When it comes to waterfalls in Bali, you certainly are spoiled for choice. And it’s not just the Ubud Waterfalls either. Not twenty or thirty years ago the only waterfall known to visitors to the island was Git Git Waterfall, and it took a full day trip to Singaraja to experience it. Now, the locals have realized that tourists love waterfalls, and more and more are being revealed to the public every year.
These days, a trip to Munduk, Singaraja or Ubud will provide opportunities for visitors to see dozens of waterfalls from each of these centers. Today, we will concentrate on Ubud, where some of the most iconic waterfalls in Bali are either located, or can be reached by just a short drive. So get your cameras charged and ready, because here is our list of the 8 best Ubud Waterfalls to visit whilst in Bali.
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Table of Contents
- Kanto Lampo Waterfall
- Goa Rang Reng Waterfall
- Tegenungan Waterfall
- Tekud Cepung Waterfall
- Leke Leke Waterfall
- Suwat Waterfall
- Tibumana Waterfall
- Nung Nung Waterfall
- Where to stay for Ubud Waterfalls
- Can I do a Waterfall Tour?
Kanto Lampo Waterfall
This iconic location has become extremely famous of recent years due to it’s romance with Instagram users worldwide. The Falls themselves have only been open for seven years, however the word spread fast, and the crowds followed. It wasn’t long before a visit to Kanto Lampo meant a prolonged wait on the stairs for your turn to move down to the Falls for a quick photo, before leaving hastily as the next person was ushered in. This soon became the norm at other Falls in the area as well, such as Tukad Cepung Waterfall for one example. As a result, these two Falls are probably the most popular of the Ubud Waterfalls.
Of more recent times, with Covid-19 bringing in the “New Normal” and travel being restricted, those fortunate enough to be in Bali can once again experience these places devoid of tourists and peaceful once again.
If you want to visit Kanto Lampo Waterfall when you return to Bali, then early morning is the best time to visit to miss the crowds. Midday is best for photos when the sun is overhead and you get the full effect off the Falls. Either way, you will probably have to share the experience with someone. For this waterfall however, it is worth it.
Goa Rang Reng Waterfall
Goa Rang Reng Waterfall really took us by surprise. It is only 10 minutes from Kanto Lampo Waterfall, and we visited it on the same day. At the time, we knew it was a nice waterfall and we would get some really great photos, but we never expected what was to come. Of the Ubud waterfalls, this is definitely one of our favorites.
When you head down the stairs to Goa Rang Reng you will come to an intersection, with signs pointing in both directions. Follow the sign to the right for the main Falls. The sign to the left heads you to a different spot altogether. More on that later.
The main Falls of Goa Rang Reng are amazingly powerful. They look so peaceful, and are underestimated by many as they are not a big as other Falls in the area. But don’t be mistaken. The water that flows down Goa Rang Reng flows strong, and the rocks are very slippery with moss. More than one visitor has been carried out with broken bones due to ignoring the warning signs and cautions from the local guides.
Within the waterfall itself there is located a wonderful natural Jacuzzi, and a perfect spot in the middle of the Falls for that perfect photo. Also at the top of the Falls is one of the best natural pools we have ever swum in. None of these locations can be easily found or accessed however, unless you have a local guide, which brings us back to that intersection in the path from earlier.
TIP – If you are friendly to the locals at the ticket office, you may get offered the choice of a local guide. This is usually 150k rupe, but during the decline of covid-19 has been reduced to just a donation. We took up the option and ended up “donating” the full 150k. It was worth it!
The guide took us down the left hand fork in the stairs and into a hidden canyon. There, we walked, swam and waded our way past several small waterfalls and had some brilliant pictures and videos taken that we never would have got otherwise. Then, back at the main Waterfall he showed us all of it’s hidden secrets. Well worth the price!
Tegenungan Waterfall
Tegenungan Waterfall. What can we say?
This one is on the list simply because of it’s well earned status among waterfalls in Bali. The simple, raw power of Tegenungan Waterfall will hold you in awe. IF you can get close enough.
The problem with Tegenungan Waterfall is that it is so over commercialized that the whole effect is almost ruined. The path leading down to the waterfall (hundreds of stairs) is littered with warungs and gift shops. A myriad of restaurants adorn the cliff tops on both sides of the waterfall and photo opportunity locations are now even being ruined by structures built so close to the falls it’s almost impossible to get some sort of natural shot.
This all being said, Tegenungan Waterfall is worth a visit just to witness one of the most iconic locations in Bali. Even during dry season the power is amazing.
Tekud Cepung Waterfall
Tukad Cepung Waterfall is probably one of the furthest waterfalls on this list from Ubud. That being said, Ubud is still the closest center to this amazing location.
Anyone who is active on Instagram will almost definitely have seen photos of this amazing waterfall. The river dives into a canyon, falling into a crystal clear pool below, before flowing out the other side of the natural cavern that contains it. To get to the waterfall, you enter the canyon via a set of stairs and wade down to the Falls through the water. Along the way there are a couple of great spots that just beg for you to take a photo or two.
One such location is a couple of large rocks just before the waterfall itself. Before you attempt to scramble up onto the rocks, though, follow the path around to the left and you will find a ladder for just that purpose. Be prepared to wait, however, as this waterfall is all about the photos. Unless you are there early, it is likely that you will have a long line up ahead of you. Expect to enter the cavern, pose for a photo and then leave again. The day that we were there (and we were there fairly early) a car load of models from Jakarta arrived at the same time. There is nothing that compares to being in a canyon in the middle of the jungle, knee deep in water and watching girls trying to change into good dresses just for Instagram!
