Bedugul is a hidden gem of beautiful lakes, exotic and spiritual temples, impressive mountains and gorgeous natural scenery.
If you’re looking to get away from the crowds and experience a truly authentic Balinese experience, then a trip to Bedugul could be just what you’re looking for.
Our guide will ensure you know how to get there, what to do, where to stay, where to eat and much more on your trip to Bedugul.
Where Is Bedugul, Bali?
Bedugul is a resort area in the mountains of North Bali, and it’s centred around the three crater lakes of Lake Bratan, Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan.
Bedugul is an area that encompasses the villages and towns of Bedugul, Candikuning, Pancasari, Pacung and Wanagiri.
It’s about 12 miles to the South of Singaraja and 30 miles North of Denpasar.
It’s about an hour from Denpasar or Lovina Beach.
How To Get To Bedugul, Bali?
Bus
We don’t recommend getting a bus to this area. While you can get to the Crater Lakes area on a bus, it’s fair to say it’s not the greatest option.
There is only one bus. It’s run by Perama Tour. It leaves Kuta at 7 a.m., stops in Ubud at 8.30 a.m., and arrives in Bedugul at 10 a.m.
Simple, right?
Wrong.
Unfortunately, you cannot buy a ticket for this bus on the day of travel, and it must be bought before 3 p.m. the previous day in a bizarre fashion – you are required to buy a minimum of two tickets.
The return journey leaves at 1.30 p.m. too, so you will be forced to stay in Bedugul overnight unless you only want to spend 3 hours in the town in exchange for your 5-hour bus journey.
Scooter
We don’t recommend scooters in Bali ever.
That’s because to be road legal, you need to have a current driving license with a motorbike endorsement (car licenses won’t cut it), a current International Driver’s Permit (IDP0, a helmet (which must be worn) and be sober.
If you’re not legal, you aren’t insured, even if you have a travel insurance policy that says you can ride a bike.
Secondly, you need travel insurance that covers you on a bike because accidents in Bali are very common.
We think most people would rather not spend their holidays in a hospital whether or not they have any insurance.
So, though scooters are cheap, we don’t recommend them.
Private Car And Driver
You can easily hire a private car and driver to take you to Bedugul and bring you back again.
This isn’t a huge expense, and it is, by far, the most convenient, comfortable and safe way to get to and from Bedugul.
Coach Tour
Finally, if you want to see all of Bedugul and would like the input of some local guides, you could consider joining a coach tour.
This will ensure you see all the sights and get some decent accommodation if you stay overnight. Coach Tours offers the best value for money (you can book tours, accommodation, etc., through the Balli Res Centre, whose contact details are in the FAQ section at the end of this article).
How To Get Around Bedugul, Bali?
The local area of the village/town of Bedugul is easily covered on foot, and it’s not very big.
However, if you want to get out and about and enjoy the lakes, mountains, temples, rice terraces, etc., then it’s going to be easiest to have that car and driver on hand.
You can also use a scooter (which we still don’t recommend) or even a mountain bike (you can hire these in Bedugul easily enough).
Grab and Gojek are also options in Bedugul, but we should note that they don’t have a huge number of drivers, and you may have to wait a while to get the ride you need.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Bedugul, Bali?
Any time of year is fine to visit Bedugul, and, in fact, given that it’s not a beach destination, it’s going to be just fine in the rainy season.
You get up to 9 hours of sunshine each day in the wet season, so don’t assume you will spend all day every day being rained on.
It’s not the busiest part of Bali, however, and even if you arrive in peak season, Bedugul will typically be very quiet apart from the occasional organized coach tour.
How Long Should I Stay In Bedugul, Bali?
It really depends on how long you’re staying in Bali and how much of Bali you have already seen.
If you’re on a standard two-week holiday and may never come back to Bali, then a day is enough to see most things in Bedugul, and then you can move on to more popular parts of the nation.
However, if you’ve been here many times and want somewhere new to explore and really relax, you could easily spend a week in Bedugul.
It’s a completely different side to the island and one that far too few visitors ever get to truly experience.
What To Expect In Bedugul, Bali?
Bedugul is Bali’s wild frontier, and you will find the most authentic people, beautiful scenery and landscapes, and some sweeping wilderness.
The majority of this area is made up of farmlands with the occasional scattering of farm buildings.
The town of Bedugul and a few linked villages sit between Danau Beratan and Danau Buyan, two of the lakes formed in volcanic craters in the region.
As you travel to Bedugul, you will gaze out the windows at gorgeous terraced rice fields, rural villages and the occasional fruit vendor.
