A Complete Guide To The Munduk Rice Terraces
The Munduk Village rice terraces offer a quieter view of Bali’s natural landscapes without the crowds. While they may not be as expansive or as polished, something is refreshing about their simplicity.
If you are looking for a peaceful walk surrounded by nature’s subtle beauty, Munduk’s rice terraces offer just that. Here is what to expect from this more relaxed, low-key spot in Northern Bali.
For an in-depth guide to visiting Munduk Village, head here!
Oh & as always practice sustainable tourism while traveling, please :) Be sure to take any trash, plastic, etc. with you when you leave.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, my blog may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
Bali Travel Guide: Munduk Rice Terraces
About Munduk and the Rice Terraces:
Munduk is a small village in northern Bali that remains a bit of a hidden gem. Surrounded by immense jungles and rice terraces, it offers a peaceful escape from Bali’s busier, more crowded areas. The rice terraces, while smaller, are still a flourishing green landscape, perfect for an afternoon stroll or photo session, that captures the essence of Bali!
Location:
The Munduk Rice Terraces are, of course, located in Munduk Village. The best way to trek through the rice terraces is with the All Trails route, which you can find here.
The trail is a 2.4-mile loop, with minimal elevation gain—around 500 feet. It is a pretty easy trail, however it can be tougher in the midday Bali heat so keep this in mind when planning your trek. It takes around 1 hour to complete the trail, depending on speed. You should be able to access the route map and directions to the starting point by downloading the All Trails app. Once you arrive at the starting point, click “start” and All Trails will show you the way and time you!
The starting point is along Jalan Pura Puseh, but you can use the All Trails Route to direct you to the starting point and go from there! If you prefer, you can pay for the All Trails yearly subscription and download the map to your phone in case you lose service or purchase an Indonesian eSim on Airalo for cell data throughout Indonesia.
If you do not want to trek, you can also view the terraces from many Warungs along Jalan Pura Puseh, like Warung Heaven or Warung Enjoy Cafe 2. The seating areas offer incredible elevated views over the rice terraces. Again, golden hour and sunset are stunning moments!
When To Visit:
The best time to visit the Munduk Rice Terraces is during golden hour, which offers the best lighting on the rice terraces for photos and views. This also leaves time to watch the sunset over them from a nearby Warung at the end of the trail on Jalan Pura Puseh!
Avoid trekking through the rice terraces during the rainy season, as the walkways often flood and become muddy. The rainy season usually begins in late October or early November and runs until March. Outside of this timeframe (in the dry season) is the best time to visit.
What to Bring:
Comfortable Walking Shoes with good support and grip— sometimes the path is slippery or muddy.
A Camera— to capture stunning photos of the terraces
Loose and breathable clothing— to keep cool, especially when visiting during the day.
Sunscreen and mosquito spray. If you burn easily, pack a hat to protect your face.
A reusable water bottle to keep hydrated — filling the bottle with coconut water is an excellent option!
Mistakes can happen, especially when trekking and walking around slippery areas, so I recommend always having some form of travel medical insurance. Safety Wing is by far the best travel medical insurance. It has saved me numerous times by covering hospital visits when I was sick during my travels in Asia.
Emergency Contact Number: Police: +62 110 | Fire: +62 113 | Ambulance: +62 118 or +62 119 | You can find a complete list of Bali Emergency #’s here.
Get an eSIM—so you do not get lost navigating your way through the rice terraces. I always use Airalo for my eSim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There An Entrance Fee?
Nope! As of 2025, the trek is free :)
How long Do I need to visit?
You can visit the rice terraces for however long you want to explore and photograph. Completing the trail takes 1 hour to 1.5 hours.
What else is there to do in Munduk?
Waterfalls (a lot of them)
Yummy Food
Temples
Find the complete list of the best things to do in my travel guide, here!
Where to eat for Views:
As mentioned, most places along Jalan Pura Puseh offer incredible views over the Munduk Rice Terraces.
The Botanist (no rice field view)
Eco Cafe #1 and #2 (no rice field view)
Can I bring kids?
Yes! The walkways and short trek are perfect for children as long as they are not muddy!
Is it Worth Visiting?
If you are in Munduk, then yes I think they are worth visiting, however, I enjoyed the view from above more than anything else. I do prefer other rice terraces for walking around in. My favorite rice terraces in Bali are just 1 hour south of Munduk. The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are the best and largest rice terraces in Bali, stretching over 600 hectares (almost 1500 acres) and are open for wandering through, photography opportunities, eco-cycling, and more! You could spend hours here, getting lost in the rice terrace trails and magic. If rice terraces are your priority for your trip, I recommend heading here.
For everything you need to know for visiting this Indonesian wonder, head here!
GENERAL INFORMATION: MUNDUK
BEST TIME TO VISIT:
Rainy Season: November - March | Dry Season: April - Early October
As is for all waterfalls in Bali, I recommend visiting in the morning for a chance at fewer people and cooler temperatures, making the trek more comfortable compared to the midday heat. Heading here right for opening hours may be best for a chance to have the waterfalls to yourself.
I would not head to the waterfalls during the rainy season because I imagine the waterfall treks would be too slippery and dangerous. Right after the rainy season in March and April, the waterfalls will be more powerful, when compared to right before the rainy season. I went right before the rainy season in October, so the falls were a bit more dried up than usual, but still a beautiful sight.
