Taman Festival Bali is one of the spooky and weird places that simply got lost in time. Chances are that you may hear a sound or two even when you are here alone. The person who gave me my ticket, asked me not to go into the forest alone.
If you’re looking to visit something off the radar, and see the thriving street art scene in Bali, I would highly recommend a visit to the haunted theme park, Taman Festival Bali.
What is Taman Festival Bali
Taman Festival Bali, once considered to be the Balinese answer to Disneyland, was constructed in the late 1990s as a testament to creativity and ambition. Located on the shores of Sanur Beach, the makers of the theme park spared no expense in its construction. It is rumored that the construction cost a staggering $100 million into its development. When it officially opened its gates in 1997, Taman Festival Bali promised visitors an unparalleled experience, boasting the world’s largest inverted roller coaster, a 3D cinema, Bali’s biggest swimming pool, laser shows, and even an artificial volcano alongside a crocodile pit teeming with over 100 of these creatures.
However, fate had other plans and just under a year after its launch, Taman Festival met an untimely demise on a particularly ominous date, Friday the 13th. After lightning struck the Turbo Theatre, and destroyed $5 million worth of laser equipment, the operations were closed and never resumed. Today, the remnants of this once attraction offer a haunting glimpse into a bygone era, making it one of the most intriguing offbeat destinations among Bali’s diverse range of tourist places.
Today Taman Festival is also rundown by graffiti and street art and anyone who admires local art scene should visit. Although when I did, I only found myself a few locals who were playing paintball.
For over two decades, the fate of Taman Festival Bali remained shrouded in obscurity. Today, as you approach the entrance, a guy sits by the ticket booth, for a ticket worth 20,000 IDR he’ll let you enter the park. However his job seems mostly to ensure that people don’t venture too far into the depths of the forest.
Once inside, the sheer size of the park becomes apparent. There is a lot of tangled overgrowth of vines on the buildings, broken concrete structures, and windowless, empty rooms that feels kinda disturbing.
After its closure, the park’s over 100 crocodiles were left to roam freely. Local villagers began feeding them with chicken. However, stories circulate about some of these crocodiles turning wild and, tragically, causing harm to people. People say that they still hide in the jungle because if which the ticket guy will not advice you to go deeper.
According to Balinese legend, abandoned sites often become the domain of roaming spirits, and Taman Festival Park is no exception. It has become famous as one of the most haunted places in Bali. There are many instances and accounts of ghostly sightings around the park by the locals and even tourists like me.
It’s also said that the spirits of over 100 people who tragically lost their lives during the park’s construction still wander within its boundaries. Villagers have conducted cleansing ceremonies in an attempt to restore the park’s aura.
How to Reach Taman Festival, Bali?
Taman Festival, Bali, is located near Sanur Beach and Padang Galak. The park is easily accessible by car or taxi from Denpasar or other popular tourist areas on the island. Follow the signs towards Sanur and Padang Galak or just book a grab that will drop you right next to the park entrance.
Opening Hours
The park is open 7 days a week but I would advice you to visit in the afternoon or morning 10 AM when it is not that humid and you can walk around freely.
Nature has reclaimed most of Taman Festival theme park. You must be very careful if you are traveling here alone. Apart from the rumored crocodiles, the interiors of the park is also full of snakes and other critters.
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