A Full Guide to Munduk Bali: Where to Stay and What to Do (2026)
In the heart of Bali, among the forest-covered mountains, lies the remote village of Munduk. The drive to Munduk in Bali takes you up into the mountains and the air cools as you climb. I spent a few days here during a month-long trip to Bali, staying at a homestay in the village. After the heat and bustle of Ubud, it was so refreshing. Munduk is a small village, set in green hills and hardly any tourists are there. The mountain landscapes and sunsets are hard to beat – plus I found it’s surprisingly packed with adventure. Here’s my guide to where to stay in Munduk and what to do when you get there.
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Quick overview of Munduk, Bali
- Munduk is one of Bali’s least touristy villages, with a serene atmosphere
- Things to do in Munduk include a waterfall trail and a quad bike tour
- The village is cooler than coastal Bali, making it comfortable for trekking and outdoor activities year round.
- Aditya Homestay is the standout budget option, with rooms that look out over the valley. For luxury, Munduk Moding Plantation is the best hotel in the area.
- There is no public transport to Munduk so you’ll need to arrange a private driver or hire a scooter from Ubud, around 64km and an hour and forty minutes away.
Is Munduk worth visiting?
Munduk is worth visiting if you want a break from Bali’s busier bases. It’s cooler, greener and way less developed than other parts of the island. There are no wellness retreats on every corner and no busy café scene. Days here revolve around waterfalls, trekking and long meals at local warungs. There are also fun quad tours if you’re feeling adventurous. If you need nightlife, then give it a miss – this place is very quiet and serene. Munduk is for the traveller who’s happy to slow down and do little except enjoy the scenery and sunsets.
Where to stay in Munduk
Munduk is small – the population is only around 6,000 people. Accommodation ranges from budget guesthouses to a luxury resort, and many properties are positioned to make the most of the mountain views.
I stayed at Aditya Homestay and had a wonderful time there. We had a corner room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the valley. Other budget and mid-range options in Munduk include One Homestay and Puri Lumbung Cottages. As the name suggests, the Yoga Village Above The Clouds guesthouse is ideal for yoga fans as it hosts classes.
For a luxury stay, Munduk Moding Plantation Nature Resort & Spa is the standout option.
Check the availability of accommodation for your dates in Munduk via the map below:
My experience at the homestay in Munduk
Our home for the week was the wonderful, family-run Aditya Homestay, where we were warmly welcomed by the staff. They went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable and happy during our stay, which we kept extending.
Two of the walls in our room were floor to ceiling windows overlooking the valleys and vibrant sunsets every night. Every day, we would sit on our terrace, enjoying the delicious breakfast and simply taking in the views.
Things to do in Munduk
Munduk is more adventure-packed than it looks. Beyond the slow mornings and valley views, there are jungle trails, waterfall treks and off-road tours that take you deep into countryside most Bali visitors never see. Here’s what we did – and what else is worth adding to your time here.
Go on a waterfall trek
We were keen to get stuck in and explore this gorgeous green landscape. Our hosts at Aditya Homestay told us about three waterfalls in the area and drew us a map. So we grabbed some makeshift bamboo walking sticks from the forest floor and made our way through the trees.
We walked along narrow muddy paths, without any signs to point the way, only our very basic map. At times we weren’t even sure we were on the right path. At other times, we purposely chose a path because it trailed off in an interesting looking direction. Heading off the beaten track and getting a bit lost in the deep wilderness can be part of the fun; then there’s the satisfaction of navigating your way back to familiar territory. The views were worth it too – getting up close to the rice fields that we could see from our hotel terrace.
The trail takes you to three cascades – Munduk waterfall (also called Red Coral), Melanting waterfall and Golden Valley waterfall. We spent three glorious hours searching them out and cooling off in them was a delight.
If you’d rather do the trail with a guide, this highly rated waterfall trek covers the same route and takes the guesswork out of navigation — book it here.
Take a thrilling quad bike tour
One of the best days we had in Bali was a quad bike tour through Munduk’s countryside.
The route winds through coffee and cocoa plantations and hydrangea fields – terrain you can’t reach on foot.
Our guide kitted us out with helmets and protective gear before we set off, and was always right behind us, ready to supply us with water and give us some insight into the local fruits growing alongside us, including fresh cocoa beans which are eventually made into chocolate.
If you only book one activity in Munduk, make it this one. The quad bike tour runs through the same route we covered and comes highly rated — book it here.
Day trips from Munduk
As well as things to do in Munduk, there are some great day trips to places nearby, which you can reach by private vehicle or organised tour.
The twin lakes
The twin lakes of Tamblingan and Buyan are worth a half-day trip from Munduk. A guided jungle trek around Lake Tamblingan takes you through rainforest trails to a hidden lakeside temple, followed by a traditional canoe ride across the water. The Banyumala Twin Waterfalls are usually the final stop — two cascades with a natural pool you can swim in. You can book this popular organised day trip here.
Banjar Hot Springs
Banjar Hot Springs is around 30 minutes from Munduk. After a few days of trekking, it’s a reasonable excuse to sit in a warm sulphuric pool for an hour. It’s included as part of the CV Saka Bali Putu Tour — book it here.
Ulun Danu Tamblingan Temple
Ulun Danu Tamblingan Temple sits on the edge of Lake Tamblingan and is one of Bali’s most photographed temples — the multi-tiered pagoda against the mountain backdrop is striking. Visit it as part of the CV Saka Bali Putu Tour — book it here.
Where to eat in Munduk
As with all of Bali, eating is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Munduk. You can tuck into tasty Balinese dishes at casual restaurants and cafes that have views across the hills and forests.
Head for the Eco Café Munduk for food with a view, and you will also be the supporting local farmers and coffee producers as part of this restaurant’s commitment to sustainability.
One of the best simple pleasures here is to leisurely eat dinner at a Munduk restaurant, as you watch the oranges and reds pass across the sky. Try the pork rendang at the laid back Warung Heaven Munduk, or head to Warung Classic for sunset views.
How to get to Munduk
Munduk is a small village in the mountainous region of North Bali. It’s relatively easy to reach from most places on the island, however, there is no public transport here so you will need to take a taxi or a scooter.
From Ubud to Munduk it’s a distance of around 40 miles (64 km) and takes roughly an hour and forty minutes. From the international airport in Denpasar to Munduk, allow around two hours, depending on traffic.
The drive up is part of the experience – the road winds through the hillsides and the air cools as you climb.
When is the best time to visit Munduk?
The dry season from April to October is ideal for visiting Munduk. During these months, the trails are less muddy and you’ll have better visibility for sunrise and sunset views. The wet season brings afternoon rain, but the waterfalls are more powerful and the jungle is lush.
Be aware though that evening in the dry season, there may be showers. When we visited Munduk in May, the weather was warm and sunny, but at one point we got stuck in a downpour of rain. I have never seen such a heavy storm: the sky was a gunmetal grey and the raindrops pounded the ground. Fortunately we were able to dive for cover in a bamboo hut in the grounds of a nearby house!
Final thoughts about Munduk
Most people who visit Bali never make it to Munduk. And that’s part of its charm.
The cooler air, quieter days and highland setting naturally slow things down. Its draw is not tourist traps but the hikes, waterfalls and views over the valley.
Waking up to misty mornings, taking time over breakfast and watching the light change over the hills become the highlights.
Everywhere we went, people were warm and went out of their way to help. We came for a couple of nights and kept extending our stay in Munduk – and you may too.
