I visited over a dozen waterfalls in Bali. From the famous Tibumana and Tukad Cepung Waterfalls near Ubud to the ones far in the north like Munduk Waterfall. They were all beautiful and unique, but in my opinion, the best waterfall in Bali is Leke Leke.
Tucked between the two sides of a tall cliff, the stream of water is surrounded by lush vegetation. Leke Leke Waterfall is one of those places that looks like a scene from a movie and if you’re lucky enough to visit it early in the morning, when there are no tourists around, the experience will be unforgettable.
I visited Leke Leke during my last week in Bali. I lived on this island for almost 8 months, but there are still many places left to discover. If you’re planning to visit Bali and explore a few of its incredible waterfalls, I warmly recommend visiting Leke Leke. After that, you can head to Nungnung Waterfall, a much bigger waterfall that will amaze you.
Without any further ado, let’s talk about Leke Leke Waterfall and what you need to know when visiting it.
1. Leke Leke Waterfall location
Also known as Air Terjun Kipuan Kebo, Leke Leke is located north of Ubud, in central Bali. It’s one of the hidden gems on the island, most tourists preferring more popular waterfalls like Tegenungan or Sekumpul.
If you’re planning to visit Ulun Danu Temple, one of the most beautiful temples in Bali, you can take a small detour and visit Leke Leke Waterfall too.
2. How to get to Leke Leke Waterfall
Bali is a small island, but the traffic is pretty intense. When we lived in Bali, we rented a motorbike to explore the island. Prices start at around 50,000 IDR per day, but you can negotiate the price if you’re renting the motorbike for longer than a few days.
From Canggu or Seminyak, the trip will take around two to Leke Leke. Even if Google Maps tells you that the trip only takes one hour, keep in mind that traffic in Bali is atrocious. Always double what Google Maps tells you. From Ubud, you’ll have to drive for one hour and a half.
Important – When renting a motorbike, don’t forget to wear a helmet!
As an alternative, you can also hire a driver with a car. This is a popular option for tourists who don’t feel comfortable driving a motorbike. Hiring a driver for one day (8 hours) costs around 500,000 IDR per car. If you’re a group of 3-4 people, this is an affordable and convenient option.
You can talk to the driver and include other nearby attractions on your itinerary. I suggest visiting Nungnung Waterfall, Ulun Danu Temple and Banyumala Twin Waterfalls.
You can also choose a guided tour to visit Leke Leke Waterfall. This tour has excellent reviews and it also includes a stop at Jatiluwik Rice Terraces.
3. Leke Leke Waterfall entrance fee and opening hours
The entrance fee to the waterfall is 50,000 IDR. It’s a bit more expensive than most other waterfalls on the island, but the area is well taken care of. The locals take good care of the bamboo bridges and keep everything in top shape.
The waterfall is open every day from 7 am until 5 pm. I recommend arriving here as early as possible to avoid the crowds. The waterfall itself is quite small and it’s almost impossible to enjoy it or take photos when there are many people around.
4. Leke Leke Waterfall swing and nest
Finding Leke Leke Waterfall is easy. You can use Google Maps or simply follow the street signs. From the parking lot, you’ll see the entrance and after climbing down a few stairs, you’ll see a small warung.
If you’re hungry or thirsty, I recommend stopping here for a snack. Near the warung there is also a nest where you can take photos. There are tens of such nests around the island and they’re quite popular among tourists. We stopped here for a few minutes and managed to take a beautiful photo.
You don’t have to pay extra to take a photo in the nest. It’s included in the entrance fee. There is also a swing, for those more adventurous. A ride in the Leke Leke swing costs 250,000 IDR. I’m sure it’s a lot of fun, but in my opinion it’s a bit too expensive.
The climb down to Leke Leke Waterfalls from the warung area takes only about 15 minutes.
The jungle is simply stunning and along the way you’ll see many beautiful plants and flowers. The stairs and the path are in good condition. However, I recommend avoiding wearing flip-flops. Go for something more comfortable, especially if it rained recently and everything becomes more slippery.
You’ll first arrive at a bamboo bridge and after you’ll have to walk another 5 minutes to reach the waterfall.
You might come across a few locals selling fresh coconuts. However, on the way to the watterfall and at the waterfall, you won’t find any facilities. I recommend using the toilet from the warung located at the entrance if necessary.
5. Arriving at Leke Leke Waterfall
Once I saw the waterfall, I instantly fell in love with it. Leke Leke is about 15 meters tall and its stream of water is quite narrow. It’s definitely not the biggest nor the most powerful waterfall in Bali, but its beauty is undeniable.
The waterfall flows from the top of a stone wall covered in moss and plants. At the base of Leke Leke there is a small cave and a small shallow natural pool. The water isn’t deep enough to swim, but if you have your swimming suit on, you can definitely refresh yourself in the cold water.
Since the waterfall is quite small and there isn’t a lot of space, I recommend arriving here early in the morning to avoid the crowds. We were the first ones there and we had plenty of time to explore it and enjoy it by ourselves.
We set the tripod and took a few photos from across Leke Leke. On the left side of the path, there are a few plants with big leaves, the perfect place to take photos from.
6. What you need to know before visiting Leke Leke Waterfall in Bali
To sum up, here are the things to remember when planning a visit to Leke Leke Waterfall in Bali:
- Arrive early to avoid the crowds
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Bring mosquito repellant
- Bring a swimming suit
7. Where to stay in central Bali
The good thing about Bali is that here you’ll find accommodation for all budgets. From hostels to luxurious villas, Bali has a wide range of options. I’ve been searching for the best accommodation for each budget and below are my recommendations.
- Budget – Pondok Nyoman – We chose this guesthouse with an incredible infinity pool, friendly owners, stunning views and clean rooms
- Mid-Range – CLV Hotel – spacious and clean rooms, breakfast included, good location
- Luxury – Handara Golf Resort – modern room, beautiful view, iconic location, breakfast included, friendly staff
8. Final thoughts
Leke Leke Waterfall should be on any traveler’s itinerary when visiting Bali. Its beauty is breathtaking and unlike other popular waterfalls, this one is still a hidden gem, although I’m not sure for how long.
I hope this guide will help you when planning to visit Leke Leke. Also, make sure to check out my guide about the best waterfalls near Ubud. You’ll discover some hidden gems!
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to let me know in the comments section below. May the travel bug bite you!
Pin it for later!
Aurelia Teslaru is a professional travel blogger and the writer behind Daily Travel Pill. With a 4-year experience as a travel writer and photographer, Aurelia only shares travel guides about destinations that she visited.
She has been to more than 40 countries during the past 10 years and aims to explore 50 countries before turning 30 years old. Aurelia is a digital nomad who transformed her passion for travel into a lifestyle. Read more about her here.
To follow her adventures, check out her Instagram and Facebook pages!