A future trip to Bali: natural pools and an outdoor shower at the Pengibul waterfall

Swimming at the Pengibul waterfall: how far is that possible? During the lockdown we are looking ahead. One way we do that is with a blog series about Bali's sights.

The world will probably reopen step by step and country by country this year. Which is why we are turning to your future trip to Bali. Besides beach clubs (La Brisa Bali for instance) and rice fields (tip: Tegalalang) we have advice about the waterfalls.

Take the Pengibul waterfall below Bangli, to the right of Ubud. This waterfall differs in several ways from earlier ones in our series.

Bali’s sights: calm at the Pengibul waterfall

The waterfall lies a stone's throw from the Tibumana waterfall, and yet they are very different.

• The Pengibul is apparently a ‘wilder’ waterfall, breaking into several streams over various rock ledges.
• The Tibumana, by contrast, has a near-vertical fall, sometimes two depending on the season.
• Both places are rich in nature, only here the somewhat spiritual mood of the Tibumana is missing.
• On the other hand the Pengibul looks wilder, and it is often a great deal quieter there.*

*All the more so compared with the Tegenungan waterfall, where you first have to walk through a shopping street.

And the Pengibul really is a world of its own. A waterfall on different ‘levels’ or storeys, along rock formations and steps, surrounded by forest.

A natural outdoor shower

Another difference lies in the restrictions, or rather the lack of them. Here you may ‘simply’ stand under the falling water. A natural outdoor shower on Bali, in a wooded world with natural pools: that feels good.

Swimming at the Pengibul waterfall, and its natural pools

Because of that freedom you can swim at, and so under, the waterfall. During our visit there were two natural pools, at different heights, within the rocks.

The highest pool did require a demanding climb. Mainly because of the slippery, almost dangerous little path up to it. The lower rock pool is easier to reach, by Balinese standards.

The entrance fee

For 15,000 IDR, around 0.90 euros, you get a combined ticket for the Pengibul and the nearby Tibumana.

Taman Sari waterfall

One thing to watch: the Pengibul waterfall has an entrance on either side. On one side you pay separately for the ‘Taman Sari waterfall’, but it is exactly the same waterfall.

Want to visit the Tibumana too? Then you are better off not taking the entrance for the Taman Sari . Choose the other entrance, where Pengibul is signposted.

The best time for your visit

The general advice is to come fairly early in the morning or quite late in the afternoon. Do not come too late, as many attractions close around 5.

We visited the waterfall around 3, which was risky, before the Tibumana. Happily it was very quiet then. Check the location on the map beforehand and consider a scooter.