Tanah Lot
Tanah Lot is a coastal temple in South Bali.
Get in
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.
Tourist Information Office
Tanah Lot Jalan Raya Tanah Lot. ☎ +62 85253 000066. 8AM-4PM. A source of information for current events in the city and for picking up a free map.
A visit to Tanah Lot for sunset is one of the most popular organised tours offered in Bali. Check at your hotel.
Get 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.
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$170-200 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.
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.
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 Muda (chilled young coconut). This is a lovely refreshing option while watching the sun go down at Tanah Lot. Not only that, you also can buy the traditional food, like lawar (kind of vegetable), some cold drink, etc.
Sleep
Budget
- Losmen Puri Lukisan Tanah Lot, Tanah Lot. Simple budget accommodation - the cheapest at Tanah Lot. Close to the car park. Rp 100,000.
- Pondok Wisata Atiti Graha, Tanah Lot, ☏ +62 361 812955. Losmen type budget accommodation on the entrance road to Tanah Lot before you reach the car park. Rp 120,000.
Mid Range
- Dewi Sinta Hotel, Tanah Lot, ☏ +62 361 812933, reservation@dewisinta.com. Small hotel with 20 guest rooms located inside the Tanah Lot temple tourist facility complex. From US$40.
Splurge
- Pan Pacific Nirwana Golf and Spa Resort (Formerly: Le Meridien Nirwana Golf and Spa Resort), Tanah Lot, ☏ +62 361 815900. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Views of Tanah Lot Temple and the Indian Ocean and surrounded by green paddy fields and the Nirwana Golf Course. Shower & bath tub, balcony with views in all rooms. There are also some private villas with plunge pools, gardens and outdoor showers. Newly renovated since being taken over by the Pan Pacific Group in 2010/11. Free shuttle bus service to Ubud, Kuta & Seminyak. From US$105.
- Villa Semarapura (10 mins south of Tanah Lot, 40 minutes from Seminyak). Expansive 5 bedroom beachfront villa comprised of a series of pavilions, swimming pool and ornamental ponds and all within a 5,000² m of rolling lawns. Fully staffed and ideal for events. From US$1,150.
- Villa les Rizieres, ☏ +62 361 8099107, info@villalesrizieres.com. 8 bedroom luxury villa + one extra bedroom. Accommodation for up to 16 persons. Private tennis court. The villa is minutes from Nirwana Golf Course. From US$1,350.
Go next
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.