Munduk in Bali – 11 Incredible Things To Do (2023)
Munduk in Bali is a picturesque mountain village situated in North Bali surrounded by lush vegetation, lesser-known rice terraces and epic waterfalls!
A nature lover’s dream and a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of the more popular town of Ubud.
If you love beautiful views and visiting less touristy destinations as much as we do then you will love Munduk in Bali.
From hiking to viewpoints to chasing waterfalls, Munduk Village in Bali has so much to offer and whilst we only spent a day here, there is so much to do worthy of a longer trip.
This is your travel guide to the best things to do in Munduk Bali to make the most of your adventure into the mountains!
Top Things to Do in Munduk Bali
1. Munduk Waterfalls Trek
Munduk Bali is home to so many beautiful waterfalls, some near the centre of Munduk Village and some a little further afield.
One of the most popular things to do when chasing waterfalls is the epic Munduk Waterfalls Trek which takes you to four gorgeous waterfalls and takes roughly 3-5 hours depending on how long you spend at each waterfall.
You can access this hike easily on foot from the middle of Munduk Village and it’s fairly easy to do self-guided.
Photography Note: The best time to see these Munduk waterfalls in all of their splendour is in the middle of the rainy season (January to February). However, we visited in August and there was still plenty of water and greenery for that perfect capture.
The waterfalls you will see during the waterfall hike are:
- Munduk Waterfalls also known as Red Coral Waterfall – Often the name for this waterfall is interchanged causing some confusion but they are the same waterfall. The closest to the main village and the most easily accessed and our favourite waterfall that we explored!
- Accessing the waterfall? A short walk downhill from the car park with a few stairs so fairly easy to access.
- Cost? 20000 IDR
- Labuhan Kebo Waterfall
- Accessing the waterfall? Fifteen minutes or so further on from Munduk Waterfall via a fairly easy hike.
- Cost? 10000 IDR
- Laan Melanting Waterfall
- Accessing the waterfall? This waterfall is accessed via almost 500 steps but the waterfall in all of its splendour is more than worth it.
- Cost? 10000 IDR
- Golden Vally Waterfall
- Accessing the waterfall? Fairly easy access from near the entrance of Munduk waterfall or you can start the hike there and follow the route around instead of ending it there. However, visiting the Eco Cafe at the end of the hike means most people opt to end the hike at the Golden Valley waterfall.
- Cost? 10000 IDR
TIP: There is a beautiful cafe right near the Golden Valley waterfall called Eco Cafe and they offer delicious vegetarian meals with a gorgeous view, the perfect way to end the hike!
2. Munduk Moding Coffee Plantation
Munduk Bali is home to many picture-perfect coffee plantations and Munduk Moding plantation is the only working coffee plantation in Bali and sells ethically sourced coffee that is also organic.
The coffee beans here are ethically sourced from wild luwak which means it’s not only sustainable but also ethical unlike many of the other plantations around Bali where there are often force-fed and overweight captive Luwaks in cages.
So this is the perfect place if you want to try ethically sourced Luwak coffee beans.
Munduk Moding Plantation also offers accommodation and features a stunning infinity pool.
Important: During your trip to Bali you will likely see many signs saying “Luwak Coffee” and often you can even see the captive Luwaks in cages or on tables. Please do not support this practice as it is facilitating poor conditions for these Kopi Luwaks and no quality of life and supporting a highly unethical and inhumane process.
3. Admire the Great Banyan Tree
This huge 700-year-old Banyan tree can be found at Gesing village, 5 minutes from Munduk Village centre and is easy to find.
The Giant Tree is approximately 700 years old and 85 m high and has a maze of roots that grow out and up (by approximately 70 metres!) creating a canopy underneath the tree.
The tree is said to have a special spirit that lives in it that will grant your wishes.
It was pretty incredible standing under a tree that had been growing for so many years!
4. Twin Lake Viewpoint
The viewpoints along the main road in Munduk offer various incredible vantage points overlooking Tamblingan Lake and Buyan Lake.
Surrounded by rainforest and green lush trees it is no wonder the lakes attract tourists daily! There are several viewpoints and photography opportunities as you drive along the main road, some are free, and some are not.
There are the usual suspects of bird nests and swings being managed by locals and for a small fee, you can take advantage of this amazing view and get your perfect Instagram shot!
If like us you prefer a quieter spot then fear not, there are plenty of pit stops along the road with simply stunning views of the lakes.
5. Trekking
Trekking is the most popular activity in Munduk and it’s not a surprise with its wealth of lakes, waterfalls, coffee plantations and rice paddies!
There are many hikes and treks you can do including the beautiful Munduk Waterfalls Hike and Munduk Village Centre to the Twin Lake Viewpoint.
There are also treks further afield such as the short hike to Leke Leke waterfalls (60 minutes drive from Munduk) or the trek through the Banyu Wana Amertha waterfalls which is just 20 minutes out of the Munduk Bali centre.
Performing a simple Google search will instantly bring up various routes for you to explore. You can also do organised treks and hikes if that’s your preference!
Best Munduk Bali Trekking Tours: Offering free cancellation and reserve now & pay later!
6. Ulun Danu Beratan Water Temple
Ulun Danu Bratan Temple, whilst not actually in Munduk, you drive right past this beautiful lake and temple on your way to Munduk if you are travelling North and it’s worth a pit stop.
