Tree House Nusa Penida – Rumah Pohon Guide
Are you planning to vist the Tree House Nusa Penida?
Rumah Pohon Tree House Nusa Penida is overlooking the most incredible bay I have ever seen! Dazzling, turquoise sea, lush greenery and dramatic clifftop views which don’t resemble any other place in the world are waiting to take your breath away!
This post is a comprehensive guide to visiting the Instagram famous Rumah Pohon Tree House!
Where Is Rumah Pohon Tree House Located?
Rumah Pohon Tree House is located on the South-Eastern part of Nusa Penida about an hour drive from Toya Pakeh harbour area. It used to take much longer before a new road was built that goes along the eastern shore of Penida island.
The Nusa Penida Tree House is very close to Atuh Beach. But it still takes around 30 minutes to get there because there is no direct road connecting the two places.
While the main road is totally doable, the roads to Atuh beach and the Tree House are dirt tracks through the forest with tree roots sticking out. These are challenging conditions for sure!
Best Places To Stay On Nusa Penida
Luxury
This hotel consists of a beautifully designed cottages with tasteful accessories made of natural materials like stone and wood. They come with lovely outdoor bathrooms and a porch and are situated in a well-kept, lush garden. There is a nice pool where you can get your breakfast served on a floating tray or served in your room if you prefer that, both for no extra charge. The hotel offers a free pick up and drop off at the harbour. Kompyang cottages are located on the west side of Nusa Penida within 20 minutes drive to Toya Pakeh harbour and within walking distance to a good selection of local warungs.
Midrange – Penida Bay Village
Penida Bay Village is situated 10 minutes’ walk from Crystal Bay Beach in a traditional local village with good proximity to a few little shops and local warungs. The bungalows are clean and spacious and include free wifi use and toiletries in a private bathroom. There is an onsite restaurant that serves a good breakfast that is included in the room price, but also lunch and dinner for an extra charge.
The hotel, which is also one of the best Nusa Penida hostels offers private and shared rooms. It is located within 20 minutes’ drive from the harbour on the western coast, minutes’ walk from shops and small, local restaurants. What I liked most about this property is a beautiful pool area with white decking around it and a well-kept garden. There is a choice of older bungalows and newer ones situated around the pool which are so cute, simple yet very tastefully designed. This is an excellent option for a solo traveller for very cheap but quality accommodation with chic communal areas!
Cant’s decide? Read full guide on Nusa Penida Accommodation.
Hot To Get To The Rumah Pohon Tree House?
From Bali
From Bali, speed boats leave a few times a day from Sanur Port. You can get your ferry ticket online before your departure. You can also arrive in Sanur the night before and head to Sanur’s promenade where you can buy it off the local vendors.
By scooter
For those already staying on Nusa Penida, the easiest way to get to Tree House Nusa Penida is by hiring a scooter and driving there yourself.
Motorbike rental on Penida is a little pricier than in Bali mainland so expect to pay around 75k IDR for a full day. Remember to ask for a helmet and check breaks and lights before you set off.
Also, the roads in Nusa Penida are poor, narrow with many bumps and potholes. If you’ve never ridden a scooter before, then this is not the place for your first time. However, if you’re an experienced driver, you may find it strenuous, but you will be fine. And a lot of visitors choose that option so you definitely won’t be alone.
From the main harbour area, it should take around 60 minutes to get there. If you’re already on the island, try to leave before the ferries arrive with day-trippers. I’ve witnessed some crazy traffic from the ferry port at ‘rush hour.’
With a driver
If you don’t feel comfortable to ride a scooter, you can hire a car with a driver. A full day should cost around 600k IDR. The advantages of hiring a driver are you don’t need to worry about driving and navigating steep, bumpy roads that often turn into dirt tracks. Also, it is helpful to relax in the air-conditioned car while getting to your next location.
Nusa Penida Day Tour
If you only have one day on Nusa Penida, I recommend taking a tour where everything is arranged for you, and you don’t need to worry about the logistics. Get Your Guide is a reliable tour operator, I’m leaving a link below to one day trip that includes Tree House, Atuh Beach, Diamond Beach and Teletubbies Hills:
Arriving At Tree House Nusa Penida
When you arrive at the car park, there will be a man who takes the entrance fee of 15k IDR ($1). There are a few small warungs near the car park where you can grab a snack or an ice cream on the way back.
You will see a clearly marked path protected with wooded railing and robes for support when you hike down. The path is pretty steep but the hike only takes around 10 minutes.
Rumah Pohon Tree House In Nusa Penida
The photos that you see of the treehouse are taken from behind it under a large tree. Climb a small hill and place yourself at the angle to have the treehouse and the bay on the background.
Rumah Pohon Tree House overlooks the Thousand Island Bay, which is also called Pulau Seribu and OMG what a view that is! Before visiting, I’ve seen it countless times on my Instagram feed but see it with my own eyes totally exceeded my expectations! The turquoise colour of the sea contrasting with the lush greenery and white, pointy cliffs makes the view utterly jaw-dropping.
If you climb to the treehouse, there is a bench there to sit on. Take a minute and imagine to wake up to a dreamy landscape like this!
