Tibumana Waterfall, Bali – Everything you Need to Know
If you visit only one waterfall when staying in Ubud Bali, make it this one. Tibumana waterfall gives you that quintessential tropical paradise feel. From the beautiful palm tree-lined road leading to it, the well-groomed walk through the jungle, or the sound of rushing water before you even see it, Tibumana will satisfy all your waterfall chasing dreams.
To fully experience the grand Tibumana waterfall, make sure to put aside a couple of hours of your day. To make the most of your trip, follow my guide below.
READ MORE | Make sure to visit Tukad Cepung waterfall, one of the most unique waterfalls in Bali
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Ubud Bali: Quick Guide
BEST TRAVEL INSURANCE
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VEHICLE WITH PRIVATE DRIVER
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BEST UBUD BALI HOTELS
Top Pick | The Udaya Resort & Spa
Luxury | Viceroy Bali
Mid-range | Alaya Resort Ubud
Economy | ILA Villa Ubud
CHEAP FLIGHTS TO BALI
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CUSTOMIZED PRIVATE BALI TOUR
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BEST UBUD BALI TOURS
Spectacular Waterfalls Tour
Mount Batur Sunrise Hike + Hot Springs
Waterfall, Rice Terraces + Monkey Forest
Instagram Highlights Tour
Authentic Balinese Cooking Class
How to get to Tibumana Waterfall Bali
Tibumana waterfall is dead centre in what I call the ‘Waterfall Trail’. This area is located just a 30 minutes drive east of Ubud and includes Suwat and Kanto Lampo waterfalls. If you are visiting from the Canggu or Seminyak area, the drive will take you 1.5 hours and take you through some hectic traffic.
Google maps directions are quite accurate here, so don’t worry, it won’t lead you astray. If, for some reason, typing in Tibumana Waterfall doesn’t work, try Air Terjun Tibumana, its native name.
Tibumana Waterfall Location
Transportation to Tibumana Waterfall
Rent a Scooter
The fastest way to get to Tibumana waterfall is by scooter. As the main form of transportation in Indonesia, this will get you from A to B the most efficiently. If you plan to rent a scooter, just ask at your accommodation. Make sure you have an international driver’s license from your home country, and at least a couple of lessons on how to properly drive a scooter. The roads in Bali can be dangerous, so this will help set you up for success.
BOOK | Cheap Bali Scooter Rental
Hire a Car and Driver
If renting a scooter is not your jam (I don’t blame you), then opt to hire a car and driver to take you to Tibumana waterfall. This service starts at $40 USD. Ask your villa owner or hotel concierge and they can set you up with one. In my opinion, it’s overpriced, so renting a car with a driver should be your last option.
BOOK | Private Car with Driver
Take a Tour
Taking a tour of Tibumana waterfall could be a great idea if you plan to visit some other attractions in the area, as well. Tours vary from half-day to full-day durations and include hotel/villa pick up and drop off. Getyourguide.com is one of my favourites for well-structured and reliable tour operators.
BOOK | Ubud: Spectacular Waterfalls Tour
Tibumana Waterfall Entrance Fee
The Tibumana waterfall entrance fee is 15,000 IDR (about $1.10 USD). There is also a proper paved parking lot free of charge.
Tibumana Waterfall Opening Hours
Tibumana waterfall is open 8 AM – 6 PM daily. Make sure to check for local holidays as normally these types of attractions will be closed.
What to Expect at
Tibumana Waterfall Bali
The first thing you will notice is the beautiful palm tree-lined road leading to the Tibumana waterfall parking lot. Take a minute to appreciate and possibly take photos of this lovely drive. Once you’ve reached the paved parking lot at the end of the road, leave your car or scooter here and make your way to the ticket booth to fetch your ticket. It’s always a good idea to carry cash in Indonesia because the majority of these small attractions only take real hard money.
Meander down the cement path, down the stairs, and to the right. Here, there will be a small warung offering refreshments and basic snacks and a bank of individual washrooms. Take this moment to change into your swimmers, or use the washroom before moving on to Tibumana falls, just a 10-minute walk. If you don’t choose to change here, don’t worry, there is a small change room at the base of the falls.
In the mood to chase more waterfalls? Check out Suwat Waterfall, Bali
Once you are sorted, continue down the well-maintained path, watching your step on the mossy, slick ground (especially after a rain!). This walk is beautiful, as it takes you through the jungle, over bridges, and past smaller waterfalls.
