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Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is an iconic Balinese water temple sitting on the shores of Lake Beratan in northern Bali.
The temple is best known for the two pagodas that appear to float on the lake’s surface, earning it the nickname "the floating temple."
Emily and I have both visited this temple on several occasions. In this guide, we’ve given our honest review about whether we think it’s worthwhile and share our favourite way to experience this Bali bucket-list temple.
Quick Review: Is it Worth it?
The iconic pagodas of Ulun Danu Beratan Temple are certainly worth seeing. Designed in the traditional Balinese Hindu style, the temple's multiple tiers and thatched roofs are framed by colourful flower beds and towering mountains. When the lake is still, the pagodas create a perfect reflection on the water.
However, in our opinion, the rest of the temple complex has become way too touristy and overcrowded in recent years. The surrounding complex is now filled with countless photo props, unethical animal attractions (owls - why!?), and overpriced cafes and restaurants.
While families with younger children might appreciate some of the attractions to keep the little ones entertained, we didn’t enjoy it much. It takes away from the temple's beauty and cultural significance.
But we also don't think you should skip the temple altogether. It's still one of the top things to do in Beudgul. A better way to experience it is by going out onto the lake in a traditional boat, where you can enjoy the serenity and peacefulness without the crowds.
You can hire a boat and guide from just outside the complex for a reasonable 300,000 IDR. Plus, you’ll save money on the temple entry price. Keep reading for full details about how to do this below.
Visiting the Temple by Boat
Our favourite way to experience Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is by taking a Jukung out onto the lake. This is a traditional, colourful Balinese rowing boat, which is similar to a canoe but stabilised by long bamboo poles on either side.
While there is a boat hire kiosk within the temple complex, we don’t recommend using it, as you’ll have to pay the temple entrance fee in addition to the boat prices. We prefer to hire a boat from a small kiosk a little further around the lake.
Here's the exact Google Map pin for the boat hire kiosk we use. It's located within a small parking/rest area just a couple of minutes from the temple entrance.
There’s no need to book ahead. On our most recent trip, we arrived around 9am and managed to negotiate a price of 300,000 IDR ⓘ for a one-hour boat trip for two people, with a driver/guide.
It's also possible to rent a boat and row yourself, but you'll need some serious arm strength as it gets windy on the lake. We were quoted 200,000 IDR ⓘ for the boat without a driver.
Our guide did all the rowing so we could just sit back and enjoy the experience. He also knew all of the best photo spots and took some great pictures for us.
While we choose the one-hour trip around the temple and along the water's edge, you can go even further and visit a few other spots around the lake, including a cave.
Each boat can accommodate up to 4 people, so it’s better value than hiring one inside the temple, where prices start at 75,000 IDR per person for just 30 minutes.
Our guide also told us that he offers 2-hour sunrise boat trips around the lake and floating temple for 500,000 IDR ⓘ per boat. But you will have to head out verrrrryyy early for this!
Speedboats and swan boats are also available, but we’d recommend sticking with the traditional boats as they can go closer to the pagodas and offer a more traditional and relaxing experience.
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Visiting the Temple on Foot
Although we didn’t enjoy visiting the temple complex ourselves, it could still be a good spot for families with younger children as there are many attractions to keep little ones entertained.
It would be easy to spend a full hour visiting the various photo spots, which include many statues of animals and foods, colourful seating areas, a lily pad fountain you can walk on, and even a large cactus garden inside a dinosaur head.
Of course, you’ll also get a great view of the temple's pagodas. And if you look carefully, you might spot the Buddhist stupa which sits just outside the main area of the Hindu temple.
If you're really lucky, you may even see a ceremony inside the temple. We saw a huge ceremony on our first visit which we were told only happens once a year. But these don't happen often here.
We'd recommend going early in the day as this is one of the most visited temples in Bali. It can get very busy with lots of large group tours. A parking area suitable for scooters, cars, and buses is right outside the main entrance and ticket office.
The temple is particularly popular with large Indonesian school and tour groups, with many being unaccustomed to seeing Westerners, so don't be surprised if people stare or want to say hi to you. On almost every visit to the temple, we've been asked for photos.
How Much Ulun Danu Beratan Cost?
Standard Entry Ticket to The Temple Complex | |
|---|---|
Adult (foreigner) | 75,000 IDR ⓘ |
Child (foreigner) | 50,000 IDR ⓘ |
Card payments are accepted at the ticket booth.
What Else is Inside the Temple Complex?
Other than the main temple itself, which only really takes 10 minutes to see, the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple Complex is packed with countless tourist attractions - more so than any other temple we've visited in Bali.
As well as large areas of manicured gardens (the only other part we particularly enjoyed), you'll find numerous unusual photo areas and props, bizarre kid's attractions, cafes, shops, restaurants, and more.
Some attractions you can find inside Ulun Danu Beratan include;
A huge koi fish fountain over the lake
Giant lily pads on the lake for photos (extra fee)
Swan love heart photo props
A large dinosaur filled with a cacti garden
A fake volcano with steam coming out the top
Kids petting zoo with rabbits and guinea pigs
Owl photo opportunities (which we 100% would NOT recommend!)
Several cafes, restaurants, and gelato stores
What To Wear?
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple has become such a big tourist attraction that they are very relaxed with their dress code compared to other temples in Bali.
There was no requirement to wear a sarong, nor were they concerned about having knees and shoulders on show, as long as you were dressed somewhat respectfully. No swimwear or skimpy clothing, please!
When To Visit?
The best time to visit the temple is in the morning when there is less chance of fog and fewer crowds.
It's especially beautiful around sunrise when the glow of the sky makes a magical backdrop. Despite an official opening time of 8am, we've heard that you can ask the guards to let you in earlier (we haven't tried this ourselves).
The temple is open year-round, although it looks better during wet season when the lake's water level is higher.
However, we once visited in March and found it was undergoing essential maintenance. A local told us this work happens every year around the same time, just after Nyepi. It’s still worth seeing, but it's better if you can avoid this period.
More About Pura Ulun Danu Beratan
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple was built around 1633 by King I Gusti Agung Putu of the Mengwi Kingdom who also built Taman Ayun Temple. But, there’s evidence that the site had religious significance long before the temple was built.
The temple is dedicated to Dewi Danu (translates as lake goddess). She is the goddess of water, lakes, rivers, and fertility of the land.
Beratan Lake (also known as Bratan Lake) is an important part of the irrigation system that keeps the surrounding farmlands fertile. Locals from the surrounding villages come to the temple to pray for a good harvest.
There are four important shrines at the temple, one dedicated to Dewi Danu and the others to the three main gods in Balinese Hinduism; Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma.
The two most iconic pagodas at Ulun Danu Beratan sit just offshore, so appear to float on the lake and are only accessible by boat during wet season. The smaller is called Linga Pura, a 3-level pagoda dedicated to Shiva. Next to this is a taller 11-tiered pagoda called Pura Puncak Mangu, dedicated to Vishnu.
The shrine within the main temple is called Pura Teratai Bang which is dedicated to the God Brahma, while a smaller shrine called Pura Dalem Purwa is dedicated to Dewi Danu.
Like many temples in Bali, there are elements of both Hinduism and Buddhism. A large stone-carved Buddhist Stupa can be found just outside the main courtyard along with several statues depicting characters from Buddhist mythology.