Bali Temple Sarong Rules: What to Wear and How to Wear It

Bali temple sarong rules apply to every visitor who enters a Hindu temple, from the famous sea temples to small village shrines. This guide explains what to wear, how to tie a sarong correctly, and what to do if you arrive unprepared.

Why Bali temple sarong rules exist

Most Balinese temples (pura) are sacred places of worship for the island's Hindu community. Covering the legs and shoulders is a sign of respect, and it applies to visitors as much as to locals. The rules are customary rather than written into national law. They are applied by temple staff and local villagers, which means there is some flexibility from place to place, but the safest approach is to assume they apply everywhere you go.

For a visitor, the practical meaning is simple: if you plan to walk into a temple's inner courtyard, you need your legs covered, your shoulders covered and a cloth tied around your waist. Preparing for this takes two minutes if you carry a light sarong with you, and it saves you from being turned away at the gate.

When you need a sarong

Before you enter the inner courtyard of a temple, expect to wear:

• A sarong (kain) wrapped around the waist, covering the legs from the hip to below the knee or to the ankle.
• A sash (selendang) tied around the waist over the sarong, which is often provided or sold at the entrance.
• Covered shoulders and upper arms in a shirt or top. Vests and tank tops are generally not appropriate inside.

Many larger temples, such as Uluwatu, Tanah Lot and Besakih, have rental sarongs and sashes at the gate for a small donation. Some smaller village temples do not, so carrying your own is the safer choice. Rental cloths are often worn by many visitors in a day, so they may not always be the cleanest or best fitting, which is another reason to bring your own.

How to tie a sarong properly

1. Wrap the sarong around your waist so it sits at least to the knee, ideally lower.
2. Overlap the fabric and fold it neatly at the front.
3. Tie the selendang around the waist over the sarong, leaving the ends hanging down the side.
4. Check that the sarong does not slip when you walk or sit. Test it by taking a few steps and bending slightly at the knees.

A sarong that stays in place is more important than a sarong that looks perfect. If it keeps loosening, retie it at the hip with a firmer knot and tuck the loose end in before you go in.

Note: Ceremony days and temple-specific guidance can be stricter. Local custodians at each temple have the final say, so follow their instructions even if a previous temple was more relaxed.

Quick checklist before you visit a temple

• Long trousers, a long skirt or a sarong that reaches below the knee
• A shirt that covers your shoulders
• A sash or cloth to tie around your waist
• Modest footwear you can take off easily, since shoes are usually left outside the inner courtyard
• A respectful attitude: no climbing on shrines, no loud behaviour, and ask before photographing people in prayer

Common mistakes travellers make

• Assuming shorts with a light cover-up are enough.
• Entering inner courtyards with bare shoulders after a beach day, when a swimsuit or tank top is still on.
• Wearing the sarong loosely so it falls down while you walk.
• Ignoring signs or staff who ask you to change or leave.
• Planning a long temple route in the heat with a single sarong and no spare, so the one you have ends up crumpled or wet.

Getting to temples without stress

Bali's temples are spread across the island, and the best way to visit several in one day is with your own vehicle. Carry a light sarong in your bag so you are always ready, and plan your route so you arrive at morning opening hours when it is cooler and quieter. Public transport between temples can be slow, and waiting for a shared ride in the heat is an easy way to arrive tired and under-dressed.

If your route includes a stop at a beach temple, remember that the sea-side area can be windy. A sarong can lift or slip in a strong breeze, so retie it just before you walk up to the gate.

How SiapPergi helps

SiapPergi delivers scooters and cars to your hotel, villa or Ngurah Rai Airport anywhere in mainland Bali, with delivery included in the price. Fixed catalogue prices start from Rp70.000 per day for scooters and Rp310.000 per day for cars, with 2 helmets free with every scooter, no deposit, and no need to hand over your passport. You pay in Indonesian Rupiah when the vehicle arrives, so you can plan your temple day without any upfront transfer.

For a scooter, you can explore scooter rental options in the areas you plan to visit, or check scooter rental in Ubud if your temple route starts there. If you prefer four wheels for a longer day trip, see car rental and the car rental options at Bali airport. Full booking steps are on how to book.

Book on WhatsApp on +6281808001102 between 07.00 and 23.00 WITA, in English or Indonesian, and tell the team your model, dates and hotel or villa.

Check the official rules

Temple dress rules are set by each temple's community and by local regency customs, and they can change, especially around ceremonies. For official guidance, check with the temple staff at the gate or with the regency tourism office, and confirm current entry requirements before your trip. Rules for traffic, licences and visas are set by the police, immigration and the government, and they also change over time, so check the official source before you travel.