Where to stay in Munduk

Munduk village strings along a ridge road lined with Dutch-era buildings, cafes and homestays looking out over the plantations towards the coast. It is the base closest to the area's waterfalls, including the Munduk and Melanting falls, and to walking trails through the coffee and clove groves. The village has a cool climate and a slow pace, with simple guesthouses and a few boutique stays. It is a long drive from the southern beaches, so most visitors come for a night or two on a touring loop.

The Wanagiri ridge runs east of Munduk above the twin lakes of Buyan and Tamblingan, and its viewpoints look down over the water and the forest. Villas and view-facing cafes have grown along this stretch, some with the swings and photo platforms the area is known for. It suits travellers who want a dramatic mountain outlook and a base for lake walks and canoe trips. The ridge is exposed and can be cloudy, and services are spread thinly along the road.

To the east around Bedugul, stays near Lake Beratan put you close to Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, the much-photographed temple that appears to float on the lake, and to the Bali Botanic Garden. It is a practical base for travellers touring the central highlands, with a cooler climate and easy reach of the temple, the strawberry farms and the market. Accommodation ranges from lakeside guesthouses to a few resorts. It is busier by day with visitors to the temple, and quiet once they leave.