Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan Tours

Probably Indonesia’s most spectacular live performance, the Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan takes place at an open-air theater or on an indoor stage near the Prambanan temples outside Yogyakarta. A cast of over 200 dancers and musicians perform episodes from the Hindu Ramayana epic with a traditional gamelan gong-and-drum orchestra.

The Basics
There’s a substantial charge for the Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan, which is almost always visited from Yogyakarta. During the dry season (May to October), performances are usually on the atmospheric outdoor stage, with views of the illuminated Shiva temple. VIP and Special seats face the stage, whereas Class 1 seats are angled, and Class 2 seats are around the side. At the indoor theater, there are three classes of seats: Special face the stage, Class 1 are angled, and Class 2 are at the sides. Consider a package that includes round-trip transfers from your Yogyakarta hotel and perhaps dinner as well.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan is a must for fans of dance and culture.
• The show runs too long and starts too late for most children.
• In case of rain, outdoor performances may be moved indoors or abandoned altogether.
• It’s worth paying the extra money for seats that face the stage.
• The Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan is not wheelchair-accessible.

How to Get There
The Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan happens within the enormous Prambanan Archaeological Park, about 12 miles (19 kilometers) east of downtown Yogyakarta. TransJogja bus 1A connects Prambanan to the airport and Jalan Malioboro in downtown. It stops running before the performance finishes, so most travelers prefer to book a driver or an organized tour.

When to Get There
The ballet is performed in the evenings on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with additional performances at peak periods. Visit during the dry season (May to October) to enjoy it on the open-air stage with the Temple of Shiva illuminated behind. At other times of year, or if it’s raining, watch it at the enclosed Trimurti Theater.

What Is the Ramayana?
Scenes from the Ramayana, an Indian epic that’s probably as old as the Giza pyramids, adorn the Shiva temple at Prambanan and form the focus of the Ramayana Ballet. The Ramayana tells the story of Prince Rama and his wife Sita. After a demon king abducted Sita, Rama rescued her with a monkey army.