Complete travel guide with the best things to do in Munduk, North Bali + our best travel tips
Where in Bali can you escape the tourists, escape the heat, and take beautiful walks along the most beautiful waterfalls? The answer to this is Munduk! This small village is hidden in the mountains in the north of Bali and is a must-do during your Bali trip!
In Munduk and the surrounding area, you can still experience authentic Bali. The children smile as you pass, friendly locals are working on the coffee plantations or in the rice fields, and impressive waterfalls cascade down amidst the untouched jungle.
In contrast to the busy and hot south of Bali (such as in Canggu or Sanur), the cooler temperatures allow you to catch your breath, you do not have to queue to visit temples, you can take long walks in the fresh mountain air and relax in one of the most beautiful infinity pools in the world.
Munduk, along with Sidemen, Amed and Mount Batur, was one of our favorite things to do in Bali. Many people come here as a day trip, but we really recommend that you stay here for a few nights so that you can really immerse yourself in this unique part of Bali. With this Munduk itinerary you can easily fill 3 to 4 days. And if you had to choose, we would go to Munduk rather than Ubud.
In this article we give you the best things to do in Munduk, Bali, including the Munduk waterfalls, and our best tips to make your Munduk trip a great success!
How do you get to Munduk?
Munduk is located in the mountainous region of North Bali. Although a little more difficult to reach and further from the traditional tourist attractions, it is worth the journey to this peaceful village.
Here are some ways you can reach Munduk:
- By car: from anywhere in Bali you can get to Munduk by private transport. From Ubud you can count on approximately 1h30. From Sanur you can count on a 2h30 drive. This is definitely the best option during the rainy season. Be sure to ask your driver to stop along the way to visit something, for photos or a short break.
- By scooter: we went out with the scooter ourselves (from Sanur) and it took 2 hours. We can definitely recommend this because this way of traveling means more freedom to stop where you want. But you have to pay close attention. Although there is a lot less traffic in this region, the roads can be quite steep around Munduk. In the rainy season we advise you to arrange private transport to Munduk as the roads can sometimes be slippery (and you can be rained out like us;-)).
Some tips for the road:
- Plan stopovers: there is a lot to see along the way, such as the Jatiluwy Rice Terrasses or the Desa Coklat Cacao farm. The Leke Leke waterfall is also a nice stop.
- If you travel by scooter: bring enough snacks and water. You will come across many small shops along the way.
TIP: Make sure you have enough cash before you leave for Munduk. Although there is an ATM in Gobleg, a village a few kilometers from Munduk, it cannot really be trusted
Transport in Munduk
In Munduk itself you cannot use Grab or GoJek. Still, you need transportation because most sights in Munduk are several or even tens of kilometers apart. Here are your different options for transportation in Munduk:
- Own scooter: if you drove your scooter to Munduk, you also have the freedom to drive anywhere yourself.
- Rent a scooter: you can also rent a scooter in Munduk. You usually only pay a few euros per day for this.
- Rent private transport: through your accommodation or the person who brought you, you can hire a driver who will drive you around for a whole day to all the waterfalls, temples, etc.
- Book a tour: if you don’t want any hassle or don’t want to have to figure out where to go yourself, you can also book a tour. We highly recommend this Munduk waterfalls, Twin lakes and temple tour, which also includes a 30-minute canoe trip.
Best time to visit Munduk
Bali has two seasons: a rainy season and a dry season. This is also the case in Munduk, but because you are higher in the mountains here, it is generally a few degrees colder and more often cloudy than in the rest of Bali.
The best time (and also high season) to go to Munduk is during the dry season, from May to October. The temperatures here are very pleasant (between 20 and 25 degrees) and you have a better chance of nice weather without clouds. Ideal to see the beautiful views over the lakes. The disadvantage is that prices are a bit higher and there are more tourists everywhere.
In the rainy season, from November to March, temperatures are still good but it rains almost every day. It usually becomes cloudy around midday, so plan most of your visits in the morning. It can also be quite chilly in the evening. Since this is the low season, prices are lower and you are almost alone.
