Responsible Travel and Community Care in Bali

Supporting Local Communities

Although Ubud is our home, we also enjoy introducing visitors to lesser known regions of Bali, including Tampaksiring, Kintamani and Sidemen.

By encouraging travellers to explore beyond the traditional tourist areas, we help direct tourism income towards local people and communities while promoting more responsible tourism throughout Bali.

We support local communities by:

• Working with local Balinese guides, drivers and activity providers 
• Supporting village based cultural and spiritual experiences 
• Introducing visitors to locally owned businesses 
• Encouraging travellers to explore beyond Bali’s busiest tourist areas 
• Using local knowledge to recommend suitable alternatives to overcrowded attractions 
• Creating personal and private experiences that allow guests to connect with local people 

Supporting Manukaya Anyar Village

Ubud Traveler has donated rubbish bins to Manukaya Anyar Village for use within the village market area.

Manukaya Anyar is one of the local villages visited during our village and rice field hiking and cycling experiences.

These experiences introduce guests to daily life in a Balinese village while supporting local guides, families and businesses. Donating rubbish bins helps the village manage waste in an area used by both the local community and visitors.

Respecting Balinese Culture

Balinese culture is not simply something created for tourists. Temples, ceremonies, offerings and spiritual practices remain an important part of daily life in Bali.

We encourage travelers to experience and respect Balinese culture by:

• Dressing appropriately when visiting temples 
• Following local temple rules 
• Listening to the advice of Balinese guides 
• Asking permission before photographing people or ceremonies 
• Avoiding touching or stepping over daily offerings 
• Understanding that some temple areas may be restricted 
• Participating respectfully in cultural and spiritual experiences 

Our guides help explain the meaning behind Balinese customs, ceremonies and spiritual practices so guests can develop a deeper understanding of the places they visit.

Responsible Temple Visits

Temples are sacred places of worship and should always be treated respectfully.

We work with HPI licensed guides, and licensed local guides accompany our guests at temples whenever required by Indonesian Government regulations.

Our guides help visitors understand appropriate dress, temple etiquette and the significance of the ceremonies and traditions they may observe.

This is particularly important during Balinese blessings, cave meditation and water purification experiences, where guests are participating in genuine spiritual traditions rather than a performance created for tourists.

Supporting Village Based Experiences

Some of Bali’s most meaningful cultural and spiritual experiences take place within local villages. Unlike experiences that have been shortened or altered primarily for tourists, our cultural and spiritual experiences are designed to help guests understand and respectfully participate in Balinese traditions.

Supporting authentic cultural and spiritual experiences helps preserve local knowledge while allowing tourism income to reach Balinese guides, drivers, families and communities.

We curate every experience carefully to reflect the essence of Ubud while respecting the people and traditions that make each experience possible. 

We recognise that experiences such as meditation, blessings and water purification can be deeply personal. Our private format allows guests to proceed at their own pace without feeling rushed from one activity to the next.

• Village and rice field walking 
• Cycling through local villages 
• Cave meditation 
• Water purification 
• Temple visits 
• Locally guided cultural experiences 

Helping Reduce Overtourism

Many visitors arrive in Bali with the same list of famous attractions. This can lead to overcrowding, traffic congestion and increased pressure on local communities and the environment.

Our private tours are designed using local destination knowledge. We are consciously recommending guests to consider:

• Quieter visiting times 
• Alternative attractions 
• Lesser known villages and regions 
• Local experiences away from the largest crowds 

We do not believe responsible travel means avoiding every famous attraction. It means helping travelers make informed decisions about when, where and how they visit.

Sometimes the places that are not on a traveler’s original list create their most memorable Bali experiences.

Harmony With Nature and the Environment

Reducing Single Use Plastic

Drinking water provided for our guests is supplied in refillable glass bottles rather than single use plastic bottles.

We encourage travelers to carry a reusable drinking bottle and refill it whenever possible during their Bali holiday.

Responsible Laundry Practices

Sarongs, towels, wet shoes and other reusable tour items are washed using low tox, biodegradable detergents.

Our laundry partner returns clean items without plastic wrapping, helping us reduce unnecessary plastic waste.

Respecting Natural Environments

Many Ubud Traveler tours and activities take place around Bali’s rivers, waterfalls, mountains, rice fields and forests.

We encourage guests to:

• Dispose of rubbish responsibly 
• Remain on designated paths 
• Respect wildlife and natural habitats 
• Avoid damaging plants and rice fields 
• Follow the instructions of local guides 
• Leave natural and cultural locations as they found them 

Harmony Among People

Supporting Our Team

Ubud Traveler provides staff with regular training and product knowledge.

We also arrange team days and provide complimentary access to tours and activities for all staff, regardless of their position or seniority.

Giving every team member the opportunity to experience our products helps build knowledge, confidence and a stronger understanding of the experiences we recommend to guests.

Supporting Local Tourism Professionals

We work with Balinese guides, drivers and activity providers who contribute their knowledge, skills and personal experience.

Our guides do more than explain the history of an attraction. They share the traditions, beliefs and everyday life that make Bali special.

Working with local tourism professionals helps direct tourism income towards Balinese people and their families.

Caring for Guest Safety

Every Ubud Traveler vehicle carries a fully stocked first aid box.

Activities are personally tested and regularly reviewed to ensure that we work with trusted providers who maintain appropriate standards of safety, service, equipment maintenance and insurance.

Safety and fun are our No. 1 priorities.

Giving Back to Bali

Ubud Traveler donates USD 1 from every booking to Sole Family Bali.

Sole Family assists disadvantaged people and families across Bali by helping them access medical care, mobility equipment, food, housing assistance and other essential support.

Our accommodation partner, Bisma Cottages, also supports Sole Family and a range of community and environmental initiatives through its Eco and Community Care commitment.

When you book with Ubud Traveler or Bisma Cottages, your booking helps contribute to this ongoing support.

Sharing Responsible Travel Information

Ubud Traveler provides a growing collection of Free Bali and Ubud Travel Guides.

These guides help visitors make informed and respectful travel decisions by providing practical local information about:

• Balinese culture and temple etiquette 
• Transport and travel safety 
• Ubud attractions and activities 
• Balinese dance performances 
• Water purification experiences 
• Nature activities 
• Local restaurants and businesses 
• Suitable experiences for different ages and abilities 
• Ways to explore beyond Bali’s busiest tourist areas 

Sharing accurate local information helps travellers prepare properly and reduces misunderstandings between visitors and local communities.

How Travellers Can Help

Every visitor can help protect Bali’s culture, communities and environment through small but meaningful choices.

We encourage our guests to:

• Book with local travel businesses, guides and activity providers 
• Respect temples, ceremonies and local customs 
• Follow the advice of their Balinese guide 
• Carry a reusable drinking bottle 
• Avoid unnecessary single use plastic 
• Dispose of rubbish responsibly 
• Respect wildlife, rice fields and natural environments 
• Support locally owned restaurants, shops and community businesses 
• Explore beyond Bali’s busiest tourist areas 
• Remain flexible and consider suitable alternatives recommended by local people 

Travel With a Local

When you book with Ubud Traveler, you are not simply booking transport or a sightseeing tour.

You are travelling with local people who are proud to share their home, culture and destination knowledge with you.

Whether you are exploring waterfalls, walking through rice fields, visiting a temple or participating in a Balinese spiritual experience, our goal is to help you leave Bali with meaningful memories and a deeper appreciation of its people and culture.

Don’t Follow the Crowds. Follow Us.