The Bali Swing Ubud has become such a phenomenon that hundreds of others have sprung up all over Bali. It is hard to go 100 yards without seeing a swing or a sign for one.
Ever since first seeing pictures of people swinging over the jungle on instagram I wanted to try it for myself. The original is just outside Ubud (and is definitely one of Bali's most instagrammable spots), but there are many other great options we’ll outline in this guide.
Here’s all you need to know about the Official Bali Swing and how it compares to all the others you can visit.
The Bali Swing: Which is the best?
| Swing | Views | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – Official Bali Swing | 5 / 5 | $35 |
| 2 – Zen Hideaway | 5 / 5 | Guests only |
| 3 – Uma Pakel Swing | 4 / 5 | $10 |
| 4 – Tegalalang Terrace Swing | 4 / 5 | $10 |
| 5 – Wanagiri Hidden Hills | 4 / 5 | $3 |
| 6 – Tegenungan | 3 / 5 | $3.50 |
| 7 – Nung Nung Swing | 3 / 5 | Free w/coffee |
| 8 – Bali Chocolate Factory | 1 / 5 | Free |
If you’re looking for THE Instagram photo and the original experience, then look no further than the Official Bali Swing in Ubud. This is the one with the epic jungle view where many of the big Instagrammer’s have taken their photos. However, it comes at a pretty steep cost - $35 per person!
The Zen Hideaway Swing is just as epic and also where you will have seen many Instagram photos from, but it is reserved for guests of the accommodation only with a cost of over $250 a night.
The next tier down would be Wanagiri Hidden Hills and the swings in Tegalalang which offer the best mix of epic views and lower prices. The views aren’t quite as stunning as the official Bali Swing, but they are still fantastic and at a much lower cost, as well as less crowded.
Now we’re going to tell you more about each swing and what to expect.
1 - The Official Bali Swing, Ubud
With so many “Bali Swings” out there, simply finding the official and original one that started off this craze can be harder than you’d think.
If you are looking for the insta-famous one, then head to the Bali Swing Ubud. You’ll know you’re at the right place because it is a big operation being sold throughout Ubud and comes with the biggest ticket price.
What to expect
The official Bali Swing is actually several different swings of varying heights, with more being currently built (at the time of writing there are 15 and we doubt that will be the last of them!). They overlook a beautiful palm tree valley with a river, giving the real Balinese jungle look and feel.
This is the original Bali Swing
It is a very beautiful setting and you can see why it has become so popular. Just one look at the location and you’ll be hooked.
Read more: An epic 7 day Bali itinerary for Instagrammers and The best things to do in Sidemen - the perfect rural getaway
The Bali nests
The Bali nests are another Instagram favourite and again you can find them popping up all over the island. I loved the one at the original Bali Swing pictured below, it’s secluded and peaceful with a stunning view, I could have sat there all day.
If you’re wondering how you get into the nests which are perched high in a tree like this one, they bring a ladder which makes it really easy. After you’re in, they remove it so you feel like you are properly suspended in the trees! You have a rope tied around your waist for safety but in all honesty the nest didn’t really move so I would have felt perfectly safe in there without, but you are supposed to wear them. You can see the rope in the picture, it’s pretty discreet.
The nests are included in the cost of your entrance ticket to the Bali Swing so definitely make the most of them too!
One of the nests at the official Bali Swing
Travelling solo in Bali and still want great photos at the Bali Swing?
If you’re travelling solo in Bali or with someone who isn’t a fan of taking lots of photos, the Bali Swing now offers a photography service. For 175k rupiah - roughly USD $12 - you can have a photographer shoot photos of you in the swings or nests to your hearts content!
I would definitely ask to see some examples of the photos taken before taking up the service but if it’s anything like the ones on their website they look pretty good to me.
You can even rent a floaty dress too but as this wasn’t a service when we went we can’t verify whether they are actually good or not : )
The best time to go to the Bali Swing Ubud
The Bali Swing gets incredibly busy, so it pays to turn up at the opening time, the earlier the better. Ideally you won't want the feeling of a queue developing while you're trying to get the perfect shot.
When we were there, it was getting really busy even at 9am. We would recommend heading there for the 8am opening time to ensure you don’t have the queues and pressure of others wanting to get on the swings.
The early morning is also when the light is at its best, soft and not directly in the shot. If you go in the late afternoon you run the risk of shadows and the middle of the day could create harsh contrasts.
Does the Bali Swing feel safe?
