Suwat Waterfall: Kick off your Ubud waterfall tour here!

A Self-Drive Tour of Ubud Waterfalls

In the central region of Bali, Ubud is surrounded by rice paddies, forests, and rivers, making it home to some of the island's best waterfalls. As many are clustered together, I designed this circular Ubud waterfall itinerary as a self-drive tour starting and ending in central Ubud, letting you tick off multiple Bali bucket-list spots in one day. We rented a scooter and visited five stunning falls!

Within 5-15 minutes of each other are Suwat, Taman Sari, Tibumana, Goa Rang Reng, and Kanto Lampo waterfalls. Pack a mini backpack with water, snacks, a towel, swimwear, and a change of clothes, and go have fun!!

Important Information To Know Before You Go

• Bring Cash: parking is usually free but waterfall entry is cash-only
• Cover Up: Goa Rang Reng & Kanto Lampo sit on sacred village land with active Hindu offerings, so it's required to cover up on your way in & out. Sarongs are usually available at entrances, but don't count on it
• Price Fluctuations: Lots of Bali waterfalls are village-run, so they don't have government-set prices - instead the banjar (local village cooperative) decides. Prices can range a little based on time of day, season and your company (e.g. if you're with a local)
• Rainy Season Hours: During rainy season (Nov-Mar), falls may close early or not open for safety; check recent Google Maps reviews or the waterfalls official social media (Facebook & Instagram) for updates.
• Safety: Avoid swallowing water to prevent illness from natural bacteria

Getting Around in Ubud

While Ubud's center is walkable, the best Ubud waterfalls are scattered across rice terraces and jungle roads, about 30 minutes away. Motorbikes are the most popular way to get around Bali, but car rentals (self-drive or with driver) are options too. Here's everything you need for transportation on your Ubud waterfall tour, including prices and tips!

International Drivers Permits (IDPs)

An IDP is simply a certified translation of your home license; it's required in Bali for any vehicle rental, including motorbikes. Get one before you land through online services, such as AAA, for $20–50 USD. They typically arrive within 5-10 days. In recent years - amid an increase in accidents among tourists - police checkpoints are now common for tourists. Fines start at 250,000 IDR (~$15 USD), so carry both the IDP and your original license.

Motorbike Rentals in Bali

Scooter rentals in Bali are cheap and easy - no reservation needed. There's nothing like the feeling of riding a Scoopy through the winding jungle roads while you waterfall-hop - wind in your hair and sun on your face; just be safe (wear a helmet) and respect local laws!

Q: Where can I rent & How much do they cost?

You'll spot shops every few blocks in town, or arrange online for free delivery via WhatsApp to your accommodation. We grabbed ours from a small shop along Jl. Monkey Forest - a lively street that leads to the Monkey Forest Sanctuary - for 60,000 IDR ($4 USD) per day (prices typically 50,000–70,000 IDR, or $3–$4.50; try to negotiate for lower costs!). If you're in person, check the gas levels and pick one close to full so your first stop won't have to be a gas station.

Q: What do I need to rent a motorbike?

Legally, you're required to have a valid IDP that includes a motorcycle endorsement (typically category A for motorcycles under 125cc, common for Bali rentals). In reality, many informal shops don't enforce the checks and often rent to anyone with a passport or deposit, so the risk is yours.

Q: Is Bali a good place to learn how to drive a motorbike?

No! Please, and I cannot stress this enough, DO NOT RENT A MOTORBIKE IF YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW TO RIDE ONE. You could hurt yourself, other tourists or locals. If you need to learn while there, have someone teach you in a safe environment for many hours before taking to the roads.

Car Rentals in Bali - Self-Drive and With Driver

Self-Drive

Self-drive car rentals range from 250,000-800,000 IDR ($15-50 USD) per day, with prices varying based on type/size, transmission, duration, season and provider (local shops cheaper than international companies). Most include basic insurance, but be sure before taking the keys. Reserve a car in advance during peak season, especially if you want it delivered.

With-Driver

To avoid Balis chaotic traffic, parking, and navigation challenges like narrow & unfamiliar roads, you can hire a private vehicle (usually a car or SUV) along with an experienced local driver for a fixed duration, like a half-day or full-day. It's like a personalized chauffeur service; the drivers are often English-speaking, knowledgeable about local spots, and can suggest itineraries, but you decide the stops! It can be a bit pricier than motorbikes or self-drive cars - prices range from 400,000-1,200,000 IDR ($25-75 USD) - but it's worth it to avoid any hassles. Plus, it's a really cool experience! Reserve a driver at least a day in advance.

Book through local Websites/Apps: Use sites like balicarrent.com (book via online form or WhatsApp for free Ubud delivery; self-drive from 275,000 IDR/day, with driver from 525,000 IDR/day) or baliholidaysecrets.com for private drivers (full-day from 1,000,000 IDR). Or, use international Platforms: Booking.com, Agoda, or Klook for self-drive.

Motorbike Taxis

Apps like Gojek or Grab (IDR 10,000–50,000 per ride, ~$0.60–$3 USD) are perfect for short trips around Ubud, but I wouldn't recommend it for this waterfall tour as you might not get service at the falls to call one after you're done exploring.