Known as one of Bali’s most picturesque spots is Ulun Danu Bratan Temple which sits proudly in the middle of the lake.
Mountains dominate the background and the temple complex is beautifully landscaped with well-manicured gardens and beautiful bright flowers.
This was one of the most unique and exquisite temples we saw during our time in Bali.
The entrance cost is just 75’000 rupiah.
7. Munduk Terraces
Bali is famous for its stunning rice fields and the Instagrammable and most popular Tegallalang rice terraces in Ubud whilst there is no denying its beauty, are becoming more and more overrun with tourists.
Bali is home to many beautiful rice terraces including the UNESCO world heritage site of Jatiluwah terraces (90 minutes from Munduk Village) and Munduk Rice Terraces located less than a mile from the village centre.
Munduk Rice terraces have a fraction of the visitors that Tegallalang but still retain that iconic landscape Bali is so well known for.
8. The Handara Gate
The Handara Gate is one of the most famous Instagram photography spots In Bali and is set on the main road that takes you up to Munduk from Ubud.
You only need to google this impressive-looking gate to find many picture-perfect Instagram shots!
Make sure to arrive early as this spot is usually extremely busy with tourists all waiting for that perfect picture.
9. Wanagiri Hidden Hills
Just a short drive up from the famous Handarda gate you will find the epic views of the Wanagiri hidden hills decorated with swings, bird nests and other carefully crafted Instagram props to get that perfect photo!
However, if you are looking for a quiet spot, this may not be the place for you as it is often extremely busy with tourists and most of the photo spots do come with a price.
10. Eat at the local Warungs
We enjoyed some incredible food at the local restaurants in Munduk in Bali, locally called Warungs. Freshly cooked noodles and rice and lots of vegetarian options for a fraction of the price we had paid in Ubud.
Most of the warungs also have a very chilled vibe and some stunning views to go with them!
We also loved the fact that by eating at local warungs we are directly supporting the locals rather than eating at some of the big chains in larger towns in Bali.
11. Banjar Hot Springs
Banjar Hot Springs is just a half-hour drive from Munduk Village and is the ideal place to visit if you are looking for a few hours to relax and enjoy some Balinese tranquillity.
A trip here can also be paired with a visit to Lovina and its beach as the journey from Munduk naturally passed the hot springs.
The entrance fee is just 20000 IDR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to stay in Munduk Bali?
For a small mountain village in Northern Bali, Munduk has a plethora of beautiful accommodation options from guest houses to luxury resorts.
Munduk Moding Coffee Plantation also has a beautiful hotel and resort on-site and is famed for its gorgeous infinity pool.
Whatever your budget you will easily find a choice that you are happy with in Munduk village.
Munduk Accommodation
How to get around Munduk Bali?
Much of Munduk is walkable with many of the main attractions nearby. However, if you have opted for a bike, car or private driver then the roads are well paved and this makes it even easier to get to and from each point of interest.
Whilst there is not an extensive public transport network the area is serviced by a local company called Munduk taxis.
How far is Munduk from Ubud?
Munduk in Bali is less than two hours from Ubud and one of the prettiest drives we experienced whilst travelling to Bali. Passing gorgeous rice terraces and mountain landscapes the time passed much quicker than we had expected.
How to get from Ubud to Munduk Bali
Munduk is not well-serviced by public transport so the easiest way to get there would be by car or bike.
Please keep in mind that the roads to get to Munduk are very hilly so unless you have experience and a licence riding a motorbike it may not be the safest option.
Hiring a car is a safe and fairly inexpensive option in Bali or if you would prefer to hire a driver for the day which is the option we chose, then this is also easy to arrange.
Book your private driver here – Full Day Customisable Tour in Bali
How many days do you need in Munduk in Bali?
We only spent the day there which was not long enough to experience and see everything that Munduk Village had to offer.
If you want to try and visit all of the waterfalls and local sights then 2-3 days would be a more suitable time frame, but Munduk is one of those places you feel you could stay forever!
What to see between Ubud and Munduk?
The drive between Ubud and Munduk is a beautiful drive with gorgeous landscapes and lots to see along the way.
On the way to Munduk Village you will pass Ulun Danu Bretan Water Temple and shortly after the Wanagiri Hills photo spots.
Another epic destination to visit in Northern Bali is Mount Batur which is a few hours from Munduk and can be visited via a detour from Ubud.
Is Munduk in Bali worth visiting?
In our opinion, Munduk Bali is absolutely worth visiting!
Whilst it’s a smaller area than some other towns in Bali, this is exactly the reason we would recommend you visit. It’s located in the gorgeous Balinese mountains with epic views, stunning waterfalls and lots of local warungs and has retained more of the Balinese culture and daily way of life. We felt as if we were experiencing the real Bali.
Is Munduk better than Ubud?
This is of course a matter of opinion and subjective but if we had to choose between the two, we would choose Munduk over Ubud.
As lovers of photography and beautiful landscapes and less so of huge crowds and westernised tourist spots Munduk ticked all of the boxes.
It felt like a Balinese hidden gem.
Munduk in Bali – Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Munduk Village is stunning and is vastly underrated. There is so much to see and do and the views are breathtaking.
The journey is just full of surprises and the natural beauty of this mountainous region is not to be missed.
We left Munduk that day not wanting to leave and still can confidently say it was our favourite day out of our entire 2 weeks spent in beautiful Bali.
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