Known for its stunning beaches, otherworldly surf breaks, incredible landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, Uluwatu is a region on the southern coast of Bali. Whether you’re a Surfer, Digital nomad, Solo traveler, or travelling with a family, Uluwatu has something for you and will leave you with a trip full of unforgettable experiences.
As popular and ever changing Uluwatu is, this Uluwatu Travel Guide has been created to provide you with the most helpful information and resources to ensure you get to discover the best of Bali and have a stress-free on your Indonesian adventure.
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Table of Contents
Why uluwatu is worth visiting
Uluwatu is one of Bali’s ever-growing popular tourist destinations, and there’s a good reason why. The way in which Uluwatu offers travellers a blend of Fun, Culture, Adventure, Relaxation, and Incredible nature creates a destination that makes a perfect trip, regardless of your travel purpose. Uluwatus’s popularity also brings big crowds during peak seasons but at the same time, it always has quiet places you can discover and get away to. Offering you some of Bali’s best restaurants, Unique cliffside bars, Pristine beaches, and breathtaking temples, Uluwatu is most definitely worth visiting and one destination we will be coming back to.
How many days should you spend in Uluwatu ?
Of course, the ideal amount of time you spend in Uluwatu is going to depend on how you prefer to travel. Here is how long you should stay in Uluwatu based on your travel type:
Solo Travelers: 2-3 days
Couples: 3-4 days
Families: 4-5 days
Surfers: Forever
Regardless of how you travel, to get the most out of your trip in Uluwatu it’s important to leave some flexibility in your schedule. There is always the chance of Undiscovered wonders. You really could spend a whole week here for a laid-back holiday if you prefered. This list should give everyone an idea of the average trip.
What to do for the day in Uluwatu
If you only have one day to spend in Uluwatu here are some of the top things to do and see to consider:
Morning
Sunrise
Catch the sunrise at Bingin or Uluwatu Beach.
Breakfast
Grab breakfast afterward at one of Bingin beach’s amazing restaurants or restaurants.
Surf
Rent a surfboard and head for a surf on one of the various breaks nearby depending on your surf experience or take a surf lesson if you are a beginner.
Lunch / Afternoon
Lunch
Enjoy lunch at a trendy cafe or by the beach
Uluwatu Temple
Visit the Uluwatu temple and see the breathtaking views on the cliffside overlooking the Indian Ocean. See the monkeys here and keep your possessions close. They do enjoy snatching anything you have loose on your body.
Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural park.
One of Bali’s most popular cultural landmarks and a statue of the Hindu deity, Vishnu, and the mythical bird Garuda.
Night
The Kecak fire dance
Attend the Kecak fire dance performance held in the evening at Uluwatu temple while watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean from stunning Cliffside views
Jimbaran Bay
Catch the sunset in Jimbaran bay and experience Bali’s freshest seafood caught and delivered to your plate on the same day
Singlefin: Grab a Cocktail or Ice Cold beer at Single Fin and experience Uluwatus nightlife. Live music, DJ sets, food and drink with an amazing view on the cliffside terrace. This spot has become a must-see for anyone looking for Uluwatus nightlife.
El Kabron: For a bit more upmarket budget, go to El Kabron. One of Bali’s finest Beach clubs with amazing seafood dishes to accompany your cocktails. Panoramic views over the ocean with stunning sunsets make this an incredible way to finish your day in Uluwatu.
Best time of year to visit Uluwatu
Uluwatu is a destination that is beautiful all year round, But does change with the year in terms of Weather, crowds, and costs at certain times. Ultimately the dry season is the best time if you want to enjoy sunnier weather and outdoor adventures but this season does brings the crowds and costs that can be avoided in the rainy season.
Here’s a list of different seasons of the year to suit your travel style:
Weather
Dry Season: (April-September)
Peaking in August, between these months Uluwatu has generally sunny and dry weather making it ideal for exploring and activities. Expected Uluwatu to get crowded during this time and prices to be more expensive due to this.
Wet Season: (October-March)
The rainy season starts around November. This may bring the risk of canceled activities and mosquitos but this season also brings with it cheaper prices with the reduced number of tourists. The nature in Uluwatu can be quite amazing watching the storms come over Bali from the cliffside.
