Barong Dance in Batubulan: time, ticket price and how it compares with legong and kecak
The Barong and Kris (barong and keris) dance in Batubulan, a village in Gianyar south of Ubud, is the morning show easiest to add to a day in Bali: a duel between the barong, a protective spirit, and the witch Rangda, ending in a dagger dance. It lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours. Guides consulted in October 2026 give a daily start at 9:30 am (one booking says 10 am, with arrival at 9 am), and a ticket of about 120,000 IDR on site (2025); online tickets are more expensive, around 8 to 17 USD depending on the site. No official schedule: confirm when booking.
Highlights
The barong steps in
Two dancers animate the mythical creature, half lion and half dragon, in a gold and mirror costume. This is the most photogenic moment of the show.
The final fight
According to legend, good (the barong) and evil (Rangda) fight without either winning, illustrating the Balinese balance. The kris dance, where dancers in a trance turn the daggers on themselves, is the high point (keep your distance).
To compare
The legong at the old Ubud palace is an evening show, more graceful (see Ubud Legong); the Uluwatu kecak is seen at sunset (see Uluwatu kecak).
Practical info
Tips
- Choose according to your schedule: the Barong is the morning show (so it fits a day of waterfalls or temples), the legong is in the evening in Ubud and the kecak at sunset in the south. Arrive 30 minutes early for a front seat; the first rows go to those who come early. Shows are held in an open hall: bring water. The ticket does not always include a translator: a guide summarises the story in English on most packages. You can combine it with Celuk (silver) and Mas (wood) in the same morning; see Ubud in one day: which tour to choose and private driver in Bali.
How to get there
Batubulan is about 20 to 30 minutes from Ubud and half an hour from the airport (estimates), on the road to Denpasar. Tour agencies offer the ticket alone or with a hotel transfer.
Opening hours
Our guides that feature it
Nearby
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