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Munduk
Cool highlands, waterfalls & coffee (North Bali)
About Munduk
Munduk is a hill village about 800 m up on the northern slopes of the central highlands, just below the twin lakes of Buyan and Tamblingan. The air is cool, the hillsides are planted with cloves, coffee and rice, and trails lead to some of Bali's prettiest waterfalls. The lakeside temple of Ulun Danu Beratan is about half an hour away.
Best for: Hikers, nature lovers & anyone escaping the heat
- Munduk waterfall
- Twin lakes
- Coffee & clove plantations
- Jungle treks
Munduk at a glance
- Beach: None (0/5). No beach; the north coast is about 40 minutes downhill.
- Nightlife: None (0/5). None.
- Prices: $ · Budget. Cheap: homestays, simple warungs and a few mid-range lodges.
- To the airport: 78 km · 2–2½ h. By road to Bali airport (DPS), in usual traffic.
- Climate: Cool · 800 m
Ratings
- Calm-water swimming: None (0/5)
- Surfing: None (0/5)
- Diving & snorkeling: None (0/5)
- Sunsets: Fair (2/5)
- Restaurants & cafés: Poor (1/5)
- Culture & temples: Fair (2/5)
- Nature & landscapes: Excellent (5/5)
- Yoga & wellness: Good (3/5)
- Family-friendly: Good (3/5)
- Peace & quiet: Excellent (5/5)
- Remote work: Poor (1/5)
- Walkability: Fair (2/5)
Rated from 0 (none) to 5 (excellent), compared with Bali's other areas.
Resorts in Munduk
- Sanak Retreat Bali: Buleleng, from about $150 a night
- Munduk Moding Plantation: Buleleng, from about $150 a night
Sights in Munduk
- Ulun Danu Beratan Temple (temple). Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is a water temple on Lake Beratan near Bedugul, dedicated to Dewi Danu, the goddess of the lake whose water feeds the rice fields below. Its tiered shrines stand on small islands just off the shore, often with mist coming down from the hills. Tour groups arrive from mid-morning, so it is calmest early; at about 1,200 m the air is cool.
- Munduk Waterfall (waterfall). Munduk Waterfall, also called Red Coral, is a tall, narrow waterfall in a forested ravine on the edge of Munduk village. A short path of steps leads down from the road, and longer trails connect it with the Melanting and Labuhan Kebo falls for a half-day walk. Paths are slippery after rain, which is frequent in these hills, so good shoes help.
- Lake Tamblingan (nature). Lake Tamblingan is the smallest and quietest of the three crater lakes in the highlands above Munduk, ringed by protected forest. Local boatmen take visitors out in dugout canoes, and small old temples, including Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan, stand along the shore. Mornings are often misty and cool, so bring a warm layer.
- Bali Botanic Garden (park). The Bali Botanic Garden at Candikuning, founded in 1959, covers more than 150 hectares of cool hillside above Lake Beratan. Lawns and forest paths lead to collections of orchids, ferns, begonias and cacti. On weekends it fills with picnicking local families; cars can drive in, which helps on such a large site.
- Bali Farm House (wildlife). Bali Farm House is a farm park in Pancasari, in the cool Bedugul highlands, opened in 2024 on almost five hectares. Alpacas, Shetland ponies, donkeys, horses, emus, ostriches, goats, peacocks, rabbits and guinea pigs live in its paddocks and pens, and visitors can feed them, ride the ponies and picnic beside them, with a play area for children.