TIP: Bring enough layers for your Munduk trip! When the sun shines, it is very warm, but once it is cloudy and raining it can cool down quickly (especially on the scooter). We went to Munduk in November and wore a T-shirt for walking in the morning, but were very happy with our raincoat and thick sweater in the afternoon. In the evening we even lit a fire in our accommodation Munduk Moding Plantation.
Best Sights in Munduk
Walk along the Munduk waterfalls
Munduk is known for its beautiful and impressive waterfalls. Many are some distance from Munduk (such as Sekumpul and Banyumala, see below). But there are also some gems close to Munduk village and a nice hike takes you past 4 to 5 different waterfalls.
The Munduk Waterfall (or Red Coral), smaller Belong Waterfall, Melanting Waterfall, Labuan Kebo Waterfall and Golden Valley Waterfall are all along one hiking trail. You pay a small entrance fee for each waterfall (usually only a few euros), so make sure you have enough cash with you.
TIP: Use the maps.me app to follow the hiking trails and not get lost.
To visit the waterfalls you can park your scooter here (or have a taxi drop you off). There you will see a sign for the first waterfall in Munduk, the Red Coral Waterfall. Count on about 10 minutes of walking to reach it. From there you can continue along the river to Belong Waterfall (about a 20-minute walk). You can also visit the Golden Valley waterfall as an extra stop.
Then you can continue to the larger Labuan Kebo Waterfall, a 30-minute walk. The last waterfall is the Melanting waterfall, again about 20 to 30 minutes away. We found these last two waterfalls to be the most impressive of the Munduk waterfalls. You can then climb back up towards the road and walk back to the parking lot or have your driver pick you up here.
TIP: You need about 3 hours to complete this walk and keep in mind that it is quite steep in places with many stairs. Make sure you bring plenty of water and mosquito repellent! You can’t really swim here, but you can go in the water sometimes. If you are staying in Munduk village, do them in reverse and start at the Melanting Waterfall.
Stay at Munduk Moding Plantation (and admire the infinity pool)
Are you looking for a unique experience in Munduk? Then we can highly recommend a stay at the 5-star resort Munduk Moding Plantation! We were there for two nights and it is one of the most beautiful resorts we have ever stayed at. You can spend the night in one of their beautiful villas, many with their own jacuzzi and swimming pool.
Munduk Moding Plantation, also an active coffee plantation, has a strong focus on environmental friendliness and also supports the local community. The employees are almost all local people, furniture is largely made on-site, water is recycled, there is a vegetable garden, etc. From a distance, the resort even seems to blend in with the jungle and the beautiful surroundings.
The resort is also the perfect base to explore all the sights in Munduk. But you don’t have to leave at all, because there is a lot to do on the domain. In addition to the two restaurants with a delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, you can also follow all kinds of other workshops (both for adults and children). You can make your own bracelets with recycled plastic, carve wood or make soap. Also very nice if you are traveling with children. Or perhaps you would prefer to go on a tour of the coffee plantation?
But Munduk Moding Plantation is best known for their two beautiful swimming pools overlooking the jungle. These infinity pools have been voted one of the most beautiful in the world. You can admire the sunset here (if it is not cloudy like us) while enjoying a drink at the sunset bar. Staying here is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Munduk.
TIP: Can’t stay here, but would you still like to admire all this beauty? Then you can also visit this hotel during the day and have a drink or something to eat by the pool. You must then spend a minimum amount in the restaurant. Please note that sunrise and sunset are only accessible to hotel guests.
Admire the Twin Lakes, Tamblingan, and Buyan, from above
The Twin Lakes, or Tamblingan and Buyan Lakes, are beautifully situated between the mountains. If you drive up from the bottom, you get a beautiful view of both lakes. Early morning is the best time to enjoy the view, as clouds often hang over the lakes in the afternoon.
