Tibumana Waterfall – All You Need To Know Before Visiting
Tibumana Waterfall – My Full Experience
Tucked away in the beauty of Bali, Tibumana Waterfall draws visitors with its natural beauty and peaceful setting.
After exploring Indonesia for over 2 months, including 5 weeks in Bali, I can confidently say that this spot ranks among the top waterfalls on the island. The moment I stood before its crashing water, I knew this place was special.
If you’re planning a visit to Tibumana Waterfall, you probably have questions about the entrance fee, exact location, and whether it’s truly worth the journey. During my visit, flying my drone here produced some of my favourite photos from my entire Bali trip – capturing views that truly showcase why this waterfall deserves a spot on your itinerary.
This guide is designed with solo travellers and couples in mind, providing all the essential information you need before visiting. From practical details like how to get there and what costs to expect, to tips that will enhance your experience, I’ve covered everything based on my firsthand experience there.
Whether you’re looking to swim under the waterfall or a photographer hunting for that perfect shot, Tibumana Waterfall is one amazing place to visit.
Check out my 3-Day Ubud Itinerary to plan your trip effectively.
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Best Time To Visit Tibumana Waterfall?
Let’s break this down by time of year and time of day.
The best time of year to visit is during the dry season, which runs from April until the end of October. This is exactly when we visited, and the weather was perfect – warm but not excessively so. We had no rain during our visit, making for ideal conditions.
On the flip side, however, more tourists were likely present during our visit due to the favourable season.
The best time of day to visit is early morning or late afternoon.
We visited in the late afternoon, and when we arrived, there were only a handful of people.
While more visitors arrived shortly after, it was nothing compared to the crowds we encountered at other waterfalls during midday, such as Banyumala Waterfall and Taman Sari Waterfall.
Where Is Tibumana Waterfall?
Tibumana Waterfall is located just over 14 kilometres from Ubud, making it a popular day trip destination for many visitors.
On the map below, you can see both Ubud and Tibumana Waterfall marked.
PS – I made a list of the Best Things To Do In Ubud Indonesia for you to plan your trip.
How To Get There
You can access Tibumana Waterfall by motorbike, bicycle, Grab, or private car.
During our exploration of Ubud, we typically rented two Grab drivers for the day. This cost us 600,000 IDR for 5 hours.
When we visited Tibumana Waterfall, we also included stops at Pura Tirta Empul and Pura Mengening. You can arrange these types of outings with most drivers, whether it’s a car or a bike.
Discover if Bali is worth visiting!
Is There Parking?
Yes, there is a small parking area where you can leave your bike when you visit the waterfall.
There is a modest fee of 5,000 IDR for parking a bike and 10,000 IDR for a car.
From there, it’s about a 10-15 minute walk to the waterfall, taking you down stairs, across bamboo bridges, and past a smaller waterfall along the way.
Entrance Fee
When we visited, we paid 25,000 IDR to enter per person. In euros, that amounts to €1.32.
A small price to pay for a waterfall that looks like the gods carved out of the rocks.
Tour Options
If you don’t want any stress planning your trip to Tibumana Waterfalls, there is no shame in joining a group tour.
Below are some options you can consider:
Ubud: ATV Quad Biking, Temple & Tibumana Waterfall Tour
Ubud: Waterfalls, Water Temple & Rice Terraces Private Tour
Ubud: Rice Terrace, Monkey Forest, Waterfall Private Tour
Opening Hours
The waterfall is open to visit between 06.00 AM and 06.00 PM.
We were promptly asked to leave when it was approaching 06:00 PM sharp. Additionally, it’s recommended to visit first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds.
While we didn’t do this at Tibumana, we did follow this advice when visiting Leke Leke waterfall, and it was absolutely true.
There were only one other couple and us for a short time.
This makes it more special in my view.
What To Expect
You can expect incredible beauty, lush green vegetation and plenty of tourists, depending on when you go, of course.
When we visited, the drive around this region of Bali was really beautiful. So many rice fields and temples lined the entire area.
Once you get parked up, the walk to the falls feels like a mixture of Jurassic Park and Avatar.
While thankfully no dinosaurs appeared for us, the nature and sounds were so pleasant they created amazing memories that stay with me as I write this.
Once you set eyes on the waterfall from a distance of about 50 meters away, your journey feels complete. The closer you get to the falls, the more surreal it feels.
The water consistently crashes down in an almost perfect way. When I visited, I felt like it had to be man-made, but of course, it’s completely natural.
