Ubud lies 36 km from the resorts on the southern coast. The name for this royal village is derived from the Balinese word ubad (medicine), the moniker of a herb with healing properties which grows along the nearby Oos River.

If you aren't interested in overpriced tourist hype but want comfortable accommodations at good prices, a central location, and all the facilities in a less hurried rural environment than the south, the Ubud area is for you. Despite the bumper-to-bumper traffic, too many loud motorcycles, and thousands of tourists during Bali's peak tourist seasons, when it's difficult to find a parking space, Ubud still shows glimpses of its basically rural character.