A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ubud vs. Lake Tekapo for Food, Couples, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Ubud or Lake Tekapo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ubud and Lake Tekapo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Ubud

Ubud is a popular, famous, and cultural town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Ubud offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping. See Ubud travel costs.

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is a remote, basic, and small town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. With stunning beauty, Lake Tekapo attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking. See Lake Tekapo travel costs.

Ubud and Lake Tekapo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ubud or Lake Tekapo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Ubud. Although Ubud and Lake Tekapo are popular destinations, Ubud has more sights and attractions for tourists. Ubud is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, and shopping, while Lake Tekapo attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Ubud is more touristy than Lake Tekapo and is known for its cultural and religious sites, dramatic rice paddies, and local handicrafts. It is also well known for Tegallalang rice terrace. Lake Tekapo is famous for its hot springs, remote location, and beautiful night sky.

How is Ubud different from Lake Tekapo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lake Tekapo and Ubud. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ubud or Lake Tekapo?

Ubud is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Lake Tekapo does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Ubud. The town is filled with temples and cultural sights such as the Ubud Monkey Forest, Goa Gajah (the Elephant Cave), the Ubud Royal Palace, and the Blanco Renaissance Museum.

Lake Tekapo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Ubud or Lake Tekapo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ubud is terrific for its restaurant scene. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Ubud, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. You'll find some of the best restaurants on Bali in this town. There is everything from family-owned eateries to award winning restaurants. Dishes range from vegan to meat-filled and you'll find both local favorites and western cuisine.

Lake Tekapo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The town is very small with just a couple of restaurants and fast food joints.

Is Ubud or Lake Tekapo Better for Nightlife?

Ubud is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

Ubud has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is mostly focused on cultural activities and live music. Many people head here to escape the party scene that is so popular elsewhere on the island.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Lake Tekapo This is a very small town and there isn't a real nightlife scene. The night sky is incredible though, and you should absolutely do some stargazing.

Is Ubud or Lake Tekapo Better for Resorts?

Ubud is terrific for its resorts. However, Lake Tekapo is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Ubud for its luxury resorts. You'll find beautiful luxury resorts with impressive pools and dramatic landscapes.

Lake Tekapo is not a resort destination.

Is Ubud or Lake Tekapo Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Ubud and Lake Tekapo, and they are excellent.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Ubud. There are many stunning walks and hikes just outside of town. There are stunning views from Campuhan Ridge Walk, which is best enjoyed at sunrise or sunset. Jalan Subak Sok Wayah Walk will take you through the rice paddies and Kajeng Rice Field Walk is close to town but tucked away from the crowds. One of the biggest draws of the area is the Tegallalang Rice Terraces Walk.

Many visitors go to Lake Tekapo for the hiking trails. There are many beautiful hikes in the area with some of the most popular being the Mount John Summit Track, the Richmond Trail, and Cowan's Hill Walkway.

Is the Shopping Better in Ubud or Lake Tekapo?

Ubud is a great destination for its shopping areas. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Ubud. Head to the Ubud shopping street for boutiques, markets, and local items. The town has grown into a shopper's paradise with many Balinese handicrafts around.

Shopping in Lake Tekapo can be found for those interested. There are a couple of shops where you can pick up basic necessities.

Is Ubud or Lake Tekapo More Beautiful?

Lake Tekapo is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Ubud is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

With stunning beauty, Lake Tekapo attracts visitors from all around. You really want to get out of town and explore the area's stunning natural beauty.

Ubud is a gorgeous place to visit. It's a stunning setting, which makes it appealing to tourists, but to truly enjoy the beauty you'll want to get a bit outside of town.

Is Ubud or Lake Tekapo Better for Families?

Lake Tekapo is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ubud is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Lake Tekapo is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy a visit to Tekapo Springs, which is particularly fun in the winter months. There's snow tubing, ice skating, and, of course, the hot pools. There are also short hikes in the area like the Mount John Summit Walk. Biking, paddleboarding, and kayaking are also popular in the area.

Ubud offers lots of family activities. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the jungles and rice paddies. There are also many great restaurants that are family-friend. Ubud is a bit cooler than the beach towns of Bali, so kids will enjoy an escape from the hotter temperatures.

Is Ubud or Lake Tekapo Better for Couples?

Ubud is terrific for couples. Also, Lake Tekapo is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Ubud is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Honeymooners flock to this small town for its stunning scenery and beautiful temples. There are luxury hotels, spas, massages, and poolside escapes that will make for the perfect honeymoon. You'll also find world class restaurants and breathtaking hikes in the area.

Lake Tekapo is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy the stunning scenery, beautiful hikes, and the romantic hot springs. Stargazing is another popular activity in the area.

Is Ubud or Lake Tekapo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ubud is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Lake Tekapo is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Ubud is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. If you need a break from the party scene on Bali, then you'll enjoy the reprieve of this small town. There are still plenty of backpackers and hostels, but the town itself offers a more relaxed setting.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Lake Tekapo. It's a small town with a couple of cheap places to stay that backpackers will appreciate.

Is Ubud or Lake Tekapo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Ubud is a town with a few options for its public transit. However, Lake Tekapo is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Ubud. Many people hire a vehicle or driver to explore the area. There are also tourist shuttles around with Perama Shuttle being one of the most established.

Public transit is quite limited in Lake Tekapo. Public transportation in the area is very limited. If you don't have a car, you'll want to arrange tours to get out and about.

Is Ubud or Lake Tekapo a more walkable city?

Ubud is a great destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Lake Tekapo is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Ubud is a very walkable destination. The town is generally walkable and easy to explore on foot, but you'll need other transportation if you want to get outside of town.

Lake Tekapo is somewhat walkable. The town is small enough to get around on foot, and you can hire a tour to get out into the region.

For even more information, also check out Is Ubud Worth Visiting? and Is Lake Tekapo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lake Tekapo or Ubud?

How long in Ubud or Lake Tekapo?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Ubud or Lake Tekapo to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Ubud than Lake Tekapo because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Ubud, and 1-2 days is enough time in Lake Tekapo.

Couples should spend more time in Ubud than Lake Tekapo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Ubud that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ubud than Lake Tekapo if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Ubud.

One day in Ubud or Lake Tekapo?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the breathtaking town of Ubud. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Most people visit for the food. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the when visiting the destination of Lake Tekapo. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Ubud or Lake Tekapo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the popular destination of Ubud. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This town offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Lake Tekapo is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Ubud or Lake Tekapo?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural town of Ubud. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

You'll find around the small destination of Lake Tekapo. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Ubud or Lake Tekapo?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Ubud. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people visit for the food. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this town.

The remote town of Lake Tekapo offers . Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand, and The Best Contiki Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ubud and Lake Tekapo, we can see that Ubud is more expensive. And not only is Lake Tekapo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ubud is in Asia and Lake Tekapo is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Lake Tekapo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lake Tekapo and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Ubud would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ubud than you might in Lake Tekapo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ubud Expensive? and Is Lake Tekapo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ubud or Lake Tekapo?

Ubud has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Lake Tekapo. When comparing the sizes of Ubud and Lake Tekapo, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.