This is life as it was meant to be: simple and traditional. There are no hawkers or tourist traps in this region; there are just simple folks, small markets, and spiritually exciting temples.
The area is also home to some of the best waterfalls in Bali.
What To Do In Bedugul, Bali?
It may be a bit of a backwater, but there are plenty of awesome things to do and see in Bedugul, and they include:
Bali Botanic Garden
There are quite a few botanical garden choices in this area, and the best botanical garden is probably Bali Botanic Garden.
This is a large, pleasant green space just outside of Bedugul, and it’s clean and very well-maintained.
If you like to see flora in their native habitat, you’re going to love this place, and we could easily spend a whole day here just enjoying what may be the nicest park on the island.
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
This part of Bedugul is a UNESCO world heritage site. The paddies here are laid out on gorgeous terraces, and they are towered over by Mount Batukuru in the distance.
This place is both a photographer’s and an Instagrammer’s dream, and we thoroughly recommend you explore the area fully to get the best shots.
It’s not very expensive to get in, and you can easily get to the Yet Hoo Waterfall from here, which is one of the least known and visited waterfalls in Bali.
Munduk Waterfall
The best time to visit these falls in Bedugul is during the wet season because the water volumes ramp up, and the falls absolutely smash down on the rocks below.
It’s only 500 meters from the road, and it’s a very easy walk, but sadly, they’re still some of the least visited falls in Bali because they’re so far north.
The entrance fee not only includes access to the falls, but if you stop at the ecologic bar there, they will throw in a free locally-grown coffee! You can’t ask for more than that, can you?
Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan (Pura Ulun Danu Beratan)
This temple, Pura Ulun Danu Beratan or Pura Ulun Danu Tamblingan, appears on the 50,000 IDR banknote.
It’s an absolutely iconic site and is often referred to as the “floating temple” of Bali. It is actually only on Tamblingan Lake, which borders Beratan Lake in the Bedugul Area.
There are four sacred buildings on the temple site, and it’s one of the most striking places you will ever see in your life.
We’d recommend taking an hour or two to stroll the grounds and enjoy one of the most spiritually important places in Bali.
There are plenty of street vendors around this site offering food, drinks, and souvenirs.
Buyan & Tamblingan Lake
There used to be only one lake in this region, and then an earthquake hit Bedugul, splitting the lake into three very distinct sections.
Buyan is the biggest of the lakes, and it’s the most tourist-friendly. There are plenty of trekking and camping facilities available here.
Tamblingan, on the other hand, is practically untouched by man, and you will head there through a forest to get to the temple on its banks.
You can rent a canoe to go out on the lake, and we recommend that you do, it’s very cheap, and the area is lovely.
These are areas of outstanding natural beauty, and the 10,000 IDR entry fee for these lakes is an absolute bargain.
Banyumala Twin Waterfall
It’s not the cheapest place to enter (30,000 IDR is pretty steep for a waterfall) or the easiest to get to (the steps up to the waterfall are very slippery), but it is amazing.
This twin waterfall rushes down the cliff face to merge into a crystal clear pool at the base.
You are welcome to swim in the plunge pool to commune properly with Mother Nature, too.
We think it’s definitely value for money and recommend taking your camera to capture it in all its glory, too.
Candi Kuning Market
This market on the lakeside in the village of Candikuning is a lovely place. It’s all about fresh produce (mainly fruits and vegetables), so don’t expect too much.
However, it’s possibly the only place on Earth where you can find the local fruit called buah salju (That is “Snow Fruit”).
Try some snow fruit and then head to the souvenir kiosks for stuff for the folks back home.
It’s all locally made, and yes, haggling is entirely expected and welcomed for souvenirs.
Rumah Gemuk Bali
This is a sort of cafe and sort of destination venue, too.
It was built to be one of the island’s most spectacular wedding venues but has, over the years, become a tourist destination instead.
On the shores of Beratan Lake, it’s a great place to capture some moments for your Instagram.
Be warned, though, there’s a minimum spend of 100,000 IDR per person here, so you will need to eat and drink while you take your photos.
Sekumpul Waterfall
This waterfall is, rightly, one of the most famous waterfalls in Bali, and that’s because there are seven cascades here!
It’s not the easiest place to get to, however, and we strongly recommend joining a trekking tour if you want to see it (you can arrange this through the Bali Res Centre, too – their contact details are in the FAQs below).
Abandoned Bedugul Hotel (Tommy Soeharto’s Place)
This interesting and completely abandoned clifftop resort is a great place to snap some fascinating Instagram photos in Bedugul.
It used to be free to get in, but some enterprising locals saw an opportunity, and it’s now 50,000 IDR to get there.
