Author: Matt and Danielle
18 April 2023
Sidemen and Munduk are among our favourite places in Bali. They are definitely less explored than some of the more popular parts of the island but are still home to some of the most beautiful sights. Sidemen is a small village where you can cruise around the beautiful rice terraces and visit amazing waterfalls. For the best waterfalls though? That's Munduk. Munduk is high in the mountains in North Bali and is where you can find the tallest waterfall on the island. Both are full of incredible things to do and here we will run through everything so your Bali trip can live up to the expectations you have in mind.
Both of these are BEA-UTI-FUL and underrated parts of Bali that you must visit...and here is exactly why.
Sidemen Valley is one of our all-time favourite places in Bali. We fell in love with the area simply while driving around, because there is so much natural beauty. It's a small quiet town located in East Bali that is around 30 minutes away from Ubud. We like to think of it as being the real Bali, as it's probably the picture-perfect image of what you have in your mind before you arrive on the island. Being quite central on the island there isn't a beach, but there are still lots of amazing things to do in Sidemen.
Work your way up the steps and eventually, you'll reach a little natural infinity pool overlooking Sidemen Valley. The best time to visit would be early morning to give you the best chance of having it all to yourself. After enjoying the water and taking pictures with the stunning Sidemen views, you can climb some more steps for an even better view. At the top is a platform where you can look out at the beauty of Sidemen, and take it all in. It's an incredible view.
One of the best views you'll find of the rice paddies, fields and the awe-inspiring Mount Agung. Lahangan Sweet is about an hour's drive from Sidemen, and one of the best things to do in East Bali. The view is incredible and the tree house and platform make for amazing pictures. Use Google Maps to help you get there, and take it easy because the road near the end gets a little ropey.
Add this to your Sidemen Bali itinerary, because it was a super fun day filled with delicious food too. What more could you want?! You can do a cooking class in other places but for us, the best is the Sidemen region. You'll be cooking up some Balinese classics in no time, and have a stunning view while doing so.
Book your Sidemen cooking class here.
Whitewater rafting in Sidemen is the best we have ever tried...it is so much fun! It was almost all white water the entire way around, compared to many others which are more of a lazy river in comparison. We booked a trip with some friends and all had a blast. We were jumping in, navigating the rapids, standing under waterfalls and taking in the amazing views all around Sidemen, Bali.
Once you're done cruising the river you can then head to a nearby coffee plantation. We tried a bunch of amazing coffees, but our favourite was avocado coffee!
When you visit Sidemen you have to stop by a silver jeweller to make your own jewellery. Bali is one of the cheapest places where you can get high-quality silver jewellery made at a fraction of the cost back home. You may as well make use of it! Learning how to make it yourself also adds extra sentimental value. There are a few places you can visit outside the village, like the class linked above. If you want something closer to the centre of Sidemen then Agung Silver is also very good.
Besikah, the mother temple as it's known, is an impressive Balinese temple and the largest Hindu temple in Bali. It's only a 10km drive from Sidemen village, so it's very easy to get to. No visit to Sidemen would be complete without marvelling at the impressive manmade structure. It sits on one of the highest peaks on Mount Agung and has very high religious significance. The temple is a huge part of Balinese culture. It has even survived catastrophic natural events such as volcano eruptions, which has made it even more sacred.
Sidemen isn't somewhere you need to search far and wide to find natural beauty. It's all around you. The best thing you can do is cruise around, and pull over when you see a break through the palm trees to the valley below. It's a region full of immense sights, and any small drive around will unveil them to you.
Samanvaya - This is our favourite hotel in Sidemen! It's a beautiful resort where you can stay in a bamboo house tucked away in the rice fields. They have a few different places that you can stay in the resort...but the best? The Rice Barn. It has to be the most incredible private villa Sidemen offers, or at least one of them anyway. You can wake up every morning and hop in the crystal clear water in your own plunge pool. Here you can sip your morning coffee while looking at the breathtaking views as the sun lights up the rice terraces right in front of you. It's incredible.
