Home › Areas of Bali › Compare areas › Candidasa vs Ubud
Candidasa vs Ubud
Choose Candidasa for diving, calm water and quiet; choose Ubud for dining, remote work and wellness.
Candidasa
Laid-back east coast base. Best for: Couples, divers & culture seekers.
Choose Candidasa for diving, calm water, quiet.
- Beach: Little sand left in town behind the sea walls; white-sand Virgin Beach is 15 minutes away.
- Nightlife: A few quiet bars and restaurants.
- Prices: $$ · Moderate. Moderate, with good-value seafront hotels.
- To the airport: 65 km · 1½–2 h
- Climate: Hot & humid · coast
- 5 resorts on Balisama, from about $55 a night
Ubud
Cultural heart & rice terrace paradise. Best for: Wellness seekers, culture lovers & digital nomads.
Choose Ubud for dining, remote work, wellness.
- Beach: No beach; the black-sand east coast beaches are 30–40 minutes away.
- Nightlife: Live music bars and nightly dance performances, but most evenings end early.
- Prices: $$ · Moderate. Good value: cheap warungs next to upscale restaurants, and villas at every price.
- To the airport: 37 km · 60–90 min
- Climate: Warm & humid · 200 m
- 260 resorts on Balisama, from about $15 a night
Candidasa and Ubud are about 34 km apart.
Ratings
- Beaches: Candidasa Fair (2/5), Ubud None (0/5)
- Calm-water swimming: Candidasa Good (3/5), Ubud None (0/5)
- Surfing: Candidasa None (0/5), Ubud None (0/5)
- Diving & snorkeling: Candidasa Very good (4/5), Ubud None (0/5)
- Sunsets: Candidasa Poor (1/5), Ubud Poor (1/5)
- Nightlife: Candidasa Poor (1/5), Ubud Fair (2/5)
- Restaurants & cafés: Candidasa Fair (2/5), Ubud Excellent (5/5)
- Culture & temples: Candidasa Very good (4/5), Ubud Excellent (5/5)
- Nature & landscapes: Candidasa Good (3/5), Ubud Very good (4/5)
- Yoga & wellness: Candidasa Good (3/5), Ubud Excellent (5/5)
- Family-friendly: Candidasa Good (3/5), Ubud Very good (4/5)
- Peace & quiet: Candidasa Very good (4/5), Ubud Fair (2/5)
- Remote work: Candidasa Poor (1/5), Ubud Very good (4/5)
- Walkability: Candidasa Fair (2/5), Ubud Good (3/5)
Our ratings, from 0 (none) to 5 (excellent), compare Bali's areas with each other.