Whilst most people tend to stick to popular areas such as Ubud and Kuta, those who venture further afield will be highly rewarded. Set in the highlands of northern Bali, Munduk is a great place to explore and offers many incredible things to see and do, generally without the crowds. It’s also a much cooler climate so perfect when you want a break from the heat!
It's an ideal area to hire a scooter and explore independently, as there are far fewer cars on the road, which means that it is a more relaxing experience than in other parts of the island. Simply driving around Munduk - with its gorgeous country roads and low levels of traffic was a breath of fresh air. You'll zip through the jungle, past dozens of monkeys, huge waterfalls, and lush greenery. And on the subject of waterfalls, it is the main reason people visit, so you’ll find quite a few in this guide!
Many of the best things to do are in the countryside surrounding Munduk, so you’ll need your own wheels, or a driver to get the most out of your trip.
We’ve included distances for anything outside Munduk, where you don’t see a distance, it’s in Munduk itself.
Things to do in Munduk
1. Feel like you’ve stepped into Jurassic Park
Bali is packed with spectacular waterfalls, and Sekumpul stands out amongst them all. This double drop waterfall is surrounded by wild jungle which really feels like you’ve stepped into Jurassic Park!
Your first glimpse looking up at the falls from below is nothing short of jaw-dropping. If the flow is not too crazy you can even take a dip in the swimming hole at the base.
The walk to reach the bottom of the falls is 1.9km each way and does involve a bit of a climb on the way back, but we can guarantee it’s worth it!
Somewhere this beautiful doesn’t stay secret for long and due to its increasing popularity, there are now a series of scams associated with the falls, as well as a mandatory guide policy.
However, we have you covered on avoiding all of the pitfalls in this guide.
Distance from Munduk: 1 hour (31km)
2. Catch a sunrise from the beautiful water temple
It is worth going all the way to Munduk just to visit Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Temple. For us, this is the most beautiful temple in Bali and especially stunning at sunrise.
The temple sits in the lake, surrounded by mountains, and makes for one of the most atmospheric views on the island.
The weather tends to cloud over in the afternoons, so for clear skies, go early - you won't regret it.
Though we mention that Munduk is much less busy than other parts of Bali, this is still a popular temple, so an early visit will also mean you miss the crowds too.
You can read more in our guide to Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Temple.
Distance from Munduk: 30 minutes (20km)
3. Take that iconic shot at the Handara Golf Course
There’s nothing romantic about discovering this incredible gate is not actually at a temple, but at a golf course!
However, it has to be the most magnificent entrance to a golf course anywhere in the world! The gorgeous stone gates are backed by dense forest, and the whole scene is incredibly photogenic.
It is best to visit around sunrise, when it’s generally quieter and the light is glorious. If you visit the lake temple for sunrise itself, you can drive over to Handara straight after and the light should still be good.
In the middle of the day, the light can get pretty harsh, casting shadows over the gate.
If you don’t like early starts, sunset would be your next best option. We drove past at sunset and there were a few people taking photos, but it wasn’t crowded (although early morning there wasn't another soul in sight).
If you visit during the day you will be charged between 20,000 and 30,000 IDR (USD $2) per person to take photos (at sunrise there wasn’t anyone around to collect the fee).
Distance from Munduk: 30 minutes (18km)
4. Take a dip in paradise
The Blue Lagoon is swimming hole heaven! We had grand plans to visit many different waterfalls on the day we went to the Blue Lagoon, but the moment we set eyes on it, I knew it wouldn’t be happening. This is one spot you do not want to rush!
The water is a sensational milky blue and the lagoon is surrounded by steep canyon walls covered in dense foliage. The cherry on top is the stunning waterfall that cascades through the canyon and into the swimming hole.
Colourful butterflies and dragonflies flit between the tropical plants, and if this all sounds too good to be true, then you really have to see it with your own eyes!
There are two ways of getting to the Blue Lagoon: one is somewhat challenging and requires a guide, and the other is less than a 10 minute walk, which you can do independently.
We’re sharing everything you need to know to visit, including what the walk and access road is like in this guide.
Distance from Munduk: 1 hour (33km)
5. Check out the incredible waterfall cafe
We’ve been to a lot of cafes in Bali, but none had a view quite like the one at the Golden Valley Eco Cafe. The cafe sits right beside the stunning Golden Valley waterfall and is reached via a short 650m walk (each way) through the jungle.
