November is a fascinating time to experience Bali.
While many travelers associate Bali with beaches and summer holidays, November offers a different side of the island. Ubud continues to attract visitors interested in wellness, nature, culture, food, yoga, and slower travel, while a number of events make the month particularly interesting for travelers looking for something beyond the usual sightseeing itinerary.
One of the highlights of November 2026 is the Ubud Running Festival, taking place on 21–22 November 2026. The festival brings together running, wellness, culture, community, and the beautiful natural landscape around Ubud.
For travelers planning a November trip, this creates an excellent opportunity to combine an active holiday with yoga, rice-field walks, cultural experiences, and relaxing days in the quieter surroundings of Pejeng.
If you are looking for a peaceful place to stay near Ubud, Nawa Sakti Resort in Pejeng can provide a comfortable base for exploring the area while enjoying a slower atmosphere away from the busiest streets of central Ubud.
Why Visit Ubud in November 2026?
Ubud has long been associated with Balinese culture, art, wellness, and nature.
But there is more to Ubud than the central tourist area.
The wider Ubud region includes traditional villages, rice fields, temples, yoga studios, cafés, restaurants, rivers, and countryside roads that are ideal for travelers who prefer a slower pace.
November can be a good month for this type of travel.
Rather than filling every day with sightseeing, visitors can create a balanced itinerary that combines activities with time to rest.
A morning yoga session can be followed by breakfast and a walk through the rice fields. An afternoon can be spent exploring Ubud, while the evening can be enjoyed in the peaceful surroundings of Pejeng.
For travelers attending an event, this balance can make a trip much more enjoyable.
Ubud Running Festival 2026
The major event to highlight in November is the Ubud Running Festival 2026, taking place on 21 and 22 November 2026 in Ubud.
The festival describes itself as a combination of sport, wellness, and culture, making it particularly suitable for travelers who want more than a conventional running race.
The event has several race categories.
21 November – Race Day 1
The first race day includes:
21K Cross Country
Squad Race
Kids Dash
22 November – Race Day 2
The second day includes:
5K
10K
The official festival information states that registration closes on 31 October 2026, with no race-day registration. Bib pickup is scheduled for 18 and 20 November, with the location to be announced by the organizers.
For runners, this means November is not simply a holiday in Ubud. It can become an opportunity to combine a race with a longer wellness and cultural stay.
More Than Just a Running Race
The Ubud Running Festival is designed around more than competition.
Its organizers describe the event as a celebration of movement, community, wellness, culture, and the unique character of Ubud.
This is important because it reflects what makes Ubud attractive in the first place.
The surrounding landscape becomes part of the experience.
Running through the countryside, seeing rice fields, passing traditional villages, and experiencing the atmosphere of Ubud can make the event very different from running a race in a large city.
For visitors who are not participating in the race, the festival can also be an interesting reason to visit Ubud during the weekend.
Where to Stay for the Ubud Running Festival?
If you are coming to Ubud specifically for the running festival, location is an important consideration.
Central Ubud provides convenient access to many attractions, restaurants, and event venues. However, staying slightly outside the center can offer a completely different experience.
Pejeng is one such option.
Located east of central Ubud, Pejeng is surrounded by rice fields and traditional Balinese villages. The area is quieter and less urban, while Ubud remains accessible by motorbike, taxi, or ride-hailing service.
For runners, this can also be attractive because the environment around Pejeng naturally encourages walking, movement, relaxation, and recovery.
After a busy race weekend, returning to a peaceful property can be a welcome contrast to the crowds and traffic of central Ubud.
Staying in Pejeng: A Quieter Side of Ubud
Many travelers visit Ubud because they want to experience Bali’s culture and natural environment.
However, they do not necessarily need to stay in the busiest part of town.
Pejeng offers a different rhythm.
The mornings are quieter. Rice fields are close by. Traditional village life is still part of the landscape, and there are opportunities to explore the countryside without following the same routes as every tourist.
This makes Pejeng particularly suitable for:
Wellness travelers
Yoga practitioners
Runners
Couples
Families
Long-stay guests
Travelers seeking a quieter Bali experience
For a November trip, this can be especially useful because visitors can combine event activities with genuine downtime.
Yoga and Wellness in Pejeng
Ubud is internationally recognized as a wellness destination, and Pejeng provides access to the same general atmosphere without requiring travelers to stay in the busiest part of Ubud.
One of the attractions nearby is Ashtanga Yoga Bali Research Center, located in Pejeng Kaja.
For travelers interested in yoga, mobility, meditation, and wellness, a November stay can easily be built around a simple daily routine.
Start with yoga in the morning.
Have breakfast.
Take a walk through the rice fields.
Spend the afternoon exploring Ubud.
Return to Pejeng in the evening.
This type of itinerary can be much more relaxing than trying to visit several major attractions every day.
Rice Paddy Walking Around Pejeng
You do not need a major attraction to enjoy Bali.
Sometimes, a quiet walk through the rice fields can become one of the most memorable parts of a trip.
The countryside around Pejeng provides opportunities to see traditional agricultural landscapes, village roads, tropical vegetation, temples, and everyday Balinese life.
For runners visiting Ubud, these surroundings also provide a natural extension of an active holiday.
