When you think of Bali, you picture luxury hotels, waterfalls, trendy lunch spots, and lush rice fields. But you probably haven’t thought of an abandoned amusement park overtaken by the jungle. Just north of Sanur, in southern Bali, lies Taman Festival. This amusement park closed its doors more than 20 years ago, and since then, it has been left to decay. Today, the park is a haunting place with dilapidated buildings full of street art. You’ll see how nature has reclaimed this park and how graffiti artists have left their mark. What makes this place even more special is that you’ll hardly encounter anyone here. This is because locals believe the place is cursed, and it’s still not well-known among tourists. During our visit to Taman Festival, we came across just a handful of people.
The Story of Taman Festival Amusement Park in Bali
Taman Festival opened its doors in 1997. At that time, the amusement park had the largest swimming pool in Bali, a 3D theater, and a laser show that cost over $5 million. Overall, building this amusement park cost around $100 million. A massive investment that turned out to be quite unsuccessful. On Friday, March 13 (Friday the 13th), the laser show was struck by lightning, and locals then believed the park was cursed. Because of this, along with the economic crisis in Indonesia, visitor numbers continued to decline. The owner faced financial problems, and after a major lawsuit regarding the use of the land, Taman Festival closed its doors for good. Since then, nature has taken over, and travelers and locals share exciting stories about demons, crocodiles, and giant bats that are said to live here. Now, it’s a cool place to explore if you’re not afraid of a little adventure!
Tip: Be careful when walking through Taman Festival, as some buildings are on the verge of collapse. There may be holes in the ground, and sections of the roof could fall in if you bump into something. So be extra cautious!
Visiting Taman Festival?
From Bali’s airport, it’s about a 30-minute drive to Taman Festival. If you’re staying near the airport for your last night, you can easily stop by here. You can also visit this place on your way to Nusa Lembongan by boat, as the park is located just north of Sanur, where the boats depart. This is the exact location. At the entrance, some men ask for an entrance fee of 20,000 IDR ($1.20). Of course, this is not official, but to avoid any hassle, it’s best to just pay this small amount.
What to Bring?
There are a few things you definitely shouldn’t forget when visiting Taman Festival:
- Insect repellent: There are plenty of mosquitoes in some areas.
- Water: You’ll probably spend about two hours in the park.
- Change: 20,000 IDR ($1.30) per person for entry.
- Camera: This place is a paradise for photography.
- Shoes: There’s a lot of glass on the ground.
