8 Must- Do Things To Do In Munduk
There are few places left in Bali that offer a true authentic experience without droves of tourists clogging the streets. But if you travel a little further away from the coast, you’ll find the magic of Munduk just a few hours north of Ubud.
Munduk is a tiny little town tucked into the rainforest-laden hills in central north Bali. This quiet, scenic destination was easily our favourite place in Bali for many reasons. Not only will you find countless waterfalls – that you won’t need to line up to see – but you’ll also get a taste of the quieter life in Bali.
We spent almost a week exploring the Munduk region and instantly fell in love. There was never a dull moment and the locals were some of the kindest we’ve met. Whether you want to visit for a day or several, we’ve created the ultimate list of the best things to do in Munduk.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase of a product we recommend through one of our links, we may make a small commission at no extra cost to you! This helps to support our blog and enables us to continue providing you with helpful tips and exciting adventures, so thank you 🙂
Table of Contents
Toggle8 Best Things To Do In Munduk, Bali
Quick Tips For Visiting Munduk
- Explore early – every afternoon, just before or just after noon, we were hammered with a heavy downpour that lasted most of the afternoon. We learnt early to do all our activities in the morning and spend the afternoon relaxing.
- Pack a rain jacket – even if you stick to exploring in the morning, we still suggest packing a rain jacket just in case.
- Bring a jumper – we were surprised to find that the evenings were quite cool in the mountains.
- Bring insect repellant – the mosquitos are viscous in the jungle
- Hire a scooter – this is the easiest way to get around Munduk as it’s extremely hilly. But don’t forget to wear a helmet and get your international licence to avoid any fines.
- Allow at least 3 days – there is so much to do in Munduk, but you’ll also want to enjoy some downtime in such a peaceful location.
*All prices for entry fees are listed in Indonesian Rupiah
Visit The Majestic Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfalls
Entry Fee: 40k per person, 2k parking
Location: Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfall
Munduk is most famous for its abundance of waterfalls and among them, the Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfalls are undoubtedly the best.
Banyu Wana boasts four distinct waterfalls, each possessing its own allure. A peaceful path links the four, creating a pleasant walk through lush rainforests and farmlands. While all are worth exploring, the Banyu Wana Amertha – aka Spray Waterfall – and the Bhuana Sari Waterfall are beyond anything we’ve ever experienced!
Both the Banyu Wana Amertha and Bhauna Sari waterfalls took our breath away. They each comprise of a labyrinth of streams tumbling through the leafy green foliage that adorns the hillside.
Bhauna Sari Waterfall offers the best swimming location, featuring two serene pools beside the waterfall. Banyu Wana Amertha also has a wide pool to swim in, but the main allure of this waterfall is its sheer size and power.
Note: At the Banyu Wana Waterfalls, you’ll find small stalls where you can purchase snacks and small souvenirs.
Hike The Munduk Waterfall Trek
Entry Fee: ~ 20 – 40k per person, per waterfall
Location: Munduk Waterfall Trek Trailhead
The Munduk Waterfall Trek weaves through the lush jungle flanking the sprawling village, guiding you past five potential waterfalls to visit. The trail conveniently begins in the town centre, eliminating the need for transportation to the trailhead and making it one of the most accessible things to do in Munduk.
This is one of the most popular things to do in Munduk, but the route you take is often varied and not everyone visits all of the waterfalls.
Of the five waterfalls, our favourites were Melanting Falls, Labuhan Kebo Falls and Golden Valley Falls. Each offers a unique experience, the first two hidden in wildly dense forests and the third offering a rest at a little cafe that overlooks the falls. But the highlight of the adventure is the ability to walk between each and explore more of the rugged forests.
The trail itself is quite easy, consisting mostly of concrete paths or skinny dirt roads. You will encounter some steep steps to reach a few of the waterfalls like Melanting and Labuhan Kebo, but the effort is well worth the reward!
The only real challenge is navigation. There are countless paths trailing into the forest in every direction, which can easily confuse. We highly recommend downloading a map to your phone that you can follow. We’ve created a route on AllTrails (or GPS app of choice) that you can use, choosing all or just a few of the waterfalls listed.
We decided to complete this trek on a scooter instead of walking, which increased the adventure tenfold! Some of the paths are tiny and it was very hairy in sections, to say the least. We had to turn back several times and I had to jump off the back and walk so Dylan could make it up some of the slippery climbs!
If you have loads of experience on dirt bikes and feel VERY confident riding a scooter, this is an exhilarating way to explore the Munduk Waterfall Trek. But for the majority, we don’t recommend riding a scooter as it would be a huge mission trying to walk it out if you get stuck or crash.
🥾 AllTrails has been our go-to for over three years and we rely on AllTrails + for all our adventures. From our experience, we wholeheartedly recommend this platform for your navigation and trail research. Use our code LESSTRAVELLED30 to receive 30% off your subscription!
Explore The Magical Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Temple
Entry Fee: 75k per person, 5k for scooter parking
Location: Pura Ulun Danu Bratan
Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is arguably the most beautiful temple in all of Bali. Located just half an hour west of Munduk, this iconic temple stands atop a tiny island on Beratan Lake.
Whether you’re an avid photographer or simply want to beat the crowds, we highly recommend hiring a scooter and driving out to the temple for sunrise. The mornings are the clearest time of day in the region and you’re allowed to enter before opening hours, as long as you pay the entrance fee on your way out.
