A
trip to Bali is not really complete without visiting at least one
temple. The island has over 20,000 pura (temples in Balinese) and even
though it’s impossible to visit them all, a few of them are really worth
the time and effort. Plus, many of them are close to each other, so you
can visit several in one day. I visited these five temples over two
days and managed to see rice terraces, a butterfly farm and other Bali
sights, too.
How to dress : Remember to bring a sarong if you visit a temple. Most
temple guards will ask that you cover up your shoulders and ankles, but
if you’re wearing pants and a tee, there shouldn’t be a problem. If you
don’t have a sarong, you can borrow one for free at most temples. At
Besakih, it’s included in your entrance fee so don’t let anyone there
convince you otherwise. Unfortunately, the place is crammed with people
trying to rip you off!
Prices : Visiting a Balinese temple is cheap (cost is between $1-3), but
there are different prices for foreigners and locals. You can find the
prices below.
How to get there : There are three main ways to see the temples. You
either sign up for a group tour, you rent a driver (what I did) or you
rent a scooter. The latter is definitely the cheapest, but sitting on a
scooter all day is probably not the most comfortable way to enjoy Bali’s
temples. Remember, if you bring a few friends, you can split the costs
which makes it a lot cheaper.