Along the way, you will come across several small local restaurants (warungs) where you can eat or drink something with a view over the lake. Or you can also stop at one of the viewpoints or photo spots, sometimes with swings, such as the Instagram location Wanagiri Hidden Hills. Keep in mind that it can be very busy here and you may prefer the peace and quiet of the warungs.
You can also take a walk between the lakes or even rent a traditional jukung to go onto the lake. We were there at the beginning of the rainy season (November) and unfortunately, we mainly saw fog and clouds.
Visit the Munduk water temple, Pura Ulun Danu Bratan
This is one of Bali’s most famous temples, built in honor of the god of water, lakes, and rivers. It is an impressive complex located on Lake Bratan. The iconic image of the temple tower rising above the lake with the mountains in the background is one of the most photographed sights in Bali.
TIP: It is especially beautiful here at sunrise and you can take beautiful photos through the reflection in Lake Bratan. Keep in mind that there are often clouds in the afternoon, especially during the rainy season.
In the meantime, the site has grown into a beautiful park (with playground) to take a walk through, stop at all kinds of photo stops, have something to eat in one of the restaurants, or take a trip on the lake. So it can get quite busy. Come in the morning if you want some peace and quiet (there is also less chance of clouds).
Take a photo at the Handara Gate
The Handara Gate is located not far from the aforementioned temple and has become an iconic landmark in Bali, but not because of its historical or cultural value. This impressive Balinese gateway, surrounded by green mountains and misty skies, became famous thanks to Instagram. When several attractions in Bali were closed during the coronavirus pandemic, a photo of the gate went viral, making it a popular hotspot for tourists.
Ironically, the gate simply leads to a golf course, which is often a surprise to visitors who expect a beautiful temple to be hidden here. Yet it remains a photogenic place where many travelers stop for a moment to take a perfect picture.
TIP: Take queues into account, because you are certainly not the only one who wants to capture this Insta dream! So come early in the morning if you want the place to yourself.
Visit a coffee plantation and taste the delicious Balinese coffee
Munduk’s mountainous, more temperate climate and volcanic soil are perfect for growing coffee. Many local farmers work in the coffee plantations here. Munduk is the perfect place to learn more about growing and producing coffee and of course to taste the delicious North Balinese coffee.
We were immersed in the world of coffee during the coffee tour of Munduk Moding Plantation, which is not only the most famous hotel in this region but also an active coffee plantation. You can follow a workshop there and visit the coffee plantation.
They have different types of coffee, including ecological wild Kopi Luwak. Civets eat the coffee beans, which then come out half-digested in their feces, which gives them a unique taste. During the tour you will learn more about the production process and taste different types of coffee. You can of course also buy some as a souvenir for home.
TIP: Around Munduk (and also Ubud) you will see many places where you can taste Kopi Luwak. Be very careful with this because in many places they don’t even have real ‘Luwak’ coffee beans, but when they do, civets are often kept captive in small cages to eat coffee beans. No animal-friendly practices that you do not want to contribute to. Munduk Moding Plantation is all about wild civets that live in complete freedom.
Visit the Sekumpul waterfall
The Sekumpul Waterfall, often praised as Bali’s most beautiful waterfall, is located deep in the jungle in the north of Bali. Count on about a 50-minute drive from Munduk. On arrival you pay an entrance fee and you can opt for a guide (between 5 and 10 euros per person). Be careful because sometimes they try to sell you a guide and entrance ticket earlier on the road.
Although a guide is not mandatory (but you pay for one anyway), it is recommended because they know the safest routes and point out interesting places along the way. From the entrance, it is a tough but fantastic walk of about 30-40 minutes down through the lush jungle. You have to descend stairs, cross rivers and walk through the jungle, so wear good walking shoes and take a bottle of water with you.
Visit the waterfall early in the morning, before the crowds start. The rainy season (November to April) makes the waterfall extra powerful, but the paths can be slippery. In the dry season, it is easier to walk.
TIP: You can also combine a visit to the Sekumpul waterfall with the Fiji Waterfall and Hidden Waterfall, two other beautiful waterfalls hidden in the jungle of North Bali.