You can actually stay here if you wish. Rumah Pohon is an Airbnb, read the section on where to stay for more information. However, you don’t get to stay in that very cottage that you see on all the pictures and accommodation here is very basic.
Rumah Pohon Tree House Nusa Penida – Photography
If you’re travelling solo, you can ask someone to take your photo. Other visitors will be more than happy to help you. Just remember to explain them with your camera what exactly you want in the frame of the photo. Alternatively, you can set up a tripod and press the shutter remotely with your phone.
Thousand Island View Points
The first Thousand Island Viewpoint is located before the treehouse and the second a further 5 minutes hike after you go passed the treehouse. The second one has a small bench with a roof, and it’s great to have a rest in the shade. From that point, you can see the treehouses below and the magical Thousand Islands Bay. I couldn’t count a thousand islands but just a few, but I love the dreamy name even if it’s not true!
Entrance Fee
Entrance fee to Rumah Pohon Tree House- 15k IDR ($1)
They have recently introduced another ticket for taking photos at the tree house. It costs 75k IDR ($5) and can be purchased right next to the tree house.
Best Time To Visit The Tree House In Nusa Penida
The best time to visit Tree House on Nusa Penida is during the dry season, which starts in October and ends in March. Also, if you want to enjoy the place for yourself, come early in the morning before 10 am.
Having said that, I visited after midday and didn’t feel like the place was overcrowded. A few people were waiting in the queue to take a photo with the main treehouse, but that didn’t bother me much. Also, the whole area is pretty vast, so it never feels crowded.
Best time to visit for photographers is at sunrise. Sun rises on the tree house side above the ocean and on a clear sky morning you may be able to capture an awesome sunrise but people on the photo will be in the shade which may be tricky to fix.
Things To Take With You
Day Backpack – for this adventure and many other ones, you’ll need a day pack. My favourite one is the stylish and minimalistic Kanken. It is made of durable materials and it’s super simple and super comfortable.
Mirrorless camera – I love Sony cameras! If you’re looking for an entry-level, compact camera that takes awesome photos, go for Sony Alpha 6400, I’ve used it for years and took some excellent pictures with it. For a more advanced selection, I recommend Sony A7iii, I can’t be more happy with it, and I know lots of professional photographers and creators who use it too.
Power bank – power bank to charge my mobile phone saved my life a few times, no kidding. It is handy if you’re using Google maps which is a drain on the phone’s battery. I recommend choosing a lightweight one
Raincoat – I know you’re probably thinking I’m crazy, but trust me, the raincoat is essential, especially if you’re scootering your way through the island. When it’s rainy, it actually gets cold on the scooter, and during the rainy season, which is between November and April, it rains buckets!
Reusable water bottle – water flask, especially thermal ones, is so practical here in Bali. Many hotels and restaurants let their guests refill the bottles for free in an effort to reduce plastic use on the island.
Sun cream – this is another essential to carry with you and frequently reapply. Choose an eco-friendly and vegan one to do your part for the environment.
Adventure sandals – sports sandals with straps are the best type of footwear for any Bali adventure. They dry quickly and are sturdy enough to keep you safe on your hikes. I use North Face sandals, I’ve had them for years and they never let me down.
You may also like Bali Packing List
Other Places To Visit In The Area
Atuh Beach
Atuh Beach is located just 30 minutes’ drive from Rumah Pohon Tree House. The place is genuinely breathtaking, and you can easily spend here the whole day. Also, the sea is much calmer so you can enjoy a nice swim.
There is a parking fee of 5k IDR and an entrance fee to the beach collected by locals of 10k IDR.
The hike down to the beach is relatively strenuous, but the stairs are in good shape, so you should be able to get down without issues.
There are a few warungs on the beach and umbrellas and sunchairs to rent out for the day. I sat on the bin bag for free in exchange for buying some food and drink later on. The sun loungers were 100k IDR for the day. I got some coconut water for 25k IDR, some fresh-cut mango (20k IDR) and fries (20k IDR).
Diamond beach
The beach is accessible from the same car park as for Atuh beach. The entrance fee is 10k IDR and parking fee 5k IDR (one ticket for both Atuh And Diamond Beach).
Most people arriving at the spot will only take a photo from the top and go to Atuh beach. Only a few will go all the way down to Diamond beach. It is because, the path down is very challenging, very narrow at times, and the stairs are not well maintained.
If you’re on a tight schedule, I would recommend going down only partway down to get the feel.
You may also like:
Rumah Pohon Tree House: Final Word
Rumah Pohon Tree House Nusa Penida is a truly dreamy place that will take your breath away as it did mine! It’s by no means overrated, as its popularity on social media may suggest. If you’ve been or are planning to go, let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Like me? Pin me for later!
This place looks like a dream, how is it even real?! Added to my bucket list for sure 🥰 thank you for sharing!
I Know right !? Totally surreal! ☺️
Hi, thank you for such a brilliant post. I have been reading some blogs that gives me more knowledge about the rumah pohon tree house. I must say this is one of the best among them. You have done a great research for I feel, thanks for sharing.