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Ubud is one of the highlights of any trip to Bali, but just as with much of the rest of this island there are very few hostels in Ubud in a traditional sense. Prices of hotels, guesthouses, and homestays are so low here that there is very little demand for a traditional hostel. But that said, this island and Ubud in particular are very friendly to the backpacker crowd.

There are no hostels in Ubud in the sense of having dorm rooms with cheap beds and a public kitchen where guests can make their own meals. The great thing about this lack of Ubud hostels is that it’s simply because everything is already so cheap here that no one would bother even if there were. It’s quite easy to get a bed for under $US10 per night and even less in a few places.

There are actually a few 5-star resorts in the Ubud area, but most accommodations are definitely toward the budget end. This is a very active arts and crafts district, about 12 miles from Kuta Beach, but the drive takes over an hour on the slow and winding roads.

So this is a major stop for the backpacking set trying to sample a little bit of the different things that Bali has to offer. Many people who visit both Ubud and Kuta regret spending so much time in Kuta and having so little time here. This is a peaceful and magical part of the island, so the Ubud hostel crowd tends to gather here even though there are no actual hostels.

The city of Ubud has a definite downtown area and then winding roads that go off in all directions. Many of the cheaper Ubud hotels are nearer the city center, while most of the upscale places are spread out further into the surrounding area. If you are on foot it’s probably best to book yourself into a place that advertises being in the center.

The other main option to consider for the Ubud hostel crowd looking for bargain hotels is whether to get a place with air conditioning or just a fan. Obviously a place with just a fan will cost less, but during the rainy season the nights can be almost as muggy and unbearable as the days. Sure, you can save a few dollars per night by getting a place with just a ceiling fan, but if you are the type that has a hard time sleeping in stifling humidity and you are coming during the wet season, it’s probably worth it to pay a bit more for an aircon room.

Nick’s Pension is one of three Nick’s properties in Ubud, and they have rooms starting under $US10 per person for a double. This location is right in the center of the village and it gets great reviews from previous guests so they tend to sell out before most of the other places in Ubud. They’ve got rooms with aircon starting around $US16 per person for a double, so if you don’t think you’ll be able to sleep you might be able to switch to one of those rooms if they are available.

Hostels in Bali - Ubud