Tegenungan Waterfall (Air Terjun Tegenungan)

Tegenungan Waterfall is a pleasant place to spend a hot, dry Balinese day swimming, climbing to the top of the falls, or just hanging out. Tegenungan features on many tours of Bali’s natural attractions, alongside sights such as Tegalalang Rice Terraces, as well as general cultural tours around Ubud. Tours typically take you up the waterfall steps, leave time for a swim, introduce you to the sacred spring, and perhaps include a dip in the Tukad Petanu River.

• Tegenungan Waterfall is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and first-time visitors to Bali.

• Do not jump from the cliffs—it is extremely dangerous. Doing so can cause serious injury or death.

• As with other Balinese sacred springs, menstruating women are forbidden from using the sacred spring. Please respect this prohibition.

• Tegenungan Waterfall is not accessible to those with mobility issues due to scores of steep steps that lead up to the top.

The Tegenungan falls are about 7 miles (10 kilometers) south of Ubud. You can reach them from either Tegenungan village (at the base) or Blangsinga village (at the top). As there is no public transportation, your best options are to pay a private driver or join an organized tour.

While many waterfalls are best visited during the rainy season when water levels are high, Tegenungan is at its most attractive during the dry season, when the towering cascade flows down white, not chocolate brown. Generally speaking, Bali’s dry season runs from April until the end of September. Come early in the day to beat the big groups.

Indonesia is currently experiencing a small epidemic of selfie-related fatalities, while visitors have tumbled to their deaths from waterfalls in pursuit of the perfect Instagram. Tegenungan Waterfall has seen at least one selfie death in recent years. Exercise extreme caution when taking selfies high on the cliffs or atop the waterfall itself.