Feeling worn down by Canggu’s nonstop buzz and notorious traffic? Trust me, I get it—I live just outside the area and spend most days weaving through the gridlock to work, eat, and play in Bali’s digital-nomad hub. Whenever the chaos gets overwhelming, my husband and I usually escape north. This time, though, our compass turned east toward a place in Karangasem I’ve long been curious about: Sidemen, Bali—a true hidden gem famed for its untouched beauty. Picture a valley draped in emerald rice terraces and fringed by dense jungle, where silence reigns and nature’s grandeur resets the soul. Eager for that serenity, we hopped on motorbike toward Sidemen, Bali ready to trade honking horns for birdsong and fresh mountain air.

Sidemen, Bali = Ubud 30 years ago

Said the staff that guided us to our boutique resort, Wapa di Ume. I couldn’t agree more! Ubud is still considered the cultural heart of Bali, but these days it gets incredibly crowded. Its markets and sidewalks feel more shoulder-to-shoulder than soul-soothing. Sidemen, by contrast, sits tucked away in Karangasem, East Bali, a quiet valley village famous for terraced rice fields that glow emerald against the mighty silhouette of Mount Agung. A part of me wants to keep Sidemen as a secret—Bali’s best-kept hidden gem. I don’t want it to turn into another tourist hotspot. But at the same time, I can’t help but share our amazing experience with you guys. Sidemen is the perfect place to soak in the charm of old Balinese village life. It’s also a beautiful spot to slow down, unwind, and escape the crowds—just like I needed.

READ ALSO: Exploring Seseh, Cemagi, and Munggu: Bali’s West Coast Hidden Gems

How to go to Sidemen, Bali?

It takes 2,5 hours from Canggu to Sidemen, Bali. We normally used a car to travel around Bali, but this time my husband felt a bit more adventurous, so yeah, we chose a motorbike this time. It’s faster than driving a car, for sure, but riding a motorbike toward Sidemen, Bali, means we have to be ready to inhale polluted air. There are many trucks along the way to Karangasem by the way. If you’re planning to explore the surrounding villages as well, riding a motorbike is the best option since the road around Sidemen, Bali, is small and steep.

Where to stay in Sidemen, Bali?

Because it was my husband’s birthday, we were determined to book the best hotel in Sidemen, Bali. We narrowed it down to two contenders, and in the end Wapa di Ume Sidemen won our hearts. This five-star boutique resort sits on a 360° hillside perch with Mount Agung looming majestically in the background and rippling rice fields as its centerpiece—pretty hard to beat.

The name itself hooked me first. Wapa di Ume sounded so unique! I later learned that Wapa is an abbreviation of the owner’s name, Wayan Pasek, while di Ume means “in the rice fields” in Balinese—perfect, considering the resort is literally wrapped in emerald paddies.

We splurged on one of their brand-new luxury tents in the glamping area, which opened this year. From the moment we unzipped the canvas, we knew we’d made the right call: a birthday greeting spelled out in fresh flowers on the bed! The tent itself was a roomy 41 m², with a super-comfy bed and our own mini private pool gazing out over Sidemen’s lush valley. Pure serenity.

Dinner was another highlight. We’d snagged a reservation at Sleeping Gajah Kitchen & Lounge—good thing, because it was packed. The views of the valley at dusk were spellbinding, and the food lived up to its rave reviews. Every bite was chef’s-kiss delicious.

The next morning, the team of Sidemen Bali restaurant surprised my husband with a birthday song and cake during breakfast. It was such a sweet touch and made the whole stay feel extra-special. Hospitality here is truly top-notch.

Since the resort is not limited for adult only, we might coming back here with our daughter.

The resort was offering us to join their yoga class and rice field tour on Sunday morning. Unfortunately, we already had another plan, but it’s nice to know that the Sidemen Bali resort has plenty of things to do. You can also use the free bike to explore the village..

Things to see & do in Sidemen, Bali

1. Sidemen rice fields trekking

Sidemen is well known for its picturesque rice terraces that stretch endlessly into the horizon. Our resort, in fact, directly faces a valley draped in emerald-green paddies and bordered by thick jungle. I could’ve easily spent hours just soaking in the view—whether from our mini private pool or from the restaurant balcony. But both my husband and I were itching to get out and explore.

So, not long after we checked in, we hopped back on the motorbike and rode off to discover the beauty of the valley surrounding us.

We did two different rice field treks during our stay. The first one was located near a nearby village, just a short ride from the resort. The rice paddies there were already turning golden, almost ready for harvest—a beautiful sight to witness.

There was a small dirt path that led us deeper into the terraces, so we parked the bike and decided to explore on foot. The best part? It was completely free to enter.

The second rice field trek was actually just a stone’s throw from our resort. In fact, it’s the same stunning terrace view we’d been admiring from the restaurant balcony and our private pool!

To enter the Sidemen rice terrace trekking area, we paid an entrance fee of Rp 25.000 per person. Just like the previous one, a narrow path guided us through about 3 kilometers of lush paddies—including one route that led directly back to Wapa di Ume.