The path is rustic, but not difficult if you don’t mind that it’s a dirt track with some rocks and tree roots. It’s basically all downhill on the way and then a quick climb back up after. If you’re visiting after heavy rain it would definitely be quite muddy though!
Unfortunately for us, we happened to visit when the owner was away and we couldn’t actually get into the cafe. We still wanted to include it because the falls were gorgeous and we could see the terrace of the cafe would be really cool. I mean it’s not often you reach a cafe via a jungle path and then sit in front of an impressive waterfall!
You can find the entrance to the cafe on Google Maps here.
6. Jump and slide into some of Bali’s prettiest waterfalls
If you’re after an adrenaline rush then look no further than Aling Aling Waterfall. Although the area is named after the biggest falls (which you can’t jump in to), there’s actually four waterfalls all within a five minute walk of each other.
You can take an easy path through the jungle to admire the spectacular waterfall that is Aling Aling, before sliding down waterfall number two, taking on the 10m jump at waterfall number three, and then capping it all off with a whopping 15m jump at the final falls.
To do this you do need a guide, but it’s quite reasonably priced. If you only want to look at the falls you can visit independently.
We have all of the details including where you can swim in this guide.
Distance from Munduk: 1 hour (36km)
7. Check out the Instagrammer’s favourite swing
The swing at Wanagiri Hidden Hills has become an Instagram sensation and it’s waaay cheaper than the original Bali swing in Ubud.
Having done both I can tell you there’s no comparison when it comes to swing factor, as I was surprised to see that the famous one at Wanagiri Hidden Hills doesn’t actually move - which is quite ironic!
However if it’s a pretty pic at a reasonable price you’re looking for then you really can’t go wrong. The view is terrific, the staff are lovely and they even provide a little step ladder to get up onto the swing, and a mirror to shine on you so the light is even - oh the service!
When we visited the swing, entry was by donation and there were a number of other cheesy photo spots under construction (think the usual boats, nests etc).
We asked what the price would be when it’s all upgraded and it sounds like it will be somewhere between 50-100k rupiah (USD $3.35-6.70), but you can always negotiate if you only want to use the swing.
On our first visit to Munduk they also had another swing which was pretty epic and definitely swung right out, so if that’s back up and running it’s well worth a look!
Distance from Munduk: 15 minutes (9.5km)
8. Visit the gorgeous jungle falls
Munduk Waterfall is a real beauty and probably one of the easiest waterfalls you can visit in the area.
The power of the water as it thunders through the gap in the cliffs is incredible, and the towering walls are covered in dense jungle, which feels like something out of a movie scene.
If you’re feeling brave, you can take a shallow dip in the pool at the base. It’s not big enough to swim, but it’s perfect for cooling off.
It’s only 600m each way to get to the falls and the path is well formed the entire way.
You can read more in our detailed guide to Munduk Falls.
9. Catch a sunset from the gorgeous terrace at Ngiring Ngewedang
If you’re lucky enough to get a break in the late afternoon clouds and are able to catch a sunset in Munduk, then Ngiring Ngewedang is a great place to head.
The terrace is huge and the views over the densely forested mountains are stunning - just don’t call them mountains when talking to the locals as they’ll assure you they’re only hills!
There are loads of tables with comfy chairs that all make the most of the gorgeous vistas, and you can order coffee or alcoholic drinks (as well as food). We opted for coffee and it was the best in the area (though not as good as in other parts of Bali).
The cafe does shut at 6pm, but you can still access the outside terrace on the left after closing to finish off watching the sunset.
Distance from Munduk: 10 minutes (5km)
10. Walk the cute bamboo bridge at Banyumala Waterfall
Banyumala Waterfall is one of our favourites in all of Bali. We could go on and on about how lovely it is, but in a bid not to sound like a broken record when it comes to Bali waterfalls, just know that it’s set in sensational jungle and has a wonderful blue swimming hole at the base!
It’s only around a 15 minute walk to get there and just in front of the waterfall sits our favourite photo spot: the bamboo bridge.
We’d never seen a photo of the bridge (back when we first visited five years ago) and loved how it made the falls look even more dramatic.
There’s a second waterfall just a couple of minutes walk away, but it’s hard to tear yourself away from Banyumala.