Uma Agung - Looking for more budget accommodation in Sidemen, but still want the incredible nature and views? This is it. We found Uma Agung to be one of the cheaper places to stay in Sidemen, Bali, and it's almost next door to Samanvaya. While you don't get the same luxury hotel feel that the Samanvaya resort offers, you still get wonderful views. You can't beat having all the raw natural beauty Sidemen offers at a fraction of the cost.
Take a look at Booking.com for more incredible places to stay in Sidemen.
The village of Sidemen is a beautiful place. It's raw, unfiltered and breathtaking Bali at its finest. Being tucked away also means that things in Sidemen cost less. Compared to places like Canggu and Ubud, Sidemen is cheap. Here are a few other tips that should help when you're planning your Bali travel itinerary, and you're looking to go to Sidemen:
The best time to visit Sidemen? Being quite central in Bali you will want to visit Sidemen during the Dry season. There is a pretty good 6-month window from May to October when you have the best chance of having good weather.
The best way to explore Sidemen Bali? We would recommend hiring a scooter. It's by far the best way to find all the incredible views surrounding Sidemen. Spend a few days driving around the fields and up the mountains to get incredible vantage points that look out at the valley of Sidemen. It's magical.
Where to Eat In Sidemen? We visited Sidemen when Indonesia was still closed to tourists. That meant that quieter places like this didn't have too many food options open yet. For the best restaurants in Sidemen, we would recommend going for a wander through the village and seeing what looks great. We ate at a small Thai warung called Warung Ume Anyar a lot, which was delicious!
Munduk is located high in North Bali and full of incredible mountain views and the most amazing waterfalls on the island. If you're looking for the best things to do in Bali then you have to visit Munduk! It's like Sidemen in the sense that it is full of raw natural beauty, and it is definitely more like the Bali of old. It's very high in the mountains of Northern Bali, which means it can be quite cold at times. We were surprised to feel the cold after exploring the rest of the island of Bali. If you're looking to spend a few days in Munduk then here are all the places you cannot miss.
This stunning waterfall is about an hour's drive from Munduk, and further into the North of Bali. It is the tallest waterfall in Bali at 262ft so definitely a spot to add to your trip to Munduk. It's 250,000 IDR for a guide that takes you on the hike. You go down past a viewpoint where you get an amazing view of Sekumpul as well as 2 others nearby.
The trek continues down another 200+ steps and towards Hidden Waterfall, and then Sekumpul. It's an amazing waterfall that is definitely worth the trek down. It's an awesome sight once you're down there.
Not only one of our favourite waterfalls in Munduk but one of the best Bali waterfalls! Banyumala Waterfall is beautiful. It's a little bit of a hike down, and we would recommend getting there early so you have some privacy. There are a few bridges which make for immense pictures with the breathtaking waterfall behind you. We perched our camera on our tripod on the red bridge but had to act fast as we heard monkeys in the distance! Luckily no cameras or monkeys were harmed during our photo shoot! It's around a 30 minute drive from Munduk, so not too difficult.
We visited this waterfall on our second trip to Munduk and fell in love with it immediately. It's very different to most of the waterfalls we have seen in Bali, which is one reason you need to visit. The other is because it's beautiful!
Unlike Banyumala Waterfall, you couldn't stick around here for a whole day. There aren't too many places to rest and relax, but you can definitely enjoy it for a short while before moving on. You can also get some amazing pictures here.
Not much further than Banyumala you can find Gitgit Waterfall. This tall, towering fall cuts straight through a densely packed jungle, and down into a glorious pool below. It's easier to reach than other waterfalls around the highlands of northern Bali. It can be a little confusing to reach as there are a few places on maps that show Gitgit Waterfall. A top tip is to head to the one marked as the car parking area. There is a 20,000 IDR entrance fee and they may try and get you to hire a guide, but you don't need one for this.
This is a lesser-known waterfall in the Munduk region, and you can actually see it as part of a four Munduk waterfalls trek. It starts at Golden Valley Waterfall and you make your way through Munduk Waterfall (Red Coral Waterfall), Labuhano Kebo Waterfall and Laangan Waterfall. It's a great way to tick off a few falls around Munduk in one day.
More waterfalls?! We know. It's easy to get a little waterfall'd out at this point, but Leke Leke is worth it. It's in between Ubud and Munduk, so you could do it from either. It's an easy 15 minute walk down to the fall and one of the most popular places to visit in Bali. If you're travelling to Munduk from Ubud then it's a great opportunity to stop along your route. It's a tall impressive waterfall tucked away in the mountainous jungle.
