Karma Kandara Funicular Reopens After Nearly Two Years

After nearly two years of inactivity, the Karma Kandara funicular is finally open again. This iconic attraction connects the Karma Group resort, perched atop a cliff, with Karma Beach Bali below.

The newly upgraded funicular descends 85 meters down steep limestone cliffs, offering passengers breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean and the scenic Bukit coastline. Now, guests can reach the beach in just one minute, avoiding the long walk down.

The funicular has undergone not only technical modernization but also an artistic transformation. The cabin’s design was created by artist Raif Meyers, whose contemporary artwork is exhibited in galleries across Southeast Asia, Australia, and Europe.

At Karma Beach Bali, visitors can enjoy:

✔ Le Club 22

✔ Warung Pantai

✔ Phoenix Beach Bar

These venues offer Pan-Asian and Mediterranean cuisine, signature cocktails, water activities, live music, and DJ sets.

To celebrate the relaunch of the funicular, Karma Kandara hosted a special event. Guests enjoyed chilled rosé and tequila at Phoenix Bar, followed by a dinner at Warung Pantai, curated by chef Joseph Antonischek.

Among the invited guests were local media and government representatives, who praised the new funicular not only as an engineering achievement but also as an important symbol of Karma Kandara.

Despite the grand reopening, many still remember the tragic incident in Ubud in 2023, when the cable of the Ayu Terra Resort funicular snapped. The cabin, carrying staff members, plunged 60 meters, resulting in the death of five people.

The incident led to mass inspections of all funiculars in Bali. According to police reports, the main causes of the accident were worn-out cables and faulty braking systems. Following the tragedy, authorities tightened safety regulations for similar lifts across the island.

Representatives of Karma Group assure that the Karma Kandara funicular is fully licensed and meets the latest safety standards.

It remains to be seen whether the new funicular will live up to expectations both in terms of comfort and safety.

Sources: karmakandara