TABANAN, Bali — For decades, Tanah Lot and Ulun Danu Beratan have stood as visual shorthand for Bali itself: temples poised between water and sky, woven into postcards, travel itineraries, and wedding albums. Beginning in 2026, visiting these landmarks will come at a higher price, as local authorities move to raise entrance fees in what they describe as a long-planned effort to improve services and preserve the sites.
The ticket increases, announced by the management of both destinations in Tabanan Regency, will be rolled out in stages starting next year. Officials say the changes are designed to align pricing with other major attractions in Bali and to fund long-term improvements in infrastructure, visitor management, and conservation.
Ulun Danu Beratan: Higher Fees From July 2026
At Ulun Danu Beratan, the lakeside temple complex on Lake Beratan in Bedugul, new entrance fees will take effect on July 1, 2026, according to I Made Sukarata, a spokesperson for the destination’s management.
Under the revised structure:
- Indonesian visitors will pay Rp50,000 for adults (up from Rp40,000) and Rp25,000 for children (up from Rp20,000).
- Foreign visitors will be charged Rp100,000 for adults (previously Rp75,000) and Rp75,000 for children (up from Rp50,000).
Mr. Sukarata said the decision followed comparative studies with other high-profile sites such as Uluwatu Temple and the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud, both of which have already implemented higher entrance fees.
Tanah Lot: New Rates Begin April 2026
At Tanah Lot, Bali’s most visited sea temple, the new pricing will start earlier, on April 1, 2026.
The updated entrance fees will be:
- Domestic visitors: Rp40,000 for adults (from Rp30,000) and Rp25,000 for children (from Rp20,000).
- Foreign visitors: Rp100,000 for adults (from Rp75,000) and Rp60,000 for children (from Rp40,000).
Parking fees will also increase, with motorcycles set at Rp4,000, cars at Rp10,000, and buses at Rp20,000.
Wayan Sanjaya, head of the Tanah Lot promotion division, said the management has begun extensive outreach to travel agents and the Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) in Bali to ensure tour operators can adjust packages well ahead of the change.
A Broader Shift in Bali’s Tourism Economics
While the increases may appear modest by international standards, they reflect a broader recalibration underway in Bali’s tourism economy. As visitor numbers rebound and pressure on infrastructure intensifies, local governments are increasingly asking whether the island’s most fragile and sacred sites can continue operating on thin margins.
For expats and repeat visitors, the changes signal a quiet but significant shift: Bali’s iconic attractions are being repositioned not just as photo stops, but as cultural assets requiring sustained investment. Temple managers argue that higher entrance fees help fund waste management, crowd control, maintenance, and ceremonial obligations tied to living religious sites.
Still, the adjustments arrive amid ongoing debate over how Bali balances accessibility with sustainability. For many local residents, the challenge is ensuring that higher fees translate into visible improvements, not just heavier tourist flows.
For travelers planning trips in 2026 and beyond, the message is clear: Bali’s most famous temples will remain open, stunning, and spiritually active—but they will no longer be quite as inexpensive to enter.
