On a trip to Central Java? Walk through the bowels of the largest and most suggestive Hindu temple in Java and Indonesia: Candi Prambanan.
The temples of Prambanan
Prambanan has suffered over the years several earthquakes (one in the sixteenth century and another in 2006), abandonment and looting that have destroyed and deteriorated most of the 244 temples(Candi, in Indonesian) that originally consisted. Therefore, when you walk around the site it is impossible to overlook the ruins, scaffolding or areas closed for restoration.
However, despite this damage, it is still worth a visit. Just take a look at the photos to judge for yourself, bearing in mind that live it is a thousand times more beautiful 😉.
It consists of 3 main temples dedicated to the Trímurti:
- Candi Shiva: the destroyer (the largest).
- Candi Vishnu: the protector.
- Candi Brahma: the creator.
At the end of September 2012 we could only enter Vishnu's, but this did not detract from the magic of the experience.
The Buddhist temple of Candi Sewu
The second largest Buddhist temple in Indonesia, after Borobudur, is located just 800 meters north of Prambanan.
And if you thought you liked the previous one, get ready to be amazed by Candi Sewu. Although it has been rebuilt (in part) after the 2006 earthquake, it is IMPRESSIVE and can be visited inside.
So overcome the laziness that may give you the journey that separates it from Prambanan and get to Candi Sewu. You will not regret it.
The best part?
- Due to its separation from Prambanan, fewer tourists arrive. In fact, we were alone for most of our visit.
- Thanks to this distance, the views it offers of Prambanan are unparalleled.
How to get to Prambanan
Although it is possible to reach Prambanan from the center of Yogyakarta by public bus(Trans Jogja bus line 1A) or by booking organized tours in the city itself, we opted for a different alternative.
Private cab
Our plane was landing at Yogyakarta airport, but we did not intend to visit that city (too crowded for us). Actually, we wanted to go directly to Borobudur, where we would spend the next 2 nights at the Lotus II homestay.
Jack, the owner of this accommodation that is committed to sustainable tourism, offered to hire us a cab that would pick us up at the airport, take us to Prambanan and wait for us to leave and then transfer us to Borobudur for only 300,000 rupiah (24 € at the exchange rate at that time).
The truth is this:
- It made transportation much easier for us.
- It optimized the time we had to see Prambanan.
- It saved me from having to haggle with an unknown cab driver at the airport (something very typical in Indonesia and which I am very bad at).
And so, for less than 25€, we not only arrived comfortably in Prambanan, but we also got away from the hustle and bustle of Yogyakarta to enjoy for 2 days of life in a much more rural part of Indonesia for 2 days..
Budget
This is what we spent the day we went to visit the Hindu temples of Prambanan at the end of September 2012 (prices will have changed for sure):
- Prambanan entrance fee: 336000 rupiah/2 persons, 27€.
- Parking Prambanan: 5000 rupiah, 0,4€.
- One way flight to Jakarta-Yogyakarta: 92,3€/2 persons.
- Airport taxes: 80000 rupees, 6,5€.
- Cab driver (from airport to Borobudur included): 300,000 rupiah, 24€.
- Previous night of stopover in Jakarta: 650,000 rupiah, about 54€.
Tips and curiosities
When to go
If you want to enjoy Prambanan all to yourself, try to visit early in the morning or at sunset, when there are fewer tourists.
Clothing
Being a place of worship, it is advisable to dress modestly. At the entrance you are likely to be lent a sarong or scarf, as they did with us, which you should wear from the waist down as a sign of respect for the place.
Photographs
In Prambanan we discovered that many Indonesians are always eager to have their pictures taken with pale-skinned tourists. They treat you as if you were a celebrity or a Holywood actor.
The first time it was so funny, that after he asked us for a picture, we asked him for one. I think he was shocked, he didn't expect such a twist 🙂
And as we were lucky and that day Prambanan was very quiet, with hardly any visitors, this was more a nice anecdote than anything else. It would not be the same the next day in Borobudur...
Sol
Most of the time you will be walking outdoors, so remember to wear UV protection, sunglasses and some kind of hat to protect you from sunstroke.
Travel insurance
Don't gamble. Nowadays traveling insured with IATI, one of the best insurance companies for travelers, is super cheap.
3weeks traveling calm and relaxed in Indonesia for 110€? Knowing that we wouldn't even have to pay anything in advance if something unexpected happened? Delayed luggage, liability and a lot of money in medical expenses if necessary... I don't travel without them anymore.
And if you want to save even more, book through this link and get a 5% discount on the final price.
Useful Links
- International flights to Indonesia: Trabber, eDreams and Momondo.
- Web to buy internal flights in Indonesia.
- FM7 Resort Hotel next to Jakarta airport.
- 5% discount when you purchase your travel insurance at IATI from here.
On the road in Indonesia? Then this is of interest to you:
- 3 weeks tour in Indonesia: Java and Borneo.
- Experience a sunrise from the temple of Borobudur.
- Meditate with Buddhist monks at the Mendut temple.
- Selogriyo: a Hindu temple among rice plantations.
- How to organize your visit to Bromo and Ijen: 4 options.
- Route 3 days and 2 nights by Bromo and Ijen.
- 4 days klotok trip in Borneo: encounter with orangutans in the wild.
- Pulau Derawan: how to arrive and stay 7 days on the island.