TIP – When you reach the bottom of the stairs, there is a sign that points left to Tukad Cepung Waterfall, and right to a smaller waterfall. The smaller waterfall is visible from the stairs, and the large majority of visitors would not even bother. This is a big mistake, because of the small amount that venture that way, an even smaller number of them would realize there is another hidden waterfall 20 metres further along, inside it’s own small cave. We found it and had it to ourselves while the crowd still fought for position back at Tukad Cepung.
Leke Leke Waterfall
Leke Leke Waterfall is one of the most amazing, serene and mystic spots we have found on the island. A single sliver of water, almost like a silver silken thread, knifes it’s way down the cliff into a small pool at it’s base. This is a waterfall that you can sit and watch for hours, if you can get it to yourself.
The entrance to Leke Leke Waterfall gives the immediate impression that it is over commercialized. A restaurant, swing, and multiple selfie locations provide eye rolling moments where you fear for what lays ahead. Fear not, however, for the music and sounds of voices fall far behind as the track winds through the back of the village, across the river and into the jungle. By the time you arrive at the waterfall you have forgotten all about the world, and Leke Leke Waterfall takes you to another time and place that you will struggle to leave. Trust us.
TIP – This is unlike our other tips and is not even related to Leke Leke Waterfall. That said, if you are a hungry, at the turn off to the waterfall from the main road there is a Warung called Warung Babi Genyol. It is the best Babi Genyol on the island in our opinion, and we drive all the way there just to experience it!
Suwat Waterfall
Suwat Waterfall is another popular waterfall just to the north of Gianyar. There are so many waterfalls in this region that you can do several in one day. The most we have done is six!
Suwat Waterfall is very pleasing on the eye, falling from a relatively short height directly into a large green pool of water. You can definitely swim at this location, and there is even a green bamboo raft and paddle in the pool that can be used for a fun photo shoot. Like most of the Waterfalls on this list, be there early to avoid the crowd. Suwat Waterfall is also very easy to access, which means it also becomes popular to those that are only after Instagram photos, and not so much the waterfall itself.
What impressed us about Suwat Waterfall was the set up. Plenty of parking behind a temple gave access to a well established concrete path, and well maintained stairs. These led down to a nice, cool canyon with a well appointed warung. Off to the left was the majestic Suwat Waterfall, accessed via a range of green mossy boulders which, upon closer inspection, had been carved into the shapes of turtles. A quaint and quirky touch to an already beautiful location.
Tibumana Waterfall
This is the latest of the Ubud Waterfalls to make this list. Technically, Tibumana Waterfall is not a natural waterfall. What the locals have created, though, is a spectacular fall of water that you simply must see to believe.
Tibumana is located north of Gianyar, a bit further up the same road as Kanto Lampo waterfall and Goa Rang Reng Waterfall. This makes it easy to fit into the same daytrip if you are coming from Ubud. The drive is a pleasant one, and we were very impressed with the road in, even stopping on no less than three occasions just to take photos. The local village is beautiful and tidy, and seeing as we drove through just after Galungan, there were still lots of decorations in place. Just past the village the road winds through tall palm trees that are just begging to feature on your Instagram feed. Even from the carpark, if the day is clear there is a beautiful view of Mount Agung across the rice paddies.
Tibumana Waterfall itself can be found after a short 10 minute walk down yet another well maintained pathway. The falls have been changed in recent times. While they have always been picturesque falls, the water has been diverted slightly by locals and what they have created is a perfectly straight fall of water that appears similar to a silver veil. Now, what has always been a great spot to swim, has almost overnight become a major tourist desination for those seeking the perfect photo. The locals, meanwhile, have moved downstream a little to swim in peace and quiet.
Nung Nung Waterfall
When it comes to Ubud Waterfalls, Nung Nung Waterfall is definitely off the beaten path a little. Even though the falls have been open, established and well known for 25 years, they still don’t see as many tourists as the others on this list. This is for two reasons.
Firstly, they are fairly remote. One hour from Ubud, and closer to Bedugul than anywhere else, it is fair to say that Nung Nung waterfall sits right in the middle of the island of Bali. Having said that, this waterfall is worth the trip, and the views, and winding road are worth seeing in their own right, as this part of Bali is in itself unique.
The second reason that visitors may be scared off from Nung Nung waterfall is the stairs. 509 well made concrete stairs await, and even though there are two rest points along the way, it still does not make the trek any easier. For those that do brave the stairs, a just reward awaits.
Nung Nung Waterfall is 165 ft tall, and features a very powerful force of water that falls unhindered into a large pool far below. It is possible to swim in the pool, however it does not get much more than knee deep during the dry season. In the wet season the falls are far too dangerous, and at times are not even open. Due to the remoteness, the chances are that you may have them totally to yourself at any given time of the day, and the feeling you get from being so close to this power of nature, isolated deep in the jungle is a rare experience.
This list does not contain all of the Ubud Waterfalls. By far. There are so many in the region that it is hard to count. We will, however, continue exploring and bringing you more articles on the best that we find.
Where to stay for Ubud Waterfalls
Obviously the best places are in Ubud itself. Here are a few select places that we have handpicked for you, and highly recommend.
Budget – Pangkung Sari Homestay. This is a well appointed homestay in a beautiful part of Ubud. Friendly and welcoming owners and a taste of the village life.
Middle of the Road – De Munut Balinese Resort – this place has beautiful gardens, great breakfast and is located in a choice part of Ubud.
Luxury – Viceroy Bali – Wanting to treat yourself? You can’t go past the Viceroy!!
Can I do a Waterfall Tour?
You certainly can! check out our favorite tours over at GetYourGuide. They have local guides and really know how to do it well!
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