Spiritual Bali: Ubud, ceremonies and practice

Ubud and the spiritual side of Bali, temples, ceremonies, yoga and retreats, how to take part respectfully, what to wear and how to choose a villa near your practice.

The spiritual side of Bali is above all Ubud and the villages around it: most temples, yoga studios and retreats are here, and life runs slower than in the south. People come for longer stays to practise rather than to sightsee.

This section explains what a ceremony means to Balinese families, why shorts and bare shoulders are not allowed inside a temple, how to behave if you happen upon a festival, and why people are not photographed while praying without their consent.

We also cover practice itself: which styles of yoga and meditation are common here, how a retreat differs from an ordinary holiday, and how to pick a villa in Ubud when part of every day goes into practice rather than trips.

Villas from this guide

Brand New Villa with Panoramic Jungle ViewsUbud · Price on requestDesigner Villa in Green UbudUbud · $ 2 380Premium Residence in the Green Area of MasUbud · $ 7 606Designer Villa Among the JungleUbud · $ 10 938

Other sections: Bali landmarksWhere to eat in BaliMassage and spa in BaliBali nightlifeAreas of Bali