Just a few days after moving to Ubud, I couldn’t resist visiting one of the spiritual sites I had missed on my last trip: Goa Gajah Temple, or, as most people call it, The Ubud Elephant Cave.
The place honestly surprised me in the best way and is definitely worth a stop. Besides the cave itself, the surrounding nature adds that extra adventurous touch that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a Lara Croft movie. Just the kind of vibe I love, and it only adds to the spiritual, sacred atmosphere of the place.
In this blog post, I’ll not only show you the beauty of the site and how to enjoy it best, but I’ll also share practical tips to plan your visit and what to expect when heading there.
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What to Expect at Goa Gajah Temple
Arrival
After taking a Grab from my homestay in central Ubud, I arrived at the temple in around 10 minutes. In front of me, a huge, and luckily empty, parking lot, and an Indonesian lady trying to convince me I needed to buy a sarong to get in. (Spoiler: You don’t, it’s included in the ticket price.)
After purchasing the ticket, I was given a sash —a purple scarf tied around my waist — as a sign of respect for the site. Since I was wearing long trousers, I didn’t need a sarong.
From there, you head to the main temple grounds via a short staircase surrounded by plants, and you can already enjoy the view of the whole area with the wild jungle as a backdrop. That was what struck me the most when I arrived, especially if it’s early in the morning and there are no crowds.
You can already spot the many Meru-style roofs corresponding to the various shrines, and the cave in the distance. As you make your way towards the cave, you’re completely enveloped by the jungle.
History & First Elements of the Site
Goa Gajah, which means “Elephant Cave,” dates back to the 11th century and was originally built as a sanctuary for meditation. Despite the name, you won’t find any elephants here. The name is believed to come from the nearby river, once known as Lwa Gajah (Elephant River), or from the elephant-shaped statue of Ganesh located inside the cave.
The first elements you’ll notice are the two bathing pools, typical features of Balinese Hindu temples. The pools are complemented by three angel statues each, whose water is believed to have purifying abilities, similar to the Melukat ritual at Pura Tirta Empul. However, unlike Tirta Empul, there’s no purifying ritual performed here.
Just in front of the pools, you’ll see rows of neatly stacked stone blocks. These are fragments of the ancient temple, arranged to preserve what’s left of Goa Gajah’s history.
The “Elephant Cave” Itself
The carvings at the entrance of the cave are impressive and incredibly detailed when you see them in person. From the outside, the entrance isn’t huge, but it’s beautiful, definitely one of those highlights that deserves your attention (and a few photos).
You can enter the cave, and inside, it’s bigger than I expected. There’s a narrow corridor with two small meditation corners, and at the end of the corridor, the space opens up into two areas: on the left, a statue of Ganesh, and on the right, three sacred phallic symbols from the Hindu tradition.
The air is filled with incense, not just the scent, but you can actually see the misty smoke lingering inside, adding to the sacred and almost mysterious atmosphere.
The Temple Grounds
As a true religious site, it’s not only about the cave. You can explore the temple grounds and the typical Hindu shrines around, but one of the most beautiful areas for me is actually the Buddhist temple, which, to be clear, is not the kind of Buddhist temple you would find in China. It’s an entire area you can explore by following the stairs downstream.
You’ll see a “Buddhist Temple” sign just behind the pools, and from there, a staircase leads you into this hidden corner of the site. Here, the nature is unbelievable, and to be completely honest, this is the real reason I think you shouldn’t miss Goa Gajah.
Humidity at its peak aside (which made me want to throw myself under the small waterfall), the combination of a deep, dark green jungle (so thick you can barely see the sky) with the pops of pink from tropical flowers is simply stunning. Your soundtrack will be the sound of a small waterfall flowing just below (the one I wanted to throw myself under).
Here, you probably won’t be able to stop taking photos; every corner feels like a shot straight out of a National Geographic documentary.
Planning Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
I arrived at the site around 8:15 am, and although it was still quite ideal, there were already a couple of people present, which didn’t ruin the experience, though.
If you really want the site all to yourself and that feeling of having just discovered a hidden jungle temple, go right after the doors open, around 7:30 am. By 9, more visitors start to show up, enough to make the place feel a lot less quiet than before.
That being said, if you can’t make it super early, the crowds are still very manageable even around 10 am, so don’t stress too much if you can’t go earlier.
How To Get There
From the main areas around Ubud, you can easily book a Grab bike and get to the temple in 10 to 15 minutes, depending on where you’re staying. There’s no need to book transportation in advance, and cars might get you stuck in traffic.
Same thing for your way back: once you’re done with your visit, you can easily call a Grab bike right from the temple exit.
If you’re riding a scooter, there’s a large parking lot right in front of the entrance, so it’s super convenient.
General Information: Entrance Fee, Dress Code & Time Needed
The entrance fee to the temple is 50k IDR (around $3), which you can purchase directly at the site. Once you arrive at the parking lot, the entrance is on the right. You’ll be given a ticket, which you’ll need to show just after.
Once you show the ticket, they’ll provide you with a sarong if you’re not wearing something that covers your legs or a sash, like in my case, if you’re wearing long trousers.
At the entrance, they didn’t seem too strict about covering your shoulders, but it’s still good practice to bring a sarong or light scarf to cover them, just in case.
And don’t be fooled by the lady at the entrance shouting that you need to buy a sarong to get in, it’s included in the ticket price, you don’t owe any extra fee.
I explored the site for around 1 hour and 45 minutes, taking my time to do so. That’s exactly how I suggest visiting it: don’t rush, enjoy all the views this site has to offer: the cave, the shrines, the pools, and the whole Buddhist temple area. Visiting a temple slowly, without rushing, honestly makes all the difference.
Is Goa Gajah Temple Worth Visiting?
Absolutely yes! Maybe not for the reasons you’d expect (at least in my opinion). The cave itself features beautiful, detailed carvings that are definitely worth seeing. However, what makes this site truly special is the surrounding nature.
The moment you take your first steps down the main staircase, the jungle appears right in front of you, completely enveloping the temple like it’s protecting it. And then there’s the Buddhist temple area, which is honestly stunning; only seeing it in person can explain the beauty of the tropical nature there.
Additionally, the site’s history contributes to its mysterious atmosphere. The true origins of Goa Gajah are still unknown, and it was used as a sanctuary for both Hinduism and Buddhism. You can feel that spiritual energy, especially if you visit early, right when the site opens, before the crowds arrive.
Even if you’re short on time in Ubud, make sure to include Goa Gajah in your itinerary. It’s a quick visit, easy to reach, and truly deserves a spot on your list.
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Hopefully, this blog post helped you see how special this site really is and why it absolutely deserves a spot on your list of things to do in Ubud during your next trip.
If you’ve already visited Goa Gajah, let me know about your experience in the comments, or if you’re planning to go, feel free to ask me anything!
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