Exploring Munduk and Lovina Bali

Explore the small villages of Munduk and Lovina in northern Bali to see serene and tranquil Lake Tamblingan, trek to waterfalls nestled on jungle hillsides, visit remote temples not seen by many tourists, experience traditional hot springs, see a monastery, and more, all while experiencing incredible Balinese hospitality and local culture. It’s also a great way to escape the heat and tourists of Ubud, Kuta, and other hot spots.

Exploring Munduk Bali

Munduk, in the lush, green, mountainous northern region of central Bali, is about an hour and a half drive from Ubud and two from Kuta. With a population of about 6,000, it’s refreshingly quiet, and with an elevation of about 2,400’ (748 m), it’s cooler and offers beautiful views of the countryside.

About Munduk

The locals mainly farm rice, coffee, cloves and vanilla, but there are also vegetable and flower farms, the latter growing the flowers for the offerings that the people of Bali make daily.

The air of the small hillside villages is rich with the smell the cloves and vanilla, along with the incense that’s almost always burning in the local temples.

Being in the mountains, it’s often cloudy here, but the dense air, casts a beautiful serenity over the area.

Most of the shops and restaurants are locally owned and not geared towards tourists, providing a charming glimpse into Balinese culture.

You can choose from luxury villas with stunning views to reasonably priced homestays with great ones. I found a charming, very affordable homestay at the peak of town overlooking the valley called Aditya Homestay. Breakfast was usually pancakes and coffee on the balcony below. Not only was it delicious, but the staff was super welcoming and gracious.

Aditya Homestay grows and roasts their own coffee, which was drying on the balcony on a large tarp while I was there (and tasted incredible)!

Plus, since they want to encourage more tourism, the staff went out of their way to make my stay pleasant. I have to admit though, I find the people of Bali to be very gracious and pleasant everywhere, they’re just extra sweet here.

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Just east of Aditya is Umah De Madya & Rooftop De Mady, which offers a very small basic room with views that look stunning. It does not get rating as as high as Aditya Homestay, but provides another option.

Honestly, there are not many other places centrally located in Munduk with reviews as high as Aditya.

Top Things To See And Do In Munduk

Wander The Winding Streets of Munduk

Wandering the winding streets of Munduk to get a first-hand view of the culture. See locals going about their day, like Balinese women creating the baskets for their daily offerings, a very important part of their culture.

You’ll find the locals to be very friendly and the children will want to show off the perfect English they’re learning by waving and saying ‘hello’, which is super charming.

Explore the little restaurants, or warungs, dotting the landscape. Some of the hilltop locations offer stunning views of the area. It all feels a bit heavenly after the chaos and zooming motorbikes of Ubud.

Visit Tamblingan Lake, Munduk

Lake Tamblingan, and its beautiful, ancient Balinese temples are the highlight of the area. Lake Tamblingan, in Munduk, sits at the foot of Mount Lesung, a bit farther away from most accommodations. It’s purposely set up this way as it’s not intended to be a tourist attraction, but it’s very worth the effort to visit.

Tamblingan is the smallest of three lakes, along with lake Buyan and Beratan, which are in the caldera of an old volcano. Lake Tamblingan is closest to Munduk, but if you have time, visit all three.

I chose to trek to Tanmblingan from my homestay. There are no signs, and much of the trek goes through thickly wooded hillsides, so use GPS to get there. I downloaded the map of Bali on maps.me in advance. This is great, as once downloaded, you can follow the trail wifi free.

My Trek To Lake Tamblingan

My walk took about 2 hours. I was a little nervous about trekking solo in really remote areas, but, thankfully, it was fine. You will need to make your own risk decisions as I cannot promise the same, but think the Balinese are very honorable.

Along the way I walked past a school where class had recently finished. As not many tourists are up in this area, the kids walking home were very curious about me.

There were 4 ahead of me that kept turning to say ‘good morning’ and waving. At one point, one of them said something (probably about me being a monster or something) and they all got spooked and ran up ahead. It wasn’t long, however, before their curiosity got the better of them and they stopped, and waited for me to catch up. After this, we walked together as a group. They offered me their candy and we shared names and small talk until we got to their hillside homes. Their parents seemed a bit surprised I was tagging along, but smiled and waved.

