What are the temple etiquette and dress code rules for families visiting Bali temples?

Every temple in Bali expects visitors to cover their knees and shoulders, and this applies to children as well as adults. A sarong (a length of cloth wrapped around the waist) and a sash tied over it are the standard, and most temples either lend these for free or rent them for a small donation at the entrance, so you don't need to buy your own before you go. If you're packing for the trip, it helps to bring a couple of lightweight sarongs anyway, since some smaller or rural temples don't have a rental stand; our guide to what not to pack for Bali covers other packing habits that catch newcomers off guard. Shorts and tank tops are fine once the sarong and sash are on, and sandals are normal footwear inside temple grounds.

Inside the temple, keep your voice down and stay out of areas marked as closed, especially during a ceremony. Balinese tradition holds that women who are menstruating should not enter the inner courtyard, and most temples post a small sign asking this directly; it isn't meant as an insult, just a long-standing rule tied to ideas about spiritual cleanliness. Don't climb on shrines or stone platforms for a photo, and don't sit or stand higher than a praying person or a priest. Ask before photographing anyone mid-prayer, since it's a private moment for them, not a photo opportunity for you. Kids naturally want to explore, so it helps to walk the grounds with them first and point out which areas are open to visitors and which are for worship only.

Not every temple welcomes casual visitors on any given day. Some close their inner sections during odalan, a temple's anniversary ceremony, even though the outer grounds stay open, so it's worth checking ahead if you have a specific date in mind. Bring water and sun hats for the kids since many temple complexes involve stairs and open courtyards with little shade, and build in slower pacing than you would for a regular sightseeing stop. If you're working out which local customs matter most for a family living here, our answers section covers more practical questions like this one.