A First-Timer's Guide to Bali's Temples and Etiquette

Bali has thousands of temples (pura), and nearly every visitor ends up at a handful of the famous ones — Tanah Lot, Uluwatu, Tirta Empul, Besakih. What often surprises first-timers is that these are active places of worship, not museums or film sets, and the rules around visiting them are taken seriously by local communities. None of it is complicated, but getting it wrong is an easy way to feel — and look — like an oblivious tourist.

Shoulders and knees should be covered at any temple, and most require a sarong (wrapped skirt) and a sash tied at the waist, regardless of gender. Major temples like Tanah Lot and Uluwatu provide these for free or a small rental fee at the entrance, so you don't need to bring your own — but wearing shorts or a short skirt underneath still isn't appropriate, even with a sarong over it.

A few rules apply consistently across temples:

• Don't climb on temple structures or shrines, even for a photo — many visitors don't realize how seriously this is taken until they see a guide intervene.

• Keep voices down in inner courtyards, especially if a ceremony or prayer is in progress.

• Follow posted paths — some inner sanctums (jeroan) are closed to visitors entirely, or open only to those praying, not sightseeing.

• Traditionally, women who are menstruating are asked not to enter temple grounds — this is a genuinely held belief in Balinese Hindu practice, not a suggestion, and most temples post signage about it.

Photography is generally fine in the outer courtyards of most temples, but always check for signage or ask a guide before photographing people praying — a temple mid-ceremony is not a photo opportunity, however striking the scene looks. At Uluwatu in particular, be mindful of the resident macaques, which are known to grab hats, sunglasses, and phones directly from visitors.

If you arrive during an active ceremony (odalan), you may still be able to enter respectfully dressed and keeping a distance from the ritual itself — Balinese communities are generally welcoming to quiet, respectful observers. Some temples close entirely to non-worshippers during major ceremonies, so it's worth checking ahead if visiting a specific temple on a fixed schedule.

A guided half-day or full-day temple tour is a popular way to cover two or three major temples without arranging transport yourself, and a good guide will walk you through the etiquette in real time rather than leaving you to guess.