I have to say that as I walked up to the huge swing, I felt a little bit nervous and even struggled a tiny bit to get on to the seat 😂 Once on it I personally felt safe, I didn’t feel like there was any chance that I might fly off.
Having said that, how you feel could depend on who is pushing you. I was pushed reeeeeally far and high at one point, and after a bit I asked not be pushed so forcefully because it felt a bit too much.
If you’re nervous just swing out a bit. Having said that it wasn’t that I suddenly felt unsafe going so far out but I just didn’t enjoy the sensation.
Obviously it wouldn’t be right to say that the Bali Swing or any other swing of its type are completely safe (they are big swings that are very high up after all!). Accidents can happen and I am only stating how I felt personally. To my knowledge no one has died whilst sitting on one of the swings. However, someone who was pushing one of the swings at Tegalalang did tragically die when they slipped off.
You must wear a harness to use either the swings or the nests at the offical Bali Swing and every other swing I personally tried out in Bali.
Bali Swing Ubud Price
The offical Bali Swing does not come cheap.
The price of the Bali Swing is $35 USD for unlimited time on the swings and nests (and includes lunch, and pickup from nearby the Ubud Palace in Ubud. If you want a pick up at your hotel it is $6 USD extra). If you want to come in and take photos but not actually use the swing you still pay $10 USD.
You can buy tickets in advance and skip the queues with Klook by clocking the button below.
The alternative Bali Swings are a lot cheaper, but don’t alway capture that magical view. We can understand why the price may put you off, but the other swings may not have quite the same vista (or safety) that the official Bali Swing has.
Read more: Discovering Bali's Waterfalls
Bali Swing Ubud opening time
The Bali Swing opens at 8am, but the pickup from town doesn't start until 9am.
Even though a free pick up is appealing it is better to get there earlier, so we'd advise going under your own steam if you are really after that perfect photo.
Booking the Bali Swing Ubud
The Bali Swing gets really busy, but you can book in advance. The easiest way is to book online in advance with Klook by clicking on this link. If you book online you will skip the queues and glide in.
Alternatively you can book through an agent in Ubud or even whatsapp the owners (+62 878 8828 8832, +62 877 7708 8801).
We would recommend booking in advance as you may have a long wait.
Make a day of it
If you fancy making a whole day of insta-famous spots in Bali then click here to check out this tour by Get Your Guide. This will take you to the official Bali Swing in Ubud as well as the incredible Tegalalang Rice Terraces and Kanto Lampo Waterfall.
How to get to the Bali Swing Ubud
The official Bali Swing is at Jl. Dewi Saraswati, 80352 Bongkasa Pertiwi, Kapubaten Bandung (you can find it on Google Maps by clicking to this link).
Getting to the Bali Swing from Ubud
Sadly this isn’t in the centre of Ubud and isn’t walkable if you are staying in town.
It is around a 20 minute drive from Ubud if you have no traffic (which is basically early in the morning). Otherwise you should allow a lot longer as traffic moves incredibly slowly through Ubud.
Getting to the Bali Swing from Kuta, Seminyak or Canggu
If you are planning to get to the Bali Swing from Kuta, Seminyak or Canggu, then allow at least 1.5 hours. Whilst google maps will tell you that it can be as quick as one hour, the reality is that the traffic will make the journey a lot slower.
Best way to get to the Bali Swing
There are three options to get to the Bali Swing: taxi, scooter or the free shuttle. The shuttle runs every two hours from 9am until 3pm. The shuttle will also drop you back near the Ubud Palace and runs four times per day as well.
If you plan on going before 9am (and missing the rush hour), then you’ll have to use your own transportation. A scooter is a cheap and easy option, with most rentals costing 50,000 rupiah per day (about $5 USD). However, we would only recommend this if you are confident on a motorbike. Bali’s congested traffic isn’t easy to navigate and it is a difficult place to ride a motorbike - think narrow, steep and busy roads.
The final option is by taxi where you’ll have to haggle. We’ve heard of people paying over 100,000 rupiah ($10 USD) for the relatively short journey from Ubud and a lot more from Kuta, Seminyak or Canggu.
2 - The swing at the Zen Hideaway
The swing at the Zen Hideaway
This is the other really famous swing other than the original one in Ubud. You used to be able to pay to swing here even if you weren't staying at the Airbnb. We asked to do this but were told that this option is no longer available.
You can check it out on Instagram by clicking here.
