On September 8, 2026, the Gianyar Transport Department launched Phase III of the changes to Ubud's traffic scheme.
The main goal of the experiment is to ease congestion at key junctions, but the very first day of the new scheme ended in a full-blown traffic collapse. Ubud came to a standstill in gridlock that lasted more than four hours, from midday until late evening.
The jams engulfed Jalan Monkey Forest, Jalan Hanoman, Jalan Raya Ubud and the intersection by the Arjuna statue. Ride-hailing drivers complain that fares have doubled because of the time spent standing still, while foreigners on scooters get confused by the road closures. Traffic officers admit the situation has worsened and put it down to the fact that many drivers simply haven't had time to learn about the changes.
The main changes to the traffic scheme:
Jalan Raya Pengosekan: now one-way northbound toward the Monkey Forest intersection. Two-way traffic has been scrapped, and turning onto Jalan Made Lebah is prohibited.
Jalan Raya Ubud: switched to one-way eastbound — from Monkey Forest straight through to the Ambengan intersection (the Arjuna statue). Entry onto Jalan Raya Ubud from Jalan Cok Gede Rai is closed.
Jalan Peliatan 1 and Jalan Jatayu: one-way westbound from Puri Peliatan, coming out onto Jalan Sugriwa.
Besides changing the direction of travel on key streets, the authorities have had to restrict access for large vehicles. Tour buses are banned from the narrow town center, and Dalem Puri has been designated the main area for parking and dropping off passengers.
To avoid getting stuck in the jams, drivers coming in from Gianyar, Sukawati or Bangli are advised to go around the Arjuna statue and head west via Simpang Kalah and Jalan Made Lebah. If you don't need to go into the very center of Ubud, it's better to take the outer bypass roads from the start.
Navigation apps may still get confused by the updated scheme, so for the first few days you should rely solely on road signs, road markings and the instructions of the officers directing traffic at the intersections.
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