Set among Bali’s misty rice fields and forested hills, Ubud has become the global epicentre of conscious living — where ancient healing meets modern design, and wellness is more than a retreat, it’s a way of life.
Even before the film Eat Pray Love, Ubud has long been one of Bali’s most spiritual destinations. Surrounded by rice terraces, sacred rivers, and ancient temples, it naturally attracts wellness seekers and spiritual travelers. Traditionally known for its healing rituals, Ubud now offers a wide range of experiences including yoga retreats, spa therapies, plant-based restaurants, and traditional purification ceremonies, making it the perfect place to reconnect with yourself. Looking for some self-care this year? Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Wellness Retreats in Ubud
Wellness isn’t just a passing trend, it’s a lifestyle that promotes balance, mindfulness, and nourishment for both body and mind. Wellness retreats provide the perfect opportunity to escape daily stress, relax in peaceful surroundings, and focus on building habits that support long-term well-being.
For over 20 years, Oneworld Retreat has been hosting wellness travelers in multi-day programs that integrate yoga, meditation, Ayurvedic treatments, and vegetarian meals guided by in-house and international teachers. The goal is for a complete journey of rejuvenation in a serene environment, restoring balance in mind and body.
Away from the crowds, Nag Shampa Private Estate by Sam and Isabella Branson in Taro village offers a luxurious space for your own private wellness retreat. With eight bedrooms, five pools, a yoga shala, and an organic garden, you can enjoy yoga sessions, meditation, and mindful meals in peaceful surroundings. The estate’s spacious grounds provide the perfect environment for relaxation, reflection, and personal growth.
Designed with retreats in mind, Villa Crystal Castle offers a curated space with five bedrooms and two cottages, with flexible bedding configurations for retreat groups of all sizes. With a yoga shala, juice bar, central reflexology spiral path made of rose quartz pebbles, and optional spiritual cleansing ceremonies, it provides a transformative wellness experience for guests seeking private retreats close to town and cultural activities.
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Melukat: Balinese Cleansing Ceremony
Unlike many Balinese ceremonies, Melukat is open to anyone seeking a moment of spiritual reconnection. This traditional purification ritual takes place in sacred temples, rivers, and natural pools, where holy water and prayer cleanse the mind, body, and spirit. In Bali, nature isn’t just a backdrop but often active spaces of worship.
One of the most iconic places to experience Melukat is Pura Tirta Empul, where visitors can join the purification ritual under the guidance of local priests. The ceremony is powerful, but simply being at Pura Tirta Empul is breathtaking on its own. The temple complex is built around a natural holy spring and surrounded by beautifully carved stone shrines, altars, and majestic pavilions that make this historic site truly unforgettable.
Located not far from Pura Tirta Empul, Pura Mangening offers a more intimate experience, set deep in nature with a clear natural spring that emerges beneath a magnificent tree and flows gently into the Pakerisan River.
Do note that respectful attire is required during the ceremony to honour local customs. In some temples, traditional attire is required.
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Yoga Studios
If you’re exploring different yoga practices, Radiantly Alive is a yoga studio with classes in Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Yin, Kundalini, and Acro Yoga, as well as workshops in sound healing and trauma release, gives you a comprehensive yoga experience that’s ideal for practitioners of all levels.
At Alchemy Yoga and Meditation Studio, your journey begins the moment you step into its eco-conscious space, thoughtfully designed to connect you with the elements, earth, air, fire, water, and ether. The studio offers a variety of yoga practices that honor these elements, guiding practitioners of all levels through mindful movement, breathwork, and meditation while enjoying the serene atmosphere.
Read More: The Best Yoga Spots in Bali for a Relaxing Namastay
Spas in Ubud
Bali takes relaxation seriously. Across the island, day spas and massage studios dot Google Maps, each offering its own approach to unwinding. Whether you’re after a slow, soothing massage that’s all about the ambience or a focused treatment that melts away stubborn tension, you’ll find a spot that speaks to you.
For those who love clean lines, bright spaces and a contemporary feel, Soulshine Spa delivers a modern, calming environment designed to settle both body and mind. While Svaha Spa Bisma looks out over lush greenery, creating a serene backdrop for treatments that help restore balance and leave you feeling genuinely renewed. And as its name suggests, The Sacred River Spa offers a riverside retreat where the gentle sound of flowing water naturally deepens the sense of relaxation. It’s an ideal escape for anyone looking to disconnect and truly reset.
Ubud is Bali’s ultimate wellness destination, combining spirituality, nature, and modern wellness experiences. From yoga retreats and plant-based restaurants to immersive spa treatments and Melukat, Ubud provides holistic opportunities to restore balance, rejuvenate, and connect with both body and mind.
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