What made this trek different was the small river running alongside the trail. The sun was starting to set, and it seemed like the perfect time for the locals to wind down. We passed groups of villagers—men, children, women, even the elderly—bathing in the river.

What caught me off guard, though, was seeing some of the adult women bathing topless, completely unbothered by the tourists walking by. I know that traditionally, Balinese people used to bathe in rivers without any clothing, but I assumed that had changed over time—or at least that they’d wear something to cover up. It definitely left me a bit perplexed and reflective for a while.

2. Explore Sidemen by motorbike

Riding our motorbike, we continued the journey through the winding hills surrounding Sidemen, Karangasem. The villages we passed looked quite different from many other parts of Bali—more rural, and to be honest, more underdeveloped. It made me hope that with the growth of tourism, the lives of the local Balinese in and around Sidemen, Bali can improve for the better.

If you’re not bringing a motorbike with you, no worries. You can easily rent one from nearby rentals or even from your hotel. Some places also offer guided motorbike tours with in-house local guides, which could be a great way to explore if you prefer not to ride on your own. 

3. Explore the stunning waterfalls

There are two stunning waterfalls you can visit in and around Sidemen, Bali.

The first is Gembleng Waterfall, known for its natural rock pools perched at the top. Unlike most waterfalls in Bali where you walk down to reach them, this one’s the opposite—you hike up. To get to the rock pools, you’ll need to climb over some rocks, which can be a bit slippery, so do be careful. These pools are said to have the most epic view of jungle, rice fields, and even the ocean. 

The second one is Jagasatru Waterfall, located in Salak village. To reach it, you’ll walk down about 100 steps, and at the bottom, there’s a small lagoon where you can take a refreshing dip. There’s also a Holy Water area nearby where locals (and visitors) go to bathe. Jagasatru might get more touristy soon—they’ve recently built a massive golden statue overlooking the Padang Bai area, right near the waterfall.

To enter both waterfalls, you’ll just need to give a small donation, which goes toward the local upkeep.

We didn’t end up visiting either of the waterfalls in Sidemen. Instead, we drove toward Bangli to visit Tukad Cepung, which is famous for its unique, hidden location inside a cave-like canyon. The way sunlight filters through the opening above creates that magical “god-beam” effect everyone talks about.

This waterfall had been on my husband’s bucket list for quite some time, and since it was his birthday, it felt like the perfect moment to finally check it off. The road from Sidemen was pretty straightforward—it only took us around 40 minutes to get there.

As one of the more popular waterfalls near Ubud, Tukad Cepung was packed with tourists the day we went. To reach the falls, we walked down a set of stairs for about 20 minutes, then followed a small river into the cave. It was crowded—lots of people lining up just to snap their selfies with the waterfall.

Since I’d already been there before (back in 2021), I decided to skip the crowd and wait for my husband at one of the warungs nearby. Compared to my last visit, there are now more warungs and small cafés along the stairs, making it easier for visitors to rest or grab a drink after the trek.

If you wanna visit Tukad Cepung as well from Sidemen, Bali, better to arrive around 9:00 in the morning to avoid the largest crowds while still catching the sun’s rays at their peak. The best time to visit Tukad Cepung Waterfall to see the light rays shining through is between 9:00 and 11:00 AM on a clear day. 

Entrance ticket: Rp. 30.000,-

4. Making silver jewelry

One of fun things to do in Sidemen, Bali when you’re not busy exploring Sidemen’s nature is taking a silver-making class. Not only do you get to see the intricate process of crafting silver jewelry, but you can also try making your own piece—and bring it home as a one-of-a-kind souvenir!

The class usually takes around 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the design. You’ll find plenty of jewelry workshops along the main road of Sidemen (right where Wapa di Ume is located). Just walk in, pick the one that feels right, and book your class.

5. Visiting Penglipuran village

Penglipuran Village is a traditional Balinese village located in Bangli Regency, central Bali. It’s famous for its well-preserved culture, traditional architecture, and remarkable cleanliness—making it one of the most iconic cultural tourism destinations on the island.

This was my second visit since 2012, and I noticed quite a few changes. To be honest, it felt a little less authentic this time around—many of the homes now double as souvenir shops, and some offer traditional Balinese costumes for rent so tourists can snap selfies in full attire. That said, Penglipuran still holds its charm. It’s a beautiful spot for Bali first-timers or anyone curious to catch a glimpse of Balinese village life and heritage.

Entrance ticket: Rp. 25.000,- (Indonesians) and Rp. 50.000,- (International visitors)

Sidemen, Bali was exactly where I needed to be to unwind and truly relax. Time just moves slower here—and I mean that in the best way possible.

Honestly, a weekend didn’t feel long enough. I could’ve easily stayed for three days (or more!) just to fully soak in the peaceful vibe and try more of what Sidemen has to offer, like Samanvaya Sidemen.

Next time, for sure!

Curious about my adventures in Europe and America ?. You can click the following links to see my traveling videos that have aired on Net TV :

1. Desa Hallstatt, Desa dengan Arsitektur Klasik di Pinggir Danau
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5. The Bean, Seni Kontemporer yang Ada di Film – film Hollywood

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