Swimming At Taman Sari Waterfall & Visit The Best Site Of Ubud

Taman Sari Waterfall gives this Ubud day out its best moment: you can swim beneath a natural cascade before moving on to Bali’s classic temple, rice-terrace, swing, and market sights. I like the private car and the chance to adjust the day, especially since Nyoman and Rico have helped guests add the Sacred Monkey Forest along the way.

I also like the useful mix of scenery and culture: Puseh Batuan Temple brings detailed stone carving, while Ubud Palace and the art market keep the final part of the day close to town. The main drawback is that the price and ticket details need careful checking, since the tour costs $32 per person but the conditions say entrance fees are not included.

Key Points Before You Book

• Taman Sari swimming stop: You get about an hour at a waterfall with a natural pool and several cascading streams.
• Private transport: Your group travels by air-conditioned private car with petrol, parking, bottled water, and an English-speaking driver or guide included.
• Six very different stops: The day combines a waterfall, temple, rice terraces, swing, palace, and art market.
• Flexible guiding: Nyoman, Rico, and Wayan are names connected with this experience, and the private format allows some changes during the day.
• Long but useful schedule: The tour runs about 7 to 8 hours and begins at 8:30 a.m., making it a full day rather than a quick Ubud outing.
• Check entrance costs: The tour information is inconsistent about tickets, so confirm exactly what the $32 price covers before paying.

A Waterfall First, Then Ubud’s Best-Known Sights

This tour is designed as a broad introduction to the Ubud area. You begin with water and forest scenery, then move through temple architecture, rice fields, a photo swing, and central Ubud. It is not a slow, single-theme outing. It is a busy day built for seeing several famous places without arranging separate transport.

I think the order works well. A morning start at Taman Sari gives you the most active part of the day first, while Ubud Palace and the art market are saved for later, when you may prefer an easier walk and time to browse. The schedule allows roughly one hour at most major stops, with 45 minutes at the swing.

The private format matters here. You are not tied to a large group’s pace, and you can speak directly with the driver about time, stops, and possible additions. A few people who booked the tour added the Monkey Forest during the day, and Nyoman and Rico were able to arrange it. That does not mean the extra stop is guaranteed, but it shows why a private car can be more useful than a fixed coach route.

Swimming at Taman Sari Waterfall

Taman Sari is the strongest reason to choose this tour. The water begins as a single drop, then separates into several smaller cascades over the rock. That shape makes the setting more photogenic than a plain vertical fall, and the natural pool gives you a chance to cool off rather than simply stop for a picture.

You have about one hour here, including the time needed to reach the water, change, swim, and take photographs. Bring a swimsuit, a small towel, and a dry bag for your phone. The supplied information confirms a swimming opportunity, but it does not give details about changing rooms, locker storage, water depth, or the walking route. Ask your guide about those points before you enter the pool.

The waterfall is close to Ubud in practical tour terms, but this is still an outdoor stop. Wet rocks can be slippery, and the swimming portion may depend on conditions. The tour requires good weather, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a refund. If you do not want to swim, you can still use the hour for pictures and the sound of the falls, though the stop has less value if you skip the water entirely.

This is also the place where comfortable footwear matters most. Wear shoes you can walk in safely, and carry a change of clothes for the rest of the day. The car includes bottled water, but you should bring any extra snacks or drinks you need.

Puseh Batuan Temple and Its Stone Carving

After the waterfall, the tour turns to Puseh Batuan Temple in Batuan village. The temple was built in Isaka 944, according to the supplied information, and it is known for carving throughout the grounds. The appeal here is visual detail: gateways, walls, courtyards, and carved stonework give you a closer look at Balinese temple design than a quick roadside photo stop.

You have about an hour, which is enough to walk around at a steady pace and listen to your guide explain what you are seeing. This is one of the places where an English-speaking driver or guide can add real value. Without context, a temple can become a series of attractive doors and statues. With an explanation, you can better understand how the sections of the compound fit together.

The tour description does not spell out clothing rules, so ask your guide what is suitable before entering. As with any temple visit, modest dress is the sensible choice. Keep the visit respectful, and follow local instructions about where you may walk or take pictures.

I like this stop because it breaks up the outdoor scenery. You are not simply moving from one photo point to another. The temple gives the day a cultural center and makes the later rice terrace and market stops feel less repetitive.

Tegallalang Rice Terrace: Big Views, Uneven Ground

Tegallalang is the classic rice-terrace stop on this route. The fields spread down the slopes across a valley, creating layered views that are easy to understand from above and more physical when you walk among them. You have about an hour here, so expect a look around rather than a long trek through every terrace.

This is a strong photo stop, especially if you like wide views with a clear sense of height and pattern. I would use the first few minutes to take in the view, then follow the guide’s advice about where to walk. The information provided does not specify the exact walking route or conditions, so do not assume the ground will be flat or easy.

The rice terraces are working agricultural land, not just a set built for photographs. That is part of their value, but it also means you should stay on permitted paths and avoid treating planted areas as props. The hour can pass quickly if you stop often for pictures, so decide early whether you want a relaxed look or a more active walk.

Tegallalang and the swing are both in the same general area, which makes the pairing practical. You see the terraces from a wider viewpoint, then get a raised, more dramatic picture at d’Alas Swing.

d’Alas Swing and the 45-Minute Photo Stop

The swing is the most staged part of the day. At d’Alas Swing, you soar above jungle and rice fields for photographs, with about 45 minutes set aside for the stop. If your goal is a recognizable Bali swing picture, this is the point of the tour built for it.