This is offset by the fact that they have cleaned up all the rubbish here that was threatening to overwhelm the place.
Sugeg Ariawan Arts Gallery
This little gallery only costs 2,000 IDR to get in, so you can appreciate all the local art on display for a very reasonable price.
This is good because the work here is of very high quality, and if you want to buy something for the wall at home, it will cost more than 2,000 IDR.
The entrance fee also includes the use of their toilet facilities, which are a bit thin on the ground in this part of Bali.
Tegal Sari Bali Coffee Farm
This coffee farm has too much of an emphasis on Kopi Luwak (civet coffee) for us to be entirely comfortable with it.
However, if you want to try civet coffee or a range of other locally grown coffees and don’t mind paying a fairly hefty premium for doing so, it’s the best place in the area to do so.
Pasar Merta Sari
Fresh vegetables and fruit and some other local products are available at this small market.
It’s not really worth a trip to visit by itself, but if you’re passing by, please drop in.
Haggling, as with all markets in Bali, is expected, and while you can get a bargain, you will need to work hard to do so.
Dikubu Strawberry Farms
Yes, strawberries love mountain climates in Southeast Asia, and the best strawberries in Bali are grown here in the greenhouses at Dikubu.
If the harvest is ready, you can pick your own strawberries here, and they have a pleasant restaurant where you can enjoy some lunch and enjoy a view over the lake.
Joger Luwus Factory Outlet
Joger Bali is a local brand, and they tend to make clothing from high-quality materials for very reasonable prices.
Their factory outlet store is in Bedugul, and you will get the lowest prices possible there.
You probably won’t spend all day at this little store, but it can be a good way to add some items to your wardrobe without breaking the bank.
Bali Handara Golf & Country Club
This golf resort is one of the most popular places in Bali, and they have excellent accommodation, a great restaurant and more.
The gates here are something of a tourist trap, though, and while they are very iconic on Instagram, there are often so many people here that you will have to wait a long time for your shot.
Angseri Hot Springs
If you want to bathe in some relaxing hot springs and don’t want to climb a volcano to do so, these are great options.
They are in a lovely rainforest setting, and you can swim here to your heart’s content for a small fixed fee.
Trekking Mount Catur
This mountain in central Bali, also known as Pucak Mangu, is a great place if you’re into bird watching and native fauna.
The trek takes about 7 hours and involves a walk through the jungle, far away from any villages, and you will also get to visit a remote temple!
Where To Stay In Bedugul, Bali?
There are plenty of places to stay in and around Bedugul, though we should note that the 5-star hotels and luxury resorts haven’t arrived in this part of the mountains just yet.
Accommodation here is cheaper than in the beach towns but a little more basic too.
- CLV Hotel & Villa – this is a quiet and modern hotel that is very close to most of the major attractions in Bedugul itself. There is no air conditioning in the rooms, but frankly, you won’t need it when you’re this high up. The breakfasts are pretty good and included in the room rate.
- Kayu Manise Villa Bedugul – this is one of the most charming hotels in Bedugul, and it’s on the side of a hill. It’s also one of the most affordable hotels in Bali for private villas, and you can bring friends and family to stay here without breaking the bank.
- PonDaNu – this is one of the best hotels in Bedugul for amenities, and they provide free Wi-Fi, an in-house bar, free bike rental, private parking, a fitness centre and a charming garden for their guests. You don’t rent a room but rather a cabin by the lake here.
- Pondok Nyoman – unlike most hotels in the area, there’s a pool at Pondok Nyoman, and it’s a great spot. Their breakfast is absolutely excellent, and the view over the valley while you eat it is unmissable. We thought the onsite gym was very good, too.
- Bali Tree House Pelangi – this simple 2-star hotel offers great value for money, and they provide a decent luggage storage area and have an onsite bar and garden for guests. The tree houses are lovely, if a little basic, and your fee includes both breakfast and dinner. We wish all hotels offered as much for your money.
- Dajan Buyan Homestay – if you want something more authentic than most hotels can offer, why not try a homestay? This place offers huge rooms with a very tasty breakfast. You can enjoy long walks in the farmland nearby too.
- Balitrekk – this lovely mountainside getaway is a lot of fun, and they aim to offer a more social environment than most hotels in Bedugul. If you love cross-country running, a lot of runners stay here, too.
- Eco Bedugul Adventure Camp – this is an ultra-basic camping resort with breakfast and bathroom facilities. If you want your visit to be as close to nature as possible, this is where to go.
- Enjung Beji Resort Bali – this is a simple bungalow-style accomodation complex that is not far from the shores of Lake Bratan. It’s very reasonably priced.
