Goa Lawah Temple: A Must See on Your Bali Trip!

Hello, fellow travelers! Bali Trip is full of amazing places. Surely, it has beautiful beaches. Also green rice fields. Then quiet waterfalls. But have you ever seen a temple that is also a bat cave? Then, let’s go to Goa Lawah Temple!

So, let me introduce you to Goa Lawah Temple. As the matter of fact, it is one of the oldest and most special temples in Bali. The name means “Bat Cave Temple.” And yes, it is exactly what it sounds like!

Earlier, I recently visited this temple. It was a unique experience. Also here is I want to share everything with you. Specifically, what to see, what to do, and what you need to know before you go.

Let’s get started!

What is Goa Lawah Temple?

In fact, Goa Lawah Temple is a very important Hindu temple. It is over 1,000 years old! Can you imagine that? It was built in the 11th century.

However, the temple is built right at the mouth of a cave. And inside that cave, live thousands and thousands of bats.

For the local people, this is not just a tourist spot. It is a sacred place. Usually, they come here to pray and ask for blessings. Meanwhile, they believe the cave is a holy tunnel. The tunnel goes all the way to another important temple, the Besakih Temple, miles away!

Alongside that, the bats are seen as guardians of the temple. They are protectors of the sacred cave.

Where is it?

Goa Lawah Temple is on the east coast of Bali. It is about a 90-minute drive from the busy areas like Seminyak or Canggu. Not only the drive is very pretty. But you will also see the ocean on one side and small villages on the other.

Clearly, it is a great stop on a Bali Trip to other east Bali sights. At the same time you can visit the temple and then go to the beach club at Bias Tugel or see the palace at Klungkung.

The Main Attraction: The Bat Cave!

Furthermore, the heart of the temple is the cave. However, you can’t go inside the cave. Because, it is closed to the public to protect it. Yet you can stand very close to the entrance.

The first thing you will notice is the sound. Then, a constant, high pitched chirping. Next, it comes from deep inside the cave. Finally, it is the sound of all the bats talking to each other!

The second thing you will notice is the smell. It is a strong, earthy smell. This comes from the bat droppings, called guano, that have built up over hundreds of years. Although it is a bit strong, but you get used to it.

Meanwhile, try to look up at the ceiling near the cave entrance. If you are lucky, you will see the bats! They hang upside down, sleeping during the day. Also they are much bigger than you might think!

In addition, at sunset, something magical happens. The bats wake up and fly out of the cave. They fly out in a long, black stream. They are going out to find food for the night. To sum up, seeing this on your Bali Trip is a truly amazing sight.

The Temple Grounds

The temple itself is beautiful. It has the classic Balinese architecture. You will see tall, black stone gates. You will see many small shrines, called *merus*, with their tall roofs.

The main courtyard is where you can see the cave entrance. Priests and locals will be there, praying and making offerings. It is a very peaceful and spiritual place.

Please remember to be quiet and respectful. This is a place of worship.

What to Do at Goa Lawah Temple

1. Take Photos The temple is very photogenic. The black stone against the blue sky looks great. You can take pictures from the parking area. You get a wonderful view of the whole temple with the ocean behind it.

2. Observe the Ceremonies If you are lucky, you might see a ceremony. The locals dress in beautiful white clothes. They carry colorful offerings of fruit and flowers on their heads. It is a beautiful cultural experience.

3. Feel the Atmosphere Just stand quietly for a moment. Listen to the sounds. The chirping bats. The soft prayers. The ringing of a small bell. It is a feeling you won’t get anywhere else.

4. Talk to a Local Guide There are friendly guides at the entrance. They can tell you the stories and legends of the temple. They know so much. It makes the visit much more interesting.

What You MUST Know Before You Go (Very Important!)

Visiting a Balinese temple on your Bali Trip has rules. You must follow them. It shows respect.

Firstly, Sarong and Sash You must wear a sarong. A sarong is a piece of cloth you tie around your waist. You must also wear a sash around your waist. This is the rule for everyone, men and women. Good news! The ticket price includes the rental of a sarong and sash. You don’t need to bring your own. They will give you one at the entrance.

Second, Dress Modestly Even with the sarong, your shoulders should be covered. Please wear a t-shirt or a top that covers your shoulders. Avoid short shorts or skirts. Wearing the sarong over your pants is perfectly okay!

Then, Respect the Sacred Areas You will see signs that say “Do Not Enter.” These areas are only for people who are praying. Please do not go into these restricted areas.

Next, Menstruating Women According to Balinese custom, women who are menstruating are not allowed to enter the temple. This is a very old rule. It is important to respect this tradition.

Lastly, Behaviors Be quiet. Don’t point your feet at the shrines or offerings. It is considered rude.

My Personal Experience

I visited in the late afternoon. The sun was not too hot. I paid for my ticket and got my purple sarong. I wrapped it around my shorts.

As I walked in, the sound of the bats hit me first. It was like nothing I had ever heard. Then I stood near the cave for a long time. After that I watched the bats hanging and moving. Next thing is, I saw the priests preparing for evening prayers.

The best part was waiting for the sunset. Slowly, the bats started to wake up. A few flew out. Then a few more. Suddenly, a huge cloud of bats flew out of the cave! They swirled in the sky before flying away. It was incredible. It felt like a scene from a movie.

I left feeling calm and amazed. It was a powerful place.

Read More : Why Goa Rang Reng is Your Next Bali Destination

Final Tips for Your Visit

First, Best Time to Visit Go early in the morning (around 9 AM) or late in the afternoon (around 4 PM). It is less crowded and not too hot.
Next, How Long to Stay You don’t need a long time here. Plan for about 45 minutes to an hour.
Then, Combine Your Trip Since it’s in East Bali, plan a day trip. You can also visit the nearby White Sand Beach or the Klungkung Palace.

Ready to Visit Goa Lawah Temple?

To sum up, exploring the east side of Bali in your Bali Trip is a great adventure. But it can be tricky to find the best routes. Not only you want a driver who knows the area. But you also want someone who is friendly and safe.

Therefore, for a stress free and fun trip, I highly recommend using Bali Touristic.

Let me explain, they are a local tour company. For this reason, they know Bali like the back of their hand. In fact, their drivers are professional and speak good English. Therefore, they can take you to Goa Lawah and other hidden gems. As a result, they will make your day Bali Trip easy and memorable.

You can also book a private car for the day. It is very affordable. Surely, you get to see more and relax more.

Want to see what other travelers say? Please check out our reviews on Tripadvisor! Search for “Bali Touristic” to read about many happy customers.

I hope you get to visit Goa Lawah Temple. Along with it’s a unique and magical place. Surely, it will also be a highlight of your Bali trip.

Finally, have a wonderful adventure! (YL)