You must stay at any of the three Zen Hideaway properties. These book out well in advance, so if you have set dates and your heart set on it, then remember to book early. We'll be doing that next time! You can check the availability below.
3 & 4 - Bali Swing Tegalalang Rice Terrace & Uma Pakel
There are two swings at Tegalalang Rice Terrace: one in the part of the rice terrace you first come to from the road, and another one higher up on the far side of the rice terrace (where all the instagram photos are taken). Both offer beautiful views of the rice terraces, but neither offer the big and expansive view that the official Bali Swing offers.
For photography, the official swing is better at giving the effect of flying over a huge valley. If you are looking for perfect shots, another thing to consider is the harness. At the original Bali Swing it is a lap strap, whereas at Tegalalang it is a harness. You need to wear it under your clothes or be excellent at Photoshop!
However, Tegalalang is a lot cheaper (we were offered 50,000 rupiah (just over $3 USD) and think they would have gone much lower but we weren't actually looking to swing).
You can buy tickets in advance and skip the queues with Klook, just click below.
5 - Wanagiri Hills
There are hundreds of other Bali Swings but the most famous other than the official Bali Swing and Tegalalang is at Wanagiri Hills near Munduk.
This one flies over a lake and looks pretty dramatic, it is definitely one of the most amazing things to do around Munduk.
It costs 50,000 rupiah (without bartering) to use the swing and various other nests etc, and if you go early there will be no one else there.
They also came out with a huge harness at first but then when we asked offered a much more subtle alternative, so don't forget to ask!
Searching for those insta-famous spots?
Get Your Guide offers a tour that takes you to some of the most instagrammable spots in Bali - Pura Lempuyang, Tirta Gangga, Tukad Cepung and Tegalalang (it also includes a swing, but not the official one in Ubud). Click here to find out more.
6 – Tegenungan
Tegenungan is one of the few places where you can combine a swing with a huge waterfall. In the same area you can walk down to the waterfall, take a dip, then swing out at ground level or go for a swing way above the falls (there are several scattered around the waterfall). It is a pretty cool setting and the view is different to every other swing on the list.
However, Tegenungan is an incredibly popular place and can become very very busy. If you are planning on visiting, then we strongly recommend going in the early morning to avoid the worst of the crowds and the blaring music that goes on during the day.
Tegenungan is pretty good value when you get a huge waterfall and a swing for $3.50 (the waterfall entrance fee alone is $1).
7 & 8 – Bali Chocolate Factory & Nung Nung
The swings at the Bali Chocolate Factory and Nung Nung are the best free versions of the Bali Swing you can visit, however – like a lot of things – they are free if you pay for something else. The swing at the Bali Chocolate Factory overlooks the sea and whilst they won’t strictly enforce it, you probably should buy some chocolate or go on a tour if you want to use the swing! It’s our least favourite of them all though and very difficult to get good shots as the swing doesn’t go out far enough. You don’t even need to wear a harness for this one as it really doesn’t go far.
The swing at Nung Nung
Nung Nung is a much better option and more like the other swings that will take you far out over the jungle. It’s situated within a coffee plantation and overlooks the hill side. Like the Bali Chocolate Factory, the swing at Nung Nung is on private property, so you need to buy something or pay a small fee before hopping on.
The owners will bring out the harness when you are ready to go. Note that on our visit the harness was quite large and would make epic photographs more challenging.
Where to stay in Ubud
If you’re looking to add on a night or two in Ubud after the Bali Swing, then we’ve put together a few suggestions of the best places to stay in Ubud.
We’ve spent months in Bali and always gravitate to Ubud as a place which has so many amazing things to do. After going through a few duds, we’ve created a list of the ones we love and the true gems of Ubud.
Our Pick - Eden House
This beautiful guesthouse is tucked away in a quiet street and overlooks a paddy field, providing peace and tranquility after a long day exploring. The rooms at Eden are beautiful, the bathrooms even better and it offers incredible value. The breakfasts are served on a balcony overlooking the rice paddies and are the perfect way to start your day.
Check prices & reviews on:
Luxury - Kamandalu
A favourite with Instagrammers, Kamandalu is set a little way out of Ubud among the forests and rice terraces to offer a true escape. The rooms are stunning, the views even more and there's an infinity pool that's made to impress. If we had the money, we definitely would have booked in for a night or two.
Check prices & reviews on:
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Would you go on this huge swing? Are you planning a trip to Ubud? Let us know in the comments below!
