I had been to a lot of temples in Bali. Ubud is full of temples and I visited Pura Tirta Empul, Tanah Lot and Gunung Kawi. But nowhere did I feel the spiritual power of the universal energies than when I visited Goa Giri Putri Temple in Nusa Penida. You might not believe in god or the energies but I do and I can say for certain that this temple is one of the most, if not the most powerful place in Bali.
Pura Goa Giri Putri is a beautiful and serene temple inside a cave on the east coast of Nusa Penida. Only the locals visited here until someone or the other must have found it and now tourists go here too. Which is fine because to experience Goa Giri Putri Temple was amazing. This blog has all the information you need to visit Goa Giri Putri Temple plus I have written about my experience inside the temple.
Best Nusa Penida Tour
Nusa Penida has very different places to visit on the east and west side. If you have the time you should visit both parts of the island and go snorkeling with Manta Rays at Manta Bay. The below 3 tours are the tops tours for each of these categories. I personally did a manta tour myself and it was the most magical snorkeling tour of my life.
Where is Goa Giri Putri Temple?
Goa Giri Putri Temple is on the northeast coast of Nusa Penida. The temple is located halfway up a mountain on the coast. It is said to be one of the most powerful temples in Bali. You can find the exact location of the parking lot for Pura Goa Giri Putri on Google Maps.
How to Get to Nusa Penida
From Sanur Beach Harbor in Bali, a fast boat is available to take you to Nusa Penida. There are two other ports in Bali from where you can take a boat or ferry. The fast boats take 45 minutes and the slower ones take 1 hour to reach the Toka Pakeh harbor in Nusa Penida. There are two other ports in Nusa Penida but they are even further away towards the north east of the island.
How to Get to Pura Goa Giri Putri
Scooter
If you’re comfortable riding a scooter, this can be a fun and affordable way to get around the island. You can rent a scooter from various rental shops in Bali for around IDR 60,000 – IDR 80,000 per day (approximately USD 4 – USD 6). Be sure to wear a helmet, and make sure your scooter is in good condition before you hit the road.
When you get off the ferry there are scooter shops right across from the port where you can rent a scooter for the day or as long as you want. Make sure to read the guide so you don’t get scammed out of any money.
Local taxi
Taxis are available everywhere in Nusa Penida, and you can easily hire one to take you to the waterfall from the harbor.
Rent a car
Renting a car is a great solution if you are traveling in a group and prefer to be together. You can rent a car for around IDR 800,000 – IDR 1,200,000 (approximately USD 55 – USD 85) for a full day with a driver included. This will include pick up and drop off at your hotel or the harbor.
Entry Fees and Parking Lot
You can park at the parking lot of the temple for free. You have to pay a donation before entering the temple. The locals prefer a donation of at least IDR 20,000 per person. Any less than this and they will call you out and ask for more money.
Entrance to Goa Giri Putri Temple
The Google Maps location for Goa Giri Putri Temple takes you to the parking lot for the temple. You can park your scooter here and walk up to the entrance to the staircase. At the bottom of the staircase is where you will have to pay IDR 5000 to borrow a sarong to cover your legs and pay a donation to enter the temple. You should pay IDR 20,000 per person. Anything cheaper than this and the locals will demand more. Be respectful and pay the correct amount.
Once I was through the entrance I started the walk up the mountain. I had heard it was pretty tough but the day was nice and cloudy so it took me around 15 minutes to get halfway up the mountain which is where I think the entrance to the cave was. Pura Goa Giri Putri is actually located inside a huge cave in the mountain. The mountain is hollow from the inside and you have to descend down a narrow hole to get to it.
When you get to the hole you will see a priest standing at the entrance. The priest sprinkled some holy water on me to purify me for visiting the temple. Then I descended down a very narrow hole which would be a nightmare for claustrophobic people. You have to crawl for a few meters before the cave opens up into a huge cavern which is very wide and very very long. It was quite impossible to believe I was inside the mountain.