The shorter time allocation makes sense. You do not need a full hour here unless you want several swing setups or a lot of waiting. The tour states that admission is included in the stop details, but the general conditions say all entrance tickets are not included. Confirm this before booking, especially if swing access has separate charges.

I would treat the swing as an optional fun add-on rather than the cultural heart of the day. Some people will love the height and the pictures. Others may find it too staged or may prefer to spend longer at the temple or waterfall. Since this is a private tour, ask if the timing can be shortened if the swing is not important to you.

The combination with Tegallalang is useful for couples, families with older children, or anyone who wants several types of Bali photographs in one outing. The swing may not suit everyone, so make sure your group agrees before you pay for any extra access.

Ubud Palace and the Art Market

The final part of the route brings you into central Ubud. Ubud Palace, also called Puri Saren Agung, is an old building complex with carved details and courtyards. You have about an hour here, enough to look around without turning the stop into a long architectural study.

The palace is a good place to slow the pace after the waterfall, temple, terraces, and swing. Look closely at the gates and decorative details rather than rushing through for one photograph. The tour information calls it an important historical landmark for Balinese people, but it does not provide a detailed guided program or performance schedule, so do not book this outing specifically for a palace show.

The Ubud Traditional Art Market is also allotted about an hour and has no listed admission charge. This is your chance to browse art and handicrafts in the center of town. Prices are not provided, so bring enough cash or payment options for personal purchases, and remember that shopping is not included in the tour price.

The market is a useful final stop because you can compare goods after seeing Bali’s temple carving and village architecture earlier in the day. You may find art, textiles, and souvenirs, but the experience is still a commercial one. If you dislike shopping stops, tell your driver in advance and ask whether more time can be used at the palace or another agreed stop.

What the $32 Price Really Buys You

At $32 per person, the tour can offer good value if you want private transport and several Ubud-area sights in one day. The included services are an air-conditioned private car, petrol, parking, bottled water, and an English-speaking driver or guide. For a group, the shared cost of a private vehicle can make more sense than paying for several separate rides.

The value is less clear if entrance fees are added at every stop. The stop descriptions say admission is included for the waterfall, temple, rice terraces, and swing, while the general inclusion section says all entrance tickets are not included. That is an important contradiction. Ask the provider to confirm, in writing, the exact price of each ticket and whether the swing fee is separate.

Lunch is not included, and personal expenses are also your responsibility. Plan to buy or carry lunch during the day. The tour lasts 7 to 8 hours, so food is not a minor detail. You should also budget for market purchases if you intend to shop.

Group discounts are offered, though no discount amount is given. The adult price applies to all travelers, while a child under three years old is free. Since only your group participates, ask about the vehicle size and seating if you are booking for a larger family.

Guide Style and Flexibility

The guide can shape this tour more than any single stop. Nyoman and Rico are associated with especially warm, lively days, and Wayan is also named as a guide who helped make the waterfall, swing, and rice terrace portions enjoyable. Specific guide assignment may depend on availability, so do not assume you will receive one particular person unless the provider confirms it.

The strongest practical feature is the chance to communicate throughout the day. Previous bookings included requests to add the Monkey Forest, and the guides made that possible. An added stop would likely affect the timing, so discuss what you are willing to shorten rather than trying to fit everything into the original schedule.

The tour starts at 8:30 a.m. and offers pickup, but you must submit your hotel or accommodation name, address, and phone number. That is especially important in Ubud, where clear pickup information can prevent delays. Confirmation is provided when you book.

The experience is private, which means only your group participates. That suits couples, families, and friends who want to set the pace. It also means you do not have the social energy of a larger group, so the quality of the day depends heavily on how well you communicate with your driver.

Who Will Enjoy This Ubud Day

I would recommend this tour to someone visiting Ubud for the first time who wants a broad sample of the area. You get water, carved temple architecture, agricultural scenery, a staged photo experience, shopping, and a palace in one day.

It works particularly well for:

• Couples who want a mix of photographs and cultural sights
• Families who prefer a private car and flexible timing
• Small groups who can share the $32-per-person cost
• People who want to swim but do not want a full-day waterfall trip
• First-time visitors who want a simple overview of Ubud

I would hesitate if you want a quiet, slow day focused on one temple or a long walk through the countryside. Six stops create variety, but they also create movement. The swing may feel too commercial, and the market may not appeal to anyone who is not shopping.

The tour is not described as accessible for all mobility levels, and the waterfall and rice terraces may involve uneven ground. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not give details about wheelchair access, steps, or assistance. Ask before booking if anyone in your group has mobility needs.

Should You Book This Tour?

Book it if you want the waterfall swim and a full Ubud sampler with private pickup and an English-speaking guide. The mix is easy to like, and the private format gives you a better chance of adding or adjusting a stop than a fixed group outing.

Before you pay, confirm the entrance-fee issue, lunch arrangements, and whether d’Alas Swing access is included. If those costs are reasonable, $32 per person is a fair starting price for a full private day with transport.

Cancel at least 24 hours before the 8:30 a.m. start time if your plans change, since later cancellations and changes are not refunded. Poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund. For a flexible, active day with plenty of photo opportunities, this is a sensible Ubud choice. For a relaxed cultural visit, choose a shorter route with fewer stops.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and you must provide your accommodation name, address, and phone number when booking.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

Are entrance tickets included?

The information is inconsistent. The individual stop details say admission is included at several locations, while the general conditions say all entrance tickets are not included. Confirm the exact ticket coverage before booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

Because the experience requires good weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund if the tour is canceled due to poor weather.