Ubud: Cretya Infinity Pool, Hidden Waterfall & Water Temple

One pool view can run your whole Bali plan. This tour pairs Cretya Ubud’s infinity pool with rural rice-terrace scenery, plus a calm Sebatu Water Temple visit with English guidance, and then adds hidden waterfall time. The main catch: lunch isn’t included in the price, and Cretya can sometimes add a special-event charge on the spot.

I like how the day is built around getting off the main tracks, not just ticking big names. You’ll have time for swimming (with clear age rules), photo stops, a coffee plantation tasting, and a quick market browse in Ubud. Do plan for a full 9-hour day with early pickup, since you’ll be transferred between spots for about an hour during the tour.

Quick hits

• Cretya Ubud infinity pool: swim time with rice-terrace views and a free drink on site
• Sebatu Water Temple (Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu): guided walking and scenic stops on the way
• Coffee tasting at OKA Agriculture Bali: sample coffee and herbal tea, plus scenic views
• Manuaba Waterfall: forest walk that still works even on rainy days
• MAS Village, Ubud: arts-and-crafts browsing for simple souvenirs
• Private group + live English guide: you get a more flexible pace than big-group tours

Cretya Ubud Infinity Pool: the swim stop that sets the tone

Cretya Ubud is the kind of place where you immediately understand why Bali gets talked about like it’s a postcard. You’ll start with a photo stop and then get time to swim in the infinity pool, with rice terraces stretching out around you.

The practical win is that this part of the day tends to feel calm before everything else ramps up. In a couple guides’ recent runs, the team focused on timing to help you get more space for photos and to actually enjoy the water, not just rush through it.

A couple things to know before you show up:

• You’ll want a towel and change of clothes ready, because you’ll get wet fast.
• There’s a strict rule for swimming: the tour is not suitable for children under 18, and under 18 is not allowed to swim at Cretya.
• If you’re thinking about extra activities like the site’s zipline, you’ll have time on-site, but the tour details only say you’ll have time there, not that every add-on is included. If it matters to you, ask what’s extra when you arrive.

My favorite way to enjoy this stop is simple: spend the first minutes just looking. Then take your swim. If you rush for the photo first, you miss the relaxing part.

Sebatu Water Temple (Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu): where the quiet actually shows up

After the pool, you head toward Pura Gunung Kawi Sebatu, a water temple known for its serene setting. This isn’t a hard hike day, but you do get a guided tour plus walking time, along with scenic views on the way.

What makes Sebatu worth it for me is the shift in mood. The infinity pool is about views and swimming; the temple stop is about slowing down and moving through something spiritual with respect. You’ll get help from the guide on what you’re looking at and what’s going on around you, which makes the visit feel more than just sightseeing.

You’ll also do a photo stop here, which can be handy if you want temple shots without standing around guessing where the best angle is. The temple visit is shorter than the coffee stop or pool time, so it works well if you don’t want your day swallowed by monuments.

One consideration: this is a walking-and-tempo day. Wear comfortable shoes, especially if rain has been around. Even if you’re not doing a strenuous walk, wet paths can turn into ankle work fast.

OKA Agriculture Bali: coffee and tea tasting with real-world expectations

Next up is OKA Agriculture Bali, where you’ll spend around an hour with coffee and tea. This is the stop to taste Bali coffee while you’re still in the mindset of small surprises—before the waterfall walk asks for more energy.

The tour includes coffee tasting and herbal tea tasting, plus lunch is listed as part of this stop. But here’s the key: lunch is marked as not included overall. So you can expect a set-menu lunch style stop, but you should plan to pay for lunch separately when you’re there.

A useful way to think about coffee plantations in Bali is to treat them like experiences, not like an infomercial. You’ll likely get samples and a bit of context about coffee and flavors. One review also mentioned civet coffee concerns—specifically hoping not to see caged civets. Since that isn’t detailed in the tour facts, the safe move is to ask the staff how their coffee tasting is handled if animal welfare matters to you.

If you’re trying to figure out what to buy, taste first and only then shop. Coffee at plantations can be a good value, but it’s also easy to overbuy if everything tastes “great” in the moment. Take a second sip and decide.

Manuaba Waterfall: a forest walk that can feel magical when it rains

Then comes Manuaba Waterfall, with about an hour that includes a photo stop, visiting, and walking through the area. The big appeal is the change in scenery: from rice-terrace pool views to a more humid, green forest feel.

Here’s the thing I appreciate: even if weather goes sideways, this kind of waterfall experience can still work. Rain can make the path slick, but it also tends to make the waterfall look more dramatic. Guides on this route have handled heavy rain situations well by keeping the day moving and helping with practical comfort.

Because the tour data says to bring a towel, change of clothes, and comfortable shoes, plan your waterfall stop as the part where shoes count. If you think you can wear sandals, I’d reconsider. You don’t want to cut this part short because you slipped once.

Also, the waterfall is a walk and a visit, not a single-picture pop-in. Build a little time in your head to slow down, breathe, and let the place do its job.

MAS Village in Ubud: quick shopping with a purpose

After the waterfall, you’ll get a short stop at MAS Village, Ubud for shopping and an arts-and-crafts market visit. It’s around 40 minutes, so this isn’t where you go to “finish shopping.” It’s a grab-what-you-like window.

Why this stop makes sense in the overall flow: by the time you reach it, your day already covered pool, temple, coffee, and nature. So you’re shopping with a sense of what you liked, not shopping to fill time.

