Goa Gajah: A Sudden Turn Into Bali’s Elephant Cave

 

I wasn’t planning on going far that day. Sometimes the thought of riding too long feels heavy, and I just want somewhere close. Ubud’s streets were familiar, comforting, but as I strolled around, the idea of visiting Goa Gajah tugged at me. Not far at all, maybe that’s why it felt right.

The entrance was straightforward: ticket booth, respectful clothing reminders, sarongs folded neatly. I rented one for Rp 15.000 and tied it around my waist, the small gesture that always shifts me into temple mode.

Inside the grounds, the chatter faded. The first sight wasn’t the cave, but the bathing pools,  six stone women pouring water into silence. Their mossy faces looked eternal, like guardians who had been standing there long before us and would stay long after.

Then the carved mouth of the cave appeared. Wide eyes, gaping mouth, part demon, part protector. Some say Bhoma, others an elephant. To me, it felt alive, daring me to step inside.

The cave itself was dark and intimate. A Ganesha statue, wrapped in black-and-white cloth, sat in quiet dignity with offerings at its feet. Niches carved into the walls spoke of monks who once meditated here. The air was thick, as if layered with centuries of prayers.

Back outside, I wandered through piles of broken stones, remnants of temples that had collapsed and been re-stacked. Jungle streams ran beneath moss-covered boulders, and a guide pointed out the blend of Hindu and Buddhist traces across the site. I slipped him Rp 150.000 at the end; his stories had turned rocks into history.

On the way out, the market by the parking lot burst with color, sarongs, wood carvings, woven hats, and fruit. Bali’s rhythm of sacred and ordinary side by side.

I hadn’t meant to travel far, and I hadn’t. But Goa Gajah still carried me somewhere else, into an older, quieter Bali that hums beneath the surface.

What You’ll See

• Bathing Pools: Six female statues, pouring water symbolizing sacred rivers

• The Cave Entrance: A dramatic carved face, Bhoma or elephant, depending on who tells the story

• Inside the Cave: Ganesha status, niches for meditation, offerings, and incense

• Scattered Ruins: Piles of stones showing both Hindu and Buddhist influence

• Jungle Paths: Streams, mossy rocks, and shaded ravines that feel untouched

Quick Guide

• Tickets: Rp 50.000,- (foreign adult) | Rp 25.000,- (foreign child) | Rp 30.000,- (local adult) | Rp 15.000,- (local child)

• Sarong Rental: Rp 15.000,-

• Parking Rp 2.000,- (motorbike) | Rp 5.000,- (car)

• Hours: 07:30 AM - 6:00 PM daily

• Location: Bedulu village, 10 minutes from Ubud

• Guides: Available; tips appreciated (Rp 100.000 - Rp 150.000,- recommended)

• Market: Small stalls near the parking lot for souvenirs and snacks

Travel Notes

• Best time: mornings, before tour buses arrive

• Paths can be slippery after rain; good shoes help

• Bring your own sarong if you prefer, but rentals are easy

• Take your time. Don’t just snap the cave photo and leave