A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ubud vs. Yaeyama Islands for Food, Resorts, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Ubud or Yaeyama Islands?

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 Yaeyama Islands. 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 cultural, breathtaking, and popular town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. Ubud is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping. See Ubud travel costs.

Yaeyama Islands

Yaeyama Islands is a tropical, pristine, and luxurious archipelago. The famous beauty of Yaeyama Islands is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Yaeyama Islands travel costs.

Ubud and Yaeyama Islands: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ubud or Yaeyama Islands?

Both Yaeyama Islands and Ubud have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Ubud is better known for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and small town charm, while Yaeyama Islands is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Ubud is more touristy than Yaeyama Islands and is known for its cultural and religious sites, dramatic rice paddies, and local handicrafts. Yaeyama Islands is well known for its jungle, tropical setting, and pristine beaches.

How is Ubud different from Yaeyama Islands?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Yaeyama Islands 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 Yaeyama Islands?

Ubud is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a good archipelago for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Yaeyama Islands specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The islands are known for their beaches, snorkeling, and jungles, but don't expect much in the form of museums.

Is the Food Better in Ubud or Yaeyama Islands? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ubud is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Yaeyama Islands is not as famous, but is still a good archipelago to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Yaeyama Islands has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are many fruits and vegetables that are local to the region. Tropical fruits are common including pineapples, passionfruit, mango, shikuwasa, watermelon, papaya, and dragon fruit. You can try Yaeyama Soba (noodle soup) or any other local favorite at the restaurants in the area, most of which are usually concentrated around the villages on the island.

Is Ubud or Yaeyama Islands Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Ubud or Yaeyama Islands has a better nightlife scene.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Yaeyama Islands has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. You can sip a cocktail and enjoy the view from your resort's bar.

Is Ubud or Yaeyama Islands Better for Resorts?

There are terrific resorts to choose from in both Ubud and Yaeyama Islands.

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

For the ultimate resort vacation, Yaeyama Islands is a great choice. There are luxury international resorts as well as smaller upscale hotels. Many resorts are found on the largest island, Ishigaki.

Is Ubud or Yaeyama Islands Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Yaeyama Islands is a great destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Ubud is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Yaeyama Islands. The islands offer great scuba diving and snorkeling with coral reefs and tropical fish as well as manta rays and pelagic fish.

Ubud is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ubud or Yaeyama Islands Better for Beaches?

Yaeyama Islands is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Ubud is not a beach destination.

Yaeyama Islands offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. This tropical paradise has white sand beaches and turquoise water. There are water sports, including snorkeling and diving, and the beaches on each island have their own atmosphere and vibe.

Ubud is not a beach destination.

Is Ubud or Yaeyama Islands Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Ubud and Yaeyama Islands, 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 Yaeyama Islands for the hiking trails. The islands offer relatively easy access to jungle hikes, which will quickly make you feel like you've been swept into a hidden paradise. There are waterfalls, wildlife, butterflies, and scenic spots to explore.

Is the Shopping Better in Ubud or Yaeyama Islands?

Ubud is a well-known place for shopping. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Ubud is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Yaeyama Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Ubud or Yaeyama Islands More Beautiful?

Yaeyama Islands is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Ubud is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Yaeyama Islands is one of the main draws. White sand, blue water, tropical jungles and coral reefs make this a breathtakingly beautiful part of Japan.

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 Yaeyama Islands Better for Families?

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

Yaeyama Islands is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. This island setting has blue waters and water sports that the whole family can enjoy. There are also family-friendly resorts with kids clubs and nearby nature.

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 Yaeyama Islands Better for Couples?

Ubud and Yaeyama Islands both terrific destinations for a couple.

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.

Yaeyama Islands makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Beautiful blue water and fun water sports make this a wonderful destination for couples. There are nice resorts and fine dining opportunities that make this a great couple's retreat.

Is Ubud or Yaeyama Islands Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ubud is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a good archipelago for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Ubud. 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.

Yaeyama Islands is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpacking can be challenging as transportation is limited and accommodation can be expensive.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Ubud and Yaeyama Islands.

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 mostly limited in Yaeyama Islands. There is very little in the form of public transit but you can get from the largest island, Ishigaki Island, to nearby islands by ferry.

Is Ubud or Yaeyama Islands a more walkable city?

Ubud is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a good archipelago for its high level of walkability.

Ubud is very walkable. 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.

Yaeyama Islands is generally not a very walkable town. Some of the islands are small enough to get around on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Ubud Worth Visiting? and Is Yaeyama Islands Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Yaeyama Islands or Ubud?

How long in Ubud or Yaeyama Islands?

In either Ubud or Yaeyama Islands, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Ubud than Yaeyama Islands because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Ubud, and 3-5 days is enough time in Yaeyama Islands.

Families should spend more time in Yaeyama Islands than Ubud. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Yaeyama Islands, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Ubud than Yaeyama Islands. 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 Yaeyama Islands 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 Yaeyama Islands?

The famous destination of Ubud offers nightlife and food. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife when visiting the destination of Yaeyama Islands. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Ubud or Yaeyama Islands?

The town of Ubud offers food and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Yaeyama Islands is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the beaches. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Ubud or Yaeyama Islands?

Ubud is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. This town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the tropical destination of Yaeyama Islands. This archipelago offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Ubud or Yaeyama Islands?

The breathtaking town of Ubud offers museums and nightlife. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

The luxurious archipelago of Yaeyama Islands offers scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ubud and Yaeyama Islands, we can see that Ubud is more expensive. And not only is Yaeyama Islands much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yaeyama Islands would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yaeyama Islands 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 Yaeyama Islands.

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