Pengempu Waterfall is one of the last waterfalls in Bali that has not been taken over by rampant tourism. A quiet area with a gently bubbling streams falls into a shallow pool and makes Pengempu Waterfall. The water is calm and beautiful. One of my favorite waterfalls in Bali for sure. When you walk through the forest to Pengempu Waterfall you will realize that not all parts of Bali have been discovered yet. This part of Bali is a great escape for people that want to forego the crowds and instead go for a smaller waterfall that is serene and gorgeous at the same time.
Where is Pengempu Waterfall?
Pengempu Waterfall is to the northwest of Ubud. The closest city to Pengempu Waterfall is Sangeh. This is the same city where the Sangeh Monkey Forest is located. Pengempu Waterfall is around 30-40 minutes from Ubud. It takes 1.5 hours to get here from Canggu. The parking lot is very easily accessible. The roads to Pengempu Waterfall are well maintained so that any car can easily get to it.
How to Get to Pengempu Waterfall
By Scooter
Scooters are the cheapest and quickest way to get around Bali. They are small so traffic is easily avoided. Scooter rentals cost around IDR 60,000 to IDR 80,000 (approximately USD 3.50 to USD 5.50) per day in Canggu and Ubud. I’ve found that longer term rentals are usually cheaper. Checkout my guide to renting a scooter in Bali so you don’t get scammed like I did.
Local taxi
If you prefer getting a taxi then Gojek and Grab are two good apps to use. These are Ubers for Bali. You can ask for a scooter or car depending on what you prefer. Hop onto the back of the scooter and they will drop you off at the parking lot of the waterfall. You can find people driving scooter taxis to take you back from the parking lot to the towns.
Private car charter
If you prefer a more luxurious and convenient option, renting a car with a private driver is a fantastic choice. This is a great choice for people who are traveling in bigger groups. Prices for a full day rental range from IDR 800,000 to IDR 1,200,000 (approximately USD 55 – USD 85).
Tour Options in Ubud
Ubud Waterfall, Rice Terraces & Monkey Forest Private Tour
This tour goes through the top attractions in Ubud which includes Tegalalang Rice Terraces, Ubud Monkey Forest, Tegenungan Waterfall and the Ubud Market.
Ubud ATV Quad Biking Adventure Guided Tour
Get to ride along river banks, in the jungle and through rice fields in this incredible adrenaline filled tour on an ATV.
Ubud Full-Day Instagram Highlights Tour
The tour takes you to four Instagram famous places which includes Lempuyang Temple, Tirta Ganga Temple, Tukad Cepung Watefall and Tegalalang Rice Fields.
Best Time to Visit
Usually the best time to visit waterfalls in Bali is during the dry season because during the wet season the flow of the water becomes very powerful and it can be dangerous. But Pengempu Waterfall is a very calm and gentle waterfall of only 20 meters and you can visit the waterfall in both the dry and wet season. It might actually be better to visit Pengempu Waterfall in the wet season because the flow will be more powerful and impressive.
Entry Fee and Timings
There is no entry fee for the waterfall. There is a booth at the small dirt patch in front of the staircase to the waterfall where you can donate some amount of money. The best amount to donate at any attraction and waterfall in Bali is IDR 10,000. This might change in the future if a lot of people start visiting it. Then there will be a proper entry fee.
The waterfall is open everyday from 6am to 6pm. Pengempu Waterfall is already very empty so you don’t need to worry about the crowds. If you want a completely empty waterfall then go at 8am and I can guarantee that there will be no one that early. It’s not a famous Instagrammable waterfall like Kanto Lampo.
Experience at Pengempu Waterfall
The road to Pengempu Waterfall is very easy to drive on. I drove my own scooter from Ubud to the waterfall. I wanted to visit both the Sangeh Monkey Forest and Pengempu Waterfall in one day. The drive was very nice and I could see rice fields a little after I left Ubud.
When you get to Pengempu Waterfall you will find a lady with a booth on the side of the road in a dirt patch. There is not much else that points to the entrance of the waterfall. You will have to donate some amount of money at the booth to access the waterfall. A good amount to donate is IDR 10,000.
