What to do when it rains in Ubud? Here’s what you can do in Ubud during the rainy season

What to do when it rains in Ubud?

Here’s what you can do in Ubud during the rainy season

Did you arrive in Ubud only to be greeted by rain, when you were dreaming of lush green rice fields, sunset yoga, and sipping coffee in front of stone statues?

And instead… it’s raining.

For days. Or worse, for weeks. And maybe you’re wondering:

Does it really rain this much in Ubud, or am I just unlucky?
Are there actually nice things to do even if the weather is awful?
Where can I take the kids when it rains non-stop?

Relax: experiencing Ubud in the rain can turn into an unforgettable adventure. Let me tell you how we’re handling it, between tropical downpours and the kids’ laughter.

In this article about what to do in Ubud with kids when it rains, we’ll talk about:

Why does it rain so much in Ubud?

If you’re asking yourself why it rains so much in Ubud, you’re not alone. Ubud sits in the heart of the island, surrounded by jungle and humid hills that trap clouds and rain longer than the coastal areas. This means that even if it’s sunny in Seminyak or Sanur, you might find yourself caught in a sudden downpour in Ubud.

The truth is, rain in Ubud is almost the norm if you’re staying here for a while. Yet it’s really not a tragedy: nature glows an even more intense green, the air feels fresh, and the scent of spices becomes richer and more vibrant.

Is the rainy season in Bali actually real?

People often talk about Bali’s rainy season running from November to March and the dry season from April to October. Technically that’s true, but in recent years, the weather has become more unpredictable. Even in June or July, it might rain for days, while in January you could wake up to blue skies.

But if you want to know when it’s most likely to rain in Ubud, it’s definitely during the rainy season, when downpours can happen daily. The great thing, though, is that Bali never loses its magic, rain or shine.

What to do in Ubud when it rains?

If you came to Bali hoping only for sunshine, you might feel a bit lost. But trust me: there are loads of incredible things to do in Ubud when it rains, and not just spa days or endless restaurant hopping. In fact, it might be the perfect time to discover the town in a more authentic way.

Play in the rain (yes, really!)

Sounds like crazy advice? But it’s not! For us, as the Miniwanderlust Team, we have no problem heading out in raincoats and rubber flip-flops. Walking through Ubud’s alleys in the rain means seeing temples wrapped in mist, stone dragons sparkling with water, and rice fields looking even greener. The sounds and scents of Ubud in the rain are unique, intimate, and while many see it as a nuisance, we actually fell in love with Bali precisely when we saw it in the rain.

Kids have a blast splashing in puddles, and living Ubud in the rain can become a really special memory. It’s not uncommon to see locals strolling calmly through the rain, smiling, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.

The 4 must-see museums to visit in Ubud when it rains

If you really don’t feel like getting soaked, you can explore some amazing museums instead. And they’re perfect for kids too, because they’re full of colors, shapes, and Balinese stories.

Museum Puri Lukisan

Need a peaceful place to shelter from the rain that’s more than just a hideaway? Museum Puri Lukisan is a little gem worth discovering. It’s not huge, nor as famous as others, but it holds a story that takes you by the hand and guides you through the evolution of Balinese art over the past century.

This is Bali’s oldest museum dedicated to modern and traditional Balinese art, and inside you’ll find glimpses of a fascinating period in history: the moment in the 1930s when European artists arrived in Ubud, fell madly in love with the island, and started collaborating with local painters. They brought new techniques, especially in studying anatomy and depicting the human body, which forever changed the way Balinese artists paint.

If you’re curious about how tradition blends with outside influences to create something completely new, this is the perfect place for you.

📍 Open every day from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

🎟️ Admission: 95,000 rupiah per adult.
Children under 15 enter for free if accompanied by an adult.

(Which makes it perfect if you’re traveling with your kids!)

A perfect museum for rainy days, where you can wander around calmly while the clouds outside do their thing.

Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA)

If it’s pouring outside and you’re thinking, “Now what do I do?” — here’s an answer worth the whole trip: take shelter at the Agung Rai Museum of Art, better known as ARMA. It’s one of those places that doesn’t feel like a regular museum, but rather a small universe where Balinese art lives, moves, and breathes.

Agung Rai, the founder, dedicated his entire life to protecting and promoting Balinese culture, and you can feel all his love inside these walls. You won’t just find paintings hanging on the walls: here, you can watch traditional dance rehearsals, listen to gamelan music filling the air, join workshops or classes, and soak up a real cultural center atmosphere — far from the idea of a “silent, dusty” museum.

The collection is amazing: it spans from classic bark paintings in the Kamasan style to the unmistakable works of Balinese masters from the 1930s and 1940s, all the way to modern Indonesian art. There are names you might not know, but that will stick in your mind: I Gusti Nyoman Lempad, Ida Bagus Made, Walter Spies (a German artist who gave a huge boost to Ubud’s art scene), and even Raden Saleh, with his incredible Portrait of a Javanese Nobleman and His Wifefrom the 1800s.

And if all that art makes you hungry or thirsty, the ticket includes a drink at the museum café. Handy, right?

So, if it’s raining outside and you’re looking for something beautiful, inspiring, and even kid-friendly (because kids often stand there wide-eyed), duck into ARMA. It’s one of those places where you step in just to wait out the rain and end up staying for hours.

Neka Art Museum

If you’re caught in a sudden downpour, one of the most interesting places to take shelter is the Neka Art Museum. It’s not just an art museum but a true journey through the artistic history of Bali and its connections with the world.