Even if you are not training for a race, a morning walk through the rice paddies can be an easy way to stay active while enjoying the scenery.
Explore Ubud After Your Morning Activities
Once your morning activities are finished, head into central Ubud for a different experience.
Ubud offers a wide variety of things to do, including:
Art galleries
Traditional markets
Temples
Cafés
Restaurants
Balinese dance and cultural performances
Local shops
Wellness experiences
Rather than spending the entire day in the center, consider returning to Pejeng in the afternoon or evening.
This gives you two different Bali experiences during the same trip.
Ubud provides the culture, restaurants, art, and energy.
Pejeng provides space, greenery, and a quieter atmosphere.
Other Bali Events in November 2026
Although the Ubud Running Festival is particularly relevant to travelers staying near Ubud, November includes several other events across Bali.
The Bali Provincial Tourism Office’s 2026 event calendar lists several November festivals, including:
Nusa Penida Festival – 6–8 November
Pemuteran Bay Festival – 6–8 November
Sanur Village Festival – November
Ulun Danu Festival – November
Jembrana Jegog Festival – November
Makepung Lampit – 15 November
These events take place in different parts of Bali, so they are better suited to travelers planning day trips or longer island itineraries rather than visitors staying exclusively around Ubud.
For travelers staying in Ubud or Pejeng, however, they can provide ideas for exploring beyond the usual tourist routes.
November Is Perfect for a Longer Bali Stay
One advantage of visiting Bali in November is that you can create a more relaxed itinerary.
Instead of trying to see everything in three days, consider staying for a week or longer.
A longer stay allows you to combine:
Wellness + Culture + Nature + Food + Relaxation
For example, a seven-day itinerary could look like this:
Day 1 – Arrival in Pejeng
Check in, relax, enjoy the property and take a short walk around the neighborhood.
Day 2 – Yoga & Rice Fields
Start the morning with yoga, followed by breakfast and a peaceful walk through the surrounding countryside.
Day 3 – Explore Ubud
Visit central Ubud, explore galleries, enjoy lunch, visit cultural attractions, and discover local restaurants.
Day 4 – Wellness Day
Keep the day slow.
Enjoy yoga, a massage, swimming, reading, or simply relaxing at the property.
Day 5 – Nature & Local Experiences
Explore the countryside around Pejeng and nearby villages.
This is a good day to leave the busy tourist areas behind.
Day 6 – Ubud Running Festival
If visiting on 21 or 22 November, participate in or experience the Ubud Running Festival.
Runners can focus on their race, while companions can explore Ubud and enjoy wellness or cultural activities.
Day 7 – Slow Morning
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast, take one final rice-field walk, spend time by the pool, and prepare for departure.
This itinerary leaves enough space for spontaneous discoveries rather than turning the holiday into a checklist.
Why Choose Nawa Sakti Resort Ubud?
Nawa Sakti Resort is located in Pejeng Kaja, providing a quieter base for travelers who want to explore Ubud while staying away from the busiest central streets.
The property offers different accommodation options suitable for couples, families, and longer stays.
Guests can choose from one-bedroom accommodation, including a Deluxe option with a bathtub, as well as a larger three-bedroom accommodation with a kitchen and living area.
The larger space can be particularly useful for families or groups who prefer to stay together.
For travelers looking for a more private experience, the property can also be considered for a whole-compound stay, combining multiple rooms with access to the main pool.
A Good Base for Active and Wellness Travelers
November’s Ubud Running Festival makes the area particularly attractive to active travelers.
But you do not have to be a serious runner to enjoy an active holiday in Ubud.
Walking through rice fields, practicing yoga, cycling around villages, swimming, exploring temples, and simply spending more time outdoors can all become part of the experience.
Pejeng makes this style of travel feel natural.
You can stay active without feeling that you are constantly surrounded by traffic and crowds.
Experience a Slower Bali in November 2026
November 2026 offers plenty of reasons to visit Bali, but Ubud remains one of the best destinations for travelers who want to combine culture, wellness, nature, and meaningful experiences.
The Ubud Running Festival on 21–22 November provides a strong reason for runners and wellness travelers to visit. Beyond the event, the wider Ubud area offers yoga, rice-field walks, Balinese food, art, culture, and opportunities to simply slow down.
And you do not have to stay in the middle of Ubud to enjoy it.
By choosing Pejeng as your base, you can spend your days exploring Ubud and return to a quieter environment in the evening.
For travelers who want to combine an active holiday with relaxation, Nawa Sakti Resort Ubud offers a peaceful base near Ubud, surrounded by the greener and quieter side of Bali.
Whether you are coming for the Ubud Running Festival, a yoga retreat, a family holiday, or simply a longer Bali escape, November is a wonderful time to slow down and experience Ubud beyond the usual tourist itinerary.
Plan Your November 2026 Stay
Planning a trip to Ubud this November?
Consider combining your stay with:
Ubud Running Festival 2026
Yoga and wellness activities
Rice paddy walks
Balinese food experiences
Ubud art and culture
Exploring Pejeng villages
Day trips around Bali
A peaceful stay away from central Ubud
Stay near Ubud. Run, explore, relax, and experience a quieter side of Bali in Pejeng.
Welcome to Nawa Sakti Resort Ubud.