Explore the Bali Botanical Garden in Bedugul
This is again one of the places to escape the hustle and bustle of Bali’s beaches and cities. The Bali Botanical Garden is located in the cool mountain town of Bedugul and is a vast park of no less than 157 hectares and one of the largest botanical gardens in Indonesia.
The park is surrounded by lush hills overlooking Lake Bratan. You can also bring your own picnic. In the garden you will find an impressive collection of plants, from colorful orchids and exotic palms to medicinal herbs and ferns. The bamboo forests and flower meadows are a feast for the eyes.
Discover the Banyumala Twin Waterfalls (and jump into the refreshing water)
There are endless (or very many) waterfalls to discover around Munduk and it is impossible to discuss them all here. But the Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, about a 30-minute drive from Munduk, are also definitely worth mentioning!
They consist of two impressive waterfalls that flow parallel down the green rock walls. Unlike some other popular waterfalls in Bali, Banyumala waterfalls are less crowded.
At the foot of the falls is a natural swimming pool with crystal clear water. It’s the perfect place to cool off and take a refreshing dip after the approximately 20-minute walk to the falls. That is an adventure in itself because the path goes through the jungle and over bridges.
Wear comfortable shoes because of the slippery path, bring a swimsuit and a towel to enjoy the water, and visit the waterfalls in the morning for peace and quiet, and the most beautiful light.
Admire the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
In addition to the famous Tegalalang Rice Terraces in Ubud, there are also the beautiful Jatiluwih Rice Terraces between Ubud and Munduk. They cover no less than 600 hectares and were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List because of the traditional irrigation techniques that date back to the 9th century.
The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are a lot less known, and therefore much more pleasant to visit. A must-do in Bali, especially if you like more authentic experiences. You can almost walk through the rice fields here and the landscape is also wonderful to drive through with a scooter.
You pay a small entrance fee at the entrance and several hiking trails start from there. Or you can book one of the tours below where you walk or cycle with a local through the rice terraces and surrounding nature and learn a lot about the traditions of the local people.
TIP: go to one of the local restaurants, such as Batu Karu Kopi, overlooking the rice terraces to enjoy a meal or a refreshing drink.
Nice restaurants in Munduk
Munduk is a local village, so you will not find the hip and trendy cafes and restaurants here like in Ubud or Canggu. Here you will mainly find local warungs that have delicious food (and you support the locals)! You can also have something to eat at Munduk Moding Plantation if you want a unique experience!
Here are some of our favorite addresses:
- Eco Cafe 2: located near the Golden Valley Waterfall. A nice place with a beautiful view where they have delicious vegetarian and vegan meals and where you can taste the local coffee.
- Warung Heaven: a very nice local restaurant with tasty food. You can also take a 2-hour cooking class here. Recommended!
- Warung Genitri: tasty local cuisine with a beautiful view.
- Warung Made’s Munduk: fantastic Indonesian restaurant with delicious food and friendly service. They also offer very good cooking workshops here.
- The Northview Bali Ngiring Ngewedang: about a 10-minute drive from Munduk is this restaurant with a beautiful terrace overlooking the mountains of Munduk. Beautiful also in the late afternoon.
- Munduk Moding Plantation: Come here for delicious, organic cuisine with views over the resort’s iconic infinity pools.
Spend the night in Munduk
Our favorite is of course the ecological Munduk Moding Coffee Plantation resort with the beautiful swimming pool. You don’t just stay here for the overnight stay, but also for the full experience that the resort offers, including the coffee plantation and local workshops.
If this is out of budget, there are also many other options to stay overnight in Munduk. Here are some of our favorites:
- Lesong Hotel: a beautiful place to stay surrounded by nature and rice terraces. But especially the friendly staff will make your stay unforgettable!
- Desa Eko – Ekommunity: beautiful eco-resort in the middle of the jungle, where you can spend the night in a tent or beautiful villa (each separately located in its own piece of paradise).
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