If you have less time, look into renting a scooter, or hiring a driver for the day. If you decide to rent a scooter, make sure to get a helmet. You’ll also need an International Driving Permit (IDP), which you need to get from your home country, as well as your drivers license. A driver and guide would cost around $50 for a day. Your accommodation will be able to help you with this if you choose.

Tamblingan Lake Temples

There are several Balinese temples around the lake, or puras. I visited Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan, the highlight of my visit in the Munduk and Lovina areas. The lake, and its temples, are even more remote than the village of Munduk, so don’t be surprised if you’re the only one there. For most of my visit here I was, only seeing one or two others. Again, it’s not designed to be a tourist attraction, plus it adds to it’s charm. The downside, however, is that it’s a bit challenging to get there and learn much about it.

I honestly wish I could share some history, but I could not find any information on this beautiful place.

Electric boats are forbidden on the lake, so locals use dug-out canoes to get around. You will likely find several of them at the edge of the lake by the temple.

On the way back, I followed the road instead of trekking the jungle and stumbled upon, and stopped at a local restaurant to enjoy the charming hospitality that I found everywhere else in the island.

Other temples at Lake Tamblingan include: Pura Dalem Tamblingan and Pura Pande Tamblingan, as well as a few others scattered around.

At Lake Buyan there is Pura Ulun Danu Buyan, one of the most picturesque temples in Bali. There is also Pura Tajun, Pura Beji Pancasari, and Pura Desa Lan Puseh Wanagiri.

At Lake Beratan there is Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, a popular and beautiful temple located in the Lake. There’s also Tunjung Beji Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, Pura Penataran Agung Ulun Danu Beratan, Pura Puseh Lan Desa, and more. If you want to explore more than one, talk to your homestay or villa about hiring a guide for the day.

Waterfalls In Munduk

There are also several waterfalls to visit in the village of Munduk, with the most popular being Munduk Waterfall. If you want to see more, also look for Labuhan Kebo waterfall, Red Coral waterfall, Melanting waterfall, and Golden Valley waterfall in the same vicinity.

They’re all nestled in a heavily wooded area with trails that are not easy to follow and not well groomed. If you don’t have a local or guide to help you find them, download the map on maps.me when you have wifi and it will be easier to trek to them from town.

How to Get To Munduk

A rental car or scooter is a convenient option. You will need an International Drivers Permit (obtained from your home country) as well as your regular drivers license to do so. If that is not something you want to do, check with your homestay or villa, as they may offer pick up from Ubud or other towns at a fairly reasonable cost.

The least expensive option is a shuttle, Perama. There is an option from Ubud to Munduk in Bali for about $12/ person (and Lovina for about $17). Unfortunately, the minimum purchase option online is for 2 adults. I suggest buying the ticket from the office in Ubud if you only need 1.

Exploring Lovina Bali And Surrounding Area (Northern Bali)

Lovina is about a 30-40 minute drive north of Munduk, on the northern coast of Bali, and another great area to visit. It’s also about 3 miles (5 km) west of Singaraja, the former colonial administrative capital of Bali.

This quiet coastal town has several small villages along the main road, with the main town known as Kalibukuk. The villages are fringed with about 5 miles of black sand beaches and calm water that is safe for swimming. Many of these beaches, however, are a bit narrow, and being black, some look dirty. This also means there will be fewer tourists (although it can get busy in peak season here too). There are also a few resorts and spas in the area, along with several cafes.

Top Things To See And Do In Lovina And Surrounding Area

Dolphin Watching

Lovina is known for dolphin watching, making it one of the most popular things to do here. Several companies on Trip Advisor and Viator offer tours for this, although beware, as it can get congested at peak times. Ask about this before you book.

Waterfalls Near Lovina

Sekumpul Waterfall

The entrance fee ranges from 20,000 IDR (about $1.5) for just viewing the falls, while the track and guide can range from 125,000 (about $10) to 200,000 (about $15) depending on what’s involved. The later includes a donation to the local village, the guide, and two additional falls in the area. Keep in mind that it takes about 30-minutes to hike down to the waterfalls, and the path can be steep and slippery. If this is not your thing, just pay for the viewing.

