Kapal in Bali is a small town on the road from Denpasar to Mengwi that is known for its cement and stone carvings. Kapal also has a couple of striking temples in and around town.
The town of Kapal itself isn’t much to look at and is only worthy of a daytrip from the beaches, or perhaps for a stop-off on the way to Mengwi. The main attraction in Kapal is the innumerable stone carvings in the many crafts shops on the main road into town. They are fine examples of local craftsmanship although a typical stone figure or house temple is very heavy to take home.
The other main attraction in Kapal is Pura Desa (Desa Temple). It is a pretty temple on the main road through town with richly decorated gates and nice foliage surroundings. Pura Desa shares its grounds with Pura Puseh, although they look like one temple. Keep an eye out for the superb carvings at the entrance.
The nearby Pura Sada is also a must-see for culture-vultures. It is just outside Kapal and is one of Bali’s most important temples.
Getting There
Kapal is just 15kms northwest of Denpasar on the main Singaraja Road to Mengwi. Buses and bemos serve all day on the Denpasar-Mengwi run. Bali itself is served by the international Ngurah Rai Airport, which receives flights from all over Asia, including from Jakarta. The airport is about an hour or so from Kapal by road.
Need to Know
- Worth it? Only really for those into handicrafts and temples.
- What to do: buying stone carvings, visiting Pura Desa temple.
- Best time to go: May and September are the quietest months on Bali and are dry.
- How long? A couple of hours in Kapal are enough.
- Trivia: Pura Desa temple has fine reliefs depicting Tantric scenes.