Taman Nusa Cultural Park

A walk through Taman Nusa, which you can explore independently or with a guide, is a journey through both the history and geography of Indonesia. Traditional house designs come from as far afield as Papua, Borneo, and the Maluku “spice islands,” as well as Bali, Java, and Lombok. Artisans demonstrate Indonesia’s rich heritage of weaving, embroidery, batik dying, and puppetry. Choose between a range of packages at different price points: Some include add-ons such as a photo shoot in local costume.

• Taman Nusa makes a great educational choice for families and cultural travelers.

• Wear sunscreen, a hat, and shoes you can comfortably walk in—the site is large and exposed.

• Taman Nusa is not wheelchair-accessible.

Taman Nusa balances atop a jungled gorge in Gianyar, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) east of Ubud and 6 miles (9 kilometers) west of Klungkung (Semarapura). Since there’s no public transport and driving in Bali is dangerous, most travelers arrange a private driver or book a tour that includes door-to-door round-trip transfers.

Taman Nusa operates from morning to afternoon, seven days a week, and the site is never crowded. It can be hot at the exposed site during the middle of the day, so aim to visit in the morning. This is also helpful during Bali’s rainy season (roughly November through March): Downpours are most common in the afternoon.

Indonesia’s quarter of a billion citizens speak more than 700 different local languages, and the nation’s many different cultural groups have developed a wealth of building styles. Highlights of Taman Nusa’s Indonesian house collection include stilt homes, a multifamily longhouse, a Balinese compound home, and colorfully painted Sulawesi clan houses with soaring, ski-jump roofs.