- Secret Lodge Bedugul – this place is owned by a French couple and aims to offer the swankiest experience in Bedudugl. There’s a Jacuzzi in the master bedroom, plus a bathtub in the second bedroom. It’s great for families looking to get away from it all.
Where To Eat In Bedugul, Bali?
The food is good in Bedugul, but the town doesn’t have all that many restaurants to choose from. If you want to stay more than one week, you will end up eating in the same places in Bedugul regularly.
Some of our favourite places in the town include:
- Warung Rekreasi Bedugul – this place is very near the main Bedugul market and serves a buffet lunch with a decent array of options. They have a pleasant view of the lake, too.
- Warung Kopi Bukit Heron – this is a pleasant place for Balinese food and the staff here are very welcoming. Prices are super reasonable, and their pancakes are the best dessert in Bedugul.
- RM Taliwan As-Siddiq – this halal restaurant doesn’t offer much in the way of a view, but the Taliwang Chicken is absolutely amazing (and the portions are huge!).
- The Chilli Bar Indian Food – we were very surprised by this place in Bedugul, which supplies some of the most authentic Indian food we’ve encountered in Bali. The spices used are in a league of their own!
- Saras Restaurant -this is a Balinese buffet restaurant with probably the best view of the surrounding mountains in all of Bedugul. It’s very close to the Bali Botanic Garden, and if you’re heading to the botanical gardens, it would be a shame not to stop in.
- Warung Nikmat Bedugul – this stylish and traditional restaurant offers excellent Balinese cuisine in an environment surrounded by beautiful scenery. The set menu is very good value.
- Kampung Bingo – this is a lovely restaurant in a cute vegetable and botanical garden where they harvest much of the restaurant’s produce. Try the Betutu Kambing, and it’s delicious.
- Bougenville Resto & Cafe – delicious and cheap seem to be the motto of this place, which has a lovely gazebo to sit in as you gaze out over the local botanical gardens.
- Boga Sari Restaurant -this is not the best restaurant in Bedugul, but it’s in a good location for the tourist attractions.
- Mentari Restaurant – this is probably the most popular of the restaurants in Bedugul, and there’s a wide array of cuisines served here. They also serve icy cold beers.
Is Bedugul Safe?
Yes, in fact, Bedugul is probably one of the safest places on Earth. There aren’t that many things that can endanger your health, but we would recommend:
- Keep a close eye on the traffic – traffic is pretty calm around Bedugul, but it’s still possible to get run over
- Don’t annoy any monkeys you encounter – yes, monkeys can be annoying, and yes, they are smaller than you, but they are way stronger than they look, can carry rabies and tend to fight in big groups. You will lose
- Drive carefully – we don’t recommend you drive at all, but if you do, it’s a good idea to keep things sensible in Bedugul
- Take a close look at any swings before you use them – Bali swigs tend to be safe, but it’s always best to think for yourself, too. It’s fair to say that maintenance isn’t as regular as it might be in some places
- If an earthquake strikes – go outside and get away from buildings and things that can fall on you, follow the local people doing the same thing.
FAQs
What Is Bedugul Famous For?
Lakes, temples, mountains and Balinese farming communities. Bedugul isn’t trying to prove anything, and it’s the heartland of Bali, where much of the island’s food is grown.
What Is The Meaning Of Bedugul, Bali?
Bedugul is simply the name of a local town/village from which this area derives its name.
Where Is Bedugul In Bali?
It’s in the Northern Part of Bali in the mountainous regions above Ubud.
What Is The Climate Like In Bedugul, Bali?
The climate in Bedugul is cool and pleasant all year round. It’s at a much higher altitude than the beaches of Bali.
How High Is Bedugul, Bali?
Bedugul is about 1,500 meters above sea level (that’s approximately 4,900 feet).
How Do You Book A Trip To Bedugul, Bali?
We always recommend that you book any trips in Bali or your entire Bali holiday through the wonderful Bali Res Centre.
That’s a local travel agency that can ensure you get the best information and most up-to-date insight to ensure you have a great time in Bedugul and beyond.
Best of all, when you use the Bali Res Centre, you keep your tourist dollars in the local economy rather than handing them over to a multinational corporation.
And don’t worry, the Bali Res Centre gets very competitive quotes, it’s another advantage of being local.
Final Thoughts On The Botanical Gardens And Tranquil Surroundings Of Bedugul
Bedugul is still one of Bali’s hidden gems, and we’d encourage anyone with an interest in visiting to visit now before it becomes more developed and commercialized.
It’s a place of outstanding natural beauty, and the lakes, temples, and mountains are unforgettable.