Once down, you can swim and enjoy the area, so make sure you bring your suit and towels.

Aling Aling Waterfall

The twin waterfalls, or Aling Aling, is a little closer to Lovina, about a 20-minute drive. This area is known for its cliff jumping and waterfall slide, another one of the highlights of the Munduk and Lovina region of Bali. Especially if you like adventure.

There are 3 different places to jump, each successively steeper. Kroya is a 16′ (5 m) jump off a cement platform. Kembar is next at 32′ (10 m). If you want an even bigger challenge, Pucuk is 49′ (15 m). There is also a waterfall that can be experienced as a slide! Of course, you can always opt to just watch.

It’s about 10,000 IDR (less than $1) just for viewing the falls, and 120,000 (about $9) for jumping and the guide. A guide is 100% recommended for jumping. Seriously. They know the area best and can advise on safety concerns.

Git Git Waterfall

Air Panas Banjar – Hot Springs

The entrance fee is 20,000 IDR, or about $1.50, half that for children. Note that some recommend not wearing white, or light colored bathing suits in the water as they may discolor.

Brahma Vihara Arama Buddhist Monastery

You need to wear a sarong and sash, which you can borrow at the entrance.

Where To Stay In Lovina

The place I stayed at changed names (and maybe ownership) to Lovina Vibes Hotel. It’s a very inexpensive, and simple place. It was just OK. I honestly did not think the location was the best as there were not ,any cafes nearby and it’s located between Lovina Beach and Penimbangan Beach, about a 45-minute walk to each.

Another place that looks much better is Rumah Askara. It gets great reviews for location (it’s a 5-minute walk to Lovina Beach) and for its helpful staff. Plus is very inexpensive.

If you want an affordable beachfront location, look at 1000 Dream Bungalow. It looks very charming, has very good reviews and some rooms offer ocean views. It’s about a 15-minute walk to Penimbangan Beach.

If you want a beachfront location that’s more upscale and can host a group of people, look at Villa Spice House Inn Upstairs or Villa Spice House Inn Downstairs. These 3 bedroom villas offer sea views and has a shuttle service. It really looks fantastic! It’s within walking distance of Lovina Beach.

How To Get To Lovina

As noted above, if renting a car or scooter, make sure you get an international drivers license from your home country. You also need to carry your regular drivers license (i have read that local police often stop tourists to check). You can also check with your homestay or villa to see if they offer pick service, although a taxi between Munduk and Lovina, Bali is relatively inexpensive since it is not far if coming from Munduk.

The least expensive option is a shuttle, Perama. There is an option from Ubud to Lovina for about $17. Unfortunately, the minimum purchase option is for 2 adults. I suggest buying the ticket from the office in Ubud if you only need 1. There does not seem to be a shuttle between Munduk and Lovina, Bali, but I suggest asking at the office as they may accommodate you.

If you’ve visited Munduk and Lovina, or surrounding area in Bali, please leave a comment below to share your experience!

Want To Read More About Bali?

To read more about Ubud, and what to do here, see Best Things To Do In Ubud: Top Sites And Sacred Places. From treasured, ancient temples, to vibrant traditional dance performances, galleries and museums showcasing local artists, many yoga centers, spas, and much more, there’s tons to see and do. You can also experience the Top 4 Fields Walks in Ubud, for a serene get away from Ubud’s chaotic streets.

Or read about my homestay with an extended Balinese family in Ubud, here, the perfect way to get an inside look at local customs and culture, or my post on a cremation ceremony I was invited to in Ubud. I know it sounds a bit morbid, but it’s really a fascinating celebration of life, as well a sending-off of the soul for rebirth.

To see some of Bali’s more exotic beaches, visit Uluwatu on Bali’s southwestern coast. There are several amazing beaches here located at the base of tropical clifftops, many known for their surfing. But there are also many rooms with amazing views overlooking the Indian Ocean here, as well as great yoga and more delicious food choices.

For an overview of all highlights of Bali, as well as logistics like safety, scams, money matters, and more, see my Ultimate Bali Travel Guide.

Safe Travels!

To learn more about me and my thoughts on travel, see my about me page.

Note: If you’ve visited Munduk and Lovina, or surrounding area in Bali, please leave a comment below to share your experience!