Founded in 1976 by Balinese Wayan Suteja Neka, this museum sits inside a beautiful complex of Balinese gardens. Inside, you’ll find six traditional-style pavilions, each with a different story to tell.

The most curious part? Neka’s personal collection of Balinese keris knives: true works of art with decorated blades, which hold significant symbolism in Balinese culture. Neka spent fifty years collecting them and now displays 272 pieces, all crafted by master blacksmiths from his own caste, the Pande.

But the museum is above all about art on canvas. In the main pavilion, you’ll find scenes inspired by the great epic tales of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, along with Balinese and Javanese legends and folklore.

Then there are the rooms dedicated to the Western influence that swept over Balinese art in the 1920s and 1930s, thanks to artists like Walter Spies and Rudolf Bonnet. They introduced new ideas about light, shadow, and perspective, transforming the local style into what is now known as the “Ubud style.”

You’ll also find works from Batuan, a nearby village famous for its intricate paintings, and an entire structure — the Arie Smit Pavilion — dedicated to the Dutch painter who inspired a whole generation of young Balinese artists with modern, expressive, and conceptual styles.

If you love photography and stories from the past, there’s also a pavilion dedicated to historical black-and-white photographs, like those by American photographer Robert Koke, dating back to the 1930s.

And then there’s the Lempad Pavilion, where you can discover works by the great Gusti Nyoman Lempad, famous for his engravings and drawings depicting Balinese myths and daily life.

Finally, the two floors of the sixth structure house works by renowned Indonesian and international artists such as Affandi, Antonio Blanco, Miguel Covarrubias, and many others.

Beyond art, the museum also offers relaxing spaces like tropical gardens, a small restaurant, clean bathrooms, and plenty of parking. Perfect if you’re looking for somewhere to stay dry during the rain without getting bored for a second!

If you’re lucky, you might even bump into the founder, Neka himself, who’s always happy to share stories about his collection or explain how a Balinese keris is made.

In short, the Neka Art Museum is an absolute must if you want to discover the artistic soul of Ubud… even in the rain!

Museo Blanco

One of the most unique places to visit in Ubud on a rainy day is the Blanco Renaissance Museum. It’s not an “official” museum but the home-museum of Filipino artist Don Antonio Blanco, who fell in love with Bali and the female figure. (Fair warning: there are plenty of nude depictions of women!)

It’s located just 5 minutes by scooter from the Royal Palace.

You can explore the tropical gardens, the studio preserved exactly as it was, and the stunning Balinese-Spanish style villa.

Entry costs 50,000 rupiah and includes a welcome drink.

The nature here is so intertwined with art that even the rain feels like part of the experience. It’s a unique place if you’re looking for things to do in Ubud when it rains.

These places are perfect if you’re wondering what to do in Ubud when it rains, because they keep you indoors without giving up on culture.

Join a creative workshop

Still raining in Ubud?

Then create something!

Ubud is famous for its craft workshops, many of which are open to kids too.

You could try:

batik painting on fabric
wood carving
Balinese painting
clay crafting

We took the batik class, and my kids had an absolute blast. It’s a great answer if you’re looking for things to do in Ubud when it rains and don’t want to just stare out the window at the rain.

Explore the Ubud Market… even in the rain

Don’t let a few drops put you off: wandering through the Ubud market while it’s raining is a unique experience. The crowds thin out, the vendors have more time to chat, and you might score treasures like fabrics, spices, and Balinese masks at better prices.

Plus, many stalls are under roofs or awnings, so you don’t get too wet. And if you’re interested in the more local, authentic side of Ubud, I definitely recommend reading our article about non-touristy Ubud.

Stay at home… but without getting bored!

If you really don’t want to go out when it’s raining in Ubud, here are some cozy ideas:

family yoga (there’s always YouTube for inspiration)
cooking Balinese dishes together, like banana bread or Balinese pancakes
creating collages or drawings inspired by Bali
reading and filling out our MiniLonely travel journals for little explorers

And if you’re looking for free ideas, be sure to check out our article on Free things to do in Ubud.

Ubud in the rain: magic or nightmare?

The truth is, when it rains in Ubud, you can turn the day into an unforgettable experience. Don’t just hide out in a spa or order food to your room—let yourself be surprised.

Rain in Bali washes away the sticky heat, makes the jungle look even more vibrant, and turns temples into places full of mystery. And if you’re traveling with kids, exploring Ubud in the rain is the perfect way to show them that even bad weather can hide amazing wonders.

Do you have other ideas for things to do in Ubud when it rains? Tell me in the comments or drop me a message on social media!

👉 If you want to make your trip even more special, MiniLonely Bali will help you turn every stop into an unforgettable adventure!

MiniLonely Bali

A journey through nasi goreng, temples, and religion, discovering the island of the Gods

Buy it here

Planning a trip to Bali with kids?

From mystical temples to the rice fields of Sidemen, from local markets to beaches: Bali is a family-sized adventure waiting for you. I’ve gathered practical tips, authentic stops, and low-budget ideas to help you discover the island with curious eyes and light backpacks.

And if you want to go even deeper, to discover the Real Bali — the one you won’t find in brochures — I recommend Viaggiaibali.com: a complete guide for those who dream of truly living it, with a sustainable and respectful eye towards local communities.

Read all articles about Bali with kids →
Go to Viaggiaibali.com →