Best Eco Lodges in Bali

Bambu Indah is the property that put Bali's eco lodge movement on the international map. Created by John and Cynthia Hardy, the founders of the renowned Green School, this boutique eco resort in Sayan near Ubud consists of 18 antique Javanese teak houses that were dismantled, transported from across Java and Bali, and rebuilt on a lush hillside overlooking the Ayung River gorge. Each house has been restored with meticulous care, preserving original carved doors, wooden pillars, and traditional layouts while adding modern comforts like spring-water swimming pools and open-air bathrooms. The property's most famous feature is its Natural Pool, a chemical-free swimming pool that uses plants and biological filtration to keep the water crystal clear. Swimming here feels like entering a wild cenote, surrounded by tropical vegetation, dragonflies, and the calls of exotic birds. The more recently added Bamboo Houses are architectural marvels, multi-story structures built entirely from locally grown bamboo without a single nail or screw, showcasing the material's extraordinary strength and beauty. Sustainability at Bambu Indah extends beyond construction materials. The property generates a portion of its electricity from micro-hydro power using the river, composts all organic waste, operates a permaculture garden that supplies the kitchen, and runs its own water recycling system. Meals are served communally at a long table and feature organic ingredients sourced from the property's garden and local farmers. Nightly rates start at approximately $180 for a Javanese house and $250 for the signature bamboo structures.

Green Village is a residential community of extraordinary bamboo houses located in the village of Sibang Kaja, a 15-minute drive south of central Ubud. Designed by the award-winning architecture firm IBUKU, the same team behind Bali's Green School, these structures push the boundaries of what is possible with bamboo construction and have been featured in TED Talks, international design publications, and architectural exhibitions worldwide. Several Green Village houses are available for short-term holiday rental through the property's management company. The houses range from two to six bedrooms and feature soaring bamboo cathedral ceilings, open-air living spaces that blur the line between indoors and outdoors, and private pools with views over the Ayung River valley. The Sharma Springs house, with its towering five-story bamboo structure connected by spiral staircases and walkways, is the most famous and photogenic. The Sunrise House offers a more intimate two-bedroom experience with a stunning east-facing position that catches the morning light through its curved bamboo walls. Living in a Green Village house is a genuinely transformative accommodation experience. The structures creak and flex gently in the breeze like living things, natural ventilation keeps interiors cool without air conditioning during most months, and the curved organic forms create interior spaces that feel nothing like conventional buildings. The environmental footprint is minimal: bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth, reaching structural maturity in just three to five years compared to 25 or more years for hardwood timber. Nightly rates start at approximately $350 for a two-bedroom house and increase significantly for the larger signature properties.

The Sidemen valley in East Bali is one of the island's best-kept accommodation secrets, a lush agricultural landscape of terraced rice fields, flowing rivers, and small villages backed by the dramatic profile of Mount Agung, Bali's sacred volcano. Tourism development here remains minimal compared to Ubud, Seminyak, or Canggu, which means the eco lodges in Sidemen offer genuine rural immersion at prices that are significantly lower than comparable properties in more popular areas. Samanvaya Luxury Resort and Spa is the standout eco-friendly option in the valley, featuring suites and villas constructed from local materials with panoramic views of the rice terraces and Mount Agung. The property operates its own organic farm, uses solar heating, and employs primarily local staff from surrounding villages. Rates start at approximately $120 per night for a suite with valley views. For a more budget-friendly eco experience, Surya Shanti Villa offers simple but beautifully designed bamboo bungalows surrounded by rice paddies for around $50 to $80 per night, including breakfast prepared from local ingredients. Sidemen is also home to several community-based tourism initiatives where visitors stay in traditional Balinese family compounds. The Sidemen Community Tourism project coordinates homestays in local homes where guests participate in daily village life: helping with rice planting or harvesting, preparing offerings for temple ceremonies, and sharing meals with their host family. These experiences cost as little as $25 to $40 per person per night including meals and activities, with income going directly to the host families. The combination of spectacular natural scenery, authentic cultural immersion, and low environmental impact makes Sidemen one of the most responsible places to stay in Bali.

Munduk, a small mountain village in Bali's central highlands at an elevation of around 800 meters, offers an eco lodge experience that feels completely different from the tropical heat and beach culture of southern Bali. The air here is noticeably cooler and fresher, the landscape is dominated by dense tropical forest, clove and coffee plantations, and cascading waterfalls, and the pace of life is unhurried and deeply traditional. Munduk Moding Plantation is the area's most established eco-conscious property, a coffee plantation resort with individual villas and suites overlooking a valley of tropical forest stretching to the distant coast. The property grows its own coffee and offers guests the chance to learn about the entire process from cherry to cup. Infinity pools at the resort appear to float above the jungle canopy, creating a visual connection between the swimming experience and the wild landscape below. Rates start at around $100 per night for a garden villa with breakfast included. For a more rustic experience, several small eco lodges and guesthouses in and around Munduk offer rooms in traditional buildings surrounded by spice gardens. Puri Lumbung Cottages uses restored rice barn architecture for its accommodations and operates community-based trekking programs through nearby villages and waterfall trails. The Twin Lakes area near Munduk, where Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan sit in adjacent volcanic craters surrounded by pristine forest, hosts a handful of lakeside eco lodges that are among the most peaceful places to stay anywhere in Bali. Accommodation in the Munduk area ranges from $30 for basic guesthouses to $150 for premium plantation villas.

Amed is a string of small fishing villages along Bali's far northeast coast, known for its excellent snorkeling and diving, black volcanic sand beaches, and a relaxed atmosphere that recalls what much of Bali felt like decades ago. The area has attracted a cluster of eco-minded accommodation providers who are drawn by the relatively untouched marine environment and the opportunity to combine sustainable tourism with ocean conservation efforts. Apneista Eco Lodge and Freediving Center is a standout property that combines comfortable bamboo bungalow accommodation with professional freediving and yoga instruction, all operated with a commitment to ocean conservation and minimal environmental impact. The lodge organizes regular beach cleanups, supports local fishing communities, and educates guests about marine conservation issues affecting the Bali Sea. Bungalows with sea views start at approximately $45 per night. The Japanese Shipwreck, a World War II vessel lying in shallow water just offshore, creates an accessible coral reef ecosystem that several Amed eco lodges have adopted as a conservation project. Guests at properties like Amed Beach Resort and Blue Moon Villas can snorkel or dive the shipwreck and surrounding reefs, which are home to an extraordinary diversity of tropical fish, sea turtles, and occasional reef sharks. Several lodges participate in coral restoration programs where guests can learn to transplant coral fragments onto artificial reef structures. Amed's eco lodges tend to be simpler and more affordable than their Ubud counterparts, reflecting the area's laid-back character. Basic bamboo bungalows with ocean views start at $25 to $40 per night, while more polished eco-friendly boutique properties range from $60 to $120. The area is powered partially by solar energy, and many properties use rainwater collection and greywater recycling systems.