Nusa Penida has lots to offer and Rumah Pohon Treehouse and the Thousand Island Viewpoint are only two of its most popular hotspots. The two are located right next to each other and are some of Nusa Penida’s best picture spots.
The view is unforgettable and not to be missed on your next trip to Nusa Penida.
You can even sleep at Rumah Pohon Treehouse, although the interior is very basic. Keep reading to find out how and when the best time is to visit.
Planning a trip to Nusa Penida? Check out our 3-day itinerary here.
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WHERE ARE THE TREEHOUSE AND THE VIEWPOINT?
Rumah Pohon and the Thousand Island Viewpoint are located in what would be considered Nusa Penida’s east coast. You’ll find them right next to Diamond and Atuh Beach. Visiting all four makes the perfect day trip.
It takes around one hour to drive to the treehouse and viewpoint from Toya Pakeh (Banjar Nyuh) harbour and 45 minutes from Buyuk harbour.
WHERE TO STAY IF YOU WANT TO VISIT RUMAH POHON TREEHOUSE
In Nusa Penida, the attractions that are worth visiting are quite far away from where most tourists stay. You will have to take a scooter or hire a driver anyway if you want to visit the treehouse or really any of the other places of interest on the island. Therefore, you can be flexible when booking your accommodation.
I recommend staying somewhere close to either of the two harbours because this is where you will find the best selection of restaurants and bars as well as some small shops. Pick a hotel or hostel that is close to the beach, you’ll thank yourself later.
Still trying to find somewhere to stay? Check out Rama Homestay for beach bungalows with a prime location at an affordable price.
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Always compare prices for hotels. We at Guide Your Travel prefer Booking.com, Agoda or Hostelworld for finding the best deals.
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HOW TO GET TO THE TREEHOUSE AND VIEWPOINT
SCOOTER OR CAR?
Nusa Penida is famous for its notoriously bad roads and unfortunately apps like gojek don’t work on the island. Even if you are an experienced motorbike rider I would not recommend renting one here. The roads are steep and mostly gravel and local drivers drive ruthlessly with no regard for the safety of tourists on motorbikes.
It’s common for tourists to overestimate their abilities and either end up pushing their bike uphill in the sweltering heat or having to be picked up by their accommodation.
Driving here can be especially tricky if you’re carrying a passenger on your bike as you have to go at high speeds to make it up the hills.
If you’re not extremely confident on a scooter, do yourself a favour and get a driver. You’ll be spending a lot of time getting from place to place on this island and will have a much better experience if you spend it sitting in an airconditioned van rather than getting sunburnt on a bike.
You can get back to the freedom of exploring on a bike on the next island you visit.
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HIRING A DRIVER
Plenty of people chose to explore Nusa Penida via car. Many locals earn their living by providing taxi and day-trip services. You can hire a driver for 10 hours which will cost you roughly IDR 500,000 (~ €32) including parking and petrol. During this time the driver will take you anywhere you like, within reason of course. Make sure to tell them your itinerary beforehand and they will let you know what’s realistic.
You can find numbers for drivers online in Facebook groups or on Google. I’d be happy to recommend drivers if you send me a private message.
You can also ask your accommodation in Nusa Penida, however, you’ll have a harder time bargaining for a good price.
Make sure you don’t overpay and give your driver a tip at the end of the day if they did a good job. It’s also customary to pay for their lunch.
THE WALK TO THE TREEHOUSE AND VIEWPOINT
The parking area is at the top of the cliff where you’ll also find some small warungs. It takes around 10 minutes of walking to reach the Thousand Island Viewpoint and a further 5 to get to the treehouse. The steps are recently constructed and easy to climb. They are steep in some places but very manageable.
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RUMAH POHON TREEHOUSE
Rumah Pohon Treehouse actually describes three little treehouses that can be rented on agoda or some other hotel booking sites. These may not be the best hotels in Nusa Penida, but the location is absolutely incredible.
The most famous treehouse sits right at the edge of the cliff and has the best view by far. Make sure to pick this one if you plan to stay in one of the treehouses, it’ll be spectacular.
SHOULD YOU STAY AT RUMAH POHON TREEHOUSE?
If you’re considering renting one of the three treehouses you should know how remote they are. There is not much to do but visit the viewpoint or eat at the warungs at the top of the cliff.
If you’re looking for peace and quiet and really want to experience this unique location this is a great place to stay. However, note that you’ll have the first tourists arriving at around 7:00 AM which might disturb this experience since they tend to climb onto the ladder and balcony of the treehouse.
You’ll be able to see the most spectacular sunrise though.
The interior of the treehouse is very basic with no AC and essentially just a bed and a bathroom if you can call it that. You’ll not be staying here for comfort but the experience will be worth it.
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THE THOUSAND ISLAND VIEWPOINT
This viewpoint is just off the main path down to the treehouse. The blue ropes will show you where to go.
You’ll get the best view of Diamond Beach and its impressive stairs.
The cliff is really steep here so be careful when taking photos especially if you’re visiting when many other people are there as well. The space there is really small and it can be easy to trip.
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The photos you’ll take at the Thousand Island Viewpoint will be unforgettable. Use them as the perfect Instagram post with the help of our romantic travel caption ideas, one-word captions, and quotes about Indonesia or Bali. You’ll love them!
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WHEN TO GO TO THE TREEHOUSE AND VIEWPOINT
The best time to visit both the Thousand Island Viewpoint and Rumah Pohon Treehouse is very early in the morning. You should be there before 8:00 am to avoid the big tourist crowds.
This is one of Nusa Penida’s most popular attractions and therefore it’s always busy. It’s worth coming early to get the best experience.
The heat is also a major factor. Walking up and down the steps can get very tiring and sweaty if you’re there during midday.
ENTRANCE FEES
There is no entrance fee to visit the treehouse and the viewpoint. Parking costs IDR 2,000 (~ €0.13).
DRONES
The treehouse is a great spot to fly your drone. The Thousand Island Viewpoint could be less ideal because it is so small and there is no railing protecting you from the steep drop.
SHOULD YOU VISIT ATUH AND DIAMOND BEACH OR THE TREEHOUSE AND VIEWPOINT FIRST?
This is entirely up to you and what is most important to you. In the end, the place you visit first will be where you get the best photos and experience.
The crowds come in early and by the time you’ll have visited one location, the other will most likely not be quiet anymore. I would recommend seeing the treehouse and viewpoint first mostly due to the fact that you will probably spend more time at Diamond and Atuh Beach.
However, if Diamond Beach and Atuh Beach are what you really care about there’s no harm in heading there first to experience these unique beaches in peace and quiet.
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WHAT ELSE TO SEE IN NUSA PENIDA
There are still plenty of things to see and do on this beautiful island. Check out our 3-day itinerary for a complete guide on where to go. Some great places to explore are the Tembeling natural pools, Kelingking Beach and Angel’s Billabong and Broken Beach.
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Did I miss anything?
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