Don’t go chasing waterfalls, unless they’re in Bali! Bali has so many waterfalls to offer and it’s impossible to see all of them while you’re in Indonesia. Luckily, our guide Ana lives in Ubud and frequents many of the waterfalls on the island on a regular basis. She shared her favorite ones with us that would fit in a day trip.
Tibumana Waterfall
One important thing to decide when you visit Bali waterfalls is if you want to swim or spectate. If swimming in one is on your list, then Tibumana is where you need to go. Of all the Bali waterfalls, this one is loved by the locals and far less touristy than Goa Rang Reng close by. It is also one of the easiest to get to, and has amenities many others don’t. Entrance fee is 10,000 IDR and lockers are 5,000 IDR.
Walking from the car park along the way you’ll see Warung D’Carik which is a great stop for lunch and a beer! A short ten minute trek will take you to this powerful force of nature. There are local lifeguards on duty to make sure people don’t swim too close to the waterfall as the force would pull swimmers underwater. There are also bathroom facilities to change in afterwards if you need them.
Penglipuran Village
This traditional Balinese village in the heart of Ubud is the perfect place to stop in between the waterfalls. While open to stroll through, this village thrives on primitive Balinese culture. There are no motor vehicles, not even motor bikes in this village. The younger generations support the older ones and live together producing edible goods and beautiful cloths. I purchased a beautiful pair of ornately patterned pants for 50,000 IDR ($3.50 USD).
Tukad Cepung
This Bali beauty has so much more to offer than its main fall. The hike down is alongside a stream and surrounded with blooming foliage. There are several steep steps into a gorge where your only decision is to go left or right. To the left is a stony runoff path through narrow towering rocks towards the waterfall. A heeded warning though, there will be a line of tourists waiting to take photos in front of the fall.
You cannot swim in this one, but it is gorgeous to look up and see the light shining through the leafy jungle above. To the right are a few smaller, misty, falls that drizzle down the facade of the gorge. There were only two other people on this side taking us away from the crowd. If you’re looking for a swing experience, there is a Bali swing on the way down to the waterfall for 100K IDR ($7 USD).
Zest
After a long day of chasing waterfalls, you’ll definitely be hungry. Zest drew us in with its decor and won us over on the whole vegan thing. I am married to a vegetarian and regularly cook meatless meals however, I love dairy too much to dabble in the vegan world! Anyways, this place had a statue and lighting fixtures that sold me before we even sat down. I just wanted to eat in the ambiance of this place. I had a vegan margarita pizza that was delicious accompanied by wild lizards crawling across the outdoor ceiling for entertainment. It was impeccably surprising how flavorful the meal was.