Practical Things To Consider
Wearing sandals could make the journey from the car park to the waterfall challenging, as it’s quite a distance to walk in bad footwear.
The concrete staircases and bridges can be slippery when wet, so please be careful.
You must pay your entrance fee before leaving the road. There’s a small booth with an attendant who will collect your money.
There’s also a restaurant on the road where you can eat if needed, or even purchase Indonesian masks or souvenirs.
Additionally, there are no tables or chairs to leave your stuff if you go swimming. I suggest picking a dry rock to leave your bag and make it visible at all times.
There is a changing room close to the waterfall that you can use.
Packing List
In case you do forget to bring something or simply never considered it, here are some handy items that will make your trip more successful:
- GoPro – we used a 12 and a 13 on our travels, and it was brilliant. Waterproof and perfect for snorkelling and waterfall photos.
- Simwsuit
- Watershoes – protect your feet from cuts and bruises.
- Drinking water
- Lightweight, fast-drying towel.
- Sunscreen.- Always wear sunscreen!
Can You Swim In The Tibumana Waterfall?
While you can swim at Tibumana Waterfall, it’s more of a dip than actual swimming.
You won’t be doing laps around the pool. During our visit, most people (including us) simply got in and floated around – it’s hard to call it proper swimming.
Some visitors venture closer to the waterfall, but be careful as it’s dangerous with so much water crashing down at once.
The water was not warm when. We swam, but who cares about a few moments of discomfort, and your body adapts. You just have to swim at Tibumana Waterfall.
If you do enter the water, stay well away from the waterfall itself.
Taking Photos At Tibumana Waterfall
You can get some stunning photos at the waterfall.
It’s best to capture images without other visitors in the frame for a cleaner shot. Additionally, positioning yourself or a couple as the subject near the small sandy beach creates a breathtaking backdrop.
I recommend asking someone else to take your photo, and you can return the favour.
But one thing will really make your photos stand out — reduce the shutter speed.
If you set it to half a second, this will create a slightly smoothed, silky effect on the water. Anything slower might make the waterfall look unnatural and less appealing, in my opinion.
However, experiment with different speeds until you find an image you love.
Things To Do Close To Tibumana Waterfall
Taman Sari Waterfall
Another impressive waterfall worth visiting.
The swimming area is fairly deep with clear water. Perfect for cooling off after the hike down. Photos here capture the raw power of the falls without the crowds that Tibumana sometimes gets.
No sugarcoating – it’s genuinely spectacular.
Goa Garba
Goa Garba is an ancient cave temple that’s pretty fun to explore – dark, cramped, and easily worth the extra time unless you’re really not into obscure spiritual sites.
Most tourists skip it and don’t miss much.
Goa Gajah
Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) is a brief stop near Tibumana featuring ancient carvings and a small cave. Despite its historical value, the experience can feel rushed due to crowds.
Worth visiting only if you’re a history buff or completing a Bali checklist.
Tegenungan Waterfall
Tegenungan Waterfall is popular and easily accessible from Ubud.
While beautiful with its powerful cascade, it gets extremely crowded. Visit early morning to avoid masses of tourists.
The developed site has entrance fees, cafes and souvenir shops. Worth a quick visit for its impressive size and convenient location.
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Read about why you need travel insurance when going on any trip.
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Final Thoughts – Is Tibumana Worth Visiting?
Tibumana Waterfall is an incredible slice of Bali’s natural beauty, and I thoroughly loved exploring it.
I must admit it is totally worth the time and money.
Although our visit was a bit rushed since we arrived late in the day, I highly recommend making this waterfall a priority when visiting Ubud and Bali in general. If you’re planning to stay in Ubud, I’ve written a post about the most unique accommodations so you can choose some great options there.
Additionally, I have an in-depth article about what to pack for Southeast Asia.
Any questions? Just drop me a message.
Thanks for reading,
James
FAQs
Is Tibumana Waterfall Worth Visiting?
Absolutely worth it. Tibumana Waterfall is a breathtaking destination in Bali. It’s a picture-perfect natural wonder that makes for stunning photos, whether for social media or personal memories. While the waterfall can get crowded during peak season, visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon offers more solitude. Regardless of when you go or how many people are there, Tibumana is a must-visit attraction in Bali.
How Long Does It Take To Visit Tibumana Waterfall?
The time spent at Tibumana Waterfall depends entirely on you. You can quickly visit if you’re short on time. Others spend hours capturing the perfect Instagram photo. An hour is generally a good sweet spot for most visitors, but ultimately it’s your choice. I recommend staying as long as possible to fully appreciate the beauty of this location.
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