A Full Guide to Visiting Ulu Petanu Waterfall in Bali
Bali is home to countless waterfalls, and one of the most underrated is Ulu Petanu Waterfall, located only 30 minutes from Ubud.
In this guide, I will tell you how to visit Ulu Petanu, what to know before going there, and which waterfalls nearby you can pair the trip with! You’ll also find out ticket information, visiting hours, and more.
Quick Bali Travel Guide
If you’re traveling to Bali last minute, be sure you have hotels and tours booked ahead of time. Below are some of my top picks:
🇮🇩 Best tours and activities in Bali:
- Waterfalls, rice terraces, and temples private tour (super affordable option!)
- Instagram spots of Bali tour (swings, rice terraces, waterfalls, and more)
- Ubud in a day (the ultimate ‘highlights of Ubud’ tour)
🛌 Top-rated places to stay in Bali:
- Ubud Aura Wellness Sanctuary (Ubud; pool, air-conditioning, yoga classes)
- Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel (Ubud; options for any budget)
- Kos One Hostel (Canggu; Greek-inspired luxury hostel)
🚗 Planning to hire a driver to get around Bali? Check private driver options in your area.
Do you have any questions about visiting Ulu Petanu Waterfall in Bali? If so, let me know in the comments. Thanks!
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the following:
About Ulu Petanu Waterfall in Bali
Ulu Petanu (Air Terjun Ulu Petanu) is not one of the first waterfalls mentioned when someone tells you about the waterfalls near Ubud. But, it isn’t a secret and gets its fair share of visitors.
Located just 30 minutes north of Ubud to the east, you’ll find this waterfall close to the famous Ceking Rice Terrace and where the Tukad Payang and Tukad Dapdap (rivers) meet.
It is 15 meters high (roughly 50 feet) and there is a short path and stairs that lead the way down to it from the ticket booth and parking lot that is situated across the street.
Ulu Petanu Waterfall: The Essentials
Location: 30 minutes from Ubud; exact location
Visitor hours: 6:30 am until 5 pm daily
Entrance fee: 20,000 IDR (just over $1); cash only
Hike difficulty: fairly easy, but has 90 stairs down to it
Time needed at waterfall: an hour is enough (longer if swimming)
Amenities: changing facilities, toilets, gazebo in the parking lot
The stairs to it are a little steep, but well-maintained and will take no longer than 5-10 minutes.
One thing that makes Ulu Petanu special is that there is more than just a waterfall at the site. You can see a cave, a second waterfall, and a lot of Balinese spiritual history.
This was a meditation place for Maya Denawa, a Balinese king in the 10th and 11th centuries. When he died, it is said that his blood went into the nearby rivers, and locals had to purify the waters. Today, Ulu Petanu is known for its ceremonies and offerings, as well as its healing properties.
How to Get to Ulu Petanu Waterfall
Ulu Petanu is fairly easy to reach and is only 30 minutes from Ubud. Naturally, this depends on the traffic in Bali, which can be notoriously awful at times! The waterfall is least busy in the morning, as is the island’s traffic, so set out early if you want to beat the crowds.
From Ubud, Ulu Petanu is 13.1 km (8 mi) away if traffic is light. From the Canggu/Seminyak area, it is 43.8 km (27 mi) and takes around 1.5 hours if traffic is playing nice. This will depend on where you leave from.
Taking a Tour to Ulu Petanu Waterfall
There are a few organized tours that will take you to Ulu Petanu, as well as a few other sites. This tour is affordable (around $30/pp) and it swings you by Ulu Petanu, the Sacred Monkey Forest, a rice terrace, and more. If you’re not keen to hire a driver for the day or take your chances with Grab/Gojek, this is a pretty solid option to see some of Bali’s highlights!
Hiring a Private Driver for the Day
When I went to Ulu Petanu, I had hired a driver for the day (and we visited other waterfalls on the same trip). This is the best way to get around, but prices will vary depending on where you’re getting picked up from and what you want to see.
Hiring a driver means they will wait for you at the waterfall, so you don’t have to stress about finding a ride after!
The driver that I hired was named Yogi, and his WhatsApp business contact is +62 812 3779 7830. I used his services many times when I was in Bali – he speaks excellent English, drives well, and was very friendly. I stayed in Canggu, for reference.
Taking a Grab or Gojek to Ulu Petanu Waterfall
Some of the waterfalls around Bali do not allow Grab and Gojek to pick you up. I did not see any specific signs stating that at Ulu Petanu, but there may be a rule there prohibiting this.
The road down to the waterfall complex is kind of windy and narrow, so I wouldn’t chance having to walk it if you are looking to get picked up within the zone (pending it is not permitted here). I would advise hiring a driver for the day, renting your own scooter, or joining up on the tour I mentioned above.