This Munduk Waterfall is a bit further afield, but still worth the trip. It's about 60 minutes away from Munduk Village, but worth the drive. You can pay for a guide who will take you on a short, medium or long trek or pay the 20,000 IDR entrance fee and explore the area on your own.
Pura Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is a famous temple built in and surrounded by Tamblingan Lake. It's full of Balinese culture, architecture and serene nature. The entrance fee is 50,000 IDR which is a small price to see such an iconic place. Take a walk around the beautiful lake and botanic gardens here for a delightful morning or afternoon. It gets very busy, so if you can make it during morning, then it might be a little more peaceful.
Since it's tucked away in the mountains of Bali you are guaranteed some epic views when driving through the heart of Munduk. Just driving along the main mountain road where you see Twin Lakes also comes with incredible sights of the Munduk region. There are cafes aligning the long stretch of road where you can sip some Bali coffee and take in the views. The concrete platform where people get pictures can sometimes be overrun by tourists. Arrive early in the morning for the best chance at getting some awesome photos.
There are plenty of things that draw visitors to Bali. It can be beaches, waterfalls, views, food, culture...and swings with scenic views! There are a lot of spots in Bali that have adopted this and added swings to lookouts. Wanagiri Hidden Hills may or may not have been the first, but it is one of the most beautiful. Everyone wants a picture on the swing overlooking Lake Buyan. It's also just a short 15 minute drive away from Munduk Center, so very easy to reach.
Munduk Moding Plantation - One of the most popular places to stay when people are heading to Munduk. It's not just one of the best coffee plantations in Munduk but in all of Bali! It's a beautiful resort where you can stay in a breathtaking bamboo villa tucked away in the mountains of Munduk.
Made Oka - The place for anyone travelling Bali on a budget. You're perfectly placed to explore the stunning waterfalls, views and culture around Munduk. The view from your bed alone is fantastic! You can wake up every morning to the picturesque mountains and rice fields. All while helping your money stretch a little further. It's one of the more affordable options in Munduk and it doesn't sacrifice breathtaking views to save you money.
Take a look at Booking.com for more incredible places to stay in Munduk
Munduk is truly wonderful and somewhere you can see a more authentic side of Bali. We hope we've convinced you to go to Munduk and explore the much more rural side of Bali. A few other things to know when you get here:
The best way to get around Munduk? Because it's more rural it can be difficult to get around using apps like Grab or Gojec which are common in other areas of Bali. We used a scooter to get to Munduk and then for getting around too, and recommend that as the best option. If you want to explore the area and see the top things then you need to drive. As mentioned above, some of the more popular waterfalls can be an hour away from Munduk. Being able to hop on your scooter in the morning and get there on your own time is invaluable! And will help you get these places all to yourself.
The best time to visit Munduk? Without a doubt, the best time to visit Munduk Bali is during the Dry season. Being so high in the mountains and on the northern side of the island means it can get cold and wet. If you visit during the rainy season in Bali then you would likely struggle to see all the best things in the area. Make sure to plan your next trip to Bali so that you arrive in Munduk at the best time.
Where to eat in Munduk? Similar to our experience in Sidemen above, we visited when very little tourism was on the island. It meant a lot of places were shut while waiting for things to become busier. We have no doubt that there is a bunch of amazing places to eat located in Munduk, and we can't wait to head back and check them out.
We hope this guide to Sidemen and Munduk helps you when planning your epic trip to this incredible island. Both have immense natural beauty and we can't wait to explore them even more when we arrive in Bali again. Sidemen feels more serene and like it's a slower pace of life whereas Munduk is home to the most breathtaking waterfalls and mountain views. We would recommend both in a heartbeat for anyone looking to really explore Bali.
If you want more information on Bali, a complete Bali itinerary and guide check out our blog here.
Looking for more information on different places in Bali? Check out our other blogs and guides here.
Have we given you the travel bug? Book your flights, accommodation and travel insurance all here.
This blog may contain affiliate links. If you book or buy something through these links, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you).
Travel