Distance from Munduk: 30 minutes (13km)
11. Enjoy coffee with a view
So as well as a lot of waterfalls, Munduk also has a lot of cafes with views! As coffee lovers we decided to try as many as we could. The view from Eco Cafe 2 looks out over lush greenery and it’s a lovely peaceful spot to relax.
The coffee was good, but the star of the show turned out to be the nasi goreng. It was the best we had in Bali, and we’ve definitely eaten our fair share!
The funny thing is that when we visited, the cafe was being looked after by a friend of the owner for a day, so we don’t know if it’s normally that good, or if the friend was simply an amazing cook!
You’ll have to pop in and let us know!
12. Walk through the giant banyan tree
Just a 30 minute drive from Munduk you’ll find the Bali Botanic Garden. This is very much a local’s haunt - there wasn’t a foreigner in sight! I can kind of understand it because when you spend all your time strolling through wild jungle to reach waterfalls, why would you need to visit a manicured garden?
Well, there are two reasons! One is to walk through the giant banyan tree which looks like something straight from the Avatar movie set, it really is extraordinary! The second is to stroll through the giant shady bamboo groves, which is the best collection of bamboo we’ve seen outside of Taiwan.
The best way to get around the garden is by shuttle - before you judge us, know that the garden is huge and there are large swathes of parklands inbetween sights, which aren’t overly scenic and will leave you hot and sweaty!
The shuttle runs on demand (which meant everyone we saw got private ones) and it will take you to any stops you want to make and wait for you, all for the princely sum of 15,000 rupiah per person (USD $1.50).
If you’re visiting over lunch, do as the Balinese do, and rent one of the seating areas with parasols overlooking the lake. You can then buy food from the food trucks, or rent a BBQ to grill your own!
Distance from Munduk: 30 minutes (20km)
13. Swim in the mysterious canyon waterfall
I have to say that when it comes to waterfall swimming holes, Gitgit Twin Waterfall was one of my favourites.
The high canyon walls give it a dark mysterious air and if you visit after low rainfall the water is incredibly blue (as you can see, this wasn’t when we visited, so expect it to look even more beautiful).
The walk to reach the canyon falls is mainly downhill on the way, although there are a few flat sections. It can be slippery in parts, but there are often handrails in place.
Despite how much I loved the falls, I almost didn’t include it here, and that’s because I’m pretty sure we were scammed. You can read more about it here.
Despite that, I found it special enough to still include and it wouldn’t put me off visiting again. Whilst you’re in the area, you should definitely head five minutes down the road and visit the main Gitgit Waterfall too.
Distance from Munduk: 40 minutes (23km)
14. Admire the incredible view of Munduk’s twin lakes
The view from the Twin Lakes Viewpoint is stunning, especially if you get a bit of low lying cloud to create some extra atmosphere.
When you first park, you might be like us and wonder what all the fuss is about - you have to climb up the little ladder (easy and sturdy enough) to stand on the concrete platform in order to see both lakes! From here it really is special.
The only downside is all the live animals on display beside the viewpoint, it was heartbreaking to see flying foxes and snakes tethered like that for people’s entertainment.
It’s best not to even look in that direction, so as not to encourage them and make them think that visitors are interested.
The viewpoint is marked here on Google Maps.
Distance from Munduk: 15 minutes (8km)
Places to visit on the way to or from Munduk
If you’re travelling from Ubud or Kuta and looking for places to break the journey, we’d highly recommend checking out Nungnung Waterfall, Leke Leke Waterfall and Jatiluwih Rice Terrace (a UNESCO world heritage site).
Where to stay in Munduk
Munduk Moding Plantation
We haven’t stayed here personally, but we’ve always wanted to! The bungalows and infinity pool look incredible, not to mention the onsite organic coffee plantation. It’s definitely on the luxury side, with prices to match, but if you’re not travelling on a budget, I’m sure it’s worth it.
You can check out the reviews and prices by clicking below:
If it’s fully booked, another rising star in the luxury category is Munduk Cabins - it’s already becoming very popular with Instagrammer’s. You can see the latest reviews and availability by clicking below:
Munduk Clove
In the budget category Munduk Clove is winning the race in the reviews stakes. I actually tried to book us in here and couldn’t get a room, even when most of Munduk was still empty!
Rooms are simple, but look good and the views and staff are praised consistently.
You can check out the reviews and prices by clicking below:
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