HOW TO GET TO MUNDUK:
Flying: The only airport in Bali is 82 KM (50-51 Miles) from Munduk, in Denpasar: Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). You need to order a taxi or rent a motorbike to reach this region from the airport.
The drive can be as short as 1 hour and 50 minutes if you leave before 8:00 AM or after 7:00 PM and as long as 3 hours during high traffic times. Motorbike tends to be faster than cars because they can weave around traffic.
Taxi: You can order a local taxi, Grab (rideshare app), or GoJek (rideshare app) from almost anywhere in Bali to Munduk.
Local taxis are available outside the airport or by booking through an accommodation.
Grab is better than GoJek for longer distances (from my experience). I have had GoJek drivers arrive to pick me up and ask for more money, and when I said no, they turned around and drove away.
For either app, you can ride in a car or on the back of a motorbike. The motorbike is the cheaper option by far. If you have more bags or are uncomfortable being on the back of a bike weaving through cars for longer hot hours, I do not recommend taking the back seat of a motorbike. You will also have to hold your bags unless they are small enough to fit in the front of the bike.
A car is a more comfortable option, but it can take longer with traffic. Car prices vary a lot depending on the time of day and demand.
Motorbike: Motorbike rental businesses are everywhere in Bali for you to choose from. Some are overpriced and untrustworthy, so be sure to read reviews. For my last rental, I used Bali Best Motorcycle. They also do bike delivery and pick-up! You can arrange a rental through WhatsApp before you arrive.
Be aware that the roads leading to Munduk are not in perfect condition—the infrastructure in Bali is not great overall. It would be best if you were a confident driver, especially during high-traffic times when navigating between cars and other obstacles. If you have bags, you must wear or place them by your feet while riding.
Always wear your helmet and have your international driver’s license with you in case you are pulled over or stopped by local police. I have only been pulled over once for my friend not wearing a helmet.
MODE OF TRANSPORT IN MUNDUK:
The best form of transport in Munduk is by motorbike. Points of interest are a bit spread apart, and the area is very hilly, so walking could take too long. Daily motorbike rentals are usually around 80,000/90,000 IDR (per day) for a small motorbike or scoopy. The larger the bike, the more expensive it will be. You will find better deals for longer-term rentals versus daily. Be sure to negotiate pricing, as some places will just throw out a more expensive price to see if you will take it. As mentioned, I rent my bike from Denpasar.
There are local taxis around, which you can usually hire from your accommodation or through Grab/Gojek.
Motorbike Driving Tip:
Always check that the bike is working and take photos of any previous damage made to avoid arguments with the rental places.
Keep in mind the traffic can be a bit chaotic and sporadic, and some roads are overwhelming or unpaved. So, if you are not confident in your motorbike abilities, then hopping on the back of a bike via Grab or Gojek may be a better option.
Always wear your helmet—so many people do not wear their helmets, which blows my mind. Wearing your helmet could save your life.
WHERE TO STAY:
Munduk is a village perched above a lush valley of rice terraces close to Tamblingan Lake. It is a small village, so there is no “better” area to stay.
Best Accommodation Options For Every Traveler: Munduk
Backpacker/Hostel Option: Dong Paloh Hostel (Dorm) or Made Oka Homestay and Warung (Private Room)
Best Low-Budget: Nadya Homestay or Munduk V View House or Bali Rahayu Homestay (I stayed here and really enjoyed my stay).
Best Mid-Budget: Moondock Luxury Camp or Gumi Ayu EcoStay
Best Luxury Budget: Munduk Cabins or Elevate Bali
You can also find hotel deals at Agoda and Hostel World!
ARE THERE VEGAN OR GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS?
Yes, there are a few.
When you are eating gluten-free in the Warungs, you can order most dishes without soy sauce.
“Wheat” in Indonesian is “gandum.”
“Saya allergie kecap” means you are allergic to soy.
IS IT SAFE?
Munduk felt safe to me—it is a quieter area than other destinations in Bali, making it a nice escape from the crowds everywhere else. However, I recommend staying up to date with your country’s travel advisories. Follow basic rules of safety while traveling including:
Keep an eye on personal belongings and valuable items. Do not leave them in your bike.
Never forget your keys in your motorbike, and never leave anything valuable sitting out. Someone may steal it, especially monkeys.
Always triple-check vaccination requirements and recommendations for countries. Some potential illnesses include Typhoid and Hepatitis A.
Pack mosquito spray to protect yourself from Dengue and Malaria. There have been recent cases of Dengue in the region.
Wear your helmet when riding your motorbike. So many people do not wear their helmets, which could save your life.
DO NOT drink the tap water. Keep your mouth closed in the shower and even use bottled water for toothbrushing, especially if you have a sensitive stomach like me!
Never travel without the right insurance in case of any sickness, injuries, or theft. Safety Wing is by far the best travel medical insurance. It has saved me numerous times by covering hospital visits when I was sick during my travels in Asia.
Get an eSIM—so you do not get lost navigating your way. I always use Airalo for my eSims.
Emergency Contact Number: Police: +62 110 | Fire: +62 113 | Ambulance: +62 118 or +62 119
You can find a complete list of Bali Emergency #’s here.
