Secret Bali Waterfall Is A Must Visit For Tourists Curious About Bali’s Rich Culture 

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No vacation in Bali would be complete without a visit to one of the island’s waterfalls. With Bali’s geography formed in what many call a ‘ridge to reef’, the steep slopes of the island, coupled with the vast network of waterways, mean that there are waterfalls to be discovered in every region across the land!

Waterfalls in Indonesia are known as ‘air terjun,’ and this is an important one for Bali tourists to learn, as many of the island’s most impressive waterfalls are also the hardest to find.

In fact, to this day, many communities have not commercialised their waterfalls, and tourists only stumble upon them, but following hand-painted wooden signs that read ‘air terjun.’

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One of the great joys of visiting Bali’s waterfalls, above the natural beauty, is the connection to the island’s culture. Since Bali’s rivers are honoured as sacred by local people, the island’s waterfalls are steeped in local folklore, mythology, and are inherently linked to the deep spirituality of the island. 

Temesi Waterfall in Gianyar Regency is a real hidden gem of a waterfall. Established enough to be on the map, but little known enough to be crowd-free, the waterfall is both beautiful and culturally rich. Speak to anyone in the local community, and they will tell you how Temesi Waterfall and the surrounding pools are the ‘fairy baths’. For centuries, local people have bathed in these waters and experienced clairvoyance and spiritual encounters. 

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Speaking to reporters, the Head of Temesi Village, I Ketut Branayoga, revealed that based on mystic encounter experiences by local people, five angels are believed to reside in the waterfall area. This belief was further strengthened after an unusual incident experienced by a woman from Tabanan Regency who visited Temesi Waterfall just last week.

The young woman is reported to have suddenly fallen into a trance while near the waterfall. Witneses have recounted how she remained frozen for a long time, as if transfixed by something invisible to the naked eye. After being handled by the management and taken to the upper area, the visitor was able to communicate what she had experienced. 

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The woman told Temesi Waterfall staff that she had been told by a beautiful female figure to remain where she was. The figure was described as having a strikingly beautiful face and holding a strong aura. She also stated that there were many spirits in the waterfall area.

Branayoga told reporters that two similar incidents had also occurred to visitors in the past week. These are just a few of the experiences that make the communities that live in and around Temesi Waterfall believe that the area has a powerful mystical energy to it.

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Temesi Waterfall, like so many community-based tourism initiatives in Bali, relies upon donations from local community members and the general public to stay open for tourists, as well as revenue generated from the entry fee. 

Branayoga spoke to reporters about IDR 50 million in village tax revenue, which enabled the team to formally open the waterfall to the public. This required making a footpath and the basic infrastructure required to create a tourist attraction.

While Temesi Waterfall has been known to community members for all time, the area was only opened to the public as an attraction in April 2024, which is why it is still considered to be an off-path destination for tourists. Temesi Waterfall is open from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm every day.

Access to the waterfall takes just 5 minutes from the parking spot, and the attraction can be reached within a 30-minute drive of central Ubud.

Tourists should bring cash; entry is IDR 30,000 for international tourists, and local guides often accompany visitors to the waterfall for both safety supervision and cultural exchange.