Are you planning to visit Bali? If so, I’m sure you’re wondering about what waterfalls to visit. Take a look at our best waterfalls in Bali post, or just skip ahead and read about Nungnung Waterfall, our favourite waterfall in Bali!
We walked down a long, slippery staircase – 509 steps long, to be exact. With every step, the air grew denser and more humid, until we could see the spray in the air.
‘We must be close’, we all thought. Sure enough, there it was. Nungnung waterfall was just a few steps ahead, right behind some rocks – a strong stream of water, 50 meters high, precipitating into a small pool.
Nature was all around us. Ferns, crawling plants, trees growing on the sides of the canyon, bushes with broad waxy leaves. And in the middle of it all was Nungnung waterfall, roaring from the top, and then flowing away in a green-brown coloured stream.
Now, you may think we had reached one of those ‘Insta Places’ popping up all over Bali, and had to join a queue of people to get our own 5 minutes at Nungnung waterfall.
Guess what? There were maybe 5 people there, and we could spend as long as we wanted taking pictures, swimming, and just enjoying the magical atmosphere of what had quickly become our favourite waterfall.
If you find yourself in Bali, you simply HAVE to visit Nungnung waterfall, before it becomes too Insta-famous. Here’s all you need to know to plan your visit!
[Related – 18 Things to do in Ubud]
How to Get to Nungnung Waterfall
Nungnung Waterfall (Air Tenjun Nungnung) is smack-bang in the centre of Bali, about 1 hour 20 by scooter from Canggu, and 1 hour from Ubud. Getting there is half the fun – most of the drive follows minor country roads, weaving in and out of villages and markets, and slowly climbing to the mountains of Central Bali, surrounded by rice fields and coconut palms.
If you’re not comfortable riding a scooter, you can join a guided tour including Nungnung waterfall – you’ll find several options on offer at local agents in both Ubud and Canggu.
Alternatively, you can hire a local driver for a day. We recommend our friend Yung – her phone number is +62 811 5997 995, and her rates are around 600K IDR per day.
Nungnung Waterfall Entrance Fee
The entrance fee to Nungnung is 10,000 IDR per person, plus 2000 IDR to park your scooter. This is totally reasonable and in line with most waterfalls we visited!
Nungnung Waterfall Opening Hours
Nungnung Waterfall is open from 9 AM to 4 PM every day. It takes at least one hour to walk down the steps, check out the waterfall then walk up again, so plan accordingly!
Best Time to Visit Nungnung Waterfall
Nungnung is open year round, and the waterfall can be visited both in the rainy and in the dry season.
During the rainy season, the waterfall is particularly strong and spectacular, but its power makes it hard to swim and take long-exposure pictures. Unlike other waterfalls that all but disappear during the dry season, the water stream at Nungnung is very strong, and never really dries out.
If you can, try to visit Nungnung waterfall on a sunny day, between 11 and 2 PM, when the sun shines straight over the waterfall. If it’s cloudy, fear not – we visited on an overcast day and even got soaked, but we had a great time anyway!
What to do at Nungnung Waterfall
Once you reach Nungnung and park your scooter or car, you can start making your way down to the actual waterfall, 509 steps away. Walking all the way down takes about 20 minutes, and if you get tired (or it starts raining) there are some small canopies along the way where you can rest.
At the bottom, you’ll find a trail running along a stream, and soon enough you’ll see a small waterfall on your left hand side. It’s really pretty, and you may be tempted to think you’ve reached Nungnung – I certainly did!
Keep walking a little further, cross a wooden bridge across the stream (watch out, it’s slippery!) and Nungnung will be right opposite you, a falling into a small water pool. You see why it’s our favourite?
There are rocks near the pool and along the two banks of the stream, offering great vantage spots and photo opportunities. You can try and swim in the pool, but pay attention as the waterfall is really powerful and the current will push you away.
You won’t find lockers or changing rooms, so please keep an eye on your belongings while you splash around in the waterfall.
Once you’re done, you can walk back up the same staircase back to the car park. There, you’ll find some warung where you can get something to eat or drink – we paid about 30K for a nasi and mie goreng.
It’s a long and sweaty hike back up – but this is the reason why the waterfall is not yet overrun with tourists. We heard there are plans to build a road all the way to the waterfall to simplify access, but so far it hasn’t happened – so get there while you can!
[Related – Trekking Mount Batur at Sunrise]
What to See Near Nungnung Waterfall
Since driving to Nungnung waterfall and back from Ubud or Canggu takes over two hours, and visiting the waterfall itself takes an hour and a half, you can either opt to visit as a half-day trip, or add other attractions to turn your outing into a day trip.
-Nungnung Waterfall Swing
The easiest place to visit near Nungnung waterfall is probably the coffee plantation right next door, where you’ll find one of the iconic Bali swings.
We visited on a rainy day with no one else in sight, and we managed to bargain the swing down to 100K each – starting price was 300K. It was totally worth it!
How Far: 5 minutes walk
How Much: 100K, can be more or less depending on your bargaining skills.
-Leke Leke
The Leke Leke complex includes two waterfalls, and other activities like swing, cycling and tubing. The main waterfall known is Air Terjun Kipuan Kebo, also known as Leke Leke, and it can be reached with a 15 minute hike down a slippery path.
How Far: 40 minutes drive
How Much: 30K for the main Leke Leke waterfall, 20K for the smaller one.
-Sekumpul
If you’re visiting Nungnung en route between southern and northern Bali, we highly recommend also stopping at Sekumpul, touted by many as a contender to Nungnung for the title of most beautiful waterfall in Bali.
You’ll need to hike about half an hour from the car park, but you’ll be rewarded with the sight of twin waterfalls descending into a water pool from 80 meters height.
How Far: 1 hour drive north
How Much: 20K
-Sangeh Monkey Forest
If you driving to or from Canggu, you’ll be going right past the gates of Sangeh Monkey Forest, and it’s almost exactly half way through the journey – it makes for a perfect stop to stretch your legs.
You can walk through a nutmeg tree forest and visit a temple dating back to the 17th century, but the real attraction of the site are three grey langur families, living in the grounds.
Monkeys at Sangeh are fairly tame and won’t bother you for food and drinks, provided you keep your distance. Plus, monkey babies, towering trees, and moss-covered buildings are sure to put a smile back on anyone’s face even if you’re exhausted after a day driving all over Bali – speaking from experience here!
How Far: 30 minutes drive south
How Much: 15K
Where to Stay near Nungnung Waterfall
Nungnung is totally doable as a day trip, but if you’re planning to stay overnight, we highly recommend Bagus Agro Pelaga, Bali’s first agrotourism farm. Here is our review of Bagus Agro Pelaga!
Get the Best Prices For Bagus Agro Pelaga Here!
Alternatively, here are other great hotels in the vicinity of Nungnung waterfall!