Brahma Vihara Arama Monastery is a Buddhist religious site located in the North of Bali. In this guide, we advise everything you need to know ahead of visiting, including entrance fees, how to get there, what to expect & more.

Where is Brahma Vihara Arama Monastery in Bali
Brahma Vihara Arama Monastery is located in the Northern area of Bali. It isn’t difficult to get to; however, it’s quite a drive from the typical tourist hubs so you may wish to consider staying locally.
The nearest tourist town is Lovina. From there, the monastery is a mere 20-minute drive away. To travel from Canggu or Ubud, you can expect your journey time to be anywhere from 2-3 hours.
The easiest way to get around in Bali is by scooter. They are available to rent all over the island, for around 60,000 IDR ($4) per day. You’ll need to wear a helmet and carry your international driver’s license.
Alternatively, you can use a local driver. It’s most cost-effective to hire a driver for the entire day and cover a few different sites in the area.
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Things to Know Before Visiting Brahma Vihara Arama
Here are some other things you might need to know ahead of visiting Brahma Vihara Arama Monastery:
Brahma Vihara Arama Entrance Fee
- Entrance Fee: 20,000 IDR (2$)
- Parking: 20,000 IDR (2$)
Opening Times
The temple is open to visitors from 8 am – 6 pm.
Dress Code
Baring in mind the monastery is a sacred site, you are required to cover your shoulders and legs below the knee to enter the complex.
You can bring a sarong of your own; otherwise, they provide them free of charge at the ticket office.
Best Time to Visit
Brahma Vihara Arama is still somewhat of a hidden gem in Bali. So I highly doubt you’ll find the monastery to be busy at any time during the day.
That is unless it’s a holy Buddhist day such as Asada or Vesak. During this time, the monastery is popular among Buddhist pilgrims and is likely to be busy.
Guided Tours
While we prefer to explore Bali independently, you may want to consider a guided tour of the island. This fully customisable tour with Get Your Guide comes highly recommended and allows you to plan out your own itinerary.
Photography Tips
While Brahma Vihara Arama isn’t exactly a Bali Instagram hotspot, it does boast incredible vistas, sculpted gardens, and beautiful architecture which make for your beautiful photos.
You are permitted to take photos in most areas of the complex; however, there are some things worth noting first.
- – Keep shoulders and knees covered, even when posing for photos.
- – Avoid taking photos of monks unless permitted to do so.
- – Be respectful of others meditating or relaxing around the complex grounds.
- – Drones are not allowed within the complex.
What to Expect at Brahma Vihara Arama Monastery
Exploring the North of Bali, I imagined it to be what the rest of Bali was like 30-40 years ago. While there is tourist infrastructure in place, it feels considerably less commercialised than other parts of the island.
We discovered Brahma Vihara Monastery on route to the Banjar Hot Springs. After spotting it on the map, we decided to take a little detour and check it out.
We parked up our bikes, paid the entrance fee, and allowed the ladies in the ticket office to fit our sarongs.
Upon entering the complex, the unusual architecture was the first thing to catch our eye. While there are several Buddhist depictions and statues, there is an element of traditional Balinese architecture.
There are several levels to the complex, and we took our time to explore each one. It’s worth noting that there are several sets of stairs involved, so it may be tricky with a pram or for those less able.
Although we didn’t meditate, we agreed that the monastery had an incredibly calming effect on us. We spent quite some time in the upper-level gardens, soaking in the tranquillity and admiring the views.
Perhaps the most impressive feature of the monastery is the replication of the Borobudur Temple. Located in Java, Indonesia, Borobudur is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest Buddhist Temple in the world.
We were also surprised to find a similar design to the Instagram-Famous Bali Gateway to Heaven, only without the crowds!
All things considered, we really enjoyed our visit to Brahma Vihara Arama Monastery. So if your Bali itinerary leads you to the North, be sure to check it out for a unique and cultural experience.
Where to Stay in North Bali
Use the map below to search and compare all accommodations in the nearby area.
Booking.comEnjoy Brahma Vihara Arama Monastery!
That concludes our visitor’s guide to Brahma Vihara Arama Monastery. If you have any questions, feel free to drop them below. Otherwise we wish you safe and happy travels.
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