Surfing
If you’re a surfer, the best time to see Uluwatu is in the dry season. During this time you’ll find the biggest swell. If you’re just beginning and looking to take classes, September to November brings smaller waves that will be much easier to learn on.
Getting around Uluwatu
Hire a Motorbike
Hiring a motorbike for a day in Uluwatu is a convenient and easy way to travel around. Go at your own pace and navigate your way around traffic quite easily.
Day hire cost: 70,000-10,000Rp/day. Don’t expect to pay any more than this unless you get a very upmarket motorbike. You can rent these through your accommodation or a reputable rental service.
Private Driver
Hire a private driver for the day. Greatly convenient if you are travelling with a family or large group. From about 600,000Rp you can have a private driver to take you to all your activities/beaches for the day.
Ride Hailing apps
Gojek and Grab are great options and are largely available in Uluwatu. Whether on the back of a driver’s bike or in a car or minivan, these apps are easy to install and order a driver from most places within Uluwatu. A great budget-friendly option with rides costing anywhere upwards of 12,000 Rp.
Where to stay Uluwatu
Uluwatu has a great number of areas and accommodations to suit every budget and travel preference.
Bingin
Bingin is a great location. Stay cliffside, overlooking the oceans, and only a short walk down a steep set of stairs to the beach where you will find amazing dining options with the local warungs and restaurants and lounges to enjoy a rest. A very convenient location for all travellers looking for a beautiful beach and a quiet spot for a relaxing trip
Padang Padang Area
Close to most of the trendy cafes in Uluwatu and right by the stunning Padang Padang beach where you can swim right by the cliffside and waves. Also offering classes with instructors for beginner surfers. Padang Padang hosts Beach Clubs within a short drive making it a preferred destination for party goers.
Balangan
A beautiful and secluded beach in Uluwatu, there are many budget-friendly villas and guesthouses nearby Balangan beach. Along with this a great surf break for beginner to intermediate surfers. With excellent restaurants and bars nearby the beach, Balangan makes a great area to stay for a memorable trip to Uluwatu.
Cost Breakdown
Food:
Head to a local warung for a Nasi Goreng or multiple local options for any meal of the day – 25000 IDR ($1.75)
Find a Smoothie Bowl for a more midrange budget in one of Uluwatus trendy cafes for breakfast:
70,000IDR ($10)
Any other western meal throughout the day can be found in sandwiches, burgers, sushi and great seafood.
Expect to pay anywhere between 60,000 – 180,000IDR ($4-12 USD) for these meals
Accommodation:
Hostels and Guesthouses
Find a comfortable guest house or social hostel in Uluwatu for 80,000-140,000 IDR ($5-10 USD) /night
More upper range be expected to pay up to 250,000IDR ($17USD) /night
VIllas and hotels
Be expected to break the budget a little for more uprange accommodation. Find some stunning locations to stay in for 500,000-1,500,000IDR ($35-105 USD)
Transport:
Rent a Motorbike
Rent through your accommodation or a reputable rental service for 60,000-100,000 IDR ($4-7 USD) /day for you standard scooter
Gojek and Grab
Easy grab a ride with these ride hailing apps. You can be picked up in most locations easily in Uluwatu. Pay12,000 IDR ($1.50USD) to get on the back of a scooter with a driver or around 50,000 IDR(3.50 USD) in a car.
Activities:
Uluwatu temple – 30,000IDR ($2USD) Entry or stay and watch the Kecak dance for
100,000IDR ($7 USD).
Surfing Lessons – 200,000 – 400,000 IDR ($13-25USD) depending on private or group lessons
Rent a surfboard:
1 hour – 50,000 IDR ($3.50USD)
1 day – 150,000IDR ($10 USD)
Have Fun
Uluwatu is a paradise for all visitors. You will leave Uluwatu well-refreshed and with a deeper insight into the culture of Bali. This Uluwatu Travel Guide can encourage you to take that leap into visiting paradise, help you discover the best Bali has to offer, and hopefully assist you in ensuring your trip to Uluwatu is unforgettable and easy.
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