Island Guide: 4 days in Munduk, North Bali
Four-day full immersion into the tranquility of Munduk in North Bali
Munduk
Munduk, a serene village nestled in the mountains of Bali, is a hidden gem known for its lush landscapes, stunning waterfalls, and tranquil atmosphere. Located in the Buleleng Regency, it is a two-hour drive north of Ubud.
It is less visited due to its remote location and cooler climate. Although it is not one of the main tourist centers of Bali, it is well-developed for tourists, with a great number of accommodations, activities, and dining options.
On the way to Munduk, you will pass through other stunning locations, such as the scenic Twin Lakes, Lake Beratan, and the Instagram-famous Handara Gate.
My recent four-day trip to Munduk was nothing short of amazing. From trekking through scenic trails to discovering magnificent waterfalls, this journey was filled with unforgettable experiences.
Here’s a recap of my adventure along with some tips on places to visit and accommodation options!
Transportation
The most comfortable option to reach North Bali is definitely by car 🚙 with a personal driver due to its remote location.
Although there are almost no traffic jams in this area, the roads are steep and hilly. Unless you are a professional scooter driver, I recommend arriving here by car with a personal driver.
Distance from Ubud = 65km, travel time ~ 2hrs; Trip cost: Rp. 600.000 (€35)
Moving around in the area 🚕
Once you are in the Munduk area, you have two options: you can either use the transportation services of your hotel or of the local taxi drivers, or you can hire your own scooter. Having your own scooter is a budget-friendly option that provides a lot of freedom as long as you feel comfortable driving around.
Hiring a scooter 🛵
You can hire a scooter either from your hotel or one of the local owners with shops listed on Google.
Price of a small scooter (Scoopy) 🛵 per day: Rp 100.000 (€6), big scooter (NMAX) = Rp. 150.000 (€9) Fuel cost: Rp 10.000 (€0.60)/litre
A link to the scooter hire I used during my recent trip: Munduk Rental with Delivery Scooter
Accommodation:
Where to stay in Munduk? You have several options depending on your needs and budget:
Private Villas 🏡
Last time, I stayed in a two-bedroom private villa that I found on Booking.com. Little Munduk villa was spacious, with its own kitchen, garden, and parking slot. Our host was very kind and offered us additional services such as meals, day trips, scooter hire, and even in-house spa treatments. I highly recommend staying here.
Price for a two-bedroom private villa per day during low season: €50.
Link to the villa on Booking.com: Little Munduk Villa
Luxury Stays 💎
There are several luxurious resorts in the area that offer unique accommodations and hospitality, along with numerous options for daily activities within the resorts or in the surrounding area.
One standout option is Munduk Moding Plantation. The resort’s location offers breathtaking views of Bali’s mountainous landscapes. Beyond its aesthetics, Munduk Moding Plantation actively supports the area by providing employment opportunities and boosting tourism in a region often overlooked.
The on-site coffee plantation is remarkable; you can witness the coffee-making process and purchase some delicious local coffee beans.
If you’re looking for an experience that combines sustainability, luxury, and an authentic connection to Bali, this is a destination worth exploring.
Price for a luxury suite during low season: €150.
Link to the resort: Munduk Moding Plantation
Home stays and private rooms 🏠:
Homestays offer private rooms within a local’s compound. This is a great accommodation option for experiencing true Balinese hospitality, interacting with locals, and giving back directly to the families who own the accommodation. Such places usually come at a lower price and offer additional services such as meals and day trips.
You’ll likely have an opportunity to build relationships with locals and learn about their culture.
itinerary and locations:
The Munduk Waterfall Trek:
The Munduk Waterfall Trek is one of my favourite trails, featuring four waterfalls along the way.
How to Get There: Search for ‘Munduk Waterfalls Trekking Point’ on Google, and the navigation will take you straight to the parking lot where you can leave your scooter if you’ve rented one. From there, just follow the path and the signs.
