Quick Answer
Pura Pulaki is a dramatic Balinese temple set against a sheer black cliff on the northwest coast, between Lovina and Pemuteran. It is one of the island's important sea temples, known for the troops of grey long-tailed macaques that live around it. Most travelers see it as a stop on the drive to Pemuteran or Menjangan. It takes 20 to 30 minutes, costs little, and asks for a sarong and a careful eye on your belongings around the monkeys.
Pura Pulaki at a Glance
- Where it is: Northwest coast, between Lovina and Pemuteran
- What it is: A major Balinese sea temple (Pura Kahyangan Jagat) built into a cliff
- Known for: The clifftop setting and resident grey macaques
- Dress: Sarong and sash; covered shoulders
- Entry: Donation / small fee + sarong rental (to confirm)
- How long: 20 to 30 minutes
- Watch: The monkeys take sunglasses, phones, and food, hold things tight
- Pair with: Pemuteran, Menjangan, Pura Melanting nearby
What Pura Pulaki Is
Pura Pulaki is one of Bali's significant sea temples, the kind that anchor the island's spiritual map at its edges. It sits where the mountains meet the sea on the northwest coast, its courtyards built right against a tall black cliff so the rock itself becomes a wall of the temple. The effect is striking: a temple that looks carved into the headland, with the Java Sea on one side and the cliff rising on the other.
The temple is tied to old Balinese history and legend, associated with the priest Dang Hyang Nirartha, who shaped many of the island's coastal temples (to confirm). For Balinese it is a place of pilgrimage; for travelers it is one of the most atmospheric stops on the northern coast road.
It rarely feels crowded the way the famous southern temples do, which is part of the appeal. You get the drama without the crush.
The Monkeys
Pura Pulaki is a monkey temple. Troops of grey long-tailed macaques live in and around the grounds, and they are bold. They will take sunglasses off your head, snatch a phone, or grab anything that looks like food. This is not a reason to skip it, just a reason to be prepared.
Keep sunglasses and loose items packed away. Do not carry visible food or plastic bags. Do not try to take things back by hand if a monkey grabs them; temple staff handle that. Treat the animals with calm distance rather than engagement. The same caution applies at the nearby Pura Melanting and at other monkey-frequented sites, covered in the dangerous animals in Bali guide.
Etiquette
This is an active, important temple, so the usual customs apply with a little extra care given the setting. Wear a sarong and sash and cover your shoulders; sarongs are usually available to rent at the entrance (to confirm). Keep your voice low, do not climb on shrines, and follow any direction from temple staff, especially during ceremonies. The full set of customs is in the Bali temple etiquette guide.
Getting There and What to Pair It With
Pura Pulaki sits right on the main coast road on the northwest stretch between Lovina and Pemuteran, so it needs no detour. From Lovina it is roughly 60 to 75 minutes west (to confirm); from Pemuteran it is just minutes away. Most people stop here on the way to or from Pemuteran and Menjangan Island.
Nearby is Pura Melanting, a related temple set inland in the hills, often visited in the same trip (to confirm). For the wider temple picture, see the best temples in north Bali. The routes west are in getting to north Bali, and to arrange a driver, message Northbound on WhatsApp.
Best Time to Visit
Morning or late afternoon are best for the light on the cliff and the sea, and for cooler temperatures. The dry season, April to October, makes the coast drive easiest. Avoid the middle of the day if you can, both for heat and for the harsher light on the black rock. Check for ceremony days, when the temple is busier and access may be limited to worshippers in parts (to confirm).
Practical Notes
Rates and details change. Confirm locally before you go.
- Entry: Donation or small fee, plus sarong rental (to confirm)
- Dress: Sarong, sash, covered shoulders
- Monkeys: Bold, pack away sunglasses, phones, and food
- Time to allow: 20 to 30 minutes
- Location: On the coast road between Lovina and Pemuteran, no detour
- Pair with: Pemuteran, Menjangan, Pura Melanting
- Light: Morning or late afternoon for the cliff and sea
FAQ
What is Pura Pulaki? One of Bali's important sea temples, built against a tall black cliff on the northwest coast between Lovina and Pemuteran. It is known for its dramatic setting and the troops of grey macaques that live around it.
Where is Pura Pulaki? On the main coast road on the northwest stretch, between Lovina and Pemuteran, so it sits directly on the way to Pemuteran and Menjangan.
Why is it called the monkey temple? Large troops of grey long-tailed macaques live in and around the grounds. They are bold and will grab sunglasses, phones, and food, so keep loose items packed away.
Do you need to dress up for Pura Pulaki? Yes, wear a sarong and sash with covered shoulders, as at any Balinese temple. Sarongs are usually available to rent at the entrance (to confirm).
How long do you need at Pura Pulaki? About 20 to 30 minutes is enough to see the temple and the cliff setting. It works best as a stop on the drive to or from Pemuteran rather than a destination on its own.
Is Pura Pulaki worth visiting? For its dramatic clifftop setting and the fact that it sits right on the route west, yes. It is far less crowded than the famous southern sea temples, with plenty of atmosphere.
Are the monkeys dangerous? They are not aggressive if left alone, but they are quick to grab belongings and food. Keep sunglasses and phones away, do not carry visible food, and let staff retrieve anything taken. See the dangerous animals guide for more.
Driving the northwest coast to Pemuteran or Menjangan? Message Northbound on WhatsApp. North Bali is the home ground here.