Ubud Waterfall Tour Map

Suwat Waterfall

Suwat Waterfall

Suwat Waterfall will be your first stop of the day on your Ubud waterfall itinerary! There is a very easy 6-minute walk through the jungle to the waterfall from the entrance. The path follows down some steps and passes beautiful greenery; along the way, there are plenty of photographic signs. Throughout the area there are incredible engravings and rock statues, all covered in moss, giving the whole area an ancient-jungle vibe.

The path leading to Suwat

You can jump off the large rock into the water - it's 7 meters deep and there's a lifeguard/attendant (very kind, offered to take photos of us) that will assist & reassure you. If you're feeling more adventurous, you can swim next to the waterfall, climb up on the rocks and jump through the waterfall itself! The water is so refreshing in the Bali heat.

Suwat is also home to the Instagram-famous bamboo raft that you can take onto the water for photos! Search '#SuwatWaterfall' on Instagram for inspiration. There's some drinks and snacks at a little shop a few steps away with benches that overlook the water. Out of all the waterfalls we visited, this one was the least crowded and seemed to be the place that tourists spent the least amount of time at. We hung around for close to an hour, watching many people come and go in that period of time.

Suwat Waterfall

Taman Sari Waterfall & Natural Pool

As the second stop of your Ubud waterfall itinerary, Taman Sari is a stunning two-tiered cascade with large natural swimming pools. A flat 5-minute walk from free parking leads you to the upper pool. The highest fall crashes 10 meters into a wide, waist-deep pool (upper) perfect for floating. Below, a second cascade feeds into a deeper, chest-high lagoon where you can actually swim. There are changing rooms (basic but clean) and bamboo gazebos lining the edge. Locals call it kolam alami, meaning 'natural pool'. This makes it one of the best Ubud waterfalls for families and relaxed swimming as it's easy to access and shallow.

Tibumana Waterfall

The third stop of the day is Tibumana Waterfall. The walk to get down to this waterfall was my favorite - it was very quick at around 3-5 minutes but had some of my favorite plants growing, including some variety of the philodendron and very large canna indica. You cross some bamboo bridges and pass by a smaller waterfall along the river before meeting Tibumana. Along the way there are stands selling fresh coconuts fruit which I highly recommend getting.

This waterfall was not too crowded, a bit busier than Suwat and Taman Sari. The pool beneath the waterfall is great for swimming - it’s very easy to wade into the water, and the current near the falling water isn’t that strong, allowing you to get really close to it, but be careful after a heavy rain. There is a lot of room on the rocks to relax, and you can walk through the river to explore downstream.

Tibumana Waterfall

Goa Rang Reng Waterfall

Your fourth stop is Goa Rang Reng (also called Rang Reng Cave Waterfall) - one of Bali’s most adventurous, off-grid spots. Accessible via an easy 300m path and hidden in a jungle gorge, the area of the falls has so much to offer including:

• a 10–15m cascade into deep turquoise pool
• 2 explorable caves (pitch black inside)
• 3 levels of cliff jumping: 3m (easy), 5m (medium), 7m (thrilling)
• Rustic bamboo swing over the gorge.

The vibe is wild, uncrowded, and Instagram-famous but raw. It’s very not beginner-friendly, so guides are strongly recommended (not mandatory, but 90% of visitors use one), especially if you want to explore more than just the waterfall. Locals wait at the parking area to assist you, and charge 100,000–200,000 IDR for 1–2 hours.

This is one of the two sites where it's necessary to cover up in certain parts as some areas are considered sacred. If you hire a guide they'll help you with this and often even have sarongs for you to use.

Since local communities own the land, there is just a donation box at the beginning of this waterfall, and no one will stop you if you give less than 20,000 (or no donation at all). The money helps fund steps, railings, and trash cleanup by locals, so please be respectful and donate to support the community.

Kanto Lampo Waterfall

Kanto Lampo Waterfall

The last stop along our Ubud waterfall tour was Kanto Lampo. After just a short, 2-minute walk down some steps you'll arrive at the falls. This site is a wide and photogenic, with a tiered rock cascade spilling over mossy steps like a natural staircase.

Sit on the lower tiers, let the water rush around you, and snap the shot every influencer has! Bring a small amount of extra cash and pay one of the Bali guides to take insane photos and videos of you. The guides are so fun - they direct you & show you how to pose!

Kanto Lampo was the most crowded; there were a lot of people, and if you wanted photos in front of the falls, you would have to wait for others ahead of you. Despite the crowds, it's worth it to go there, and it is super fun to go sit on the rocks and get splashed.

There's very shallow water here; like Taman Sari, it's family friendly - you can't really swim, just sit in the water to cool off. The waterfall is not the only attraction at this location - there are many swimming spots in the river, and you pass a few natural pools on your way down the steps to the main waterfall. The water felt warmer here than at other Ubud waterfalls like Suwat or Tibumana.

Like Goa Rang Reng, Kanto Lampo has sacred areas including a shrine at the entrance, so be sure to cover up when entering and exiting this natural attraction!

And don’t forget - naked photos are prohibited... sexy yes, but not naked!! LOL!!

Back to Ubud

From Kanto Lampo, it took around 25 minutes to get back to the center of Ubud. The total cost for admissions was 135,000 rupiah (~$8 USD) per person, and we only drove for around an hour and a half in total. It was such a beautiful day full of wonderful experiences, and I highly recommend touring the waterfalls of Ubud on your next trip to Bali! Have fun!!

If you're in Bali and heading to Nusa Penida (or curious about it), check out my guide: 5 Things you CANT MISS on the island!