The Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppets has no formal entrance charge, though donations are recommended for upkeep of the garden and collection. Walk through on your own, or take one of the Ubud art tours, which stop at Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppets and typically focus on the Balinese and Javanese masks in the collection. The museum is also an occasional stop on tours of the wood-carving village of Mas.
The Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppets is a must-visit for fans of the visual arts and drama.
The antique houses in which the collections are stored will appeal to those with an interest in Indonesian architecture.
The complex, which has wheelchair access, features a cafe and gift shop where you can shop for masks.
The Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppets sits on the fringes of Mas Village, near Ubud, a district famous for wood-carving. It’s not possible to get here by public transport so many travelers prefer to hire a private driver or join an organized tour.
The Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppets is open morning till early evening, seven days a week and is rarely crowded. Check its website, or ask local guides, for details of the occasional performances that come through and be aware that the amphitheater is occasionally hired for private events.
Indonesia’s 18,000-or-so islands are home to a fascinating array of mask and puppet traditions: masks feature in ceremonial dances on Hindu Bali, while wayang shadow puppets are an ancient Javanese performing tradition. Some of the most interesting masks on display at Setia Darma are from the east of the archipelago, with a distinctively tribal feel.