Bali is filled with some of the most stunning waterfalls we have ever seen, and trying to visit them all could simply keep you busy for weeks. However, with the rise of tourism in Bali it seems that having a waterfall to yourself is a rarity nowadays, and for that reason we did a bit of digging and tried to find some of the more lesser-known waterfalls in Bali, and see what they had to offer. One of the first waterfalls we found, the Pengempu Waterfall, was a quick ride from Ubud, a perfect way to start our day. And while perhaps not as large and powerful as some of the other waterfalls in Bali, having the waterfall all to ourselves for over an hour and a half was the peace and tranquility in the jungle that we were looking for. So without further ado, read here everything you need to know about the Pengempu Waterfall, including how to get there, what to expect and what to know before you go!
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Where is the Pengempu Waterfall
The Pengempu Waterfall is located Northwest from Ubud near the village of Sangeh. From Ubud it is a short 30 to 40 min ride and as such visiting the Pengempu waterfall can easily be added to your Ubud itinerary! The waterfall can also easily be reached from Canggu, and depending on traffic will take you roughly 40 min to an hour to get there. The route to the Pengempu Waterfall will take you through bustling streets filled with shops and quite serene roads that pass through rice fields making for a beautiful early morning ride. To get a better idea of where the waterfall is actually located check out the map below for the exact location!
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How to get to the Pengempu Waterfall
The Pengempu Waterfall isn’t far from Ubud, but with the lack of public transportation in Bali you might be wondering how to get there. Just like any other waterfall, or any other major sight, there are basically two options to see the waterfall:
Rent a scooter – One of the easiest ways to get around Bali is by renting a scooter. A scooter will give you the freedom to stay somewhere as long as you like, to beat the crowds by leaving early and it will simply get you there the quickest as you can bypass cars in traffic jams. Scooter rentals in Bali are around $3 to $5 a day, depending on the type of scooter and how long you are renting the scooter for, making it one of the most affordable ways to get around too! However, riding a scooter in Bali is not for everyone, especially with the busy traffic you can encounter in Bali. So we would only recommend riding a scooter if you feel comfortable and confident riding one, not only for your own safety but also of those around you. And if you do decide to ride a scooter, be sure to wear a helmet!
Get a taxi – You will find taxi drivers simply everywhere in Ubud, especially if you are staying in the city centre. As there is almost no public transportation in Bali it is common to rent a taxi driver for a half or full day tour in which you can schedule to see multiple sights. Half day tour prices start around IDR 300,000 to 400,000, while full day tours will cost you roughly IDR 500,00 – 800,000. The price really depends on the amount of activities and the location of activities, and just know that entry fees are not included in the price. A taxi often fits four, or sometimes even more, people making it a great way to get around if you are visiting Bali with family or friends.
Transport Tip! You might want to avoid getting a Grab or a one way taxi to the Pengempu Waterfall as it is quite remote and you will probably have a hard time finding transportation back. If you don’t want to do a half or a full day tour just arrange for a taxi driver to wait for you at the waterfall instead.
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The Pengempu Waterfall
So now that you know where the waterfall is located, and you know how to get there, let’s talk about what to expect at the Pengempu Waterfall. The Pengempu waterfall must be one of the least visited waterfalls we have ever been to in Bali, but with the rise of tourism we wouldn’t be surprised if that would change soon. While perhaps not as spectacular as the Tukad Cepung Waterfall or the Sekumpul Waterfall the joy of this waterfall is having it all to yourself and to simply enjoy the peace and quiet of the jungle of Bali.
When you arrive at the waterfall you will see a small booth followed by a well maintained path that will take you down to the waterfall. It is a short 5 to 10 min walk down the stairs through the lush jungle before you will be greeted by the sight of Pengempu Waterfall. Cross the river coming from the waterfall over the small wooden bridge and you have officially made it! The Pengempu Waterfall is rather small, I guess a rough 20m high, but the water is definitely a good place to escape the hot sunny Bali days. Just know that the pool of the waterfall is rather small and shallow, perhaps not the best for swimming, but definitely refreshing enough to dip your toes in and to simply relax!
As the Pengempu Waterfall is rather small you won’t find any facilities here. There is a small across the street at the entrance to the waterfall but that is about it. As it can get quite hot and humid down here you might want to bring some water, and perhaps even snacks if you are planning on staying longer!
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Pengempu Waterfall – Know Before You Go
To wrap it up we have compiled a small list of things to know before you go to the Pengempu Waterfall. This way you will be fully prepared and can enjoy your time at the waterfall worry free:
Pengempu Waterfall Entrance Fee – When we visited the Pengempu Waterfall in January 2020 there was no set entry fee, instead they had a donation box. We donated IDR 10,000 each, which is what we have paid at some of the other waterfall we visited in Bali.
What to bring to the Pengempu Waterfall – As mentioned above, we would definitely bring some water and snacks, and while you are packing be sure to bring some mosquito spray, the jungle is absolutely full of them. Don’t forget to take your snack wrappers and empty bottles back up the waterfall and to leave nothing but footprints at the waterfall.
Best time to visit the Pengempu Waterfall – The waterfall is open daily between 6am and 6pm. We visited the waterfall at 8am and had it completely to ourselves for a good hour and a half. So while this waterfall might not be the busiest we would still recommend to show up early if you want to have the same experience we had.
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Where to stay in Ubud
With Ubud being one of Bali’s most popular destinations you won’t have to look far to find the right accommodation for you. Homestays, luxury resorts or hostels, Ubud truly has something for everyone. We prefer to stay a bit out of the centre of Ubud, away from the hustle and bustle, and surrounded by peace and quiet. We personally loved staying at Kapu Kapu Ubud, a guesthouse located a short 10 min ride out of the centre of Ubud. Quiet nights, beautiful views from our room and the guesthouse is owned by some of the loveliest people we have met in Bali, what else do you need right! We absolutely loved our stay here, and consider it a great option for budget travellers who are planning on renting their own motorbike to get around Ubud. If you prefer to walk around, and perhaps stay a bit more central, than check out the map below to find the perfect place for you!
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And there you have it, everything you need to know about visiting the Pengempu Waterfall in Bali! Planning on traveling to Ubud? Then be sure to check out some of our other guides of sights and things to do in Ubud:
- The Tibumana Waterfall
- The Tegalalang Rice Terrace
- The Campuhan Ridge Walk
- Day Trips From Ubud
- Ubud’s Most Beautiful Rice Fields
- The Penestanan Rice Field Walk
- The Tirta Empul Temple
- Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu
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