Aside from a magical sunrise location, Ulun Danu Bratan is also a special place to explore. You can rent a boat and paddle around the lake, or wander through the beautiful botanical gardens. If you’re lucky enough to visit while a ceremony is in full swing, they welcome you to witness their authentic culture and spirituality.
Visit The Dayanu Rice Terraces In Munduk
Entry Fee: Free
Location: Dayanu Rice Terraces
Ubud isn’t the only place in Bali to explore photogenic rice terraces, we actually believe that the fields in Munduk are even better – plus, they’re far less crowded!
Located a short 5-minute scooter ride south of Munduk’s main village, you’ll find a narrow path leading into the lush rice terraces surrounding the hillside town. This walkway meanders through the local rice terraces, providing a peaceful walk that’s best enjoyed in the gentle early morning or late afternoon light.
You’ll find a sign for the Moondock Luxury Camp where the path begins. You can walk or scooter through the rice terraces, though we only recommend riding if you’re confident on very narrow paths.
At the far end of the rice terraces, there is a quaint cafe called Enjoy Cafe 3 that overlooks the lush green scenery. We ate at Enjoy Cafe 2 in town and had a great experience, so we highly suggest stopping in for a bite to eat before finishing the loop that brings you back to Pura Puseh Road.
Taste Luwak Coffee At Bali Bagus Agrowisata Coffee Plantation
Location: Bali Bagus Agrowisata Coffee Plantation (approximate location)
If you’re a lover of tea and coffee then you can’t miss the Bali Bagus coffee plantation. This small local business was only established in 2023 and they’ve put together a beautiful experience, one that we highly recommend over the expensive Munduk Moding Plantation.
Upon your arrival, a friendly staff member will greet you at the entrance and guide you on a tour through their lush garden, stopping to explain the various plants that will feature in your coffee and tea.
After your tour concludes, you’ll be seated at sheltered tables in a picturesque garden setting with views of the treetops below. You’ll enjoy a complimentary coffee and tea tasting that provides the chance to sample a wide array of homemade blends. You’ll also have the option to purchase a Luwak coffee for 5k, which we highly recommend doing even just to support the local business.
We shared a luwak coffee and a tasting, which was more than sufficient enough for us to sample their entire range of coffee and tea. Our favourites were the avocado coffee, the coconut coffee, and the mangosteen and saffron teas.
Treat Yourself At Ulekan
Location: Ulekan Munduk
If you want to splurge on at least one meal on your Bali holiday, Ulekan Munduk is a must! Ulekan offers a truly unforgettable fine dining experience, set in a beautifully decorated restaurant with giant windows overlooking the forested Munduk Cabins.
This was undoubtedly one of our best dining experiences in Bali, showcasing deliciously authentic dishes enhanced with a modern twist. The ingredients are sourced from small-scale Balinese farmers and fishermen, harvested and prepared using traditional methods.
Each of our meals was beautifully presented and incredibly tasty. We shared several dishes and enjoyed a glass of wine each. If you’re into cocktails, you’ll fall in love with their unique selection. We didn’t hold back and we still managed to pay less than we would at a mid-range restaurant in Australia!
Enjoy a Sunset Dinner At A Local Warung
One of the main reasons we fell in love with Munduk was due to its off-the-beaten-path nature. And naturally, this opens the doors to trying more local cuisine in authentic Warungs.
Scattered throughout Munduk, you’ll find countless Warungs (locally-owned restaurants) that pride themselves in offering delicious food at affordable prices. But what made dining at these local Warungs truly memorable was enjoying the delicious meals while overlooking the rolling hills surrounding Munduk at sunset.
Our top three Warungs to watch the sunset are:
Witness A Sunrise At Tamblingan Lake
Entry Fee: 10k per person
Location: Tamblingan Lake, Twin Lake View Lookout
Though Pura Ulun Danu Bratan and Beratan Lake might be more impressive, Tamblingan Lake is well worth an early morning visit to witness the sunrise over its vivid blue waters. Plus, it’s conveniently much closer to Munduk village.
We visited Tamblingan Lake for sunrise, entering before opening hours with no issues, and enjoyed a peaceful morning watching the sun slowly drench the lake and the ancient temples in light. After watching the sunrise, we recommend setting off on one of the walking trails that link Tamblingan Lake and Lake Buyan.
If you’d rather have a birds-eye view of the Tamblingan Lake and Lake Buyan – or you have two mornings to spare – then we also suggest catching the sunrise at the Twin Lake View Lookout on Wanagiri Pancasari Road. This vantage point offers a breathtaking scene of the two lakes set beneath the forested Bratan Volcano.
Final Thoughts
Munduk is easily one of our favourite destinations in Bali, fighting for the top spot alongside Medewi and Nusa Ceningan. It was a breath of fresh air to drive into the dense hills above the crowded coastline of Bali and we have no doubt you’ll love it too.
We were surprised to find it a little cooler than the coast, so make sure you pack at least one long-sleeve or light jumper. While you can visit Munduk on several day tours from Ubud, we recommend spending a few days in this beautiful local village to truly experience its magic.
We hope our list of the best things to do in Munduk has helped you plan your adventure. If you have any further questions about Munduk or Bali in general, please feel free to leave a comment below or reach out to us via Instagram.
Happy Adventuring 🙂
Related Posts
October 30, 2024
6 Best Waterfalls In Munduk That You Don’t Want To Miss
September 12, 2024