Price, Visitor Information, and My Experience
The entrance fee to Ulu Petanu Waterfall is 20,000 IDR (just over $1). Before I went, it was reported that the fees were different for foreigners and domestic travelers, so just be aware that this can change, but as of April 2025, it is still 20,000 IDR. Bring cash for payment.
While there was nowhere to grab a snack or food at Ulu Petanu, there is a nice toilet (in the parking lot area) and a changing area (down closer to the healing waters and waterfall).
Once you purchase your ticket, you will need to head down 90 stairs to the waterfall. The path was well-maintained, but it can be slippery during the rainy season!
Once you’re down most of the stairs, you will see a Pelinggih and the Tirta Waledan Pancoran Tiga Rasa waters. The changing room is over in this area. There is also a koi pond with stone steps that you will need to cross over.
I visited toward the end of the dry season (September), and the water was clear and pretty. However, this is a mosquito breeding area! I got bitten a few times down there, so I imagine it is worse during the rainy season. The water may also be murkier during the rainy season.
You can keep walking until you get to the waterfall. You can step to the left side and take some photos or head onto the red bridge for ones straight on. This bridge only holds 10 people at a time, so don’t hang out on it for too long.
After you go over the bridge, you can head into the water for a swim or a photo. There is a large rock that is popular to climb on for the perfect shot! There is also a small rest area at the place where you’ll get into the water.
If you keep walking on the path, however, you can visit a few more sites! There is a small rock and stream on the other side of the path (Situs Pelepasan Batu) before arriving at a small, triple waterfall called Pangkung Patas.
The Pangkung Patas Waterfall has a natural pool that you can swim in, and it will definitely be less crowded than the main pool at Ulu Petanu! Otherwise, you can continue over to the Skull Stone and Muntig Cave.
Ulu Petanu Waterfall and complex are open from 6:30 am til 5 pm daily (they close at 6 pm, but the last ticket is sold at 5 pm). The earlier you arrive, the better! Tours do stop here, so it can get fairly busy throughout the day.
Ulu Petanu Waterfall FAQ
Can you swim in Ulu Petanu Waterfall?
Yes, it is a great waterfall to swim in! You can also swim in the Pangkung Patas Waterfall further along the path.
Is the trail to Ulu Petanu difficult?
No, it is a pretty simple walk down the 90 steps, but you may need to stop a few times on the way back if you’re not in tip-top shape.
When is the best time to visit?
The best time to visit Ulu Petanu, in my opinion, is in the dry season. The water will get murkier in the rainy season, and there is a koi pond you must cross before getting to the waterfall. This pond was teeming with mosquitoes in the dry season, so I can imagine it is only worse during the rainy season (November – March)!
The area near the waterfall is known to flood or spill over a bit, so I recommend visiting in the dry season as the waterfall is still quite powerful then.
Is there anywhere to eat at the waterfall?
No, there is no warung or place to grab food and drinks there. However, there is a small gazebo in the parking lot that you can sit at and enjoy food you brought with you.
Other Waterfalls Near Ulu Petanu Waterfall
There are quite a few waterfalls in the area around Ubud and Gianyar, and here are a few you can pair with Ulu Petanu:
- Tibumana Waterfall: has a small plunge pool like Suwat, and the area down by the waterfall is green and lush
- Taman Sari Waterfall: has a shallow natural pool and swimming area; it is a two-tiered waterfall
- Kanto Lampo: a hit with Instagrammers because of its unique appearance and the ability to take photos on rocks in front of it
- Suwat Waterfall: a quieter waterfall in Gianyar that has an easy hike and a natural pool; read my full guide to visiting Suwat Waterfall
You can find the location of these waterfalls on the map below. None of them has a crazy hike involved, so you can visit them all in one day if you plan your itinerary out well!
Ulu Petanu Waterfall (On a Map)
Below, you’ll find Ulu Petanu Waterfall in black and some other nearby waterfalls I mentioned in blue.
How To Use This Map
You can use your fingers/mouse to zoom in and out. To get more info about a place, simply touch/click the icons. Want to save this map for later use? Click the ‘⭐’ by the map title and it will add it to your Google Maps account (Saved > Maps or ‘Your Places’).
Ulu Petanu surprised me. I hadn’t heard of it before, and I found it far more beautiful than the other ones I had heard of! It was photogenic, but definitely not a secret, and there will be others there at the same time.
Nevertheless, it didn’t have the crowds that places like Git Git or Leke Leke had, so it is worth the visit.
Do you have any questions about visiting Ulu Petanu Waterfall? Let me know in the comments. Thanks!
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