Monkey Business – why families love Ubud

Ubud is the popular Balinese village you might have seen in the 2010 film adaption of Elizabeth Gilbert’s book, Eat Pray Love. Set in the hills about an hour’s drive from Denpasar Airport, Ubud offers a slower, more relaxed pace than Sanur or Seminyak. With cooler temperatures, it’s a lovely place to get acclimatised with Bali and a great spot to start your family holiday.

Getting there

The simplest way to get to Ubud from the airport is a taxi or private transfer. It’s around an hour long trip without traffic. Expedia’s Aussie travellers have started heading to the hills for longer, staying around 4-5 nights in the 3.5 star hotels and villas hidden among the rice paddy fields.

Many hotels will offer a transfer or you can arrange via a Private Bali Ngurah Rai (Denpasar) Airport Transfer.

Family-friendly

The Balinese people are very fond of children and especially enamoured with babies. No matter where you go as a family, you’re sure to be greeted with a smile and a helping hand. When we were eating out in Ubud, my 11 month old baby was often whisked away in the arms of cooing staff who wanted to entertain her while we ate in peace.

Where to eat

When it comes to eating, Ubud has plenty of options, from local Warungs to trendy organic cafes. A few places of note:

Clear Cafe: this chic cafe is very popular with Bali’s expat community and prides itself on offering delicious organic food. They have a great kids menu with meals from 25,000 – 35,000 IDR ($2.80-$3.90 NZD) and extra yummy kids’ milkshakes for 20,000 IDR ($2.20 NZD). Adult meals all make my mouth water and cost between 40,000 – 55,000 IDR ($4.40 – $6.20 NZD).

Murni’s Warung: considered the first “real” restaurant in Ubud when it opened in 1974, Murni’s continues to be a local institution worth visiting. The food is great but the real winner for me is the setting. Perched on the side of a hill overlooking a river, Murni’s sprawls over four levels, each with its own vibe and eclectic collection of local artifacts. The riverside terrace on the lowest level is a beautiful place to have a relaxing meal.

Sari Organik: getting to Sari Organik is half the joy of eating there. It’s a 20minute walk through rice paddy fields to this tranquil café, where delicious organic food and drink awaits. Children will enjoy sitting on cushions around a low table and although there isn’t a specific kids menu, there’s plenty on offer that appeals to young tastebuds.