If you’re looking to escape the busy tourist spots of Bali, Munduk in northern Bali is the perfect destination. This area boasts beautiful waterfalls, peaceful temples, and tasty local food, all without the usual crowds. Plus, the cooler climate offers a welcome break from the heat. Discover 8 incredible things to do in and near Munduk, Bali.
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How to get to Munduk
Munduk is located in northern Bali. From Ngurah Rai airport, it’s about a 3-hour drive, while from Canggu or Ubud, it’s a bit shorter, taking around 2 hours. The most convenient way to reach Munduk is by car, and you can easily order a cab through Grab or arrange transportation with your accommodation. If you’re coming from the airport, expect to pay around € 50, and from Canggu or Ubud, it’ll cost about € 30 (Grab prices in August 2024).
How to get around in Munduk
If you want to explore Munduk with ease, renting a scooter is the way to go. We used ‘Munduk Rental With Delivery Scooter’, which made things super convenient by delivering the scooter right to our accommodation and picking it up when we were done. At just 80,000 IDR (around € 4,50) per day, it’s an affordable and flexible option for getting around.
Things to do in Munduk
1. Admire the gorgeous Sekumpul Waterfall
About an hour’s drive from Munduk, Sekumpul Waterfall stands out as one of Bali’s most impressive waterfalls. It’s a series of impressive cascades surrounded by beautiful greenery, which makes it a magical sight! To get to the base of the waterfall, you’ll need to hire a guide. The cost is somewhere between 150,000 and 250,000 IDR per person (around € 8 to € 14), and depends on whether you want to see additional waterfalls like Fiji Waterfall and Hidden Waterfall nearby. The longer your hike, the higher the price!
If you prefer a less strenuous visit, you can still enjoy stunning views from a viewpoint for just 20,000 IDR (little over € 1). Just remember to mention this if you’re not up for trekking, as the people at the counter will almost only propose the short or long hikes. More importantly, only pay at the official ticket counter at the entrance and ignore any requests for payment along the road as they’re not legitimate. We’ve included a photo of the official ticket counter for your information. But despite these small hassles, Sekumpul Waterfall is absolutely worth the visit for its breathtaking beauty!
2. Explore Munduk through trekking
Munduk is a fantastic spot for trekking, offering stunning scenery and beautiful waterfalls. We highly recommend the Munduk Waterfall Trek, which takes you past four of the area’s stunning waterfalls. If you’re after incredible views, the Twin Lakes Trek is a great option, providing breathtaking views of Tamblingan Lake and Buyan Lake. Both treks are perfect for experiencing Munduk’s natural beauty up close.
See what kind of Munduk treks are available.
3. Discover Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfall
Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfall is one of the most incredible things to do in Munduk. This beautiful spot features a collection of four waterfalls, which you can reach through a straightforward 20-minute hike. Although you can take a motorbike for 50,000 IDR (less than € 3) if you’re not up for the hike, we found the walk to be easy and well worth it. We arrived at 10 AM and were thrilled to find just two other couples there, making it a peaceful and secluded experience. It’s definitely a lesser-known gem that quickly became one of our favorites! The entrance fee is 40,000 IDR (little over € 2), with an additional 2,000 IDR for scooter parking. Expect to spend at least one hour here, even more if you plan on taking a refreshing dip in the water!
4. Visit Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, Bali’s floating temple
Just a 30-minute drive from Munduk, you’ll find the stunning Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, often called Bali’s floating temple. This beautiful temple sits right on Lake Beratan and is one of the most stunning temples we’ve visited in Indonesia. We visited early in the morning and to our surprise there was no-one else there. Such a serene experience! We must’ve been very lucky, because when we drove past Pura Ulun Danu Bratan later that day, the parking lot was full of scooters and cars.
The reflection of the temple on the lake was especially picturesque. With the fog hanging over the lake, we got a feeling that this place was really special. A great place for a spiritual experience! Despite being quite touristy, with several paid photo spots, a restaurant, and a kids’ area, the temple itself remains absolutely breathtaking. For the best experience, we recommend arriving before 8 AM to enjoy a peaceful atmosphere. The entrance fee is 75,000 IDR (a little over € 4). Some say this is expensive, we say it’s very much worth it!
5. Enjoy a refreshing dip at Banyumala Twin Waterfall
There are many great waterfalls to explore near Munduk, and Banyumala Twin Waterfall is definitely one to add to your list. What makes this waterfall stand out is that you can actually swim in it, which is a fantastic way to cool off. It does get popular, so heading over early in the morning will help you avoid the crowds. Even though it can be busy, it’s still much quieter than the more tourist-heavy spots like Ubud or Canggu. The entrance fee is 50,000 IDR, with an additional 2,000 IDR for scooter parking. And to top it off, you get a very cute bracelet that’s included in the price!
6. Walk among the beautiful Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
Although the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces aren’t technically in Munduk, they’re just a short one-hour drive away in Penebel and absolutely worth the trip. These terraces are some of the most beautiful we’ve seen in Bali, offering stunning views without the crowds you’d find at popular rice terraces like Tegallalang. It shouldn’t surprise you that it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site! You can hike through the lush green terraces or simply enjoy the scenery from a cozy café or restaurant nearby. The entrance fee is 50,000 IDR, and if you want to use a drone, it’s an extra 150,000 IDR.
Pro tip
It’s best to visit the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces between February and April when the terraces are growing and thriving in the rainy season.
7. Take amazing pictures at Leke Leke Waterfall
The last waterfall we want to highlight is the stunning Leke Leke Waterfall, about an hour’s drive from Munduk. It’s surrounded by lush nature, giving it an almost mystical, Tarzan-like vibe. The hike to get there is about 15 minutes, which is not too bad. When you arrive, you’ll find a rock positioned perfectly in front of the waterfall for fantastic photo opportunities. Just make sure to go early to avoid waiting for your turn, this place gets very crowded. The entrance fee is 50,000 IDR.
What we really liked was how clean and well maintained the whole area was. You’ll notice it right away from the moment you set foot in the parking lot. There’s a cozy restaurant at the top, and a smaller place to get drinks or hop on a swing further down below.
8. Try local specialties at Warung Genitri
In the heart of Munduk, you’ll find Warung Genitri, our favorite restaurant in the area and possibly all of Bali! The food here is amazing and very affordable, making it the perfect spot for dinner. We came here every night during our time in Munduk, so we think we can vouch for the quality and atmosphere here!
Warung Genitri serves the best Indonesian dishes, we absolutely loved everything we tried (which, to be honest, was almost the entire menu). If you need recommendations, the nasi campur, tempe manis, and chicken satay are all fantastic choices. And, if you’re in for a nice cocktail to watch the sunset, make sure to order the local mojito that’s made with arak! With prices ranging from 25,000 to 50,000 IDR per meal, you can’t go wrong at Warung Genitri! Oh how we look forward to our next visit to Warung Genitri.
Bonus: Which place not to visit in Munduk
Many people recommend visiting Handara Gate, but we’d suggest skipping it. The gate is really just the entrance to a golf resort and feels more like a tourist trap than an authentic experience. It’s always crowded, so you’ll likely spend a lot of time waiting just to get a photo. Plus, there’s an extra fee for taking pictures or parking your scooter. Instead, check out our guide to Lahangan Sweet for a fantastic alternative that’s less crowded.
Where to stay in Munduk
More helpful Bali posts
- 13 epic things to do in Ubud, Bali
- Where to eat in Ubud: 14 best restaurants and warungs in Ubud, Bali
- Guide to Lahangan Sweet: best viewpoint of Bali’s Mount Agung
- 1 month in Bali: Budget Breakdown
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