Munduk

Amanda, one of my besties who lived in Bali, said Munduk was one of her favorite places on the island. It is a cute oasis in the mountains in the northern-central part of Bali. There is not much to do in this area but if you embrace that, enjoy the waterfalls, and the scenery, it will too become one of your favorite hidden gems of Bali. There are not many tourists in this area so it was a different experience to feel like you were a part of the town. You WILL need mosquito spray here! I bought some at a local shop but I’d recommend the sprays from the U.S. as they are stronger and work better.

What to Do

Hire a driver to take you to the waterfalls!

We went to three waterfalls: Red Coral Munduk waterfall, Labuhan Kebo Waterfall, and the biggest Melanting Waterfall. It is extremely slippery so find a walking stick to help you and take your time going up and down the steps. The Melanting waterfall was the most slippery so if you need to skip one that would be it, although it is the biggest one! During the hikes, my driver came with me and explained all of the different trees we were passing including star fruit, Jackfruit, vanilla, cacao, banana trees, limes, papaya, avocados, robusta coffee beans, arabica (expensive coffee here), and taro (elephant leaf). He also explained to me the culture and religion of Bali and what family life is like here.

Sekumpul Waterfall

The mightiest of waterfalls that is open for tourism is the Sekumpul Waterfall. One of my drivers said this was his favorite of all the waterfalls in Bali. On the same hike is the Hidden Waterfall, which to me was so different from any other waterfall I’d seen because it’s almost enclosed. I visited here on my drive from Munduk to Tejakula/Gretek.

Where to Eat

Eco Cafe 2

Recommended by Amanda, this cafe sits atop a mountain in Munduk. Walk inside and head upstairs for a quaint oasis in the trees. The food was spectacular. I got the vanilla tea, nasi goreng (a traditional Balinese meal), and babar gulung (traditional Balinese dessert).

Where to Stay

Nadya Homestay

This lovely homestay nestled in the mountain seemed almost too good to be true. For a good price, an amazing Balinese breakfast, and the scenery from the room, look no further. One of the ladies who served me breakfast recommended a driver for me who showed me the waterfalls.