In the area, you will find the Labuan Kebo and Melanting waterfalls on the left side of the path, and the Red Coral Waterfall and Golden Valley to the right side of the path. You need to be physically fit to reach all four waterfalls in one day.
However, if you don’t have much time, you can simply visit Labuhan Kebo and Red Coral.
Additionally, many locals sell spices, cacao, and coffee along the way to the waterfalls. There are a few small warungs, so if you need to stop for food and drinks, you can also try some Balinese meals there.
Entry fee per waterfall ~ Rp. 20.000 (€1)
The Banyumala Waterfall:
Banyumala Waterfall is located just outside Munduk on the way to Bedugul. The waterfall is also known as the Twin Waterfall, as it cascades down the cliff in two streams.
You can reach it by scooter, but keep in mind that part of the road is steep and bumpy. Alternatively, you can be dropped off by a car and you’ll need to walk for about 10 minutes down the hill. It is an easy to moderate hike, so there may be more tourists in the area. The best part is that you can swim in the water.
Also, remember that just across from the Twin Waterfalls, there are a few smaller waterfalls, so make sure you don’t miss them!
Entry fee for the waterfall - Rp. 50.000 (~€3)
Lake Tamblingan:
Close to the Twin Lakes, you will see panoramic views over Buyan and Tamblingan Lake, which is a caldera lake.
You can visit Tamblingan Lake, considered sacred and surrounded by many ancient temples. There is a parking area for both cars and scooters.
Once you pay an entry fee, you will reach the main area where you can take a short walk around the ancient temple, Pura Dalem Tamblingan. To enter the jungle, you will need to pay an additional IDR 100,000.
You can either walk on your own or enter the jungle of Lake Tamblingan by taking a jungle trekking tour.
These tours include a guide who can point out local flora and fauna and may also include a canoe ride across the lake. By the way, Tamblingan Lake is the only lake in Bali where only traditional wooden canoes are allowed due to its sacredness.
The area is also famous as a camping site and a photographer’s playground—ideal for photoshoots during sunrise and sunset.
Entry fee for the lake - Rp. 10.000 (~€0.60)
Scenic Routes & Rice Terraces
While driving around Munduk, you will discover many scenic routes through the Balinese villages.
It is literally one of my favourite things to do in the area; you don’t need Google Maps for specific locations. There are many rice fields in the area with stunning views. The higher the roads you go, the better the views become. Additionally, many villages in the area have plantations for coffee, cloves, cacao, and fruits, so a variety of aromas greet you from every direction.
If you visit the village of Gobleg, you will discover that many shops and houses are roasting coffee, making all the streets smell of Bali coffee.
If you are on the hunt for some beautiful rice terraces, then Google the Rice Terraces Munduk, Subuk Rice Fields View, and Bengkel Rice Terrace.
other nearby locations
If you have more time, you can visit some of the following places:
Brahmavihara Arama - a Buddhist temple, 16 km away from Munduk
Lovina - coastal town in north Bali
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple - a scenic Hindu temple on the lake Beratan (altough it’s a bit more touristy)
The blue Hydrangea flower fields near Munduk
Tour the Munduk Moding Coffee Plantation and discover the process of coffee growing and roasting
Local Coffee Shops
Kubu Kopi - local cafe with Rice field views offering local tea, spices and Balinese coffee
Munduk Escape - Balinese-owned cafe with panoramic views and loads of photo opportunities
Golden Valley side ECO CAFE - small Balinese warung overlooking the Golden Valley Waterfall
More hotel Options:
Munduk Clove - private double rooms; $
Adila Warung and Homestay - private double rooms; $
Bintang Munduk - double rooms and family bungalow - $$
Desa Eko - deluxe tents and a bamboo villa; $$
Munduk Moding Plantation - luxury eco-resort and spa with own coffee plantation - $$$
Munduk Cabins by Desa Hay- 5-star accommodation; $$$$
Elevate Bali - 5-star exclusive villa complex; $$$$$
