Tanah Lot is a coastal temple in South Bali.

Getting there

Tanah Lot is about 45 minutes by car north west of the main southern tourist areas of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak and is en-route for those heading to West Bali. From Ubud it can reached in about 30 to 40 minutes by car.

A visit to Tanah Lot for sunset is one of the most popular organised tours offered in Bali. Check at your hotel.

Traveling around

Once you arrive at Tanah Lot, park your vehicle in the official car park (Rp 5,000) and proceed on foot.

See

Tanah Lot is one of the important directional temples in Bali. The temple is located on a rock just offshore. It is said to be the work of revered 15th century Hindu priest Nirartha and forms an important element of Balinese spirtualism and mythology.

This is an extremely popular tourist destination and the whole area is often very busy indeed, especially in the late afternoons, pre-sunset. The area between the car park (Rp 5,000 per vehicle) and the beach adjacent to the temple is a maze of souvenir shops selling just about every Balinese trinket imaginable.

Once you have fought your way through the souvenir vendors to the beach, you will see the magnificent temple perched on a rock just a few metres offshore. There is a footpath to the raised cliff area just to the south from where the views of the temple and the sunset behind it are outstanding. Photo-opportunities abound. Entry fee is Rp 10,000.

Restoration of the Temple. A comprehensive restoration programme started in the 1990s when it was realised that the rock was seriously eroded and in danger of collapse. This major work resulted in the actual temple being out of bounds which was still intermittently the case in early 2009. This is not really a hindrance to visitors though as entrance to the actual temple is not the key attraction.

Things to do

The superb Nirwana Golf Course is adjacent to Tanah Lot, just to the south. This Greg Norman designed course is consistently voted as one of the very best in the whole of Asia. Stunning cliff top setting. Packages are normally available (ask at your hotel). Expect to pay US$ 170 to 200 per round all in.

Pejaten village is the centre of the ceramics manufacturing business in Bali, and well worth a visit. About 7 km north from Tanah Lot temple.

Eat

There are large number of restaurants along the cliff top which offer great views but less great food. The best advice here would be to order a drink, get your fill of the views and photo-ops, and eat elsewhere.

Drink

Virtually all of the restaurants at Tanah Lot serve Es Kelapa Mudah (chilled young coconut). This is a lovely refreshing option while watching the sun go down at Tanah Lot.

Sleep

Budget

  • Losmen Puri Lukisan Tanah Lot, Tanah Lot, Simple budget accommodation - the cheapest at Tanah Lot. Close to the car park.

  • Pondok Wisata Atiti Graha, +62 361 812955, Tanah Lot, Losmen type budget accomodation on the entrance road to Tanah Lot before you reach the car park.

Mid Range

  • Dewi Sinta Hotel , +62 361 812933, +62 361 812933, Tanah Lot, Small hotel with 20 guest rooms located inside the Tanah Lot temple tourist facility complex.

Splurge

  • Le Meridien Nirwana Golf and Spa Resort , +62 361 815900, Tanah Lot, You can see Tanah Lot Temple and the pounding surf of the Indian Ocean from this luxury hotel. The resort is surrounded by the Nirwana Golf Course and green paddy fields. Rooms consist of shower & bath tub and a balcony with views in all rooms. There are also some private villas with plunge pools, gardens and outdoor showers. This hotel has certainly seen better days and is badly in need of renovation, but the rates reflect that and the location is quite wonderful. Has a free shuttle bus service to Ubud and Kuta.

  • Semarapura Private Villa , This 5 bedroom property is an expansive luxury beachfront villa, located about 10 mins south of Tanah Lot, 40 minutes from Seminyak on Bali’s southwest coast. Comprises a series of pavilions, swimming pool and ornamental ponds, leisurely spread throughout an expansive 5,000 square metres of rolling lawns. Fully staffed and ideal for events.

  • Villa les Rizieres, +62 361 8099107, +62 361 8099107, Siz bedroom luxury villa + one extra bedroom. Accommodation for up to 14 persons. Private tennis court. The villa is minutes from Nirwana Golf Course.

Buy

The approach path to Tanah Lot temple is a maze of souvenir shops and not a bad place to fill up your bags with trinkets if you are so inclined.

Get out

Tanah Lot is conveniently located en route for those moving too or from West Bali. A drive back to Kuta, Legian or Seminyak in the evening after sunset will take about 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on traffic.

Contact & location

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Riza Nugraha ?, muhd rushdi samsudin, Jos Dielis, Rollan Budi, paularps

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This travel guide also includes text from Wikitravel articles, all available at WikitravelView full credits

Burmesedays, Alexis, Leong Shen-li, jan and Larisa, Inas

This travel guide also includes text from Wikipedia articles, all available at WikipediaView full credits

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