Inside the Cave
When I entered the cave I immediately noticed the change in energies around me. This place was powerful and ancient. This was no joke. The cave is very dimly lit and you can smell burning incense in the air. The floor was damp from the holy water that flows through here. There were people praying and meditating and chanting.
The temple had shrines dedicated to different gods and goddesses and even one to a Chinese goddess which I was surprised by. There were 6 stations inside the cave to pray and I saw locals sitting in front of them and praying. You have to go through all 6 of them one by one. At the last station they tie the red string around your wrist to protect you from evil.
The entire cave felt incredibly powerful to me. I know that Nusa Penida is known as the birthplace of Mecaling, the evildoer in Balinese legends so it makes sense the energies would be very powerful here.
I walked through the length of the cave to the very end where the cave opens up on the other side of the mountain. This opening was big and you could see the entire forest below. You can walk out of this opening and back up the mountain to get to the parking lot or go back up the hole.
Timings and Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit this temple would be without the rain. It would be very uncomfortable to go down the hole and crawl through the narrow space with rain pouring down on you. The best time to visit depends on whether you want a quiet place to meditate or you want to witness one of the Balinese ceremonies in the temple.
If you want a quiet temple then afternoon would be a good bet for it being empty. If you want to see one of the ceremonies then I would ask one of the locals when to go because I did not know that myself. The temple is open at all times though going after dark would not be a good idea.
Dress Code for Pura Goa Giri Putri
You have to cover your legs to enter the temple for both men and women. You can borrow a sarong at the entrance for IDR 5000 or bring one of your own.
Things to Do Near Goa Giri Putri Temple
East Nusa Penida
This coast of Nusa Penida had Atuh Beach, Diamond Beach and Rumah Pomon Treehouse Viewpoint. All of these can be visited on a half day trip in Nusa Penida. You can also add on the Bukit Teletubbies Hill to this itinerary,
West Nusa Penida
This is the famous part of Nusa Penida where Kelingking T-Rex Beach, Broken Beach and Crystal Bay are. You are bound to find crowds here and the tours to west Nusa Penida from Bali are very popular. It’s a good idea to book these tours in advance for the days you will be visiting.
Manta Ray Snorkeling
The best part of visiting Nusa Penida is getting to swim with these gentle giants. Lots of tours have a great itinerary wherein they take you to 3 spots around Nusa Penida to swim and dive with Manta Rays. This is one of the things that I would not want to miss. It is so rare to see these creatures because they are very shy but in Nusa Penida they come right up to you.
Where to Stay in Nusa Penida
Luxury: MAUA Nusa Penida
With stunning ocean views, huge elegantly designed rooms, a gorgeous swimming pool, this hotel is the perfect retreat for those that prefer luxury even amidst nature. Their swimming pool is one of the prettiest I have ever seen in my life. It overlooks the thundering cliffs of Nusa Penida.
- Price: From $240.
- Booking.com link
Mid-Level: La Roja Bungalows
Nestled amidst lush greenery, La Roja Bungalows has a comfortable resort in Nusa Penida. Their charming bungalows are designed with traditional Balinese elements and equipped with modern amenities. You can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and relax by the swimming pool.
- Price: From $40.
- Booking.com link
Budget: Kesari Glory by Pramana Villas
Kesari Glory by Pramana Villas has affordable accommodations without compromising on comfort. The cozy rooms have a relaxing space for you to unwind after a day of exploring the island. The hotel allows travelers to make the most of their Nusa Penida experience while making sure you don’t spend too much on hotels.
- Price: From $20.
- Booking.com link
Conclusion
Goa Giri Putri Temple is one of the most ancient and powerful temples I have ever visited. The energies are incredibly powerful. For anyone that believes in god or spirituality you will love this place. It exists on Nusa Penida inside a cave in a huge mountain. The cave is gigantic and has multiple temples inside dedicated to Shiva, the god of destruction and Guan Yin, the Chinese goddess of compassion. I would really recommend you visit this place on your trip to Nusa Penida.
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