If you want to learn more about the culture of this awesome island, why not visit Kertalangu Cultural Village? This is an agrotourism project with a wish for World Peace and it’s very easy to get to from most of the popular tourist attractions in Bali.
Our guide to Kertalangu Cultural Village will share everything you need to know to plan a visit to this interesting part of Bali.
Where Is Kertalangu Cultural Village?
The cultural village is just outside of downtown Denpasar and if you’re in the capital it’s a must-see.
Address: Jl. By-pass Ngurah Rai No.88, Kesiman Kertalangu, Kec. Denpasar Tim., Kota Denpasar, Bali 80237
How To Get To Kertalangu Cultural Village
You can easily get to the cultural village using Grab or Gojek from Denpasar, Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, Legian, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua and Ubud.
If you’re coming from further afield then you might want to hire a private car and driver to help you get around, but you can always just get a Grab and have them drop you off and then walk around the village before catching a Grab elsewhere.
When’s The Best Time To Visit Kertalangu Cultural Village
As one of the highlights of this part of Bali is the rice fields and fishing ponds, it’s best to visit during the rainy season before the harvest when these areas are at their most attractive.
Of course, visitors can learn about the culture and enjoy Balinese food in this area at any time of year and you won’t be sorry to spend some of your holidays here whenever you’re in Bali.
If you’d prefer to beat the crowds, as with all Balinese vacation attractions, you might want to arrive earlier in the day but we don’t think this picturesque village gets too busy at any time.
Is There An Entrance Fee For Kertalangu Cultural Village
Yes, for locals, it’s 10,000 IDR and for tourists it’s 20,000 IDR (that’s about $1.50 USD or $2 AUD) but if you go as a family, you’ll be pleased to know that children can get in and use all the facilities for free.
If you’re on a guided tour, you may or may not have to pay the entrance fee it depends on the tour company as to whether it’s included in the trip or not.
As with all entrance fees in Indonesia, you’re going to find it’s easier to pay on the island if you have small bills as they may not have any change outside of the city.
What To Expect At Kertalangu Cultural Village
Kertalangu Cultural Village is intended as a place to learn about village culture in Bali.
Visitors can learn about rice cultivation and see the rice fields and paddies and wander around and even take part in planting and harvesting rice if they want.
There is an excellent jogging track if you want to enjoy the fresh air and go for a run in the local fields.
They have plenty of places for lunch where you can enjoy authentic Balinese cuisine and they’d be happy to teach you about the local herbs and spices as part of the experience.
There are regular dance performances too, where you can see the traditional Balinese dance performed by the locals (children find these performances a lot of fun).
The village also has an excellent handicraft located in the center of the village where you can enjoy buying local art, souvenirs, and other products.
There’s a lovely fishing pond too in a central location surrounded by gazebos where you can relax and watch parties of the local fishermen at work.
You can even find a photo studio so that you can get some photos dressed in local costumes and experience everything that the cultural village has to offer.
Where To Eat Near Kertalangu Cultural Village
This area has quite a few small restaurants in the village itself and you can get great Balinese food there but if you want more options these places are not far away:
Nasi Tekor Bali – just outside the village you will find this charming Nasi (“rice”) restaurant and the dishes are delicious and the potions are huge. We loved the way they present their food too, it looks awesome on Instagram.
The Gripiz – if you’re looking for a nice international place, this restaurant does a great steak and truffle sandwich as well as a very interesting salami carbonara. The service is first rate and there’s always a warm welcome here.
- Stuck In The Kitchen – this little bakery is the ideal place to stop for a carb-laden snack after running around the jogging track.
- Second Floor Coffee – this excellent Bali coffee chain is famous for its strawberry coffee and you’re going to find it’s super tasty. The layout is nice and you get a good view of the area here too.
- Warung Nasi Lawar Macho Rena – the lawar and babi guling at this hidden warung are absolutely amazing and if you love intense flavours for low prices, this is definitely worth considering as your pit stop for the day.
Where To Stay Near Kertalangu Cultural Village
There are plenty of hotels around the Denpasar area and those closest to the cultural village include:
The Vasini Smart Boutique – the rooms are large and usually very clean here. However, it can get a bit noisy in this area at night and you may not always get the best night’s sleep. We’d also note that the whole thing could do with a lick of paint but the prices reflect that.
- The Cakra – the pool area and garden area are ideal for your Instagram feed and for relaxing in this corner of Bali away from the crowds of the city. We liked how peaceful this place was and the service is excellent.
- Asana Puri Maharani Hotel Bali – this is a decent three-star hotel with spacious rooms and comfortable beds. The showers are hot and the air con is as cold as you’d want it to be. This is a good location for walking around in the evenings too.
- Verdant Bali Sekar Sari Sanur – this is a brand-new hotel and the breakfast is absolutely excellent. Their customer service is the kind of service that Bali is famous for and you will find that staying here is very relaxing.
- Kama Village – this is an excellent 3-star hotel that delivers amazing value for money and you will find that the rooms are spacious and very well-equipped and the pool area is fabulous. Children will love swimming here.
What To Do Near Kertalangu Cultural Village
There are also plenty of things to do in this part of the island and they include:
Bandung Collection Tohpati – if you want to enjoy a local mall rather than one focused on big-name international brands, you’ll love this place. It’s full of affordable clothing, makeup, etc. and the service is always good.
Peace Gong Parks – a nice park just outside the village which is dedicated to world peace and which has a huge gong in the centre.
Duta Orchid Garden – one of the most attractive gardens on the island and it’s ham packed with gorgeous orchids. It’s the sort of place that uplifts your spirits at any time of the day. You can even learn a little about the local flower-growing culture here.
D’Tukad Mancing Fishing Ponds – you can go fishing here but you can also go swimming and the access is very cheap. There are lovely views over the rice paddies and it’s the perfect place for children on holidays to cool off after a day in the hot Bali sun.
Wisata Edukasi Subak Teba Majalangu – a lovely area in nature where you can see wild animals and farm animals wandering around happily and get amazing views of the rice paddies and rice fields of the area.
FAQs
Is Kertalangu Cultural Village Worth Visiting?
Yes. While Kertalangu Cultural Village was clearly built with tourists in mind, it’s still a very authentic way to find out about how the people of the island live and work.
It’s also set up in such a way that if you take your family, children will have a great time and won’t be bored or wish that they were elsewhere, something that you can’t say about every cultural destination in Bali.
Final Thoughts On Tourist Attractions Like Kertalangu Cultural Village
Kertalangu Cultural Village is a very interesting diversion and if you’re in Sanur, Canggu, Ubud, Legian, Uluwatu, Kuta, Nusa Dua or Seminyak, it’s not very far away.
We’ve often said that Denpasar doesn’t get enough visitors and while it may not have as many amazing temples as some parts of the island – there’s a lot in the capital city worth visiting and that includes the Kertalangu Cultural Village.
