Banyumala Waterfall

Most people build their Bali itinerary around Ubud and the south coast, and then maybe squeeze in a day trip north if there's time. If you're one of those people, let me make the case for actually setting aside a proper day for it, because Banyumala is the kind of waterfall that makes the drive worth it on its own. I built a few days into my Bali trip specifically for the north, passing through the Munduk area, which is loaded with waterfalls if you know where to look. Banyumala was the one I picked, and it turned out to be one of the most pleasant waterfalls I saw on the whole island. Here's what it's actually like to visit. Getting There Takes a Bit of Commitment Banyumala Twin Waterfalls sit near Wanagiri, in the Buleleng Regency of North Bali, close to Munduk and not far from Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan. If you're coming from Ubud or Canggu, you're looking at roughly a two-hour drive. From Singaraja it's closer to an hour, and from Munduk itself it's only about 30 minutes. The road up is part of the experience, honestly. You'll wind through rice terraces, climb through the hills, and take a fair number of tight, continuous curves before you even reach the parking area. It's not a difficult drive, but it's not a lazy one either. If you're not confident on a scooter, hire a driver for this one. The Walk Down From the parking area, it's a gentle downhill path for roughly five minutes, followed by a steeper stretch of stairs for another ten or so, cutting straight through rainforest the whole way. In total you're looking at somewhere between fifteen and thirty minutes depending on your pace and the source you read, and honestly, walking through that much untouched jungle is a big part of the appeal on its own. It's not a hard hike by any stretch. There's no scrambling, no ropes, nothing technical. But do wear proper shoes, because parts of the path get muddy and slippery, especially after rain, and normal sandals won't cut it. More Than One Waterfall Down There Here's something a lot of people miss. Most visitors get to the bottom, see the big main waterfall, take their photos, and head straight back up. That's a mistake, because Banyumala earns its "Twin" name for a reason. Head off to the side from the main viewing area and you'll find a second waterfall, calmer and less dramatic, but with a gentler pool that's genuinely better if you actually want to swim rather than just pose for a photo. Keep exploring a little further and you'll come across smaller streams and trickles feeding into the same valley, which most people never bother to see. Give yourself the extra fifteen minutes. It's worth it. Yes, You Can Swim, and Yes, It's Cold There's a wide natural pool right at the base of the main fall, and it's genuinely swimmable, not just a shallow puddle for wading. Bring your swimsuit. That said, manage your expectations on temperature. The water is properly cold, this is mountain runoff, not a tropical beach, and the air up here can turn chilly fast if the sun disappears behind clouds. Bali's weather in the hills is a lot more changeable than it is down on the coast. I went around midday and it was reasonably busy without ever feeling crowded. By the time afternoon rolled around, most people had cleared out and I had long stretches of the pool almost to myself. The Entrance Fee (and a Word of Warning) Banyumala is looked after by the local village, and unsurprisingly, someone will stop you at the entrance to sell you a ticket. Prices reported by different visitors range anywhere from 20,000 to 50,000 IDR per person, and it does seem to have crept up over the past couple of years as the waterfall has gotten more popular online, so expect to pay on the higher end of that range. It's cash only, no cards, so come prepared. Some visitors also get a free small bottle of water tossed in with the ticket, which is a nice touch if it happens for you. One thing worth flagging from my own visit: I didn't have cash on me at the ticket booth, so I told them I'd settle up on the way out. When we came back through, the collection point was empty, but somehow, by the time we reached the parking lot, a local had already tracked down our driver and was waiting there to collect payment. Never underestimate how determined people can be about collecting money from tourists here. It's not a scam exactly, the fee is legitimate and goes toward maintaining the site, but don't assume you can dodge it just because nobody's standing at the gate when you leave. Best Time to Visit If you want the pool closer to yourself, aim for before 9am or after 3pm, and try to avoid weekends if your schedule allows it. Midday tends to bring the biggest crowds, particularly from tour groups combining Banyumala with other North Bali stops. The dry season, roughly March through October, is also the better window. During the wet months from November to February, the trail down gets genuinely slick, and the whole hike becomes a lot less fun. Is It Worth the Drive? For a moment I actually wondered why the place felt so quiet when I arrived, and the honest answer is that Banyumala is a bit of a mission to reach. You're winding past terraced fields, mountain roads, narrow lanes, and one hairpin turn after another before you even park, and then there's still a walk in once you've bought your ticket. But that effort is exactly why it stays peaceful compared to waterfalls closer to Ubud, and standing in that much green, with the jungle closing in around you, makes every bend in the road feel worth it. What to Pack Swimsuit, the pool is genuinely worth getting into Sturdy shoes with grip, not sandals, for the muddy sections Cash in small notes for the entrance fee A light jacket or cover-up for after your swim, since the air cools quickly in the shade A dry bag for your phone if you plan to get in the water Quick Answers How much is the entrance fee for Banyumala Twin Waterfalls? Reports vary between IDR 20,000 and 50,000 per person, cash only, with prices trending upward as the site has become more popular. Bring more than you think you'll need. How long is the hike to Banyumala Twin Waterfalls? Around 15 to 30 minutes each way, combining a gentle downhill path with a steeper set of stairs through the jungle. It's beginner-friendly but not flat. Can you swim at Banyumala Twin Waterfalls? Yes, there's a wide natural pool at the base that's safe and popular for swimming. The water is cold, so it's more of a bracing dip than a lazy float. How far is Banyumala from Ubud? About two hours by car or scooter, since it's located in North Bali near Wanagiri and Munduk, closer to Lake Buyan than to Ubud.