One of only two villages that are still inhabited by the remaining Bali Aga people (original Balinese) that have retained a culture that predates the Majapahit, Tenganan is an isolated village located approximately 4 km inland from Candidasa. The villagers maintain a very strict adherence to ancient traditions, such as ancestor worship, cosmology and other animist beliefs. There is also a rigid social system – villagers must live inside the village and marry from within. Tenganan is well known for its fine woven baskets and fabrics, called ikat geringsing. It is also known for its Gamelan selunding music. Another popular souvenir from Tenganan village is the Balinese map. The maps are hand-drawn into bamboo leaves with burnt macadamia nut as ink.

Whenever there is an important temple ceremony in Tenganan, the local custom is to perform a ritual combat, known as mekare kare. Fighters beat each other with thorny pandanus leaves, and there are no winners or losers, the aim of the combat is purely to draw as much blood as possible as a sacrificial rite.

Houses in Tenganan Pegringsingan village are built on either side of the north to the south concourse with their doors opening on to it. The entrances of the houses are narrow, only allowing one person to enter or leave at any one time. One enters the village through the gate on the southern end. On either side of the entrance are two small temples. Across from these is the long bale agung, where the administrative decisions for the village are made. Next to that is the drum tower (kul-kul). The kul-kul is beaten 21 times each morning to start the day. Up the center are a series of communal pavilions (bale) for ceremonial gatherings.