7 Day Firefly Retreat in Ubud Bali

In the rice fields just outside Ubud, Firefly Retreat gives you a full week of yoga, meditation and Balinese activities with the same group from the first Sunday introduction to Saturday departure. The setting is rural, but central Ubud is about a 20-minute walk away.

I like two things in particular: sunrise and sunset yoga on the rooftop, with rice fields and jungle around you, and a schedule that pairs practice with local activities such as canang offering making, jamu preparation and a cooking class. Meals are vegetarian and vegan, and the program includes a Balinese massage.

The trade-off is comfort. This is a budget retreat with basic, clean rooms, not a resort-style escape. Check the exact room type before booking, since the property is often full and the shared option is for women only.

Key points before you book

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• The full group begins together on Sunday. You share the week’s activities and meals with the same group, which makes it easier to form connections than arriving and leaving on different days.
• The rooftop is a main part of the retreat. Sunrise and sunset yoga are on the schedule, and the rooftop setting is one of the experience’s most praised features.
• Balinese activities are built into the week. You make canang offerings, prepare jamu, taste herbal tea, and take part in cooking and chocolate classes.
• Rooms are simple, and room type matters. Shared rooms are for women only; private and double rooms are also available at higher listed prices.
• The retreat is rural but walkable to town. Firefly Retreat is among rice fields and jungle, around 20 minutes on foot from Ubud centre.
• Budget carefully. The displayed starting prices vary by package, and airport pickup or drop-off costs an additional 25 euros each way.

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A week that starts and ends together

Firefly Retreat’s format is part of its appeal. Everyone arrives on Sunday, settles in, and meets at 18:00 for an introduction. The group then follows the same seven-day schedule, departing the following Saturday at noon. That shared start can make a solo trip feel less solitary: you are not trying to join a group that already knows one another.

The retreat says its schedule has been shaped by 12 years of experience. In practical terms, you get a planned rhythm of yoga, meals, workshops and quiet time rather than a loose collection of classes. That structure suits you if you want someone else to take care of the daily framework, while still leaving room to walk around the rice fields or visit Ubud.

Ariel, the host, is described as welcoming and funny, and the staff are noted for being kind and helpful. English and Bahasa Indonesia are spoken by the guide. The warm reception matters here: you are sharing meals and activities, and a comfortable first meeting can help the group settle in quickly.

Rice fields, rooftop yoga and a walk into Ubud

The retreat sits at Jl. Suweta No.Br, Bentuyung Sakti, in Ubud. It is surrounded by rice fields and jungle, with the centre of Ubud roughly a 20-minute walk away. You can get both a quieter rural base and access to town without relocating during the week.

The setting shapes the retreat’s daily feel. Morning and evening yoga take place on the rooftop, and the scheduled classes give you a reason to see the surroundings at different times of day. The rural location also makes rice-field walks possible at your leisure. The trade-off is that the retreat is not right in the centre, so plan on walking when you want shops or town activities.

Yoga is scheduled most days, often at sunrise and sunset. The program includes daily classes and meditation sessions, with mats provided. If you are new to yoga, the timetable offers a regular introduction without requiring you to book separate classes. If you already practice, you still get a steady routine in a setting that is quite different from a studio at home.

From canang offerings to jamu making

The workshops give the week a distinctly Balinese focus. On Monday, you take a morning walk and are introduced to Balinese natural medicines, then learn to make canang, the small offerings used in Balinese Hindu practice. These activities offer a hands-on way to learn about local customs rather than simply hearing about them.

Tuesday offers a choice: a Balinese excursion or sound healing at Pyramids of Chi. The schedule does not spell out the excursion route or the sound-healing details, so check what is planned for your chosen week if either option is a deciding factor. The choice is useful, though: you can opt for a cultural outing or a quieter session.

Wednesday’s cooking class and jamu-making session turn local food and herbal drinks into practical activities. On Thursday, you taste medicinal teas and make chocolate. The program also includes a Balinese experience tour, herbal drink making and a herbal tea tasting. The exact timing of every included activity is not fully detailed, so expect the week to follow the retreat’s schedule rather than assume every workshop runs at a particular hour.

