Bali's waterfalls are spread across the island, and almost all of them sit at the bottom of a valley, which means steps down and steps back up. The easiest to reach are near Ubud; the most dramatic are in the north. Each charges its own entrance fee, which we do not list because fees change. Choose waterfalls by where you are staying, not by a ranking.
Where the waterfalls are
Bali's waterfalls fall into three groups by location: those around Ubud in the center, those in the central highlands, and those in the north. The group you can reach depends on your base. Ubud is about 22 miles from the airport and is the best starting point for the first group and a reasonable one for the second.
Around Ubud
Travel guides name four waterfalls in the Ubud area. Tegenungan is about 30 meters high and described as easy to reach. Tibumana, east of Ubud, is a short walk from its parking area. Tukad Cepung is partly hidden in a cave-like canyon and known for light beams. Kanto Lampo involves wading through water for photographs.
The central highlands
Nungnung lies in a jungle ravine north of Denpasar and is reached by about 500 stone steps, according to travel guides. Further up, in the hills near the mountain lakes, are the Banyumala twin falls near Wanagiri and Munduk Waterfall, which guides call perhaps the most impressive accessible falls on the island.
The north
The north has Gitgit, described by travel guides as easy to reach, and Sekumpul, a group of several falls side by side in a jungle valley. These are a long drive from the south: Munduk is about 51 miles from the airport and Lovina about 62. They belong to a stay in the north, not a day trip from Seminyak.
The stairs
Stairs are the common feature of Bali's waterfalls. A waterfall is where a river drops into a gorge, and the parking area is at the top. The walk down is easy and the climb back is hot work in humid air. Nungnung's roughly 500 steps are the best-known example, and it is far from the only one.
Who should think twice
Travelers with knee problems, heart conditions, small children or limited mobility should ask how many steps a waterfall involves before setting out. Tegenungan is described as easy to reach, and Tibumana as a short walk, which makes them the candidates for anyone who wants less climbing.
What to wear
Our advice is sandals or shoes with grip that can get wet, since steps and rocks near a waterfall are slippery. Bring swimwear under your clothes if you plan to get in, a towel, and a dry bag for your phone. Dress modestly on the way through villages, as Bali's rules for visitors ask.
Fees and what they cover
Each waterfall is run locally and charges its own entrance fee, paid at a booth near the parking area. We list no amounts, because fees change and we have no official source. Carry small rupiah notes. Parking and, at some sites, a local guide may be charged separately; ask at the booth what the ticket includes.
Guides
Some waterfalls, particularly the larger ones in the north, are visited with a local guide. We have no official source on where a guide is mandatory, so we state no rule. Ask at the ticket booth, and agree the price before you start walking.
