Where To Go in Northern Bali

Woman stands in front of rice fields in Northern Bali

Northern Bali holds the best-kept secrets of the island — the best rice terraces, the holiest temples, and the biggest waterfalls. You don’t want to miss out on the wilder side of Bali. So, take a day trip north from Ubud to explore the beauty of the north.

In this guide, we’ll go through an itinerary on how to best spend a day in Northern Bali, hitting all the major spots. Mount Batur is not included in this guide because hiking the volcano is a full-day adventure. For a day trip to hike Mount Batur, read this guide.

Let’s get into it.

A day in Northern Bali

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

A sacred Hindu temple on a lake with red flowers in the foreground

On the Lake Batur caldera sits Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, one of the most beautiful and holiest temples in Bali. This temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and the goddess of Lake Batur. This lake provides fresh water for most of Bali, making this temple extra special to the Balinese people. Villagers from all over Bali visit the temple to pay their respects to their gods. Because of its cultural significance, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Entrance to the temple is 75,000 rupiah, a little under 5 USD. The well-manicured grounds are decorated with flowers, making it a nice stroll.

Banyumala Twin Waterfalls

Next stop: a split waterfall in the highlands. Bayumala Twin Waterfalls are two waterfalls that converge into one, creating an oasis in the jungle. Bring your bathing suit to take a dip in the swimming hole to beat the humid heat.

It costs 50,000 IDR (about 3 USD) to access the waterfall. To reach the waterfall, it’s a steep walk through the highlands going up and down hills and stairs. You can hop on the back of someone’s motorbike but that won’t get you down the steps to the waterfall. The mini hike is worth it when you see the view at the bottom.

Other waterfalls to visit in the area are Nungnung Waterfall and Leke Leke Waterfall.

Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

Lush green rice terraces in Northern Bali

Most people visit the Tegalalang Rice Terraces near Ubud, but the real magic is at the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces. These expansive rice terraces seem to go on for miles. Like the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After taking in the views, dine at a restaurant for lunch to taste rice from the region. Also, go for a stroll through the rice fields to see how rice is cultivated.

How to reach Northern Bali

You’ll need to enlist a private driver or guide to reach the locations listed in this guide. This itinerary was designed by Kardika Nengah, a local driver who loves to share the less popular parts of Bali with foreigners.

You can hire Kardika to be your driver by contacting him via WhatsApp at +62 811-397-749.

A typical private driver and tour will cost you 60-80 USD plus tip. It’s well worth it to hire someone who knows the roads, especially for long-haul drives and adventures like this one.

You can expect to spend over three hours in the car driving from location to location, which is why I can’t recommend Kardika enough. He’s knowledgeable, kind, and respectful.