If you have heard of the Taman Festival in Bali, chances are, the story behind this abandoned theme park in Padang Galak Beach was not that fascinating.
The Taman Festival is located near the beach town of Sanur, offering a unique contrast to the area’s serene coastal charm. Visitors drawn to urban exploration or those with a fascination for the grim and grisly are particularly captivated by its crumbling structures and deafening silence.
Despite the infamy that the Taman Festival Bali carries, it is a worthwhile destination for those seeking to step off Bali’s beaten tourist paths.
Expect graffiti-covered walls, stories of roaming spirits, and remnants of an ambitious yet doomed dream. Visiting this spot offers a glimpse into its haunting past and an unforgettable photo opportunity for those daring to enter.
What is the Taman Festival Bali?
Once envisioned as Bali’s premier theme park, Taman Festival was to be a grand entertainment complex complete with 3D cinemas, laser shows, and Bali’s largest swimming pool. Despite its ambitious design, the park never fully opened due to a series of misfortunes, leaving it abandoned for what has now turned into 20+ years.
Unlike the other things to do in Bali, the Taman Festival remains largely overlooked. Its history is shrouded in mystery, and the faded relevance has added to its puzzle, with only the bold venturing into its eerie confines.
If you want to explore this park, you can do so anytime. This is because there are now operational attractions or activities to engage in. The park is purely a destination for urban explorers curious about its dilapidated structures and enigmatic past. That said, the best time to visit Bali is during the dry season from May to October. You may want to visit this abandoned theme park during this time to explore other fun things on the island.
The Mysterious History of Taman Festival Bali
Legend has it that the Taman Festival began with high hopes for a $100 million investment in the 1990s. The main aim was to place Sanur and the nearby areas on the global map as a tourism hotspot and, more so, an entertainment hub. Unfortunately, financial challenges, legal disputes, and even claims of lightning damage in 1998 led to its abandonment.
Today, this abandoned theme park in Bali has a haunted reputation, with tales of spirits and a once-feared crocodile pit adding to its creepy stories. Some locals talk of a man-eating crocodile that roamed the grounds, though its existence remains unverified.
Unlike vibrant towns such as Ubud, home to the best spas in Bali, or Seminyak, renowned for Bali’s top beach clubs, Sanur’s quieter vibe enhances the mysterious atmosphere surrounding the Taman Festival. Fewer visitors mean fewer disruptions, making it an ideal spot for those seeking solitude and quieter but deeper exploration.
What to Expect When Visiting Taman Festival Bali
Visitors to the Taman Festival often combine it with other things to do in Sanur, Bali, to make the trip worthwhile, as the time spent exploring this abandoned site is typically short. While there, expect old and disintegrating buildings adorned with vibrant graffiti, including iconic works by street artist WildDrawing.
Photographers will find plenty to capture, from strange corridors to the remnants of ambitious rides and attractions. After exploring this ruin in Bali, you can tour more fascinating stuff, like Kanto Lampo Waterfall, one of the best waterfalls in Bali, located just 28 km north of Sanur.
You can choose to make your trip more memorable by planning stops at the best temples in Bali to experience the island’s cultural richness and spiritual heritage. A local guide can enhance your exploration by sharing valuable insights and ensuring you don’t miss hidden gems.
How to Get to Taman Festival Bali
Getting to the Taman Festival is relatively straightforward, especially if you are starting from popular cities or towns in Bali. Here’s a quick overview of the routes to use, travel distance, and ideal commute means.
- From Sanur: A quick 20-minute drive north along Jalan Padang Galak road takes you directly to the site. Motorbikes or taxis are the most convenient options. If you choose to use a taxi, be sure to request to come back for you after a couple of minutes or hours since catching another taxi may be a bit inconvenient.
- From Kuta: Travel eastward for about 40 minutes via the JI. Bypass Ngurah Rai. Taman is located about 17 kilometres from Kuta. If you are travelling solo, you can hire a motorbike. Otherwise, a taxi would be a better option.
- From Ubud: Taman Festival Bali is located about 22 kilometres from Ubud. Head south for approximately an hour, passing through Gianyar before turning towards Sanur. A taxi may be a slower means of transport due to the usual traffic on Jl. Raya Singapadu.
As noted earlier, Sanur is more of a hidden gem with fewer tourist activities than most coastal towns in Bali. Some of the best places to stay in Bali are located in the more vibrant tourist hubs like Ubud, Seminyak and Canggu, so you may not find as many upscale accommodation homes and amenities here. Even so, you’ll still find the best accommodation homes for the money if you plan to spend a night here. To make your travel less stressful, book your ideal accommodation earlier to avoid inconveniences at the last minute.
Make your journey seamless and unforgettable with the expertise of a trusted Bali Tour Operator. Start planning your dream trip today!
