Santhipala Spring Waterfall is a long way from the beaten path in North Bali and that’s good news because it means if you visit, you can have it all to yourself!
It’s a very attractive place and there are a lot of other things to see and do nearby, so here’s what you need to know before you book your holiday about Santhipala Waterfall.
Where Is Santhipala Spring Waterfall?
The Santhipala Waterfall is in North Bali near the Bengkel Village and it’s a very famous spot locally.
Address: P27F+HHH, Bengkel, Busung Biu, Buleleng Regency, Bali, Indonesia 81154
How To Get To Santhipala Waterfall
If you want to get to Santhipala Waterfall, you will need to book a private car and driver.
While you could use a Grab or Gojek to visit this part of Bali, you would struggle to find a return trip because the more remote parts of Indonesia don’t have any available drivers.
The good news is that a car and driver won’t set you back much more than 500,000 IDR (that’s $35 USD or $50 AUD) and they can ensure you see all of this area of Bali not just this waterfall.
What’s The Best Time To Visit Santhipala Waterfall?
There is no bad time of year to visit Bali but the best time to visit any waterfall is at the end of the rainy season because the water volumes in the local rivers are at their maximum.
However, this waterfall does not dry up and there’s no need to avoid it in the dry season.
You can come to this waterfall at any time of the day and enjoy the nature of the place as there are never any crowds here.
Is There An Entrance Fee At Santhipala Waterfall?
No, there is no entrance fee at this waterfall. However, some people report that they encountered a scammer at the end of the trail who demanded 50,000 IDR for the entrance fee.
Don’t pay this person if they are there (they weren’t when we visited). Any collection of fees at a waterfall in Bali is always done at the entrance in an official capacity.
It is possible that an official fee will eventually be levied, a few years before the pandemic, there was an entrance fee, but they stopped collecting it years ago.
That doesn’t mean they won’t start again if this part of Bali, Indonesia gets popular again.
What To Expect At Santhipala Waterfall
The name “Santhipala” means “receiving peace” and you will find that this place is a very peaceful spot in Bali.
The water here is said to have healing powers and there’s a small pool at the base of the waterfall where you can bathe. Though, we would note, there’s no changing room at this place.
However, as long as you’re subtle, that probably won’t matter – most people who visit this area report that they were the only ones there all day long. That was certainly our experience.
The cascade down the cliffside is really attractive and you can get some awesome photos here for your Instagram collection.
Just be careful on the walk to the waterfall, the stairs can be a bit slippery in the wet and you definitely don’t want to get hurt in this part of Bali, it might be a while before anyone finds you.
Where To Stay Near Santhipala Waterfall
If you need a hotel, you might need to drive to Lovina, but if your idea of “hotels” includes basic resorts and homestays then there’s a good collection of places to stay near the waterfall:
Atres Sari Resort – the only real hotel in the area and it has a wonderful infinity pool with great views of the local countryside. 4-star might be pushing it, but it’s a fairly inexpensive spot.
Home Nuh Umajero – a very attractive local camping cabin. It’s not a hotel and the facilities are a bit basic (even for this part of Indonesia) but the view is unbeatable and it’s very affordable.
Villa Saliya – if you love homestays, this place won’t disappoint. You can get a decent-sized room with breakfast for very little money and enjoy the famous hospitality of Indonesia too.
Acala Naturecho – if you want to stay in the rice fields of Indonesia, this is a wonderful place to do it. It’s very affordable, they can arrange airport pickup when you book and the location is absolutely stunning.
Desa Hostel – there aren’t many hostels in this part of Indonesia but this is a lovely place to stay and the staff are amazing. If you want a place that is actively focused on providing a good social space, you should book here.
Where To Eat Near Santhipala Waterfall
There are no eateries within walking distance of the waterfall but you won’t have to drive too far through North Bali to find a good place to stop and eat including:
Don Biyu – Coffee Food And Rendezvous – an excellent coffee shop with lovely views over Munduk. Their Balinese food is first rate and you will feel welcome and part of the family whenever you visit.
Warung Katik Lantang – Mr. Gede the owner is a master of small-plate food here in Indonesia and you may find it gets a bit crowded here at busy times of the day. There’s no need to book in advance, mind you.
Maya’s Pizza – this is a very pleasant pizzeria on a river running through the rainforest. The views are amazing and the pizzas are absolutely excellent. The owner, Maya, is super friendly too.
Kopi Bali Pizzeria Restaurant Munduk – this place is very pleasant and the views over the countryside are good. The coffee is excellent but the food, for us at least, was just OK.
Warung Popo – if you need some bakso, Balinese meatballs, in North Bali, this is the place to come for it. It’s very local, very simple and very cheap.
What To Do Near Santhipala Waterfall
Despite the fact that there are that many hotels in this part of Bali, you will find plenty to do when traveling around the area including these unique spots:
Blahmantung Waterfall – one of the most attractive and famous waterfalls in the area, this one drops down over 90 meters!
Padi Field Sangkih – not every rice field has the hordes of visitors that Tegallalang and Jatiluwih see. This is a very pleasant rice terrace which you can enjoy without crowds.
Air Terjun Umejero – a charming multi-stage waterfall that’s a bit of a challenge to get to, particularly if it’s been raining.
Yeh Getas Waterfall – this beautiful waterfall gets even fewer visitors than Santhipala Waterfall does. But it’s a bit harder to get to.
Desa Tinggarsari – a very pleasant local village where you can enjoy some incredible panoramas of the surrounding country and breathe the freshest air in Bali.
Munduk Rice Terraces – a more famous rice terrace in this area, but still not particularly busy, we find Munduk to be an extremeely charming spot in Bali.
Melanting Waterfall – this is a big and attractive waterfall that sees quite a lot of tourists compared to the rest of the area. We’d go early in the morning and skip the crowds and get the best photos.
FAQs
Is A Trip To Santhipala Waterfall Worth It?
Yes! Santhipala Waterfall is a real hidden gem on the island and if you visit the waterfall, you’re not going to be sharing it with hundreds of other tourists like you will at the most popular spots in Bali for waterfall tourism.
Book yourself a car and a private driver and then head to North Bali to enjoy one of the best spots in Indonesia, and have it all to yourself.
Final Thoughts On This North Bali Waterfall
North Bali doesn’t get as many visitors as it deserves and Santhipala Spring Waterfall is very much worth a visit. If you love the beauty of nature, you can enjoy an amazing view and creating some wonderful photos of your time at this spot.
We’d combine a trip to this waterfall with a trip to see the dolphins off the coast of Lovina and really explore the area. Make sure to book your trip in advance if you want to be sure to see the dolphins.
