Bali Guide by IZZI · Culture and community

Bali temple etiquette: sarong, sash and the rest

What to wear, how to behave inside, the purity rule nobody mentions, and what to do if you walk into a ceremony.

The whole dress code in one lineSarong on the legs. Sash at the waist.
Shoulders covered.

That applies to everyone — men and women, shorts or long trousers. Most major temples lend or rent one at the gate, often included in the ticket.

Bali has thousands of temples, and visiting one is often the highlight of a trip — Tanah Lot, Uluwatu, Besakih, the water temples of Ulun Danu. But a temple is a living place of worship, not a photo backdrop, and a few simple rules make the difference between being a welcome guest and an awkward tourist. None of it is complicated.

Buy a sarong on day one anyway. It doubles as a beach wrap, a sun cover and a picnic mat — the single most useful thing to carry around Bali, and cheap at any market. Then you're never the person being handed one at the gate.

Behaviour inside

HeightDon't stand higher than a priestHeight signals status at a temple. Don't climb shrines or walls for photos either.

FeetNever point your feet at a shrineOr at a person, when sitting. Feet are considered the least clean part of the body.

VoiceQuiet and slowLower your voice, move gently, and give worshippers room to pass.

CameraAsk before photographing peopleEspecially anyone praying. Never use flash during a ceremony.

The rule most visitors have never heard

Menstruating women are traditionally asked not to enter temples, and you'll often see this written on signs at the entrance. It's a matter of ritual purity in Balinese Hinduism, not judgement — it applies to Balinese women exactly the same way. Nobody checks; it's on your honour, and respecting it is part of being a considerate guest. The same idea of purity is why anyone with an open wound is sometimes asked to wait outside.

If you walk into a ceremony

You may arrive to find one in progress — processions, gamelan, offerings, everyone in white. That's a gift to witness, not an obstacle to push through. Stay to the edges, never walk between a praying person and the shrine, follow what locals do, and if you're unsure whether you should be somewhere, you probably shouldn't — step back. Quiet respect is always the right call. What the daily offerings on every doorstep mean is explained in the canang sari guide.

Which temples, and when

Uluwatu for the clifftop sunset and the Kecak fire dance; Tanah Lot for the postcard silhouette — timing and where to eat afterwards are in the Tanah Lot guide. Both get crowded at golden hour, so arrive earlier than feels necessary. Sunset across the island runs to a reliable schedule, covered in the sunset guide.

Quick answers

What do I need to wear to a Bali temple?

A sarong covering your legs and usually a sash around the waist, plus covered shoulders. It applies to everyone; most big temples provide a sarong at the entrance.

Do I need to bring my own sarong?

Not usually — major temples rent or include one with the ticket. But carrying a light sarong means you're always covered, and it's useful all over Bali.

Can I take photos inside a temple?

Generally yes, respectfully. Don't climb shrines for shots, ask before photographing people praying, and never use flash during a ceremony.

Are there any entry restrictions?

Menstruating women and people with open wounds are traditionally asked not to enter, for reasons of ritual purity. It applies to locals too and is on your honour.

Is there an entrance fee?

Most temples charge a small fee for upkeep, and a sarong is often included in it. Carry small notes — the ticket booths rarely break large ones.