beauty and calming presence. The environment around waterfalls is rich in negative ions, charged particles that help improve air quality by reducing pollutants and allergens. Breathing in this fresh, ion-rich air can boost serotonin levels in the brain, which may improve mood and reduce stress.

In and around Ubud, several stunning waterfalls offer not just scenic views but a natural wellness boost: Kanto Lampo, Tibumana, Sumampan, and Taman Beji Griya Waterfall are among the favourites. The soothing sound of cascading water can lower blood pressure and promote deep relaxation, making a visit to these waterfalls a powerful way to manage stress and anxiety. 

Sound Healing

Another deeply grounding wellness experience in Ubud is sound healing. Rooted in ancient traditions and supported by modern holistic wellness practices, sound healing uses vibrations from instruments like singing bowls, gongs, and chimes to help bring the body and mind into a state of deep relaxation and balance.

The idea is simple yet powerful: sound waves influence brainwave activity, gently guiding you toward meditative states that promote inner clarity, emotional release, and energetic alignment. Many visitors report improved sleep, stress relief, and a greater sense of calm after a session.

In Ubud, you can experience sound healing in both group and private settings. Places like The Yoga Barn, Pyramids of Chi, and other healing centres regularly host sessions combining sound with breathwork, meditation, or energy healing.

Typical price:

– Group sessions: IDR 200,000–350,000
– Private sessions: IDR 600,000 and up

Nourish Your Body: Dining at CasCades Restaurant

No wellness journey is complete without nourishing food, and in Ubud, dining is part of the healing experience. Just steps from Akoya Spa, you’ll find CasCades Restaurant, an elegant open-air venue perched on the edge of a lush ravine. It’s the perfect setting to reflect, recharge, and enjoy wholesome meals after a massage or spa session.

What makes CasCades special is its garden-to-table philosophy. Many of the herbs, vegetables, and garnishes come directly from their on-site greenhouse, ensuring freshness, nutrition, and sustainability in every bite. Be sure to try their Four Courses of Delight, which includes a vegetarian option featuring Burrata with Pumpkin, Mushroom Velouté, Whole Roasted Cauliflower, and Chocolate Cake.

Final Thoughts

Ubud’s unique blend of spirituality, nature, and healing traditions makes it a perfect destination for wellness lovers. Whether you try a traditional Balinese massage at Akoya Spa, engage in a Melukat water ritual, or explore healing with a Balian, Ubud offers a holistic approach to rejuvenation.

This Ubud travel guide invites you to slow down, reconnect, and restore balance in your life. After the adrenaline highs of other adventures, Ubud warmly welcomes you to experience wellness at its most authentic and meaningful.