Uluwatu remains a special place for us as it was the very first destination of our trip. Sitting at the south-western most tip of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, we headed to Uluwatu to settle ourselves in to full-time travel.
Undoubtably the surfing capital of Bali, Uluwatu draws in people from all over the world who are looking to test their skills against the top-class surf breaks. Not into surfing? No problem. Uluwatu also boasts trendy beach clubs, clifftop temples and a laidback vibe that’s perfect to ease you in to your Bali adventure.
More people are flocking to Uluwatu each year but it still remains relatively quiet compared to other parts of Bali. Just a short drive from Denpasar Airport you can hop off a plane and land in paradise in little over 20 minutes.
How to get around Uluwatu
A scooter is bar far the easiest way to travel around Uluwatu. You should expect to pay about 90,000 – 120,000 IDR (£5 – £7) per day for rental, however if you hire for a longer period you can negotiate a better price. The roads are a lot quieter than in the busy towns of Canggu and Seminyak.
If you’re not comfortable riding a scooter then you can hire a driver for the day. They’ll get you from A to B quickly comfortably while sharing their local knowledge of the area.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Uluwatu is between April – October which is classed as Bali’s dry season. These months have less rainfall and average daily temperatures of 27°c.
So without further ado, let’s jump in to our 7 best things to do in Uluwatu:
1. Visit Uluwatu Temple & Kecak Dance
Uluwatu Temple, traditionally called Pura Luhur Uluwatu, is regarded as one of the six most spiritual temples in Bali. Built high on the edge of a cliff, the temple awards visitors with breathtaking views across the Indian Ocean.
Second to the stunning location and spiritual importance, Pura Luhur Uluwatu offers visitors a chance to walk through flower gardens and amongst Balinese structures dating back hundred of years.
Cementing its place at the top of things to do in Uluwatu, Uluwatu Temple hosts a Kecak Fire Dance each evening. Starting at 6:00pm in the amphitheatre next to the temple, around 70 Balinese people showcase a story of love through the use of dance. The ending adds a little heat to the performance when the stage is set alight just after the sun has gone down.
FOW Tips: Uluwatu Temple is home to Macaque monkeys who roam around in their dozens. Keep all loose belongings out of sight to avoid them being snatched by the cheeky primates.
2. Relax on the best beaches in Bali
Uluwatu may be Bali’s surfing hub but the south-western coastline has some seriously impressive beaches. Sitting on Bukit Peninsula you can catch rays on a number of Uluwatu’s stunning golden stretches.
Fancy getting away from the crowds? Head to Thomas Beach for a quieter place to relax. Looking for the best sunset? Bingin Beach has you covered.
You could quite easily spend all of your days lounging from one Uluwatu beach to another without being disappointed. It makes for the perfect destination to take part in some water sports or unwind with a cold coconut.
Read our top four Uluwatu beaches here.
3. Take a trip to GWK Cultural Park
If you’ve spent a couple of days in Uluwatu then you have most likely set eyes on The Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue towering in the distance. Situated around 11km outside of Uluwatu, GWK Cultural Park is a great day out if you fancy a change from beach clubs and smoothie bowls.
Take a Grab or hire a driver, or better yet if you’re confident on a scooter ride the 20 minutes yourself on Bali’s quieter roads.
The feature of the park is, of course, the 120 metre statue of the Hindu God Vishnu soaring up on the back of his mythical mount, Garuda. The statue is the widest in the world (65m) and is made up 3,000 tons of copper pieces. Taller than The Statue of Liberty, GWK took a whopping 28 years to complete.
Sitting within a 60 hectare park there’s plenty to explore and to help cover the vast space, you’re able to hire karts, bikes, e-scooters and even Segways. You will feel as though you’re travelling through a movie set with pathways forged amongst huge limestone rocks.
Make your way through exhibitions showcasing Balinese heritage, cultural artwork and sculptures and stop to watch traditional Hindu performances.
Entrance fee: 80,000 IDR per person
4. Enjoy a cocktail in one of Uluwatu’s Beach Clubs
So you’ve been stringently sticking to your travelling budget but would like a change from the Bali staples of Bingtang and Nasi Goreng.
Uluwatu really has taken it up a notch when it comes to beach clubs, offering an array of choices complete with luxury infinity pools, beachside BBQ’s and top DJ’s to help you dance the night away.
Sunday’s Beach Club is a firm favourite due to sitting directly on a beautiful white-sand beach. You can take advantage of renting a snorkel or paddle board from them and make the short stroll to the ocean. Once you’re finished
Omnia Day Club has popular locations in US states such as Las Vegas and its residence in Uluwatu is just as impressive. Omnia has an impressive cocktail menu and is sat next door to the renowned Japanese restaurant, Sake no Hana. With VIP areas and an exquisite pool, you will be living the high life in this Day Club.
Other popular Beach Clubs are Single Fin, Ulu Cliffhouse and Karma Beach Club.
5. Take on the World-Class waves
It’s almost impossible to speak about Uluwatu without mentioning surfing. Once it established itself as the bet surf break in Bali, it became a playground for Aussie’s who often take the 6 hour flight to catch the waves.
Thanks to its wave consistency and quality, Uluwatu now holds the accolade of being on the world stage with some of the best surfing you can find.
Padang Padang Beach is one of the most popular surfing spots and holds the annual Rip Curl competition where 16_ of the best surfers internationally are invited to compete.
Beginners that want to try their hand on the board can find surf schools along every Uluwatu beach offering courses or one-off lessons.
6. Grab breakfast at an Uluwatu Cafe
Brunch is life! In our opinion it is the best meal of the day and we make sure to squeeze in as many as our budget will allow.
Fortunately for us (and you), Uluwatu offers a great range of chic cafes to set yourself up before a big day of exploring.
Ulu Garden is located just off Uluwatu’s trendy strip and offers a relaxed environment, hosting a calendar of events. Check out their website_to see when their next hipster market is on or head there of an evening to watch a local band perform.
Conveniently located near Thomas Beach, Suka Espresso offers some of the best breakfast and coffee in Uluwatu. You can find everything from smoothie bowls to pancakes and smashed avo to mouthwatering breakfast burgers. Whether or not you were planning a day at the beach you shouldn’t miss out on a visit to Suka Espresso.
7. Catch a Sunset
We’re rounding off our list of best things to do in Uluwatu, with our favourite way of ending the day. Sipping on a Bintang and watching the sun go down. We caught some epic sunsets during our time in Uluwatu and thanks to the abundance of spots along the coast, you can experience a different view each night.
If you prefer to keep things low-key then head to any one of the main beaches (Bingin Beach, Thomas Beach, Padang Padang). Bring your own drinks, set out your towel and bask in the beautiful glow of the evening.
If you’d rather glam up and sip on a cocktail, make your way to Single Fin. Be sure to arrive early to secure a top spot – be prepared things can get a little rowdy.
Want to get your hike on? Jalan Hill is located on the opposite side of the clifftop to Uluwatu Temple. You can take a scooter the majority of the way until you reach the parking area where you’ll have to walk until you reach the viewpoint. It’s one of those places that make you truly feel as though you’re on top of the world.
As with a lot of places in South East Asia safety regulations are practically non-existent. Do not sit or stand too close to the edge, the photo is just as good a few feet back!
We’d love to hear your favourite things to do in Uluwatu.
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