Once I had given the money I began to walk down the concrete steps to the waterfall. I was surprised to find concrete steps because nothing else was developed much. The walk was very easy and I got to the waterfall in 10 minutes. When you get to the waterfall you can see the bubbling stream as it flows down the valley. You have to cross the stream on a bamboo bridge to get to the side of the waterfall.
The waterfall was completely empty at 9am in the morning. I loved how quiet everything was in the forest. You could only hear the bubbling of the water, birds in the background and noises of the jungle. No people rushing about or honking their scooters. The pool under Pengempu Waterfall was very shallow so I didn’t bother changing into my bikini. I just waded into the waterfall in my water shoes. The water felt very cold and refreshing on my feet.
I sat there for about 30 minutes just enjoying the secluded location of Pengempu Waterfall before starting the short walk back up. It was equally easy and I walked slowly, maximizing my time in the forest. I got to the top in 20 minutes and then left on my scooter. All in all I was at Pengempu Waterfall for only about an hour which is ample time to explore the waterfall.
Things to Carry
- Water Shoes: These are very important if you want to get into the pool at the bottom of Pengempu Waterfall. I never go barefoot into any body of water where I can’t see the bottom.
- Snacks and Water: The trail is short but there are no warungs nearby so finding water or food will be a challenge. You can always go to Sangeh which is pretty close by and have lunch at one of the restaurants there.
- Sunscreen: The sun in Bali is no joke and you will get fried before you even know it. Wear lots of sunscreen on the scooter ride and the trek to the waterfall.
Can you swim at Pengempu Waterfall?
The pool is very shallow at the base of the waterfall so there is no space to swim. You can wade into the water up to your ankles which is very fun. This is a great pool for small kids. It is very shallow so they can enjoy going into it without the adults being too concerned about their safety.
Is Pengempu Waterfall appropriate for small kids?
This is one of the best waterfalls for kids. The trek to the waterfall is very safe and only takes 10 mins. The waterfall itself is not very powerful and the stream is gentle and bubbling. Even in the wet season Pengempu Waterfall is very calm. The pool at the base of the waterfall is also very shallow and safe for children to get in and splash about. The best part is that Pengempu Waterfall is very uncrowded so there will be no unsafe people around either.
Places to Stay in Ubud
Luxury Hotel: Goya Boutique Resort
This is a luxurious property that is walking distance from all the attractions in Ubud. The rooms have all the amenities you could need and the resort comes with an infinity pool, spa and the Senja Restaurant.
- Price: From $270.
- Booking.com link
Mid-Level Hotel: The Artini Dijiwa Ubud
The hotel is a beautiful property in the middle of the rice terraces in Ubud. They have a beautiful outdoor pool and offer bikes to explore the area around. The rooms are pretty and the cuisine is delicious.
- Price: From $70.
- Booking.com link
Budget Hotel: Joglo Organik Guesthouse
A comfortable and clean guesthouse with an attentive staff that is ready to help you. You will enjoy coming back to this place after spending the entire day exploring the attractions all around Ubud.
- Price: From $40.
- Booking.com link
Things To Do Near Pengempu Waterfall
Sangeh Monkey Forest
This beautiful sacred monkey forest in Sangeh is filled with more than 600 adorable monkeys. The forest is beautiful and green, especially after the rainy season. You can go to the forest and explore the whole area. There is an ancient temple inside the forest called the Bukit Sari Temple. The forest is best known for its giant nutmeg trees which can grow up to 40 meters tall.
Taman Mumbul Temple & Lake
This gorgeous expansive lake in Sangeh is one of the best sights in the area. The water sparkled blue during the mid afternoon. There are two bamboo structures going out into the lake where you can take some amazing pictures. On one side there are structures that spit out holy water. The local Balinese people bathe in this water to purify themselves and ask for blessings.
Conclusion
Pengempu Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Ubud because of its quiet and serene atmosphere. The 20 meter tall waterfall falls gently into a beautiful pool at the bottom. It is one of the calmest waterfalls in Bali. It’s a great place to take the kids because it’s very safe and fun for the kids. You can visit Pengempu Waterfall in both dry and wet seasons since the flow of the water remains gentle throughout the year.
Checkout Other Bali Posts
Pura Goa Giri Putri: Ancient Magical Temple
