Botanical garden in Bali: what to see in Eka Karya and how to get there
Bali Botanic Garden lies in the cool mountainous part of the island. At an elevation of 1,400 meters, the air is fresh and temperatures stay around 18-25 °C. People come here from hot Canggu and Sanur to change the climate and spend a day surrounded by greenery.
Eka Karya (Kebun Raya Bali) is considered the largest botanic garden in Indonesia. It covers 157 hectares on the southern shore of Lake Bratan (as of 09/2026, Kebun Raya Bali catalog). The garden was founded in 1959, and over the decades it has grown into a research center and a large park for walking. You will stroll through collections of orchids and ferns, see lotus ponds, stone sculptures, and a rope park between the trees.
Below we will cover what to see inside, how to get there from Denpasar, and how much admission costs.
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What to see at Eka Karya
💡 In short:
- Eka Karya sits on the southern shore of Lake Bratan, in the Bedugul mountains.
- Allow at least three hours: the grounds are very large.
- Admission is paid, ticket offices operate at the main gate.
This is the first botanic site established in independent Indonesia. The paths are marked, and they will take you even to the far corners that tours rarely reach.
Conifer and orchid collections
Conifers, or gymnosperms, are collected here from around the world because the mountain climate suits these species (as of 09/2026, about the garden's conifer collections). Besides them, the garden's catalog includes thousands of species: tree ferns, palms, bamboo, cacti, and rare ebony. The garden is especially proud of its orchid collection, one of the most complete in the country. When rhododendrons and roses bloom, the fragrance fills every avenue.
© Taro Taylor from Sydney, Australia · CC BYPhoto: Taro Taylor from Sydney, Australia, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe garden operates greenhouses, nurseries, and hothouses, and the staff conduct research and monitor rare species. Guides explain how locals use plants in farming, ceremonies, and traditional medicine. You will find it interesting even without a guide: the collections have clear labels with species names.
Birds, ponds, and sculptures
There are also many birds in the garden: they were gathered from across the archipelago and have long grown used to visitors. Lizards and small animals appear on the paths, and there are no dangerous animals here. Between the avenues stand stone sculptures of gods and dragons, fountains, picturesque bridges, and lotus ponds. At every turn you will find benches and pavilions where you can wait out a tropical downpour.
© Bali Botanic Garden · CC BY-SAPhoto: Bali Botanic Garden, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsActivities: Bali Treetop Adventure Park
Inside the garden there is a rope park called Bali Treetop Adventure Park. At heights from 2 to 20 meters, ropes, ladders, and suspension bridges are strung between the trees. In total, you are offered seven routes of varying difficulty and 72 obstacles, including a 150-meter zip line (according to the park, 09/2026). Allow about 2.5 hours to complete the routes.
Equipment is provided on site, and instructors explain the rules in English. Children are allowed from age four, and there are short, low courses for them. No athletic training is needed, but comfortable shoes and long-sleeved clothing will help.
© Klaus wyss · CC BY-SAPhoto: Klaus wyss, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsHow to get to Bedugul
Eka Karya is located in the village of Candikuning, Bedugul district, Tabanan regency. It is 60 km north of Denpasar, and the drive takes about 1.5-2 hours (according to Wikipedia, 09/2026). The winding road climbs into the mountains past rice terraces and coffee plantations, so the drive itself is part of the journey.
Public buses from Denpasar do run, but without a clear schedule. It is easier to take a taxi, a rental car, or a tour bus. Return transport in the evening is harder to find, so arrange with your driver in advance. Bring a light jacket: evenings in the mountains are cool.
Tickets and opening hours
The garden is open every day from 8:00 to 18:00, but some greenhouses close earlier, around 16:00 (as of 09/2026, opening hours on the garden's website). Come in the morning: before noon there are fewer groups and the light is softer for photos.
What matters | As of 09/2026 |
|---|---|
Opening hours | daily 8:00-18:00 |
Greenhouses | close around 16:00 |
Admission | paid, rates for foreign visitors are higher |
Car entry | paid separately at the ticket office |
Cafe on site | yes |
Guesthouse | operates at the garden |
Rates change by season, so check the amount at the ticket office or on the official website before your trip. There is a cafe on site, and if you want to stay in the mountains for a couple of days, the garden has an inexpensive guesthouse.
Tours and tickets in Bali
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Bali Botanic Garden on the map
The garden lies right by Lake Bratan, next to the Ulun Danu Temple. From the temple to the main gate is a few minutes by car, so both places are easy to see in one day. See the route and access roads on the map.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
How much time do you need for Bali Botanic Garden?
Allow three to four hours for walking the avenues and collections of the garden. If you want to do the Bali Treetop rope park routes, add about 2.5 more hours. In an hour and a half you will only manage the central part, and the far corners will remain unseen.
When is the best time to visit Eka Karya?
The mountain climate here is steady, so the garden is open year-round. In the dry season from June to October there is less rain, and Lake Bratan is clearly visible from the avenues. In the wet season from November to March, downpours come after noon, but the greenery is brighter and there are fewer tourists. Mornings are calmer in any month.
Can you visit with children?
Yes, the garden is suitable for family walks. The paths are even, there are benches and shade everywhere, and at the Bali Treetop rope park children from age four are allowed on the low courses. Bring water, hats, and light jackets: evenings in the mountains are cool even in the dry season.
Is there anything else to see nearby?
Yes, Lake Bratan with Ulun Danu Temple is right next door, just a few minutes by car. On the way from Denpasar, people often stop at rice terraces and waterfalls in the Bedugul area. In one day you can easily combine the garden and the temple on the water.
Do you need to book tickets in advance?
Tickets are sold at the ticket office by the main entrance, no separate booking is needed for the garden. Queues happen on weekends and in high season, so arrive at opening time. The Bali Treetop rope park, however, is better booked in advance, especially if you are going with a large group.
In short: what is worth booking
If you have one day in the Bedugul mountains: take Eka Karya garden and the Bali Treetop rope park. If you are traveling with children: start with the park's low courses, then walk the avenues. If you want a quiet day without groups: come at opening time and explore the far corners before noon.
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A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.