Friday is lighter on listed activities, with sunrise and sunset yoga on the schedule but no other sessions specified. That can give you breathing room after several days of classes and workshops. Saturday is departure day, with checkout at noon.

Vegetarian meals and a massage are part of the week

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included every day, with vegan and vegetarian meals served throughout the retreat. Daily coconuts are included, too. The food is not a small extra when you are staying for six nights: meals are a significant part of the value and remove the need to plan three meals out each day.

You do not need to be vegetarian to enjoy the food. The retreat’s meals have appealed to people who normally eat meat, though the menu remains vegetarian and vegan. If you need a particular diet accommodated, the available information does not specify options beyond vegan and vegetarian, so ask before booking rather than assume.

A one-hour Balinese massage is also included. It adds a restorative pause to a packed week of yoga and activities, though the exact appointment time is not stated. You also receive use of a yoga mat, and English and Bahasa Indonesia-speaking guidance is included.

Basic rooms and the price question

Firefly Retreat is a budget property, and the rooms are basic but clean. That is an important distinction: the value lies in the week’s program, meals and setting, not polished hotel comforts. If you want a private bathroom or a particular bed arrangement, confirm those details with the retreat before paying.

The shared-room package is for women only. Private and double rooms are also offered. The listed package prices are US$342.99 for a female-only shared room, US$473.69 for a private room, and US$671.19 for a double room. The overall starting price is also shown as $377.29, so prices may vary by booking date or offer. Confirm the current total and room details before you commit.

At roughly $377 as a general starting point, the week can be good value if you plan to attend the yoga, eat the included meals and join the workshops. You are paying for six nights, daily meals, classes, a massage and a set of activities, not just a bed. A private room costs more, while sharing keeps the price down. Compare the current price against the room type you actually want; a low headline price is not useful if the available room does not suit you.

Who will get the most from Firefly Retreat

This retreat suits solo adults who want a structured week and are open to sharing meals and activities with a group. It is especially appealing if you want yoga and meditation alongside hands-on introductions to Balinese culture, rather than spending the whole week in classes.

It also makes sense if you value a peaceful setting but want Ubud within walking distance. You can take a rice-field walk when you like, then head toward town on foot. The retreat is less suitable if you need luxury accommodation, a flexible start date, a fully private program or wheelchair and stroller access. Participants must be at least 18 and under 80, and the property is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible.

Bring light, comfortable clothes, sunscreen, a towel, a change of clothes, cash and a camera. For airport transport, pickup or drop-off is available for an added 25 euros to or from the airport. Personal expenses are not included.

Should you book this Ubud retreat?

Book Firefly Retreat if you want a week with a clear routine, daily vegetarian meals, rooftop yoga and practical Balinese activities, and you are comfortable with simple rooms. Its best value is the combination of accommodation, food, classes, workshops and massage in one rural base.

Think twice if room comfort is a priority or if you want to set your own schedule. Before booking, confirm the room type, current price and Tuesday activity option. If those details fit, this is a thoughtful way to pair a solo trip with the easy companionship of a group that starts the week together.

FAQ

How long is the retreat?

The program runs from Sunday to Saturday and includes six nights of accommodation at Firefly Retreat.

Where is Firefly Retreat?

It is at Jl. Suweta No.Br, Bentuyung Sakti, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571.

How far is the retreat from central Ubud?

The retreat is about a 20-minute walk from the centre of Ubud.

Are shared rooms available to everyone?

No. Shared rooms are for female guests only. Private and double room packages are also offered.

What meals are included?

Daily vegan and vegetarian breakfast, lunch and dinner are included, along with a daily coconut.

Are yoga and meditation included?

Yes. Daily yoga classes and meditation classes are included, and yoga mats are available to use.

What activities are included besides yoga?

The program includes activities such as a Balinese experience tour, canang offering making, cooking, jamu making, herbal tea tasting, chocolate making and a one-hour Balinese massage. Tuesday’s schedule lists a Balinese excursion or sound healing at Pyramids of Chi.

Is airport transportation included?

No. Airport pickup or drop-off has an additional charge of 25 euros to or from the airport.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 48 hours before the activity date, using the destination’s local time.