Bottom line: The Tanah Barak cliff passage at Pandawa Beach is now closed to private vehicles. Whether you’re on a scooter or in a car, you must park at the Lelangon parking lot and then walk or take a shuttle to the beach (ticket price remains IDR 25,000 per person, for both domestic and international tourists). This change aims to make the popular photo spot safer and reduce conflicts between people and vehicles. The shuttle can carry up to 800 passengers per day round trip.
Pandawa Beach in Uluwatu, at the southernmost tip of Bali, is sometimes called the ‘Blue Highway’ because of its dramatic limestone cliffs and beautiful white sand beach, making it an increasingly popular must-visit destination. But with a surge in tourist numbers over the past year and a half, local authorities have decided to adjust the access method to make traffic for pedestrians and vehicles smoother and safer.
Bali’s New Attraction: Tanah Barak
The Tanah Barak area of Pandawa Beach is the most popular entrance. As visitors walk from the parking lot to the beach, they must pass through a narrow cliff passage, which has also become a hotspot for photos. To ensure pedestrian safety, private vehicles are now banned from this passage. Instead, authorities have introduced a shuttle service, which not only protects pedestrians but also reduces surrounding traffic pressure and keeps the area looking cleaner.
Local official Ni Luh Hepi Wiradani explained that this policy was developed based on visitor feedback. ‘Many tourists wanted Tanah Barak to be more orderly, with vehicles not weaving through and disrupting their experience. So we adjusted the traffic flow to let everyone enjoy themselves more easily.’
Tanah Barak is no less impressive than Japan’s famous Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
Now, whether you’re on a scooter or in a car, you need to park at the Lelangon parking lot, then walk or take a shuttle to the beach. The ticket price remains the same as before: IDR 25,000 per person, for both domestic and international visitors.
This new system has been in place for a few days and has received positive feedback, with both tourists and the local community expressing satisfaction with the new measures. ‘Since this policy was introduced, visitors have reported feeling more at ease without vehicles disrupting their experience.’
The shuttle can carry up to 800 visitors daily between the parking lot and the beach, but walking remains the best option for those wanting to snap photos of the cliffside passage. During peak season, Pandawa Beach welcomes over 2,000 visitors a day. Once a ‘hidden gem,’ it has now become a must-visit destination for both local and international travelers.
Pandawa Beach’s management team is quickly adapting to the surge in visitors. For instance, during this year’s Eid al-Fitr holiday, daily visitor numbers reached 2,500 to 3,000, posing a major challenge for the management.
Further reading: Bali Actually Has Five Peak Seasons! How to Travel Smart and Avoid the Crowds?
Local leaders are also considering a new zoning plan, dividing the beach into several dedicated areas: a public beach zone, a water sports zone, a beach club zone, a dining area, and a private beach for exclusive events like weddings and proposals.
Pandawa Beach lies between Green Bowl Beach (check out Xiao Jie’s Indonesia intro) and Pantai Gunung Payung. If you’re looking for a few more nearby spots, see our 【Uluwatu Guide】47 Uluwatu Attractions: Food, Fun & Recommendations.
Tanah Barak and Pandawa Beach are actually closer to the two resort areas on Bali’s southern east coast, Nusa Dua or Sanur. Check out our guides below for food, fun, and accommodation:
Klook Day Trip:
Explore South Bali in a VW convertible! Stops include Padang Padang and Pandawa Beach for stunning views, Uluwatu Temple for sunset, and a seafood dinner in Jimbaran. The package includes pickup, driver, and fuel—so you can relax and soak in all the beauty of Bali without a worry!
Travel Tips:
In June 2024, we had lunch at Icon Bali, then took a private car from Sanur to Tanah Barak in the afternoon, and headed to the nearby White Sand Beach Club in the evening. It was a relaxing half-day itinerary, and we highly recommend it!
2023/06 Tanah Barak
That same evening, White Sand Beach Club — everyone said it was amazing!
We bought our tickets here, and their lagoon sunbed fits eight people, which was just perfect for us! The ticket price is redeemable for minimum spend:
White Rock Beach Club Day Pass
Sign Up for Our Blog
📩 Join the ‘Bali Travel Guide’ blog now and become a Bali travel pro!
By subscribing for free, you’ll get:
✅ The latest Bali news, keeping you in the know for your travels
✅ In-depth guide to make your trip both budget-friendly and worry-free
✅ Exclusive recommendations for hidden gems and local food maps
✅ Content you won’t find on Facebook groups
✅ Gather the best itinerary tips from fellow travelers, making every trip a seamless experience