You will hear the falls before you see it. Turn the corner to a magnificent 20-meter high waterfall with an inviting natural pool. You will find a friendly local lifeguard here monitoring the attraction. There’s a raft here you can rent by donation, to either frolic in the water or snap a few pictures perfect for your Instagram.
Take some time to explore all the nooks and crannies this waterfall has to offer. And, make sure to chat with the locals, they’re very friendly.
Swimming at Tibumana Waterfall
The same guy that rents out the raft is the on-duty lifeguard and will warn you not to go too far into the natural pool. The power of the falls can be dangerous for visitors so definitely heed his warnings. You can go in deep enough to get some spectacular photos and to feel refreshed from the pool.
Best Time to visit Tibumana Waterfall Bali
The best time to visit Tibumana waterfall is before 11 AM to avoid many other visitors. The falls have grown in popularity over the last couple of years and have become one of the main attractions on many pre-made tours. These tours arrive around 11 AM.
Here you can find all the best unique places to stay in Ubud
Photography at Tibumana Waterfall
If you are a photographer and visiting Tibumana waterfall, I wouldn’t be overly concerned with getting the best light here. But, if you really want to get it perfect, visit the falls between 8-9 AM when the light seeps through the jungle above, creating a beautiful glow. No matter what time of day you go, the base of the falls will likely be in shadow since the area is densely forested. Turn up your ISO, but make sure to not exceed 400, as it could add grain to your photo.
After visiting, I feel confident in recommending a wide-angle lens for this location. The waterfall, natural pool are quite wide in composition, so you’d be smart to bring a 16-35mm if you have it. I used a 24-70mm lens in all the photos taken in this blog, so you can see what I mean by how narrow it feels.
There are a few great photo spots to consider. The first one is on top of the large boulder just before wading into the water. Have your subject stand on top, as the falls and natural pool make for a beautiful backdrop.
Secondly, off to the left-hand side as you arrive, you can frame your shot with the rocks and greenery here. Your subject can stand in the natural pool. The foreground framing, the midground subject, and the far ground waterfall make for some really great depth to your shot.
Lastly, get a close-up shot of your subject playing in the water with the texture of the waterfall as the background.
What to Bring to Tibumana Waterfall
With any attraction, it’s always a good idea to prepare and bring a few items that will make your trip better. Here are my recommendations:
DAY PACK | I travel with my WANDRD backpack, it comes with a compartment for your camera and tons of space for all your other goodies
MIRRORLESS CAMERA | If you want to invest in something other than your camera phone (the newest phones have great cameras by the way), I purchased the Sony A7iii with a Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 lens. Couldn’t be happier.
WATERPROOF SHOES | I went with a pair of trekking sandals from Teva, they are pretty multifunctional in my opinion. But a classic water shoe does the trick too.
MICROFIBER TOWEL | This waterfall doesn’t really have a swimming area to speak of, but you will be wading through the water to reach it. Bring a microfiber towel to dry off your feet afterwards
REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE | Let’s help save our planet from plastic pollution and carry around a reusable water bottle instead. I love my Swell water bottle as it stays cold for 24 hours and is lightweight. A LARQ water bottle would also fit the bill and has water purifying technology built right in.
CAMERA WIPES | This is so important! Don’t leave your hotel without it. I went through quite a few wipes trying to keep the mist from the waterfall off my lens
Looking to explore untouched Bali? Here are all the best things to do in East Bali
Where to Stay in Ubud
You will likely already find yourself in Ubud on your Bali itinerary so this is a great starting point for your trip. It’s a 30 min drive east to Tibumana waterfall.
Ubud is full of beautiful and unique places to stay, but here I’ve whittled it down to my favourites:
STONE HOUSE | Upscale guest house complex, with traditional open-air living rooms, beautiful bathtubs, continental breakfast, and a common area that comes with a large pool. Prices and availability.
THE UDAYA RESORT | My 5-star resort option. Comes equipped with a large infinity pool, spa, organic restaurant, and anything else you could possibly imagine. Prices and availability.
More Tropical Bali Inspiration
LAHANGAN SWEET, BALI | Located on top of a mountain overlooking Mount Agung on one side and the East Bali coastline on the other. Lahangan Sweet is a must-visit location.
BUKIT CINTA, BALI | One of the best viewpoints of Mount Agung, Bali’s active volcano. Go for sunrise and you won’t be disappointed
TUKAD CEPUNG WATERFALL, BALI | A unique waterfall nestled inside a mossy cave in central Bali
SUWAT WATERFALL, BALI | Suwat waterfall is tucked away in a grotto with natural falls and an epic cave
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