You would be surprised to learn that the tiny island of Nusa Penida is full of numerous temples. We did not have time to visit them all but we did try to stop by and see as many as we could. Off the beaten track is the Pura Tunjuk Pusuh temple which is often overlooked because of its distance from other more prominent landmarks like Broken beach or Kelingking beach.
One of the reasons why I recommend going off the beaten track is because Nusa Penida is no longer a quiet and idyllic place especially at the popular tourists sites. Hordes of tourists come in everyday from Bali. There are however quiet spots that you can head to which still have the island charm.
The Pura Tunjuk Pusuh temple is one of them. It is also very close to the other popular locations so it is easily accessible. For example if you are making your way to Atuh beach or to the Thousand islands view point, I would suggest taking a detour if you have the time.
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⏰ Wondering where to stay on Nusa Penida? I highly recommend the Govindhan Bungalows. It has clean rooms, an amazing pool and gorgeous views! 🏨
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Location Of Pura Tunjuk Pusuh Temple
The Pura Tunjuk Pusuh temple is located on the south east part of Nusa Penida. Unlike the Goa Giri Putri temple, this temple is not in cave. Instead it lies in the middle of a forested area and on top of a hill. Getting to the temple isn’t as tricky as it looks though some of the roads are not in the best condition.
We rented a motorbike from our accommodation for 70,000 IDR/day and used it to visit all the sites on the island. This island included. I would however caution you to carry both sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
Sunscreen because it gets seriously hot and mosquito repellent because we got bitten even while the motorbike was moving! The worse spot for the mosquitoes however was at the temple itself. They descended on us in hordes before we could put on the bug repellent. We were covered in hives by the time we left.
The Temple In The Hills
The carvings in Pura Tunjuk Pusuk Temple.
We almost missed Pura Tunjuk temple even though we drove all the way to it. There is a smaller temple like structure beside the road at the exact location that drops a pin for the location of the temple. We were rather surprised because it wasn’t what we expected.
I suggested we turn back but Shawn wanted to head on till the end of the road and that was just what we did. This is the sector of the road that isn’t the best, but it is only 100-200 meter stretch and easily navigated through.
Luckily I listened to Shawn because as soon as we passed through the archway of trees, we were greeted with a spectacular view of the valley on one side and the temple on the other side.
We arrived in the afternoon so it was very hot but that did not deter us from roaming around the temple. There isn’t much shade once you enter. The walls of the temple are carved out of a white stone which I assume to be limestone.
There was no priest or people in the area. In fact, we were the only people there. The temple had ornate carvings just like many of the temples that we saw in Bali. Some of the structures in the temple had thatched roofs which made them look extremely pretty.
If it wasn’t for the heat and the mosquitoes, we probably would have spent longer in this quiet peaceful spot. Would I recommend visit the Pura Tunjuk Pusuh temple? I would only if you are in the area. Otherwise, driving so far just to see the temple (even though it is pretty) may not be the wisest thing to do.
Wondering Where To Stay In Nusa Penida?
There are a variety of options from basic to luxury that you will find on the island. The interactive map above will give you a glimpse of just what I mean.
A lot of people like to stay closer to Crystal Bay. If you do want to visit the eastern side of the island too, I would suggest staying to the North. There is a road that cuts through midway which helps cut down the distance when you head to the sites in the south and it is a decent road. That is what we chose to do.
Govindhan Bungalows
Govardhan Bungalows was our pick of accommodation and we loved it!
⭐️ Rating: 9/10 (66 Reviews) Price: $29 per night 📍Location: Jalan Raya Batumulapan, Batununggul, Nusapenida, Nusa Penida Details: Read more on booking.com now!
We chose a place called Govindhan Bungalows at the north of the island and were extremely happy with our choice.
Not only did they provide us with free transport to and from the harbor where we arrived after we crossed over from Bali to Nusa Penida, they also provided us with a motorbike rental. We paid 70,000 IDR/day which is the island standard.
“We absolutely loved this place:) the room was super clean and it was cleaned every day. amazing breakfast with a beautiful view. the people working here were super friendly and always helpful. (ketut is the best) we would always come back and recommend it to everyone!🥰”
Evi (read more reviews now!)
As far as the rooms go, we were not disappointed. The room was spacious, the bed was extremely comfortable, and the bathroom was perfect. We even had a nice little rack where we could dry our clothes in the sun. Pool towels and bath towels were also provided.
Did I mention that there is a spot where you can sit and watch the sun rise over the horizon? You have a clear view of Mount Agung on Bali too!
Have you been to the Pura Tunjuk Pusuh temple in Nusa Penida? What was your impression of it? Let us know in the comments below.
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