Sumampan Waterfall Bali: Complete Guide to This Hidden Gem

It’s no secret that Bali is home to beautiful, powerful waterfalls and chasing them is high on most people’s lists when they visit this incredible island. However, Bali is a pretty busy place and tourists tend to flock to the same spots, meaning many waterfalls get very crowded – but not Sumampan Waterfall. Located just 20 minutes from Ubud, it’s surprisingly accessible yet remains largely undiscovered. It’s tucked away from the usual tourist trails, which makes it a perfect, peaceful oasis where you can truly relax – we shared it with just three other people and even had it to ourselves for a while!

Sumpampan is easily one of the best waterfalls in Bali, it’s the perfect spot to visit to chill by the river, stand under the water cascading down the rock, or just listen to the sounds of nature. It’s so wonderfully relaxing that we even saw someone meditating here.

In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about visiting Sumampan, from tips on getting there and what to bring, to what you can expect when you arrive.

Top Tips for Visiting Sumampan Waterfall

• Come by scooter if you can or on an organised tour. The parking lot is incredibly small, and no room for cars.
• You don’t need trainers, but be prepared for walking down a very narrow staircase.
• You might want to wear water shoes for wading in the river and walking on slippery rocks.
• At the entrance, ask the guys if the waterfall is slow or fast – it can be weak and disappointing on some days depending on the weather.
• If you want to stay a while, bring a towel or something to sit on with drinks and snacks.
• Use the rope to help cross the river – the rapids and undercurrent can be quite strong.
• Entry cost is 20,000 IDR per person.

Bali Travel Essentials

Before we dive into this gorgeous Ubud waterfall, let’s make sure your Bali trip is smooth and safe.

First things first, have you thought about how you’ll get around Bali?
🛵 If you’re comfortable on a scooter, it’s one of the easiest ways to travel. You can book your scooter here. Most companies deliver and collect from your accommodation for free.
🚗 If you prefer to have a private driver so you can customise your own itinerary, you can book this full-day private customisable tour option here.

😴 Still need a place to stay? You can book your Ubud accommodation here.

✋ And don’t forget about travel insurance. It’s super important to be covered for any unexpected events. Grab your travel insurance here.

What to Expect at Sumampan Waterfall

Sumampan Waterfall is a two-in-one deal. The waterfall is right beside a river, so you have the choice of paddling in the river or crossing the river and taking a refreshingly cool shower in the waterfall.

The Walk

The walk from the parking area to Sumampan Waterfall and the river is a short 5-10-minutes. It’s a well-marked, easy-to-navigate trail until the last 50 (or so) steps. At this point, you come to a very narrow and steep staircase, which winds around the side of a rock-face to bring you down to the river. This is the only challenging bit of the walk, but the steps can get slippery and some of them are broken, so just watch your step.

Here is the Google Maps pin for the parking and start of the path down.

🎒 Make a day of it on this 5-star full-day tour that takes you to Sumampan Waterfall as well as the Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace (Bali’s famous rice fields), temples, jungle swings, art market, caves and more.

The River and Waterfall

Once you’re down there, you feel like you’ve left the busyness of Bali and been dropped onto another planet. It’s likely there will be few if any, other people there. Just take some time to relax, listen to and watch the wildlife around you and the water rippling – it’s incredibly peaceful.

Overall, your experience at Sumampan Waterfall will largely be dictated by the flow of water. Sometimes, the water is redirected towards rice terraces and farm fields, meaning the waterfall is more of a trickle than a fall. However, there are days it’s so powerful you can get underneath it, so we recommend asking the local at the entrance. 

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There are no amenities down here, so bring drinks and snacks with you if you want a picnic by the river. Alternatively, there are a couple of local restaurants and a pizza place by the parking area that have good reviews.

💦 If you love hidden gem waterfalls like us, this Ubud waterfalls tour is the only tour that includes Goa Rang Reng Waterfall (a hidden treasure in Bali!), as well as two other Ubud waterfalls.

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Where is Sumampan Waterfall?

The great thing about Sumampan Waterfall is that it’s just 20 minutes from Ubud. Even though it is so close to one of Bali’s busiest tourist hubs, it has still managed to remain largely undiscovered. 

Also, Sumampan Waterfall is within walking distance (or a short drive) from two other must-visit waterfalls in the area, Uma Anyar Waterfall and Tegenungan Waterfall.

Sumampan Waterfall Opening Times

The waterfall is open every day from 6 am to 6 pm.

Getting to Sumampan Waterfall

As it’s just 20 minutes from Ubud, getting to Sumampan Waterfall is relatively easy. If you have rented a scooter, there is a small parking area, but we didn’t see any space for cars. If you don’t have your own transport, you can get a Grab or GoJek scooter taxi. We have friends who did this and then walked to Uma Anyar Waterfall and Tegenungan Waterfall afterward.

If you prefer to have comfort and the flexibility to plan your itinerary, it’s best to book a private driver for a customisable tour.

🎒 Spend an awesome day on this 5-star full-day tour where you get to visit Sumampan Waterfall, check out the Monkey Forest, wander through Tegalalang Rice Terrace (Bali’s famous rice fields), explore temples, swing through the jungle, browse the art market, discover caves and more.

Is Sumampan Waterfall Worth It?

If you’re someone who prefers quieter waterfalls and wants to connect with nature, then Sumampan Waterfall is definitely worth it. Although we went on a day when the waterfall was barely flowing, we still enjoyed our time by the river and the refreshing shower in the falls, so it can still be worth it, but we imagine it would be much better on days when the waterfall is more powerful.

Our top tip would be to ask at the entrance what the waterfall is like. If it’s weak, perhaps head to Uma Anyar Waterfall instead. The locals at the entrance did warn us about the waterfall not being very impressive on the day we went, so they will probably do the same for you.

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Other Things to Do Near Sumampan Waterfall

Uma Anyar Waterfall

Another of our favourite waterfalls near Ubud is Uma Anyar. A bit more popular and well-known than Sumampan, but it will often still be relatively quiet. There are two waterfalls here, both of which are incredibly powerful and make for some awesome photo opportunities. The local guides will help you climb into place and take the photos for you, ensuring you’re safe and get some memorable shots.

Grab Lunch at Sumampan Restaurant at thewakanda A Pramana Experience

Although you’re incredibly close to Ubud, thewakanda Sumampan Restaurant couldn’t feel any further away from the hectic centre. Set overlooking rice fields, this place offers some great local and international food inside a beautiful resort-like complex. If you come here for food, you’ll be able to use their large infinity pool, which is slightly elevated above a vast rice padi. The view makes it feel like you’re in a pool in the middle of the padi – it’s incredibly beautiful.