Tips that keep this part fun:

• Bring small cash or a flexible budget if you plan to buy something.
• If something is fragile or oddly packed, don’t buy it just because it’s pretty. Bali heat can be tough on paper-thin crafts.
• Treat it as a souvenir hunt, not a full market marathon.

If you’re trying to avoid tourist traps, this is the kind of short, practical stop that can help you leave with something real without burning hours.

How the day actually runs: pickup timing, pacing, and what to pack

The structure is straightforward, which I like. You get hotel pickup, then transfers between stops, with the whole experience lasting about 9 hours.

Pickup timing is key:

• 8:00 AM for hotels in Ubud
• 7:00 AM for hotels in other areas

That early start matters because Cretya and the temple areas can get busy later. In several guide-led days on this route, guides worked the schedule to help people spend more time enjoying places rather than standing in crowds.

Transfers also take time. The transfer time is listed at about 1 hour, so this is a day trip with movement built in. You’re not just staying in one Ubud neighborhood.

What I recommend packing, based on what’s specifically listed:

• Comfortable shoes (for temple paths and waterfall walking)
• Sunglasses and a hat (sun can hit hard between stops)
• Towel and change of clothes (you’ll want both)
• Camera (photo stops happen more than once)
• Cash (useful for meals or any add-ons on site)

One more detail that can save you hassle: the tour includes one bottle of cold water and one free drink at Cretya. Everything else is on you, so plan for water and snacks beyond that included bottle, especially if you get hungry between stops.

Price and value: what $64 includes, and what to expect to pay for

The price is $64 per person, and that number feels reasonable for a full day with multiple paid sites—especially because the tour includes transportation and all entrance tickets.

Here’s what that means in plain terms:

• You’re not scrambling to buy tickets at each stop.
• Your guide and driver handle the sequencing and time on location.
• You do get a free drink and a cold water bottle included.

What’s not included is lunch. Even though coffee and tea happen at OKA Agriculture Bali and lunch appears as part of that stop, the tour’s “not included” section still says lunch isn’t covered in your price. So budget separately for a set-menu lunch.

Also watch for the Cretya note: there can be an additional charge if there’s a special event at Cretya Ubud, paid directly on the spot. It’s not guaranteed, but it’s something to keep in your mental budget for the pool portion.

For solo travelers, there’s another cost: a solo participant is charged about IDR 350,000. If you’re comparing options, that solo fee can make the trip feel closer to a private half-day plus extras, not a cheap group outing.

In short: if you want transport + entrances + a guide across pool, temple, waterfall, and coffee, the $64 is decent. If you’re very budget-tight on meals and snacks, make sure you add lunch money up front.

Your guide and the small stuff that matters

This tour is run by Sai Bali Tour with a live English guide and a private group format. Recent guide names show up as Yan and Ketut Maska, both praised for friendliness and keeping the day running smoothly.

What I care about most with guides on a route like this is not just storytelling. It’s pacing—when to move, how to handle rain, and how to make sure the day doesn’t feel like you’re constantly rushing to the next stop.

In recent experiences on this tour, guides provided practical support when weather turned, including handling umbrellas during rain. Also, some guides have spoken more than one language, which can help if you’re more comfortable switching back and forth while you ask questions.

That kind of support is why I see this tour as a good “no-stress Ubud day.” You show up ready to walk a bit, swim if eligible, and ask questions. The guide handles the structure.

Who should book this Cretya–Temple–Waterfall day

This is a good match if you:

• Want a one-day route that mixes nature, spirituality, and coffee tasting
• Like the idea of getting time at a standout pool and then switching gears to temples and waterfalls
• Prefer private-group pacing over big bus energy
• Enjoy photos but also want actual time to enjoy places, not just pose and leave

You should skip it if:

• You’re pregnant (it’s listed as not suitable)
• You use a wheelchair (not suitable)
• You’re traveling with children under 18 (not suitable, and swimming at Cretya has strict age rules)
• You’re over the stated age/weight limits (the tour lists restrictions for people over 80 years and weight cutoffs around 287 lbs / 309 lbs categories)

If you’re unsure, focus on one question: can you do a rain-friendly day with comfortable shoes and some walking? If yes, you’ll probably have a great time.

Should you book this tour or pass?

I think you should book it if you want a complete Ubud day that includes a real swim stop, a temple visit with guidance, a waterfall walk, and coffee tasting—without the hassle of planning entrance tickets and sequencing. The value looks strongest when you factor in transportation plus entrance fees, plus time for photography and a more flexible private-group pace.

I’d hesitate if you’re extremely lunch-budget sensitive, because lunch isn’t included even though you’ll have a lunch stop. Also, if the idea of swimming isn’t a must for you, double-check the Cretya swimming rules for your group.

If your main goal is a relaxed, well-timed day across Bali’s countryside side of Ubud, this is a solid pick.

FAQ

What time does pickup start?

Pickup is 8:00 AM for hotels in Ubud, and 7:00 AM for hotels in other areas. The driver asks you to be ready at the lobby at least 10 minutes before departure.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 9 hours.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. There is a set-menu lunch stop during the day at a local restaurant.

Can kids swim at Cretya Ubud?

No. Children under 18 are not allowed to swim at Cretya Ubud, and the activity is listed as not suitable for people under 18.

What’s included in the price besides transportation?

Entrance tickets are included, plus one bottle of cold water and one free drink at Cretya. Any lunch and personal purchases are not included.

What’s the solo participant fee?

For a solo participant, there is an additional charge of about IDR 350,000.