Tanah Lot Temple: The Best Guide 2023
Tanah Lot Temple in Bali – Everything you need to know MUST READ before visiting!
A popular experience when in Bali is visiting the Ancient Hindu Temple called Tanah Lot; known as Pura Tanah Lot to the locals. Below we will give you all the information you need to know before visiting, to make the most of this inspiring setting.
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History of Tanah Lot
Tanah lot is an Ancient Hindu Temple and it is supposedly dedicated to the Gods of the sea. The meaning of Tanah is earth and Lot is sea, which makes sense as it sits on top of a small island/rock out in the sea.Â
The entire complex is around 3 acres in size and consists of smaller temples as well as the main Temple. At the entrance there is a traditional Balinese gate which creates an amazing walkway to the coastal Temple.
There is not a lot of information that we found out about it but the importance of this Temple to the locals is clear nonetheless.
It was supposedly built in the 16th Century, however a lot of upkeep has been needed to preserve this landmark. A lot of the original island was eroded away by the sea so the base has had to be repaired many times.
Despite this it is a spectacular serene area in Bali and a great place to explore if you have a free morning or afternoon.
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How to Get There?
Tanah Lot Temple is located on the South West Coast of Bali that sits just off the coastline on a semi-connected island that you can walk out onto. Â
It is easily reachable by private car or motorbike. Local taxis and pre-booked drivers are a great way to travel to Tanah Lot as you can sit back and enjoy the journey. They will cost a lot more than hiring a bike however and we think that driving yourself gives you more freedom so we would say motorbikes are the best way to travel around. The average price for renting a bike for a day is anywhere from 70,000-100,000 IDR for a standard scooter.
Canggu is the closest popular area to Tanah Lot and it will only take around 30 minutes by motorbike to reach the complex. From Seminyak and Kuta it will take considerably longer; around 1 and a half hours plus any traffic that is very popular in Bali.Â
We recommend taking a day trip from Canggu as visiting Tanah Lot is a beautiful and serene place to spend some time away from the bustling streets.Â
You can book a tour which will include entrance fee and transport – make sure you trust the tour operator as this can be a common scam in South East Asia.
How Much Does it Cost?
Once you have arrived, the entrance costs 60,000 IDR each and you pay before entering the Temple complex. There is a small charge for parking too between 2,000 – 5,000 IDR for bikes and cars. The prices vary for local visitors and you have to pay more as an international tourist yet the money goes towards maintaining this beautiful landmark and is a reasonable price for an activity in Bali.
Best Time to Visit?
Something that a few people do not realise is that you cannot actually enter the Temple itself. It is reserved only for practising Hindus. You can only walk up to and around the Temple.Â
It is important to know however that at high-tide the water rises meaning that you cannot cross the walkway in order to get close to the Temple. At low-tide however, you can even access the steps and climb a little of the Temple.
We highly recommend researching the tide times around when you plan to visit as they can change a lot depending on the season.
The next thing to note is that this Temple can get very busy and you should consider when you would like to visit. Just like most places in Bali; the earlier the better. Early in the morning is the quietest time for Tanah Lot and you will find it a very peaceful experience.Â
Throughout the day Tanah Lot gets busier and busier as more tour buses and visitors arrive. The peak time to visit is at sunset as many people want to catch the awe-inspiring sunset over the Temple. The sunset is undeniably beautiful but the crowds are not – take this into consideration when planning a trip to Tanah Lot.
Local Art Markets
Just inside of the Temple complex, before you see the actual Temple, there are many market stalls and small shops. They sell a variety of goods such as clothes and knick-knacks. Some of them also have some unique handmade souvenirs such as paintings and artwork. It is a great place to pick up a few bargains from local vendors.
Around The Temple
One of the main things you will see at the Temple are some Hindu Priests dressed in traditional clothing. They offer blessings at a small fountain, first you have to cleanse your face in the water then they will bless you with a few grains of rice on your forehead and a frangipana flower placed behind your ear. You can take part in this small ritual by just giving a donation to the priests, so the amount you pay is up to you.
Another attraction at the Temple is the legendary guardian sea snakes that are said to live in the cracks and crevices around the island. Although we did not actually see any whilst looking in their supposed hiding place, there are a few people who you can pay and they will show you one.
What to Eat and Drink?
On the mainland just above the land around the Tanah Lot Temple there are many local warungs; cheap and small eateries. They offer a selection of both traditional Balinese dishes as well as some Western bites and cold drinks. The prices are a little higher at these cafes than others outside of the Temple so we opted to just grab a cool drink and carry on exploring.Â
They do however offer an amazing view from a different angle of the magnificent Tanah Lot Temple and surrounding coastline.
Dress Code
At Tanah Lot there is no explicit dress code so it is acceptable to turn up in anything and you will not be turned away. We do, however, highly urge you to dress appropriately when visiting this Temple as it shows respect towards the Hindu religion and Bali culture. This means covering your shoulders and legs, or at least your knees. A sarong is a great investment as you can use it to put over your shoulders or wrap around yourself to cover your legs when you visit Tanah Lot.
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